Dodgers slay their recent demons by beating Padres to regain tie for first in NL West
On a night the Dodgers had a stadium-wide giveaway promotion for the anime show "Demon Slayer," the club slayed a few recently troublesome demons of its own.
In the opening game of this season’s biggest series to date, they finally found a way not to trip over themselves.
By beating the San Diego Padres 3-2 at Dodger Stadium, the club moved back into a tie with the Padres for first place in the National League West.
They got six strong innings from Clayton Kershaw; plus, in a refreshing change of pace, plenty of crisp, clean defense behind him.
Read more:Dodgers' Max Muncy to miss several weeks because of oblique strain
And though a lineup that lost Max Muncy to the injured list with an oblique strain before the game was largely contained by the Padres (who had to go with a bullpen game after scheduled starter Michael King was shelved with a shoulder injury), the Dodgers still managed to break their four-game losing streak thanks to their biggest weakness of late.
For the first time in what felt like several weeks, a scuffling bullpen finally didn’t cough up a late, narrow lead.
The Dodgers (69-53) came into this weekend’s rivalry series reeling in a way that once seemed impossible for this year’s $400-million team.
Since July 4, they were just 12-21. What had been a nine-game division lead then was transformed into a one-game deficit to the Padres, who came to Los Angeles riding high thanks to a monster trade deadline and a recent 14-3 streak.
More dark clouds formed a few hours before first pitch when Muncy (who missed Wednesday’s game with side soreness) was placed on the injured list with a Grade 1 oblique strain, sidelining him for at least the next several weeks.
And though the Dodgers had taken five of seven games from the Padres (69-53) earlier this season, they suddenly felt more like an underdog now, searching for answers to their recently inconsistent offense, unsound fundamentals and untrustworthy bullpen (which had squandered five games in the past two weeks).
“I don't like to be embarrassed. I don't think our players do [either],” manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “So this series, I'm expecting high intensity and high performance.”
The Dodgers delivered on both.
Kershaw set the tone, displaying a vintage demeanor even with his ever-diminished stuff. Before the game, he marched through the clubhouse and hunched over his locker, leafing through a scouting report while teammates carefully tip-toed around him. Between innings, he quietly paced in the dugout while avoiding almost any human contact. And when he was atop the mound, he pounded the strike zone and executed pitch after pitch, yielding his only run in the second inning when Ramón Laureano (one of several sizzling San Diego deadline acquisitions) clipped the outside of the left-field foul pole to open the scoring.
“There's just no one more intense or focused than Clayton,” Roberts said. “He has a way of elevating people's focus and play.”
It certainly appeared that way. Defensively, the Dodgers helped Kershaw out by turning several tough plays around the infield — from Freddie Freeman picking a ball in the dirt the second inning, to Alex Freeland and then Kershaw himself making tough plays in the third and fifth, respectively.
At the plate, the Dodgers also managed to capitalize on a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity in the third, after singles from Michael Conforto and Freeland were followed by a popped-up Miguel Rojas bunt that Padres third baseman Manny Machado couldn’t catch with a dive.
The Dodgers didn’t get another hit in the inning, but Shohei Ohtani drove in one run by beating out a potential double-play ball. Mookie Betts then added a go-ahead sacrifice fly.
The score remained 2-1 until Teoscar Hernández belted an opposite-field homer in the seventh, producing a massively important insurance run.
Then, it was up to the bullpen, which was asked to protect the kind of slim late-game lead they’ve squandered all too often during the team’s recent skid.
Ben Casparius pitched a scoreless seventh inning, stranding a two-out double from Jackson Merrill.
Alex Vesia created a jam in the eighth by hitting two batters and loading the bases on a walk. But the Padres only managed one run, with Vesia getting Luis Arraez to hit a sacrifice fly before Blake Treinen came on and retired Manny Machado on a first-pitch pop-up.
In the ninth inning, surprisingly, Roberts didn’t stick with Treinen — who they’ve been wary of using for multiple innings as he continues to work his way back from an early-season elbow injury.
The move might’ve been questionable. But, at long last, the result didn’t backfire.
Alexis Díaz and Jack Dreyer pitched around a single from Merrill in the ninth.
The Dodgers finally held on to a late lead. And after spending the last 48 hours in second place, the team climbed back to the top of the division standings, exorcising the close-game demons that had so dauntingly haunted them over the last several weeks.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yankees' Brian Cashman defends Aaron Boone, says manager is doing 'best he can'
It's been a tumultuous season for the Yankees, who sit precariously as the final wild card team even after their win Friday night against the Cardinals.
The same Yankees that were in the World Series less than a year ago, and have kept the same core of players, have underachieved in 2025 and many believe it falls on manager Aaron Boone's shoulders. But Brian Cashman doesn't.
The longtime GM of the Yankees spoke to the media, including The Athletic, prior to Friday's game in St. Louis, and was asked numerous questions, including what he thinks of the job Boone is doing in 2025 and how he's handling the ups and downs of the season.
"The best he can," Cashman said. “I don’t know how any manager, let alone a manager in a big market like New York, speaking of Aaron Boone, I’ve told him many times, how he does the pre- and postgame and navigates that on a daily basis, that’s not easy. It takes a talent in its own right to try to walk through that without losing your cool or getting emotional. He has stayed level-headed and even-keeled.
"He knows how tough this sport is. He’s invested in these guys heavily, as we all are. Trying to explain away a difficult play or a bad performance for some time while the storm is upon us is not an easy task to navigate or deal with and remain cool, calm and collected. He’s obviously done an amazing job of working through that."
Cashman said he wouldn't be able to do what Boone does in dealing with the media, but in addition to defending Boone with how he handles the large New York market, is how he also manages the players.
“I’m not an advocate of becoming Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage or John Cena from WWE and providing a power drive to finish off the victim — the victim being someone struggling at the plate, struggling defensively, struggling on the mound," he said. "And now you’re hearing it externally, and their family and friends are all hearing it. Then internally, now, they’re getting piled on also. In many cases, you’ve got to understand what the atmosphere is like.”Cashman said players require more support in a market like New York and that Boone has the skills to help players get through struggles at the plate or on the field.
But the Yankees GM is not overlooking the team's struggles over the last few months, which include losing their grasp on the AL East and fighting for their playoff lives. The Yankees are just 1.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians after Friday's games.
And while that's good to get into the postseason, Cashman is not delusional about how the team is playing and that they need to right the ship sooner rather than later.
“We’re the defending American League champs trying to re-defend that,” Cashman said. “Obviously, right now, we’re not in control of the division. Our first goal is try to win the American League East and automatically punch the ticket that way. If not, we’ll be fighting to punch a ticket a different way. We have a lot of time on the clock, but not enough time at the same time. I don’t want to misrepresent (that) there’s not urgency, because there is.”
Two-start pitchers: Joe Ryan headlines the dynamite options for the week of August 18
Hello and welcome to the 20th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.
I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.
Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.
This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.
Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:
The Phillies are going to a six-man rotation to accommodate the return of Aaron Nola. That means that despite the fact that Ranger Suarez will pitch on Monday, he’ll make just one start on the week like the rest of his rotation-mates. If anything changes, we’ll update here.
The Cubs play eight games next week due to a doubleheader on Monday, so even if they do shift to a six-man rotation, they would have two pitchers line up for two-start weeks. We’re confident that Cade Horton will be one of them, and he is profiled below. Jameson Taillon is likely to slot into the mix during one game of Monday’s doubleheader. If the Cubs go with a true six-man, he would start again over the weekend against the Angels in Los Angeles. It’s also possible that they may prefer to keep Matthew Boyd on regular rest or go with some sort of modified six-man rotation, in which case it’s possible that Boyd would make two starts next week. He should be in fantasy lineups regardless though, so there’s no decision point there. We’ll update in this space if we gain more clarity through the weekend.
The Rays only play five games next week, so it’s unlikely that anyone on the team will make two starts. It’s possible they could decide to skip Joe Boyle during this trip through the rotation, which would have Shane Baz make two starts – vs. Yankees and vs. Cardinals – but that’s not guaranteed.
We’re also still awaiting word on what the Blue Jays plan to do with their rotation to accommodate the return of Shane Bieber. Eric Lauer has pitched far to well to just bump him from their rotation, but it’s unclear if they want to go with a full six-man rotation. We’ll update as we receive more information.
Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of August 18.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of August 15 and are subject to change.
American League
Strong Plays
Joe Ryan, Twins, RHP (vs. Athletics, @ White Sox)
On paper, this looks to be one of the strongest overall weeks that we have seen this season. Twins’ ace Joe Ryan enters the week with a 12-5 record, 2.72 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 153/27 K/BB ratio over 139 innings. He has also pitched well as of late, coming in off of two straight wins including a dominant performance against the Yankees in New York. Now he’ll welcome in the slumping Athletics’ offense before finishing his week against the White Sox in Chicago. He’s probably the top option overall on the board this week and should be a goldmine of fantasy production.
Trevor Rogers, Orioles, LHP (@ Red Sox, vs. Astros)
I never thought that we’d see the day that Trevor Rogers blossomed into a fantasy ace with the Orioles, but here we are. The 27-year-old southpaw has gone 5-2 with a brilliant 1.43 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and a 60/15 K/BB ratio over 69 1/3 innings through his first 11 starts. Absolutely outstanding. The matchups are tough this week, but Rogers has shown us more than enough to trust him in difficult spots – especially with the added volume of a two-start week. After all, he has allowed just three earned runs over 21 innings his last three times out against the Phillies, Mariners and Cubs – with two of those starts coming on the road. It’s time to put some respect on his name and lock him into all lineups this week.
Logan Gilbert, Mariners, RHP (@ Phillies, vs. Athletics)
Gilbert is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and should be started in 100 percent of leagues every week. A matchup against the Athletics to close out the upcoming two-start week is simply icing on the cake. Enjoying watching one of the best in the game perform his craft twice next week.
Hunter Brown, Astros, RHP (@ Tigers, @ Orioles)
There’s no decisions for fantasy managers to make with this one. One of the best pitchers in the American League should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week. The fact that he gets to pitch twice is just a bonus. It’s also a bonus that he’ll be pitching in front of his friends and family in Detroit on Tuesday as a proud graduate of Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Brown will continue doing his thing this week, posting stellar ratios, piling up strikeouts and winning the occasional ballgame.
Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (@ Twins, @ Mariners)
While he has had a couple of rough outings, overall Lopez has been very good for the Athletics this season – compiling a 3.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 103/30 K/BB ratio over 84 2/3 innings. It has only led to six victories, but that’s not his fault, and the rest of the production has made him mixed league relevant throughout the season. He’ll now get to face a depleted Twins’ offense that is really struggling to score runs before having to battle the powerful Mariners at Safeco Field. I’d be starting Lopez with full confidence in all leagues this coming week.
Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (vs. Rangers, @ Tigers)
Lugo is having another very solid season for the Royals, posting an 8-6 record, 3.77 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 110/47 K/BB ratio over 131 1/3 innings through his first 23 starts. He has been a viable mixed league option for most weeks this season and that’s certainly the case again this week with to starts on tap. The matchups aren’t the greatest, but we aren’t really worried about Lugo blowing up our ratios. He should be started in all leagues.
Carlos Rodón, Yankees, LHP (@ Rays, vs. Red Sox)
It has flown a bit under the radar just how good the 32-year-old southpaw has been for the Yankees this season. Through his first 25 starts he sits at 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 164/58 K/BB ratio over 146 2/3 innings and is on track to receive some down-ballot Cy Young votes. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling this week against a pair of very familiar divisional opponents. He should be locked into lineups regardless of matchups, but make sure you have him in there this week.
Merrill Kelly, Rangers, RHP (@ Royals, vs. Guardians)
Kelly has struggled through his first three starts with the Rangers, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 15/6 K/BB ratio over 16 innings of work. This should be a good spot for him to get his first victory as a member of the Rangers, with a premium matchup against the Royals in Kansas City to start the week. He has shown enough this season to earn the trust of fantasy managers for any two-start week. Fire away.
Decent Plays
Dustin May, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Orioles, @ Yankees)
May has pitched well in his first two starts with the Red Sox, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 12/2 K/BB ratio across 9 2/3 innings. He’s pitching with a chip on his shoulder and like he has something to prove. He’ll get battle tested for sure this week, taking on a tough Orioles’ offense at home before having to battle the Bronx Bombers in Yankee Stadium. Even if he serves up a couple of home runs, the strikeouts should still be there and he’ll have a shot at earning a win in both starts. That’s more than enough for me to use him in 15 and 12-team leagues this week.
Michael Wacha, Royals, RHP (vs. Rangers, @ Tigers)
Wacha continues to produce solid results in his age-34 season, registering a 3.35 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 101/37 K/BB ratio across 137 innings of work. He’s not usually a strong streaming option in single start weeks due to his limited strikeout rate, but in two-start weeks, it should be all systems go. Start him with confidence if you have him and target him on the wire if he’s available in shallow leagues.
Yoendrys Gomez, White Sox, RHP (@ Braves, vs. Twins)
The 25-year-old right-hander was terrific in his first career start last week, striking out seven batters over five innings of one-run, one-hit baseball in a victory over the Tigers. In a two-start week, he should have no problem approaching or surpassing double-digit strikeouts and while it’s tough with the White Sox’ offense backing him, there’s a chance that he could find a victory in there as well. He’s almost universally available and makes for a nice streaming option for the upcoming week – especially in deeper leagues.
Gavin Williams, Guardians, RHP (@ Diamondbacks, @ Rangers)
After getting lit up for four runs in just three innings against the Marlins his last time out, it’s fair for fantasy managers to question whether or not to roll with Williams for his upcoming two-start week. He still owns a terrific 3.38 ERA overall on the season and he’s playing for a Guardians’ squad that has been among the best in baseball since the All-Star break, giving him a chance to win each time out. The high WHIP is going to continue as long as he continues to lead the American League in walks, but we’ll take that if he’s going to pile up strikeouts, limit runs and have a shot at wins. He should be started with confidence once again this week.
Jack Flaherty, Tigers, RHP (vs. Astros, vs. Royals)
It feels like this is the third straight week that we have written up Flaherty in this space, as the Tigers have continued to adjust their rotation and insert spot starters or bullpen days to give the rest of their rotation extra rest when it’s needed. Flaherty has piled up strikeouts at an impressive pace this season, but he has also given up a lot of hard contact, leading to an elevated WHIP. You have to roll with him for two home starts – especially with a matchup against the Royals to finish the week – just understand the ratio risk that you’re taking on by doing so.
Jack Leiter, Rangers, RHP (@ Royals, vs. Guardians)
Leiter continues to impress in the Rangers’ rotation, allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last nine starts – and two runs or fewer in each of his last five outings. Overall on the season he holds a 3.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 96/54 K/BB ratio over 105 innings. He’s worthy of consideration for fantasy purposes every time he takes the hill right now and should definitely be started for his two start weeks.
At Your Own Risk
Spencer Arrighetti, Astros, RHP (@ Tigers, @ Orioles)
After getting clobbered in his first start back from the injured list, Arrighetti pitched well his last time out, giving up two runs over five innings against the Red Sox. He’s been highly inconsistent in his four starts overall on the season though and the road matchups against the Tigers and Orioles are both very tough for opposing right-handers. It’s possible that he breezes through both of those starts without any issues, but I have my concerns. I’d still probably use him in 15-teamers, but I’d be leery of going there in 12-team formats.
Victor Mederos, Angels, RHP (vs. Reds, vs. Cubs)
Mederos only went four innings in his first career start his last time out, giving up three runs on three hits against the Dodgers. The matchups don’t get that much easier this time around – having to battle the Reds and the Cubs – though it at least plays to his favor that both starts will be at home. If you’re desperate for wins and strikeouts and don’t care about your ratios, maybe you could try it, but I think that even in most 15-teamers you can find better options.
National League
Strong Plays
Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rockies)
It goes without saying that any time Paul Skenes takes the mound, he’ll be an elite option. That doesn’t change at all in two-start weeks – especially when one of those matchups is at home against the Rockies. He has been absolutely brilliant through his first 25 starts, compiling a minuscule 2.13 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 166/36 K/BB ratio across 148 innings. The only thing holding him back is that he has won just seven games, though that’s not his fault. Fantasy managers can kick their feet up and enjoy double the production from their ace this week.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers, RHP (@ Rockies, @ Padres)
Even with a six-man rotation, the Dodgers play seven games this week so they’ll afford one of their starters with a two-start week. This time it’s Yamamoto toeing the slab twice. He has been outstanding all season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 145/44 K/BB ratio over 126 2/3 innings through his first 23 starts while notching 10 victories. While Coors Field isn’t a fun place to pitch, he’ll be a favorite to earn his 11th victory of the season there on Monday before a tough battle against the Padres in San Diego to finish the week. There’s no decision to be made here, Yamamoto should be started in all leagues.
Cade Horton, Cubs, RHP (vs. Brewers, @ Angels)
The 23-year-old rookie right-hander has been unbelievable since coming out of the All-Star break, registering a minuscule 0.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 24/9 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings in five starts, notching four victories in the process. The Cubs can’t bump him from their rotation with Jameson Taillon returning, he’s simply pitching too well. He gets a tough draw to start the week taking on the red-hot Brewers before finishing the week with a much easier assignment against the Angels in Los Angeles. Horton should be started in 100 percent of leagues this week and he should be actively targeted on the waiver wire in shallow formats where he may still be hanging around.
Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Blue Jays)
While he has pitched very well overall on the season, Pérez enters this week coming off of a rough stretch where he allowed nine runs over 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts against the Braves and Guardians. The good news is that both of those starts were on the road and now he’s heading back to the friendly confines in Miami. A matchup against a diminished Cardinals’ offense to start the week doesn’t hurt either. Even if the struggles continue, he should pile up double digit strikeouts on the week and should be a favorite to win at least the Cardinals’ start – possibly both. He’s an easy start in all leagues this week.
Brandon Woodruff, Brewers, RHP (@ Cubs, vs. Giants)
What Brandon Woodruff has been able to do so far this season after such a long layoff is pretty remarkable. Through his first seven starts, the 32-year-old hurler has gone 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and a 49/8 K/BB ratio. He has also made himself a lot of money in the upcoming free agent market. Pitching at Wrigley Field to start the week is a tough draw, but with as well as Woodruff is throwing the ball right now it doesn’t even matter. Just lock him into lineups and enjoy the ride the rest of the way.
Nick Pivetta, Padres, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Dodgers)
Pivetta has been an absolute monster for the Padres and fantasy managers through his first 24 starts on the season, posting a 12-4 record, 2.87 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and a 144/36 K/BB ratio over 141 1/3 innings. While the matchup against the Dodgers to finish the week is tough, at least it’s at home. With as good as Pivetta has been this season, there’s no reason to ever have him on the bench.
Robbie Ray, Giants, LHP (@ Padres, @ Brewers)
Ray is enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career in his first full season with the Giants, posting a 2.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 152/56 K/BB ratio over 148 innings. He’s always going to walk batters, but he allows such little hard contact that he has still been able to keep his WHIP in control this season. The matchups aren’t ideal – taking on two very strong offenses on the road, but with as good as Ray has been this season he still needs to be started in all leagues.
Decent Plays
David Peterson, Mets, LHP (@ Nationals, @ Braves)
The All-Star southpaw continues to produce quality results for the Mets and for fantasy managers, delivering a 3.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 117/50 K/BB ratio across 136 1/3 innings. The lack of strikeouts will be mitigated with the extra volume this week, making Peterson an excellent streaming option. I have no issues with starting him in leagues of all sizes.
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Reds)
Finally, it appears as though Zac Gallen has turned the corner and put his early-season woes behind him. The 30-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 10/5 K/BB ratio over 17 innings in his last three starts, picking up two victories during that stretch. He could turn back into a pumpkin at any time, but we should at least try to roll with him while he’s pitching well, so he can atone for all of the ratio damage that he inflicted on you earlier in the season. The matchups are tough, but nothing that we need to be shying away from. I’d be starting Gallen in both 15 and 12-team formats for sure this week.
Spencer Strider, Braves, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Mets)
Has Spencer Strider lost his fastball shape and been beaten like a drum more times than fantasy mangers would like this season? Yes. Should we still start him for a two-start week that includes a home matchup against the White Sox? Also yes. He’s not going to give you the results that you’re expecting if you’re looking for the Strider of yesteryear – at least not until he fixes the shape on that fastball – but he’s still a useful fantasy option on most weeks. The ratio risk is higher than you’d expect from Strider, but the strikeouts should be there and there’s a good chance he earns a victory against the White Sox. I’d be using him in all leagues.
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (@ Marlins, @ Rays)
He hasn’t always been consistent, but overall Liberatore has done a nice job for the Cardinals this season. He holds a 4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and an 88/28 K/BB ratio over 117 innings through his first 22 starts. Normally the diminished strikeout rate would leave fantasy managers wanting more, but with the extra volume of a two-start week, he could be worth a look. For sure I’d be rolling with him in 15-teamers and I could see paths to using him in most 12-teamers as well.
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (@ Angels, @ Diamondbacks)
Singer continues to perform about as expected through his first 24 starts with the Reds, registering a middling 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 119/48 K/BB ratio across 125 1/3 innings. He has won 10 ballgames on the season. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from him, middling ratios, decent strikeouts and a shot at a win. That makes him appealing in two-start weeks, especially in deeper leagues. The matchup against the Angels in Los Angeles looks very appetizing while the battle against the Diamondbacks in Arizona to finish the week could pose some problems. I’m fine using Singer in 15 and 12-team leagues this week. Anything shallower than that, I’d try to find better options.
Nestor Cortes, Padres, LHP (vs. Giants, vs. Dodgers)
After getting absolutely obliterated by the Yankees to start the season, Cortes has pitched very well over his next three starts. Two of them have come since returning from the injured list, where he has surrendered just three runs over 9 1/3 innings against the Giants and Diamondbacks. He’ll get the Giants again – this time at home – before finishing the week with a tough battle against the Dodgers. There’s blowup risk in that second start, but I think I’m comfortable taking a shot on Cortes in all leagues for the upcoming week.
At Your Own Risk
Austin Gomber, Rockies, LHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Pirates)
Never Rockies. Never. Rockies. If that wasn’t enough, Gomber is 0-6 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP and he doesn’t strike anyone else. Like honestly, what are we doing here if we’re even considering starting Austin Gomber this week? And he faces the Dodgers at Coors Field to start the week. Stay as far away as you possibly can.
Bradley Blalock, Rockies, RHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Pirates)
We just went through this with Austin Gomber above, but let’s recap. Never Rockies. Even if we wanted to consider a Rockies pitcher, he’s facing the Dodgers at Coors Field to start the week. He’s also terrible and has pitched terribly this season. Full stop. Don’t do it.
Kai-Wei Teng, Giants, LHP (@ Padres, @ Brewers)
Teng has struggled through his first three big league appearances, posting a 9.90 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and an 8/8 K/BB ratio over 10 innings of work. It’s actually surprising that he stuck around while Carson Whisenhunt was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for the return of Landen Roupp on Friday. Regardless, Teng shouldn’t be considered as a streaming option in normal circumstances – and a two-start road week against the Padres and Brewers is anything but normal. Stay far, far away.
Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Mets, @ Phillies)
Irvin has not pitched well for the Nationals this season. He holds a miserable 5.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 94/47 K/BB ratio over 140 innings while serving up a National League-leading 27 home runs. If the matchups were perfect, maybe, but they aren’t. He’s facing two familiar divisional foes and will be a major underdog in both starts. There’s zero appeal to streaming Jake Irvin this week.
With Mets 'not clicking,' team still believes in turnaround: 'We control our own destiny'
It's gone from bad to worse for the Mets after their latest loss on Friday night.
Now having lost 14 of its last 16 games, with each loss more disappointing than the last, New York has hit a crossroads -- one that requires the players to look themselves in the mirror and decide how they want to finish the season.
For how discouraging the Mets' recent play has been, it's been equally puzzling. After all, this is a team that is littered with talent, has a $339 million payroll and just went all-in at the trade deadline to push them over the top.
What's even more concerning is that the losses lately are not for a lack of effort. Talk to anybody on the team and they'll say everybody is putting in the work and doing the right thing. In fact, it was stressed by nearly every player who spoke after the game, as well as manager Carlos Mendoza.
"At the end of the day, everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do; it’s just the other teams are outplaying us," said Francisco Lindor. "We are all trying to win ballgames and all I can think of right now is that we’re not clicking at the same time and the other team is outplaying us."
How could that be? How is it possible that a team so talented that's putting in the work on a daily basis is getting consistently outplayed, oftentimes by inferior competition?
"It’s tough. We’ve all asked that question and it’s tough to point at one thing," Lindor said.
Consider this: over their last seven games, the Mets have blown leads of six runs, five runs, four runs, two runs (twice) and one run (seven times). They are 1-6 during that stretch.
And on Friday, even with Lindor, the team's catalyst, hitting two home runs, it still wasn't enough.
"I know baseball is weird sometimes and stuff just happens," said Sean Manaea. "At the end of the day, no one’s gonna feel sorry for us, so we just gotta figure it out. This is not where we wanna be and I know we’re way better than this."
After the latest loss, New York is now only six games above .500, six games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and just 0.5 game up on the Cincinnati Reds for the third and final wild card spot.
It's been quite the fall from grace and if the Mets want to keep playing baseball in October this season, things need to change in a hurry with just 40 games left in the regular season.
"It’s part of the mountain," Lindor said. "You got to climb the mountain and right now we’re in a very steep part of it. And if we don’t get ourselves together and we don’t push ourselves to be better day in and day out, the mountain is gonna be tough to climb.
"It doesn’t feel good to lose, but we’re staying together and having the conversations. At the end of the day, we spend a lot more time here than we do in our houses, so this is when teams come together and good teams, they turn it around and they go far."
New York still has time to figure things out and because the team played so well earlier in the season, it's allowed them to remain in playoff position despite such a horrendous run.
However, it's no longer just a bad stretch. The sample size is large enough to be concerning.
And if the players that the Mets traded for continue to fail them, talent alone won't be enough to carry them over the finish line.
"As much as this sucks, I feel like guys have been in the league long enough," Manaea said. "It’s part of the game, you grow from it, you learn from it, but at the same time, nothing is given to us. We control our own destiny. It’s not gonna come easy, but we just gotta figure it out."
"We’re still in a place where we can continue to climb and put ourselves in a much better position," Lindor added. "It’s been tough to point at that one thing. At the end of the day, it just comes down to execution."
Meanwhile, Brooks Raley offered a glimmer of hope and is excited to see this season through.
"When [we] come out of this, I mean I know our hair’s gonna be on fire and we’re gonna be ready to go," he said. "We’ll be fired up to win some games in a row and kind of streak some things together... We’ve got lots of baseball left and when it turns, I know it’s gonna be a lot of fun."
Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Swedish Forward Has Intrigue
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.
With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization.
Next on our list is No. 15, and we shift back to the forward front to highlight a player relatively new to the organization. That player is young Swedish forward Melvin Fernstrom.
#15: F Melvin Fernstrom
Fernstrom, 19, was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O'Connor on Jan. 31. Selected in the third round (93rd overall) in 2024 by the Canucks, he is a bit of an intriguing prospect, and Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas did express that Fernstrom was someone Pittsburgh was interested in at the time of the draft.
So far, he hasn't disappointed.
Fernstrom was named the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 after registering eight goals and 17 points in 48 games for Orebro HK. Even if those numbers don't jump out on the stat sheet, they were impressive ones for a rookie playing in Sweden's top professional hockey league.
Penguins Forward Prospect Named SHL Rookie Of The YearFor the second time this week, a Pittsburgh Penguins' prospect has earned top Swedish Hockey League (SHL) honors.
His game is raw, but there is a lot of potential. He has a deceptive release that jumps off his stick, and he can hit his spots with high accuracy, giving him the attributes of a sniper. He has good offensive instincts and, despite lacking footspeed and having some skating issues, Fernstrom's ability to read plays and distribute the puck give him the ability to work around his skating ability.
That said, his defensive game is a bit lacking, and he will likely have to continue to improve his skating in order to have hopes of making an impact at the NHL level. Penguins' prospect Rutger McGroarty had similar issues with his skating that have been somewhat rectified, so hopefully, Fernstrom can do a similar thing.
If all goes well in his development, he could really end up being a good find for the Penguins. The raw talent is there for Fernstrom, so it will all come down to whether or not he can round out his overall game and fine-tune some of the rawness of it.
Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Defensive Prospect Continues To Grow All-Around GameHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.
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Potential Erik Karlsson Suitor Signs Defenseman On Friday
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson has been on the trade market all offseason, but general manager Kyle Dubas hasn't gotten any offers that have met his asking price.
Karlsson has two years left on his contract and would likely be willing to waive his no-move clause for a chance to win his first Stanley Cup.
The Detroit Red Wings are trying to get over the hump and return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. They had been looking for another right-shot defenseman after the dust settled in early July and found one on Friday when they signed Travis Hamonic to a one-year contract.
Hamonic adds to the right side of the Red Wings' defense, which has Moritz Seider, Justin Holl, and Jacob Bernard-Docker. The Red Wings still have the cap space to absorb Karlsson's contract, but they already have more than enough RHDs. They'd have to send at least one back to the Penguins to make it work.
Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators have also been floated as potential suitors, but it's unknown if they are in active talks with the Penguins.
With a little over a month left in the offseason until training camp starts, time will tell if Dubas gets an offer he likes for Karlsson.
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Featured Image Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
Mets designate Paul Blackburn for assignment to clear space for Nolan McLean
With Nolan McLean gearing up for his MLB debut on Saturday, the Mets were forced to make a corresponding move and they've made it, designating Paul Blackburn for assignment following Friday night's loss to the Seattle Mariners, the team announced.
Blackburn dealt with a lot this season, which started with him on the IL with right knee inflammation.
The right-hander didn't make his season debut until June 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which he pitched five scoreless innings. From there, things went downhill for the 31-year-old.
After a slew of ineffective outings, Blackburn went back on the IL with a right shoulder impingement, which he had been rehabbing for the last month.
Healthy once again but with few spots available after the Mets fortified their bullpen at the trade deadline, the veteran was activated on Aug. 13 and pitched that day against the Atlanta Braves.
In what would end up being his final appearance for New York, Blackburn went five innings in what was a blowout loss to save the rest of the bullpen.
In seven games (four starts), the right-hander went 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA.
Joining the Mets at last season's trade deadline, Blackburn only made 12 appearances during his time in New York after spending eight seasons playing for the Athletics.
In his career, the veteran owns a 4.96 ERA in 452 innings.
Meanwhile, McLean said Friday he was "surprised" to get the promotion, but is ready for his MLB debut. He's pitched to a 2.45 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 113.2 innings in the minors this season. The 24-year-old made five starts in Double-A before heading to Triple-A, where he owned a 2.78 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 16 outings.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. homers as Yankees hold on to 4-3 win over Cardinals
Luis Gil was solid in his third start this season and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s two-run blast proved to be the difference as the Yankees held on to defeat the Cardinals, 4-3, on Friday night in St. Louis.
The Yankees' win coupled with the Guardians' loss earlier in the day, increased their lead for the final wild card spot to 1.5 games.
Here are the takeaways...
-Manager Aaron Boone went with a different-looking lineup for Friday's game. With Aaron Judge occupying the DH spot, Giancarlo Stanton was relegated to the bench with Jose Caballero getting the start in right field. Jasson Dominguez and Trent Grisham rounded out the outfield. Cody Bellinger got the start at first base with Ben Rice behind the plate, and it was Rice who set the Yankees up early in this one.
Rice doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs in the first inning. Judge grounded out but drove in Grisham from third. After a Bellinger flyout, Chisholm hit a laser into the right field stands for a two-run shot off starter Andre Pallante to put the Yankees up 3-0.
-Gil was on the mound and was effective despite seemingly nipping at the corners early. He would induce inning-ending double plays in each of his first three innings. Gil was cruising until the fifth inning when he started to lose the zone. The Cardinals got runners on the corners with no outs. But Gil got the next three batters in order (flyout, strikeout, groundout) to get out of the jam.
The same would not be the case in the sixth inning as Gil allowed back-to-back, one-out doubles as the Cardinals got on the board, and was the end of Gil's night.
Mark Leiter Jr. came in, and after a walk, the right-hander got another inning-ending double play, and put a bow on Gil's night.
Gil was economical heading into the sixth, but had to be pulled after tossing 83 pitches (50 strikes) across 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters.
-The Yankees bullpen was a bit shaky. After Leiter, Camilo Doval was on for the seventh and allowed two runs on one hit, one walk and a HBP in just 0.2 innings pitched. Luke Weaver was called to close the door on the innings, but an 0-2 changeup in the dirt went through Rice's legs and allowed another Cardinals run to score (both charged to Doval) on the wild pitch. Weaver did get the strikeout to end the frame but the Yankees' lead was just 4-3 after seven.
Doval has allowed at least one run in three of his seven outings since being acquired by the Yankees. It's also the third time he's recorded fewer than three outs.
Weaver pitched in and out of trouble in the eighth after a two-out single and his own throwing error put the tying run in scoring position. Weaver got Nolan Gorman to strike out to end the frame.
David Bednar got the Cardinals 1-2-3 in the ninth to pick up his second save as a Yankee.
-After the Yankees went up 4-0, the offense completely went to sleep. They consistently had traffic on the bases but couldn't scratch across any more runs, and the ninth inning was the worst culprit. After Ryan McMahon walked and Caballero singled to lead off the inning, Grisham tried to bunt them over but failed, as McMahon was thrown out at third on the force out. Rice struck out and Judge walked to load the bases for Bellinger. But the slugger popped out to end the threat.
The Yankees were 3-for-17 with RISP and left nine men on base.
-Dominguez, getting his first at-bat since Aug. 10, finished 1-for-4 with two strikeouts but delivered with an opposite-field single in the third inning to drive in the Yankees' fourth run of the game.
Caballero went 2-for-3 with a walk and one strikeout, while Rice finished 2-for-5 with a run scored.
Judge went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI groundout. He's now 5-for-29 since returning from the IL.
-One piece of good news for the Yankees was that Paul Goldschmidt came in to play first base in the eighth inning for defensive purposes. It looks as if the veteran slugger will avoid an IL stint.
Game MVP: Yankees bullpen (not named Doval)
The combination of Leiter, Weaver and Bednar got nine outs without allowing a run
Highlights
Aaron Judge gets the Yankees on the board first pic.twitter.com/CFWcTcoVm1
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 16, 2025
Jazz Chisholm Jr. with a two-run shot to right! pic.twitter.com/DMH96LSPno
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 16, 2025
Jasson Dominguez swings on 3-0 and makes it 4-0! pic.twitter.com/phy3AsQrbe
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 16, 2025
What's next
The Yankees and Cardinals play the middle game of their weekend series on Saturday evening. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
Max Fried (12-5, 2.94 ERA) will take the mound against Sonny Gray (11-5, 4.06 ERA) in what will could be a pitcher's duel.
Bob Simpson, former Australia cricket captain and coach, dies aged 89
Simpson played 62 Tests over more than two decades
Australia’s first full-time coach helped guide team’s re-emergence
The former Australia cricket captain and coach Bob Simpson has died in Sydney aged 89. He was an influential figure in Australian cricket for more than four decades as a player, captain and coach. He also made his mark on the game as a law-maker, referee and commentator.
Simpson first pulled on the baggy green cap of the Australian Test cricket team in 1957, and made a comeback to captain Australia aged 41 after the game was thrown into crisis by World Series Cricket in 1977.
Continue reading...From The Archives – Meet The Talented Mr. Zetterberg
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Meet The Talented Mr. Zetterberg - February 7, 2006 - Vol. 59, Issue 20 - Mike Brophy
DETROIT—Henrik Zetterberg knew the big test was coming, so he wasn’t surprised or startled when Darren McCarty took a run at him during his first scrimmage with the Detroit Red Wings. And he wasn’t particularly alarmed when McCarty ran him again…and again…and again.
The new kid arrived in Hockeytown with a mighty reputation and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Red Wings – McCarty in particular – wanted to test his mettle. The kid, 21 at the time, passed the test. Talk about an initiation into the NHL.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” says Red Wings veteran Brendan Shanahan.
“I remember when he first arrived here for training camp, they weren’t sure how he would handle the physicality of the NHL, so Darren ran him a few times in our pre-season camp. It didn’t change the way he played. I remember Mac saying to me, ‘Not only is this kid tough, he’s pretty solid.’ I think he knocked the wind out of Mac.”
Considered by many to be the best player not in the NHL the season before he joined the Wings, Zetterberg might now be aptly described as the best player in the NHL that nobody knows. A shy, laid-back individual, Zetterberg has quietly become Detroit’s most dominant player. But if you don’t follow the Wings – or better yet, play on a line with him, you probably wouldn’t know him to pass him on the street.
Sitting in a cozy lunch room next to the team’s dressing room, the walls adorned with action shots of Detroit stars from the past, the humble Zetterberg says he was aware he’d be tested by his new teammates when he arrived in 2002.
They wanted to know, did he have the jam to play with the big boys? Or would he wilt when the going got tough?
“In the first couple of red-and-white games, (McCarty) took a few runs at me,” recalls Zetterberg, his Bon Jovi-like locks strategically tussled to make him look more like a rock star than a professional athlete. “I heard before I came over here that it was going to be tough, so I was prepared. I didn’t hit him back or slash him; I just kept playing."
“After camp, (McCarty) came to me and told me he was instructed to hit me. He told me he was impressed with how I handled it.”
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At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Zetterberg is not an imposing physical specimen. Standing next to him you can’t help but wonder how he survives in the NHL’s trenches. The answer is easy: speed and finesse. When he straps on his skates and takes control of the puck, he’s a force, able to make jaw-dropping moves while flying at full speed.
Zetterberg’s game is based on skill and determination and he simply refuses to be outworked.
As they are in most parts of Canada, winters in Njurunda are long and cold, but that served the young hockey-loving Zetterberg well. By the time he was four, he was playing regularly every Saturday and hockey was a passion. When he wasn’t on the ice, Zetterberg loved to watch his father play hockey. Goran was an amateur player who shared his son’s love of the game.
“My dad wasn’t a great skater, but he was a very smart player,” Zetterberg says. “I learned a lot about the game from him.”
By the time he hit his teens, Zetterberg was playing regularly on three teams – with boys his own age, a year older and two years older. He was one of the smallest players and, looking back, he figures that played a huge role in his developing skill and toughness. “I had to find a way to manage to play my game without being hit,” he says.
Zetterberg recalls fondly the four or five tournaments he would play each season. Since his dad owned an appliance store, he could take time off to attend games. Teams often lodged at a local school where the parents and kids would sleep under one roof in the gym.
Though the Wings chose him in the 1999 draft – a bargain at 210th overall – there was no need to rush him over to North America. The Wings were one of the NHL’s best and deepest teams, so it was decided he would be better served playing in Timra, where he toiled three seasons – two in the Swedish Elite League – before finally coming to Detroit.
“They let me stay in Europe a year or two longer than some other NHL organizations might have,” he says. “They didn’t need me in Detroit. They had a great team.”
At the same time, he cracked the Swedish Olympic team in 2002 and was in Salt Lake City when the Swedes shocked Canada 5-2 in the opening game, but left the tournament disgraced after losing to Belarus in the quarterfinals.
“It was quite an experience for me,” says Zetterberg, as he sips from a water bottle to quench his thirst after a typical up-tempo practice. “My first faceoff was against Eric Lindros. It was kind of scary to see that big body coming toward me to take the draw. After the Olympics, I realized I could play in the NHL.”
Zetterberg has taken his lumps along the way, but he’s proven to be a competitor at every turn. He greatly impressed with a 22-goal, 44-point rookie campaign, then slipped, scoring 15 goals and 43 points in 61 games as a sophomore.
Last season, during the NHL lockout, Zetterberg returned to Timra. He scored 50 points in 50 games, added six goals in seven playoff games and got set for a starring role with the Wings this season.
The Wings are in a team in transition. Elder statesmen such as captain Yzerman, Shanahan and defenseman Chris Chelios are still producing, but youngsters Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Jason Williams have taken a more dominant role.
Many wondered if the Wings could adapt to the NHL because they have so many older – and not as quick – players, but that hasn’t been an issue.
“Hank and Pavel are two of the top forwards in the league,” Yzerman says. “They are in their mid-20s, play good all-around games and have an excellent work ethic, both of them. They have become, not so much vocally, but the way they play along with Nick (Lidstrom), they are the leaders of the team. They are our three best players. It’s their team. They are our top players.”
Detroit coach Mike Babcock makes no bones about the contribution Zetterberg is making.
“He has been our best player,” Babcock says. “He is a complete player who works hard in practice and works hard in games. He understands the importance and significance of playing both ends of the ice, yet he is creative and forceful when he has the puck.”
Prior to hurting his hip during a 4-3 win over the Rangers Jan. 14, Zetterberg was in a heated battle with Datsyuk for the team scoring lead. Zetterberg had an assist against the Rangers, giving him eight points in four outings.
After a pleasant month-long run at center, where he had nine goals and 17 points in 15 games while Robert Lang was out with an injury, Zetterberg was put back on left wing with Datsyuk at center and Shanahan on right wing. The trio clicked right away, though Zetterberg admits he’d prefer to play in the middle.
“Let me put it like this, after my career is over, hopefully I can look back and say I played center most of my career,” he says with a grin. “You don’t have to work as hard in your own end, but also you don’t get the puck that often in your own end.”
It’s hard to say how the Wings’ season will unfold. They are one of the league’s hardest-working teams in practice, they are well-coached and have a wonderful blend of veteran leadership and youthful enthusiasm.
They also play in the NHL’s weakest division and benefit greatly from playing Chicago, St. Louis and Columbus. Through Jan. 24, they had a combined record of 13-1-0 against those three teams. Regardless, the Wings have a rosy future and Zetterberg is the real deal.
“What’s not to like about him,” Schneider says. “He’s an explosive player who plays the game with passion. He’s a perfect Red Wing.”
Fans think so, too. Sales of Wings jerseys with ‘Zetterberg’ on the back rank third behind only Yzerman and Shanahan.
And the way things are going, it won’t be long before he’s No. 1.
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Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Is Buffalo Better Than Rebuilding Flames?
The Buffalo Sabres were a major disappointment last season, and the 13 other seasons before that which ended without any Stanley Cup playoff action. The Sabres have been one of the NHL's worst teams, and they're now in a position where they desperately need to get into the post-season. Fans are exhausted with all the losing, and they won't be going on much longer as the same group if they miss the playoffs again next year.
With that said, this article is part of a "Know Your Enemy" series focused on the Sabres' opponenets next season. Team-by-team, we've broken down how Buffalo has fared against every franchise, and finished by offering a guesstimate as to how they'll play against them this coming season.
We've moved through the Atlantic, Metropoitan and Central Divisions, and in today's file, we're looking at the Calgary Flames. The Flames narrowly missed the playoffs last season, and the Flames have made few changes -- something that's either an endorsement of the roster by GM Craig Conroy, or there's no other legitimate alternatives out there on the trade market. So the Flames may be a stronger team if their young players evolve into above-average talent. But for now, it's safe to say Buffalo should be getting at least three of four points against Calgary when they do square off next season.
BUFFALO SABRES VS. CALGARY FLAMES
NEW FLAMES PLAYERS: Ivan Prosvetov, G; Nick Cicek, D
2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Flames 1-0-1
2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: November 19 at Buffalo; December 8 at Calgary
CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Sabres beat the Flames in their first game last season in a shootout win for Buffalo, but Calgary avenged the loss with a convincing victory in regulation time. Thus, the Flames came away with more standings points than the Sabres did in their series last season. That's something Buffalo can ill afford to do this time around as they try to secure a playoff spot.
And all things considered, the Sabres should be dominating this series at this point in the competitive trajectories of both teams. Calgary has some promising young talent, but as we all should know by now, progress is not linear, and the Flames' youngsters may not deliver elite-level performances anytime soon.
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres have failed in one consistent way in recent years -- namely, that they haven't played Stanley Cup playoff hockey in nearly a decade-and-a-half. Thus, there's an inordinate amount of pressure on the Sabres to be a playoff team this year. And as we've seen in the NHL's overtime/shootout era, teams can make or miss the playoffs by only one or two standings points, so it's not an exaggeration to say that just about every game is going to be important to Buffalo's playoff hopes.
To be sure, Calgary has some solid components compiled by Conroy. He's set some of the foundation for the Flames, and he deserves credit for that. But it still feels like this Calgary team doesn't have the high-end horses to run with Pacific rivals including the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. And that's why few pundits will choose the Flames as a playoff team next season. They may have a bigger push in them, but we see no reason why they're locks to be in the post-season next year.
So yes, that's a team that the Sabres absolutely need to handle in their limited action next season. And the two teams will battle over the course of approximately three weeks starting in mid-November, so Buffalo will have to be resilient and determined if they're going to at least win one game and push a second game to overtime or the shootout.
The Sabres finished 2024-25 twelve points out of the playoffs, so they'll need to improve on many series next season, the series against Calgary included. And If the Flames do wind up winning both games against Calgary next year -- -- especially in regulation time -- it could be disastrous for Buffalo's post-season hopes.
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Are Winnipeg Jets Too Good To Lose To Buffalo?The Buffalo Sabres are facing a massive amount of pressure to end their 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought next season. But if they're to do so, they're going to need to win the majority of series they play against every NHL team. And that includes taking on top-tier teams like the Central Division-champion Winnipeg Jets.
The line between making and missing the playoffs is thinner than ever at hockey's top level. Teams like the Sabres simply cannot afford to be swept by any team, and you'd better believe Buffalo management is actutely aware of that reality. The Sabres are better than the Flames on paper, and they ought to be expected to be better than Calgary on the ice as well..
And if Buffalo has a letdown against the Flames, all their hard work the rest of the year could be for naught.
'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural
The image is iconic — Kobe Bryant letting out a roar while tugging on his gold Lakers jersey after scoring 49 points during a playoff win over the Denver Nuggets on April 23, 2008.
It has been used in numerous murals around Southern California, including one that is being painted in larger-than-life form on the side of a future Eat Fantastic restaurant on the 700 block of North Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach.
This particular painting, however, is a little different from the others, and from the original image itself. Bryant's intensity is still there. His pose is exactly the same. He is still wearing a No. 24 jersey.
But in this version, that jersey is not gold with "Lakers" spelled across the chest in purple letters.
It's white, with "Dodgers" across the chest in blue letters.
The altered version of the iconic image is just one portion of a sprawling mural paying tribute to the Dodgers' 2024 World Series championship. It's on the north-facing side of a former Carl's Jr. building that will open later this year as part of the growing Eat Fantastic chain in the Los Angeles area.
The mural was conceived by artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. and Eat Fantastic owner Efthemios Alexander Tsiboukas. It features some of the key figures from the Dodgers' title run — players Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani (with his beloved dog Decoy) and rapper Ice Cube, who is shown riding in a classic Dodger blue convertible as he did when he performed before Game 3 of the World Series.
And then there's the late Lakers legend Bryant, whose inclusion in the piece was a must, Zermeño said.
Read more:Want to visit Kobe Bryant murals? Here are 24 in Los Angeles and 8 in Orange County
"Each [Eat Fantastic] location has a Kobe mural, at least the ones that have a good wall," said Zermeño, who is a huge fan of both the Dodgers and Bryant. "And for this location, [Tsiboukas] wanted to create something for the Dodgers' championship team. That's why Kobe has the Dodger jersey on, you know, staying on theme with the locations having a Kobe mural."
Zermeño said the original idea was to paint Bryant wearing a Dodgers baseball jersey, as he did while attending the team's games over the years before his shocking death in January 2020.
"So we looked up a bunch of images," Zermeño said. "A lot of them are obviously cool images, but either they were very pixelated, or just didn't have what we wanted, that really aggressive Mamba-mentality feel.
"So we found this image. And you know, this image has been done before in several murals. But with the Dodger jersey, we wanted to throw a twist on it."
Tsiboukas said: "That's my favorite picture of him. I have the exact same one [painted at the restaurant location] in Arcadia. He's wearing the real jersey, though, the yellow one. So I wanted a replica of that same one I did in Arcadia, and do it in a Dodger jersey, because of the Dodger dynasty right now."
The purple and gold may have been removed from the jersey, but Zermeño said he purposefully incorporated them into the sunset depicted behind Bryant as a nod to the Lakers.
Zermeño started working on the mural Aug. 7 and expects to have it completed next week, ahead of Bryant's Aug. 23 birthday. The portion featuring Bryant is already done — and it has garnered mixed reactions.
"For the most part, I've gotten a pretty positive reaction over it," Zermeño said. "You know, a lot of Laker fans are also Dodger fans, so I think that overlap is pretty consistent throughout L.A. But yeah, man, you're always going to have some haters. I think a lot of it is more like playful taunting. ...
Read more:North Hollywood mural lauds Dodgers' Kiké Hernández 'for standing up for what is right'
"A couple of people driving by — I think they're just trying to be funny, making a joke, like yelling 'He didn't play for the Dodgers!' or like, 'He was a Laker!' And then some people are just curious why I made that change. I think the people that are curious are older, some of the older crowd that, I guess, doesn't understand why I would switch it, you know?"
Tsiboukas said he has seen a lot of online discussion about it, including on the popular kobemural Instagram page.
"Maybe 70% love it, and 30% are like, 'That looks like a Clipper jersey,'" Tsiboukas said. "It's causing a lot of friction back and forth, but it's good topic. It's raising awareness. It's keeping Kobe's legacy alive."
Zermeño said he doesn't mind the discourse over his artwork.
“It just, it sparks that conversation," he said. "So regardless of whether people like it or not, I think it kind of breaks the ice for people to come up and ask questions and learn more about why we created it, and the process of putting it together. ...
“It's art, you know, and art's meant to kind of create some type of conversation. And if we were to put him with a regular jersey, people would have been like, ‘Oh, that's cool, but it's been done X amount of times,' you know? I've seen that photo in at least five different murals. So, yeah, I think switching it up definitely — I don't want to say it elevated the piece, but it definitely created more conversation than there would be if we just kept the original jersey.”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Dodgers' Max Muncy to miss several weeks because of oblique strain
Ahead of their biggest series of the season, the Dodgers suffered another significant injury blow.
Third baseman Max Muncy was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a Grade 1 right oblique strain ahead of the team’s pivotal divisional matchup against the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers are hopeful Muncy’s injury — which manager Dave Roberts said was similar to, but more mild, than the oblique and rib problem that sidelined him for much of last year — won’t be season ending.
However, Muncy will be out for at least several weeks, with Roberts offering no firm timetable beyond that.
"I don't think anyone knows right now, but certainly beyond the 10 days,” Roberts said. “I think that's a safe bet."
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers claimed infielder Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
The last time the Dodgers lost Muncy, to a knee injury in early July that kept him out for about a month, their offense cratered.
Before that point, the team had led the majors in scoring, with 25 more runs than any other club. But over the 25 games he missed, they ranked last, averaging 3.5 runs per game while other star hitters endured slumps.
That sequence served as a reminder of Muncy’s importance to the team. Even after a slow start this year, he was hitting .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs in 89 games.
"It's certainly a tough loss," Roberts said. "I think it's just, guys got to continue to perform to their abilities. It's hard to kind of backfill Max, what he brings as far as the plate discipline, the slug, the on-base, all that stuff. I feel good about our lineup, the guys that we have, and they've just got to go out there and take good at-bats. That's kind of all we can do right now."
Muncy’s injury comes amid other key injuries to the lineup.
Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández (the team’s primary backup options at third base) are unlikely to return before September. Because of that, the club had already dug deep into its minor-league depth, including calling up highly touted prospect Alex Freeland — who has hit just .176 since arriving, but got the start at third base Friday.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Oilers Friday Faceoff: Janmark, Goalies, McDavid's Deal & More
The Edmonton Oilers are entering a make-or-break season, and the buzz is already building. Who earns a roster spot, which veterans could be moved, and what’s the plan if goaltending falters?
From Connor McDavid’s contract to trade chatter, here’s your weekly deep dive into everything Oilers. This week’s Final Period Friday (the first in a new series) digs into the biggest stories of the week.
Mattias Janmark on the Bubble
Mattias Janmark could find his spot on the Edmonton Oilers roster in jeopardy. After a 2024-25 season where his role diminished, Allan Mitchell of The Athletic writes that Janmark may face competition from prospects like Noah Philp.
The scribe explains:
One player who may be vulnerable is Mattias Janmark. He may lose his roster spot to Noah Philp during training camp. Philp is a right-shooting centre who would have great utility on the roster. The fact Janmark is still ahead of him owes in part to Philp’s poor faceoff winning percentage last season.-
Janmark’s future in Edmonton may hinge on his performance in camp and his ability to reclaim trust from the coaching staff. He's already been linked in trade talks as the Oilers try to find some additional cap space. This could be a long season for the depth forward.
Janmark, a veteran with nearly 600 NHL games, may need to demonstrate that he can still contribute in key situations. If he doesn't, the Oilers could move him in a cap dump trade.
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Goaltending Fork in the Road
The Oilers enter 2025-26 with familiar faces in net, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, but their crease remains a point of concern. Mitchell also noted that fans should anticipate either a Stanley Cup-caliber season with the current tandem or a complete mid-season overhaul.
Related: Could Marc-Andre Fleury Be the Oilers' Mid-Season Secret Weapon?
The situation in Edmonton could resemble what the Colorado Avalanche executed in 2024-25- moving out both of their netminders and bringing in two new goaltenders.
The organization has little patience for inconsistency. If Skinner or Pickard falter, management could aggressively pursue trades or free-agent options to ensure a reliable playoff-ready goalie.
Trade Speculation: Debrincat vs Ekholm
A wild and hypothetical trade idea was posted this week, linking the Oilers and Detroit Red Wings in what was deemed a blockbuster move.
The proposed deal would see the Oilers acquire winger Alex DeBrincat.. In exchange, they would send defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Beau Akey to Detroit, along with a couple of draft picks. The trade suggestion was immediately torn apart by readers and commenters who saw the post.
The idea of DeBrincat sounds intriguing, but his cap hit and no-trade clause make a deal improbable. Not to mention, moving Ekholm would weaken Edmonton’s defensive depth, which has been praised this off-season as one of the best in the NHL.
PTO Rumors and Free-Agent Watch
It's about that time in the summer when teams start looking at unsigned free agents and wondering if any would make for good tryout (PTO) candidates. For players that have gone unsigned, if they haven't been contacted about a contract by an NHL team, a PTO is one of their few options to earn a roster spot for the upcoming season.
The Oilers have been connected to multiple professional tryouts, including forwards and goalies. Names like Klim Kostin, Ilya Samsonov, Max Pacioretty, and Alexandar Georgiev have surfaced, even though there has been no official link to these players.
McDavid Contract Update
Connor McDavid has yet to sign an extension, but that doesn't mean it's time to panic. NHL insider Frank Seravalli suggests there's little to worry about as negotiations are in early stages, with no numbers exchanged.
Who’s Really Sweating in Edmonton Over McDavid?Edmonton Oilers fans might want to take a deep breath before starting any “panic threads” about Connor McDavid’s contract.
McDavid has had a busy summer on the personal side of things, and he's likely just not gotten into the mindset where he needs to have the contract conversation yet. Once he gets to that point, a deal could happen quickly.
His extension remains a top priority for the organization.
Trade-Protection Challenges
After being a point of conversation when the off-season first began, there's been little mention of the players who chose to embrace the right to use their no-trade clauses and decline a trade out of Edmonton.
That doesn't mean these no-trade clauses won't be a factor later in the season.
Discussions with veterans like Darnell Nurse and Adam Henrique revealed that they aren't thinking about going anywhere. That either changes as their roles on the team do in 2025-26, or the Oilers get handcuffed by a lack of financial space to make trade deadline moves.
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