New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. (This asset including all text, audio and imagery is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connect ha)
CHICAGO — Nolan McLean is approaching 150 innings for this season following his strong performance Sunday, but his ambitions are much grander.
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“I am still behind what I threw last year, so I have got some room to continue to grow and build those innings up,” the Mets rookie said after his team’s 2-1 loss to the White Sox at Rate Field. “Ideally, it’s 200. Every single time you start the season, your goal is to get to 200 innings.”
McLean, at 148 ²/₃ innings, has six starts remaining at most, and it’s unlikely Mets officials will push him extensively late in the season.
McLean pitched 161 ²/₃ innings last season, split between the minor leagues and majors.
On this day he fired six scoreless innings in which he allowed only one hit and walked four batters — he plunked another — with six strikeouts.
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It was his third straight start pitching at least six innings while allowing one or no runs.
“Those are good hitters that had really been swinging it well against us all series, having tough at-bats,” interim manager Andy Green said. “I thought he was on the attack all day. Mixed pitches. He was really unpredictable. It was hard to know what he was going to do, so I felt good about what he did today.”
He faced his stiffest challenge in the third, when he walked consecutive batters to load the bases after allowing a two-out single to Sam Antonacci.
The right-hander rebounded to strike out Andrew Benintendi on three pitches.
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“I felt like I made all the pitches I wanted to and ended up walking them,” McLean said of the third-inning jam.
McLean, who has a 3.21 ERA in 26 starts this season, is part of the NL Rookie of the Year discussion, along with teammate Carson Benge.
How much is McLean paying attention to the race?
“Not a ton,” he said. “My job is to go out there and try to put my team in the best position to win. If you control that, good things tend to happen. I think any competitor would like to win the award, but I don’t pay too much attention.”
After pitching the ninth inning in Saturday’s 10-5 win, Senga was back on the mound on consecutive days for the first time in his career and although he allowed a game-ending home run in the process, he and the Mets can check off another box as the former starter continues to make the transition to the bullpen.
“For him it’s good to get that under the belt and to have done that,” said interim manager Andy Green. “... I think overall Senga’s got something done now that he hadn’t done and that’s good for us.”
In a 1-1 game and New York off on Monday, it seemed like the perfect time to introduce Senga to pitching in back-to-back games as he’ll have extra time to recover from the appearance. The hope is that the right-hander, who has fallen into the closer role, comes out of the experience feeling good and healthy so that he can possibly do it again this season and beyond.
In fact, Green is hardly concerned with the result of the outing and called it a “step forward” for Senga who has been solid as the team’s new closer during Devin Williams’ absence.
For his part, Senga was disappointed in the outcome but said he had “no big issues” being on the mound.
“I felt good today,” he said via an interpreter. “I had no doubts being out on the mound, believed that I could do it and it was partly my decision to go out there and say that I’m ready to pitch today.”
As for the results, a walk-off solo shot to Tristan Peters on a 3-1 fastball in the middle of the zone, it reminded Senga just how different closing a game is compared to starting, how intense a closer’s job is and how important it is to the success of a team.
“It’s kind of like a moment of realization that I’m in a position where the game could end potentially in one pitch with one swing of the bat,” he said. “Seeing the ball like that, it just kind of dawned on me that that’s the type of role that I’m playing right now.”
Nolan McLean becoming an ace
Before the White Sox walked it off against the Mets’ bullpen, McLean had shut them down for six scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. It was the rookie’s third consecutive start allowing one earned run or fewer and it lowered his ERA to 3.21.
Still, the outing wasn’t without its hiccups as the right-hander walked four and hit a batter, both for the second straight start. In fact, McLean had to work out of a two-out jam in the fourth inning after a single and two walks loaded the bases, which he did by striking out Andrew Benintendi – one of three strikeouts, all looking, in the frame.
Aside from that, McLean was in control all day and has easily been New York’s ace in his first full season in the big leagues.
“Just a really good mix today,” Green said. “Those are good hitters that have been swinging really well against us all series, having tough at-bats. I thought he was on the attack all day, mixed, it was hard, really unpredictable, hard to know what he was gonna do so I felt good about what he did today. Six strong innings.”
After running into some struggles in May that raised his ERA to as high as 4.40, McLean was able to put that behind him and has been dominant ever since, looking like the pitcher that burst onto the scene last year in eight starts as he tries to finish this season strong.
“I feel good. I wouldn’t say stronger or any better than I felt to start the season, it’s just every time I go out there I’m trying to learn and I’m hopefully doing a better job of that,” he said.
With 31 games remaining for the Mets this season, the rookie, who has pitched 148.2 innings in 26 starts, will likely have about five or six starts left and is “fairly confident” he won’t run into any possible fatigue that often shows up for pitchers setting career-highs in innings pitched.
“I think I’m still behind what I threw last year so I got some room to go to continue to grow and continue to build those innings up,” he said. “Ideally it’s 200 [innings] every single time, once you start a season your goal is to get to 200 innings.”
McLean won’t get to 200 innings this season but there’s no doubt that he’s trending in the right direction to get there soon and continue to be the ace for a talented Mets pitching staff for a long time.
In fact, McLean’s sights seem to only be set on helping his team win games and he isn’t worried about anything else when he’s on the mound like the Rookie of the Year award, even though he’s certainly in the running – one of two Mets rookies who are.
“My job is to go out there and try to put my team in the best position to win and overall if you control that good things tend to happen,” he said. “I think any competitor would like to win the award but I don’t pay too much attention.”
Meanwhile, McLean’s teammate, Carson Benge, added to his case for ROTY with another two-hit game on Sunday, including a double and a run scored. The outfielder went 6-for-13 in the series and is up to a .278 average at the plate with a .765 OPS as he continues to be on fire following a slow start to his career.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 26: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns is guarded by Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 26, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Being a Phoenix Suns fan means being someone who has dealt with trauma, pain, poor decisions, health issues, and bad luck throughout the history of the franchise, and throughout your own existence as a fan.
One thing I think we’ve done a good job of this summer from a Bright Side perspective is not leaning too heavily into any of that. We’re already in the doldrums of the offseason, and there’s no need to constantly look backward when all I want to do is look forward.
That being said, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton recently appeared on the Numbers on the Board podcast and revealed that his agent called the Phoenix Suns in an effort to get him drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
“And Phoenix? We were calling Phoenix,” Haliburton said. “Cause, like, ‘Y’all need a PG”‘. I was trying to play with Book. Let me go play with Book. And they were like, ‘We’re drafting a power forward’”.
Tyrese Haliburton and his agent were calling the Phoenix Suns, hoping they would draft him, but Phoenix instead chose a PF (Jalen Smith) with the 10th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/OI8vrbO4Yr
It remains one of the greatest, and certainly one of the most recent, what ifs in franchise history. That Suns team already had Chris Paul, who would have been the ideal mentor for a young Tyrese Haliburton coming out of Iowa State.
I remember that draft specifically because we had way too much time on our hands. It was the COVID era, and I had recently started writing for Bright Side. Haliburton and Devin Vassell were the two players I was highest on, and we all had the same “what the fuck” look on our faces when James Jones and the Suns ultimately selected Jalen Smith.
To this day, it remains one of those decisions you try not to talk about and try not to think about because of how much it could have changed the trajectory of the franchise. Granted, you can never truly know what Phoenix would have looked like with Haliburton or how his development would have played out within this organization and this city. But the foundation was there for him to become a great point guard who could play alongside Devin Booker for years to come.
To hear Haliburton say that he wanted to come to Phoenix is another kick in the side and another reminder that bad decisions can have long-term repercussions. That’s what makes this particular what-if so painful. It wasn’t some impossible scenario built entirely through hindsight. Haliburton was available. Phoenix had the pick. He wanted to be here. The basketball fit made sense then and looks even better now. Nobody can say exactly how history would have changed, but we know what actually happened. Sometimes franchise-altering mistakes are complicated. This one still feels painfully simple.
The New Jersey Devils, according to the National Hockey League, have two top-20 centers in the game right now.
Jack Hughes came in as the 10th-best center in the league, while Nico Hischier checked in at #15. The Edmonton Oilers, with Connor McDavid (#1) and Leon Draisaitl (#4), are the only other team with two on this list.
Each of them had a different path to finding their way on the list. For Hughes, it's all about speed, skill, and offensive production. In addition to winning the Gold Medal with Team USA by scoring the Golden Goal in the NHL, he is a sure-fire point-per-game player. If he stays healthy going forward, there will be Devils records for him to surpass in the future.
As for Nico Hischier, he is a top two-way player in the game. His name, although he has only finished second, is often in the Selke Trophy conversations.
While being as responsible as you can be in the defensive zone, Hischier makes things happen in the offensive zone as well. He isn't as flashy as some other players on the list, but he is good for 28-35 goals in any given year, and he will always be right around a point per game.
Others on the list include Macklin Celebrini (#3), Jack Eichel (#6), Sidney Crosby (#7), and Connor Bedard (#16). The rest can be seen below:
Introducing NHL Network's Top 20 Centers Right Now!
Having two elite centers is a large key to winning big in the playoffs. New Jersey has that, as long as they stay healthy. If they can get what they need from the rest of the roster, these two should be leaders on a great team in 2026-27.
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The Swans beat North Melbourne at the SCG, but the result mattered little at the end of a a week that has been a wake-up call for all connected to club
Under normal circumstances, Sydney’s game against North Melbourne would have been one of those bloodless, half-arsed dead rubbers of which there were quite a few in round 24. It would have been an opportunity for the Swans to rest a few superstars, and tune up for two home finals. It would have been one of those jolly Sunday-afternoon SCG romps the Swans are renowned for. It would have been a day of celebration for the club – the first ever double-header, a chance to talk about inclusion, respect and culture.
The alleged events at the Pullman Hotel a week ago, after which five Swans players were suspended for breaching club standards by “drinking … staying out late … and bringing women back to the hotel”, put paid to all that of course. It put paid to a lot of things – trust, relationships, reputations, careers, endorsements, campaigns. It brought forth much else – opportunist lawyers, performative and presumptive op-ed columnists, out-of-their-depth chief executives, amateur sleuths, thrice hourly “breaking of silences” and a lot of rage. It’s very much a story for our age – with battlelines drawn, with facts disputed and with all sense of scale and perspective torpedoed.
Macklin Celebrini's sophomore season to remember with the San Jose Sharks continues to bring him a considerable amount of accolades. On Sunday, he was named the third best center in the NHL by NHL Network, improving from 19th place last summer.
After his record-breaking 115-point season, Celebrini trails just the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid and the Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon in the rankings. As a result, Celebrini jumped players like Aleksander Barkov, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews in NHL Network's annual list.
Introducing NHL Network's Top 20 Centers Right Now!
Moving up any further will be difficult for Celebrini, to say the least. McDavid and MacKinnon have Harts, Rocket Richard and Art Ross Trophies under their belt, while Celebrini is still looking for first his piece of major hardware in the NHL. Regardless, Celebrini is quickly establishing himself as a face of the new generation alongside Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and potentially Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks, who moved to 16th place in the same list.
As expected, Celebrini was the only member of the San Jose Sharks to crack the top-20 center list.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: Manager Dan Wilson #6 takes Bryce Miller #50 of the Seattle Mariners out of the game during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at T-Mobile Park on August 23, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The worst pitching staff in baseball the last two months got blown out again.
The Mariners lost 19-2 against the Cubs on Sunday. Bryce Miller pitched and was bad early and often, again failing to get through five. The relievers behind him were bad, too, eventually leading to Jhonny Pereda and Weston Wilson on the mound. There weren’t many positive takeaways from this one.
The game started out pretty fun, though. Randy Arozanea led off the first with a homer, after hitting two last night, including a spectacular walkoff. The Mariners were going for a sweep in this one, largely on the back of Arozarena’s play, so this felt like an auspicious start.
Things looked even better when Victor Robles injected a bit of chaos in the second. He drew a walk, stole second, and then stole third. The throw to try to get him was wide, and he came around to score on the play. This felt a lot like the version of Robles we haven’t seen since 2024. It was fun.
Miller for his part had cruised through the first two innings, a stranded walk his only blemish. Then came the third, which began with a 2-0 lead. Miller hung a curve to Michael Conforto, who snuck a weak, shallow homer over the fence to lead off. He seemed to move on, getting two quick outs. But then he completely lost the zone. Miller walked Seiya Suzuki, then Michael Busch, then Alex Bregman to load the bases. Up stepped Ian Happ, who went out of the zone to crush a well-located splitter off the foul pole in right.
Miller went back out to face the lineup for a third time in the fifth. He proceeded to walk the bases loaded before recording an out. He did eventually get a groundout, which scored a run to make it 6-2. But his day was done before getting through five. Six runs on two hits and seven walks.
“I just have to be more competitive,” he said after the game. “It’s felt like all of my walks in the last month or month and a half have scored, but when you have seven walks, I mean, what do you expect? It’s super frustrating. Like I, I don’t feel like that team beat me at all. I gave it to them. You get that many free passes, that’s what happens.”
Miller said he’s at his best when he’s focused on attacking in the moment.
“I think the last month I’ve been kind of thinking ahead too much, and thinking of like, what do I need to do to this batter, the next batter, the next inning, to get out of this with a good line and keep us in it. That’s not what I do when I’m at my best. You know, it’s got to be this pitch, this moment, this at bat, one at bat at a time, one pitch at a time.”
It was another bad outing for Miller. He of course was the starter in the 22-0 clobbering earlier in the week, which proceeded much like this one. He struggled to get through five and ultimately couldn’t, leaving tons of outs to cover for the bullpen behind him. Miller was electric to begin the year but has an ERA over 7 since the beginning of July. Asked after the game if a switch to the bullpen might be in the future, Miller said, “No, that hasn’t been a thing.” Wilson was asked the same question: “We’re looking at all different options as we approach the end of the season here. We’re looking at everything. Obviously we want to keep our rotation intact, but we’ll see how things shake down here in the next few days.”
The Mariners offense was pretty non existent after falling behind. They managed just one base runner from the fourth through eighth innings. Robles picked up another single in the ninth against the Cubs position-player pitcher, though that was all they managed.
The Cubs, of course, were using a position-player pitcher in the ninth because they were up 19-2 at that point. Michael Rucker took the mound in the eighth with the game at 7-2. I’ve largely defended Rucker this year, as he’s pitched pretty OK in comparison to a truly awful bullpen around him. In fact, he actually entered the day leading the staff in WAR since the All-Star break, as one of the few bright spots out of the pen. He did not pitch OK Sunday (perhaps because of the massive workload heaped onto him this week). He got two quick outs, then gave up a pair of singles to score a run and a homer to score two more. Then he gave up a single, a hit by pitch, and two walks to score another run. It was 11-2 when he handed the ball to catcher Jhonny Pereda to try to close out the inning. Pereda gave up a single to make it 12-2 then a grand slam to make it 16-2. Weston Wilson pitched the ninth and gave up three more runs.
It’s the second time this week the Mariners got beat so bad they had to essentially forfeit. The pitching staff has been truly awful in the second half of the season, far and away the worst pitching staff in the majors. They’re down to -0.7 since the All-Star break, nearly a full win worse than the Rockies. They begin a three-game series against the Phillies on Monday.
Ian Happ’s grand slam in the third inning gave the Cubs the lead and eventually they put together a 17-hit, nine-walk, 19-run pounding on the Mariners, winning 19-2 and salvaging the final game of the series.
Things did not start out that way. Randy Arozarena, who hit the crushing walk-off homer Saturday evening, led off this one with a long ball off Shōta Imanaga, another “you have got to be kidding me” moment.
Imanaga struggled through the first two innings, allowing another run on a throwing error by Carson Kelly, issuing a couple of walks and hitting a batter, and things just were not going well for him at all.
Fortunately, things didn’t go well for Mariners starter Bryce Miller, either, and the Cubs gave him a parting gift for his 28th birthday today. Michael Conforto led off the third with a home run [VIDEO].
Not only did that bring the Cubs within one, it also put Conforto back into a tie with Kyle Tucker. Both players have 11 home runs this year.
After Miller retired the next two Cubs, he walked the bases loaded, with Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Alex Bregman all drawing bases on balls.
That was Happ’s 22nd home run and the 195th of his career. Happ grand slam facts from BCB’s JohnW53:
Ian Happ’s grand slam was the Cubs’ . . .
Sixth of the season (one more than all of last year and as many as in 2024) 367th in the regular season since 1876 343rd since 1901 156th on the road since 1876 sixth by Happ; his previous one was their first of last season, on April 18 at home vs. the Diamondbacks) … Happ now is among five players tied for the fifth-most slams in team history. The others are Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
Bill Nicholson, Sammy Sosa and Billy Williams hit eight. Ernie Banks hit 12.
Happ’s blast seemed to let the entire team and fanbase exhale after the two walk-off losses the last two days.
Imanaga, though, struggled in the third and after allowing hits to the first two Mariners he faced in that inning, he was removed for Aaron Civale, who retired the next three hitters without incident. About Imanaga’s brief outing, from John:
Shota Imanaga’s 2.0-plus innings pitched was the shortest of his 80 career starts as a Cub. He had been lifted after 3.0 innings twice: June 21, 2024, at home vs. the Mets (10 runs on 11 hits, including three homers), and July 25, 2025, at the White Sox (seven runs on seven hits, including three homers).
The game went 5-2 into the fifth, when Miller — who I was surprised was allowed to start that inning as he had thrown a ton of pitches — walked the bases loaded yet again, this time Pete Crow-Armstrong, Suzuki and Busch.
Civale breezed through a scoreless fourth and fifth and the Cubs put one more on the board in the sixth to make it 7-2. Pedro Ramirez led off with a single and took second on a single by Tyrone Taylor, who was batting for Conforto. Carson Kelly hit into a double play, moving Ramirez to third, where he scored on this infield grounder that PCA beat out for a hit [VIDEO].
Civale gave up a single in a scoreless sixth, the only baserunner he allowed in four solid innings of relief. Civale’s been really good for the Cubs in whatever role he’s been asked to perform, and those four innings were needed after Imanaga’s early departure.
The game went to the eighth still 7-2 and that’s when the Cubs put things way out of reach, and most of it was off old friend Michael Rucker — and all the runs scored after two were out.
Nico led off with a single and was forced at second by Ramirez. After Taylor struck out, Kelly blooped a ball into short left and when the Mariners were slow to play the ball, Ramirez scored all the way from first [VIDEO].
Now it’s 10-2 and the Cubs are not anywhere close to being done. Suzuki singled, Busch was hit by a pitch and Bregman walked. This is the third time the Cubs have had the bases loaded in this game, and Happ came to the plate with a chance for a second slam. It didn’t happen, but he did walk to force in run number 11 [VIDEO].
With the bases still loaded and the Cubs up by nine, Craig Counsell sent Gabriel Arias to the plate to bat for Hoerner, facing position player Jhonny Pereda for the Mariners. Arias singled in run number 12 [VIDEO].
The Cubs had hit two grand slams in a game only three times before today:
Aug. 16, 1890 vs. the Pirates: Tom Burns and Malachi Kittridge June 3, 1987 vs. the Astros: Brian Dayett and Keith Moreland Sept. 5, 2021 vs. the Pirates: Matt Duffy and Frank Schwindel
So this is the first time they have done it outside Chicago — in their 9,789th road game.
And about that nine-run eighth, from John:
The nine-run eighth inning was the Cubs’ biggest of the season. They scored eight in their 23-3 pummeling of the Padres at home on July 1. They also had one eight-run outburst last year.
Caleb Thielbar threw a 1-2-3 eighth for the Cubs and then the Mariners’ second position player pitcher of the game, Weston Wilson, moved from third base to the mound.
That gave the Cubs a chance to pour it on. Kevin Alcántara, who had replaced PCA in center, led off with a sing.e Suzuki and Busch also singled to load the bases yet again. A sac fly by Bregman made i1 17-2 [VIDEO].
Happ followed with a single, re-loading the bases. A fielder’s choice by Arias made it 18-2 and Ramirez followed with a single, completing the Cubs scoring for the afternoon.
The nine-run eighth inning was the Cubs’ biggest of the season. They scored eight in their 23-3 pummeling of the Padres at home on July 1. They also had one eight-run outburst last year. ….. This was the 18th game of the season in which the Cubs have scored at least 10 runs. They began the day one ahead of the Nationals and two ahead of the Dodgers.
The Cubs had 22 double-digit games last year, after having had only 12 in 2024. They had 24 in 2023 after just six in 2022.The nine-run eighth inning was the Cubs’ biggest of the season. They scored eight in their 23-3 pummeling of the Padres at home on July 1. They also had one eight-run outburst last year.
Loved my time in Seattle, a great city with lots to see and tons of good restaurants. Would have been nice to have two wins instead of one, but this game eases the sting of those walk-off defeats, a little, at least.
The Cubs remain two games ahead of the Phillies, who also won Sunday, for the first wild card spot. At this writing the Brewers and Braves are playing in the Little League Classic and the Brewers trail, for whatever that’s worth.
The flight to Phoenix for the Cubs will undoubtedly be a happy one after this blowout. They’ll open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field Monday evening. Kevin Gausman will start for the Cubs and Merrill Kelly goes for Arizona. Game time Monday is 8:40 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
On Sunday night, as they have with every other position for the last few weeks, the NHL revealed its list for the top-20 active centers.
Although Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, and others are projected to be great players one day, the only real candidate for this list is Connor Bedard.
Bedard's slow sophomore season caused him to miss the list ahead of 2025-26, but he came out and had a 30-goal season and was a point-per-game player. This success earned him a spot, coming in at #16.
This is right below New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier and right ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning star Brayden Point. There is another level for Bedard to reach, but this is some elite company.
Other young players comparable to Bedard who made the list are Leo Carlsson (#14) and Macklin Celebrini (#3). The top spot was obviously given to Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, followed by Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.
Connor Bedard's idol, Sidney Crosby, and Pittsburgh Penguins captain, is still high on the list at 39 years old, coming in at #7.
Introducing NHL Network's Top 20 Centers Right Now!
Connor Bedard is going to miss the first month of the season unless he beats the early projected timeline. Even with that, he has a chance to score 40 goals and 100 points if everything else goes right for him.
With upgrades around him, including Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov to potentially play on his wing, he should have the help he needs to take another step.
Although every hockey observer knows the level that Connor Bedard is aiming to reach, which would firmly get him in the top ten of this list, it is good for him to be recognized amongst the greatest players in the game.
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Withey #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 17, 2016 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In basketball, ‘ball knowledge’ refers to an internet trend where fans remember obscure, random role players from the past. One mentions Lucas Nogueira. Another name-drops Chris Copeland. Everyone in the room death stares at the guy who deems Monte Ellis as ‘elite ball knowledge’.
But what constitutes as Utah Jazz ball knowledge? The Kyle Korvers and George Hills deserve some praise, but nowhere in this stratosphere do they count. Kris Dunn? A cheeky Ian Clark? Maybe. But I’ve done my research, stringing my vote to resurface ‘forgotten’ Jazz players.
Miye Oni
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 29: Miye Oni #81 of the Utah Jazz plays defense against the Dallas Mavericks on January 29, 2021 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ivy League Player of the Year Miye Oni always looked like he was one fundamental step away from being a 10+ year veteran in the NBA. However, the promise of Oni’s skillset was enough for Utah to draft him with the 58th pick of the 2019 NBA draft. He was an energetic 6’5 wing who could play the ‘D and sometimes shoot the 3. Oni got more opportunity out of the three second-rounders, others being Justin Wright-Foreman and Jarrell Brantley, in his two-year Jazz stint. He even represented Nigeria during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The offensive inconsistency and foul trouble led to him being booted out of the Jazz rotation and ultimately out of the NBA by Year 3. A year later, Oni went overseas to sign with the London Lions. Now, he plays for the Criollos de Caguas in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Puerto Rican league. In another universe of the space-time continuum, Miye Oni was the piece the early 2020s Jazz needed to climb the hill and regain their spot in the Western Conference Finals.
Kyrylo Fesenko
OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 30: Kyrylo Fesenko #44 of the Utah Jazz gets ready to take on the Golden State Warriors on January 30, 2011 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Before Bojan Bogdanovic, Kyrylo Fesenko held the mantle of #44. The former Ukrainian big man stood at a massive 7’1” and 280-pound frame. He was selected with the 38th pick in the 2007 draft by the 76ers, who instantly traded his draft rights to the Jazz. Fesenko spent the majority of his five-year NBA career with the Jazz as a physical backup center, defining his expertise by rugged post defense, altering shots and setting screens using his bulky frame. I think we will all love a little Kyrylo Fesenko in our lives. Fes was a great person to cheer for. He dunked hard, and he said the best things in interviews.
Unfortunately, Fesenko couldn’t stick around in the league for long. Legendary Coach Jerry Sloan was publicly and privately frustrated by his fitness levels and struggles to lose weight. His lack of elite stamina kept him off the court—he also gained a reputation for being a lovable goofball whose focus drifted. Don’t we all, Fes.
Just as he entered unrestricted free agency to find a more permanent role than what Utah could offer, Fesenko suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee while playing for Ukraine in the 2011 Eurobasket tournament. Teams like Golden State, which had previously shown interest, backed out of talks, which eventually led him to sign a late-season deal with the Pacers, never finding his true home in the NBA.
Jeff Withey
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 29: Jeff Withey #24 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There is something deeply wrong with me to be this enamored by unathletic 7-footers. He was recognized for his elite shot-blocking ability and interior D. He had a historic college career with the Kansas Jayhawks — setting an NCAA tournament record for blocks and becoming a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year — and he was drafted 39th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
It was in August 2015 that Withey signed a multi-year deal with the Utah Jazz. He carved a role as a dependable third-string center, buried deep in a front-court rotation behind rising star Rudy Gobert and fan-favorite Derrick Favors. Even in limited minutes, his length allowed him to maintain Utah’s rigid defensive identity outside of the Gobert minutes. However, just as the Jazz were in the middle of a playoff run back in April 2017, Withey was publicly accused of a reported domestic violence incident by his ex-fiancée. The charges never resulted in a conviction, but the Jazz immediately deactivated him until further notice for personal reasons, resulting in a swift defeat to the powerhouse Warriors that same postseason.
Following the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, Withey became a free agent and signed a new deal with the Dallas Mavericks. He was another cruel victim of the NBA’s evolving pace-and-space era. Despite being an elite rim-protector, the new era exposed his lack of lateral quickness and offensive versatility. He eventually chose a highly lucrative and successful international career where his traditional rim-protecting role was still highly valuable.
Juwan Morgan
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 24: Juwan Morgan #16 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 24, 2021 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Juwan Morgan went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft following a four-year college career with the Indiana Hoosiers. He impressed during the Summer League and earned his roster spot with Utah in November 2019. Morgan spent most of his regular-season tenure either on the end of the bench or with the SLC Stars. No kidding—he earned only 134 minutes, mostly in garbage time. But he’s best remembered by fans for a highly unexpected, emergency postseason insertion.
His definitive moment came during the emergency NBA Bubble. Coach Quin Snyder put on his sicko cap. Out of nowhere, Morgan was given his first career start in Game 1 of the first round, when Mike Conley left the bubble to see the birth of his son. He played tough interior D to battle Denver’s frontcourt and assisted Donovan Mitchell’s 57-point night, despite a 135-125 overtime loss.
But alas, the Juwan Morgan ended just a year later. The Jazz handed out massive, lucrative extensions to stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, along with re-signing Mike Conley. Utah couldn’t afford to allocate qualifying offers or standard roster spots to developmental players like Morgan. His high-end hustle made him a G League standout, and he has now progressed in his overseas career with clubs like Zenit Saint Petersburg in the VTB United Russian League.
Juan Toscano-Anderson
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 02: Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Utah Jazz controls the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 02, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thrown in as an additional piece of the trade that sent Westbrook to Utah in 2023 (the first time), NBA champion Juan Toscano-Anderson was already on his last legs in the NBA. JTA was most known for his high energy and defensive hustle that earned him playoff minutes in Golden State’s 2022 run. His trademark was the #95, used to represent his childhood home on the 95th Avenue of East Oakland
He became the first player of Mexican descent to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest back in 2022. He was the first player in Jazz franchise history to wear the number #95. Playing in 22 games for Utah post-deadline, Toscano-Anderson averaged 3.4 points in 15 minutes per game.
He provided solid wing defense and transition play, but he struggled mightily with his perimeter shooting. HE shot just 17.4% from beyond the arc. He became an unrestricted free agent after the season ended, and the Jazz had no interest in re-signing the veteran. In 2026, JTA spent the last two seasons playing for Pallacanestro Trieste in the Lega Basket Serie A.
Stephen Howard
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – 1992: Stephen Howard #43 of the Utah Jazz shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves circa 1992 at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. 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 1992 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite going undrafted out of DePaul in 1992, Stephen Howard’s gritty determination in a rookie tryout camp earned him a roster spot where he played three seasons under Jerry Sloan. Fun Fact: Howard was contacted by Midway Games to serve as a physical model for the legendary NBA Jam title. He’s a hidden, unlockable secret player alongside Stockton and Malone. He’s an elite scholar, being one of two players in DePaul basketball’s history to be named a two-time First Team Academic All-American.
Howard’s most notable stint as a Jazzman was when he suited up for the legendary 1997 Jazz, playing 42 games and contributing to the squad that battled Jordan’s Bulls. It’s not much as he could have been playing—stuck behind a crowded forward rotation that put him behind Karl Malone, Ty Corbin, Tom Chambers, David Benoit and Byron Russell.
Howard was never offered a long-term deal. He was stuck in a one-year contract trap after he spent his entire four-year career playing on short-term contracts. He didn’t possess a high-volume offensive game to justify heavy minutes. Rather than scraping by in the US, Howard chose to transition into a highly successful 11-year international career across France, Spain and China.
Tibor Pleiß
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 18: Tibor Pleiss #21 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2015 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I’m gonna be honest, Tibor Pleiß (cruelly spelt ‘Pleiss’ on the back of his jersey) has the coolest name in Jazz history. Nicknamed ‘The Octopus’ due to his versatile tools and endless wingspan, he was one of the most prominent traditional big men in European basketball. The 7’3” German was a two-time EuroLeague champion in the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
His NBA stint began when he was selected 31st overall in the 20210 draft, only transitioning to the NBA for the 2015-16 season with the Utah Jazz. Pleiß didn’t stick in the NBA for long. He was caught in the middle of a massive league-wide tactical shift away from slow-moving 7-footers, combined with Utah’s deep big man depth chart in the midst of Rudy Gobert’s defensive emergence. He only appeared in 12 games, not being able to establish a polished offensive upside or command the touches needed to make up for his defensive or physical limitations.
He was later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in August 2016, where Pleiß chose to return to Europe rather than grind it out in the G League.
Blue Edwards
PORTLAND, OR – CIRCA 1990: Blue Edwards #30 of the Utah Jazz rebounds against the Portland Trailblazers circa 1990 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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 1990 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
“Bluuueeee!” Theodore ‘Blue’ Edwards was an athlete at that. He played four out of his ten seasons with the Jazz, establishing himself as a high-flying fan favorite. Edwards was drafted 21st overall by Utah in the 1989 draft out of East Carolina, carving out a complementary role alongside Stockton and Malone.
That high-flying led him to participate in the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished 6th. He played all 82 games of his rookie season shooting an incredibly efficient 51.1% from the field. He peaked during the 1992 season, when he averaged a career-best 12.6 points per game. Edwards served as a defensive and scoring safety valve in Utah’s Western Conference Finals defeat against the Trail Blazers. Beyond the flashy dunks, Edwards ranks 9th all-time in Utah Jazz history with a .516 field-goal percentage.
The shortcomings came on the other side of the court — his lack of defense and glass-cleaning ability didn’t fully align with Sloan’s grit-and-grind identity. 1992 trade rumors began circulating, which visibly bothered Edwards. He missed a defensive assignment in a regular-season game, leading to Sloan benching him and creating a public verbal confrontation on the sidelines. That summer, the Jazz packaged Edwards, Eric Murdock and a draft pick to the Bucks for Jay Humphries. He had a reunion with the Jazz in 1994-95, but was promptly selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1995 Expansion Draft that same Summer.
Don’t be shy and let us know your deep pulls in the comments. August is the dead end of the NBA off-season.
While the Detroit Red Wings continue to face more questions than answers regarding their on-ice and front-office leadership as Training Camp quickly approaches, one of their acquisitions from earlier this summer could ultimately pay off in a big way.
On the opening day of free agency, now-former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman acquired hard-nosed forward Keegan Kolesar from the Vegas Golden Knights in return for a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick.
Kolesar, a veteran of 439 regular-season games with the Golden Knights, arrives in Detroit with Stanley Cup-winning experience. He was part of Vegas’ championship-winning squad in 2022-23 and also helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final earlier this spring, though the Golden Knights fell short against the Carolina Hurricanes.
While he isn't relied upon to provide much scoring, Kolesar will instead help the Red Wings in an area where they've been sorely lacking: providing a physical presence and making them a more difficult team for opponents to play against.
The Red Wings were ranked dead last in a recent NHL aggressiveness index for last season, something that Kolesar will be looking to change.
"Just talking to guys now, they felt that there was a missing piece, maybe an identity of just having that - not the fighting aspect, but more of the toughness and being hard to play against, being a veteran presence on the front end, bringing guys into the fight," Kolesar explained during his introductory Zoom media session in July. "I think that’s something I can provide.”
“You try to bring guys into the fight every night," he continued. "If I can be one of those older guys that comes in and shows guys that we’re going to go in there to the trenches tonight and see who wants to follow me, and maybe it uplifts the guys a little bit more.”
Having a physical presence willing to battle in the dirty areas of the ice and immediately stand up for his teammates is something the Red Wings have lacked in recent years.
While Kolesar's addition isn't the second coming of such former players like Bob Probert, Brendan Shanahan, Darren McCarty, and Martin Lapointe, it should only help address that deficiency and help them shed the reputation of being too easy to play against.
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After Sunday's 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Cody Bellinger's return and Carlos Rodón's second start back were chief among the Yankees' top developments. Here are some highlights of what Bellinger, Rodón and Aaron Boone said following New York's three-game series victory.
Bellinger's first game back
Playing for the first time since July 25 when he suffered his left hamstring strain and one day later went on the 10-day injured list, Bellinger emerged healthy.
"I felt really good," Bellinger said. "Honestly, I felt like 100 percent. Running after those balls and on the bases, I felt really good."
Bellinger's 1-for-4 afternoon at Yankee Stadium saw him rebound from an 0-for-3, two-strikeout start with a leadoff single in the seventh inning.
"OK -- I think he was expanding a bit early on in his first couple, and then he got into a 3-1 count against a tough lefty to square it up against and smokes the ball up the middle," Boone said. "So, that was good to see ... a good way for him to kind of finish in his first game back after it felt like he expanded the zone more than he wanted to, got himself into a good count and was able to sting one against a tough lefty there at the end."
Three at-bats later, Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s two-out home run to right field scored Bellinger and padded New York's 7-2 lead against Toronto (64-68).
"I felt all right," Bellinger said. "I felt like I was a little jumpy early on, and in that fourth at-bat I was able to settle down a little bit. It's obviously nice to get some results in the first and obviously to get the win as well."
Through 103 games this season, Bellinger is slashing .259/.349/.418 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI.
He gets Monday off before the Yankees (74-56) begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros with Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. opener in the Bronx.
Rodón's room for improvement
Building upon last Tuesday's 3-1 win at the Baltimore Orioles, in which he threw 39 strikes on 66 pitches over four innings, Rodón again went four frames Sunday.
His second start back from an IL stint that sidelined him from the Yankees since June 28 due to left elbow inflammation was a 76-pitch, 42-strike outing with two runs (one earned) one two hits while striking out two and walking two.
"It's good," Rodón said. "Obviously, there's some things I want to refine and obviously be in the zone a little more -- crisper with strikes and just attacking and getting ahead. So, there's things I can work on."
Rodón is in line to start Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox, a four-game series that stretches from Friday through Monday at Yankee Stadium.
"Obviously, hopefully, totally built up," Boone said of Rodón's ramp-up period. "I think he's in a really good place. I think his stuff, physically, is where it needs to be -- and, hopefully, he just continues to get a little bit sharper as he does build up here and expect him to be a key contributor in our rotation moving forward and what we hope is beyond the regular season."
PHOENIX (AP) — Ildemaro Vargas hit a go-ahead, two-run triple in a decisive four-run seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to win the series and keep pace in the National League playoff race.
The D-backs remain two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.
Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, Arizona loaded the bases with no outs against starter Andrew Abbott. Lars Nootbaar made it 3-2 with a fielder’s choice off reliever Luis Mey and then Vargas followed with his two-run triple that rolled all the way to the right-center field wall.
Corbin Carroll’s sacrifice fly brought home Vargas and made it 5-3.
Kevin Ginkel struck out Tyler Stephenson looking to end the game, stranding runners on first and second. It was his second save of the year.
It was a tough ending for Abbott (6-9), who pitched well through the first six innings. He gave up four runs and seven hits and two walks, striking out six.
The Reds jumped to a 3-0 lead in the third on Sal Stewart’s RBI single and Eugenio Suarez’s two-run single. Elly De La Cruz started the inning with a leadoff double into the left-field corner.
The D-backs cut the deficit to 3-1 in the sixth on Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly that brought home Carroll, who reached on a triple. His 16 triples this season are the most in the big leagues and his 59 career triples are the most among active MLB players.
Arizona left-hander Mitch Bratt lasted just three innings for a second straight outing. The rookie gave up three runs and five hits and three walks while striking out three.
Up next
The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (8-11, 5.37 ERA) on Monday to face Cubs RHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.59).
I have a theory that the cat “Jonesie” was in league with the Alien to kill all the humans except Sigourney. Every time someone goes looking for the cat, they die. | Getty Images
In the early 90s, I was a freshman at a college in L.A., and I’d struck up a kind of dating / friendship thing with a very out-of-my-league lady; much my superior in looks, decency, and maturity. It wasn’t destined to last and it didn’t.
I did spend some time at her parents’ house, in the San Diego suburb of Rancho Santa Fe. One weekend — maybe over Thanksgiving? I don’t remember — her grandparents were visiting, too. The grandparents were very rich old Southern types who grumbled over all the troublemakers in labor unions and such.
After dinner, we retired to the veranda / back porch / deck, and Gramps was getting comfortably sloshed on mint juleps. It was a pleasant evening to watch the daylight fade and the stars begin to appear. At one point, there was a light moving in the distance, and Gramps said, “I do declare I believe that to be one of those there U.F.O.s.” Others suggested an airplane or weather balloon, yet Gramps wasn’t having none of it. “Nope, no sir, that there is most assuredly a U.F.O.” He wasn’t terrified or angry, it was just like saying what he wanted for dessert. We let him have the point.
Later that evening, I watched a movie with my lady friend. What was it? Close Encounters, of course. (She didn’t like it.)
A few years after I left that college (I’ve left a few), there was an awful mass suicide event by members of the “Heaven’s Gate” cult, who believed that via dying, the aliens would come collect their souls for the afterlife. Where were their mortal remains found? In that very same San Diego suburb of Rancho Santa Fe.
And, of course, the most well-known comic book / sci-fi / fantasy convention is the San Diego Comic-Con.
So I don’t think the Twins lost this game because the Padres are simply a better baseball team. I think the Twins lost because of interference by the Aliens.
The game was scoreless in the 3rd when Fernando Tatis, Jr. hit a 396-foot solo homer, which accomplished two purposes; it gave his team the lead, and signaled to the Padres’ astral buddies that the team was requesting some assistance.
Now, the hyper-powerful beings from Planet Beeblebrox have mastered transwarp drive, but even so, they can’t just show up immediately. They’ve gotta gas up, finish hovering the dog, etc. So it took them a while to arrive, during which time Brooks Lee was able to tie it up with a dinger of his own. (One of four hits the Twins got off Padres starter Walker Buehler.)
When the Twins hit homers to tie the game, it doesn’t signal any extraterrestrial helpers; it signals the Twins pitchers that they can relax and let the other team threaten to take the lead right back. Which is precisely what starter Bailey Ober proceeded to do, giving up one-out singles to Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth. (By the way, the cinematographer on Blade Runner was Jordan Cronenweth.) Happily, Ober got one of his three strikeouts today by whiffing Manny Machado, and Ty France got revenge on his former team via flying out to end the inning.
The cloaked spacecraft arrived during the sixth inning, first causing Kaelen Culpepper to botch a routine grounder. E.T.s can’t prevent baserunning gaffes, though, and Kody Funderburk picked Jackson Merrill off. Other Kody (Clemens) almost failed to get the tag down in time, and Merrill was originally called safe; the call was overturned on review.
Then Xanax the Merciless leveled his potent Mind Control beam at the pitching mound. First, the Percepto Ray causd Funderburk to imagine that the hitters were all ten feet tall; he walked two batters, the second on four pitches. Derek Shelton brought Jeff Hoffman to replace the obviously hypnotized Funderburk.
With Hoffman, the space invaders switched tactics; they’d forgotten to charge up the Percepto Ray battery before leaving, and it only had enough juice left to make Hoffman walk the next hitter. Needing new tactics, Xanax fired up the Esteeminator beam. A voice went into Hoffman’s head. It said, “you’re not as intimidating as Trevor Hoffman in a Padres uniform. You’re not even as intimidating as Dustin Hoffman in Hook.” Seeds of doubt planted, Hoffman put a slider right over the middle and Luis Rengifro punished it; two runners scored.
Then the voice told Hoffman, “you don’t want to make the wildcard round, anyways. That’s extra work. You don’t want extra work. You’ve already worked hard enough.” Hoffman thought, “dang straight!” and invited Tatis Jr. to knock in two more.
Since you can count, you’ll realize that this only amounts to a 5-1 score, and the final score was worse than that. Well, by this point, the aliens had seen all the gambling ads at Petco, so they decided to win a few memecoins by messing with Travis Adams and Taylor Rogers, too. You want clips? Here’s where the clips are. Tatis Jr. hit another moonshot, by the way, don’t you wish the Twins had had a guy that good in the last 10 years? Me too.
The sweep leaves the Twins 2.0 games out of the final wildcard spot. Three teams are ahead of them, and one of those — the Blue Jays — won’t be facing an opponent with a winning record the rest of the season. The sweep is also the first time the Twins have been swept by San Diego before, per gintzer.
Comments of the game go to artistformerlyknownasgoose for “We’re stuck in a simulation that’s glitching out” and sandwiches for “‘Atteberry: “The middle innings have not been kind to the Twins.” Dude, almost no inning has been kind to the Twins.”’ Sorry I couldn’t help with the thread folks, I had to cook squash. Is squash boring? Yes. But it protects you from mind control rays.
The Twins fly to Sacramento (I still can’t believe I’m typing that phrase) for an 8:40 start tomorrow, featuring LHP Jeffrey Springs against our own Daniel Zebulon Matthews. By Grabthar’s hammer, this sweep shall be avenged.
