PensBurgh’s 2026 edition of the Top 25 Under 25 countdown rolls on with Avery Hayes, a young forward who emerged as a legitimate bottom-six option after making his NHL debut last season.
2025 Ranking:No. 18 Age: 23 (Oct. 10, 2002) Acquired Via: Signed with WB/S Penguins as undrafted free agent before 2023-24 season Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 174 pounds
Working his way up from an undrafted forward in the American Hockey League, Hayes was called up for his NHL debut in February 2026, scoring two goals in his debut game against the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 5.
Hayes’ two-goal first period put him in rare company, making him just the seventh player in NHL history to accomplish the feat in his debut.
“I can’t really put it into words,” said the 23-year-old forward after his debut. “I’m just excited to see my family after they were able to make the trip. So, I have no words right now, but it was a ton of fun.”
Hayes would then be re-assigned to the AHL during the Olympic break, where he notched a hat trick in his next AHL game back before recording another three-goal game 11 days later.
Hayes went from scoring twice in his NHL debut to struggling to consistently produce at the NHL level when games resumed after the Olympics, illustrating the challenge of making the jump to the world’s best league.
After that two-goal debut, Hayes went pointless between Feb. 26 and March 14. He would score his third career goal in an 8-3 win over the New York Islanders on March 30 before notching two more goals in the team’s regular-season finale, a 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues on April 14.
Hayes played 16 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, deployed primarily as an “energy guy” in a bottom-six role, scoring five goals while averaging 11:10 of ice time per game.
Five goals in 16 NHL games isn’t a huge sample, but it does suggest Hayes has some finishing ability that could make him more than a purely energy-line player if he can maintain it over a larger sample.
Hayes finished the 2025-26 AHL season at a nearly point-per-game clip, registering 39 points over 42 games. He also recorded 48 regular-season penalty minutes. In the Calder Cup playoffs, Hayes added another three goals and 40 penalty minutes in 15 games as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
The AHL production is what makes Hayes particularly intriguing. His 24 goals ranked first among Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forwards, despite Hayes missing time while in the NHL. His 39 points in 42 games also made him one of the team’s most productive offensive players.
Over 131 regular-season AHL games, Hayes has provided plenty of spark for the Baby Penguins, recording 53 goals and 90 points along with 112 penalty minutes.
There are higher-ceiling players elsewhere in the Penguins’ prospect pool, but few can match Hayes’ combination of NHL experience, AHL production and proximity to a regular NHL job.
He could be deployed in a bottom-six role given his speed, tenacity and finishing ability. Still, the challenge now is determining whether that offensive production can consistently translate to the NHL.
Hayes has the makings of a pest-like forward, able to get under an opponent’s skin while creating offense through his forechecking. He offers the coaching staff an always-valued “energizer” as a complementary piece.
His biggest obstacle may ultimately be opportunity. The Penguins’ forward depth chart is currently bursting at the seams, leaving Hayes with little margin for error as he tries to secure a regular NHL job.
At this juncture, Hayes looks less like a guaranteed NHL player and more like one of the Penguins’ most intriguing call-up options when injury or ineffective play from other forwards strikes.
After going undrafted and working his way to the NHL, though, that’s a pretty good place to be at 23 years old.
NBA history spans 80 seasons, and as CelticsBlog readers well know, the Boston Celtics have won a league-high 18 championships. This month, we are recapping each of those title years.
<p>Celtics’ owner Walter Brown helps Bill Russell with his new team jacket, after the center signed his rookie contract in 1956. Brown, who founded the franchise, passed away September 7, 1964. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)</p> | Getty Images
The 1964-65 season began on a somber note: Walter Brown, the team’s legendary founder and owner, suffered a heart attack and died a few weeks before opening night. Brown was just 59 years old.
Brown helped found the Basketball Association of America, which merged with the National Basketball League to form the NBA. He was also instrumental in founding the Ice Capades; managed the Boston Garden; owned the Boston Bruins; was president of the International Ice Hockey Federation; and president of the Boston Athletic Association, which operates the Boston Marathon. Brown also won championships as a hockey coach.
The Boston Celtics showed no signs of slowing down as they began pursuit of their seventh straight banner. They posted a 62-18 record, the best in league history, while no other team reached 50 wins. Boston won the first 11 games on the schedule, then added win streaks of seven and 16 games.
Russell won the Most Valuable Player award for the fifth time. He averaged 14.1 points per game and led the NBA in rebounding average at 24.1. Unfortunately, Russell played before blocked shots were tracked as an official statistic and also before the introduction of the Defensive Player of the Year award. His overall status as arguably the greatest player in NBA history is shortchanged as a result.
Sam Jones (see below for more about him), Tommy Heinsohn and Russell all played in the All-Star game. This would be Heinsohn’s last hurrah, retiring after nine seasons.
Among those new to the team were draft picks Mel Counts, taken in the first round with overall pick no. 9, and in the third round with pick 27, John Thompson. Counts would play 12 seasons in the NBA, win two rings with the Celtics, then be traded in a significant deal (stay tuned for more), and cross paths again with Boston in the 1969 Finals. Thompson played just two seasons as a backup big, but also won two rings. He made the Hall of Fame too, in the role he’s most known for, coach of the Georgetown Hoyas.
The first all-black starting five
The Celtics also made on-court history once again in the realm of civil rights.
In the 1964 installment of this series, we reviewed how coach Red Auerbach and the Celtics ignored the unwritten “quota rule” and put five black players on the court at the same time. On December 27, 1964, they took it to the next step. Tommy Heinsohn was injured and Willie Naulls replaced him in the starting lineup, along with regulars Bill Russell, Satch Sanders, Sam Jones and K.C. Jones. The first all-black starting five.
It was a major breakthrough in professional sports at a contentious time and bleak period in American history. And there was more to come from the Celtics on that front because, as Auerbach always stated, he simply wanted to win. And he knew what he was talking about. Together, that lineup won 12 games in a row – 10 of them on the road.
Sam Jones, the forgotten superstar
<p>Sam Jones dribbles the ball upcourt against the Philadelphia 76ers circa 1965. In the background is Wilt Chamberlain, whom Jones was known to trash talk after Chamberlain failed to block his shot. “Too late,” Jones would say. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)</p> | Getty Images
Did you know that Sam Jones – no. 24 on the retired numbers banner – won 10 NBA championships, the second most behind Bill Russell? If not, then you probably are also unaware of his five All-Star game selections, three times voted to All-NBA, and induction into the Hall of Fame (inexplicably, he had to wait 15 years for the call).
Jones was, in today’s parlance, a bucket. His signature move was an outside bank shot off the dribble. His career high was 51 points for both regular season and postseason (at Madison Square Garden, winning a closeout game versus the Knicks). Most importantly, Jones was best known for being clutch. We’ve seen it already in this Banner Year series when he scored a series winner in 1962 and 47 points in a Game 7 in 1963.
Jones’ best season was this one, 1964-65, when he played all 80 games; averaged a career-high 25.9 points per game; scored 2,070 points, which at that time was a team record; earned All-NBA second team; and was fourth in MVP voting behind Russell, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West.
It’s safe to say that most of today’s NBA fans know of those three megastars, even if they never saw them play. But no one talks about Sam Jones, the forgotten superstar.
Russell called Jones the most skilled teammate he’d ever had. He added that Jones was called upon to take a do-or-die shot in the playoffs six times, and made all six. That’s a real Mr. Clutch.
Fun fact about Sam Jones’ draft position: Jones was eligible for the 1956 Draft and was selected in the eighth round as the 59th overall pick by the Minneapolis Lakers. However, Jones chose to return to North Carolina Central College to complete his degree following military service. By rule at that time, returning to school voided the Lakers’ exclusive claim to his player rights, leaving him available for a future draft. The next year, 1957, the Boston Celtics selected him in the first round with the eighth pick overall. If Jones had not returned to college, the Celtics would not have 18 banners, and you wouldn’t be reading this series right now.
Eastern playoffs
After their customary bye, the Celtics once again faced the dangerous Wilt Chamberlain, who’d gone west with the Warriors’ relocation to San Francisco, but was traded back to his hometown and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers were born when the Syracuse Nationals relocated, to fill the void in Philly after the Warriors departed.
As seemed to be their habit, the first six games were won by the home team, neither being able to separate from the other. Only Game 3 was particularly close, and Philly needed it to avoid a 3-1 deficit. The Sixers dominated the first and third quarters, while the Celtics took the second and fourth. Boston was ahead by two with one second remaining. Sixers guard Hal Greer took the inbounds pass and hit a 35-footer as the buzzer sounded (for two points as the three-point shot wasn’t in use yet). The Celtics protested that the shot was too late, but lacking replay there was nothing left but to play overtime. Philly escaped, 134-131.
Of course, everything came down to the final five seconds of Game 7. It had been a back-and-forth battle for the first 47 minutes, but the Celtics led 110-103, thanks to Sam Jones’ 37 points and 26 from Havlicek. Trying not to foul, Boston backed off on defense, unwisely allowing six quick points by Chamberlain. Then Russell made the worst mistake of his career, losing the ball with five seconds left and a one-point lead feeling extremely vulnerable. But Russell was bailed out by the most memorable play in Celtics history.
The Sixers gave Hondo the opening by not running any sort of action. Watch again: Everyone stood around, no one cutting or setting screens. The heady Havlicek took his position and only had to wait for the ball to come. It was a hallmark of the dynasty, the Celtics executing on the most crucial play to secure the win. Bonus: Johnny Most’s call of the play became legendary and made him famous.
NBA Finals
Survive and move forward, that’s the playoffs in a nutshell, and the Celtics did that. The Finals versus Los Angeles had lost some luster because Elgin Baylor was out after tearing knee ligaments. Boston was an overwhelming favorite and they won without any anxiety.
The matchup
Game 1 was a blowout, Boston leading by 20 after three quarters and finishing 142-110. The Lakers were never in it. Game 2 on the parquet was more typical playoff basketball, hard-fought and close. Jerry West poured in 45 and Dick Barnett added 26, but the Celtics had five men with 20 or more points, winning 129-123.
In LA, Sam Jones dropped 35 in Game 3, but West remained on fire with 43 points in a 21-point Lakers victory to stay alive. However, Game 4 was a different story.
Turning point
Boston trailed by six at halftime of Game 4, but the defense clamped down, enabling the visitors to dominate the second half, 57-38. West was held to 6 of 27 shooting and only 22 points. Final, 112-99, the Celtics taking a 3-1 lead.
The hero we needed
The entire Celtics squad was heroic in Game 5. They were already ahead by 16 when they began the fourth quarter with a barrage of 20 consecutive points. Again and again, the Celtics would get a defensive stop, throw an outlet pass and race the other way for an easy bucket. The Garden crowd was ecstatic. Radio announcer Johnny Most was so delirious he’s lucky he didn’t fall out of his perch in the balcony.
The final score was 129-96, a 33-point destruction. We wouldn’t see something like that again until 2008.
It wasn’t over until…
The series was practically over before it began. Without Baylor, LA was helpless.
Notable facts and stats
Seven Celtics scored between 10 and 22 points in Game 4.
Sam Jones led the team in scoring for the series with 27.8 points per game.
Russell pulled down 25 rebounds per game in the Finals.
Jerry West topped the Lakers by averaging 33.8 points, but he came up empty in the Finals for the third time versus Boston.
Tommy Heinsohn retired after this series, scoring 6 points with 8 rebounds in his final game. He won eight championships, was four times All-NBA and a six-time All-Star, as well as Rookie of the Year. We would hear from him again.
Banner Years continues tomorrow with a review of the 1965-66 season and the road to winning Banner #9.
Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question in the comments section here or on Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @RobbieBettelon. If you’re on BlueSky, you can also send to @RobbieBettelon.bksy.social.
Join us live on Friday with guests Harry Moroz and Mickey Jacobs from Order of the Blazing Horse. What questions do you have for the show?
Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.
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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 3: Alperen Sengun #28, Amen Thompson #1, Reed Sheppard #15, and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 3, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country.
This week’s question is asking you to name the most important Houston Rockets player. Is it Kevin Durant, the Houston leading scorer who hates his teammates? Is it All-Start center Alperen Sengun? How about young guard Reed Sheppard and his shooting? Or Fred VanVleet, who the organization prizes? How about Amen Thompson, who is rumored to be the Rockets’ only untouchable player? Or Steven Adams, who leads the offensive rebounding charge that is a key part of Houston’s offense?
Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with the results.
Mar 20, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) runs around the bases after he hit a 2-run home run during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: At this point in the 2026 season, Giancarlo Stanton has been out so long that he almost feels like an afterthought, as he last played on April 24th in Houston. The calf injury was said to be minor, but sadly nothing truly is with MLB’s active home run leader. If nothing else, Stanton at least hit a milestone in the rehab process yesterday, participating in on-field baserunning drills at Yankee Stadium for the first time since June (when his calf strain recurred). He had been working on his hitting, but he hadn’t previously done this during the process.
Stanton has avoided rehab appearances in recent years since as a DH, the Trajekt pitching machines do an excellent job of replicating game action. But manager Aaron Boone noted that rehabbing somewhere in the minors could be the next hurdle assuming Stanton’s calf is still OK, though it appears more likely that even if all goes well, Cody Bellinger will return to the Yankees sooner (with Aaron Judge after Stanton). The Yankees could use any boost they can find for their lineup, and despite the clunky roster fit at this point Luis García Jr., Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt, and Heliot Ramos also being varying degrees of DH types—to say nothing of Judge—they will gladly find a way to squeeze Stanton in if his body says he’s good to go.
The Athletic | Dan Barbarisi: A month ago, it was reported that the Yankees were close to receiving a boost from the firm Apollo Global Management. That has indeed to come pass, as a $2.6 billion financing agreement was announced on Tuesday, “a mix of debt and equity and will allow the Yankees to refinance or retire much of their existing debt, then pursue new ventures.”
Hal Steinbrenner’s not going anywhere as the Yankees’ managing general partner and we only know that the stake is not larger than 15 percent due to MLB rules about individual private equity investment, but Apollo Sports Capital CEO Al Tylis is joining the Yankees’ board (formally known as Yankee Global Enterprises).
MLB.com | Matthew Ritchie: An even more forgotten Yankee is on the rehab trail like Stanton. Yes, Luis Gil really did begin the 2026 season in the Yankees’ rotation. Well technically they skipped him the first time through, but Gil did make four starts in the season’s opening month. He looked too similar to the guy who the Yanks very reluctantly gave a (doomed) playoff start in 2025, and with better rotation depth this year, they optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
However, the oft-injured Gil quickly went down with right shoulder inflammation. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year hadn’t pitched in a game since April 26th until making a rehab appearance at High-A Hudson Valley last night. Gil threw a good inning, throwing 12 of 13 pitches for strikes across five batters. Gil will probably eventually end up back at Triple-A if his body responds well, as again the depth is too deep for him in the Yankees’ rotation at this point — though Boone said that there could “potentially” be a bullpen role.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: The Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate will remain in Northeast Pennsylvania next year, but they’ll have a identity. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre adopted the RailRiders moniker after massive renovations finished on PNC Field in 2013; the former Red Barons had simply been the Yankees for their first few years as a Yankee affiliate after moving on from the Phillies in 2007. Now, something new is on the horizon for Scranton’s name in 2027. It will not be revealed until November, but if recent minor-league team names around the industry are any trend, expect something quirky.
MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: Former Astros foe Rafael Montero had joined the Yankees as Triple-A depth for much of the 2026 season, but that chapter has come to a close. Originally a Mets starter and now an 11-year MLB veteran, Montero never made it to The Show with the Yankees and is being released after recording a 5.67 ERA in 28 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I’d say that this might be the end of the line for him, but teams are so desperate for bullpen help these days that it would not shock me in the slightest to see him hook on elsewhere, especially if he’s willing to keep grinding it out at Triple-A.
Speaking of the bullpen, the Yankees made a slight tweak to the big-league club yesterday with Bradley Hanner coming up for what could be his MLB debut later in the week. Kervin Castro was placed on the IL with right elbow neuritis. Jeff had the story for us, so check out more here.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Sources: Several NBA teams have expressed interest to Simmons’ camp, including one West squad that offered a training camp invite. He is also open to signing a vet minimum contract. Simmons has dreams of playing for Australia during 2028 LA Olympics. Attending mini-camp aids hope
No, that’s not the son of Celtics superfan Bill Simmons. That’s the #1 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft Ben Simmons — and for what it’s worth, Jaylen Brown was selected by Boston at #3. Simmons was last seen with the Clippers after he was waived by the Nets in 2025. Now, here comes a series of big ifs: IF he’s truly healthy and IF he’s willing to play a role and IF everything goes well with his stint with the Australian national team, a Simmons comeback in the NBA could be possible.
It’s unknown if Brad Stevens and the front office are among those interested teams, but if he’s truly regained his athleticism — and maybe more importantly, his confidence — he might be worth a flyer with the team’s 15 roster spot still unfilled.
The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup will return for the 2026-27 NBA season, and if the Kings need any motivation to win it this year, look no further than the New York Knicks.
New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup last season, then six months later defeated the Spurs again in the NBA Finals to win their first championship in five decades.
Perhaps some extra fuel for teams?
Sacramento is a part of West Group C, and it will open group play on Nov. 6 against De’Aaron Fox and the reigning Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT.
Next, the Kings will host Ja Morant and the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. PT before concluding group play on the road.
Their first stop will be in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Nov. 20 at Crypto.com Arena. Finally, group play action will come to a close against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 25 at Chase Center.
It shouldn’t take much for the Kings to fare better than their showing last season, given they had a 0-4 record in West Group A play and were eliminated from advancing before even completing group play.
The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup will return for the 2026-27 NBA season, and it’s starting with two thrilling matchups.
The Warriors will open up group play against Luka Dončić and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 30 at Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT, following the LeBron James-led Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup with the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks.
Next, Golden State will face the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 13 at Frost Bank Center.
A NorCal rivalry will ensue on Nov. 25 when Golden State hosts the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. PT at Chase Center.
Finally, two days later, the Warriors will conclude group play against Ja Morant and the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 27 at Moda Center.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 09: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Gabriel Moreno #14 after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Chase Field on August 09, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dbacks dropped the second game of the series Tuesday night as they scored 2 runs in the first inning, and then were blanked by Sugano and the Rockies bullpen.
As mentioned, the game got off to a strong start as both Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte went yard in the bottom of the first inning. If you would’ve asked most Dbacks fans at this point, they would probably be feeling pretty good about the rest of the game considering what this team has done to the Rockies this season. However, Sugano had different thoughts.
All in all the young lefty Mitch Bratt looked pretty good tonight as he allowed just the 2 run home run over 6 innings tonight. This continued an impressive turn through the Dbacks starting rotation as they group has allowed a grand total of 5 ER over their last 5 starts. Bratt continued to demonstrate poise and presence beyond his years tonight as he navigated his way through the Rockies lineup while striking out 4 Rockies batters.
However as mentioned earlier, it was really the offense that let the Dbacks down again tonight in what has become a trend of scoring early and then getting shut down. It is worth noting that Sugano has had quite a bit of success against the Dbacks this season as he has allowed just 6 ER across just over 17 innings of work. It seemed like the Dbacks were overly aggressive tonight, especially after the first inning. This offense when they are at there best works the counts, and passes the baton to the next guy up. The biggest red flag for this team continues to be their performance against right handed pitching. What started out as such a positive with Marte and Carroll, quickly shone a light on an ever growing problem once again.
All in all, this was a disappointing loss tonight for this team, especially given the fact that the Padres won. Fortunately, the Phillies lost so it is now a 3 team tie for the 3rd wild card spot. I believe the Dbacks techinically have the upper hand in the standings with the tie due to their intradivisional record, not that it matters all that much yet. Im likely to chalk this loss up to a difficult pitching matchup for this lineup. Maybe because of his deep arsenal and his splitter usage? Hard to say.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Drew Cavanaugh #61 of the San Francisco Giants slides into home plate to score on a double by Christian Koss of the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park on August 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The answer is: Power hitting, sloppy opposing defense, and iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms.
The questions is, what are three things likely to produce runs Tuesday night?
The San Francisco Giants got four runs Tuesday night, which was enough to defeat the Houston Astros, 4-1, after 7 2/3 innings from a pair of magnificent Carsons. Winning a close game where the Giants ran the bases opportunistically and the other team committed a bunch of errors? That’s some weird, wild stuff.
Carson Whisenhunt had a rough start, letting six of the first nine Astros he faced reach base. But he escaped and eventually earned his third win of the season after giving up just one run in 5.2 innings. Then Carson Seymour came through with two shutout innings of relief, yielding only a single to “Late Night” LaMonte Wade, Jr.
It was a different sort of game for the Giants, who continued their hard-luck ways Monday when Andrew Susac fouled a ball off leg and fractured his kneecap, which will keep him off the field and off his scooter for the foreseeable future. But Tuesday, the breaks started to go their way.
In the first inning, Whisenhunt escaped a bases-loaded jam, caused by a walk, a single and hitting Jose Altuve with a pitch. Then he loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning, but got a forceout at home, and a sac fly from Yordan Alvarez to get out with only a 1-0 deficit.
They tied it up with a Rafael Devers walk and a Drew Gilbert RBI single.
In the 4th, Gilbert walked, after the Giants actually won an important ABS challenge that held up the ball four call. Then he reached second on a grounder to the pitcher, thanks to a hit-and-run call, and scored on Drew Cavanaugh’s single. Baserunning!
One inning later, Bryce Eldridge went yard for the first time in two weeks, sending a slider from Astros starter Hunter Brown (3-2) over the center field wall. The rookie has been in a power slump for a while, but a double Monday night and his 12th dinger of the season show he may be breaking out.
The Giants won another ABS challenge to get a strikeout in the 6th, then Christian Koss doubled in Cavanaugh, running faster than any Giants catcher in recent memory, and aided by Jeremy Pena’s second throwing error of the game on his relay throw to the plate. Clearly, he was intimidated by Cavanaugh’s wheels.
The rest of the game was remarkably free of drama and remarkably full of the Giants taking extra bases. Willy Adames went 2-for-4, with his 25th double of the season and his fifth stolen base. Osleivis Basabe got a bunt single, a regular single, and advanced on a wild pitch. Cavanaugh went 2-for-4 and stole his first career base.
But also, nothing weird or bad happened to the Giants. JT Brubaker only needed seven pitches in the 9th to get his second save. Lou Seal didn’t hit anyone with his belly, and even the guy in McCovey Cove serving out a fantasy football punishment managed to stay dry.
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches in the first inning during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals on August 11, 2026 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals lost, 5-4, to the Los Angeles Dodgers via a walkoff single in the 10th inning. Royals starter Michael Wacha pitched well into the seventh inning and the offense rallied in the eighth inning, but the bullpen did what it does best—give up runs and lose baseball games.
Most of this game was rather uneventful because Wacha and Blake Snell were cruising for most of it. Mookie Betts smacked a solo home run in the second inning and Salvador Perez lifted a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, but most of the action happened in the final four frames. In the seventh inning, Alex Call doubled home Mookie Betts to give the Dodgers the lead, and then Teoscar Hernandez doubled to score Call and push the lead to two.
Kansas City battled back the very next frame. Against reliever Evan Phillips, Nick Loftin walked and advanced to third on a Bobby WItt Jr. single. Jac Caglianone and Salvy hit consecutive singles to tie the game.
Carter Jensen then smashed a laser of a line drive that tied Andy Pages in knots. Though Pages corralled the ball, he dropped it right before he threw it, which allowed Cags to score and give the Royals their late-inning lead.
But I think everyone knew what was going to happen. Stephen Cruz walked Pages, hit Max Muncy with a pitch, and then gave up a clean opposite-field single to Betts. That tied the game, and the game would go to extra innings.
In extras, the Royals immediately moved the ghost runner, Kyle Isbel, to third base with a Loftin fly ball. But Witt flied out and Salvy grounded out.
For a second, it looked like Lucas Erceg might get out of the jam. He intentionally walked Freddie Freeman to set up the double play and unleashed a nifty little infielder-esque toss to throw Pages out on a high bouncer. One more intentional walk, this time of Kyle Tucker, loaded the bases again to set up a forceout at every base. But then, you know.
You know, I wrote earlier today that I didn’t think that Kansas City would lose 100 games. But this bullpen is hideously, aggressively, stupendously, extraordinarily, impossibly, infuriatingly, insultingly awful, so that is still in the cards. I don’t know what else to say other than, well, good night.
Blake Snell pitches during the fourth inning Tuesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers southpaw Blake Snell called his shot.
It wasn’t quite Babe Ruth pointing from the batter’s box. The moment won’t make its way into any movie. But Snell did tell manager Dave Roberts over text message that he was going to throw six innings in his first start back from the injured list after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
Then, en route to a 5-4 walk-off Dodgers victory in 10 innings against the Royals, Snell did just that.
“I knew that’s what the plan was coming in, and I really wanted to execute that plan,” Snell said after limiting the Royals to one run and three hits.
Despite Snell’s resume, the two-time Cy Young winner wasn’t guaranteed a smooth return. It had been three months since he’d last started a major-league game. And it was only his second start of the season, after a late buildup in spring training due to shoulder fatigue, a May season debut against the Braves, and surgery shortly after.
Eventually getting back this version of him, however, was key to the Dodgers’ postseason aspirations.
“I think the biggest thing was just being aggressive,” Snell said. “Be in the zone, attack. I know how good my stuff is, so I didn’t want to just be nibbling and then complaining like, ‘Oh that’s a strike.’ I didn’t want to do any of that again like I did versus Atlanta.”
That was a short and not so sweet season debut. He exited after three innings, having put his team in a five-run (four earned runs) hole.
The difference Tuesday was “stark,” as Roberts put it.
To clear room on the roster to activate Snell, the Dodgers (72-48) optioned left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes to triple-A and transferred right-handed reliever Blake Treinen (right elbow inflammation) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day. Though he has not yet begun a minor-league rehab assignment, manager Dave Roberts said Treinen has not had a setback.
Snell, who had 10 strikeouts Tuesday, kept the Royals off balance all night leaning on a fastball that had a little extra life to it, a curveball that generated a 63% whiff rate, and a changeup that was especially effective against right-handed hitters.
Max Muncy and teammates celebrate after his walk-off single Tuesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
“I was more calm than I thought I was going to be, so that was good,” Snell said. “But the curveball’s finally coming back to how I remember it being. It was always a pitch that was a wipeout, I could throw it, but now I’m finally releasing it where I need to release it. And I’m kind of releasing everything in the same slot out in front.”
Counterintuitively, Snell pointed to his last rehab start, in high-altitude Salt Lake City, as another factor that helped lock him in for Tuesday. It’s a notoriously difficult place to pitch, with the thin mountain air affecting the way the ball moves.
“To have that start and be that frustrated pitching knowing that I can’t throw anything that I want with any shape,” Snell said, “to be able to come here and just pitch and know I can throw a curveball where I want, whenever I want, and a fastball, that felt way better.
“But Salt Lake was so difficult. Oh my God. If I played in Salt Lake growing up, I don’t know if I’d be here today.”
Roberts set expectations low in his pregame availability, saying the hope was to get Snell through five innings. Snell had other plans.
He struck out the side in the first inning and retired the first 10 hitters he faced.
When he finally gave up back-to-back singles to the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone, neither was particularly well struck — a soft line drive and a grounder that found a hole on the right side of the infield.
With runners on the corners and one out, Snell gave up the only run of his start, on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez.
The next inning, Snell worked around a leadoff hit — a blooper into shallow right field that speedy Tyler Tolbert stretched into a double — and a stolen base, to strand Tolbert at third.
Back out for the sixth, Snell retired the side in order. He finished his outing by getting Perez to chase a changeup below the zone and pop it up behind second base.
“He was fantastic tonight,” Roberts said. “And you know we pushed him a little bit into the six and through the six, but just because he was so efficient, certainly that extra inning was huge for us.”
It was especially important once the back and forth in late innings pushed the game into extras.
Hard-throwing right-hander Seth Halvorsen tossed a scoreless tenth inning in his Dodgers debut, setting up Max Muncy for a walk-off single in the bottom half of the inning.
“That’s the Snell that we’re used to seeing,” Muncy said. “And hopefully we have him for the next two, three months — for the long run.”
Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a walk-off RBI single against the Kansas City Royals during the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (2026 Getty Images)
In the eighth inning on Tuesday night, it looked like the Dodgers were trying to give the game away.
In the end, all they were really doing was setting up some late theatrics.
In a back-and-forth, twist-and-turn, 5-4 thriller of a win over the Kansas City Royals, the Dodgers took another step forward from their recent two-week slump –– overcoming a bafflingly blown two-run lead in the eighth by ultimately winning on Max Muncy’s walk-off single in the 10th.
The Dodgers certainly had to move forward on Tuesday, in a game such dramatics shouldn’t have been required.
The team got a dominant six-inning, one-run start from Blake Snell in his return from the injured list. They broke a 1-1 deadlock with a two-run rally in the seventh, when Mookie Betts, Alex Call and Teoscar Hernández all hit doubles.
But instead of coasting the rest of the way with a 3-1 advantage, they quickly let the game go flying back off the rails.
Right-handed reliever Evan Phillips created a mess in the top of the eighth, following a one-out walk by allowing three-straight singles that tied up the score again.
Then, after Jack Dreyer took over, came the night’s most confounding moment.
Dreyer got Carter Jensen to hit a routine fly ball to deep center. But after making the catch, outfielder Andy Pages somehow let the ball slip out of his hand on the transfer and sent it skipping behind him back toward the wall.
At second base, Royals runner Jac Caglianone went from retreating to the bag, to getting waved all the way home for a go-ahead run.
Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a walk-off RBI single against the Kansas City Royals during the tenth inning at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (2026 Getty Images) Getty Images
Of all the games the Dodgers have given away lately, none had threatened to feel so gift-wrapped as this one.
With their backs against the wall, however, the two-time defending champions responded.
In the bottom of the eighth, Betts got the game tied once more, slicing an opposite-field RBI single for his third hit of the night (he also snapped an 18-game home run drought with a solo blast in the second).
Then, after the teams traded zeros in the ninth, the Dodgers finally prevailed in the 10th.
Right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen survived the top half of the inning, stranding a runner at third in his debut outing with the team.
Moments later, the Dodgers were pouring out of the dugout to mob Muncy, who gave the team its first set of back-to-back wins since July 29-30 on a one-out line drive to right-center field with the bases loaded.
“To relent and give up that lead again tonight, but to fight back and recapture the lead was great,” Roberts said. “It’s just guys coming together and being ready when called upon. It doesn’t matter who’s playing, where you hit, who’s pitching. Just find a way to win a game … The last two nights is what we’re looking for.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 14: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 14, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This season, the Jazz will be trying something they haven’t tried for four years: to make the playoffs. There is a real shot for them to make it, too. With the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies and Darryn Peterson from the draft, they’ve added some top-tier talent. Combine that with the leap that Keyonte George made last season, as well as the possibility of an improved Ace Bailey, and the Jazz are looking like one of the most interesting teams entering the season.
Not everything has been perfect for their chances of winning this season. Utah traded Walker Kessler to the Lakers for a treasure trove of picks when the negotiations didn’t go as planned. As impressive as the trade was for the Jazz and how much they received, it did mean losing depth at center.
All that said, how excited are you for the upcoming season?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jazz fans and fans across the country.
