CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 28: Relief pitcher Craig Yoho #23 of the Cleveland Guardians throws out Josh Rojas #40 of the Kansas City Royals on a sacrifice bunt during the eighth inning at Progressive Field on August 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I am repeating some things to myself.
Winning streaks don’t last forever.
The Royals haven’t lost 75 games by accident.
Michael Wacha cannot pitch again tonight.
The Guardians lost 3-0 to the Royals yesterday as Jakhob covered here. They got shutout again. Craig Yoho pitched 1 and 2/3rds scoreless then hung a cutter and gave up a two-run homer. Angel Genao got up 2-0 in the count with the bases loaded then topped a good pitch to hit back to the pitcher to end the game. Should someone else have pitched the 9th for Yoho? I don’t know. Probably he should have executed that last pitch better. Should Patrick Bailey have hit with Genao saved to bat for Halpin? I don’t know. Bailey getting two hits against Wacha is admirable but doesn’t mean he is a good hitter.
They need to flush this one quickly and get after it this afternoon. Griffin needs his best performance in a Guardians uniform.
AROIND MLB:
Tigers, Rangers, Twins lost. White Sox, Astros, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Mariners won. Guardians still have a 2 game lead in the Wildcard race.
CHENGDU, CHINA - JUNE 27: American professional basketball player Kyrie Irving high-five with a fan in a fan meeting during his China tour on June 27, 2026 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. (Photo by You Fang/VCG via Getty Images) | VCG via Getty Images
We’re under two months away from opening night, and there’s plenty of chatter surrounding the new-look Dallas Mavericks. From draft night in June to trade splashes in July to personnel moves in August, the Mavericks have had a busy summer. They’ll begin the 2026 season with a new president, new coach, and a flurry of new faces. However, one familiar face we’re ready to see on the court again is Kyrie Irving. Several trade rumors have surrounded the nine-time All-Star, but are any true? Here are three reasons why Irving will stay a Maverick this season.
No sample size with Flagg
Arguably the most exciting part of the upcoming season will be watching the Cooper Flagg-Kyrie Irving duo materialize. Coming into the league as an 18-year-old rookie with expectations similar to names like Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson, and LeBron James, Cooper Flagg had a lot to carry on his shoulders last season. Despite the heavy load, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, on 46.8% shooting. Among rookies, Flagg had the highest usage rate at 26.9% and played more minutes than any rookie, averaging 33.5 per game — 2,344 total for the season.
Having another on-ball threat will make a huge difference for the Mavericks. The majority of the 2025-2026 season was spent experimenting with guards like D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Ryan Nembhard, all of whom have found different teams this summer. Adding in a bona fide star like Irving, even as he comes off an ACL injury, will take some pressure off Flagg. Before the ACL injury, Irving was having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 47.3% shooting. Even Irving at 70% will have a huge impact. Coming into his second season next to Irving, Flagg will be able to move more without the ball, enjoy better floor spacing, and play to his strengths. Teams won’t be able to double-team and swarm the 19-year-old as easily if Irving is on the floor too. This duo will be an exciting watch.
Slim pickings at guard
Currently, Dallas has 19 players listed on its roster, which will be reduced to 15 by opening night. Of those 19, only six are guards — Irving, Max Christie, Marcus Sasser, Jett Howard, John Poulakidas, and Vsevolod Ishchenko. There’s a significant drop-off after Kyrie Irving in both shooting and playmaking. The Mavericks need Irving if they want to make any noise in the Western Conference. For the first time since the pre-dynasty Golden State Warriors, the West took a step back this summer. With no incentive to lose, since the Mavericks do not own their first-round picks until 2031, Dallas is looking for a major bounce-back year.
While putting too many eggs in Irving’s basket is risky, trading him doesn’t make sense if the Mavericks want to start winning. The only way he gets moved is if the Mavericks find themselves in the midst of a disastrous season. Even then, the mentorship and skills Irving could impart to Flagg are invaluable. It would likely take an Irving trade request to get this ball rolling.
Cents on the dollar return
The reality of Irving currently is that for all his talent and wizardry on the court, he’s 34 and coming off an ACL tear. With that, the offers for Irving would likely be less than ideal. Until other teams see him on the court, playing like the Irving we know and love, it’s hard to imagine Dallas would get an offer it couldn’t refuse. At bare minimum, Dallas would want a high first-round pick plus a good young piece or two late first-round picks with a salary dump or something similar.
Weighing the pros vs cons, there are more pros to keeping Irving and seeing what the fit looks like before even considering trading him. If Dallas isn’t in the playoff hunt by the trade deadline in February, or if he wants out, then a new destination could be an option. But for now, it makes more sense to keep him and, at bare minimum, see if he can increase his trade value before moving him.
Looking ahead
There will be loads of excitement to see number eleven back on the court opening night on October 21st. Plugging him into a lineup with Flagg is a recipe for basketball poetry. Irving has become the co-face of the Mavericks over the past 18 months, and his presence on the court will be felt from tipoff. Before even thinking about moving him, the Mavericks will want to see what he looks like, how he fits, and if he can bring them back into the playoff picture. Get your popcorn ready. It will be absolute cinema.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Hurston Waldrep #64 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves received some unfortunate news on the pitching front Friday, as two starting pitchers will be undergoing surgery. Right-hander Hurston Waldrep will undergo Tommy John surgery, requiring him to miss all of the 2027 season. Fellow righty Spencer Schwellenbach will undergo surgery on the same elbow he fractured last year. There has not yet been a timetable for his return.
Hurston Waldrep will have Tommy John surgery and Spencer Schwellenbach will have surgery to repair the same elbow fracture he suffered last year. The Braves still aren’t saying Strider’s season is done. But that has been the assumption since June
Waldrep last appeared in the majors in early July before he was optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers. Schwellenbach has yet to make his 2026 debut, and it will likely be some time before he is on the mound again.
The Atlanta pitching staff continues to take hit after hit, but hopefully all goes well on the recovery front for Waldrep and Schwelly.
More Braves News:
The Braves kicked off the series against the Colorado Rockies with a 6-4 win.
Luis Guanipa homered for the Rome Emperors on Thursday. More in the minor league recap.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 26: Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is pulled from the game due to an injury during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kiley McDaniel at ESPN this week unveiled updated ranking of MLB farm systems, based on a monetary calculation of future value of every prospect. The Dodgers come in at a virtual tie for second-best system, along with the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays:
Their outfield depth was mentioned a lot leading up to the trade, and Zyhir Hope was dealt from that surplus, but there are still eight outfielders in their top 15 prospects along with two third basemen who might end up moving to a corner outfield spot.
On the pitching side, the rise of Christian Zazueta and Zach Root make up for dealing River Ryan and seeing Jackson Ferris take a step back this season.
Dodgers minor league infielder Daniel Mielcarek on Thursday was named an Arizona Complex League All-Star at second base after the 20-year-old hit .292/.428/.525 with seven home runs, seven doubles, a 135 wRC+, 18.4-percent walk rate and 36.2-percent strikeout rate in 42 games this season. Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $400,000 in 2023, the 6’3 Mielcarek this season played 21 games at second base, 10 games at shortstop, one game apiece at third base and left field, plus nine starts as designated hitter.
I wanted to wax more poetic, on and on, about the enjoyment of watching four pitchers perform at their very best.
Instead, the headlines all talked about PCA’s angry reaction to a balk that wasn’t called. Turns out he was right. Quintin Berry was right. Craig Counsell was right. Even myself, from 22 rows up, was right.
From an ESPN article: “After the game, crew chief Alfonso Márquez confirmed that the balk call, which was not reviewable, was missed. We just didn’t see it,” he said. “After looking at the video, it looked like [Rodriguez] stepped off.”
Thanks, Alfonso.
Matthew Boyd nearly matched Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes (as well as Eduardo Rodiguez) pitch-for-pitch. Except for one, the CSPSHR*. Outside of that pitch, Boyd pitched six innings, allowed two other hits, two walks and struck out five.
Boyd’s performance was plenty enough to put the Cubs on the right track for a win. But the hitters only managed two hits — PCA’s lazy double off the top of the first baseman’s glove, and a nondescript single by Tyrone Taylor — and were struck out 10 times (nine by Rodriguez). There are a number of situations where a RISP of 0-5 wouldn’t be much of an issue. But it was huge Wednesday. PCA was standing on third with one out. That’s really all I have to say.
Complimentary Starting Pitcher Solo Home Run*
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Casey McAleer (DaWindyCity): The Brewers have not seen the best version of the Cubs yet. “Chicago was piecing together a battered pitching staff the last time it faced Milwaukee, and the next seven meetings could look very different.”
Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): A Very Positive Visual Dansby Swanson Recovery Update. “The Cubs are getting Matt Shaw back today, and have a number of very good, very interchangeable pieces to cover the positional group while starting shortstop Dansby Swanson is out.”
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Shaw returns from lengthy stay on IL; Alcántara optioned. “One of the ideas behind moving Matt Shaw into a super utility role this season was that it enhanced the Cubs’ bench, improving the team’s overall depth and manager Craig Counsell’s in-game maneuvering. ”“He just makes the roster better,” Counsell said of Shaw.“
Carson Wolf (Just Baseball): Seiya Suzuki Is Hitting His Way to a Massive Payday. “Since coming over to Major League Baseball from Japan, Seiya Suzuki has been one of the best and most consistent players in the game.”
Alexander Rosquez (Last Word On Sports): Cubs Loss to D-Backs Exposes Their Thin Margin for Error. “When Jordan Lawlar broke the tie with a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, the Cubs were suddenly chasing a game they had been in position to control.”
Sarah Langs (MLB.com): Here are 6 fun facts in celebration of Cubs’ 150th anniversary. “With the Cubs celebrating their 150th anniversary as a National League franchise this weekend, it’s a great time to take a look back at the rich history of the team.”
Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): MLB Proposes Free Agency Dead Periods to Compress Signing Windows. “Rob Manfred has long been jealous of the way other leagues are able to essentially weaponize free agency to generate huge media buzz, which stands in stark contrast to baseball’s drawn-out winter slog.”
Celebrating 30 years of his career, Big Chico is considered one of the most complete blues artists in Brazil with his excellent voice, harmonica and guitar. His recent album demonstrates the range of influences, including traditional Blues, the sophistication of Jazz and all the energy and Swing of Soul, always interpreted with great charisma and emotion. Big Chico has participated in many Blues and Jazz festivals in Brazil and the United States.
D.K. Harrell was born D’Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998. He first heard B.B. King at age two and responded by singing along. He sang in his church choir as a boy while continuing to be drawn to the blues. He received his first guitar at 12, and by 16 was writing his own songs. Initially inspired by B.B. King, the youthful Harrell spent hours studying every video of King he could find, learning not just King’s licks but ultimately his tone, his finesse, his stage craft, and his band leadership skills. Harrell’s first paying gig was as an invited guest to the B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Mississippi—where he played The Thrill Is Gone on King’s iconic guitar, Lucille—backed by members of King’s touring band.
In 2022 Harrell won the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation. In addition to B.B. King, Harrell fell under the spell of blues masters including Albert King, Freddie King, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and others, and made their styles part of his musical vocabulary. People all over the world can’t get enough of D.K. Harrell’s high-energy and always unpredictable live shows. In 2024 alone he performed across the U.S. and Canada, and toured all over the European continent.
EDIT: I saw D. K. Harrell in January and he was fantastic. The B.B.-connection is quite evident, down to the suit, the guitar almost tucked under his arm and playing it across his slightly-ample belly. But he’s more than B.B. and a fantastic artist on his own to see. As an aside, I met one of the many B.B. King’s grandsons, Christopher, at that concert — just a little plus to the night.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 21: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on August 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
Another week of San Francisco Giants baseball comes to an end this weekend, so it’s time for us to make our picks for Player of the Week!
My pick for this week will likely come as no surprise, but it is Rafael Devers! Over his last six games, Devers has had seven hits, three home runs, six RBI, and scored seven runs. That’s a strong contender in any week! Good job Devers! Lets take a look at one of the dingers he hit in his return to Fenway Park last weekend.
Who is your pick for Player of the Week?
What time do the Giants play today?
Today is a full day of Giants baseball, as they begin a double-header against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first game starts at 1:05 p.m. PT, and the second game starts at 7:05 p.m. PT.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are easier (and less surreal) ways to fulfill an NBA dream than the Jose Alvarado route.
Go undrafted and fight your way onto a roster. Develop a reputation as a defensive menace on the court. Spend four and a half seasons in NOLA. Get traded home to New York mid-season. Help your favorite team from childhood win their first championship in more than half a century. Then parade through the streets of the city where you grew up with a few million people screaming at you.
Alvarado sat down with SLAM during his cover shoot for KICKS 29, and the conversation naturally circled back to the improbable route that brought the Brooklyn native here.
Asked to choose one word for the Knicks’ championship run, Alvarado answered: “Believe. That’s one thing you got to do is believe the way we did it.”
That was especially true in Game Four of the Finals, when New York fell 29 points behind San Antonio and somehow dragged itself all the way back, aided by significant contributions from Alvarado. He said his focus during the comeback was simple: “It was more not really overthinking—like, what can I do to make us win the game regardless if it’s making shots or not.”
The championship would have been a massive achievement anywhere. Winning it in New York meant even more for Jose, who grew up in Brooklyn before playing at Georgia Tech and eventually joining the Pelicans.
Pondering Jose’s experience, there is always something weird about getting a desperately wanted thing. For years, the dream existed at a distance, beyond the next practice, the next contract, the doubt expressed by others about your size or talent. Then one afternoon, you’re dancing on a float in Manhattan as an NBA champion with your hometown passing by, block by block.
“I almost cried on the float because . . . obviously going through the city that I was raised . . . I know a lot of people that’s in the crowd,” Alvarado told SLAM.
That’s the part of winning a championship nobody can really prepare for, that transition point when the dream stops being something you’re chasing and becomes something that has happened to you. Sounds surreal. And not to get all Jean-Paul Sartre about it all, but it’s natural to wonder: what’s next?
The answer: Your own sneaker and a new contract with the Knicks, naturally. After declining his $4.5 million player option this summer, Alvarado agreed to a new three-year deal with the Knicks worth roughly $14.4 million, with $12 million guaranteed.
Furthermore, Jose recently signed with the streetball brand AND1 and showed off his personalized player-exclusive shoes during the SLAM shoot. The partnership makes sense. Few NBA players have built an identity more closely connected to playground basketball’s particular mixture of hustle, swagger, annoyance, and joy. Thus, the SLAM team drove Alvarado back to an outdoor New York court, a familiar environment to the 28-year-old who is currently playing for Puerto Rico in FIFA’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
In March, I spoke to Jose over Zoom. He was connecting from a hotel room in Utah, grinding out NBA life on the road, still getting acclimated to his new team. What struck me in the conversation was how completely disruptive a mid-season trade is on a player with a young family.
“People don’t understand,” Alvarado told me. “You think, ‘They’ve got millions,’ and don’t get me wrong, the financial security is great. But one day you’re comfortable in your forever home, and overnight you have to go to a different city, leaving your wife and kids behind.”
He explained that even a month after the trade, he hadn’t yet been able to return home to his family in New Orleans. It became clear how much these players—and their families—must sacrifice for an NBA career.
And Jose is not slowing down. Despite the ring, a new contract, and his face on a SLAM cover, Alvarado doesn’t sound particularly interested in staying comfortable.
“The only way to stay in the NBA, or to be in a conversation where I want to be, with my goal, is [I] definitely got to have a chip on my shoulder, no matter what,” he told SLAM.
That chip is mighty durable. Going undrafted didn’t remove it; making an NBA team didn’t shake it; becoming an established rotation player didn’t loosen it; and neither did coming home, getting paid, or getting to pose for glamour shots with the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Asked how he eventually wants people to remember him, Jose went right back to the beginning. “I want them to remember that there was a lot of people that said no to this kid. There was a lot of doubts . . . just remember the doubts and how I overcame all that.”
I can think of worse epitaphs for a basketball career. Congrats, Jose. Knicks in five.
Víctor Muñoz struck an 82nd-minute equaliser for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest in an entertaining Premier League draw at Anfield
The teams are out! Liverpool all in red, Forest wearing a third-choice shirt that looks awfully like a recent Manchester City number. You’ll Never Walk Alone rings out, as Liverpool principal owner John Henry and the new vice-chairman Amit Bhatia watch from the stand. We’ll be off in a minute … and that minute will see fans remember the legendary Kevin Keegan, the star of Bill Shankly’s second great team, who recently passed. The warmest applause from all four corners of the ground, a mosaic on the Kop that reads KEVIN 7, and a chant of One Kevin Keegan.
On the subject of Forest and big-money transfers … David Ornstein of the Athletic was on TNT Sports earlier, reporting the possibility of their buying 19-year-old midfield prospect Harrison Armstrong from Everton for £40m. Should that come to pass, it’ll probably result in the Hill Dickinson toppling into the Mersey, but only after the whole structure is launched a couple of miles into the air by the steam from Everton supporters’ lugs. Armstrong is extremely highly rated, but Forest have pockets full of cash after selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, so this one is worth keeping an eye on.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 21: MJ Melendez #1 of the New York Mets bats during the game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets at Clover Park on Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Three ‘cuse pitchers, six earned runs. Only Zach Franklin, one of the Mets’ trade deadline acquisitions , didn’t allow an earned run in his time on the mound. Jose Ramos hit a solo shot and MJ Melendez drove in two in the Syracuse loss.
Chris Suero drove in four runs and the Bingo bullpen was perfect over six innings. Marco Vargas went 3-5 with a double and triple, along with a stolen base.
Local boy Sammy Stafura hit a double and drew a walk in the Cyclones’ 5-2 loss. Yonatan Henriquez went three for four with two RBI, while the Brooklyn bullpen allowed two runs over four innings, striking out five and walking three.
Jonathan Jimenez gave up four earned runs on five hits in two and a third innings pitched, as St. Lucie dropped a close one to Tortugas. Yovanny Rodriguez provided most of the offense, driving in three, with Branny De Oleo adding a solo home run.
The Winnipeg Jets are under pressure. Their Vezina-winning goaltender wants out, and he’s had enough of waiting for a trade to materialize, so he went public with the trade request. That won’t make things easier for the Jets, far from it. They won’t be trading from a position of strength, and parting with Hellebuyck could force them to either rebuild or retool. It could cause some of their top players to want out.
Take Mark Scheifele, for instance. The 33-year-old right-shot center is 33 now and must be getting eager to win. At his age, you could expect him to be declining, but in the last four seasons, he’s been on an upward trend. In 2022-23, he had 68 points. The following year, he had 72; then he went up to 87 points, and last season he reached a career high with 103 points. That’s not a guy who’s started to decline. In fact, his last two seasons were the two best campaigns of his career.
Should the Jets decide to hit the reset button, there’s no doubt that the Montreal Canadiens would have plenty of futures to dangle in front of Kevin Cheveldayoff, but would it make sense for the Habs? It’s no secret that Montreal needs another top-six center, and Scheifele certainly fits that bill. Furthermore, he’s under contract for a very reasonable $8.5 million AAV, which wouldn’t unsettle the Habs’ salary structure and wouldn’t create friction. Not that bringing in a big earner would definitely create friction, but a reasonable contract eliminates any potential risk, no matter how small.
In a vacuum, Scheifele would be a great target for the Habs, but then there’s the small matter of the fact that he was the player who obliterated Jake Evans with a high elbow in the 2021 playoffs, sending him down to the ice unconscious. That made for very uncomfortable viewing for fans, and it could have had disastrous results for Evans’ career. Ever since then, Scheifele has been booed copiously in Montreal, understandably. Only five players remain on the Habs from those playoffs: Evans himself, Nick Suzuki, Josh Anderson, Phillip Danault and Cole Caufield. Would they be ok with acquiring Scheifele? Kent Hughes would certainly need to have that conversation with the players.
Furthermore, Hughes has said repeatedly that he won’t sign or acquire players who would prevent his young players from progressing. If the Canadiens are as high as they seem to be on Michael Hage, would it make sense to acquire a 33-year-old pivot who’s still under contract for five years? Initially, it wouldn’t be a bad thing; Hage would likely need some time to adapt to the NHL, and it’s doubtful that he will come in and be the Canadiens’ second center right away. That’s a huge step. For the first two seasons, having Scheifele would make sense, but after that? If Hage is ready to take the next step, does Scheifele accept being overtaken in the lineup? Will he react like Mike Matheson did when he was pushed down the depth chart? That’s another question Hughes needs to ponder. Would he be a good teammate if it came to that, or would that create trouble in the room? For the Canadiens, culture matters as much as talent; they would have to check whether he ticks that box.
Right now, Scheifele has a full no-move clause, which wouldn’t matter if he were to ask out of course, although that could mean he, too, would put the Jets in a precarious position by trying to pick where he’s going. From the 2027-28 season, however, he has only a modified no-trade clause, which requires him to provide a list of 10 teams he could be traded to. That’s a much bigger list than what we’ve seen players on a full no-movement clause give their team so far.
At this stage, it is all speculation, and it hinges on the Jets deciding to go ahead with a rebuild, which is far from certain. Winnipeg being the market that it is, it’s far from a given that ownership would embrace a rebuild. The Jets don’t always play in front of a packed building anymore; can they afford to bite the bullet and be bad for a while? That’s far from a given.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 26: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 26, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I think it’s great that the Rays are going to stay in Tampa Bay. I hate seeing teams relocate franchises regardless of the sport, so seeing that they are basically at the finish line to build a new stadium is good for Major League Baseball.
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 30: The MLB Postseason logo appears on the field prior to the Major League Baseball 2025 American League Wild Card Series Game 1 between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians on September 30, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If you’ve checked the standings anytime recently, you’ve probably noticed the Yankees sitting a couple games back of the Rays in both the AL East and the Junior Circuit in general. The exact number they’ve been behind has gone back and forth, but they still haven’t been able to completely erase the deficit. Meanwhile, thanks to the Red Sox hot last couple months, they’re within reach of the Yankees.
At time of writing, those three teams have the three best records in the American League. Yet due to the playoff structure that MLB currently has in place, if that holds, those three would all end up on one side of the AL bracket. Whoever ends up winning the AL East seems fairly certainly to get the No. 1 overall seed. Plus, if second and third in the division end up being the second and third best in the AL too, then they would be the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. That would lead to them facing each other with the winner then guaranteed to face No. 1. The AL Central and AL West have both been fairly mediocre this season, yet there’s a decent chance one of those teams would be guaranteed a spot in the ALCS.
On one hand, it’s somewhat random that the top three in the East have ended up as far ahead as the rest as they are. The postseason is also fairly random, and it’s entirely possible that a Central/West team goes into the ALCS and just beats the East team straight up, and we’ll just have to shrug it off. However, as a fan of a team currently in this jam of potentially being stuck in this AL East playoff gauntlet, I can’t help but feel a little frustrated that the Yankees would have to deal with at least one of the Rays/Red Sox, even if they play extremely well down the stretch.
Not that I expect that MLB would immediately hop on and change their format after one wonky season, but I decided to brainstorm some potential fixes.
Seeding done by record, regardless of division winner status
This is the main one fans of all sports turn to when trying to change their sports’ playoff format. In this one, you would just seed the teams by straight record one through six. If the standings going into the week held, the Yankees would be the No. 2 seed, get the bye, and play the winner of the Red Sox and Astros/Rangers/Guardians in the ALDS. (The AL West/final Wild Card standings are a bit of a mess, hence not knowing who Boston’s opponent would be exactly.)
On its face, doing that seems completely fair. The one drawback is that the schedule is still unbalanced with teams playing a good chunk of games against the other teams in their own divisions. While it’s not the case with the AL East this year, there have been seasons in the past where a team’s record got a bit inflated by beating up on a truly terrible team in their own division. Letting the champion that comes out of each division get preferential seeding makes some degree of sense, but doing this could offset scenarios like this year where things get really wonky the closer you get to the bottom of the playoff picture.
Reseeding
A six-team bracket with reseeding was how the NFL playoffs worked for many years. The idea here would be that if the No. 6 seed takes out the No. 3, the No. 1 is rewarded with playing them instead of the No. 4/No. 5 winner. This wouldn’t necessarily change the issues with this year’s AL mess, but if the last team in manages to knock off the No. 3 seed, the Yankees/Red Sox/Rays wouldn’t all have to immediately face each other.
Reseeding with a twist
This one might be a bit confusing, but it’s something I brainstormed up and kinda like. Under this plan, here’s what would happen. The Wild Card round of the playoffs would be exactly as it is now. The top two division winners in each league get byes. The third division winner still gets to play the No. 6 seed, while the top two Wild Cards have to face each other.
However after the first round is complete, the seeding for the LDSes are then done by records. For example, if we take the AL standings going into Monday, and then assume the higher seed won, the seedings for the ALDS would then go like this:
Rays
Yankees
White Sox
Astros/AL West winner
The Rays would face the Astros/AL West winner in the ALDS, while the Yankees would jump up to the No. 2 seed and get home-field advantage over the White Sox, who they have a much better record than at time of writing. This may be needlessly confusing, but it would still give each division something to play for in the unbalanced schedule era. However, if two teams (in this year’s case three) teams from one division separated themselves from the pack, they can still get some sort of advantage in the later rounds. It’s probably dumb, but I came up with it while in the shower and thought it might work.
Get rid of divisions, balance the schedule, shrink the playoff field so only the cream of the crop makes it and teams have to actually spend to try and competeto make the playoffs
Rob Manfred just appeared outside my window wearing a Michael Myers’ mask. I gotta go.
Aug 28, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alex Hoppe (26) and catcher Carlos Narvaez (75) celebrate their 4-3 victory over the Athletics in ten innings at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Good morning Birdland,
You may not have been dreaming, but while you slept the Orioles did win their opener in Sacramento and gained a game in the AL wild card standings.
The 4-3 win on Friday night required extra innings and a pair of clutch hits from Coby Mayo and then Christian Encarnacion-Strand in the 10th. That was after Brandon Young twirled yet another gem, and Rico Garcia had his first slip up in a few weeks.
Young was great. Over seven innings he gave up just one run, which came on a solo homer in his final frame. The month of August has been something of a slog for the big right-hander. It seemed like maybe he was hitting a wall this late in the season, but then he delivers an outing like that and wipes those concerns away. When the season is all said and done, Pete Alonso is likely to be named “Most Valuable Oriole,” but Young will deserve serious consideration all the same.
Alex Hoppe earned his first career big league save. He has been a nice addition, huh? 8.1 innings, no earned runs, five hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Taylor Ward has been…less good for the Mariners, who are now two games behind the Orioles in the AL standings.
Blaze Alexander returned to the lineup for the first time since July 12, playing shortstop and hitting out of the lead-off spot. He went 1-for-5 as Gunnar Henderson’s stand in. Henderson sat the bench for most of the evening, only stepping in as a pinch runner in the 10th inning. A day off here and there might be a welcome development for a player that continues to struggle at the plate.
Up in Cleveland, the Guardians lost for the first time in more than a week, dropping their series opener to the Royals 3-0. The Rangers fell for the third time in a row, following up a pair of L’s against the White Sox with another to the Brewers. Those two results, paired with the O’s win, puts our guys just two games back of the Guardians for the final AL wild card spot. If they can keep on winning on this road trip they have a chance to head home in command of that playoff spot. Fingers crossed!
More late night baseball awaits us. The O’s and Athletics face off at 10:05 p.m. tonight in Sacramento. Shane Baz (4-14, 4.04 ERA) is on the mound, so we should expect the Orioles to score very few runs, even though A’s starter, Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA), hasn’t had the best season.
Why does Albert Suárez keep re-signing with the Orioles? ‘I like it here.’ | The Baltimore Banner The quotes here are from Suárez, but they are a few months old. Why? Because he has bounced on and off the Orioles roster several times this season, and keeps coming back for more anyway. It sounds like he also gets a little more padding on his minor league salary every time it happens, which doesn’t hurt. The Orioles have to be happy about it too. He’s a useful veteran arm capable of going multiple innings, and doesn’t cause a fuss when he has to ride the bus between minor league cities every month or so.
Orioles’ options for adding September players | Baltimore Baseball Félix Bautista will be back at some point, but right on September 1 feels a bit rushed given his lengthy absence, even for a reliever. I would like to see Enrique Bradfield Jr. up here. The hitting numbers at Triple-A have not been great, but he offers plus defense and speed, which would come in handy late in games, and you wouldn’t have to worry about growing pains as much in those two facets of the sport.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Eddie Rogers turns 48 today. He was an occasional utility option with the Orioles for parts of three seasons in 2002 and then again from 2005-06.
Doug DeCinces is 76 years old. From 1973-81, he was a dependable third baseman for the Orioles. His best season in Baltimore came in 1978 when he hit .286/.346/.526 with 28 home runs and a 149 OPS+ while playing superb defense at the hot corner. He was inducted into the team Hall of Fame in 2006.
The late Frank Zupo (b. 1939, d. 2005) was born on this day. The catcher appeared in 16 games for the O’s, spread across three seasons (1957-58, ‘61).
A posthumous birthday for Dave Nicholson (b. 1939, d. 2023). His big league career began in Baltimore, where he played parts of two seasons (1960, ‘62) in the outfield.
This day in O’s history
1954 – The Orioles beat the Senators 5-0, led by their glasses-wearing catcher Clint Courtney, who goes 5-for-5 at the plate.
1979 – Eddie Murray hits three home runs (two right-handed, one left-handed) to drive in all of the Orioles runs in a 7-4 win against the Twins.
1996 – Third baseman Todd Zeile and outfielder Pete Incaviglia are traded from the Phillies to the Orioles in exchange for two players to be named later
1999 – Albert Belle ties a major league record with four doubles, leading the Orioles to an 11-4 win over the Tigers.
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 13: Keider Montero #54 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Thursday, August 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Zack Belsky/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Detroit Tigers dropped the weekend home series opener to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, 2-1. Tarik Skubal threw six frames of one-run ball for the visitors, but that was all the offense would score, leaving no room for error for the relief corps — and of course with this group, there is always a hiccup or two.
Taking the mound for the Tigers on Saturday afternoon looking to even the series is right-hander Keider Montero, who has produced mixed results in his seven games since returning to the starting role. Cumulatively, the 26-year-old has put up a solid 3.22 ERA along with a 4.46 FIP, but three of those outings saw him get tagged for three or more runs, resulting in all three of his losses over that stretch.
Most recently, Montero gave up three runs on four hits (one home run) and a walk while striking out three Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-1 loss at PNC Park.
For the Dodgers, left-hander Blake Snell will make his fifth start of the season after missing three months following surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. The 33-year-old was roughed up in his first appearance of 2026, but since then has thrown three straight six-inning quality starts, posting a microscopic 1.00 ERA along with an impressive 2.08 FIP on seven hits and walks while striking out 21, along with a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch.
Here is what Saturday’s matchup between the two hurlers at Comerica Park looks like on paper.
Detroit Tigers (62-72) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (81-54)
Time (ET): 1:10 p.m. Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan SB Nation Site:True Blue LA Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 135: RHP Keider Montero (9-8, 3.30 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Snell (2-1, 2.57 ERA)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Fans gather on the concourse prior to Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last season, Victor Wembanyama introduced American basketball to European football fandom. His brainchild, The Jackals, were designed to make the Frost Bank Center the NBA’s most raucous arena. Wemby held auditions, cast a number of rabid fans who committed to attending the majority of home games, and set them loose. His experiment was a huge success, and the Jackals not only raised the level of excitement in the Forst Bank Center, they made special trips to out of town games. Wemby personally invited many along to attend the NBA Cup when the Spurs upset a number of Western Conference teams to make it all the way to the Emirates Final.
The Jackals are returning for the 2026-2027 season and their numbers are increasing. Auditions are being held for prospective members.
Per a Spurs press release:
“The Spurs Jackals will host auditions on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Frost Bank Center, giving passionate Spurs fans the opportunity to join the supporter section for the 2026-27 season. Auditions will begin at 9 a.m., and fans interested can register here.“
This year the Jackals are adding two new areas — Sections 114 and 115 — allowing space for 100 new members.
Fans auditioning should show up in Spurs gear and come ready to bring the energy. If you are interested in learning more can visit Spurs.com/Jackals or text JACKALS to (210) 444-5940.
Go Spurs Go!
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