CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 05: Carl Willis of the Cleveland Guardians speaks with Erik Sabrowski #62 during a mound visit in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox in game two of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 05, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians lost a game they really should have won last night and everything is bad.
Everyone is hating on Jose as he can’t get a hit.
Erik Sabrowski was supposed to be the one reliable pen arm besides Cade Smith and he gave up the crucial double to a guy with a 19 wRC+ against LHP.
Hunter Gaddis pitched well but is getting the usual hate for giving up a 73 mph soft liner single.
Stephen Vogt is getting hate for who knows what reason. I think his decision-making so far has been excellent. But, everyone is tired of playoff losses. I get it.
Maybe that will change on Wednesday at 4pm.
Around MLB:
The Rays beat the Yankees (yay!). Braves and Dodgers play at 6 PM ET tied 1-1 and the Brewers will try to close out their series against the Padres in San Diego at 9:30PM ET. I wish the Brewers were beating the Braves and the Padres were beating the Dodgers. A potential World Series of Rays vs. Brewers or Padres would be the best non-Guardians outcome for me.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Sergio De Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks ended up with the 6’7” 20-year-old Sergio De Larrea on draft night following not one, but two trades. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, traded to the New York Knicks, and landed with the Mavericks in a series of trades that, to this day, I can’t comprehend. He joins a Dallas team in desperate need at the point guard position after spending the last two seasons with Valencia, of EuroLeague, where his role grew each year.
He joins a talented and crowded Mavericks team, though one missing table-setters. After a strong NBA Summer League performance and flashes of great play in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, De Larrea will have a chance to make an impact on a team in Dallas that hopes to take a huge leap forward this season.
Big Question
For a rookie on a busy Dallas roster, this is simple: where do De Larrea’s minutes come from? For the sake of argument, let’s assume Dereck Lively is out to start the season. These are the players who should get minutes before Sergio: Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Morez Johnson Jr., Zaccharie Risacher, and Santi Aldama.
If you can do some math, that puts De Larrea firmly in the 9-10-11th man list and that’s by me, random writer, not the Dallas coaching staff.
However, I think if Dallas hopes to compete down the stretch and make a run at a spot in the Play-In Tournament, he needs to be getting regular situational minutes. The NBA is a league where you learn by doing, and that means playing time.
Best Case Scenario
There are two here, depending on how one decides to read the prompt. The best-case scenario for De Larrea individually is that injuries force him out of the frying pan and into the fire. I have no means of justifying this take yet, but I firmly believe this is the type of player who will produce and improve rapidly if put immediately into the fire of an NBA game. But the scenario in which De Larrea is getting consistent minutes is also one where the Mavs are likely having a rough go at things.
For the Mavericks, the best-case scenario is that they’re able to win regularly enough while putting him into game action at times when it most benefits what they want him to learn. While I know the coaching staff would agree the feet-first approach might be best, the team has a crowded roster with veterans, and this means De Larrea is going to have to earn his minutes.
The most realistic best-case scenario is somewhere in the middle of these two. Kyrie Irving playing 65 games would mean fewer minutes for Sergio, but I also expect Irving to give Dallas 50 games, and anything else is a bonus. That leaves many, many minutes for someone who can run the offense.
Worst Case Scenario
If De Larrea has a lackluster rookie campaign, it will also relate back to minutes. The only real concern I have is if he cannot pick up what the coaching staff has in store for the team on either end of the floor. Lucky for us, that seems very unlikely, and it’s believed that the coaching staff and front office are very confident in the Spaniard.
Or an injury. Sergio’s body type is thin, and the NBA is a punishing, relentless experience. But all rookies are skinny comparably, so this is much ado about nothing.
But perhaps I am being too positive for once.
Season Goal
Let’s get crazy: Sergio De Larrea makes an All Rookie team! It’s going to be hard with this class, but I believe in him.
Overall
I am putting too much stock in De Larrea. But I can’t help it; Dallas has Cooper Flagg and it’s time to get this show on the road for the future. Most of these other guys won’t be on the team in three years. Don’t believe me? Kyrie Irving is the longest-tenured Dallas Maverick (I am not counting Dwight Powell until he’s on the actual roster). Things change fast in the NBA, and a guard like De Larrea is it for me. He can shoot it from deep, he’s tall, and he seems unafraid. You can go to battle with that.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 8: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on April 8, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As we’ve discussed at length, a lot went wrong for the Milwaukee Bucks a season ago: injuries, Doc Rivers, underperformance, Doc Rivers, trade drama, Doc Rivers… Did I mention Doc Rivers? Yet, amid all the toxicity, there was a positive storyline to latch onto: Ryan Rollins’ breakout season.
After joining the Bucks on a two-way deal at the 2023-24 All-Star break and then making his debut on this list ahead of the 2024-25 season (where he was ranked 17th), Rollins has made tremendous strides. In fact, going from a two-way contract player to one of the main pieces of an NBA roster is nothing short of astounding. But it’s more than just that.
With Damian Lillard gone prior to last season and Kevin Porter Jr. injured on opening night, Rollins was inserted into the starting lineup and stayed there for most games, starting in 67/74 contests. He took full advantage of the opportunity too, setting career highs in nearly every statistical category: 17.3 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 4.6 RPG, while playing 32.1 (!) minutes per night.
Beyond the statistical jumps, the eye test also showed Rollins’ remarkable improvement. He became a solid secondary and even primary creator when Giannis and/or KPJ were injured. He could attack downhill, create his own shot, and pass well. The advanced stats back it up too. According to Cleaning the Glass, just 40% of Rollins’ made baskets were assisted, while only 18% of his made mid-range shots were assisted. As for his passing, his assist rate jumped 10 percentage points, from 16.3% to 26.3%, moving him from the 6th to the 42nd percentile.
While Rollins provided a lot on offence a year ago, he was also one of the few plus defenders on the roster. According to NBA.com, Rollins defended the third-most shots per game on the Bucks at 11.5 (most among the guards) and forced players to shoot just 45.2% when he guarded them—fifth-best for Milwaukee. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that Rollins made the Bucks a better defensive team when he was on the floor; with Rollins teams scored 5.8 fewer points per possession (91st percentile) and had a 3% lower effective field goal percentage (90th percentile). Any way you slice it, Rollins was Milwaukee’s most impactful player for most of the season, behind Giannis—and you could argue he was more impactful because he played more than twice as many games as Giannis.
Beyond his play on the court, Rollins also has the right mentality—especially for this Bucks team. He’s as tough as nails (as Jack wrote last year), having dealt with shoulder issues throughout much of his Bucks tenure, but has tried to gut through injury and stay available as much as possible. And make no mistake, Rollins will be called upon to step up even more this year—not just as a player, but also as a leader. Time will tell if he’s truly ready for that.
Of course, the key task for the Bucks moving forward will be keeping Rollins around. He’s in the second year of a three-year, $12m deal, but the final year is a player option. If Rollins has another season anything like last year, he’ll surely decline that option and look for a much bigger payday. Ultimately, we’ll see what the future holds, but I imagine Jon Horst will do what is necessary to keep a 24-year-old in a Bucks uniform.
No poll this time. Congratulations to Tyler Herro for winning this year’s Ranking the Roster series in his debut year in the Cream City! We’ll see if he’ll be back next year to repeat.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The first half against Detroit showed exactly what the Phoenix Suns want to be. They were physical, had active hands, excelled on the offensive glass and in transition, and their second effort and defensive pressure were omnipresent. The Suns looked crisp to start the preseason and it was sure good to see basketball once again.
The second and third units showed the other side of that equation in the second half, where ball security and young players processing the game under pressure are going to come with a learning curve. The execution deteriorated quickly, the turnovers piled up, and the Suns fell into prolonged scoring droughts. Yes, they made a game of it late, because that is what Suns basketball is. They never quit, never succumb, and never stop. It’s part of the culture, and even with players who most likely won’t make the roster, you witnessed it.
In short? The starters built the house, constructing a 19-point lead, and the kids spent the third quarter lighting it on fire. Such is preseason basketball. Such are the ebbs and flows of learning how to play together and adjusting to new roles. Because that’s a significant part of what this preseason is about for many of these players. For somebody like Koa Peat, he’s learning what the NBA game looks like and what the speed feels like, all while trying to understand and embrace a role that is new to him.
So while the Suns walked out of Little Caesars Arena with a loss in their pocket, it’s only a loss if you don’t learn from it. And seeing as this was the first day of school, there’s plenty of opportunity to keep learning. Let’s just avoid the matches, eh?
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Preseason Game 1 against the Pistons. Here are your nominees:
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The Cubs Looking Toward the Future:
Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): To Win in 2027, Chicago Cubs Need to Join the 300 Club. “The 2026 Chicago Cubs were (by far) the most expensive team in franchise history. Next year, they’ll have to spend even more just to maintain their standing. It’s time to see whether the Rickettses really care.”
Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Kevin Gausman Signing with Blue Jays “Seems Likely”. “They’re going to need to bring in multiple starting pitchers regardless, so retaining one or two, in addition to making a SIGNIFICANT external addition, could make sense.”
Marion Walter Jacobs (May 1, 1930 – February 15, 1968), known as Little Walter, was an American blues musician, singer, and songwriter. His revolutionary approach to the harmonica had a strong impact on the succeeding generations, earning him comparisons to such seminal artists as Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix. His virtuosity and musical innovations fundamentally altered many listeners’ expectations of what was possible on blues harmonica. He was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, the first and, to date, only artist to be inducted specifically as a harmonica player. He was raised in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, where he learned to play the harmonica. He quit school, and by the age of 12 had left rural Louisiana and travelled, working odd jobs and busking on the streets of New Orleans, Memphis, Helena and West Helena, Arkansas, and St. Louis. He honed his musical skills on harmonica and guitar, performing with older bluesmen including Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Honeyboy Edwards, and others.
Arriving in Chicago in 1946, he occasionally found work as a guitarist but garnered more attention for his already highly developed harmonica playing. According to Chicago bluesman Floyd Jones, Little Walter’s first recording was an unreleased demo recorded soon after he arrived in Chicago, on which Walter played guitar backing Jones. Reportedly frustrated with having his harmonica drowned out by electric guitars, Walter adopted a simple but previously little-used method: He cupped a small microphone in his hands along with his harmonica and plugged the microphone into a public address system or guitar amplifier. He could thus compete with any guitarist’s volume. However, unlike other contemporary blues harp players, such as Sonny Boy Williamson I and Snooky Pryor, who had also started using the newly available amplifier technology around the same time solely for added volume, Walter purposely pushed his amplifiers beyond their intended technical limitations, using the amplification to explore and develop radical new timbres and sonic effects previously unheard from a harmonica or any other instrument.
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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14: Colorado Rockies President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta looks on during batting practice prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, September 14, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the postseason rages on, other teams like the Colorado Rockies are already looking ahead to 2027.
This offseason will bring a lot of reflection on how the current roster is constructed and potential moves to help the 2027 squad. A major part of that is looking back at how 2026 went and the right process forward. For the first time in a long while, the Rockies will take an important first step with a press conference today from the front office.
Over the last several years the Rockies hid from the public after the season. When there were having press conferences with general manager Jeff Bridich and manager Bud Black, things always boiled down to, “The players need to just play better.”
Not exactly a model of accountability.
Well, the improved communication from Paul DePodesta and company this year has been refreshing. Now, they have a chance to address the media about what went well, what went wrong, and what needs to happen next as part of the climb to contention.
Now, let’s get to some news from the Rockies and the league!
Rockies News & Links
6 Realistic MLB Trades That Could Happen In 2026-27 Offseason | Bleacher Report — The offseason will be full of hypotheticals and mock trades. Kerry Miller proposes that the Texas Rangers try to trade for Hunter Goodman. In Miller’s trade proposal, the Rockies would receive right-handed pitching prospects Caden Scarborough and AJ Russell, and catching prospect Malcolm Moore.
2027 Rockies Will Have One Major Strength That Might Surprise You | Rockies on SI — Dickens also pinpoints the outfield as a major strength for the Rockies heading into 2027. With Jake McCarthy and Cole Carrigg locked in, along with Mickey Moniak, and the option of Condon as an outfield option, there is a chance for a lot of production.
MLB insider says Cubs are ‘unlikely’ to re-sign .841 OPS outfielder | Yahoo! Sports — The Chicago Cubs have a pair of outfielders becoming free agents. Unfortunately, they are likely to only be able to sign one of them. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki will be popular free agents for teams and the Cubs are hoping to at least retain Happ if possible while potentially losing a bidding war for Suzuki.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 27: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Having lost home-field advantage after a Game 2 defeat, the Dodgers head to Atlanta needing at least one win to bring the series back to Dodger Stadium. Following heavy bullpen involvement in the previous matchup, it is all about the starting pitchers—Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will meet each other for the first time since Sale’s complete-game win over the defending champs back in late August.
A hero in last year’s postseason, Yamamoto makes his 2026 playoff debut with his team already facing a tricky situation, especially if the offense can’t find a way to string hits together more successfully. The Dodgers visit Truist Park, having yet to record a hit with a runner in scoring position in the first two games of this National League Division Series.
One relevant factor in the decision to have Yamamoto pitch Game 3 of this series is just how dominant he has looked on the road this season, with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts away from Dodger Stadium. Yamamoto’s only road loss since the start of June came in that pitcher’s duel against Sale, in a game in which there was really no way of beating the Braves’ left-hander, who held the Dodgers scoreless through nine.
Assessing potential lineup decisions, the Dodgers sat Muncy against a lefty opener in Game 2; he came in during the game and homered in his second straight playoff appearance. It’s also worth pointing out that Miguel Rojas got a hit in his only at-bat, likely leading to another instance of Muncy coming off the bench.
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 6: Torii Hunter #48 of the Minnesota Twins looks on against the Oakland Athletics during game three of the American League Division Series at McAfee Coliseum on October 6, 2006 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last weekend of the 2006 season was magical for the Minnesota Twins. After chasing the Detroit Tigers all summer, they final caught—and overtook!—the Kitties on the season’s final day. This afforded the 96-66 AL Central champion Twins the opportunity to stay home and welcome in the 93-69 AL West champion Oakland Athletics for the ALDS.
As I began getting into the swing of my junior year at the University of Minnesota-Morris, I rearranged my entire schedule to make sure I was in front of my 21” dorm room TV for every pitch.
Game 1 (10/3/06)
Enthusiastically energized by the wild finish, 55,542 Dome denizens came out for the postseason opener—a premiere Johan Santana vs Barry Zito pitching matchup.
Undergoing a career-revitalizing season (39 HR, 114 RBI, 140 OPS+) after leaving the Chicago White Sox, the “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas gave the A’s an early lead with a T2 solo home run, followed closely by a Marco Scutaro RBI double. 2-0 OAK.
Rondell White returned the dinger favor with a B7 blast off Barry—but before much momentum could materialize it was Thomas again crushing Jesse Crain to keep Homer Hankies in laps. 3-1 OAK.
Fighting back in B9, Michael Cuddyer led off with a triple. Alas, nothing further than a Torii Hunter RBI groundout materialized as the Athletics nabbed a 3-2 win a 1-0 series lead.
The pitching matchup certainly lived up to the billing—with Zito (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) just slightly better than Santana (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) in the column that matters most.
Game 2 (10/4/06)
55,710 more of Twins Territory hermetically sealed inside the Dome for what would have been a Francisco Liriano bump turn if not for injury.
Instead, the baseball went to Boof Bonser—who coughed up RBI knocks from Scutaro (him again) & Jason Kendall in T5. 2-0 OAK.
This time, though, the Twins fought back almost immediately! In B6, back-to-back jacks from Cuddyer & Justin Morneau off A’s SP Esteban Loaiza knotted the score at two apiece.
But then came the moment that would define this series:
In T7 with one on and two out, Mark Kotsay roped a sinking liner into shallow CF. Torii Hunter raced in to snag it—the whole fanbase knew he would.
Until he didn’t…
In a short 5-game ALDS, this was the moment where it felt like things had slipped away. Oakland would add on another run for the 5-2 final margin.
Game 3 (10/6/06)
Shifting to the Coliseum, Minnesota sent Brad Radke to the bump. Gritting it out through a torn labrum, the longtime Twins vet gave it all he had—but it simply wasn’t enough (4 IP, 3 ER). Home runs from Eric Chavez and Milton Bradley proved the decisive blows.
A Hunter homer and White RBI single gave a gasp of hope—extinguished when the wheels came off in a 4-run B7 OAK inning off Dennys Reyes & Crain featuring a bases-loaded walk to Nick Swisher and a Scutaro 3-run double.
Athletics 8, Twins 3 was the last-out tally.
A season-long division title chase that lasted from Game 1 to Game 162 was snuffed out in just 96 hours.
The overriding feeling in Twins Territory at the time was “if only Liriano had been here” (and/or if Radke had a fully-intact shoulder) this would have been “the year”.
Adding insult to injury: the A’s would go on to be swept by the Detroit Tigers—the team the Twins eclipsed in the regular season—in the subsequent ALCS.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Pitcher JT Quinn #22 of the Georgia Bulldogs pitches during the Spring Classic college baseball game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on April 15, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s rare for the Mike Elias-led Orioles to use a moderately high draft pick on a pitcher. But that conventional wisdom went out the window a bit in the 2025 draft, when they selected Joseph Dzierwa and JT Quinn with a pair of second round picks just 11 slots apart. Based on how the duo has performed in the pro ranks to this point, maybe it’s something the organization should consider doing a bit more often.
Dzierwa is the better known player at this point. The lefty is the highest draft pitcher of the Elias era. His big year has vaulted him up the prospect charts, and it is possible that he could help the big league squad as soon as next summer.
Quinn came out of the draft as something of a developmental arm. The Tampa native began his college career at Ole Miss. There, he was a starter as a freshman, then a reliever as a sophomore. The talent was evident, but the outcomes were not (6.83 ERA in 2023, 8.84 ERA in ’24). He went looking for a new home going into his crucial junior campaign, and found a spot at Georgia, where he would nestle into a swingman role.
Transferring to another SEC school unlocked something for Quinn. He maintained his high strikeout (12.3 K/9) and walk (4.3 BB/9) rates, but this time was also limiting hard contact (5.8 H/9). That created a bit of buzz for him going into the Cape Code league that summer, where he boasted a fastball that sat at 95 mph just before the draft and struck out 25 batters across 14 innings. The Orioles liked what they saw, plucking him with the 69th overall pick.
Quinn’s first professional action had to wait until this year, and boy was it a good showing. Across two levels he had a 3.39 ERA while striking out 129 over 116.2 innings. He appeared as a starter in 25 of his 26 outings and seems poised to continue his development in the rotation, for a while anyway.
The Orioles skipped Quinn right over Low-A Delmarva, and instead sent him to High-A Frederick to begin the season. That was already a sign that they expected this guy to move fast through their system, regardless of the role he eventually locks down.
Things came pretty easily to him with Frederick. His ERA by month from April through June was 2.70, 3.77, and 2.73. His batting averages against were similarly solid: .224, 220, and .185. It was in July where he hit the skids a bit. He allowed 20 runs (17 earned) across 18.1 innings. That was the result of a .321 batting average against, including six home runs.
But clearly that was a moment from which Quinn was able to grow. He bounced back to start August, allowed one earned run across 11.1 innings in his first two starts of the month. That was all the proof the Orioles needed to give him a promotion to Double-A Chesapeake for the final few weeks of the season. Quinn’s season totals with Frederick were quite good. He struck out 10.19 per nine and (crucially for him) walked just 2.69 per nine. Home runs were an issue for him at one point, but it didn’t seem to be a continual problem.
After his promotion, the 22-year-old cruised through his final five starts of the season with the Baysox, never allowing more than two runs in any one outing and pitching to a 1.96 ERA over 23 total innings. The walks did creep back up (4.70 BB/9), but he kept the ball in the park (0.78 HR/9) and laid a nice base heading into 2027.
Quinn’s repertoire is electric. He sits 95-97 with the fastball and has flirted with triple digits. His mid-80s slider is considered his best pitch, breaking hard away from right-handed hitters. There is an upper-70s curveball that isn’t particularly effective at this point, but serves to keep hitters off balance. And he has been working on a changeup throughout the season that is still in its early stages.
There are questions about whether Quinn can stick as a starter moving forward. Command was a concern for him coming out of college, and he will likely need to prove that at every level. And while his arsenal of pitches shows promise, it is still largely a fastball/slider mix where his fastball isn’t as dominant as you would expect it be given the velocity on the offering. The introduction of that changeup is a big deal for him because if he can make it into a weapon, then he becomes more viable against left-handed hitting.
The 116.2 inning workload he took on in his first pro season is a big one. It appears he came out of it healthy as well. He didn’t hit the IL at all this year and consistently made his weekly start all season long. An ability to get out to the mound with regularity is as important to his development as the pitch shaping. Recurring trips to the shelf would be another sign that his future could belong outside of the rotation.
For now, the Orioles are treating Quinn like a starter, and he has shown enough development in 2026 to keep him in that role for the time being. But there are prospect experts that believe he fits better in a relief role long term, mostly due to his lack of a third legitimate pitch and history of limited command. That decision is something the Orioles will likely hold off on for as long as possible. This is the organization that successfully turned Kyle Bradish into a starter despite some scouts thinking he fit best in the bullpen, and they also held off on moving D.L. Hall to a relief role for years before it was evident that it needed to happen. They won’t be rushed here.
Quinn is likely slotted for a return to Double-A Chesapeake to begin the 2027 campaign. He threw just 23 innings at the level in 2026, and his 1.35 WHIP would indicate that he has more work to do. If he can impress and stay healthy for a few months there, then he should be ticketed for a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk at some point. There is an outside chance that the Orioles would consider a big league debut for Quinn late in ‘27 as a reliever, similar to what they did with Luis De León this past season, but that shouldn’t be considered likely. His main goals for next season will be changeup development, improved command, and a promotion to Norfolk.
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: A general view of Petco Park prior to Game One of the National League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue today with both NLDS games.
This is a rare time where I am not, necessarily, writing in the past. Which is pretty exciting for me. I mean, I am still writing this the day before, but there were no NLDS games on Monday so I can actually give up-to-date information for once! We gotta take our wins where we can.
So, let’s get into it!
First up, the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Atlanta Braves at 3:00 p.m. PT. The series is currently tied 1-1. This game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1/Fox One with national radio coverage on ESPN Radio. As of the time this is being written, the Dodgers intend to start right-hander and reigning World Series legend Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Braves left-hander Chris Sale.
After that, the visiting Milwaukee Brewers hope to knock out the San Diego Padres at 6:30 p.m. PT as they currently have a 2-0 series lead. All broadcast information is the same as above. The Brewers will start right-hander Dustin May against Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta.
Personally, I hate rooting for the Braves but I am contractually obligated to root for the not-Dodgers and they fit the bill. I’m also rooting for the Padres, because more baseball!
Spaniard beats Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 after shaky start
Jannik Sinner out for rest of year with knee injury
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final of the Japan Open to win his first individual title since February. Playing only his third tournament since returning from four and a-half months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz recovered from a shaky start to defeat Czech Lehecka 7-6, 6-4.
It is a second title in a row in the Japanese capital for Alcaraz, who showed patchy form at times but finished with a strong performance. The Spaniard told Sky Sports: “I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again. It’s been a while and obviously it’s extra special after my injury.
We polled writers within the USA TODAY Network who cover Big Ten schools for their preseason predictions, all-conference teams and preseason awards ahead of Big Ten media days, which run Oct. 8 in Rosemont, Illinois.
It was a two-horse for the top spot between Michigan State and Illinois, with the Spartans edging it out by one point (280-279).
Jeremy Fears Jr. was selected as preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and was the only unanimous All-Big Ten pick. Here's a look at how our writers think the 2026-27 season will shake out in the Big Ten:
Big Ten basketball preseason poll, predicted order of finish
Michigan State
Illinois
Michigan
UCLA
Nebraska
Purdue
USC
Ohio State
Indiana
Iowa
Wisconsin
Maryland
Minnesota
Oregon
Washington
Northwestern
Rutgers
Penn State
2026-27 preseason All-Big Ten basketball team
FIRST TEAM
* denotes unanimous selection
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State*
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
SECOND TEAM
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
Pharrel Payne, Maryland
Rodney Rice, USC
Also receiving votes (listed by vote count): Coen Carr, Michigan State; Markus Burton, Indiana; Aiden Sherrell, Indiana; Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois; Nikola Kusturica, UCLA; Trent Perry, UCLA; KJ Lewis, USC; Tariq Francis, Rutgers; Stefan Vaaks, Illinois; Alijah Arenas, USC; Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue; Braden Frager, Nebraska; C.J. Cox, Purdue; Cade Tyson, Minnesota; Omer Mayer, Purdue; Eric Dailey Jr., UCLA; Jaylen Petty, UCLA; Anthony Thompson, Ohio State; JP Estrella, Michigan; Jacob Cofie, USC.
Big Ten basketball preseason Player of the Year
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Fears averaged 15.2 points and a league-leading 9.4 assists per game last season on way to a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He landed on numerous All-America teams last year and enters the 2026-27 season on shortlists for national player of the year.
Also receiving votes: David Mirkovic, Illinois; Trey McKenney, Michigan.
Big Ten basketball preseason Newcomer of the Year (non-freshman)
Stefan Vaaks, Illinois
Brad Underwood sure does love him some European. This 6-7 Estonian transfer from Providence averaged 15.8 points per game last season and led the Big East with 91 made 3s (at a 35% clip). The Illini lost their top 3-point shooters from last season (Keaton Wagler and Ben Humrichous), so Vaaks fills a key void.
Also receiving votes: Markus Burton, Indiana; KJ Lewis, USC; Aiden Sherrell, Indiana; Jaylen Petty, UCLA; Moustapha Thiam, Michigan.
Big Ten basketball preseason Freshman of the Year
Anthony Thompson, Ohio State
A top-10 national recruit, Thompson is the highest-ranked Buckeyes recruit since Jared Sullinger in 2010 and the program's first McDonald's All American since D'Angelo Russell in 2014. The 6-9 Ohio native has a 7-3 wingspan averaged 24.9 points and 7.9 rebounds and has range that extends to the 3-point arc.
Also receiving votes: Nikola Kusturica, UCLA; Christian Collins, USC; Quentin Coleman, Illinois; Bab Oladotun, Maryland.
Poll participants: Nathan Baird (IndyStar), John Steppe (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Tyler Tachman (Des Moines Register), Connor Earegood (Detroit News), Adam Jardy (Columbus Dispatch), Zach Osterman (IndyStar), Jordan Mendoza (USA TODAY), Sam King (Lafayette Journal & Courier), Jerry Carino (Asbury Park Press), Chris Solari (Detroit Free Press), Graham Couch (Lansing State Journal), Michael Niziolek (Bloomington Herald-Times), Tony Garcia (Detroit Free Press), Chad Leistikow (Des Moines Register), John Leuzzi (USA TODAY Network), Craig Meyer (USA TODAY Network).
Dial has shifted, especially for Fleming’s Test side, before winter tours of South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia
Last year, England’s winter started in New Zealand, where preparation for their first game in any format for nearly a month amounted to two relaxed training sessions, a cultural welcome ceremony involving local Māori elders and, before that, a team-bonding mini-break in Queenstown.
“Obviously there was a bit of golf played and a few drinks here and there and team meals and whatnot,” Harry Brook said of that trip. “It was just about trying to spend a bit of time together. They’ve got some amazing golf courses and we were lucky enough to get on a couple of them. A couple of the other lads managed to get out and enjoy Queenstown. Everybody had a lot of fun.”
On Monday, Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin announced that the 2026-27 season will be his last one in the NHL. After 22 years on this side of the pond, the Great 8 didn’t say he would retire, just that it would be his last year in the NHL. In other words, he’ll likely head home and spend some time in the KHL, as so many Russians do when Father Time catches up to them.
At 41, the Capitals captain isn't as productive as he once was, but he remains a legend of the game and the all-time leading goal scorer. Once, people wondered whether he could beat Wayne Gretzky’s regular-season goal total of 894, and he did in 2024-25. He could still beat Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record. The Canadian has 1,016 goals if you include the playoffs, whereas the Russian has 1,006. It would take a fantastic postseason for the Caps, but it’s far from impossible. When Washington won the Stanley Cup in 2017-18, he scored 15 goals in 24 games.
As things stand, Ovechkin has 929 goals and 759 assists for 1688 points. In 22 seasons, he has faced the Montreal Canadiens 63 times, scoring 44 goals and adding 32 assists for 76 points. He's been a thorn in the Habs’ side over the years, and it’s fair to say the Sainte-Flanelle won’t miss him.
Fans may miss him, though, because he remains an impressive player to watch on the ice; who doesn’t remember his breakaway challenge at the All-Star Game in Montreal in 2009? The Tricolore will face him three times this season; the first two duels will be in Washington on October 14 and January 19, and once in Montreal on February 13, at 1:00 PM. As always on Superbowl weekend, the Bell Centre will host a couple of matinee games, and if you’ve yet to see Ovechkin play in person, this will be your very last chance to watch him take on the Habs. If your kid has never seen him play, there’s your chance.
Right now, very few tickets remain for that game, and the cheapest one is at $269. Secondary-market prices will likely rocket up. Still, Canadiens fans will no doubt salute the end of Ovechkin’s career beautifully in February, and it will be yet another marquee moment at the Bell Centre.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 4: Mascot The Coyote of the San Antonio Spurs high fives fans during the 2026 NBA Finals Legacy Project in San Antonio on June 4, 2026 at the Denver Heights Community Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This month marks the ten-year anniversary of a partnership between the San Antonio Spurs and Methodist Healthcare. Per a Spurs press release:
The San Antonio Spurs and Methodist Healthcare celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their longstanding partnership, marking a decade of working together to support families and strengthen the San Antonio community through meaningful programs, special events and memorable milestones. To commemorate the anniversary, the organizations unveiled a limited-edition co-branded blanket that will be given to newborns at Methodist Healthcare hospitals this year, while supplies last.
Dan Miller, President and CEO of Methodist Healthcare, stated,
“For the past decade, our partnership with Spurs Sports & Entertainment has been about a shared commitment to South Texas. Whether it’s bringing joy to a patient on one of their hardest days, connecting with and learning from our care teams, or helping our community make informed choices about their health, the Spurs have been there alongside us. We’re grateful for their partnership over the past 10 years and look forward to all we can continue to do together for South Texas.”
From tradition such as the “baby races” to Spurs summer youth basketball camps, the partnership has created many memorable experiences. Over the years, Spurs players and coaches have made appearances at Methodist facilities bringing joy to patients during challenging times.
Frank Miceli, chief commercial officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, added,
“Methodist Healthcare is an outstanding example of what it means to be a mission-driven organization, with its world class doctors and staff working tirelessly to improve health outcomes in our city and provide comprehensive family care. Over the past ten years we’ve seen our partnership come to life in so many special ways, through youth sports, patient visits and more, and we look forward to many more years of working together to positively impact the health and happiness of our San Antonio community.”
Here’s hoping the relationship continues to spread goodwill for another ten years!
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