CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 03: Austin Hedges #27 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a two-run single during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on September 03, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I don’t know about you, but I am tired of reading and writing about Guardians’ losses. They dropped a critical series to the Blue Jays today, losing 5-3.
Tanner Bibee had an awful fifth and the Guardians went 2 for 10 with Runners in Scoring Position. As a cherry on top, Travis Bazzana made an error and got lifted for David Fry as a pinch-hit option in the fifth (Fry took a walk. Throw a parade).
The stadium was full of Blue Jays fans who are, from my experience, the most obnoxious fans who visit Progressive Field. I say this as a Canada fan. They are not sending us their best.
Steven Kwan had two hits, Austin Hedges hit a clutch two-run single, Angel Genao had an RBI single and a walk. They need to hit homers but don’t expect to see Ralphy Velazquez anytime soon because he is probably too young to help, anyway.
The White Sox lost so the Guardians still have a path to the playoffs, somehow. They need to find a way to take at least three of four from the Tigers this weekend.
Stephen Vogt pitched Carlos Hernandez in the 9th, probably thinking bringing a rested pen to a doubleheader against Detroit tomorrow was a better chance to steal wins than this lineup vs. Louis Varland in the 9th. I guess I can’t disagree with that.
Foster Griffin and Logan Allen will pitch tomorrow. So, that could go quite poorly
San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the first five months of his tenure as San Diego Padres manager, Craig Stammen offers the perfect poker face when answering questions about his team’s play. But his unshakeable composure might be tested in the season’s final month.
Coming off a memorable 21-7 hot streak out of the All-Star break, the Padres limped into September with a 2-7 mark in their last nine games. That recent slump has sparked restlessness among the Friar Faithful.
It has not been easy for Stammen to keep the Friars playing consistent baseball all season. He faces another challenge in seeking a path to a Wild Card berth.
Most of his upcoming decisions will not be easy, as they will center on the pitching staff. And Stammen’s choices must put the team in position to win each night.
Do the Padres have enough starting pitching?
No question, the Friars have a reliable five-man starting rotation. Everyone is in relatively good health after early-season injuries nearly decimated the staff.
On the mound, Randy Vasquez has pitched like an ace. In August, he put together his best stretch of the season, posting a 4-0 mark with a 2.57 ERA in five appearances. The right-hander has put himself in the conversation for possible late-season starts. Stammen has a difficult choice between Vasquez and a proven commodity in Nick Pivetta.
Before any decision, Stammen and pitching coach Ruben Niebla must determine whether Pivetta can contribute down the stretch. He has worked his way back from an elbow injury, but the jury is still out on whether Pivetta can thrive in the majors again. It will be a tough decision that may come down to arm strength and the ability to be effective every fifth day.
A surplus of starting pitching is a luxury in September. Unfortunately, arm injuries (Joe Musgrove’s setback) and subpar pitching performances come unannounced.
Whoever is chosen, Stammen has confidence in their ability.
What is the state of the Friars’ bullpen?
The bullpen has been the one constant for the Padres in 2026. But the unit has hit a rough patch, being unable to protect late-inning leads. Closer Mason Miller experienced a brief hiccup, giving up a go-ahead home run and blowing a save during this bad stretch.
Stammen may need to shorten the circle of trust with his set-up relievers. It is time for him to judge which pitchers can excel in high-leverage situations. To secure a postseason berth, the workload will be excessive, with few days off on the docket.
The goal is to stabilize the bullpen by identifying everyone’s role and recording big outs.
With all that said, every Wild Card-contending team has blemishes of its own. It will be a sprint to the finish line.
After a season of ups and downs, the Friars hope that a few more highs await them in September.
Shohei Ohtani reacts after getting hit by a pitch by the Cardinals' Brycen Mautz on Wednesday. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup Thursday and his availability is a “day-to-day situation,” manager Dave Roberts announced before the Dodgers’ series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ohtani’s health has been scrutinized for much of the season and even more over the last week. He hasn’t pitched since July 3 because of soreness and threw a bullpen session last Friday in hopes of pitching one inning Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. But, not feeling “100%,” as Roberts put it, Ohtani didn’t return to the mound, and his throwing progression stalled.
Though Roberts described Ohtani’s ailment as an overall issue, including his left knee and right biceps, he remained in the lineup. Roberts said then that he’d been given no indication that swinging the bat was affecting Ohtani, but if that changed, the manager would have no problem with sitting the superstar.
Wednesday, as Ohtani went 0 for 4 in the midst of a two-for-23 skid, seemed to be a turning point.
“I saw the same thing that everyone saw,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 8-6 loss to the Cardinals. “I saw the shaking of the arm, I saw the wincing, and clearly the swings aren’t who he is. And so, obviously, there’s some compensation. So I’m going to talk to him, and then I’ll make a decision about his availability.”
Roberts said a stint on the injured list was unlikely “but not impossible.”
Ohtani has declined requests for comment through a team spokesperson and hasn’t addressed reporters in more than two weeks.
“He definitely doesn’t want to take the day [off],” Roberts said Wednesday. “Speaking for him, I know he feels that he needs to post and be in the lineup, and if he’s upright, he should play. I respect that. But if he’s feeling the way that it visibly looks, then it’s really not helping anyone. So that’s the conversation I’ll have with him.”
Managing Ohtani’s health will continue to be a priority for the Dodgers. He’s been dealing with lingering knee soreness and inflammation since at least mid-June, and his biceps issue has flared several times this season.
Ohtani’s buildup back to pitching has been halted twice since he received an Orthovisc injection to lubricate the knee joint over the All-Star break.
As valuable as Ohtani is to the Dodgers as a pitcher, his offensive impact is needed far more, especially with left-hander Tarik Skubal added to the rotation. If continuing to try to pitch jeopardizes Ohtani’s production with his bat, it may be in the team’s best interest to take pitching off the table for him.
Tommy Edman was penciled into the leadoff spot and will play center field, while Alex Call will be the designated hitter and bat eighth.
Let me get this right: The Los Angeles Clippers got busted by the NBA for offering improper benefits to a player it was trying to sign, apologized and promised not to do it again, and then … did?
These folks aren’t just shady, they’re reckless. Or lazy. Or stupid. Or some combination of the three. That alone makes them deserving of all those harsh penalties the NBA dropped on them for setting up side hustles between Kawhi Leonard and four companies.
"The Clippers were especially aware of the CBA's circumvention rules in this area because the NBA had previously found that the team violated them," Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, the law firm that investigated the Clippers for the NBA, said in its report, released Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Clippers had similar deal for DeAndre Jordan
For those who have forgotten, that was in 2015. The NBA found the Clippers arranged an endorsement deal with a sponsor for DeAndre Jordan during his free agency recruitment, and the Clippers were fined $250,000.
And it gets better! At the time, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said "any circumvention was inadvertent."
"In our effort to support our players in every way possible," Ballmer said in 2015, "we as an organization must be diligent in complying with the CBA."
Five forfeited first-round draft picks and more than $30 million in fines later, here we are again. The Clippers running the same scam and shocked to wind up with the same outcome.
"I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations."
For some, cheating part of the game
It would be nice if sports teams, along with Fortune 500 companies and politicians, operated above board, any wrongdoings stemming from ignorance rather than intent. That, however, is woefully naïve.
From the second humans began competing against one another, they started looking for an edge. What began with efficiencies in mechanics and training and progressed to equipment hacks eventually – inevitably? – led to outright cheating. What’s the old saying? “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”
But the Clippers, like so many others, were done in by their hubris. They thought they were being clever when they were the opposite. Their cover story was flimsier than cooked pasta, faking "introduction" emails to make it look as if they were responding to a request when they were really initiating it. They left paper trails, with details of the schemes included in emails and texts.
And now they’re trying to claim they’re the wronged party?
"We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence," the Clippers said in response to the NBA's punishment. "What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure its fairness and accuracy.
"For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence," the statement added. "We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process."
Good luck with that.
Clippers not first to play themselves
The Clippers are hardly the first people to be bad at crime. Remember Deflategate? One of the folks involved in that had nicknamed himself "The Deflator." The ringleader of Michigan’s sign-stealing caper, Connor Stalions, used his own name to buy tickets to opponents' games. New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley blamed his four-game suspension for PEDs on "ghosts."
Mob bosses, these folks are not.
Ballmer and two of his executives are in imposed timeouts lasting between six months and a year. If they don't use that time off to realize the error of their ways, at least come up with a better scheme.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Cameron Weston #80 of the Baltimore Orioles makes his Major League debut pitching in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets made a roster move on Thursday afternoon before their three-game set against the Giants begins at Citi Field on Friday night, claiming right-hander Cameron Weston off waivers from the Orioles and designating catcher Shawn Ross for assignment. Weston was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
Weston, who turned 26 years old last Thursday, was drafted by the Orioles in the eight round of the 2022 Draft and worked his way up through Baltimore’s minor league system. He has appeared in one major league game, tossing a scoreless inning against the Blue Jays on May 28 in his MLB debut. He struck out the first batter he faced — former Met Andrés Giménez — before allowing a walk to Brandon Valenzuela and inducing a double play from George Springer. Weston was subsequently optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk, where he has struggled to the tune of a 7.89 ERA in 51.1 innings pitched this season.
The Pennsylvania native sports a unique sidearm delivery, with a four-degree arm angle that would rank second-lowest among qualified right-handers behind submariner Tyler Rogers. Weston also averaged an impressive 19.9 inches of horizontal break on the seven sinkers he threw in his debut. For reference, no qualified pitcher is averaging over 18.7 inches of horizontal break on a sinker this season (Austin Warren, Sean Manaea, and Nolan McLean all rank in the top 20 on that leaderboard).
Ross was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on August 2. In 15 games with Syracuse, he hit .195 with one home run. Ross made his debut earlier this season for Pittsburgh, playing in two games and crushing a mammoth home run (110.6-mph exit velocity, 438-foot projected distance) in his second big league at-bat.
The Mets and Orioles have now each claimed a player off waivers from the other team in the past 72 hours, with Luis Robert Jr. currently in the heart of Baltimore’s lineup. When the the two clubs play a three-game series at Citi Field from September 14-16, it will already mark the return of Pete Alonso and Robert — but perhaps Weston will have a chance to join the party of players facing their former teams as well.
Now that it is September, most of this year's free agents have landed their new contracts. Although this is the case, there are still some remaining unrestricted free agents (UFAs) with September now here.
A former Montreal Canadiens forward is among the UFAs left, as Tanner Pearson is still looking for his new home.
Pearson still being a free agent at this point in the summer comes after he split this past season between the Winnipeg Jets and then the Buffalo Sabres. In 56 games split between the two clubs, he posted seven goals, eight assists, 15 points, 68 hits, and a plus-7 rating.
While Pearson's prime days are over, he could still be a solid pickup for an NHL club that is looking for more forward depth and experience. Due to this, the possibility of the 34-year-old landing a professional tryout (PTO) at least should not be ruled out.
Pearson spent the 2023-24 season with the Canadiens after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks during the 2023 NHL off-season. In 54 games with the Habs that campaign, he posted five goals, 13 points, and 50 hits. His time with the Canadiens ended after they did not re-sign him that following summer.
While Anderson owns a 4.50 ERA through two starts, taking the hood off and looking underneath these surface stats indicates he's actually been better.
With a 2.28 xERA and .143 xBA, the Athletics may have a tough time stringing hits together tonight, leaving plenty of opportunity for Seattle's offense to stay hot after scoring 25 runs across its last three games.
COVERS INTEL: Anderson throws a four-seamer-slider combo that's been getting the best of big-leaguers across his first two starts, with batters owning a .153 xBA or worse against each pitch.
A’s vs Mariners Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (55%)
I get it, these pitchers aren't household names, but Anderson's underlying metrics look good, and Jack Perkins has a strong history against the Mariners.
Across 27 plate appearances, he's limited this Seattle offense to a .173 xBA and is striking them out at a 33% clip. This includes Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor, who are a combined 1-for-6 against the righty.
I'd play this Under up to 58 cents.
A’s vs Mariners home run prediction: Cal Raleigh (26%)
Raleigh is coming off an August tear, where he hit six homers in the last week of the month. Can he continue that tonight against Perkins?
We'll see some cold and rainy weather in Seattle tonight, with some potential for a delay before first pitch. Temperatures will sit at 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
A’s vs Mariners odds
Moneyline: A’s 34% | Mariners 67%
Run line: A’s +1.5 (54%) | Mariners -1.5 (47%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (46%) | Under 7.5 (54%)
A’s vs Mariners trend
The Mariners are 5-1 in their last six games as a home favorite. Find more MLB betting trends for A’s vs. Mariners.
How to watch A’s vs Mariners and game info
Location
T-Mobile Field, Seattle, WA
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, Mariners.TV
A’s starting pitcher
Jack Perkins (3-10, 6.42 ERA)
Mariners starting pitcher
Kade Anderson (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
A’s vs Mariners latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Feb 16, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Team Lebron forward Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors (2) speaks during the NBA All-Star Media Day at Bojangles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Kristian
The saga is finally over. My immediate reaction, like many jaded Raptors fans, was one fuelled by the feeling I had when watching Steve Ballmer laugh it up during the press conference announcing he had poached Kawhi Leonard from Toronto.
I felt vindicated, like justice had been served. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that Leonard would choose to come back to the Raptors. I’ve never faulted him for leaving. In another world, I’m a professional athlete, and I too am going home to play in front of friends and family.
All that matters now is that he gives us whatever is left in the tank. To have Leonard on the court in a Raptors uniform will have an immeasurable impact on Scottie Barnes. Leonard showed players like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby how to win. After witnessing Barnes ascend to a new level in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the next best thing for the phenom’s development is to play with a true superstar in Leonard.
Julian
I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.
When I first heard the news that Kawhi Leonard was supposedly making his way home, I was concerned that the Aspiration Scandal would stick to him like white on rice, and for better or worse, that has indeed been the case. At the end of the press release came the phrase, “the league will consider further action as appropriate,” and all that says to me is that while Leonard has emerged from the fire relatively unscathed (for a millionaire, what’s $700,000?) this dumpster fire is not quite put out yet.
I’m of the opinion that from both a cultural and basketball standpoint, bringing Leonard aboard now is the right thing to do. One can only dither on the issue for so long. Kawhi seems to want to join the Raptors. The Raptors fans seem to want Kawhi. But, behind the scenes, information is abounding that the not public (and in some cases, nor the media) seems to have access to. Pablo Torre continues to break news about the situation, and until this case is officially deemed closed, I won’t be breathing easy.
Josiah
I was at university the one (glorious) season Kawhi played with the Raptors. More precisely, I was in my dorm room watching Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers, during finals week no less, with a paper due at 11:59 p.m. that evening. Kawhi hit the shot. I turned in the paper by email at exactly 11:59… but uploaded it to the course page at midnight, dropping the grade by ⅓ of a letter. Had the shot bounced on the rim fewer than four times, I’d have gotten the full A!
The NBA’s punishment certainly seems to fit the crime, with a cost to the Clippers that matches the precedent of the Joe Smith incident, with a lighter punishment for the player (and thus for Toronto). Los Angeles will appeal, certainly, but there’s no reclaiming championships not won (or close to won) in Kawhi’s tenure. The Raps, now, will get Kawhi back, and everyone will try to avoid thinking about what might have been in Toronto during the years Kawhi forsook the Raptors for the Clippers. This saga should finally end… with the NBA getting my paper grade revised upward.
Noah
I think yesterday’s ruling makes the Kawhi to Toronto situation really interesting. Personally, I’m relieved Kawhi wasn’t suspended or had his contract voided, because that would have completely changed how I viewed the trade. The Clippers being stripped of five first-round picks, a $30 million fine and a one-year suspension for Steve Ballmer shows how seriously the NBA viewed the situation.
Kawhi was fined $700,000 and said he had no knowledge of any salary-cap circumvention, while taking responsibility for lapses within his inner circle. I’m inclined to believe he wasn’t directly involved, but I understand why there are still questions surrounding his role.
With that said, I’m excited about the trade. There’s obviously risk given his age and injury history, but if he’s healthy, I think this is the type of swing Toronto needed. The Raptors have been rebuilding long enough, and bringing back a championship-winning Kawhi gives them a legitimate chance to compete.
Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard ponders his next move as he's guarded by Bucks center Brook Lopez in the first half Thursday night. Nba Milwaukee Bucks At Toronto Raptors | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Jean Patrick
The wait is finally over; Kawhi is officially a Raptor once again! Considering the buzz that was swirling around regarding the possible rulings, in my view, Kawhi emerges as the clear winner, with the Raptors management being a close second. Never mind the $700,000 fine; for a player who’s been the subject of polarizing views his entire career, Kawhi gets a chance to redeem the public perception of him and his basketball legacy. And what better way could he ask for than to reunite with the team he won with in 2019, which saw him elevate his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and, arguably, the best active player at that point in time?
The management, on the other hand, dodged a bullet by not rushing themselves into completing the deal, knowing that had the trade been done then, they would be dealing with the Clippers’ mess right now. Like Leonard, GM Bobby Webster needed this break, as some fans think that his regime as head of basketball operations, so far, has been unremarkable. Masai Ujiri was far from perfect and was said to have failed to build a winning squad with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes that could have opened another contention window. Unlike Masai, however, Bobby has yet to win a championship, which, in the eyes of analysts, makes Ujiri the more accomplished executive. For now, Webster’s discernment clearly paid off, as Toronto did not incur any repercussions.
Rebecca
I feel like Kawhi really got away with a slap on the wrist. As someone whose career earnings will surpass 400 million once he completes his current contract, the fine isn’t really much of a punishment. It’s less than 1% of his career earnings. Add that to his lack of suspension (thank goodness for the Raptors’ sake) and he’ll probably forget about the whole ordeal by the time the season starts.
The Clippers were not so lucky. I think their track record came into play here and with how competitive teams can be now with trying to lure talent, they wanted to make an example out of them to prevent things like this from happening in the future. The loss of the draft picks is going to be the thing that affects them the most. I really don’t see a path forward here for them to rebuild at any point in the future, so unless they can outright sign free agents, really the judgement they’ve received is to be a bottom dwelling team for the next decade…
The 2026-27 season is rapidly approaching for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs will be looking to build off their successful 2025-26 season by having an even better campaign this year.
The Canadiens have plenty of exciting young players to watch heading into the 2026-27 season. Yet, they also have a promising prospect who has the potential to be an under-the-radar breakout candidate: Owen Beck.
Beck's smart all-around play is something that could very well get him more opportunities at the NHL level during this upcoming season. The 22-year-old center has the potential to blossom into a solid two-way center in the NHL, and it would not be surprising if he takes another step closer to becoming just that for Montreal in 2026-27.
Beck appeared in 15 games last season for Montreal, where he posted one goal, 24 hits, and a 58.7 faceoff winning percentage. This is after he recorded one assist, 23 hits, and a 53.8 faceoff winning percentage in 12 games for Montreal in 2024-25. Overall, he has yet to break out at the NHL level, but the possibility of him doing so this season should not be ruled out.
Beck has shown promise at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket, as he recorded 13 goals and 33 points in 58 games last season. He also had 15 goals and 44 points in 64 games with Laval in 2024-25. With numbers like these, he has been a solid AHL player, and it will now be interesting to see if he can translate it over the NHL level this season from here.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 22: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 22, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Rays win-loss record sits at 83-56 after Wednesday’s loss to the Mets, with the team holding a 3.5-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East and maintaining the best record in the American League.
With 23 games left, the magic number for a postseason berth is 9, but that could hit zero as soon as this weekend, even though the division magic number sits higher, around 20, reflecting the still alive chances to claim the division from New York.
Regardless, the Rays have pathways to clinch as early as Sunday, according to ESPN’s tracking, which noted, “The Brewers and Rays can clinch a postseason spot as early as Sept. 6.“
If this sounds like a “well duh” for the best team in the American League, move along this post isn’t for you — but I found it quite intriguing both that the magic number was so high but could also fall to zero so soon.
Magic Numbers
Per current standings and trackers, the Rays could theoretically punch their playoff ticket as soon as this weekend if results break right. A strong showing against the Rangers this series (starting tonight with Shane McClanahan on the mound) plus some help elsewhere would drop that number quickly.
Magic number calculations account for remaining games and the gap to the nearest competitors. For the postseason berth, it’s the combination of Tampa Bay victories and losses by the teams fighting for the third wild-card spot.
For the East title—and the top seed that comes with a first-round bye—the Yankees remain the primary obstacle. New York is 80-60; the Rays control their destiny, but a prolonged Yankees hot streak while Tampa Bay stumbles could tighten things, and this team has struggled lately against these Rangers.
After four games in Arlington, the Rays head to Atlanta for three against a strong Braves club, then return home for the Astros, Athletics, and a late stretch that includes the Red Sox, Yankees, and Phillies.
Playoff odds reflect the strong position: well over 99% to make the postseason and roughly 78.7% to win the division with 95 wins, per recent projections at FanGraphs, and the same odds for a bye. (As a reminder: The top two division winners with the best overall records get a first-round bye. The third division winner gets the No. 3 seed and enters into a three-game Wild Card series.)
Playoff projections can shift with a bad week, which is why — for me — the focus will be on consistent pitching, and particularly on the returned McClanahan, the rebuilt Peralta, and the potential sixth man in the rotation Griffin Jax, both to make things easier on the offense and to not tax the bullpen in these late September nights.
Personally, I hope you see this as the fun part of September — I’d much rather be tracking the numbers night by night while the team plays meaningful baseball that be stuck thinking about the lockout.
There’s a real chance of doom and gloom as I read some of the comments and reactions on X, particularly with this upcoming road trip, but the magic number for October is low enough that clinching feels imminent, and that’s exciting!
So if you’re headed to the grocery store, pick up some bubbly for the fridge and be ready to put some on ice as soon as Sunday. And either way, no matter how this road trip goes, remember the Rays are in excellent shape.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Jake Bennett #64 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2026 in New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 6-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TV: FOX First Pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
The Red Sox need to put their foot back on the gas during this weekend’s series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Boston has taken the long-term outlook on things over the last week — placing first baseman Willson Contreras on the injured list, taking every opportunity possible to get outfielders Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu off their feet, and building in some extra off days for starting pitcher Sonny Gray — which played something of a role in back-to-back series losses to the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.
It’s not the worst thing the organization could have done considering they’re all but locked into their postseason spot, but it;‘s time to cut the shit as they kick off their penultimate series within the division on Thursday at Camden Yards.
Jake Bennett will start on regular rest for the first time this month, with his last outing serving as one of his best all season (six scoreless innings) after his first real skid (at least three earned runs in four consecutive starts) started things off in August. The Red Sox could use some length, which they have gotten out of the rookie in back-to-back outings where he has 13 strikeouts across 13.0 innings pitched.
Adley Rutschman will return following a three-game absence to face the team that selected him No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft. Trevor Story will get the night off, as he is replaced at shortstop by Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. Rafaela will also sit in favor of Eli White.
Brandon Young could prove to be a formidable opponent, as he carries a 3.38 ERA into his second start against the Red Sox in 2026. The O’s won that first contest, 10-3.
The Crimson Tide announced on Thursday, Sept. 3 Alex Accetta is rejoining the team as its director of program relations.
Accetta returns after she worked with the men's basketball program from 2015 to 2022, starting as a student assistant before becoming the program's operations coordinator in 2017 and director of operations in 2021. Oats' tenure in Tuscaloosa began in 2021.
She then left to work with Dallas Mavericks on its guest experience and business operations from 2022 through 2026.
Oats and Accetta's were married on July 26, 2026.
Alabama noted Accetta will be reporting to executive deputy AD, chief operating officer and men's basketball sport administrator Shane Lyons, not Oats.
"Alex has an extensive background and proven success in this space at both the collegiate and professional levels," Lyon said in a statement. "With her previous experience, she has a strong understanding of our program and what it takes to effectively operate at the highest competitive levels. She returns to Alabama basketball after four seasons with the NBA Dallas Mavericks, and we expect her professional franchise experience and insights to continue to advance all we do."
In addition to Accetta returning to the program, Alabama announced Josh Pierre has been promoted from director of operations to director of player development.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 28: Logan Henderson #43 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at American Family Field on August 28, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night, the Brewers not only survived Jacob Misiorowski’s worst outing of the year but emerged with a 9-5 victory over the Cubs that gave them a 2-1 series lead — and a nine-game lead in the NL Central — heading into today’s series finale.
Starting for Milwaukee will be right-hander Logan Henderson, who’s posted a 2.48 ERA in 14 starts this year. Somehow, it’s still been understated just how incredibly well he’s pitched; Henderson hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start, and the last time he went fewer than five innings was April 4. In his last three starts, he’s given up exactly one earned run each time while averaging 6 2/3 innings and three hits allowed per start.
Chicago will counter with veteran Kevin Gausman, whose 4.52 ERA this season would be his highest since 2019. Gausman has made five starts with the Cubs since they acquired him from Toronto, allowing 16 earned runs in 28 innings.
The top of Milwaukee’s lineup is slightly reshuffled from yesterday, but it consists of the same five players — Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Jake Bauers, and Andrew Vaughn. No surprises there. Christian Yelich will DH and hit sixth against the right-handed Gausman. Rounding out the order are Garrett Mitchell, starting in center tonight, Joey Ortiz, and David Hamilton.
Tonight’s game will be nationally televised, so you can tune in on FOX and FOX One or catch the radio broadcast, as always, on WTMJ 620. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m.
Sep 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Rogers (71) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Blue Jays 6 Guardians 3
That was an interesting game in a lot of ways:
José Soriano was not good, but when he left the game, the Guardians only had one run. He gave up 6 hits and 3 walks, and yet when he left after 4.2 innings, the Jays were up 5-1. There was some luck involved. Some good defense and some ‘getting the out when you needed the out’.
Mason Fluharty came in with two on and two out in the fifth, with a lefty due up. The Guardians pinch-hit a right-hander, David Fry. Mason got to 1-2 strikes and then walked him. Next batter, Austin Hedges, singled home two (going on Soriano’s tab). Fluharty finally got the third out on a strikeout, but it was 5-3.
Vlad and Soriano combined on two 3-1 putouts at first. Both times, great job by Soriano to get to the bag in.
One of the hits against Soriano, I would have called an error. Pop fly to center; Brett Bateman made a nice run and slide, but had the ball come off his glove. It didn’t cost us, even with a double following it, because José got a groundout, pop-out, pop-out, and strikeout.
We got our first run in the fourth. Vlad walked. Jesús Sánchez grounded one right at the shortstop, but Vlad got to second fast enough that they just went 6-3 on the putout. Then, Sean Keys singled him home.
And four runs in the fifth. Both Ernie Clement and Brandon Valenzuela walked (both after winning a challenge; Brandon’s would have been a strikeout without the challenge). Brandon got another challenge right in the ninth, getting a strikeout on a challenge. Anyway, two on and Bateman beats out a bunt single, dropping it straight down, so it bounced high. Nathan Lukes doubled home two. And Vlad hit a sac fly, bringing in another. Sánchez singled home our fifth run (pop fly to center, that Steven Kwan just about caught). Keys reached on yet another Guardians error and Smith walked, but a Giménez strikeout and a Clement pop-out ended the inning.
And one more in the ninth: With two outs, Smith walked, Giménez singled him to third (and then stole second). And Clement singled home, Smith. 6-3.
We should have had another run in the eighth. With one out, Valenzuela walked. An out later, Lukes doubled. Valenzuela (with two outs) slowed at second for some reason (John said after the game that he forgot the number of outs. This is why there are base coaches). Perhaps he lost where the ball was, but with two outs, you gotta be going for third. At the very least, if you are unsure where the ball is, look for the third-base coach. He really should have scored on the play, but in the end we didn’t need it.
Spencer Miles got the last out of the sixth (after Fluharty got two pop-outs). And pitched a quick seventh.
Tyler Rogers pitched a quick eight (with a hit batter in there).
Louis Varland got the ninth: Ground out, single, strikeout (with a Valenzuele challenge), a walk (bringing the tying run to the plate) and a strikeout. Save 32 for Varland. Miles gets the win (6-2 now). Rogers gets hold #30.
There was a weird play: Guardians’ pop-up short of third base; Smith was playing towards short, couldn’t get there in time for the catch, but the ball had a lot of spin and bounced foul—one of those strange moments.
We had nine hits, but only one extra-base hit, Lukes’ double and six walks. Bateman had 3 hits, Lukes 2. Vlad was 0 for 3 with a walk and the sac fly. Smith was 0 for 2 with 3 walks. Valenzuela was 0 for 3, with 2 walks.
Jays of the Day: Bateman (0.11 WPA), Keys (0.11), Miles (0.10), Soriano (0.09) and Rogers (0.09).
Other Award: Giménez (-0.11).
That puts the Jays just half a game back of the Guardians. Tomorrow, the Jays are in KC to play the Royals. 8:00 start time, Eastern. Jameson Taillon (6-2, 5.68) is expected to be the starter or maybe the bulk guy. Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 3.06) for the Royals. I’d make fun. of the IV, but I’m the 5th (the Vth?) Tom Dakers of my line.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are probably goners with respect to reaching their first MLB postseason since 2015. They entered Thursday action 5.5 games back of Arizona for the final wild-card spot and had just a 1.5% chance of advancing, according to Fangraphs.
The club might yet be able to save its general manager’s job, though. If manager Don Kelly and Co. can slip over the .500 mark to complete a winning season for the first time since 2018, then his boss, Ben Cherington, can still credibly point to progress toward another step in 2027 after six consecutive losing campaigns to start his tenure since his late 2019 hiring.
Results have improved lately. With a 5-2 win against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 3, the Pirates have won five of their past series to break a skid of seven consecutive series losses coming out of the All-Star break.
They’re also getting healthier at some key spots. Power-hitting centerfielder Oneil Cruz returned from an extended injured list stint Aug. 18 and has hit well since returning with a .306 average, two homers and 10 RBIs in 13 games entering Thursday.
Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is back in Pittsburgh, too. He’s been out since July 5 with a finger injury but is expected to be in the lineup Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels after a rehab stint in the minors.
"It's been driving me nuts watching the games on my phone," said Griffin, the organization’s former top prospect who signed a lucrative extension with the club early in the year. "It'll be fun to finally be back in there competing."
Ryan O’Hearn could soon join them. He’s been in Pittsburgh as well this week, so a rehab assignment is the natural next step back from a quad injury that’s had him out since July 31. He’s been a key piece of Pittsburgh’s offensive surge this season with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs.
The Pirates sit three games back of .500, so a winning season is still eminently achievable with relatively good ball between now and the Sept. 27 season finale against Detroit.
The question for owner Bob Nutting is whether that should be enough for Cherington to hold on for an eighth season.
The highwater mark for his tenure so far was 76 wins in both 2023 and 2024. His teams have finished either four or fifth in the NL Central in each of his six full seasons in Pittsburgh so far, and in each of his last eight full seasons overall. He oversaw two last-place teams with the Boston Red Sox following a 2013 World Series victory.
Ownership also did not soft pedal expectations in the offseason.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs. Period. Full stop,” president Travis Williams said in January. “That is the expectation of this organization."
Not meeting that goal after such a long track record of losing should come with consequences in most circumstances. That said, the circumstances facing the sport as a whole are exceptional.
Many observers expect a lock out of the players for some portion of 2027. Owners are known to desire a salary cap system, and that’s especially true in a market like Pittsburgh. The Pirates are often facing teams with double and triple their payroll, so fans and ownership alike want a more equal playing field from a revenue perspective.
Changing the direction of baseball operations while facing those headwinds and possible wholesale changes to the economic system could be more disruption than this franchise needs, if it can show some upward trajectory.
That “if” is why the month ahead remains important, even if most Pittsburgh eyes will soon be diverted to the Steelers’ day-to-day across the proverbial parking lot at Acrisure Stadium.
What fans will most want to see is the continued growth of starter Braxton Ashcraft and a return to form from rotation mate Paul Skenes.
The former hit a rough path in the same portion of the schedule that tripped up the team as a whole in July. In August, however, he got back on the track that earned him an All-Star nod with a 2.13 ERA. The Pirates won five of his six starts, so a strong finish would make a statement that he can be every bit the building block that Skenes has been seen as.
Speaking of him, the NL’s reigning Cy Young, is off to an inauspicious start to September after allowing five runs in 4.2 innings against the Giants this past Tuesday. His ERA has ballooned from 3.10 at the end of June to 3.97 through the end of August.
If there is a 2027 for the sport, he’ll have to be much better for the Pirates, so a strong finish would be the encouraging sign Nutting may need to give Cherington one more chance to return this franchise to the sport’s biggest stage.
COVERS INTEL: Anderson throws a four-seamer-slider combo that's been getting the best of big-leaguers across his first two starts, with batters owning a 
