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‘The dog ate my passport’: All Blacks rookie sorts pet’s mess to rescue debut

  • Leroy Carter sorts shock call-up for Rugby Championship

  • Canine chewed passport he needed for Argentina trip

Leroy Carter was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the All Blacks squad to play in Argentina in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship when he made the shocking discovery. “The dog ate my passport.”

The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson’s Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise.

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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Yankees continue search for late-inning consistency

In this week's Closer Report, we examine more of the fallout from the trade deadline, including changes in the Yankees' bullpen, Kyle Finnegan stepping up in Detroit, and Phil Maton seizing an opportunity in Texas. That and more as we review the last week in saves.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1

Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets

No save chances for Hader this week. He made a pair of scoreless appearances in non-save situations, giving him a 2.13 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 76/15 K/BB ratio across 50 2/3 innings while converting 28 saves. Meanwhile, Muñoz is up to 26 saves after converting two this week. He gave up a run before closing out the game against the White Sox on Wednesday. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a 1.43 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 56/21 K/BB ratio across 44 innings.

It wasn't the best week for Mets relievers, as Díaz, Ryan Helsley, and Tyler Rogers all took a loss. Díaz had given up an unearned run in the tenth inning against the Giants on Friday before bouncing back with a scoreless inning against the Guardians on Monday. The 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 67/17 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings.

Tier 2

Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres

Chapman continues his stellar season with two more saves this week, giving him 21 to go with a 1.21 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a 65/13 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings. In Philadelphia, Duran made two perfect appearances to convert a pair of saves for his new team to give him 18 on the year. With Duran giving the Phillies a lockdown closer, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm shift to setup roles.

Megill made two appearances this week, picking up a pair of saves against the Braves. Shelby Miller, acquired from the Diamondbacks at the trade deadline, struck out the side in his first rehab outing and should slot into a setup role next to Abner Uribe once he's activated from the injured list.

Suarez continues to work as the Padres' closer following their acquisition of Mason Miller from the Athletics at the trade deadline. Suarez made three scoreless appearances, picking up two saves and a win this week. Meanwhile, Miller has slotted into a setup role behind Suarez. He was charged with a blown save on Tuesday, giving up a game-tying homer in the eighth inning against the Diamondbacks. Still, he remains the clear next in line. Suarez got the day off Wednesday after pitching in three of the last five days. Miller stepped in against Arizona, bouncing back with three strikeouts for the save.

Tier 3

Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Randy Rodríguez - San Francisco Giants
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
David Bednar/Camilo Doval/Devin Williams - New York Yankees
Kyle Finnegan - Detroit Tigers
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Jojo Romero - St. Louis Cardinals
Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates

Palencia converted a save with a scoreless inning against the Orioles on Friday. He then gave up a run to blow a save chance against Baltimore on Sunday before falling in line for a win, breaking a 12-outing scoreless streak. The 25-year-old right-hander is up to 15 saves with a 1.73 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 44/11 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings.

Elsewhere in the NL Central, Pagán gave up two runs before holding on for a save Friday against the Braves, then struck out two batters in a clean inning against the Cubs on Monday for his 24th save of the season to go with a 2.98 ERA over 48 1/3 frames.

After picking up his first save as the Giants' primary closer on Friday against the Mets, Rodríguez blew a save and took the loss against the Pirates on Monday. He bounced back with a clean inning on Wednesday for his third save. The 25-year-old right-hander should be a steady saves option with upside through the rest of the season with a 1.51 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 64/11 K/BB ratio across 47 2/3 innings.

Jansen picked up a win with a scoreless inning against the White Sox on Sunday before tossing a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Rays. Meanwhile, Fairbanks struck out six batters over three perfect innings of work this week, picking up his 19th save against the Angels on Wednesday. Griffin Jax allowed one run on a walk and a hit in his first outing with the Rays before recording holds with scoreless appearances on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Smith had an excellent week at the top of the Cleveland bullpen, picking up two wins and a save with three scoreless appearances. The 26-year-old right-hander has converted four saves on the season with a 2.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 70/18 K/BB ratio across 50 1/3 innings. With Smith unavailable on Wednesday, Hunter Gaddis stepped in for a save against the Mets.

Hoffman struck out two batters in a clean inning against the Royals on Saturday for a save before pitching a scoreless inning in a non-save situation on Sunday. The 32-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 64/11 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings. However, his underlying skills suggest he's pitched much better than his surface stats indicate, with a 3.56 xERA.

It's been another rough stretch for Williams in New York. He's given up runs in each of his last four outings that include two blown saves. Manager Aaron Boone has indicated that he'll likely cycle through relievers in the ninth inning, opting for a committee approach for now. Had Williams been able to get one more out in the eighth inning on Tuesday, Boone stated he'd have likely gone to Bednar to attempt a four-out save. Instead, Bednar was used for a five-out save Wednesday against the Rangers. He worked around two walks and a hit, striking out five for his 18th save. The 30-year-old right-hander has had the most success of anyone the Yankees can deploy for saves, posting a 2.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 59/12 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings.

Finnegan has locked down two saves for the Tigers since he was acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline. It appears Detroit is going with the 33-year-old veteran right-hander for most save opportunities, shifting Will Vest to a high-leverage setup role. Vest does have the better skills and could still get occasional save chances, but it makes sense to give Finnegan clean innings to work with.

Estévez gave up two runs in a non-save situation against the Blue Jays on Sunday, then tossed a clean inning against the Red Sox on Wednesday. The 32-year-old right-hander has converted 28 saves with a 2.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 40/17 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings. While he's gotten the job done, it's come with scary underlying numbers, including a 3.77 FIP and 4.99 xFIP.

Romero locked down his first two saves of the season, taking a hold of the closer role in St. Louis following the trade of Ryan Helsley to the Mets. The 28-year-old left-hander may not get every save opportunity, as he pitched the eighth and earned a win on Wednesday. Still, he should lead the team in save chances over the final stretch. Romero has been solid all season, posting a 2.09 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 37/17 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings.

Santana's first week without Bednar in town did not go great. He surrendered five runs to blow the lead and take the loss in the ninth inning against the Rockies on Friday, then blew a save and took the loss with two runs allowed against the Giants on Wednesday. The 29-year-old right-hander should still have some leash on the closer role given his overall success this season, but keep an eye on setup man Isaac Mattson down the stretch.

Tier 4

Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Phil Maton/Robert Garcia - Texas Rangers
Blake Treinen/Alex Vesia/Ben Casparius - Los Angeles Dodgers
Ronny Henriquez/Calvin Faucher - Miami Marlins

Iglesias made two scoreless appearances against the Reds, picking up two saves to bring his total to 14 to go with a 4.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 50/10 K/BB ratio across 45 2/3 innings.

We may be seeing a change in Texas. Garcia was charged with two blown saves this week, then surrendered the lead to the Yankees in the seventh inning on Wednesday. Maton, acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline, stepped in for a save on Tuesday against New York and may be the best man for the job through the rest of the season. The 32-year-old right-hander is having an outstanding year, posting a 2.18 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 51/16 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings.

Tanner Scott threw a bullpen session on Tuesday as he's progressing through his rehab process from an elbow injury. His next step may soon be a minor league rehab assignment. Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to utilize a committee approach in the ninth inning, with Ben Casparius picking up a save this week.

It's been a committee pretty much all season in Miami. Faucher picked up his team-leading 11th save on Saturday against the Yankees. Henriquez has had the best season in the Marlins bullpen, converting six saves with a 2.85 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 74/22 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings.

Tier 5

Justin Topa/Cole Sands - Minnesota Twins
Kendall Graveman/Kyle Backhus - Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Martin/Keegan Akin - Baltimore Orioles
Sean Newcomb - Athletics
Jose Ferrer - Washington Nationals
Grant Taylor - Chicago White Sox
Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies

Sands was a popular add last week as the speculative closer in Minnesota following the trade deadline. However, it was always unlikely the Twins would hand the job to one reliever through the rest of the season. It was Topa who got the team's first save chance on Tuesday against the Tigers. And in Arizona, yet another closer goes down as Kevin Ginkel hit the 15-day injured list with a sprained right shoulder. Like with most situations in this tier, saves just aren't worth chasing here.

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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Announce 2025 Preseason Schedule

The Pittsburgh Penguins have their training camp and preseason coming up, and so does their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

The baby Penguins announced their preseason schedule on Monday and it consists of two games. They will play the Hershey Bears on October 3 at 10:30 a.m. ET as part of their school day game and STEM workbook giveaway before playing the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on October 4 at 7:05 p.m. ET. 

Schools in the Northeast Pennsylvania area are invited to the game, marking the fourth consecutive year the WBS Penguins host a school day game. They have won the previous three and will try to make it four in a row. 

They will start the regular season on October 11 against the Hartford Wolf Pack at 6:05 p.m. ET. It will be the first of 72 regular-season games before the Calder Cup Playoffs commence. 

The WBS Penguins are coming off their second-straight playoff exit at the hands of the Phantoms. 

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Featured Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Mets prospect Ryan Clifford homers twice, Carson Benge drives in three at Double-A

A quartet of highly-touted Mets prospects put on a show for the Double-A Binghamton in a 6-1 win over the Yankees’ Somerset Patriots on Wednesday night.

Ryan Clifford got things started by smacking a solo home run to right field that just got over the wall against a stiff breeze in the top of the second. The 340-foot blast off right-hander Ben Hess, the Yanks’ No. 7 prospect making his first Double-A start, was his first homer in his last 25 at-bats.

There was much less waiting for his next big fly, which came with absolutely no doubt, as he tattooed a 97 mph fastball from righty Hayden Merda 399 feet and 113.6 mph off the bat to right field.

Clifford, the No. 6 prospect in the Mets' system per Joe DeMayo's latest rankings, now has 23 home runs (tops in the Eastern League) and 72 RBI on the season. He raised his average to .250 and OPS to .866 after going 2-for-5 with a strikeout in his 101st game with Binghamton, with a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse before the end of the year not out of the question.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Carson Benge had a bases-loaded chance against reliever Cole Ayers. And after falling behind in the count 0-2, he looped a flyball into the left-center gap to clear the bases for his fifth double since his promotion in late June.

Benge, the No. 3 prospect in the system and Mets' first-round pick a year ago, finished 1-for-5 with two strikeouts in his first game since he was named Eastern League Player of the Month for July. He is batting .349 (38-for-109) with 23 RBI and a 1.070 OPS in his first 28 games at the Double-A level.

Nick Morabito, the No. 15 prospect and batting in the cleanup spot, laced a double on a shot to the wall in right to score Benge. It was his only hit in five times up with a strikeout, but gave him 23 on the season and 44 RBI. The 22-year-old is batting .279 with a .755 OPS through his first 87 games at Double-A.

Jett Williams added a double to left off Hess in the second and a hard-hit single up the middle in the top of the ninth to go 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. This was the Mets’ No. 1 prospect's 23rd multi-hit game of the season with Binghamton and helped raise his average to .282 with an .873 OPS.

He also made some good defensive plays at shortstop on a pair of double plays, but was charged with his 12th error of the year when he misplayed a grounder in the fifth.

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64 Days Until Opening Day: The Sharks' History of Number 64

We’re just 64 days away from the San Jose Sharks kicking off their season against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.

The number 64 has only been worn twice in franchise history. The first was from 2009 to 2012 by Jamie McGinn, then again by Mikael Granlund during the 2024-25 season.

McGinn spent four years with the Sharks after being drafted in the second round of the 2006 NHL Draft. During his time in San Jose, he scored 27 goals and added 22 assists for 49 points in 204 games. After his time with the organization came to an end, he went on to play for the Colorado Avalanche. He wrapped up his career after 11 seasons, finishing with 117 goals and 103 assists for 220 points in 617 games.

Granlund, meanwhile, spent parts of two years with the Sharks. He was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. In his two seasons with the club, he recorded 27 goals and 78 assists for 105 points in 121 games. He was a very productive player during his time in San Jose, and at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, he was dealt to the Dallas Stars. In his 13-year career so far, he has tallied 610 points in 902 games.

We’re slowly making our way through the dog days of summer. August is the final month without hockey, which should have NHL fans counting down the days.

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Flyers' Travis Konecny Excluded from Ranking of Top NHL Wingers

Flyers forward Travis Konecny was not deemed a top 20 winger in the NHL... this year. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

Despite making the cut last year, Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny is no longer a top 20 winger in the NHL in the eyes of the NHL Network.

On Wednesday, the NHL Network revealed its rankings of the top 20 wingers in the NHL, and we came to find a few newcomers jumped Konecny, 28, in rankings over the last season.

Konecny (20), Steven Stamkos (13), Brad Marchand (18), and Zach Hyman (11) made way for newcomers Matt Boldy (19), Adrian Kempe (20), Jesper Bratt (12), and Brandon Hagel (13).

Konecny's 76 points did see him finish 30th in the league in scoring amongst all forwards, placing ahead of Alex Ovechkin (ranked 17th by NHL Network), Boldy, and Kempe, but those three all made the playoffs while Konecny and the Flyers finished with the fourth-worst record in the league.

Plus, it doesn't help that the 28-year-old ceded some of the limelight to rookie Matvei Michkov, who will be on this list in no time at all.

Flyers Can't Meet Reported Ducks Trade Price for Mason McTavishFlyers Can't Meet Reported Ducks Trade Price for Mason McTavishFollowing a new report, it would appear the Philadelphia Flyers don't have much of a chance of landing Mason McTavish in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks at all.

Adding to that, Konecny did finish the season with 34 points in his last 44 games, but only seven of those points were goals.

For a player who, right or wrong, is seen as the guy who has to carry the Flyers, Konecny fell short down the stretch, and NHL Network likely punished him for that.

Overall, the Flyers star finished the 2024-25 season with 24 goals, 52 assists, and 76 points while playing in all 82 regular season games for just the second time in his career, and for the first time since 2018-19.

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Oilers Eyeing Trade for Former Oil Kings Goaltender?

The Edmonton Oilers could be exploring a move to bolster their goaltending depth, and recent comments from team insider Bob Stauffer have sparked speculation that Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa might be a target.

To be clear, Stauffer didn't say Cossa's name. He left it open-ended and for fans to guess. Still, it didn't take long for several fans and analysts to put two and two together. 

On a recent episode of Oilers Now, Stauffer hinted the organization is looking at a goalie who “hasn’t gained a lot of traction” with his current team, but noted there’s a “connection” to Edmonton. He added that the player’s team also has “another really good goaltending prospect,” leading many to believe he was referring to Cossa, who once starred for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings.

Cossa, 22, was a first-round pick by the Red Wings in 2021. It's not entirely clear where he sits in the eyes of GM Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff. That said, it appears he's lost ground on the depth chart to Trey Augustine.

He posted a solid .911 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average in the AHL last season, but it's unclear if he's got the makings to be a steady NHL starter. He has just one NHL game under his belt.

Who Could Join the Oilers on a PTO? 4 Logical FitsWho Could Join the Oilers on a PTO? 4 Logical FitsAs NHL training camps approach,  players who haven't earned a UFA contract will be eyed as potential PTO candidates. For the Edmonton Oilers, who are watching every penny, that could open the door to some potential opportunities.

As for what the Oilers would be willing to offer, if Stauffer is suggesting a trade is being discussed, the details remain a mystery. It's hard to imagine Edmonton giving up much for an unproven goaltender who isn't likely to do much on a Red Wings team that may not be playoff bound. If Cossa has fallen out of favor in Detroit, it's logical to assume a draft pick or a different prospect might get the deal done. 

It seems unlikely the Oilers would trade a roster player, unless the Red Wings were willing to take on a contract like Mattias Janmark. While the deal would free up cap space and address a long-term organizational need, it may not be a move the Oilers are ready to make this summer. Janmark might not be a regular in the team's lineup this season, but he's likely to offer more game time in a Stanley Cup window than Cossa would. 

Acquiring Cossa might be appealing, but there is no guarantee he’s NHL-ready.

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Red Wings Tabbed As Landing Spot For Ducks RFA Mason McTavish

The Detroit Red Wings have made numerous additions to their lineup in the offseason through both free agency and trade, though none of the moves could accurately be described as a major "splash" acquisition. 

While there is still well over a month between now and the start of Red Wings Training Camp in mid-September, doubt is beginning to creep in on whether they'll ultimately pull the trigger and acquire a new, high-profile figure. 

While the Red Wings have re-signed their restricted free agents in Albert Johansson, Jonatan Berggren, and Elmer Soderblom, one team that still has a notable RFA yet to be locked down is the Anaheim Ducks. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The Ducks haven't had any luck re-signing Mason McTavish, who recently completed his three-year entry-level contract and scored a career-high 22 goals in 76 games for the Ducks last season. 

According to a newly released report from RG.org, an anonymous NHL source has named the Red Wings as a potential landing spot for McTavish if the Ducks can't get him to sign a new deal.

Not only does the source tout the history between former teammates Steve Yzerman and Pat Verbeek, who now serve as the general manager of their respective clubs, but for what McTavish could bring to Detroit's forward units. 

“One team I keep hearing that has continued to show strong interest is the Detroit Red Wings," the source explained to RG.org. "Obviously there’s a history there with Pat [Verbeek] and Steve [Yzerman], and I really think Steve sees McTavish as a player that would clearly change the whole dynamic of his team up the middle there.”

Yzerman and Verbeek do have an extensive professional history together. Not only were they teammates on the ice in Detroit from 1999 through 2001, but they also worked together as executives with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings; Verbeek worked under Yzerman in both locations before accepting the role as Ducks GM in February 2022.

McTavish, whom the Ducks selected with the third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is known for his offensive flair and often plays in close proximity to the net. He's played in 229 career NHL games, and has scored 60 goals while adding 80 assists. 

As it currently stands, the Red Wings have just over $12 million worth of salary cap remaining, which is more than enough to absorb the contract of a significant potential addition. If they were to acquire McTavish via trade, it would have to come with a contract extension, as he is currently unsigned for the approaching campaign. 

The Red Wings and Ducks have already made a pair of trades with one another in just over a full calendar year, as Detroit sent oft-injured forward Robby Fabbri to Anaheim last July while acquiring goaltender John Gibson in late June of this year. 

Detroit has already been linked as a potential landing spot for McTavish if he and the Ducks can't come to an agreement, and his presence in the lineup would give the Red Wings another offensive weapon capable of playing in the top-six and reaching at least 20 goals. 

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New Jersey Devils Player Earns High Praise in NHL Network’s Winger Rankings

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt has been ranked the 12th-best winger in the NHL right now by NHL Network.

Unranked last season, Bratt is now earning praise for his standout performance.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Devils after being drafted 162nd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Swedish forward found his stride this past season, posting 88 points in 81 games.

He also represented Sweden at the Four Nations Tournament, recording two points in three games.

Bratt is entering the third year of his eight-year, $63 million contract, which carries an annual average value of $7.8 million and keeps him in New Jersey until age 32.

Making his debut as a teenager after impressing in the 2017 training camp, Bratt played 74 games in his rookie season (2017–18), tallying 13 goals and 22 assists. Over the years, he has battled through injuries, fracturing his jaw in October 2018 and undergoing shoulder surgery in the 2024–25 offseason. He is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025–26 season.

In 2025, Bratt was named to the NHL All-Star Team and now finds himself recognized as one of the league’s elite wingers. Often overshadowed by teammates Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, Bratt has quietly posted back-to-back 80-point seasons, leading the Devils in shot assists and scoring chance assists. His speed, puck-handling, and ability to excel in man-advantage situations make him a constant offensive threat.

Bratt made history in 2024–25, becoming the top-scoring Swedish player in the NHL and setting a Devils record for single-season assists. He is one of only five players league-wide to record at least 20 goals, 50 assists, and 80 points in each of the past two seasons.

Only 11 wingers were ranked higher than Bratt on NHL Network’s list:

  1. Jake Guentzel – Tampa Bay Lightning
  2. Artemi Panarin – New York Rangers
  3. Kyle Connor – Winnipeg Jets
  4. Sam Reinhart – Florida Panthers
  5. Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers
  6. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs
  7. Mitch Marner – Vegas Golden Knights
  8. Mikko Rantanen – Dallas Stars
  9. Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild
  10. David Pastrnak – Boston Bruins
  11. Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning

Bratt has firmly established himself among the NHL’s best wingers, and is finally getting the recognition he deserves.


Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Shohei Ohtani's Ruthian feats are not enough as bullpen melts down against Cardinals

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 6, 2025: Shohei Ohtani flips his bat after his 2-run 440-foot home run in the 3rd inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on August 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani flips his bat after hitting his 39th home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field that traveled 440 feet. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Only one player in the last 110 years has tried to do what the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is doing this season, which is to pitch and hit successfully at the big-league level.

Babe Ruth twice won more than 20 games and led the American League in ERA and starts before the Red Sox, then the Yankees, decided pitching was distracting from Ruth’s hitting and put him out to pasture in right field.

Over the next three seasons, Ruth broke the major league record for home runs three times.

The Dodgers and Ohtani insist he’ll remain a two-way player for the time being, but recent performances suggests both the Red Sox and Yankees may have been on to something when they took Ruth off the mound.

Read more:Max Muncy is back with four RBIs in Dodgers' rout of Cardinals

Ohtani made his eighth start of the year Wednesday and it was his best as a Dodger, with the right-hander giving up just a tainted run on two hits and striking out a season-high eight in four innings. Perhaps more important, he also slugged his first home run in 10 games in the third inning of a 5-3 matinee loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

It was the first truly Ruthian two-way performances for Ohtani since he joined the Dodgers but it was one the team’s defense and bullpen wasted, with three relievers combining to yield four runs on 10 hits over the final five innings.

The two most important ones came in the eighth, when the Cardinals turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead, greeting Alex Vesia with a pair of singles before a two-out hit from Jordan Walker drove in the tying run and the winning one scored on a throwing error by third baseman Alex Freeland.

"It never feels good,” manager Dave Roberts said of the loss, his team’s 17th in 30 games since July 1. “Is there a level of frustration the way the second half has started off? Yeah. We just haven't synced up. We just can't get on track offensively. We're not playing great.”

That can’t be said of Ohtani, although the effort he gave at the plate Wednesday equaled what he's been doing on the mound recently. He has posted a 2.37 ERA and struck out 25 in 19 innings in his eight starts, yet in the same eight games he’s batted .219. In his last six starts on the mound, he’s gone just three for 24 at the plate.

That’s part of a slump that began in mid-June, when Ohtani made his pitching debut for the Dodgers. At the time he led the majors in runs and led the National League in homers and slugging percentage. Since then, his strikeout rate has risen, his average has plummeted more than 20 points and he’s clubbed just 14 homers, one fewer than he had in May alone as a designated hitter.

Ohtani said he can’t explain the difference.

"I don't really try to think too differently on days that I pitch and hit and on days that I only hit," he said through a translator. "I'm thinking of adjusting how I work out and do my work in between my outings. Especially now that I'm going to be throwing more innings."

Read more:Hernández: Mookie Betts sounds depressed, but he isn't giving up on snapping his hitting slump

Ohtani both pitched and hit on his way to two MVP awards with the Angels. But last season, the first in five years in which he didn’t pitch while recovering from a second elbow surgery, Ohtani sent career highs in virtually every offensive category and led the NL in runs (134), homers (54) and RBIs (130) while becoming the first player in history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a single season.

That won him a third MVP award and a World Series ring, replicas of which were handed out Wednesday to the 44,621 sun-splashed fans who came to see Ohtani pitch. But in 2021, when he topped 10 starts for the first time with the Angels, he hit a full-season career-low .257 and struck out a career-high 189 times.

For Ohtani, the manager said, the challenge now is finding comfort in the crowed new routine.

“It's not the norm,” he said. “It's been over two years since he's done this, so he's still sort of getting adjusted to this lifestyle, as far as kind of the day to day."

“I don't think he's there yet. It's only going to get better as he gets more time doing it.”

Read more:Things are finally turning around for Dodgers' Roki Sasaki

Ohtani breezed through his longest start as a Dodger, topping 100 mph multiple times and retiring the first six Cardinals in order. It would have been seven but shortstop Mookie Betts and second baseman Miguel Rojas lost Walker’s popout in a high sky leading off the third. That went for a hit and Walker came around to score on a stolen base, a ground out and Brendan Donovan’s infield single.

Ohtani struck out the next four hitters he faced while giving his team the lead in the third, following Alex Call’s leadoff double — his first hit as a Dodger — with a two-run homer to center. The hit was the 1,000th in the majors for Ohtani while the homer was his 39th of the season.

The Dodgers added another run in the fourth when Andy Pages led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third and continued home when the throw from catcher Pedro Pagés hit the bat of Miguel Rojas and ricocheted toward the Dodger dugout.

Then came the daily bullpen meltdown, with the Cardinals pushing a run across against Justin Wrobleski in the sixth, setting the stage for their eighth-inning rally against Vesia. Brock Stewart gave up the final run in the ninth.

“If you look at the last couple weeks, I think our bullpen has been good,” Roberts said of a relief corps that has failed to covert a third of its 52 save opportunities. “We didn't finish it off today. But I think in general, the bullpen in the last couple weeks has been pretty stable.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Former Red Wings Forward David Booth Thrills With Pavel Datsyuk-Esque Goal In Australia

Former NHL forward David Booth may not have played in the NHL since his first and only season with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017-18 campaign, but he's showing that he still has some pretty slick moves that made him one of the better players for the Florida Panthers during their dark years. 

Booth, who played the majority of his career with the Panthers from 2006 to 2011, currently plays Down Under for the Melbourne Ice of the Australian Ice Hockey League, and recently scored a spectacular goal against the Brisbane Lightning that some fans could easily confuse for a former Pavel Datsyuk highlight.

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Not only did he execute a full Denis Savard-style spin-o-rama around Lightning forward Sacha Rapchuk after receiving a pass near the top of the slot, but then he dangled around defenseman Thomas Kiliwnik before beating goaltender Jakob Doornbos with a quick blocker-side shot. 

To add to the feat, it was part of a five-goal, three-assist performance during the game for Booth, who has now scored 25 goals with 25 assists in just 11 games. 

Booth began his NHL career as the 53rd overall pick of the Panthers in the 2004 NHL Draft, and he would play parts of six seasons with the team. His game action was limited to regular season play only, as the Panthers failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his time with the team.

Booth's best offensive output came in the 2008-09 campaign, during which he lit the lamp 31 times while adding another 29 assists. 

He was then traded in the early goings of the 2011-12 NHL season to the Vancouver Canucks as part of a package to acquire Mikael Samuelsson, who had won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and would later make a brief return to the team later in his career. 

Following stints with the Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Booth spent time in Russia suiting up for both Admiral Vladivostok and Avangard Omsk in the KHL before returning to the NHL as a member of the Red Wings ahead of the 2017-18 NHL season, Detroit's first in the brand new Little Caesars Arena. 

The Detroit native scored four goals with an assist in 28 games for the Red Wings in what would prove to be his final season in the NHL.

In 530 career NHL games, Booth scored 124 goals with 112 assists. Since then, he's played in Norway as well as Germany's DEL2 along with another stint in the KHL. 

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Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Does Buffalo Have Any Hope To Beat Powerhouse Colorado Avalanche?

Nathan MacKinnon (left); Ryan McLeod (right) -- (Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Images)

The Buffalo Sabres play in the NHL's toughest division in the Atlantic Division -- but the 2025-26 schedule isn't going to do them any favors. THN.com's Sabres site has been publishing a team-by-team look at Buffalo's opponents next year -- and in today's file, we're continuing our look at the Sabres' chances against the Central Division-juggernaut Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche were an elite team last season, even if they finished just third in the Central. But if the Sabres are going to end their 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought, they're going to have to beat very good teams like the Avs. So let's explore Buffalo's chances against Colorado next season, and see if we can't accurately predict how well the Sabres will play versus the Avalanche.

BUFFALO SABRES VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE

NEW AVALANCHE PLAYERS: Brent Burns, D 

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 0-1-1, Avalanche 2-0-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  October 13 at Buffalo; November 13 at Colorado 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres did not fare well against the Avalanche last year, losing both games by a combined score of 11-9. Buffalo did squeeze out one standings point in the two games, losing by a shootout in their last game against each other Jan. 2. But the Avalanche team they'll be facing this year is just as good, if not better than the Avs team that played last year.

To wit: Colorado will have a full season with captain Gabriel Landeskog, and that's more or less a trade acquisition given that they still played well without Landeskog last year. Meanwhile, the Avalanche's defense corps -- already one of the strongest groups in the league -- got even better with the signing of greybear blueliner Brent Burns. 

At 40 years old, Burns is the oldest player in the NHL, and while his offensive stats have ebbed in recent years, he's likely going to be very valuable in limited action on Colorado's third defense pairings. And Burns' snarl and size will also make the Avalanche even tougher to battle in their own zone.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Blackhawks Stun Buffalo In Their Showdowns Next Year?Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Blackhawks Stun Buffalo In Their Showdowns Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres' schedule has been out for some time now, and it's always fun to examine the Sabres' opponents by breaking down their showdowns against each of the NHL's 31 other teams.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche still will be dominant because in center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, they have two of the top-five players in the league. That made it more palatable to trade former Avs winger Mikko Rantanen, and with the money Rantanen was making, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland acquired Martin Necas from Carolina and Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders.

And after all those moves, MacFarland still has $3.3 million in cap space. That's a masterclass in cap management. And that's going to make it extremely difficult for the Sabres to beat the Avalanche.

The intriguing wrinkle in Buffalo's games against Colorado is that they both come at the beginning of the year. The first game they go head-to-head will be the Sabres' third game of the regular-season, while the remaining game will be played exactly one month later.  That could open up a potential quick-strike action on the Sabres' behalf, with the Avalanche vulnerable as they potentially experiment with lines and chemistry early in the season. Playing the Avalanche early is far better for Buffalo's chances to beat Colorado than they would be if their games came later in the season, after a trade deadline that almost certainly will see the Avs spend every bit of their cap space.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: How Will Buffalo Fare Against High-Octane Washington Capitals?Know Your Enemy, Sabres Metropolitan Edition: How Will Buffalo Fare Against High-Octane Washington Capitals?The Buffalo Sabres want nothing more than to qualify for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ending Buffalo's 14-year drought without any playoff games is a gigantic stain on the organization, but there's no assurace the Sabres will be able to vault over many solid teams and grab a playoff berth.

As it stands, Colorado is a top-10 team in the league right now. They may even be a top-five team in the league when firing on all cylinders. So the Sabres have their work cut out for them in trying to win at least one of the two games they have against the Avalanche. Buffalo wasn't able to beat the Avs last year, so a statement game or two against Colorado could be just what the doctor ordered for Buffalo's playoff chances.

And if the Sabres get knocked around again by the Avs, they could miss out on playoff action because they didn't make the most of their opportunites against one of the game's best squads. Time will tell how Buffalo ultimately fares against Colorado, but the challenge is clear -- let the Avalanche know the Sabres are a different team by pushing back and avenging their losses to the Avs last year, or fall again into the same unfortunate pattern and lose both games to Colorado.