Aug 19, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) makes an error on a ball hit by Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
So begins the individualized account of the 2026 Giants. The atomization of failure. The Bummer Parade. The team failed because many of its players failed — a core that weighed-down rather than carried. Adames is first alphabetically and fittingly first to be scrutinized, because as the recipient of the Giants largest free-agent contract, the first major Free Agent signing during the Posey Era, the veteran shortstop should be considered the grand marshal of this dejected march.
Before arriving in the Bay, Adames spent his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, a team currently wrestling it out with the Guardians for the American League Pennant, and the Milwaukee Brewers who just proton-torpedoed the Death Star to blast into their franchise’s first World Series appearance in 44 years. He played in the postseason in five of his first seven seasons. HE was in Eden, a winner’s paradise with upwardly-mobile clubs, but now, since signing with the Giants, he’s “east” of it. 2025’s 81-81 record was the first time Adames was a part of a non-winning team, and now he’s tasted a losing record for the first time in his career.
“It sucks” was the blunt assessment Adames provided after receiving an injection in his strained left elbow that ended his season a month early. The not-winning certainly hurts, but I imagine there’s an even harsher burn felt when Adames considers the fact that Milwaukee has earned the best record in baseball in consecutive years since he left. His absence to their success is correlation not causation (probably), but that logic is sheer armor in the cold loneliness of a sleepless night as the demons descend.
We are our own worst critics, and I’m not here to pile on, just reiterate a known fact: The 2026 Giants were bad in part because Adames was bad. His Win Probability Added was in the negatives (-1.68). He led the Giants position players last year with a 4.4 fWAR, but in 2026, that number plummeted to 0.4 — the lowest mark of his career (including the 60-game 2020 season), and good for just 11th on the team. Lower than injured back-up catcher Daniel Susac (1.0), who logged nearly 350 less plate appearances. Lower than Jonah Cox (0.6) who started the year in Double-A Richmond and played in nearly half as many games at the Major League level.
Horrid defense is partially to blame for Adames’s fWAR being so low. Generally defensive statistical numbers are best at reflecting the extremes. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MLB-leading 26 Outs Above Average mark feels appropriately illustrative of how good he is with a glove. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there’s Adames. His -14 Fielding Run Value was the lowest of his career and the second lowest of all position players across the Majors. His -17 Outs Above Average also found itself in the dark basement of the league’s 1st percentile, tied with Washington’s shortstop CJ Abrams.
These numbers resonant. They feel accurate and true. Adames was a bad shortstop, and the free fall started from the very beginning. The first time Adames handled a baseball in 2026 he botched a double-play attempt behind Logan Webb by spiking his throw to first base, allowing a runner to score.
10 of his 18 errors on the season were from his arm. To be fair, some of these were not egregious misfires, but unnecessarily challenging short-hops in front of a trio of inexperienced first basemen like Rafael Devers, Casey Schmitt, and Bryce Eldridge. One could argue, as I have in the past, that as the Ringo of the infield, the first baseman is there to support the genius of the other three. But that assumes a level of exceptionalism. While Matt Chapman and Luis Arraez fielded their position at a high, somewhat inspired, level, Adames operated on a much lower plane. Range was a serious issue. In different positional alignments, shaded towards third base or second base, Adames struggled to cover the holes that were created by these shifts. He looked stiff, often disjointed, and out of rhythm with himself.
A persistent back issue helps explain this defensive regression. The injury not only hampered Adames’s movement during play, but managing the pain also cut-in to his usual pre-game preparation. Between plate-appearances and between innings, Adames would be seen with his lower back swathed in a cumbersome cummerbund-like compression heat wrap thing in a desperate attempt to keep the issue at bay. Though the discomfort never officially led to a stint on the injured list, it caused periodical in-game exits and periods of forced rest, before he went on the IL in the final month of the season with an elbow strain.
121 games was Adames’s lowest games played total (excluding 2020) since his rookie year in 2018. He had missed just three games over the last two seasons.
Offensively, there’s not much on the surface that show a significant difference between his performance in 2025 and 2026. Sure he didn’t hit 30 homers again, coming up nine short, but he also logged 180 less plate appearances. His batting average and slugging percentage held pretty much steady from the previous year with some nominal increases.
His wRC+ season dropped from 108 to 98 — a drop best explained by his .289 on-base percentage (.311 wOBA), his lowest of his career.
Walks were a struggle. This was a team-wide epidemic, but on an individual level, you could argue that Adames set the tone as an early choice by Tony Vitello to hit lead-off. Over the first month of the season Adames, dealt with another painfully slow start, posting a 68 wRC+. A good portion of those plate-appearances came at the top the batting order where he walked just seven times in 139 PA with an overall .259 OBP.
Now Adames isn’t known for his disciplined approach at the plate, but throughout his career, he’s been much better at getting on base than what he showed in early 2026, and 2026 in general. His BB% fell from 11.7% in 2025 to 7.3%. Maybe this dip was the result of him trying to embody the Luis Arraez, contact-oriented batting philosophy espoused in the pre-season, but I think his persistent back discomfort held sway here as well. Hitting is hard enough when confident and healthy, so when a hitter isn’t feeling 100 percent, or doesn’t have complete faith in their lower half, their hitting becomes reactionary and defensive. They lunge at pitches to fight them off, or try to cheat by swinging earlier, thus becoming susceptible and exposed to opposing pitchers secondary offerings.
This was the energy emanating from Adames for so many plate appearances. He looked off-balance, on his heels, and not in control. His swing decisions cost him. He chased more out of the zone and made more contact on pitches that weren’t strikes. He swung the bat more overall but took more of the pitches he should’ve swung at. More often than not the count wasn’t in his favor, which led to him seeing fewer straight four-seam fastballs than he did last season — and he did less with the four-seamers he got. He maintained similar consistency with bat speed and launch angle, but overall his barrel-rate and hard-hit rate dropped.
Despite the all-around rough year — probably the worst of his career — don’t expect any major changes to Adames’s role on the team in 2027. Buster Posey is still confident in his abilities at short, which is not surprising however delusional some fans might consider that to be considering his injury, his age, and the wealth of younger options on the roster and out on the farm. A move to the right side of the infield is definitely on the horizon for Adames (or a move to another team in the offseason??), but to be searching for a replacement now feels a bit reactive. I buy the bad back narrative, and he’ll benefit from extra time provided by the probable lockout will give him.
That being said, patience should be in short supply in 2027. That should be posted above the clubhouse door for every Giants player to see. For Adames in particular, all the good will from the 2025 season is now gone. His annual salary will jump to around $30 million in the third year of his seven-year deal, making him the second highest paid player per year on the roster behind Devers. That’s a lot of cash. And with great cash comes great expectations. His ebullient personality is a nice fit for “heart-and-soul” of the club, but a cheery smile isn’t going to float him through another sub-par year.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 30: Lou Trivino #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Phillies couldn’t seem to decide if they wanted Lou Trivino on their team. After being released by two other teams during the 2025 season, the Phillies picked up the veteran righthanded reliever, and he pitched acceptably well in ten games down the stretch.
They re-signed him in the offseason, and he started the year at Lehigh Valley. Come May, he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract, and the Orioles quickly scooped him up and placed him in their bullpen. His time there only lasted two games – one of which was a 0.2 inning/six run debacle.
After the Orioles released him, the Phillies re-signed him and returned him to AAA. At the end of June, he was called up for a brief stint where he gave up four runs in three innings. He then suffered a back injury which prompted a trip to the IL and a minor league rehab appearance. Once that was over, the Phillies dropped him from the 40-man roster but re-signed him to a minor league deal, and he spent the rest of the season at Lehigh Valley.
The stats (with the Phillies): 3 games, 3 IP, 12.00 ERA, 4 K, 4 BB
What went right
Trivino was 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA and eight saves in the minor leagues, if that counts for anything. And keep in mind that while he was released multiple times, they kept re-signing him, so there must be something about him the Phillies like.
What went wrong
He was largely awful whenever he stepped on the mound for a major league team. He recorded a 15.00 ERA in six appearances.
The future
Maybe the Phillies invite him to camp, but he’s 35 years old, and hasn’t pitched effectively in the majors since 2022. It feels like there have to be better options out there.
Final Grade: F
Based on how he performed in 2025, the Phillies thought Trivino could provide some depth for the bullpen. Unfortunately, at this stage of his career, he seems to no longer be able to get major league hitters out.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Throughout much of the past 1.5 seasons, dating back to the jarring, unforeseen acquisition of Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t always played or looked like the most cohesive team. This summer, with the departure of three starters in LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura and an influx of free agent signings, another assimilation period for Los Angeles to mesh will be required.
Despite the many new faces and only two incumbent starters from 2025-26, head coach JJ Redick believes this year’s preseason has afforded him and the Lakers more opportunities to refine their execution in key spots — something he felt they needed more of prior to the last year’s regular-season opener.
“We’ve been able to take our time more in terms of teaching and installs,” Redick told reporters prior to Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. “We’ve also been able to cover not only more special situations, like we had one today in our shootaround. It’s the third time we’ve covered that, so we’ve had time to kind of double and triple down on a lot of things that maybe we’ve only had one pass through last year before our first game.”
While optimism is abundant during virtually every team’s training camp and preseason, that sort of development is assuredly a positive for the Lakers. Depending how deeply Redick taps into his bench most nights, they could have as many as seven or eight new rotation players this season, with the lone holdovers from 2025-26 being Dončić, Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia. As many opportunities as possible to establish some familiarity and connection ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriros is welcomed.
It’ll be interesting to see how quickly the Lakers can gel defensively. They’re seemingly embracing a more aggressive, turnover-pursuant approach this season, which requires tons of synergy to be properly executed. I anticipate the offense — even if more potent by year’s end than this week — to be pretty dang good out of the gates with Dončić and Reaves surrounded by a bevy of play-finishers and spacers. But the defense might be wobblier to open the year and projects as the lesser of Los Angeles’ two units, so monitoring what level this group begins at and where it can get to may be crucial in determining the Lakers’ ceiling for 2026-27.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 05: Andre Granillo #79 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park on May 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Nationals 2026 pitching staff was quite the assortment of names. Not including position players, the Nats used 41 pitchers this season. Even in 2025, when the Nationals had some obscure names take the mound, they used just 29 arms. In this article, I wanted to take a look at five of the most random pitchers to take the mound for the Nationals.
From the very beginning of the season, it was clear that the Nats were going to churn through a lot of arms. There were a lot of pitchers on the Opening Day roster that you knew were not going to last long. In fact, Brad Lord was the only reliever on the Opening Day roster who made it the entire season without being sent to the minors or DFA’d.
Barring an unforeseen development, the Nationals’ Opening Day bullpen will be:
Clayton Beeter Cole Henry Brad Lord Cionel Pérez (L) Andre Granillo PJ Poulin (L) Gus Varland Ken Waldichuk (L)
Actually, there is one other reliever who technically meets that criteria as well. That would be Ken Waldichuk, who is the first random pitcher we will talk about. Now that is a name I bet many of you forgot about. Waldichuk made the team out of camp, but only made 5 appearances before tearing his UCL and undergoing Tommy John Surgery.
The 28 year old was shaky in his brief run with the club. In those 5 outings, he gave up runs in 4 of them. Waldichuk struggled with walks and homers, like many others in the Nats bullpen. He posted a 6.75 ERA in 9.1 innings. Hopefully he can get healthy and get another big league opportunity somewhere. I am not sure if that will be in DC. However, Waldichuk is still technically on the 40-man roster, so who knows.
2: Andre Granillo
Andre Granillo is the next random reliever to discuss. The Nats actually acquired Granillo in a minor trade with the Cardinals. They sent George Soriano, who was recently DFA’d, to St. Louis in exchange for Granillo. This swap of relievers proved to be an unfortunate deal.
Soriano made 70 appearances with the Red Birds, where he posted a mediocre 4.23 ERA. However, mediocrity is a lot better than what Granillo provided the Nats. After dominating in AAA and holding his own in the MLB as a rookie in 2025, I was optimistic about Granillo.
However, that quickly changed when I saw him pitch. His stuff just did not play at the MLB level. Granillo’s slider, which was dominant in 2025, did not fool anyone in 2026. In 8 appearances for the Nats, Granillo posted a 9.64 ERA with 8 walks to just 3 strikeouts in 9.1 innings.
One of those outings was so bad that the scorekeeper actually took a win away from him despite the fact he was technically in line for it. They used the brief and ineffective rule to take away the win. That summarizes Granillo’s stint with the Nats well. He was DFA’d in July and is now in the Tigers organization.
The official scorer actually gave Pérez the win, citing the “brief and ineffective” rule to take it away from Andre Granillo. https://t.co/rCAX2Uqnru
Now here is a name that I genuinely forgot about. Believe it or not, Julian Fernandez made three appearances for the 2026 Nationals back in April. Surprisingly, he was not terrible when he pitched. Fernandez only allowed one earned run in four innings. However, he did surrender two unearned runs.
Fernandez throws in the mid to upper 90’s and has a pretty good changeup to go with it. However, he is seemingly unable to throw a breaking ball. Unless your fastball and changeup are both exceptional, it is tough to survive long term without a breaking ball in 2026. That massive hole in his game is why he did not get more chances.
The 30 year old righty was DFA’d back in June. From what I can tell, Fernandez has not been picked up since. He was on the minor league IL when he got DFA’d, so maybe that is why. I am curious to find out where Fernandez will pitch next year.
4: Jackson Rutledge
Jackson Rutledge is a name that most Nats fans know. However, the fact that he pitched THIS season is why he is on the list. Rutledge actually made 63 ineffective outings for the 2025 Nats. However, he did not make the team out of camp and faded out of sight from there.
Rutledge only made one outing for the 2026 Nationals and it did not go well. The former first rounder gave up 7 runs in 1.1 innings on April 13th against the Pirates before immediately getting sent down. His first inning was actually scoreless, but he melted down from there.
After spending time in the minors, Rutledge was DFA’d and claimed by the Phillies. However, he did not pitch in the big leagues for them and was eventually released. After that, Rutledge signed in Japan where he looks to revitalize his career like Foster Griffin did. His one 2026 outing was one to forget though.
5: Justin Lawrence
Out of all the names on this list, Justin Lawrence is probably the most memorable. However, being the most memorable out of a forgettable bunch still makes you forgettable. Lawrence made 7 outings for the Nats in June and July before being sent to Rochester, where he finished the season.
The Nats were Lawrence’s third team of the 2026 season. After struggling with the first two, Lawrence made a good first impression in DC. He picked up a shaky but clutch save against the Orioles. That save makes Lawrence cool with me!
Per @EliasSports, Justin Lawrence became the first Nationals pitcher to record a save in his team debut since Sean Doolittle on July 18, 2017.
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) June 28, 2026
After that Lawrence was shaky though. His control has always been a problem and those issues showed up for the Nats. He walked 7 batters in 6.1 innings. Lawrence throws hard from a sidearm delivery and has a nasty sweeper. However, the lack of control has made him a journeyman.
Lawrence posted a 4.26 ERA in 7 outings with the Nats. That is not awful, but his WHIP was over 2 and he looked very shaky. Lawrence seems like a quality person, so I will be rooting for him moving forward. The right hander became a free agent after the minor league season ended.
There were a lot of names that pitched for the Nats this year that will not be remembered in the years to come. However, I think these are the five most random. Honorable mentions go to Jared Simpson, Matt Waldron, Zak Kent and Jake Bird. Hopefully the pitching staff is more settled in 2027 so I don’t have to make this kind of list again.
The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to improve with each passing day. As we’ve seen so far this season, the Blackhawks can compete with teams that are middle of the pack to below average. They have big wins over the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets, who are all fringe playoff teams.
However, so far, the elite teams in the league have dominated the Blackhawks in every aspect. The Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars all controlled the entire game against the Blackhawks and didn’t give them anything.
Part of getting better will be the young players leading the way. Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Spencer Knight, among others, are the core pieces relied on to take the franchise to the next level.
There are also prospects throughout the organization who are not currently in Chicago and are expected to help one day as well. The Rockford IceHogs have a few, including Nick Lardis. Lardis started the year with the Blackhawks, but a rough start to the regular season got him sent down.
Lardis already has a goal and an assist with Rockford since the demotion. Once his confidence comes back, he’ll be back in the NHL. The Hawks have already seen him make an impact, and there’s no long-term concern.
However, no other young players have made a case to be called up to the Blackhawks. In particular, AJ Spellacy, Sacha Boisvert, and Marek Vanacker clearly need a lot more time developing in the AHL. None of them has a single point in six games played, and that has made winning harder for Rockford.
It isn’t all about points, but neither of those three have played a game that forces them to the NHL. In the case of Spellacy and Boisvert, there is certainly a level of physicality that they bring, but that won't help the Blackhawks at this time. It is their size and skill that must translate when the time is right.
For now, Dominic Toninato, Landon Slaggert, and Nick Lardis will be the first called up if there are injuries or inconsistencies at the NHL level. Lardis may force his way back up regardless of what happens with the NHL lineup if he continues to fill the net in the AHL.
For guys like Spellacy, Boisvert, and Vanacker, the Blackhawks are doing them a favor by keeping them in the AHL. The most important thing is their development. The future of the organization is much brighter if these guys are making a positive impact.
The NHL is not a developmental league. The Blackhawks are trying to win. Right now, those prospects in the AHL aren't ready to help an NHL team win.
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The champagne has dried up and the cigars have been put out. A new NBA season is upon us. The Knicks celebrated the franchise’s first championship in 53 years for months. Now, the club will take on the challenge of repeating.
To get back to the mountaintop this season, the Knicks will need the entire roster to contribute. The starters will get most of the attention, but the bench’s play will be crucial. Reserve guard Landry Shamet is a part of that bench mob and his value to the club has grown over time. He’s New York’s X-Factor for this season.
As the Knicks’ season gets underway with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, it will be with a team that remains mostly intact from last year. Of New York’s 10 rotation players from the championship season, only Mitchell Robinson is not on the roster. One of the reasons for New York’s success in the playoffs was how every player stepped up and contributed at key moments. Shamet didn’t miss out on the fun.
In the playoffs, Shamet’s ability to make shots from outside and defend on the perimeter at the point of attack was valuable. He recovered from a slow start in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks. The 6-foot-5 guard shot a blistering 47.5 percent from three during New York’s championship run.
He reached an untouchable hot stretch in the Eastern Conference Finals when he knocked down 11 of 12 threes in New York’s four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His game-tying three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 1's comeback win was one of several memorable plays throughout New York’s journey to a championship
Three-point threat
Shamet’s emergence is remarkable. A former first-round pick, the shooting guard was close to falling out of the NBA. He had become a journeyman, playing for five different teams in his first six seasons. On training camp deals for two consecutive years with the Knicks, Shamet barely beat out Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews in 2025 to earn the final roster spot.
Keeping Shamet paid off as he became a regular rotation player. His ability to move without the ball is his standout skill. He keeps defenses honest with a lightning-quick release on a high volume of three-point attempts.
Shamet led the team in three-point attempt rate and was second in trifectas launched per 36 minutes per Basketball Reference. Most important is his accuracy from distance, shooting 39.4 percent over the last two regular seasons.
All of last season made keeping Shamet a priority. New York got a deal done with the 29-year-old in free agency this summer, signing him to a four-year $24 million deal.
The future
Though Shamet will mainly be a reserve, he can slide into the two-guard slot if any of New York’s wings -- OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, or Mikal Bridges -- are out due to injury. His ability to space the floor and draw the defense away from the paint has made him able to fit in several different lineup combinations.
Shamet does have some limitations. He should mainly defend only guards due to his lack of strength. He’s also dealt with a shoulder injury on and off for the past two seasons.
And Shamet’s importance to the Knicks could potentially increase going forward. Fellow reserve guard Miles McBride is eligible for a contract extension, but hasn’t come to terms with the Knicks on a deal. During training camp, the Knicks announced that they would cease negotiating contract extensions until later in the season.
If the Knicks can’t agree on a deal with McBride, he’s set to become a free agent next summer. New York could also explore trades for the guard during the season, making Shamet even more valuable.
Turning Shamet from a training camp invite into a rotation player was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat for the Knicks. And this season, he will be even more important to New York’s title hopes.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: LeBron James #23, Joel Embiid #21, Jaylen Brown #7, and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Boston Celtics during the preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been nearly four months since the Sixers began overhauling their roster. The shock of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown wearing Sixers uniforms has (mostly) worn off. We’ve already had our first taste of the media circus that often follows a LeBron team, and the Sixers have already suffered a quietly impactful injury.
As Brown would say, it’s now time to throw the ball up and see where the chips fall.
The Sixers tip off their season Tuesday on ring night for the reigning champion New York Knicks. In honor of that, the Liberty Ballers staff gathered to make predictions about how this season will pan out.
And no, no one was asked about “alphas.”
Who will be the Sixers’ leading scorer?
Josh Grieb: I tackled this question in my own predictions, but that doesn’t mean I’m very confident in my answer. I think Joel Embiid will once again lead the Sixers in scoring.
While his two preseason games showed that he is going to be standing around in the corner a lot more than he ever has in his career, I still think his game is the most bendable for the other players in the starting five. His ability to draw double-teams is what will make that unit unbelievably deadly on the offensive end.
Jaylen Brown or Tyrese Maxey could very well end up being the Sixers’ leading scorer, especially if injuries hit hard and they have to carry the team through the regular season. But for now, I think the Big Fella will be the lead the way most of the nights he plays. His third-quarter heater to end the preseason only reinforced that to me.
Erin Grugan: If we’re talking overall total points this season, I think I’m looking at Maxey to be the guy there. The additions the Sixers made this offseason are monumental on their own, but they should also complement Maxey perfectly and open up the floor to allow him to operate in a way he hasn’t really been able to with some of the lineups he’s been working with in recent years. Between that and how he and LeBron seem to already be focusing on getting out in transition for quick buckets, I expect Maxey to thrive this season.
As far as who will average the most points, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Embiid’s name up there at the top. I don’t expect him to play half of every back-to-back, and I’m sure there will be some other time missed throughout the season, so I’m not sure where he’ll end up on total points. But he looked damn spry to close out the preseason, and if he’s able to keep moving like that, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to dominate offensively as he has before. Opposing defenses also may be even more desperate to foul Embiid/the Sixers at times just to try to slow down the talent-packed starting five they’re running with now. We all know how fast those points can add up.
Harrison Grimm: If we’re talking per-game scoring, it might be Embiid. That’s a crazy thing to say considering all the discourse surrounding him and his injuries. If we’re talking total scoring, I have to go with Maxey. He’s going to have the ball a lot, and he should theoretically get more opportunities than he has at any point since James Harden was in town.
I also want to give an honorable mention to Brown, who nearly averaged 30 points per game in Boston last season. I have little doubt about his ability to score. I just think the usage and touches won’t be there to support that level of production here. That being said, if Embiid or LeBron miss a game, don’t be surprised to see JB light it up when called upon.
Paul Hudrick: It’s Maxey. We saw what Maxey did as an off-ball scorer playing next to Harden. He gained valuable experience as a high-usage guard the past two seasons. He’s in a perfect place to blend those styles. One of my bigger concerns for the Sixers is their ability to hit threes. In his only full season playing next to Harden, Maxey had a prolific shooting season, knocking down a career-high 43.4% from deep on 6.2 attempts per game. I anticipate a jump in efficiency this season, but expect the volume to remain high.
Will Rucker: PPG, I’m going with Embiid. Total points, I’m going with Maxey. There’s a chance Embiid sees more single coverage than he’s seen since very early in his career, and he’s been one of the best and most efficient iso scorers in the NBA for over a decade. Maxey won’t be far behind, as he’s also in line for a hyper-efficient season playing more off ball next to LeBron and getting higher-quality shots than he has the past couple of seasons.
Bryan Toporek: I’m confident that it won’t be LeBron or VJ Edgecombe. From there, it’s anyone’s guess. I’d lean toward Maxey, if only because I expect him to help LeBron run the offense, which means he might lead the team in total touches. We’ve also seen how lethal he can be as an off-ball shooter, which should help his three-point percentage tick back up. But I wouldn’t be shocked if Embiid or even Brown wound up leading the way, either.
How (and when) will the Sixers fill their last open roster spot?
JG: I don’t think this gets dealt with until December, which is when the Sixers can sign someone to a prorated minimum contract without hitting their their first-apron hard cap. I’m growing increasingly concerned about it as more and more injuries pile up in the frontcourt, though.
It’s obvious that spot needs to be used on a big man. If I had to guess right now, my not-very-creative answer would be Kevin Love.
The Sixers might be forced to act sooner depending on how the centers behind Embiid hold up. Tacko Fall is an interesting idea on a two-way deal, but he hasn’t played in the NBA in four years, and wasn’t a rotation-caliber player back then. Not only has he been out of the league for that long, but he also missed all of preseason with a hip injury and still isn’t back at practice. I think the Sixers wait to deal with this because they pretty much have to, but it makes me increasingly nervous with every passing day.
EG: I think the Sixers are pretty much handcuffed at this point to wait until that December point (as Josh said) to sign a minimum without going over the first-apron hard cap. I also share Josh’s concerns with being in such a position with some preseason injuries piling up, especially a season-ending one like the Achilles tear suffered by Ariel Hukporti.
HG: I think the “how” is the easier part of this question, and one most of us already seem to agree on. I’d expect them to fill that final roster spot sometime in mid-December or shortly after, when the prorated salary makes it more feasible. There’s a non-zero chance they wait until after the trade deadline and let the dust settle, but it’s hard to imagine them holding off that long if key rotation players are sidelined. It’s also difficult to map out a realistic trade where they turn one of their larger contracts into multiple contributors.
As for who, or rather what type of player they target, that’s much harder to predict. Their backcourt is loaded with talent, and unless there’s a major injury, I’d be surprised if they added another guard. That leads me to believe the addition will be either a forward or a big. Even after signing Fall, the need for a versatile frontcourt player can’t be understated. They’d be wise to use that final roster spot on a big who can space the floor and/or provide legitimate defensive versatility on switches. Love could provide floor spacing, but I’d like them to be more creative with this type of move in the sense of adding potential value beyond this season.
PH: Not the sexiest answer, but I think Love will be a Sixer. Look, I think he’s perfectly fine for what they’d need. Love can’t defend anymore (never exactly a strength) and he’s not a rim protector, but he can rebound, take a charge, knock down open threes, make good decisions and set good screens. As a more stable option if guys like Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, etc. struggle, you could do worse than Love for 10-15 minutes in a playoff game. The LeBron factor also looms large here.
WR: Sometime after December 15th and before the trade deadline. I think it will be a backup center probably via trade. I’m looking at OKC and their glut of bigs as a potential trade partner, as well as Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls.
BT: While the Sixers can technically sign someone as early as December, I expect them to take a page out of Daryl Morey’s book and keep it open through the trade deadline to maintain their optionality. That plan is subject to change, particularly if frontcourt injuries keep piling up, but they could (should?) be a premier destination for ring-chasers given the talent in their starting five. Love is the obvious solution–and they wouldn’t have to wait until the trade deadline to sign him–but they should use these first few months to figure out exactly what their biggest needs are before looking to rectify them with that open roster spot.
How successful will they be at tuning out distractions this season?
JG: About as well as any team in their first season of LeBron being on their team has. I agree with the argument made by our EIC last week. Tyrese Maxey is maybe the most equipped star to deal with quote-un-quote distractions in the history of the league.
Between the amount of trolling Embiid has done this preseason on top of his obvious physical transformation, it seems like he’s the least concerned he’s been about outside noise in his entire career. The pressure will obviously heat up on this team if they get off to a slow start, but just about every one of these stars has dealt with plenty of media circuses in their careers. It’s just one more thing they had to prepare for this season.
EG: I think they will be more than fine in that regard. Guys like Embiid and Maxey have had more than their fair share of distractions in their Philly tenures, so I’m sure they’re used to it. LeBron has dealt with it all since he was a teenager. Brown can sometimes get caught up in what the media is saying/how they are saying it, but that doesn’t seem to distract him from performing. Overall, I’m not worried about that aspect of things.
HG: Dare I say I actually feel good about their ability to make this work? Wherever LeBron goes, a media circus tends to follow, and that’s been no exception in Philly. But I have to imagine the key players knew exactly what they were signing up for when this team came together.
When Brown was introduced, he touched on a similar point, saying that at this stage of his career, he’s focused on winning championships, not individual accolades. We already know Maxey and Embiid are still chasing their first title. If winning remains the priority–and there’s no reason to think it won’t right now–this group should be fine no matter how many TV talking heads spend the season trying to microanalyze every aspect of the team, including their preferred methods of transportation (helicopters).
At the end of the day, talent isn’t usually what derails teams like this. Ego and competing agendas do. If everyone stays aligned on the ultimate goal, the outside noise will be just that: noise.
PH: My initial thought is they’ve been great at it so far. We know LeBron will be fine. I’m confident Maxey and Edgecombe will be, too. The concerns are with Brown and Embiid, though, I do think both guys are motivated to make this work. Let’s face it – both have had their names dragged through the mud. Winning a championship with this team would shut a lot of people up.
WR: I do not think it will be much of an issue. All of the core guys outside of VJ Edgecombe have been a part of chaotic situations with their teams throughout their careers. Brown dealt with the Jayson Tatum rift in Boston, Embiid and Maxey went through the Harden and Ben Simmons, and LeBron has been in the spotlight and under a microscope his whole life.
BT: I don’t think the typical circus of a LeBron team will be what derails this year’s Sixers. Health, frontcourt depth and three-point shooting are far bigger concerns. With that said, a slow start to the season could turn up the heat on Nick Nurse’s seat. And unfortunately, with the Eagles’ season already circling the drain, everyone’s attention in Philadelphia will be squarely on the Sixers for the next six months.
What will be the Sixers’ regular-season record? Will they make the playoffs?
JG: I think they win 48 games this season and earn a top-six seed, but it will not be easy. The East is as deep as it’s ever been as a conference, although there are teams that are built for the playoffs and teams that are built for the regular season without a lot of overlap.
Teams like Detroit, Boston and Cleveland could all rip off a ton of regular-season wins like they have in recent seasons, but I have big red flags for all three when it comes to the playoffs. The Toronto Raptors may also fit into this category if Kawhi Leonard can’t stay healthy for a postseason run.
I believe the Sixers will fall into a similar category as the New York Knicks. They could both struggle fighting through the slog of the regular season, but if they get to the playoffs in one piece, no one will want to be matched up with them in the first round.
With the conference being so crowded, the highest I see the Sixers ending up is probably the fourth seed, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be disappointed in how the regular season went by any means.
EG: With the current lineup, they should be capable of winning close to 50 games this season. Any unexpected injuries to important players could throw this for a loop, but as it stands, I can’t see an excuse to not be pushing 50 wins.
What position that will earn them in the East is more up in the air. The East is top-heavy coming into this season with no shortage of teams expected to be contending for high finishes. You obviously hope they fall into the top six rather than having to fight through the play-in tournament if they finish somewhere between seventh and 10th, but I think it’s going to take an impressive record to accomplish that in the East this season. Cards on the table, I think they finish within the top six, but not by much.
HG: That’s a tough one to predict, not because of any reservations about this team, but because of the state of the East. Honestly, it’s as deep as I’ve seen it in my years of covering basketball. There may not be many truly bad teams, which means we’re likely to see a lot of clubs finish in the high-40s to low-50s in wins. Any team that gets to 55-plus victories will probably be right in the mix for the No. 1 seed.
Factoring in LeBron’s age, Embiid’s health and the general weirdness that always seems to follow this franchise, I feel comfortable projecting them around 50 wins. They have some of the best top-end talent in the conference and, unlike past years, now have a competent bench to support those stars. Mike Gansey built a legitimate roster, and if they stay mostly healthy, it’s hard to see them finishing outside the top six despite how deep the conference has become.
The bigger question may not be whether they’re good enough, but whether they can stay on the floor long enough to maximize their potential. If they do, they have the talent to be much more than just a playoff team.
PH: The record is so tricky because of Embiid’s health, LeBron’s age and an improved conference. I’ll go 52-30 because I think even if those two don’t play as much as you’d hope, Maxey, Edgecombe and Brown can carry them to plenty of wins. I could see it being much higher if things come together quickly or much lower if … yeah. I think they secure home-court advantage for the first round. Let’s go with the three seed.
BT: They won 45 games last season even though Embiid and Paul George each missed more than half the year.Yes, the East projects to be far tougher this year, and teams no longer have the same incentive to tank, which means they won’t be able to pick up as many free wins as they did last year. But swapping out George for Brown and adding LeBron, Anfernee Simons, KCP and Dean Wade should help counteract that. Put me down for 51-31 and the No. 4 seed in the East.
How far will they advance in the playoffs?
JG: To the conference finals. I haven’t broken down my full bracket yet to predict when they’ll play each team in each round, but finally breaking that second-round barrier and still ending the season with a disappointing playoff loss would be a really Sixers way for this to go.
It normally takes a season for LeBron teams to figure each other out, so I’m trying to add that into my calculus. Even a run that ends in the conference finals would take a lot of health luck going the Sixers’ way as well, which is a bold thing to feel confident about. I think this team can go far, but it’s still likely to end in heartbreak.
EG: At least the conference finals. This is a team that has, under much worse circumstances/with much worse rosters, made it to the second round relatively routinely in recent history. Of course, the competition also changes every year, but they’re in so much better of a spot on paper to be able to finally break the second-round curse that has loomed over them.
HG: I think they finally break the stubborn barrier that is the Eastern Conference Finals, health permitting. They simply have too much talent and creation to not get there as constructed. Factor in all of their key players having various playoff experience, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t surpass this bar outside of injuries.
PH: I think they at least make it to the ECF, but, again, health-dependent, this team should be able to compete with anyone. With the right move or two on the margins, they have championship potential.
WR: NBA Finals, I believe this team is being overanalyzed and overscrutinized by a lot of people. This starting five is stacked, and their ability to stagger lineups and keep two superstars on the floor at all times will be their superpower. I trust that between Maxey, Brown and Edgecombe, they will be able to carry the Sixers to wins in games that Embiid and LeBron are out and get the Sixers to a quality seed. I have faith that if there is a weakness in this roster construct that’s glaring, Gansey will rectify at the deadline.
BT: The Eastern Conference Finals. I’m with Will: Skeptics are way overthinking this team. They’re bound to go through growing pains, but this is an outrageous compilation of talent, and they all seem to be at the right point of their respective careers to make it work. The East figures to be a bloodbath this year, but that’s where the Sixers’ combination of high-end talent and reliable bench depth should help separate them from the rest of the conference. Consider this a hedge against health and the Year 1 LeBron experience, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they made it to the Finals this year.
Will they win a championship before LeBron leaves/retires?
JG: My answer is the same as my reaction when they were first taken seriously as LeBron suitors: Screw it, why not? Life’s too short anyways.
EG: Why the hell not? I certainly think it’s the best chance they’ve had in quite some time.
HG: Regardless of your opinion on LeBron, things just seem to go right for him at one point or another. What’s to say that won’t be the case here?
PH: They better.
WR: Yes, the final chapter of the LeBron story can’t end any other way. Embiid gets his ring that’s long eluded him, and we celebrate on Broad Street.
BT: Realistically, they probably have two years at most to get it done. Even if it doesn’t happen this year, financial pressures will force some other title hopefuls–OKC, Cleveland and Orlando in particular–to make some painful calls next offseason. Is it too early to get a “2028 NBA champions” Sixers tattoo?
This version of Freddy Peralta, the one masterfully pitching for the third time in the ALCS on Monday night to secure the Rays’ World Series berth and earn MVP honors, is the one the Mets rarely saw this season.
Peralta has looked every part of an ace for the Rays this postseason, with his 5 ⅓innings of one-run ball in Monday’s 7-3 win over the Guardians giving him a 1.08 ERA this postseason.
That dominance is a stark contrast to the back-end starter he portrayed with the Mets, posting a 4.99 ERA with the team and playing a sizable role in why the team flopped this season.
Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta celebrates the end of the top of the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Peralta’s respective success and failure with the teams can be viewed as a representation of each squad’s season and added another successful entry to the Rays’ strong history of pitching development.
“Everything changed when I got traded,” Peralta told ESPN. “I said it before that I’ve been treated here as a king, and I feel really good about it. They’re working me really well here.”
Tampa Bay is known throughout baseball for its ability to build pitchers and, in this case, they rebuilt Peralta back into the top-end starter he portrayed in Milwaukee prior to his Mets trade.
Peralta, 30, posted a 3.79 ERA across eight seasons with Milwaukee, including a career-best 2.70 ERA in 2025 that landed him in fifth place in the NL Cy Young race.
The Mets acquired him hoping he could replicate that success, but he instead allowed more hits than innings pitched and saw his strikeouts per nine innings dip from 11.1 in 2025 to 8.9 with the team.
Tampa Bay took a shot on Peralta at the deadline in its quest to hold off the Yankees and Red Sox in the AL East and got to work on helping him return to his old self.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, left, pulls pitcher Freddy Peralta from the game during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in New York. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
One notable change the franchise made was having him pitch out of the stretch again, like he had done with Milwaukee but abandoned with the Mets.
“He said, ‘I always feel comfortable pitching out of the stretch,'” Rays bullpen coach Jorge Moncada told ESPN. “So we were like, ‘Go with what makes you most comfortable,’ and he went back.”
Other changes implemented, per ESPN, included moving to the third-base side of the rubber, widening his stance, speeding up his delivery, a focus on strengthening his legs and raising his arm angle.
Those adjustments reportedly helped improve his fastball, hitting 99 mph Monday, and the Rays had Peralta lean more on his change-up.
Peralta posted a 3.55 ERA across 10 regular-season starts with Tampa Bay, including a 0.96 ERA in five September starts to help Tampa Bay win the division.
“There’s some minor adjustments here and there,” Tampa Bay pitching coach Kyle Snyder told ESPN. “But I think more than anything else, it was just getting him back to feeling like himself. I think if you get the environment right, a lot of other things can snowball in the right direction for you.”
Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta holds the William Harridge Trophy following the Rays’ Game 6 win to clinch the series during the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. ZUMAPRESS.com
Peralta began his postseason by holding the Yankees to one run in 4 ⅔ innings in Game 2 of the ALDS, and then stymied the Guardians three times in the ALCS.
He earned the win in Game 2 to even the series, recorded two outs in relief in the Game 4 victory and logged his second win Monday night to earn the Rays’ second World Series berth in franchise history.
Peralta now will compete in his first World Series before he enters free agency.
“It feels so good because the way that we’ve been working on the little things, in general, everybody — not only outside, not only the pitching coach and all that,” Peralta said. “Everybody, from the trainers, people that helped me to feel better with the massage and all that, it’s been amazing, great communication.
“They’ve been awesome with me. They’ve been giving the best of themselves to make me feel good on the field every day.”
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been retouched) Deandre Ayton #8, AJ Dybantsa #4, Anthony Davis #23, and Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wiards kick off their 2026 campaign when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on Wednesday night. But after a the biggest question heading into tipoff for Washington is the status of AJ Dybantsa, who injured his ankle in the Wizards’ pre-season finale.
On to the preview!
Game Info
When: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network
Injury Report
Wizards: AJ Dybantsa: day-to-day (ankle), Tristan Vikcevic: out (hip), Jamir Watkins: out for season (acl).
Bucks: None listed.
Pregame notes
Dybantsa’ debut — It’s been 117 days since the Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. 117 days since a Wizards program that won 17 games in 2025-26 found new life behind the hopes of a 6-foot-9, 217-pound 19-year old.
But as Washington prepares to host Milwaukee in its 2026 season opener on Wednesday, October 21, Dybantsa is still dealing with an ankle injury from the end of the preseason and is listed as day-to-day.
The former BYU Cougar averaged 25.5 points 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in his one-and-done freshman season in Provo, Utah, before delivering 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists over four preseason outings with Washington.
The Boston Bruins entered Tuesday sitting atop the Atlantic Division and in second place in the Eastern Conference overall with a 7-2-0 record.
There are a lot of factors driving the Bruins’ success early in the 2026-27 NHL season.
The B’s rank fifth in goals scored per game and second in goals allowed per game. They are the only team ranked top five in both of those stats. They also have the No. 8-ranked power play and the No. 14-ranked penalty kill.
Boston’s goaltending has been superb, too. Jeremy Swayman and Michael DiPietro have combined to save 8.27 goals above expected — the third-best of any team.
But the one element of the Bruins’ success that is probably the most encouraging has been the offensive production provided by the team’s young players.
The Bruins, for the first time in a while, have a lot of young players playing key roles. And give credit to management and the coaching staff. Sending veterans such as Sean Kuraly and Michael Eyssimont to the AHL opened up ice time for some of these younger players. In previous years, the B’s rarely made these kinds of moves.
The most impressive young player to this point has been Fraser Minten. The 22-year-old center, who signed a seven-year, $50.4 million extension last month, has eight points in nine games. His four goals are tied with David Pastrnak for the team lead. Minten has taken a jump in his offensive development, which, combined with his savvy defensive abilities, makes him a strong two-way player.
James Hagens has six points (two goal, four assists) in nine games. He’s tied for second in scoring among NHL rookies. He has adjusted well to the speed and physicality of the NHL game. Matthew Poitras spent almost all of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. He is seizing this opportunity to become a regular in Boston with five points (three goals, two assists) in six games.
Poitras’ goal against the Ducks was assisted by Hagens. The most interesting aspect of that goal was the fact that head coach Marco Sturm trusted two rookies to be on the ice in the final four minutes of a one-goal game versus a very good opponent.
JJ Peterka, the speedy winger who Boston acquired from the Mammoth back in June for two first-round draft picks, has six points (three goals, three) assists in nine games. The 24-year-old has given the Bruins much-needed speed.
Mason Lohrei has played very well on the back end with five points. Rookie defenseman Frederic has two points in six games, while holding his own defensively in 17 minutes per game. Brunet has established himself as an important part of the blue line.
The Bruins recently completed a three-game sweep in California with wins over the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Seven of Boston’s 14 goals over those three victories came from players age 25 or younger. Seventeen of the Bruins’ 34 goals through nine games have been scored by players 25 years old or younger.
Six of the team’s top 10 scorers as of Tuesday morning are age 25 or younger.
NBC Sports Boston
Sturm deserves a lot of credit for the young players’ success through nine games. He’s a great player development coach. He puts these players in positions and roles where they can thrive. And they don’t have to worry about getting benched or being demoted to the AHL if they make a mistake or two. That fear doesn’t exist, and it helps them play with confidence.
There are still 73 games remaining. A lot of season is left. But the early returns from the young core are very encouraging for the franchise.
If it continues, the Bruins will be set up for success now and well into the future.
The Knicks electrified New York City, winning their first championship in 53 years. The celebration continues tonight at 6:30 PM ET, with the banner-raising and ring ceremony at Madison Square Garden, ahead of opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers. See below for everything you need to know about the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA Championship Ring Ceremony.
The NBA returns to NBC and Peacock tonight, Tuesday, October 20, with an action-packed tripleheader.
At 7:00 PM, Jalen Brunson and the defending champion New York Knicks go head-to-head with LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.
Later, at 9:30 PM, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals.
See below to find out how to watch each game, as well as additional information on how to live stream NBA games on Peacock.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks - 7:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock (Ring ceremony is at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs - 9:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock
How to watch 2026-27 NBA games on NBC and Peacock?
The NBA is back on NBC and Peacock for the 2026-27 season with 100 regular-season games across its three marquee nights of the week: Peacock NBA Monday, beginning Oct. 26; Coast 2 Coast Tuesday, beginning Oct. 27; and Sunday Night Basketball, beginning Jan. 24, 2027.
All NBA games presented by NBC Sports will stream live on Peacock and all Peacock-exclusive games on Monday nights will also be presented on NBCSN. Telemundo, NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language broadcast network, will present 10 Sunday Night Basketballgames as well as the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 21, 2027.
What is the full 2026-27 NBA on NBC and Peacock schedule?
You can see the full schedule of 2026-27 NBA games airing on NBC, Peacock, NBCSN, and Telemundo here.
How do I sign up for Peacock to watch NBA games?
Peacock is available across a variety of devices. To get started, find or download the Peacock application on your device or head directly to PeacockTV.com to create a Peacock account. Then, you’re ready to watch!
Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 08: Jonathan India #6 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
To help keep us Kevins organized, fearless leader Max has us use Slack. We were getting organized on offseason writing, divvying up who wants to write about whom during our “Season in Review” series, and I added my own write-in candidate to review. My candidate drew this response from the esteemed and talented Jeremy Greco:
“LOL”
“Connor, you’re a madman”
You’ve clicked on this article, so presumably you know that I asked to write an article about Jonathan India. He’s admittedly an odd candidate to want to talk about, seeing as his season ended after 17 games. Still, I personally had some expectations for him coming into the season that were not met, and I think the Royals did as well. He came into the season as their 2026 starting second baseman, and now, at the end of the year, I wonder if he will even get a major league deal as a free agent.
The Royals acquired India during the offseason before the 2025 season, trading Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds for the second baseman. The Royals had depth at starting pitcher and were looking for a leadoff hitter, so the trade made sense to most observers, myself included.
India struggled in his first season with the Royals, posting a -0.2 fWAR and an 89 wRC+. There was some context to his struggles. He was hit in the face early in the season by an errant pitch, and he also spent most of the year bouncing between the outfield, third base, and second base, excelling at none.
The plan coming into the 2026 season was for India to have less pressure. He would not hit leadoff to begin the season – thatrole went to Maikel Garcia at first. He would stay at second base exclusively, his least bad defensive position. All India had to focus on was accumulating quality at-bats and lengthening the Royals’ lineup.
That didn’t happen. India played in 17 games, posting an 81 wRC+, before hitting the injured list on April 20. India then underwent successful surgery on his left labrum on April 28, ending his season before it really had a chance to get going.
The second baseman talked to PJ Green of the Kansas City Star about his injury and his choice to get surgery, revealing that he had been struggling with shoulder subluxations for five years. Quoting here from Green:
His left shoulder, the side the second baseman catches with, would pop out of place. He’d simply pop it back in.
“Sounds psychotic, but just the person I am when I’m on that field,” India told reporters Tuesday.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro talked about India’s injury as well as his decision to get surgery, stating:
“I think he understood that this was probably the best thing long term. He was going to be a free agent at the end of the year, all those things, and he’s been playing hurt for at least the year-plus that we’ve had him.”
I appreciate the tenacity shown by India, but going over this article does raise some questions about the Royals’ decision-making process when acquiring him.
What was known about his shoulder problems when the Royals acquired him?
If he had been playing hurt for over a year, should the surgery have been pushed harder last year?
We aren’t privy to the medical information they are, and it’s a group decision, but how it ended up playing out was disappointing for both the Royals and India. Singer was the Royals’ best trade chip after the 2024 season, considering his combination of value and ability to be replaced, and the Royals got negative WAR in return for him across two seasons.
We have the benefit of hindsight on this, but if India has really been dealing with this for five years, it does help explain his lack of power since his rookie season. Maybe this is just a lesson on not procrastinating, or why roughing it out is not worth it, or maybe it was just bad luck on timing. Either way, I’ll be very curious about how India’s market plays out this offseason. He will be a free agent coming off a disappointing season followed by a lost season. I don’t think I’d want to guarantee him a major league deal, but maybe someone will want to take a chance that the shoulder being fixed finally gets him back to the stellar level we saw as a rookie.
The Royals hit worse at second base than I realized this season. The boys in blue had an 89 wRC+ while playing second base. Michael Massey did have a bounce-back season, posting 2.3 fWAR with the majority of it at second base, but there was definitely a lane for another above-average hitter who could play second.
India’s absence did not sink the season, but it was one among the many injuries that strained the Royals’ depth and found it to be lacking. J.J. Picollo rightly gets a lot of credit for his success with trades, but the India-Singer swap was at the very least a missed opportunity, regardless of whether we think the process was sound or not. If this is the last we see of India in a Royals uniform, then I’ll remember him every time I feel my shoulder barking at me to go ahead and get that checked out.
The 2026-27 NBA season tips off this afternoon at Little Caesars Arena as Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Detroit takes the court after finishing 60-22 and earning the Eastern Conference's top seed a year ago, while Boston opens the season with a healthy Tatum and no Jaylen Brown. The Pistons won three of four meetings against the Celtics last season, giving this opener added significance as an early measuring stick for two teams with postseason aspirations.
Boston's biggest storyline is its new-look core. The Celtics made the franchise-altering decision to trade Jaylen Brown and acquire Paul George, while also adding veteran center Mitchell Robinson and point guard Mike Conley Jr. to complement returning stars Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. As alluded to earlier, Tatum is back after recovering from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 postseason, and Boston hopes its retooled roster can maintain its defensive identity while adding greater frontcourt size and veteran experience. The obvious question is chemistry. How quickly can George and Tatum develop an offensive partnership, and can Robinson provide the interior presence Boston lacked at times last season? The Celtics enter opening night largely healthy, with only reserve guard Devin Carter (mononucleosis).
The Pistons spent the offseason strengthening an already formidable roster around franchise cornerstone Cade Cunningham. Detroit did say goodbye to Tobias Harris but added veterans John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince, while re-signing center Jalen Duren to bolster a team that already featured Cunningham and rising wing Ausar Thompson. The additions should improve Detroit's shooting depth, versatility, and frontcourt scoring. The Pistons' strengths remain their physical defense, rebounding, and ability to pressure opponents with size across multiple positions. Their biggest question entering the season is whether they can generate enough half-court offense consistently against elite defenses. That was their issue in the postseason.
Tuesday's opener features no shortage of compelling storylines. Boston is beginning a new era with Tatum unquestionably established as the lone franchise centerpiece, while Detroit is looking to prove last season's conference-best record was no fluke. The matchup between Cunningham and Boston's veteran backcourt, along with Robinson's battle against Duren in the paint, could go a long way toward determining the outcome.
Lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Celtics vs. Pistons: Game Details and How to Watch
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 3:00PM EST
Site: Little Caesars Arena
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: NBC
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Celtics vs. Pistons: Odds
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy ofDraftKings:
Moneyline: Boston Celtics (-122), Detroit Pistons (+102)
Spread: Celtics -1.5
Total: 220.5 points
This game opened with the Pistons favored by 2.5. The Total has also seen substantial movement having dropped four points since opening at 224.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Celtics vs. Pistons: Expected Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics (2025-26 Scoring Average)
PG Derrick White (16.5PPG)
SG Paul George (17.3PPG)
C Mitchell Robinson (5.7PPG)
SF Jayson Tatum (21.8PPG)
PF Jordan Walsh (5.4PPG)
Detroit Pistons(2025-26 Scoring Average)
PG Cade Cunningham (23.9PPG
SG Duncan Robinson (12.2PPG)
C Jalen Duren (19.5PPG)
SF Ausar Thompson (9.9PPG)
PF John Collins (13.6PPG)
Celtics vs. Pistons: Injury Report
Boston Celtics
Devin Carter (mono) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Detroit Pistons
Taurean Prince (personal) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Celtics and the Pistons:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pistons on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Spread
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total UNDER 220.5
The Best Bet: Under 220.5 (-102)
These teams each play defense and while a few pieces have changed on each team, the emphasis on the defensive end has not changed. Detroit ranked 2nd in defensive rating (108.9), 1st in effective field goal percentage allowed (51.8%), 1st in three-point percentage allowed (34.4%), 1st in turnover percentage forced (16.8%), 1st in steals (10.4 per game), and 1st in blocks (6.4 per game). Boston wasn't far behind — 4th in defensive rating (111.7), 4th in effective field goal percentage allowed (52.3%), 4th in free-throw rate allowed (18.8), and 5th in defensive rebound percentage (0.71). Maybe more importantly, the Celtics played at the slowest pace in the NBA (95.58) last season, which is the single most important number for an Under.
76ers vs. Knicks: Top Player Props
John Collins Points + Rebounds Over 16.5 (-122)
Against a Boston team that ranked 5th in defensive rebound percentage (0.71) last season but is integrating a new big man, Collins should have room to operate on the glass and in the paint. Collins also carries a 5.8 assist percentage and a 0.74 assist-to-turnover ratio, which means he's involved in the offense beyond just scoring. His points + rebounds combination is the cleanest way to capture his full production.
Payton Pritchard Assists + Rebounds Over 7.5 (-115)
This is the most efficient volume play on the Boston side, and it's built on a role that's expanding with the roster changes.His projection sits at 7.92. On the road last season, he hit the Over 78.57% of the time last season, averaging 9.88 assists + rebounds across 42 road games. And with Jaylen Brown gone and Paul George still integrating, Pritchard's ball-handling and rebounding responsibilities should only grow.His 23.3 assist percentage and 3.74 assist-to-turnover ratio confirm he's a primary playmaker in this offense. Against a Detroit team that ranked 20th in defensive rebound percentage (0.689), Pritchard's activity on the glass should translate to extra possessions.
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The Dallas Mavericks enter year two of the Cooper Flagg era with renewed fire. They are getting Kyrie Irving back after his horrible injury a year and a half ago. Dereck Lively will make his return at some point, and they are adding rookies Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea to their young core alongside Cooper Flagg. P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall will provide veteran wing minutes, and Daniel Gafford will ride a healthy ankle to the starting center role. There will be a mix of the same stuff we saw last season with new wrinkles we have not experienced in some time.
It is hard to gauge the Mavericks’ direction this season. They have a lot of win-now components: Kyrie Irving’s return, Dusty May trying to prove himself, and Masai Ujiri’s commitment to competitive basketball, to name a few. But Ujiri has also talked about focusing on a future revolving around Cooper Flagg, and balancing the two will be tough. A lot of it will hinge on how Dallas looks over the first three months. Some of it will depend on how satisfied their vets are to be here. But ultimately it will come down to what is in the best interest of Cooper Flagg. But in any outcome, we will get something we have not gotten in almost two seasons: fun basketball.
Tyler Edsel, Joe Friedman, and I have done previews of the other teams in the NBA. For all of those, just one of us gave our opinion on the team’s outcome and whether or not they will exceed their win total. This time, we are all pitching in and giving some fun bets to place on this Mavericks team, as well as giving our predictions for the season. Here are our picks:
Key Additions: Kyrie Irving (injury), Morez Johnson Jr., Marcus Sasser, Sergio De Larrea, Santi Aldama
Key Losses: Klay Thompson
David
Cooper Flagg to average 24 points per game (-105)
Southwest division third place (+130)
To make the play-in (+135)
Long shot: Mavericks to win 45+ games (+1000)
Cooper Flagg is not just going to take a step up this year; he is going to take the step. He will be a top 15 player in the NBA. Think 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game, along with a steal and a block. Kyrie Irving will complement Flagg beautifully, and if he can get back to form, that means Dallas will have two top-25 players. Any team with two players of that caliber will find a hard time losing 40 games, regardless of the roster. I am fully leaning in to the best version of this team: a scrappy, fast-paced group that causes problems with the one-two punch of Flagg and Irving. They will make a push to the play-in while finishing behind Houston and San Antonio in the division. I cannot guarantee a playoff berth, as this roster is not built for the playoffs as currently constructed, but they will have a better regular season than a lot of people anticipate.
David’s Prediction: Over 33.5 wins (+100)
Tyler
Bulls to have more regular season wins than Mavs (+155)
Mavericks to finish 4th in Southwest division (+190)
Dallas to have more wins than Washington (+110)
Mavericks to advance to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup (+700)
Long shot: Cooper Flagg to make any All-NBA team (+290)
Clearly I am lower on this Mavericks squad than most here on site, but I think the reasoning is pretty sound. This team, even with a new front office, new coach, and very new packaging, is essentially the same unit that won fewer than 30 games last season. Now, Kyrie Irving is back and healthy for the time being, but who knows if he will be here in 4 months. Cooper Flagg will be, and he will take a big leap this season by making an All-NBA team. But the rest of the team is largely the same as they were.
I think the Chicago Bulls will make a play-in tournament push, as Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, and new coach Tiago Splitter will set a culture around there that is much needed. And finally, I think Memphis finishes ahead of Dallas this season, pushing the Mavs to a distant fourth in the division. Cam Boozer will run away with ROTY, and the rest of the group will fall in line with him.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Team built around Anthony Davis and the #1 overall pick are thought to be a sleeper playoff contender. FOOL ME ONE TIME? SHAME ON YOU. FOOL ME TWICE? CAN’T PUT THE BLAME ON YOU. My last pick is a bonus bet. The NBA Cup is early in the season, so Kyrie and some of the injury-prone players might not be hurt yet. The team will care, as with a new coach and your best player being so young, they’ll be trying. Plus, maybe no one else does. They’re in a group with Denver, Phoenix, Utah, and Houston. Houston and Denver have eyes on a bigger prize. And while Utah is primed for improvement, I don’t buy it with the Suns. Dallas will care, and that gets them a fun little participation medal.
Tyler’s Prediction: Under 33.5 wins (-125)
Joe
Mavericks to win 35+ games (+125)
Mavs to finish higher than the 11 seed (-125)
Mavericks to win more games than the Blazers (+280)
Mavericks to win more games than the Warriors (+140)
Long shot: Cooper Flagg to win Most Improved Player +7000
Most of these bets come down to the same basic idea: I think the Mavericks will win more games than people expect, and I think Cooper Flagg is about to take a huge Year 2 leap. Dallas getting to 35-plus wins at +125 feels like strong value considering they were basically a 35-win-level team last season before clearly leaning into losses late in the year, and I do not think the roster is bad enough for them to completely fall apart. I also like them to finish third or better in the Southwest division as David does, and above the No. 11 seed because neither bet requires some massive breakout season, just for Dallas to be solid and competitive. The head-to-head win bets against Golden State and Portland are interesting for the opposite reason, because I rate both teams lower than the market seems to. Golden State still depends heavily on Steph Curry staying healthy, while Portland could get messy trying to balance Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, and Deni Avdija on the same roster. The fun long shot is Flagg for Most Improved at +7000, because if he makes the kind of jump I expect and goes from around 21 points per game into the high-20s while Dallas moves up the standings, that case could become very real very quickly.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: Members of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate on the field after defeating the Cleveland Guardians to advance to the World Series in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Every year I promise myself I’m going to keep a running list of memorable moments from the season so, at the end when I write about them, I’ll have them ready to go instead of having to rely on memory and the notes made in my scorebook.
And yet, it always gets lost in the shuffles of airline/hotel reservations, expense reports and other parts of the chaotic baseball season.
I say all that as a setup for the list below. Instead of Top Moments or Best Moments, let’s just call it moments I thought were important during the season. Feel free to reach out to me with thoughts on what I might have missed
It wasn’t a secret. The 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks could not hit right-handed pitching at the clip they would have preferred; they struggled to get much production out of any pure left-handed bats not named Corbin Carroll.
The Diamondbacks were acutely aware of that deficiency. They tried to address it with a variety of in-house and external options. None of them truly panned out to the level GM Mike Hazen and the D-backs front office likely would have hoped.
Hindsight being 20-20, it is fair to wonder if the Diamondbacks regret not moving Marte last winter when they had freer reign, as Marte’s previous contract had only a five-team no-trade list (the A’s, Cardinals, Giants, Pirates, and Yankees were the clubs on Marte’s list last winter). Or, if the D’Backs hadn’t signed Marte to that last contract extension, 2027 would’ve been the final guaranteed year of Marte’s old deal, with a $14MM salary for 2027 and a $3MM buyout of a $13MM club option for 2028.
This wouldn’t have necessarily made a trade this offseason any easier, as Marte still would’ve had his 10-and-5 trade protection and might’ve insisted on an extension from a new team or at least a guarantee of the 2028 option as a condition for approving a swap. The discord from August 2025 also surely had impact on Marte’s trade market last winter, and only Hazen knows if any team offered anything even remotely worth consideration. It would’ve been a big risk in selling low on Marte last winter, as he was coming off an excellent 2025 campaign that included All-Star and Silver Slugger honors.
The Rays are headed to the World Series, champions of the American League after a night this team and these fans will never forget.
It was 18 years ago on this exact date — Oct. 19, 2008 — when the Rays punched their ticket to their first World Series, and Monday’s 7-3 win over the Guardians in Game 6 of the ALCS is sending them back for another shot at their first title in franchise history.
The 2026 World Series will crown a first-time champion either way as the Rays face the Brewers, who swept the back-to-back defending champion Dodgers in the NLCS. The Brewers have never won the World Series since joining MLB in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots and the Rays, who joined MLB in ’98, are in the same boat. Coming off the Dodgers’ dominance, a new day will dawn.
Teruaki Sato of the Hanshin Tigers is aiming to be the next Japanese slugger to move to American baseball.
Sato, who hit 39 home runs this season with 106 RBIs and an average of .306, is looking for a move to Major League Baseball through the posting system, the Japanese news agency Kyodo has reported.
He won the triple crown in Japan’s Central League.
“I am grateful to the team for respecting my wishes,” Sato said in a statement from the Tigers.
Perdomo and Swanson are longtime good defenders who both had good seasons this year, but they aren’t capable of the same incandescent brilliance as that top trio. I also considered Andrés Giménez, Otto Lopez, and Mookie Betts for this spot; they’re all in the same tier as Perdomo and Swanson for me. I’d be happy to have any of them as my shortstop, and I bet they’d all contend for the top spot if they shifted down to second base, but right now, the three W’s of Winn, Walls, and Witt are head and shoulders above the rest.
Boone has a 790-565 record during his managerial tenure, with winning records in all nine seasons. The Bronx Bombers have won three AL East titles and made the playoffs eight times under Boone, with that 2024 pennant marking their deepest postseason run. Boone ranks seventh all-time in both wins and total games amongst Yankees managers.
Of course, the biggest knock against Boone is that the first six managers on that list all won at least one World Series title. The Yankees’ lack of championships since 2009 counts as a major drought by their franchise standards, and New York’s lone pennant under Boone saw the Dodgers summarily dispatch the Yankees in five games. The team is 1-2 in three trips to the ALCS under Boone, and the last two seasons have seen the Yankees eliminate the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series before falling to the AL East champs in the ALDS (a four-game loss to the Blue Jays in 2025, and a three-game sweep to the Rays this October).
NBC Sports Boston
Kurt Helin
