Victor Oladipo is a man robbed of his peak seasons by injuries. In 2017-18, he averaged 23.1 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Pacers, won Most Improved Player and was an All-Star, an All-NBA and an All-Defensive Team player. Then the next season he ruptured his quadriceps tendon, and he was never physically right again. Oladipo, now 34, hasn't played in the NBA in three seasons.
In an open letter to general managers at The Players Tribune, Oladipo said it took a long time for him to stop chasing what was lost and just be patient and get his body right. He said he is finally in that place, can still contribute to a winning basketball team, and wants that chance.
"Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let's be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose. The version of her dad that's finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one.
"To say to any GM who's willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it....
"So that's where I'm at with everything. I don't know how my journey here is going to end....... Maybe a team out there will give me a chance. Maybe no team will. That's really up to you all. But if you're in an NBA front office, and you took the time to read this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Oladipo has been linked to Sacramento as a potential backup to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., but nothing official has come of that. Oladipo played in the G League for the Wisconsin Herd part of last season and averaged 13.5 points per game in the regular season, shooting 32.5% from 3-point range. He has also played some in China in recent years.
Oladipo faces the reality many older players do: Most teams would rather give a bench point guard spot (or any position) to a young player they can develop and hold on to for years than to one on the back end of a career. Still, there is a real role for mature, quality veterans in the locker room who can still contribute something on the court.
Whether Oladipo is that guy and gets a chance remains to be seen, but he's made his pitch.
Victor Oladipo is a man robbed of his peak seasons by injuries. In 2017-18, he averaged 23.1 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Pacers, won Most Improved Player and was an All-Star, an All-NBA and an All-Defensive Team player. Then the next season he ruptured his quadriceps tendon, and he was never physically right again. Oladipo, now 34, hasn't played in the NBA in three seasons.
In an open letter to general managers at The Players Tribune, Oladipo said it took a long time for him to stop chasing what was lost and just be patient and get his body right. He said he is finally in that place, can still contribute to a winning basketball team, and wants that chance.
"Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let's be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose. The version of her dad that's finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one.
"To say to any GM who's willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it....
"So that's where I'm at with everything. I don't know how my journey here is going to end....... Maybe a team out there will give me a chance. Maybe no team will. That's really up to you all. But if you're in an NBA front office, and you took the time to read this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Oladipo has been linked to Sacramento as a potential backup to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., but nothing official has come of that. Oladipo played in the G League for the Wisconsin Herd part of last season and averaged 13.5 points per game in the regular season, shooting 32.5% from 3-point range. He has also played some in China in recent years.
Oladipo faces the reality many older players do: Most teams would rather give a bench point guard spot (or any position) to a young player they can develop and hold on to for years than to one on the back end of a career. Still, there is a real role for mature, quality veterans in the locker room who can still contribute something on the court.
Whether Oladipo is that guy and gets a chance remains to be seen, but he's made his pitch.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 2: Fedor Svechkov #40 of the Nashville Predators skates before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on April 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalanche organization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
Name: Fedor Svechkov
Age: 23
Position: C
Height: 6’0”
Likely 2026-27 Team: Colorado Avalanche
Weight: 187 lbs.
2025 Rank: N/A
Final Rank: #4
High Rank: #1 (Adrian)
Low Rank: #25 (Brennan)
2025-26 Statistics:
Nashville Predators: 70GP: 4G, 13A, 17P
Milwaukee Admirals (AHL): 10GP: 5G, 3A, 8P
Of all the recent additions, center Fedor Svechkov has the best chance of making an impact for the Colorado Avalanche. Acquired in June as part of the Jack Drury trade from the Nashville Predators along with Zach L’Heureux, Svechkov brings a notable amount of NHL experience over two seasons. That total number of 122 games, including 70 last season, is the most of anyone on our ranking and helped catapult the 23-year-old into our top five.
Svechkov is another new face to the organization with first round pedigree taken at 19th overall in the 2021 draft and he arrived to the Predators organization with high hopes after spending two seasons playing for various teams at multiple levels in Russia. In the 2023-24 season the young center began his North American career in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals where he scored 39 points in 57 games. After that he was on a path to big league graduation spending 52 and then 70 games in the NHL with Nashville scoring 17 points in each season. Svechkov might have left the AHL behind entirely but the Olympic break sent him back to Milwaukee to play 10 games in early 2026 where he scored eight points in that brief sojourn.
If there’s one player on our ranking that has a spot penciled onto the current Avalanche roster it’s Svechkov. It’s easy to see him as a direct Jack Drury replacement in the lineup at fourth line center and GM Joe Sakic even said so after acquiring the Russian. Svechkov has a little experience with the penalty kill and was drafted with scouting reports pointing towards attributes he possesses of a well-rounded two-way forward. He will have to improve on his 40% career faceoff win rate but most young centers need development in that area.
It’s easy to see Svechkov will spend significant time with the Avalanche because he’s no longer waiver exempt and also the fact that by taking on the contract Svechkov signed earlier in the year with Nashville, the Avalanche will owe him $1.25 million each year over the next two seasons. There’s a lot of incentive for both parties to make this opportunity work, which is why Svechkov lands at number four with a chance to take over the consensus top spot if this year goes well.
May 24, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in game three of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Stephen R. Sylvanie/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The title still is sinking in for Cale Makar — highest paid player in NHL history.
With it, of course, comes great expectations for the Colorado Avalanche standout defenseman. Like more gaudy stats and deep Stanley Cup runs. Pressure becomes part of the price tag for signing an eight-year, $163.2 million extension that kicks in next season. Pressure, the two-time Norris Trophy winner asserted, he welcomes.
“I’m a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out,” Makar said at a news conference on the heels of a deal he signed that will keep him with Colorado through the 2034-35 season. “It’s going to make me even push myself a little bit more.”
The 27-year-old Makar took becoming the league’s first player to sign for more than $20 million a season in stride. He’s already predicting the figure won’t stand for long. It could be Edmonton’s Connor McDavid or Toronto’s Auston Matthews, who are eligible for extensions next summer. Down the road, it might be Makar’s teammate Nathan MacKinnon.
“I fully expect Nate to even double what this is right now,” cracked Makar, who’s turned in four 20-goal seasons in his career. “It’s incredible to see where the game is going.”
No doubt, the Avalanche are in a championship window with two of the top players in the game — Makar and MacKinnon — on the roster. Makar’s new salary ($20.4 million) in 2027-28 will take up roughly 18% of the projected salary cap. That season will also see MacKinnon slated to have a cap hit of $12.6 million and Martin Necas $11.5 million.
Joe Sakic, the Hall of Fame forward turned front-office executive, downplayed the notion this could make the Avalanche too top heavy.
“You can’t win without superstars,” Sakic said. “Yeah, you need depth. You need your team playing really well at the right time. ... Unless you have guys like Cale and Nate on your team, it makes it a lot harder.”
That belief only was bolstered by what transpired in the Western Conference Final when Makar missed the opening two games due to an upper-body injury. Makar, clearly not at full strength, returned for the final two games in a series in which the Avalanche were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights.
“You need your stars to be on the ice for you, and you need them to play well,” Sakic explained. “That definitely hurt. I mean, it’s a big reason why we were 0-2, and a big reason why we lost the series.
“Him and Nate, they created such a great culture in our dressing room, and moving forward, you need that. Not just winning games, but we’re in an entertainment business, too, and how lucky are we to be able to watch these guys in an Avs uniform? ... We’re all spoiled a little bit to have them in our organization and to watch them play on a regular basis.”
Makar already can feel a sense of excitement brewing around the team. A chance at redemption, too.
“We’ve created such a great culture here,” said Makar, who had 20 goals and 59 assists last season. “When guys get here, they know it’s going to be hard work, but it’s exciting because you know it’s going to be worth it, hopefully.”
The nucleus of Makar, MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog lifted Colorado to a Stanley Cup title in 2022. Makar had eight goals and 21 assists during the championship run to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.
“He’s a generational player — unreal to watch,” Sakic said. “Fan favorite.”
For Sakic, including a no-movement clause in the deal was a no-brainer.
“Cale’s that player who has the right and should have the right to dictate where he wants to play for his entire career,” Sakic said. “There wasn’t even a thought on that.”
In Makar’s mind, signing for eight years was important for clarity “in the sense of the direction that we want to go,” Makar explained. “As a player, all you want to ask for is to win.
“Obviously we’ve done it once, and I really don’t want that to be the end because once you feel it, you want to get it again.”
Does he get paid like the elite center he was last regular season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, being a defensive anchor in the paint who was critical to his team winning 60 games? That guy sounds like a max player, and one who should at least get something in the five-year, $200 million — $40 million a season — range.
Or, is Duren the guy who struggled on both ends during the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, with a negative plus/minus? By the end of the postseason, he was losing minutes to third-string center Paul Reed. That center should be happy with five years, $175 million, or $35 million a season average.
According to league sources, the Pistons are offering a five-year deal that would pay Duren in the range of $35 million annually. Duren, who is represented by agent Chafie Fields of The Team, is requesting a deal with an average salary in excess of $40 million.
"From either camp, you can see their side," a West executive said. "You can justify it. That's what makes it hard."
An executive from an East rival disagreed: "[Duren] and his agent aren't being realistic. They're anchored to the max-type offer. But $35 million is not a discount. It's a lot of money."
One key thing worth noting in these talks (as pointed out at ESPN): The Pistons are about $36.5 million below the luxury tax line. That and the fact that Duren is a restricted free agent give Detroit a lot of leverage. Duren could play this season for the $9.6 million qualifying offer, then become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but that is a huge risk (injuries or other factors could impact his value), and it leaves generational money on the table.
There is a logical middle ground between the sides of about $37.5 million a season, or five years, $187.5 million — which is basically what Alperen Sengun got a summer ago from Houston. As Keith Smith noted, this is also almost exactly what happened with Josh Giddey a summer ago.
The real deadline pressure comes with the start of training camp, expect a deal to get done close to then. But until then, the drama remains.
That is, until Steph’s wife, Ayesha Curry, made a telling claim about her husband’s basketball future during a recent interview.
“Of course, Steph is the hardest-working man in the room. He has no days off. He hasn’t stopped since last season ended. He’s ready. He’s ready to get out there. I think we’re going to be in for some fun surprises over the next couple of years,” Ayesha Curry told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry watch Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Men’s Finals at the US Open on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. Larry Marano
Ayesha mentioning “the next couple of years” seems to hint that Steph still has at least a few seasons left in the tank. And this makes sense, given that he’s still one of the world’s best players and a lethal sharpshooter.
Perhaps the bigger question was whether Steph wants to stay in Golden State. The Warriors’ have only won two playoff series’ since securing the 2021-22 NBA Championship, and Steph surely wants to chase another championship before hanging up the sneakers for good.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Houston Rockets in the first quarter on April 5, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Getty Images
But the Warriors legend set the record straight regarding his intention to stay in Golden State, saying in the same interview, “There’s no question I want to be here the rest of my career, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen.”
If Steph were to sign this contract, it would mean he’s under contract with the Warriors for three more seasons (including this upcoming campaign, where he’s set to make $62.6 million). That seems to align with Ayesha’s “next couple of years” comment, and serves as further proof that Steph could have three NBA seasons remaining.
Stephen Curry attends the game between the Dallas Wings and the Golden State Valkyries on August 17, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jonathan Kuminga’s decision to sign with the Wolves left the Lakers with a glaring hole in the front court.
The discussion around it has largely ranged from making a trade to internal options. Little thought has been given to the free agent market, largely because the Lakers aren’t in a position to sign one with the team already at 16 guaranteed contracts.
However, one name long connected with the team is available. While his links to the Lakers were largely tied to the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, Bruce Brown has long been chased by the purple and gold.
Despite having a statistically successful season last year with the Nuggets, including playing all 82 games, Brown has remained on the free agent market with few rumors about him. However, his name popped up in a recent live stream by Jake Fischer on Bleacher Report as a potential option for the Lakers.
On a recent livestream for Bleacher Report NBA insider @JakeLFischer said that Bruce Brown is going to be playing for a playoff-caliber team and that he is “in the mix for the Lakers.” #Lakers
The Lakers would need to make a host of moves in the next four weeks before training camp to get to a point where signing Brown would even be feasible. As things stand, they already need to consolidate the roster, whether by waiving someone or trading two players for one.
To get to a point where they’d have an open roster spot, it’d be two players released to sign one or trading three players for one, which is basically a non-starter. You could combine the two options as well to get an open roster spot, but you’re starting to see how complicated it would be to get Brown on the roster.
At that point, the question would be whether he’s worth all that, too. He’s an imperfect fit on the roster, even if he’d provide some value with his unique skill set.
There is the chance that Brown starts the season not on a team with the hopes of signing during the season. In that case, perhaps the Lakers could make one or more moves that’d open up a roster spot. But that’d be months away.
It’s not a surprise the Lakers have interest in Brown. But it remains a long shot that he’ll don the purple and gold this season.
The Dallas Mavericks are just weeks away from year-two Cooper Flagg and a new look roster taking the court for training camp. In the calm before the upcoming storm that is the NBA season, basketball-related news is quiet, but that leaves plenty of room for things like… jersey leaks.
It’s no secret that the NBA loves to pump out multiple jerseys for each team around the league, enlisting Nike to help them do just that. Originally having an eight-year deal, Nike and the NBA didn’t even finish their first contract before extending their partnership an additional 12-years through the end of the 2037 season.
Since Nike took over jersey duties, the notion of home and away uniforms has gone by the wayside. Instead, there are five categories of jersey for each team.
Association Edition: Formerly known as the “home” jersey; the standard white color scheme.
Icon Edition: Formerly known as the “away” jersey: the standard primary team color.
Statement Edition: Formerly known as the “alternate” jersey (back when there were only three), which features a more dramatic look and the Jumpman logo.
City Edition: Features designs that harken to local culture.
Classic Edition: These are “throwback” jerseys that reference a team’s past classics.
That is a lot of jerseys to go around every team for 82 games, but fans generally seem to like the notion of a changeup from the usual home and road options. Of course, there are plenty of alternate jerseys that meet the ire of a given fan base season-to-season. This year, it seems as though Nike is looking to avoid any new options receiving criticism by giving the league retreads. Case in point, the Mavericks are rumored to be bringing back the gold and white Pegasus jerseys for their City Edition this season.
The Dallas Mavericks are bringing back their 2020-21 "City Edition" for the upcoming season (confirmed by an earlier leak) pic.twitter.com/DXEFTGwkKV
Dallas has had a mixed bag of City Editions over the years, but the Pegasus jersey seems to be generally well-liked, despite not having any real tie to the historic blues and greens the Mavericks are known for. The Pegasus jersey does adequately give a nod to the city by way of the famous Pegasus that was adorned atop the Magnolia Building in 1934 (with modern appearances outside the Magnolia Hotel and the Omni Dallas Hotel), making it one of the better city tie-ins, per se.
Although the jersey makes sense based on a nearly 100-year connection to Dallas, the rehash is somewhat ponderous. Just last year, Nike revamped the Pegasus jersey into a black and blue version, which fit better with the Mavericks’ traditional color scheme while still connecting to the city at large. Now, barely 10-years after the start of their partnership with the NBA, and with more than 10-years remaining, Nike isn’t even doing something new. 10 years is a long time, but it seems too soon to bring back what we’ve already seen. Anyone who missed out the first time should be happy, but anyone with long term goals of having a 20-year collection of different City Editions is going to have a duplicate!
Jests aside, this is a weird look for Nike. They position themselves as one of the premier shoe and apparel companies of all time, but this just feels like they are somehow out of ideas and mailing it in. Already we’ve seen different color schemes of the same design, but now we’re getting outright exact duplicates? One would think Nike would have at least the next few years of new designs in the bag in advance, yet here we are.
For my part, I’d be plenty happy with three jerseys. Give me a home, an away, and an alternate that changes (into something new!) every year. Keep it simple. Keep it fresh. If we’re out of ideas already, maybe five different uniform variations is too much.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
The NHL’s salary landscape is changing quickly, and the Vegas Golden Knights may have found themselves on the right side of that curve.
When Kelly McCrimmon committed more than $25 million annually to Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner, the contracts were viewed as massive investments in two of Vegas’ most important players. A year later, they suddenly look like bargains.
According to projections from AFP Analytics, Eichel’s current $13.5 million annual salary could have climbed to roughly $17.7 million if he were negotiating the same contract today. Marner, meanwhile, could command approximately $15.3 million annually — more than $3 million above the $12 million AAV attached to his eight-year deal with Vegas.
Combined, that is a projected $33 million per season for two players who currently cost the Golden Knights $25.5 million.
That difference illustrates just how dramatically the NHL’s financial landscape has shifted. A rising salary cap has created more room at the top of the market, while a new wave of superstar contracts has pushed the ceiling even higher. Macklin Celebrini and Leo Carlsson have helped elevate the center market, Kirill Kaprizov has reset expectations for elite wingers, and Cale Makar’s recent $20.4 million AAV extension is another striking example of what the league’s best players can now command.
For Vegas, it also offers a reminder that timing can be everything.
McCrimmon and the Golden Knights made their commitments before the latest wave of contracts reset the market. What looked expensive at the time now looks considerably more manageable — and potentially one of the more important pieces of business the organization has done to keep its championship window open.
Eichel’s eight-year, $108 million extension officially begins this season and keeps him under contract through 2033-34. The deal made him the highest-paid player in franchise history when it was signed.
But Eichel has done little to make that price tag look excessive.
The 29-year-old center is coming off his second consecutive 90-point season, finishing last year with 27 goals and 63 assists for 90 points in 74 games. He has become the offensive centerpiece Vegas envisioned when it acquired him from Buffalo in 2021, and his production continues to place him among the NHL’s elite centers.
The timing of his extension now looks particularly significant.
Celebrini and Carlsson have helped push the center market into unprecedented territory, meaning Eichel would have entered negotiations with an entirely different financial landscape had Vegas waited.
Marner’s situation is similar.
Vegas acquired Marner from Toronto in a sign-and-trade last summer, immediately committing to him for eight years at $12 million annually. The move came with enormous expectations after nearly a decade in Toronto, where Marner established himself as one of the league’s most productive forwards.
His first regular season in Vegas was, by his standards, somewhat quieter.
Marner finished with 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points in 81 games after recording 102 points in his final season with the Maple Leafs.
Then came the playoffs.
Marner produced 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 22 games, delivering the best postseason performance of his career as the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final.
Vegas ultimately fell to Carolina in six games, but Marner’s playoff run offered a glimpse of exactly why the organization was willing to make such a significant investment in him.
It also makes the projection particularly interesting.
If Eichel and Marner were entering negotiations today, Vegas could be looking at approximately $33 million annually for the pair rather than the $25.5 million it is currently committed to.
That is roughly $7.5 million in annual savings. Over seven years, the difference would exceed $52 million. That’s the kind of money that can fundamentally change the construction of an NHL roster.
It also changes the way McCrimmon’s contract decisions should be viewed.
The Golden Knights have occasionally been criticized for spending aggressively and handing out large contracts. But in this case, the timing appears to have worked decisively in their favor.
McCrimmon isn’t the only general manager who deserves credit for recognizing where the market was headed, either.
Former Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland made a similar bet last season when he signed Martin Necas to an eight-year, $92 million extension worth $11.5 million annually. At the time, the contract represented a significant commitment to a player who had never recorded a 100-point season.
Then Necas broke through.
In his first full season with Colorado, Necas reached the 100-point mark for the first time, making the contract look considerably more favorable in hindsight. As the NHL’s elite market continues to climb, that $11.5 million AAV could become another example of a team paying for star talent before the price of star talent skyrocketed.
McCrimmon didn’t necessarily have to predict exactly where the salary cap would go or which players would eventually reset the market. He simply had to recognize that elite talent was becoming more expensive and act before the next wave arrived.
He did.
So did MacFarland.
Now Vegas has two of its most important players locked into long-term contracts that would cost significantly more if negotiated in today’s market, while Colorado may have done something similar with Necas.
And that could become one of the biggest advantages for teams that recognized the changing financial landscape early.
What looked like a massive financial commitment when Vegas made it may eventually be remembered as a timely one. The same could be true of Colorado’s investment in Necas.
The NHL’s market is moving.
The Golden Knights, and teams like the Avalanche, may have moved before it did.
Following a 9-8, 10-inning win for Boston in the opener last night, the Mariners (64-74) and the Red Sox (75-63) continue their three-game series tonight at Fenway.
Seattle appeared poised to steal the opener after battling back and generating offense throughout the night. The Mariners totaled 11 hits receiving contributions up and down the lineup. The Sox got one more hit and ultimately, one more run. They forced extra innings with two runs in the eighth on a Trevor Story double and one in the ninth on a sac fly from Ceddanne Rafaela before Story again picked up a big hit in the tenth, a single to center, driving in Eli White to win it for the Red Sox. Aroldis Chapman picked up the win. Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh went yard for the Mariners, but it was not enough.
Seattle closed the month of August with five straight losses and now sit six games behind the Astros in the AL West and 5.5 games behind the Guardians for the final Wild Card spot. The Red Sox snapped a brief two-game losing streak with the win to pull within three games of the Yankees and the top Wild Card spot in the American League.
Seattle looks to snap the skid with right-hander Bryan Woo (9-9, 4.36 ERA) on the bump. Woo's most recent outing came August 26 against Philadelphia, and it was one of his rougher starts of the year. The Phillies tagged him for six earned runs on five hits over four innings, including a pair of home runs. He struck out five but was unable to work deep into the game as Seattle lost 6-0. The righthander fared far better in his previous two starts. He allowed two runs in six innings at Houston on August 16 and threw five scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium on August 11. The Red Sox have yet to announce their starter for tonight. It was Sonny Gray’s (16-4, 2.79 ERA) turn to take the ball but Boston earlier announced they planned to give him an extra day of rest.
Lets dive further into today’s game and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Mariners vs. Red Sox
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Time: 6:45PM EST
Site: Fenway Park
City: Boston, MA
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Mariners.TV, NESN
Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.
The Latest Odds: Mariners vs. Red Sox
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Seattle Mariners (+111), Boston Red Sox (-119)
Spread: Mariners +1.5 (-207), Red Sox -1.5 (+169)
Total: 7.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Mariners vs. Red Sox for September 1
Adley Rutschman is 4-9 in his career including 1 HR against Bryan Woo
Bryan Woo has struck out exactly 5 hitters in each of his last 4 starts and never fewer than five in his last 9 starts
Cal Raleigh has hit in 3 straight games (4-11) and homered 7 times in his last 10 GP
Josh Naylor is 2-15 over his last 4GP
Roman Anthony is 4-8 in 2GP since returning from the disabled list
Mickey Gasper was 1-4 last night and finished August hitting .400 (12-30) for the month
Julio Rodriguez is 2-20 over his last 5 games
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Mariners vs. Red Sox
The Mariners are an MLB-worst 52-86 on the Run Line this season
The Red Sox are 67-71 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 70 times in Seattle’s 138 games this season (70-61-7)
The OVER has cashed 65 times in Boston’s 138 games this season (65-69-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Mariners vs. Red Sox for September 1
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Mariners and the Red Sox:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Red Sox on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 7.0
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2 Mar 2002: Head coach Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks kicks at his center, Dirk Nowitzki #41, before the NBA game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Heat won, 109-95. DIGITAL IMAGE. 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 2002 NBAE Mandatory Credit: Glenn James/NBAE/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 Mavericks fans and fans across the country.
We’re in one of the deader times for the NBA. There is the FIBA World Cup for men and women but it’s not really on TV in America unless you find some streaming options. That means here at Mavs Moneyball we’re whittling away the time.And while we do have posts, I wanted to ask this poll question to gauge what our August and September diehards think. More thoughts from me once I see the results lby Friday.
There is nothing like a home run robbery to demolish the morale of an opposing team, but what happened on Monday night between the Orioles and Rockies was downright heartbreaking for Colorado.
Jake McCarthy of the Rockies thought he had a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth — heck, the entire stadium thought he did a well. A deep shot to center field with a man on, it appeared as though home fans would be rewarded for sitting through a two-hour rain delay. Unfortunately for them, Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser happened.
There are some moments in sports where everything just happens to come together cosmically to allow a moment to happen. Everything about this robbery wasn’t just picture perfect, it was dang near impossible as Cowser went full Air Jordan on the extension to throw his glove behind his head, over the fence, and just pray the ball would somehow find leather.
The announcers couldn’t even believe it at first, and neither could Rockies manager Warren Schaffer, who said the catch was “like a dang knife in the heart” during his post-game interview. Just an absolute stunner, and one of the best catches you will ever see.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - MARCH 15, 2024: Yohandy Morales #35 of the Washington Nationals runs out a single during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the New York Mets at Clover Park on March 15, 2024 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Nats are calling up one of the more intriguing hitters in their system. Yohandy Morales was the Nationals second round pick in the 2023 draft. After grinding his way through minors, the 24 year old is finally going to get his first look at the minor leagues. It is tough to say this call up is not deserved.
Can confirm that the Nationals are promoting 1B/3B Yohandy Morales when rosters expand, per source.
Morales was one of the biggest stories in the Nats minor league system to start the season. He looked ready for the big leagues after a red hot start to the season, but the Nats were hesitant to call him up. We will get into some of those reasons later, but first let’s start with the positives.
This year Morales has been highly productive. In 104 games at AAA, Morales is hitting .286 with 25 homers and an .882 OPS. The right handed slugger makes consistent hard contact with an average exit velocity of 91.5 MPH and a hard hit rate of 52.4%. All this hard contact, combined with lower launch angles allows Morales to consistently run high BABIP’s. Despite being a high strikeout guy, Morales is a .285 career hitter in the minors.
While he is a high strikeout guy, those numbers have gotten better this season. In AAA, his K% has gone from over 30% to 24.4% this year. He has also been able to turn his plus raw power into more actual home runs this year as well. Over half of his 47 MILB homers have come this season.
YOYO 🪀
down to their last out, yohandy morales ties the game with his 2nd homer of the night! pic.twitter.com/sTUltcSnH0
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) May 30, 2026
Morales has not done this by pulling the ball in the air though. His pull air numbers are very low and instead he uses the whole field to go yard. A lot of his best swings are to right-center field. This is both a blessing and a curse.
The ability to use the whole field and use it with authority is a rare gift. However, I think part of this might be due to him not being on time enough. Morales has had real trouble with high velocity, and will only see more of it up in the big leagues.
I hope I'm wrong, but a big reason I've been hesitant:
Against pitches 93 MPH or harder, Morales is hitting .143/.276/.265 with a dubious 41% whiff rate, double the major league average.
Honestly, Morales’ offensive profile reminds me quite a bit of Brady House. We saw how House struggled when he first came up. Morales might face similar growing pains. However, it is tough to tell how much he will even play down the stretch.
As a first baseman and third baseman, there is not an obvious spot in the lineup for him. Andres Chaparro, Abimelec Ortiz, Jorbit Vivas and Brady House are all fighting for reps in those positions. We could see him some at DH, but I think he could be more of a part time player.
I am still very interested to see what Morales can do. His profile feels like it should not work, yet to this point he has been a highly productive hitter. He hits a lot of ground balls, chases, whiffs and doesn’t pull the ball. Yet, he has 25 homers on the season and has made it to the big leagues.
With the lockout looming, it feels like some prospects are being held back. However, Morales had to be put on the 40-man roster anyways at the end of the season. That likely played a role in his call-up. Yo-Yo is an intriguing and somewhat divisive prospect. I am curious to see how this first exposure to the big leagues goes for him.
SPRINGDALE, AR - AUGUST 12: Hunter Owen #33 of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals stares in from the mound to pitch during the game between the Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 in Springdale, Arkansas. (Photo by Ada Pipkins/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (59-70, 20.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers dropped 4 of 6 in their series against the Iowa Cubs. At the plate, Carson Roccaforte, one of the newer members for Omaha, went 9 for 24, smacking a pair of doubles and homers, driving in 6 and scoring 3 runs. He also stole 4 bases. Peyton Wilson went 7 for 14, with two doubles and a homer, driving in three and scoring three. He also stole 4 bases too. Gavin Cross, who just got back from the IL, went 3 for 13 with two homers.
On the mound, Lucas Braun made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, walking 4 and striking out 9. My pick for the September call-up would be Braun on the pitching side. Matt Moore threw 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, over two outings, striking out 6. Tony Gonsolin, who may get some time in KC before the season is over, made his first appearance, going 3 innings, allowing just a walk, while striking out 3. Lucas Erceg pitched twice, totaling 3 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, striking out 3.
The Storm Chasers return home this week, taking on the St. Paul Saints, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (53-71, 24 games back)
The Naturals split their 6-game series against the Frisco RoughRiders. On the mound, Hunter Owen made one start, going 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 run, a walk, striking out 10. In the month of August, Owen struck out 45 batters in 27 innings. In his 5 starts, he posted just a 1.33 ERA. He is a 24-year-old lefty that the Royals drafted in the 4th round in 2023 out of Vanderbilt. Augusto Mendieta had two scoreless outings out of the bullpen, totaling 4.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, but striking out 8. Frank Mozzicato had two more scoreless outings from the bullpen, totaling 4 hitless innings, he did walk 3, but struck out 4. Have the Royals found something with him in the pen? In 8 appearances in August, he went 11.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs, walking 10, but striking out 17.
At the plate, Spencer Nivens went 8 for 22, with two doubles, three runs batted in, with 5 runs scored. Luke Pelzer went 6 for 18, with a double and triple, scoring five runs and stealing three bases. Javier Vaz went 5 for 15, with 4 doubles. It’s good to see Vaz back and playing. Hyungchan Um, who has quickly moved from Columbia to Quad Cities to Northwest Arkansas in recent weeks, went 2 for 10.
— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) August 30, 2026
The Naturals hit the road this week, taking on the Arkansas Travelers. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (67-54, 4.5 games back)
The River Bandits won 4 of 6 in their series against the Beloit Sky Carp. The Bandits are 37-21 in the second half, holding a two-game lead over the Sky Carp to win the second half. They control their own destiny to get to the playoffs. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 4 for 18, with a homer and 5 runs batted in. Ramon Ramirez returned from injury and went 3 for 19, with a homer and 4 runs batted in. Austin Charles went 6 for 18, with two homers, driving in 4 runs. Zion Rose went 4 for 14, with a double and two runs batted in.
On the mound, David Shields went 6 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, striking out 7 in his lone start of the week. Jordan Woods went 4.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 run, striking out 4. Ethan McElvain threw 3 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits, while striking out 1. McElvain was the Royals 5th round pick out of Arkansas this year. Kamden Edge threw 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings, striking out 5. L.P. Langevin threw 4 innings, allowing an unearned run to score, but struck out 10 batters. John Means, born in Olathe, Kansas, started his rehab assignment from a torn Achillies. He made 2 starts in the week, totaling 3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, walking 1 and striking out 1. Kendry Chourio made one start, going 3 innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs, striking out 4.
The River Bandits are on the road this week, taking on the Peoria Chiefs. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday. It is the last regular season series of the year.
Columbia Fireflies (63-62, 14.5 games back)
The Fireflies won 4 of 6 in their series against the Charleston RiverDogs. On the mound, Shane Van Dam went 4 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3 in his lone start of the week. Van Dam is a 22-year-old right hander, who the Royals took in the 9th round of the 2025 draft out of North Carolina State. Adrian Belen threw 3.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just 2 hits, while striking out one. Ryan McDonagh went 4 innings, allowing 1 hit, no runs, striking out 2 in his lone start of the week. Overall, it was a solid week on the mound for the Fireflies whole pitching staff.
At the plate, Tyson Moran went 5 for 16 with a double and triple, scoring 3 runs. Moran is a 20-year-old shortstop, who the Royals took in the 13th round last year from Canada. He just got to Columbia from the ACL. Connor Rasmussen went 5 for 16 with two doubles and a triple, with two RBI’s and 3 runs scored. Ricson Gonzalez went 6 for 11, driving in two and scoring two. Gonzalez is a 21-year-old catcher from Venezuela; he just recently got promoted from the ACL. The Royals signed Gonzalez when he was 17. Daniel Lopez went 4 for 10, scoring a run and driving one in. Lopez is a 20-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic. The Royals signed him when he was just 17 years old.
The Fireflies are on the road this week, taking on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday. It is the final series of the year for the Fireflies.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 06: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by teammates in his dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on September 06, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the calendar turning to September, the burning question in Astros fans hearts and minds is “if” they’ll be returning to the postseason. After all, it’s been an agonizing 23 months since the playoff loss to the Tigers.
September is a magical time. For this author, nothing compares to Mike Scott’s no-hitter at the Dome on September 25, 1986 against the Giants. Scott’s 13 K performance, the roar of the crowd, many of which refused to head to the exits long after the contest was etched in stone, is cemented in my sports fandom. Clinching the division that day for just the second time in franchise history, and to do it at home was extra special.
Five years earlier, Nolan Ryan’s fifth no hitter also took place at the Dome. Ironically, Dusty Baker struck out on three straight pitches to end the one-sided affair. With the win, Ryan passed Sandy Koufax’s record of four no-no’s.
1999 saw the Killer B’s era culminate with a third straight NL Central title. That particular September, they’d win 19 games.
Of course, the 2019 Astros took a back seat to no one. They’d win 107 games and the final month of the regular season started off with a bang. After laboring through the first inning, tossing 21 pitches, Justin Verlander would settle in and throw his third career no hitter. That would propel Houston to a dominant month from start to finish.
In terms of saving the best for last, Vanessa Williams would be proud. Jeff Bagwell would wait until September 30th of the 2000 campaign to launch his 47th. The blast would come off of Brewers pitcher Everett Stull. Fun fact, Stull would win only 2 games in his brief MLB career.
There have been monumental surprises in September as well. Who can forget the unthinkable three game sweep in 2023 to the lowly Royals, who would drop a whopping 102 games that year? There was also forgotten hero Jason Heyward who stepped in for Yordan Alvarez in securing a division title two seasons ago. Heyward would not only hit a go-ahead homer against Seattle, but he’d also make some stellar defensive plays throughout their run.
For the current batch of Astros, the road to the playoffs is a variety snack pack in the grocery store aisle. On one hand, they’ll face some of the elite, such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves. The Phillies and White Sox are also marching towards the playoffs. On the flipside, they’ll face the Royals and A’s, who will be hovering around 100 losses by the time they close the books on the regular season. Then of course are the dreaded Mariners, who on the 22nd and 23rd of this month will host us for a mini two game series. Seattle has won 9 out of 11 meetings head-to-head thus far.
Will the magical moment come from Josh Hader on the final day? Will it come in dramatic fashion from Yordan Alvarez as he continues his chase for baseball’s triple crown? One thing is for certain, fasten your seatbelts, it’s sure to be a wild ride.
