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The Washington Nationals Head to St. Louis for Their Final Road Trip of the Season

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 11: Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Nationals Park on September 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Nationals will head to St. Louis for a three-game weekend series after splitting a short two-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies. Washington took the opener 6-3 behind a pinch-hit three-run home run from Daylen Lile, but the offense went quiet in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss. The Nationals enter the weekend at 71-82 and have officially secured their seventh straight losing season, but they have still won four of their last five games after sweeping the Angels and splitting with Philadelphia.

The Cardinals enter the series at 75-78 and sit fourth in the NL Central. St. Louis is a game away from being eliminated from playoff contention and is coming off a series loss to the San Francisco Giants. However, the Cardinals have plenty of young talent worth watching, including Jordan Walker, JJ Wetherholt, and rookie catcher Leo Bernal. Alec Burleson has been the biggest threat in the lineup, leading the National League with 109 RBIs, while Wetherholt recently returned from the injured list. With both teams looking toward 2027, this series will give several young players another opportunity to make an impression before the season comes to an end.

Game One – Friday, 8:15 PM ET

WSH: Cade Cavalli, RHP (12-5, 3.12 ERA)

Cavalli will take the mound for the Nationals in the series opener after another strong outing against the Angels. He allowed two runs on three hits over six innings while striking out nine, keeping Washington in the game before the offense rallied late for a 4-3 win. Cavalli has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 29 of his 31 starts this season and has established himself as the clear ace of the Nationals’ rotation.

STL: Kyle Leahy, RHP (10-4, 3.33 ERA)

Leahy will make his second straight shortened start as the Cardinals continue to manage his workload late in the season. He threw three scoreless innings against the White Sox in his last appearance, allowing two hits and striking out four without issuing a walk. Leahy has been one of St. Louis’ most consistent pitchers this season, but the Nationals should see the Cardinals’ bullpen early in the series opener.

Game Two – Saturday, 7:15 PM ET

WSH: Andrew Alvarez, LHP (2-6, 3.35 ERA)

Alvarez is coming off the best start of his young major league career. The left-hander held the Angels scoreless over seven innings, allowing only one hit while striking out a career-high eight. Alvarez has quietly become one of the Nationals’ most reliable starters, posting a 2.44 ERA over his last eight outings and making a strong case for a spot in the 2027 rotation.

STL: Michael McGreevy, RHP (7-9, 3.83 ERA)

McGreevy earned the win in his last start after holding the White Sox to one run over six innings. The right-hander has settled into the Cardinals’ rotation after an inconsistent start to the season and will look to build off one of his better recent outings. Washington will need to do a better job cashing in on its opportunities after being shut out and leaving seven runners on base Wednesday night.

Game Three – Sunday, 2:15 PM ET

WSH: Jake Irvin, RHP (2-9, 5.51 ERA)

Irvin will return to the mound after allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks over 5⅔ innings against the Padres in his last start. The right-hander has struggled to find consistency this season, but he will look to finish the year on a positive note with a strong performance in the series finale.

STL: Quinn Mathews, LHP (2-3, 3.62 ERA)

Mathews is lined up to start the finale after delivering the best outing of his young career against the Giants. The rookie left-hander allowed one run on four hits across 6⅔ innings while striking out a career-high eight. Mathews did not allow his first hit until the sixth inning and has quickly become one of the most interesting young arms in the Cardinals’ rotation.

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Jays/Rangers Series Preview

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 21: A detail view of a Texas Rangers hat is shown during the eighth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field on August 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We have a three game series with the Rangers starting tonight.

The Jays (and Rangers) are two games back of the last Wild Card spot held by the Guardians (who are tied with the White Sox for the top of the AL West, so catching with either would work, though the White Sox hold the tiebreaker over the Jays, where the Jays hold the tiebreaker with the Guardians). The Jays also have to finish ahead of the Rangers.

Starting pitchers:

  • Tonight, 8:00 Eastern: Dylan Cease (11-5, 2.38) vs Kumar Rocker (5-11, 4.54).
  • Saturday, 7:00 Eastern: José Soriano (12-7, 3.56) vs Cal Quantrill (9-5, 2.90).
  • Sunday, 2:30 Eastern: TBD, some sort of bullpen day with Spencer Arrighetti (8-9, 4.91) vs. Jacob deGrom (11-9, 3.79).

I’m still not a fan of bullpen days.

The Rangers are 11th in the AL in runs per game at 4.17 (Jays are last at 4.05).

And the Rangers are also 11th in the AL in runs allowed per game at 4.30 (Jays are 6th at 3.92).

The Rangers are 8-7 in September and are just off a four-game win streak (they lost yesterday to the Red Sox).

Unlike the Tigers, the Rangers record (76-77) is much better than than Pythagorean record (72-81).

Tigers top hitters:

  • Ezequiel Durán, who has played every position other than catcher, this year, hitting .268/.329/.436 with 17 home runs, 43 walks and 131 k with a 4.4 bWAR. He’s an excellent defensive player at short and second.
  • Corey Seager, SS. .234/.325/.434 with 18 home runs, 44 walks and 92 strikeouts, 3.1 bWAR.
  • Jake Burger, 1B. .233/.305/.424 with 26 home runs, 52 walks and 156 strikeouts, 2.0 bWAR.
  • Josh Jung, 3B. .298/.361/.449 with 10 home runs, 33 walks and 73 strikeouts, 1.8 bWAR.
  • Joc Pederson, DH. .235/.329/.487 with 26 home runs, 49 walks and 102 strikeouts, 1.7 bWAR.

Bullpen:

  • Jacob Latz: 2.11 ERA, 30 saves, 4 blown. Batters are hitting .146/.218/.270 against him.
  • Tyler Alexander: 3.33, 4 saves, 2 blown, 13 holds. Batters are hitting .254/.315/.338 against him.
  • Jakob Junis: 3.66 ERA, 6 saves, 2 blown, 18 holds. Batters are hitting .244/.309/.338 against him.
  • Robby Ahlstrom: A lefty. 6.08, 7 holds, 1 blown. Batters are hitting .264/.346/.465 against him.

The Jays, pretty much, have to win this series, if they are going to make the playoffs.

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'I Still Love The Game': Malkin Contemplates Penguins' Future, Contract

When the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2025-26 season came to a disappointing close after a first-round loss to the rival Philadelphia Flyers, there was a plethora of questions the Penguins faced heading into the offseason.

Would they try to go "big-game hunting" as was suspected? Would they re-sign some key restricted free agents? Would Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson extensions be a priority? What direction would the team take in 2026-27 after an unexpected playoff berth?

And, finally, would Evgeni Malkin have a future with the Penguins?

Luckily, that last question was answered relatively quickly, as Malkin was inked to a one-year, $5.5 million extension on May 26. The decision for him to return to Pittsburgh for another year was probably made easier for both parties after he registered 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games at age 39. 

Now 40, Malkin is the fourth-oldest active player in the NHL. But, when speaking with the media during day two of training camp Friday, he made it known that he still feels great.

"I just try to be my best," Malkin said. "I feel healthy."

Even if Malkin signed for another year, there is still, of course, uncertainty about his future beyond this season. Even for this season, he is eligible to submit a three-team trade list on Jan. 1, which adds an element of uncertainty for him, especially if the Penguins end up taking a step back this season.

However, Malkin isn't thinking about any of that right now. Like Crosby - who clarified the situation with his extension Tuesday - he is in a holding out pattern to see how his body feels and where his level of play is at before he comes to a determination on the extent of his hockey future. 

'It's New For All Of Us': Penguins Presented With New Challenges In Shortened Training Camp'It's New For All Of Us': Penguins Presented With New Challenges In Shortened Training CampPittsburgh, like all other NHL teams, are navigating fresh pre-season rules with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

While there is a high degree of certainty that Crosby will play beyond 2026-27, though, the same can't be said for Malkin. 

"We'll see what's going on through the season," Malkin said. "Right now, I won't say 'yes,' but we'll see how my body feels. I still love the game, you know, why I'm here 21 years. You know, I'm excited every shift, practice... I see guys around, you know, have fun.

"But, again, most important is how your body feels. I'm, like, [a] person, if I'm not feeling 100 percent, I'm not playing because I want to be on my top level. I don't like to just spend time, you know, just do nothing. That's not my game. If I'm at the top if my game, help the team to win, I will. But, if not, I'm retire."

And him being able to hit the same level he did last season could largely depend on the company he keeps throughout the season. At this point, it appears that Malkin has fully transitioned to the wing, which is something that doesn't really faze him. After all, he saw a lof of success there last season, and that was in large part thanks to the arrival of Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets mid-season.

Malkin and Chinakhov showed a high degree of chemistry when paired together last season, mainly with Tommy Novak down the middle. Of Malkin's seven assists on Chinkahov's goals last season, six were primary assists, and Chinakhov very likely did not suddenly forget how to shoot the puck over the summer.

He got an extension of his own in restricted free agency, committing to three more years with the Penguins at $6.25 million average annual value. The Penguins - and Malkin - are counting on Chinakhov to keep building on the 18 goals and 36 points he registered in 43 games with the team last season, as they believe the 25-year-old could be a key piece of their future. 

 "I know he's worked hard all summer," Malkin said. "And I hope, and I believe, that he'll show [his] best game because he have everything, like speed, shots... and I try to do the same. Like, my best [when] when we play together. I try to give him as much as possible, and I look. He will be one of our best forwards next season."

And so, too, will Malkin, if he continues to stay healthy and remain a fixture on Pittsburgh's second line. What his future is beyond the immediacy, though, will become more and more clear as his 21st NHL season rolls on.

Could Egor Chinakhov Help Extend Malkin's Career?Could Egor Chinakhov Help Extend Malkin's Career?There has been a whole lot going right for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> during the 2025-26 season, and much of it can be credited to the work of general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas.&nbsp;

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

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Michael Sweetney, former Georgetown star and Knicks lottery pick, dies at 43

Michael Sweetney, a legendary Georgetown big man who became a Knicks lottery pick, has died at the age of 43.

Sweetney's wife, India Sweetney, announced his death on social media. He died Wednesday at a hospital in New Jersey, and no cause of death was given.

Sweetney rose to prominence in basketball circles as the latest in a long line of legendary Georgetown big men. In 2002-03, he averaged 22.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year award. Sweetney remains fifth all-time at Georgetown in career rebounds (887), seventh in career blocks (180) and ninth in career points (1,750).

Sweetney was selected No. 9 overall by the New York Knicks in 2003 and went on to play four years in the NBA with the Knicks and Bulls.

Sweetney also played some in the Big3 after his NBA days. Most recently, Sweetney worked as an assistant coach at Division III Yeshiva University in New York.

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A quick look at the Postseason picture for the Braves

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 15: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after the final out of a 6-3 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn) | Getty Images

The magic numbers for the Atlanta Braves are starting to get lower and lower now that we’re entering the final portion of the regular season. As far clinching Atlanta’s first Postseason bid since 2024 and their eighth playoff appearance in the past nine seasons, the math is as simple as it gets. The Braves get in here on Friday, September 18 with either:

  • A win over the Astros, OR
  • A Diamondbacks loss

That’s it. Just one of those things need to happen and the Braves will be sharing firm handshakes and pats on the back by the end of the night. As far as the division goes, there’s still some work needed to be done. The Phillies beat the Mets on Thursday night to kick off a four-game series so the magic number for the division is still at five. The tiebreaker and the calendar is on Atlanta’s side here, so a win on Friday night for the Braves would still go a long way.

Depending on the 2026 Mets is a fool’s errand but let’s just play it out. If the Mets can get a split while the Braves avoid getting swept then Atlanta’s going to be coming back home with a shot to clinch the division against the Cincinnati Reds. If the Phillies really trip up and lose three straight while the Braves take the series in Houston then the champagne could be popping in H-Town. The latter scenario is currently the only way that the Braves can end up clinching in Houston. I am not a doomer so I’m not going to entertain the doomsday scenarios so you can do that on your own.

I think we’d all prefer to see this end as early as possible but if I had to guess, we’ll probably see this race come to an end in Cobb County against the Reds. That’s still just a guess. I don’t think anybody would like to see this race end up heading into the final weekend with the Braves having to get something against a Marlins team that would likely relish being able to play the role of spoiler for their regular tormentors from Georgia while the Phillies would be getting a Rays team that would likely already have both the division and their seeding wrapped up by then.

So yeah, hopefully this all gets taken care of much sooner rather than later so Atlanta can ultimately turn their focus onto which minefield they’ll have to navigate in the Wild Card round between the Padres, Cubs and maybe even the Phillies. Again, both the tiebreaker and the calendar is on Atlanta’s side so this should get taken care of sooner rather than later. We’ll see what happens.

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Former Wild Goaltender Signs One-Year Deal With Columbus

After spending last season with the Detroit Red Wings, Cam Talbot has signed a one-year, $950,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The former Wild netminder enters Columbus as the team's backup to Jet Greaves. With Elvis Merzlikins failing his physical and out to start the year, Talbot will be the Blue Jackets backup.

Talbot, 39, is 278-204-53 with a 2.69 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and 33 shutouts in 567 regular-season games (533 starts) for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Red Wings.

In 82 games with the Wild from 2020-21 to 2021-22, Talbot posted a 51-20-9 record, a .913 save percentage, a 2.71 goals-against average, and five shutouts.

He is 16-18 with a 2.75 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and six shutouts in 36 Stanley Cup Playoff games (34 starts).

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Why Arber Xhekaj Needs To Have Hot Start To Season With Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens recently re-signed defenseman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year prove-it deal. 

Now that Xhekaj has gotten his contract signed, it is clear that he must have a hot start to the 2026-27 season for the Canadiens.

While Xhekaj has gotten his new deal, his long-term future with the Canadiens is still not set in stone. Because of this, he will need to prove to the Canadiens that he can be a mainstay on their blueline. This is especially so when noting that other defensemen like Jayden Struble, Adam Engstrom, and David Reinbacher will be competing for playing time. 

Furthermore, with Kaiden Guhle sidelined for the start of the season, Xhekaj has an opportunity to show the Canadiens that he warrants more consistent playing time. If he does, it will help his chances of sticking in Montreal's lineup once Guhle is fully healthy and returns.

It is going to be very intriguing to see if Xhekaj can start the season off on the right foot for Montreal. It is a crucial year for the rugged defenseman, so time will tell if he can put together a strong campaign. 

In 65 games last season for Montreal, Xhekaj posted one goal, four points, 116 penalty minutes, and 178 hits. 

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Scouting Report: What should Lakers fans expect from Sandro Mamukelashvili?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 18: Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Of all the signings the Lakers made this offseason, Sandro Mamukelashvili was perhaps the most unexpected.

A reserve for the Raptors last season, the purple and gold not only moved swiftly to sign him, but gave him quite the contract as well. It was part of the team’s move toward being younger, more athletic and offensive-focused.

But given his role in Toronto and likely few Lakers fans having watched him last season, we reached out to our friends over at Raptors HQ and asked their site manager, Julian Apolinario, for a scouting report on Mamu.

What are his strengths?

Mamu is a versatile offensive player who can be trusted to get a bucket, while often punching above his weight class — both from a height standpoint and a roster position one. He has experience playing both power forward and center, and is a great locker room guy.

With him, it’s just as much about the intangibles as it is about the stuff you see on the court. Of late he’s developed into a solid shooter with an outside shot that does really need to be respected.

What are his weaknesses?

For someone who is often slotted into the five, Mamu is a bit small at only 6’9″. In a traditional world, he’s really more of a power forward. While he’s not a cone on defense, it’s not what I’d say stands out about his game.

From an outsider’s perspective, how do you see him fitting with the Lakers?

I think his tandem with both Luka Doncic and Walker Kessler will be worth looking out for. Mamu can space the floor while maintaining interior presence in a way that could benefit Kessler if he’s slotted in next to him.

Playing off-ball with Luka facilitating for both interior looks and 3-point shots will be able to keep him as a smoothly running part of the offensive engine.

Anything else to know about him?

The fans tend to love Mamu a lot wherever he goes.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Former NHL Enforcer Kevin Sawyer Joins Flames Broadcast Team

The Calgary Flames will have a new voice in the broadcast booth this season.

Former NHL forward Kevin Sawyer is joining Sportsnet’s Flames broadcast team as the club’s colour commentator, replacing longtime analyst Kelly Hrudey as Calgary prepares for its final season at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Sawyer brings nearly a decade of experience in the broadcast booth with the Winnipeg Jets, where he worked as a regional game analyst before making the move west to Calgary.

The 52-year-old also brings a perspective shaped by nearly a decade spent playing professional hockey.

Sawyer appeared in 110 NHL games over parts of six seasons, suiting up for the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim between 1995 and 2003. He finished his NHL career with three goals and six points, along with 403 penalty minutes.

His NHL career was built largely around his physical style of play. Sawyer spent his final three seasons with Anaheim, appearing in 97 games and recording 336 penalty minutes. He scored his first NHL goal during the 2001-02 season, when he played a career-high 57 games for the Mighty Ducks.

That experience will again translate to the other side of the game as Sawyer joins Jon Abbott and Brendan Parker for Calgary’s regional broadcasts.

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Cleveland promotes long-time executive Brandon Weems to General Manager

The first paragraph about any story involving Cavaliers executive Brandon Weems includes the phrase "LeBron James' high school teammate," but that can undersell the time and effort Weems has put into carving his own path.

That path now includes being the general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He will be the No. 2 man in the organization and work directly under head of basketball operations Koby Altman.

"Brandon has earned this opportunity through more than a decade of exceptional work with the Cavaliers and by consistently demonstrating elite judgment and the expertise required to help lead our basketball operations," Altman said in a statement announcing the move. "He has been instrumental in our player evaluation and roster-building processes, has a deep understanding of our culture, and has grown into a tremendous leader."

LeBron was excited about the news.

Weems replaces Mike Gansey, who left Cleveland last offseason to take over the Philadelphia job (then recruited LeBron James away from the Cavaliers).

Weems joined the Cavaliers as a scout in 2015 and started working his way up in the organization. Before that, he worked in college, including as Kentucky's assistant director of basketball operations under John Calipari, then at Drexel and Oakland University in Michigan.

The Cavaliers also promoted team Jon Nichols to Associate General Manager, and Brendon Yu and José Calderón to Assistant General Managers.

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Red Sox Minor Lines: Johan Oviedo makes his return to the mound

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Johan Oviedo #29 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the third inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 23, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Only one minor league affiliate is still playing, and they were shut out on a two-hitter last night. But the show must go on!

Durham Bulls 2, Worcester Red Sox 0 (BOX)

Johan Oviedo beat the buzzer and got back on the mound in a rehab game on Thursday night. It was his first appearance at any level since March 30th (for Boston). Oviedo averaged 95.9 mph on both of his fastballs, and maxed out at 98.5 mph. He struck out four batters over 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, a walk, and one earned run, and was charged with the loss. While it might be aggressive to add him to the postseason roster, at least in round one, Oviedo was expected to be a key piece of the Red Sox rotation in 2026, acquired for Jhostynxon Garcia last offseason.

John Holobetz followed and was excellent, striking out eight over 4 1/3 shutout innings. Tyler Samaniego allowed a run in the eighth, and Noah Song threw a shutout ninth.

The Red Sox were shut down by former Cardinals great Jake Woodford, mustering just a double from Allan Castro, a single from Tomas Nido, and one walk at the plate.

With three games to go against the Bulls (TB) before the season comes to a close, Worcester is 39-31 in the second-half standings, three games out of first place, with three teams ahead of them in the standings. However, since Rochester is in first place in the second half, and also won the International League first half, Worcester is not a complete long shot to make the playoffs. If you want to look at the tiebreaker procedures in Triple-A, go nuts.

Michael Sansone (2-6, 6.55) gets the ball this evening at 6:05 for the Woo Sox. The Bulls will counter with Jesse Scholtens (3-4, 4.15).

The Woo Sox then play on Saturday at 4:05 and Sunday at 1:05. Numerous promotions remain during the final homestand, including opportunities to bring your children to play catch on the field and run the bases throughout the weekend. Get out there before summer comes to a close.

With this likely being the final Minor Lines of the year for me (Dean has you this weekend), I want to thank all of the readers at Over The Monster. It’s such a joy talking baseball with all of you. You can follow me on Twitter @BobOsgood15, and you can reach me at redseatpodcast@gmail.com throughout the postseason and offseason.

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Three areas the Rockets must improve this season

Mar 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks up in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets have turned the page on their 2025-26 campaign after an up-and-down season. The Rockets made the biggest move of the 2025 offseason when they traded for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, hoping he would be the missing piece in their championship hopes.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, those plans were derailed before they even started, as Fred VanVleet, the Rockets’ on- and off-court leader, had his season ended before it started when he suffered a season-ending injury during an offseason workout. The Rockets spent the entire season trying to make up for the absence as they struggled at times to build any consistency throughout the season.

Despite those struggles, the Rockets won 52 games, the same mark as the season before. Like the season before, the Rockets saw their season end in the first round—this time at the hands of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets now head into season two of the Kevin Durant era and hope to do it with a fully healthy team. VanVleet wasn’t the only Rocket who missed significant time last season, as the Rockets’ best rebounder and screen setter, Steven Adams, suffered a season-ending injury in January.

That made an already short-handed Rockets bench even thinner and played a huge part in the Rockets’ early playoff exit. The Rockets didn’t make any big offseason splashes this time around, but they are banking on a healthy VanVleet, and Adams will be exactly what they need to get over the hump this season finally. That said, what three things must happen for the Rockets to have a successful season?

Three things the Rockets must do this season to take that next step

The Rockets performed well in some areas last season. They were again the NBA’s best rebounding team, as they have been for the last few seasons. They were also a top-10 defense all season. Despite those stats, the Rockets still did not finish in the top four in the Western Conference. The Rockets must improve in several areas this upcoming season. Here are the three areas the Rockets must change or improve.

Limit Kevin Durant’s Minutes

Last season, with VanVleet out, the Rockets leaned heavily on the remaining starters, especially Durant. The Rockets, of course, plan on leaning on Durant, considering that even at the age of 36 at the time, Durant is still one of the best players in the league. However, without a traditional point guard, the Rockets had to rely on Alperen Sengun and Durant to not only be their leading scorer but also their point guard at times.

That led to Durant playing not only the second most minutes on the Rockets but in the entire NBA. It was the most total minutes Durant had played since the 2013-14 season. Ime Udoka spoke for most of the season about hoping to limit the former MVP’s minutes but was not able to for obvious reasons. Now the Rockets must limit Durant’s minutes, as they need him as healthy as possible going into the playoffs, unlike last season.

More production from their bench

As mentioned earlier, the Rockets are hoping for a much improved bench this upcoming season. With VanVleet out and eventually Adams gone, players like Reed Sheppard and, at times, Tari Eason had to enter the starting lineup. That severely limited bench production, which led the Rockets to rank last in points per game by a wide margin. The Rockets averaged only 27.6 points per game from their reserves.

The Rockets hope the return of Adams and VanVleet, along with the additions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović, means they will not have to rely so heavily on their starters again this season.

Cut down their turnovers

One of the main reasons the Rockets brought in VanVleet was how much they struggled with turnovers. VanVleet’s first season saw the Rockets have one of their best seasons taking care of the basketball in franchise history. That wasn’t the case last season, as the Rockets ranked near the bottom of the league in turnovers.

The Rockets’ lack of ball security hurt them most late in close games, when teams pressured them full court and forced errors that cost them several games. The most egregious of those turnovers happened at the worst time in a must-win playoff game at home vs. the Lakers.

With the Rockets holding a late lead, LeBron James pressured Reed Sheppard, forcing the turnover that helped the Lakers force an improbable overtime, which the Rockets would go on to lose. That play was a microcosm of the Rockets’ ball security issues all season. To get past the first round, the Rockets must take care of the basketball, and VanVleet’s return should go a long way toward reducing turnovers.

The Rockets kick off training camp starting on the 23rd of this month and hope to lay the groundwork for a successful 2026-27 season, but they must improve in these three areas for that to happen.



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Head’s swashbuckling ton leads Australia to series-clinching ODI win over Zimbabwe

  • Australia (win by 84 runs) 356-6; Zimbabwe 272 all out

  • Home side favourites to complete clean sweep on Sunday

Opening batter Travis Head smashed a 75-ball hundred as he led Australia to a series-clinching 84-run victory in the second cricket ODI against Zimbabwe on Friday.

Head’s swashbuckling 112 off 84 balls was well supported by captain Mitchell Marsh’s 53, his 21st ODI half century, and Cooper Connolly’s 78, his third successive 50-plus score in the format, in Australia’s sizeable total of 356-6.

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Will the Kings Be Better than the Golden Knights in 2027?

This offseason, the Kings made monumental changes to their team. Is it enough to surpass the defending western conference champions?

Why the Kings Will Be Better

Although the Knights were the better team last season, that could change entirely this year. That is in large part due to Los Angeles being the better defensive team.

Last season, the Kings only allowed 2.9 goals per game while the Knights allowed 2.95 goals. Los Angeles also held a .899 save percentage, while Vegas had a .884 save percentage.

Defensively, the Kings should still remain competent and that could benefit from the new system. Coach Peter Laviolette is expected to elevate the Kings offense to its full potential.

If the offense of the Kings can take a step up, then that will pair tremendously with the top 10 defense from last year. Los Angeles has the better defense than Vegas, which could lead to them dethroning the West Champs this season.

Why the Knights Will Be Better

Speculation is only a part of the debate between the Kings and the Knights; the other part is results. When it comes to consistent seasons between these two teams, that heavily favors the Knights for this upcoming season.

Aside from the Knights making the Stanley Cup in 2026, they’ve had consistent playoff success. The Knights have made the second round three of the last four seasons and have won a Stanley Cup in 2023.

On the other hand, Los Angeles hasn’t made it to the second round since they won the Stanley Cup in 2014. The Kings haven’t won a playoff series in over a decade, let alone been a true title contender.

Vegas has proven to consistently be one of the best teams in the NHL while Los Angeles hasn’t. The Knights are expected to be contenders in 2027, while it’s a question if the Kings can take the next leap.

Overall Verdict 

When it comes down to whom the best team will be in 2027, the clear answer is Vegas. The Knights have the more potent offense but can also step up on defense when it matters most.

During the playoffs, the Knights had a .907 save percentage and allowed 2.82 goals per game. Along with both defensive categories being improvements from the regular season, the offense was better in the playoffs too.

In the regular season, the Knights scored 3.22 goals per game, which ranked 14th in the league. During the postseason, Vegas scored 3.45 goals per game, which ranked 4th amongst playoff teams.

Regardless if it’s offense or defense, the Knights have shown to play at their best when it matters most. The Kings have not shown to play at their best in pivotal moments, hence why they brought in a new coach for better results.

Both offensively and defensively, the Knights have executed better than the Kings in crunch time. Therefore, Vegas is a more well-rounded unit and should be a better team than Los Angeles in 2027.

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Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 37 steals already put him in rare Cubs territory

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is chasing a 40 homer/40 stolen base season, which would be just the seventh such year in MLB history.

With 37 steals entering Friday’s action, he’ll need three steals in the remaining nine games to get there. And if he keeps hitting home runs — he’s hit five in his last 10 games — that obviously takes away a chance to steal. (Not that anyone’s complaining about the homers!)

Those 37 steals represent a rare level in Cubs history. Hall of Famer Kiki Cuyler stole that many in 1930. He led the National League that year and it was his third straight year with at least 37.

In the 96 seasons since 1930, there have been 590 player seasons of at least 37 stolen bases across the major leagues.

Just 11 of those years have been posted by members of the Chicago Cubs, and just four of those have been in the last 30 years:

RkPlayerSBSeasonAgeTeamLg
1Pete Crow-Armstrong37202624CHCNL
2Nico Hoerner43202326CHCNL
3Juan Pierre58200628CHCNL
4Eric Young Sr.54200033CHCNL
5Brian McRae37199628CHCNL
6Davey Lopes47198540CHCNL
7Ryne Sandberg54198525CHCNL
8Bob Dernier45198427CHCNL
9Ryne Sandberg37198323CHCNL
10Iván de Jesús44198027CHCNL
11Iván de Jesús41197825CHCNL
Provided by Stathead: Found with Stathead. See Full Results.
Generated 9/18/2026.

That’s it. As you can see, it took 48 years after Cuyler’s 37 in 1930 for any Cub to steal that many bases. If PCA does get to 40/40, that puts him in even rarer territory — it would be just the 10th 40-steal season by any Cubs player since 1929, when Cuyler had 43.

Do not fail to appreciate what we are seeing from the presumptive National League MVP. Cubs manager Craig Counsell perhaps said it best:

“You’re shaking your head in amazement sometimes,” Counsell said. “You spend your whole life in baseball and you just don’t see this happen on a baseball field. So you’re grateful to be a part of it. You’re grateful to see things like this and then you’re grateful that the fans get to see a season like this because they’re going to talk about it. They’re going to tell their kids about it, they’re going to tell their grandkids about seasons like this.”

Counsell played in over 1,600 MLB games and was a part of two World Series champions, scoring the winning run in Game 7 in 1997. He’s managed over 1,300 other games. For someone who’s been around baseball that long to say something like this is meaningful, to me at least.

We’re witnessing a Cubs player have a season that’s perhaps not only the best in Cubs history, but one of the best by any player, ever. Don’t take something like this for granted.

I looked around for a PCA highlight video to post here but there are just so many it was impossible to choose. Here’s one of my favorites — his baserunning directly leading to a win over the Blue Jays in August: