WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 21: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards and Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards look on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2026 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the 2026-27 season after dismantling the Chicago Bulls 135-92, the largest home opener win in franchise history. Toronto heads to Washington on Friday looking to carry that momentum against a Wizards team that also opened its season with a win.
Toronto’s return to the court was highlighted by the reunion with Kawhi Leonard, who scored 23 points in his first regular-season game back with the Raptors. Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley also recorded 23 points apiece, while RJ Barrett added 20.
The Raptors established control immediately, scoring 43 points in the first quarter and forcing 27 turnovers. Their defensive pressure and balanced scoring proved too much for Chicago, although Toronto will want to see whether it can maintain that intensity against stronger opposition
TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls in the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington also began its campaign with an impressive performance, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 128-116. Anthony Davis led the way with 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Trae Young contributed 20 points and 13 assists. The Wizards overcame a slow start with a decisive fourth-quarter run to secure the victory.
Players to watch
Kawhi Leonard will be one to watch after a successful first game in his return to Toronto’s lineup. His two-way presence gives the Raptors another scoring option, while Scottie Barnes’ ability to contribute as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker will be crucial to Toronto’s success.
While the majority of the starting five played well, I would like to see more production from the bench, as I expect them to play a bigger role in this game against the Wizards.
For Washington, Anthony Davis presents the biggest matchup concern after his performance in the season opener. His interior scoring and rim protection could challenge Toronto on both ends of the floor, while Trae Young’s playmaking will be key to the Wizards’ offence.
Young’s connection with Davis could create problems for the Raptors if they allow the duo to dictate the pace.
A player that I was excited to watch is first overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, though he has been ruled out for Friday’s contest.
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 21: Trae Young #3 of the Washington Wizards and Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards look on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2026 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Keys to the game
The biggest question is whether Toronto can force turnovers and generate easy points again. The Raptors thrived on defensive pressure against Chicago, but Washington’s combination of Young’s passing and Davis’ finishing presents a different challenge.
The battle inside will also be important. Toronto must find a way to limit Davis without overcommitting defensively and leaving Washington’s perimeter players open.
Meanwhile, the Raptors’ ball movement and ability to get contributions from multiple scorers should help determine whether they can control the game.
Washington will also be looking to improve its perimeter shooting after struggling from three-point range against Milwaukee. If the Wizards find their touch from deep, they could make this a much closer contest.
Prediction
Toronto has the momentum and demonstrated how dangerous its offence can be when Barnes, Quickley, Barrett and Leonard contribute together. However, Davis and Young give Washington a formidable duo that should make things more difficult for the Raptors.
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 21 – Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors share a laugh on the bench as the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls in their season opener at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. October 21, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
Prediction: Raptors 114, Wizards 108.
Toronto’s depth and defensive pressure should be enough to secure a second straight win, but I would expect this to be a much closer matchup.
LeBron James went through his usual warmup routine again Thursday night, and then he came out firing.
The 76ers superstar responded to criticism from Donald Trump stemming from his continued pregame activities during the national anthem before Tuesday’s season-opener against the Knicks.
“It’s a slow news day at the office, you know,” James said. “Slow news day in the office.”
LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Getty Images
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer swung his arms and mimed a golf shot during during Avery Wilson’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “LeBron James should apologize to all of those Great American Warriors and Heroes who died for the American Flag, and all that our Country stands for!”
Ahead of Thursday night’s home opener against the Cavaliers, James was much more subdued during the anthem — not that he or his teammates were taking Trump’s post to heart.
“I think that goes right in with other outside noise we’ve already had,” coach Nick Nurse said before the 114-106 win that improved his team to 2-0. “I keep saying the same thing. All I really care about is getting to the practice floor, getting them in the film room, getting them to the game floor. The focus that they’ve had and the intent and all the stuff like that has been outstanding.”
President Donald Trump gestures during a midterm election campaign rally at Sioux Gateway Airport. AFP via Getty Images
James and Trump have never been shy about trading barbs, with the 22-time NBA All-Star calling the President a “bum” in a social media post in 2017.
Their spat comes as the national anthem re-emerges as hot button issue in sports.
The WNBA’s Valkyries and Dream have garnered attention by vacating the floor ahead of the anthem during the league’s championship series, though both have maintained it was part of their pregame routine long before the best-of-seven series began Oct. 17.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 26: Evan Carter #32 of the Texas Rangers celebrates his RBI double against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field on September 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the first inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on September 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Friday everyone!
The race to crown a first-time champion begins tonight as the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers host the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Fall Classic.
Milwaukee’s hard-throwing right-hander Jacob Misiorowski will start his team’s first World Series game in 44 years, while the Rays will counter with right-hander Nick Martinez, who is coming off a career-best season. It is fitting that these two teams are the last ones standing, given how much discussion of a salary cap and floor has hovered over MLB this season. Baseball fans, be sure to enjoy this World Series because the threat of an owner-imposed lockout could shut down the sport for an undetermined period.
Moving forward under new president of baseball operations Taylor Smith, the Athletics would be wise to follow the blueprint that the Brewers and Rays have successfully used. By relying on strong scouting and player development along with player acquisitions driven by shrewd use of research and data, these two small-market organizations annually build competitive rosters that often outperform their big-market division rivals.
If the A’s can blend this modern “Moneyball” strategy with what will likely be increased revenue from their new ballpark in Las Vegas, this historic club has the chance to escape last-place purgatory.
However, before the A’s Las Vegas era begins, the team will play one more season at West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park. Over the past two years, the team’s pitching staff has significantly struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard.
As a result, the A’s pitching staff, particularly its bullpen, needs a major boost. Upgrades could come from minor league prospects such as Jamie Arnold and Wei-En Lin making their mark in the majors, free-agent signings or trades, or current players such as Jack Perkins and Jacob Lopez taking the next step. This is where Smith’s background in research, data and statistics could make a difference.
In addition to bolstering the A’s roster this offseason, Smith must help manager Mark Kotsay hire several new assistant coaches, including a pitching coach. If the 2027 season happens and the team continues to flounder, that could spell the end of Kotsay’s tenure.
Who do you want to win the World Series? Did Smith’s intro press conference make you more or less excited about the hire? If you were in his shoes, what would you do first to improve the A’s roster?
October 22, 1972 – The celebration begins as the #Oakland A's, ending an #Athletics franchise streak of 40 consecutive years without a World Series appearance, defeat the #Reds 3 to 2 in the deciding 7th game to win the World Series championship.#MLB#OTD#1970spic.twitter.com/VuFIWa7Cu7
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Austin Warren #44 of the New York Mets looks on during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field on September 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After five years of sporadic big league appearances, Austin Warren established himself as a key member of the Mets’ bullpen in 2026. Claimed by New York ahead of the 2025 season from the Giants, Warren made five appearances over four different stints with the club. However, in 2026, Warren was a key member of the relief corps and, aside from a handful of appearances, was very good for the Mets.
Warren threw a six-pitch mix this season, but relied mostly on four: a curveball, four-seam fastball, sinker, and sweeper. The sweeper is his bread and butter, thrown 45.5% of the time, but wasn’t his most frequently used put-out pitch, which would be the sinker. Warren walked more batters than you’d like from a reliever (4.3/9), but he was able to keep most of them from scoring.
For the first two months of the year, Warren appeared in 14 games and only gave up runs in two of them, and the runs did not change the outcome of the games, both of which the Mets lost. Things got a little rougher in June, where the Mets lost in back to back appearances by Warren on June 6 and 10. In each, he gave up two runs, including the second game, where he acted as the opener.
However, the worst two appearances of the season came in July, and were followed immediately by a stint on the Injured List with a right forearm strain. Over two appearances, Warren threw two plus innings of work, giving up nine earned runs on eight hits and two walks.
When Warren returned, he was more or less back to his early season performance, giving up just five earned runs in 15 appearances, striking out 18, walking six, and one home run over his final 15 and a third innings.
Warren is arbitration eligible this season and seems likely to be tendered a contract after his strong performance. Plus, his mustache game is strong, rocking a Sean Reid-Foley/Major Dad-esque soup strainer. The Mets need better facial hair in general, so you can’t lose a key player like this.
In the series of articles I’m writing about all the Cubs who are pending free agents or have various types of options, this will likely be among the shortest.
The Cubs signed Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $30 million deal before the 2025 season. It included a mutual $15 million option for 2027, with a $2 million buyout.
I’ll get to that, but let’s look at what Boyd produced over those two years.
The 2025 season was probably the best of Boyd’s career (though he had higher WAR with the Tigers in 2019). Boyd posted a 3.21 ERA in 31 starts in 2025 and made his only All-Star appearance.
This year was filled with injuries and some really rough outings. In the end it wasn’t a terrible season; he posted a 3.91 ERA in 22 starts, though his final start, in the Wild Card Series against the Padres, was a tough one.
That one will probably be our final memory of Boyd as a Cub. The team will almost certainly decline the mutual option, making him a free agent.
One thing Boyd did exceptionally well is pickoffs. He had 12 in 2025, leading MLB by a significant margin (no one else had more than six). With fewer innings this year, he led again with six. We’ll miss that.
Boyd turns 36 in February. He’s probably past his best years and I think the Cubs should move on, thanking him for the two years he spent here and paying him the buyout. Apart from brief times in Seattle and Cleveland, Boyd had his best MLB success as a North Sider. Thanks, Matthew, for that, and I wish you well going forward.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 11: Chase Harlan #11 of the Glendale Desert Dogs bats during the game between the Desert Dogs and the Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Surprise, AZ United States. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Taking the lead in the first at-bat of the game with a solo shot was a prelude to what would turn out to be a blowout win by the Desert Dogs over the Solar Sox—scoring 10 runs and giving up none. Glendale put up a complete performance top to bottom, a rare sight for a team that entered play on Thursday with 12 losses in 15 games.
Pitcher Sam Horn, who came into this game having made four appearances, was the first man out of Glendale’s bullpen. Horn managed to complete a scoreless sixth with one strikeout despite allowing a pair of base runners via walk and a hit.
Starting and batting cleanup, Chase Harlan was one of the standout performers for the Desert Dogs, leaving the yard in the seventh—his third home run in the Arizona Fall League. The homer wrapped up an outstanding performance for the third baseman, who secured a team-high four hits, driving in three and a triple shy of the cycle. While he didn’t drive anyone in or score a run, Eduardo Quintero managed a hit in the middle of this scoring fest for the visiting side.
Chase Harlan homers and is a triple shy of the cycle!
No games on Friday. The Glendale Desert Dogs return to the field on Saturday, hosting the Scottsdale Scorpions, with the Dodgers’ very own Luke Fox making the start. The first pitch will be at 4:30 p.m. (PT).
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning everyone and happy Friday!
The 2026 World Series kicks off tonight with the Brewers hosting the Rays at 5pm PT. In the meantime, let’s catch you up on the goings-on of the sport we love.
Freddy Peralta is a breakout star of this year’s postseason. Jarrett Sielder at Baseball Prospectus looked back on all three trades that Peralta has been involved in as a professional. ($)
As we prepare for a grueling CBA battle that has been brewing for years, Jayson Stark at The Athletic wrote about how this World Series matchup is instilling hope that the sport isn’t as broken as some say it is.
BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 21: Julius Randle #30 and Moritz Wagner #13 of the Brooklyn Nets shake hands against the Charlotte Hornets on October 21, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There was plenty to enjoy at the start of opening night. The new court, the jerseys, the starting lineup video and Vince Carter’s brief speech all helped set the stage for a new season in Brooklyn.
Then the game started.
The Nets’ defensive problems were hard to miss. Charlotte scored 48 points in the paint and 20 second-chance points, exposing the risk of prioritizing positional size without having the personnel to make it work. The Hornets shot 17-of-22 at the rim (77.3%), compared with Brooklyn’s 12-of-24 (50%).
Day’Ron Sharpe wasn’t a liability, but his early foul trouble disrupted the frontcourt rotation. He picked up his second foul at the 7:28 mark of the first quarter, when Brooklyn led 11-5. Moritz Wagner checked in and Charlotte immediately attacked the rim.
Charlotte went on an 11-1 run from that point to take a 16-12 lead. Brooklyn didn’t regain the lead until 8:12 remained in the third quarter, when Michael Porter Jr. hit a three-pointer and converted the ensuing free throw to put the Nets ahead 64-62.
The problem wasn’t limited to one stretch. Charlotte kept creating extra possessions, and Brooklyn couldn’t consistently finish defensive stops. With 7:03 left in the third quarter, the Hornets grabbed three offensive rebounds before Naz Reid knocked down a three-pointer to put Charlotte back in front, 65-64.
Head coach Jordi Fernández pointed to the rebounding issues.
“Just help with the technique,” Fernández said. “If your man doesn’t crash, you can go sandwich and help. Like, it’s all these things that we’ve worked on that obviously we didn’t execute.”
“You can win a basketball game and not do anything principle-wise how you’re supposed to do as a team. So, we don’t want to do that. We want to win every game playing our style of basketball, holding each other accountable, doing the things that it’s going to take not just to win games but just establish the culture and identity of the team that we want to be,” Jordi Fernandez said after the game.
Foul trouble made the problem harder to manage. Brooklyn spent a combined 2:31 across two stretches without either Sharpe or Wagner on the floor, leaving Noah Clowney to play center. That’s a small-ball look for a team built around positional size.
Clowney picked up his fifth foul with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, then fouled out at 3:44, just 1:28 after returning to the floor. Randle had also picked up his fourth foul at 9:48.
Randle finished with 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but acknowledged that Brooklyn needed to be more physical on the glass.
“We got to look at the film,” Randle said. “I think we got to, including myself, I put it on me. We got to impose our physicality on those things and hit people first. So, I’ll set a tone with that.”
The Nets also didn’t get enough help offensively to offset their defensive problems. Porter Jr. and Randle were Brooklyn’s only players to score at least 10 points. The bench combined for 25 points on 6-of-19 shooting, while Drake Powell, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf didn’t log a single minute.
All three were among Brooklyn’s five first-round picks in 2025, the most the franchise has ever selected in a single draft. Egor Dëmin and Nolan Traoré, the two first-round picks who did play, combined to shoot 2-of-14 and committed five turnovers.
Dëmin was candid about his performance.
“Mine? Not very good,” Dëmin said. “I’m not very happy with how I end up playing the game. I started with two scored buckets, but then kind of just got slower from a standpoint of my intensity.”
Brooklyn shot 12-of-31 from three-point range (38.7%), so perimeter shooting wasn’t the main issue. The Nets needed more production from the supporting cast to make up for what they were giving up inside.
Charlotte center Moussa Diabaté logged 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, eight rebounds and five steals, while Starting power forward Naz Reid finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
It’s one game, but it exposed a familiar problem for Brooklyn: size at the five. The Nets want players who can move across positions and create advantages. But what happens when that versatility leaves them vulnerable at the rim, on the glass and short on reliable production from the bench?
Charlotte, even without three of its starters, exposed those weaknesses on opening night.
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 20: Mitchell Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 20, 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 schedule won’t give the Knicks a break as New York visits the Celtics on Friday to fight old pal Mitch Robinson in Beantown.
New York’s off to a losing start to their title-defense season, and going against the also-winless Leprechauns won’t make things easier.
Here’s the latest from your beloved Knickerbockers.
On Andre Drummond’s performance in the Knicks’ season opener against the 76ers:
“I thought he played with a lot of bounce, energy, in the first half on both ends of the floor. We probably ran him too long because it looked like in the second half, not just him but especially our five starters, it looked like he ran out of a little bit of gas. I gotta keep getting to know him to see where the minutes may lie for him to be effective. But I thought he was really, really, really good in the first half.”
On Mitchell Robinson signing with the Celtics and facing him on Friday:
“You’re excited for anybody that’s able to help their situation or family, in life, and Boston gave him a nice deal. And so, you want nothing but the best for him because you know him, and he’s a great, great, great dude. But you wanna beat him at the end of the day.
“So it’s gonna be exciting to see him because of the type of person he is and what we all went through together last year. But at the end of the day, we want to kick his [butt] like he probably wants to kick ours.”
On whether the Knicks might use the Hack-a-Mitch strategy against Mitchell Robinson:
“Me personally, I’ve always leaned more to do that come playoff time or later in the season where you’re really trying to gameplan and get certain games. Right now, I want to see if we can defend these guys with what our foundation is.
“If at some point throughout the course of the game it happens, it happens, but right now I’m just trying to think about communice, be physical without foul, no blow-bys, contest and finish every shot, ball pressure—trying to establish a foundation.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns needing to stop drawing unnecessary fouls:
“Some guys, I say, ‘go try to get fouled,’ Nah nah nah. KAT: You’re a freaking perennial All-Star. So just make the bucket, and if he happens to foul you, then great. When you do those types of [foul-baiting] things, it shortens your opportunities to pick up a foul when you’re boxing out or trying to get a rebound and stuff like that, so that’s the stuff we want to try to eliminate from his game.”
On Towns’ improvement with fouls last season:
“To his credit, he got better as [last] year went along. This is a new year, new team, new challenges.”
On allowing Towns to make mistakes while adjusting to the new season:
“I don’t want him to take 10 steps backwards, but if he takes a couple steps backwards and he’s gotta figure it out, I’m OK with it.”
“There was a three that he shot with Maxey closing out to him. He stuck his leg out. He’s a good enough player to where he doesn’t need to look for and/or try to draw the foul. Just make the basket.”
"I can't even really explain it. I got chills."
Andre Drummond talks about getting to play for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden: pic.twitter.com/msGT5yfHi8
On staying in the locker room during the Knicks’ championship ceremony:
“I feel like I gotta earn it. I don’t want to experience something that I wasn’t there for.
“I want to be able to experience that [celebration] because I was a part of it. I let those guys have their moment.”
On hearing Knicks fans chant his name at Madison Square Garden:
“It was pretty surreal. Just the energy of the arena, just because of how hard I was working, how hard I was playing, just to hear it, I can’t even really explain it. I got chills. Something you live for as a player, hearing the fans be behind you.
“This arena’s electric. Just doing hard work and aggressive plays gets the crowd going, so it gets me going too.”
On learning Mike Brown’s system and adjusting to his coaching style:
“I think it’s been fun for both of us because, obviously, yes, he’s still trying to get to know me and vice versa, I’m trying to get to know him as a coach. I think we surprise each other on a daily basis on the different things that I’m capable of doing as a player. And obviously, the way his coaching style is too, the freedom I have too, is a little bit different. It’s like a tug-and-pull every time we step on the floor with each other. … It’s cool to have the freedom to play the way I want to play, be able to use my experience and my veteran leadership to play the way I want to play but also play the way he wants me to.”
On feeling welcomed by his new Knicks teammates:
“This is a great team. Great core group. They’ve done a great job of incorporating me into the group and making me feel like I’m one of them.”
On being prepared to step in when Karl-Anthony Towns gets into foul trouble:
“I’m always ready when the moment comes. Obviously, we want KAT to play but whenever my number’s called, I always try to be prepared to go.”
"It's game one. It means literally nothing. We don't want to be the best version of ourselves game one – if we are, it's going to be a long season. A lot of mistakes that we have to learn from."
On the Knicks’ 0-1 start and the importance of learning from mistakes:
“It’s Game 1. It means literally nothing. We don’t want to be the best version of ourselves game one – if we are, it’s going to be a long season. A lot of mistakes that we have to learn from.”
On the emotional significance of the Knicks’ championship celebration:
“Something like that, it has a special place in your heart. Now, we’re happy that all of that’s over with and we can fully turn the page and focus on this year.”
On receiving his championship ring in front of Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden:
“It was super dope. A moment you dream of.”
On how the Knicks’ locker room has changed since Mitchell Robinson’s departure:
“It’s definitely different. Obviously that’s someone who’s had a big presence here, big presence in the locker room…No one else listens to country [music] but me, so that’s tough in the weight room. The lack of his presence is obviously felt a little bit. That’s why it’s a new team.”
On the Celtics potentially assigning Robinson to guard him:
“They cross match a lot, so I’m sure he’ll be guarding me, so can’t wait to shoot in that… When I make a couple, I’m gonna let him know.”
On what he expects from the Knicks going against Mitch:
“It’s gonna be the same thing. We’re still gonna be battling for rebounds.”
"I never want to put my team in that kind of position – I have to do a better job to make sure I'm available for my team"
On facing former Knicks teammate Mitchell Robinson and the Celtics:
“It’s bittersweet. You love Mitch — we’ve done so many historical things together here.
“To not see him in a Knicks jersey anymore…we’re a family unit. To not be able to have him with us on this journey after that amazing journey we went through is bittersweet.
“But it’s going to be amazing to be able to see our brother, hug him, show him some love and compete playing basketball like we love to do. We made each other better. He brought the best out of me, and I feel that I was able to bring the best out of him.
“Mitch was a big part of this team winning a championship and probably has the most important offensive rebound in Knicks history.”
On needing to avoid foul trouble and remain available for his teammates:
“All jokes have some truth to it, right? I never want to put my team in that kind of position — I have to do a better job, not only in the regular season but in the postseason, to make sure I’m available for my team.”
Mitchell Robinson on facing the Knicks tomorrow night:
"It doesn't matter that I'm playing my former team…it's basketball, it's a business. Got to play the team just like you play any other team." pic.twitter.com/4M3XHOjYak
On facing the Knicks for the first time since signing with the Celtics:
“It doesn’t matter that I’m playing my former team. It’s more so just trying to bounce back from what happened two days ago. It’s basketball, it’s a business. Got to play the team just like you play any other team.”
On not watching the Knicks’ championship ring ceremony:
“I didn’t watch it. I mean, I was still stuck in my head (about the opening-day loss)… I’m proud of those guys. Obviously I was a part of it. Didn’t really want to watch it.”
On defending Jalen Brunson and approaching his former teammates like any other opponent:
“Just here to play basketball. Same thing I’ll do with any other team, same thing I’ll do with them. It’s just all about basketball.”
On using the Celtics’ season-opening loss as motivation:
“I use it as fuel, kinda have to. Last game we got demolished. As a big, can’t let that happen. I gotta take that on the chin and learn from it, watch the film, and get better, and just focus on the next one.”
LeBron on playing the Knicks on their ring night:
"It was a great night for New York fans…50+ years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn't won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget this moment, will never forget that… pic.twitter.com/bEPDJTSw25
On witnessing the Knicks’ championship ceremony after experiencing a similar moment in Cleveland:
“It was a great night for New York fans. Obviously, it’s something… 50+ years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget this moment, will never forget that championship run.
“We were happy that we were just able to come and play on such a historical night, a historical building, and play the game we love.”
On defending Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns:
“Obviously, KAT is very dangerous when he has space. Anytime JB is handling the ball with KAT popping, it creates a long closeout for guys trying to get to that shot.”
Melo is wondering what specific basketball SKILLSET has Victor Wembanyama worked on to further develop his game 🤔
“You can’t be 7 whatever and don’t have that [post] skillset … Back to the basket traditional right hook, left hook, did [Wemby] work on that enough to be… pic.twitter.com/VG26xVXjmc
Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
On the heels of his breakout 2025 campaign, the Yankees extended a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, an offer that the outfielder accepted. On the surface, it seemed like a piece of business that could work out nicely for both sides. The Yankees retained their starting center fielder at a price just north of $20 million, and Grisham got a chance to prove his 2025 was no fluke, setting him up to enter free agency in 2026 without a qualifying offer and with his status as one of the top hitters on the market cleanly established.
For a while, everything went according to plan. Then, injuries struck, Grisham’s production plummeted, and his, and the Yankees’, season ended in ignominy.
Grisham got off to a nominally slow start this year, but thanks in part to the near-ubiquity of Statcast, most fans saw through his opening slump. The 29-year-old was hitting the ball well, but he wasn’t hitting ’em where they ain’t, so the early-season consensus on Grisham was that he was just one of the unluckiest hitters in baseball.
Eventually, the results started to come. After the calendar turned to May and up through June 12th, Grisham hit .290/.373/.473, and was one of the primary reasons the Yankee offense remained excellent during the interim period between Aaron Judge’s initial injury and his placement on the IL.
On that day of June 12th, however, Grisham’s season changed irreversibly. Grisham suffered what the team referred to as a “moderate” hamstring strain in his right leg, landing him on the injured list. Grisham only missed about three weeks with the ailment, but when he returned, he wasn’t the same player. From his return on July 3rd on, Grisham hit just .186/.269/.381.
What made matters worse was Grisham’s deteriorating performance in center field. Even during his superlative 2025 season, Grisham’s defense regressed by almost any measure, and at no point in 2026, before or after his hamstring injury, did Grisham look like he was in position to bounce back in that facet of the game. By season’s end, Grisham rated in the tenth percentile among outfielders in Statcast’s Range metric, and was eight runs below average by Defensive Runs Saved.
Grisham’s decline came to a head in the playoffs. He reinjured his right hamstring in early September, and hit the IL for the remainder of the regular season before the Yankees activated him for the postseason. Grisham started both games of the Wild Card Series against Boston and did well enough with the bat, picking up two hits in Game 2, but he did not look capable of playing center field at the major league level:
The Yankees stuck with Grisham as they faced off with Tampa Bay in the ALDS, and Grisham went 0-for-11 with five strikeouts while continuing to play a limited form of center field defense.
As far as Grisham defenders go, I actually consider myself as one of the staunchest. Grisham was one of the team’s best hitters before he got hurt this season, and though there’s no way to prove this definitively, I believe that he would have gone on to have an excellent offensive season had he stayed healthy. But the fact of the matter is that Grisham did get hurt, and the player that was scalding the ball early in the year ceased to exist. Despite that version of Grisham disappearing, the Yankees stuck with him to the bitter end, a decision that in all likelihood hurt their chances of prevailing when they faced off with the American League’s top seed in the playoffs. It’s unfortunate that Grisham hitting leadoff in the season’s last game and going 0-for-5 may very well be the lasting image of him in pinstripes for many fans, especially since Grisham’s tenure in the Bronx should largely be defined by his reinvention with the bat and his mid-career growth into a formidable power threat.
Trent Grisham and the Yankees in 2026 could have worked out. Perhaps there’s an alternate universe out there very similar to this one, where Grisham’s hamstring stayed intact and he hit 35 bombs to give the Yankees another potent lefty bat in the lineup. But that’s not the universe we live in. Here, Grisham got hurt and his performance suffered, with the team trotting him out there in a vain attempt to get him back to his prior self night after night. It’s because of that that Grisham goes home with one of the harshest grades you’ll see in our Report Card series.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning in game four of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on October 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now that all but two teams are done playing, baseball and the writers who cover the game are turning their attention to the brief span of time that will be the open market for players. With the potential lockout looming on Dec. 2, executives, players and agents must devise a strategy for handling this unique month ahead of them.
The last lockout, during the 2021 offseason, lasted 99 days. Spring Training was shortened and regular season double-headers had to be played to get all the games in. There was no salary floor or salary cap proposed last time. The game was still recovering from the COVID pandemic and that contentious subject was avoided.
This time, with a resurgent sport and enthusiastic fan base, it seems both sides are willing to risk alienating those fans in order to bring massive change or keep the status quo in the financial structure of baseball.
A trade could make the most sense
A recent article by Andy McCullough in The Athleticfloated the idea that executives and agents alike might make a fast start to this abbreviated free agent period. There is a sentiment that signing before potential rule changes could benefit both sides. The unpredictable time span before a new season begins could spur unprecedented activity.
Signing first baseman Ty France to a deal should be the priority for the San Diego Padres. But at the same time, they need to consider a trade. One that would give them a little financial wiggle room but would also address a need.
Tim Britton, also of The Athletic, surveyed the free agent class of players available during this volatile time. While the pitching market looks ripe with talent, the position player class is rated as the second worst in a decade. The best hitters on the list, Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki and Brandon Lowe, are all 32 years old.
The Padres’ primary need is starting pitching. Most of their positions are occupied once they re-sign France. Should they also re-sign Ramón Laureano, the bench would be their primary positional need.
Deal from a strength
They also have three catchers on the major league depth chart. That is most likely one too many. They have an outfielder who owns two Platinum Gloves and prefers to play in the infield.
For multiple seasons, Jake Cronenworth has been the subject of trade rumors but he has remained a Padre every time. He plays the position that Fernando Tatis Jr. would probably choose to play. They also have a defense-first infielder in Sung-Mun Song who needs to play more so that he can get better against major league pitching.
Packaging either Freddie Fermin or Luis Campusano with Jake Cronenworth in exchange for a starter or bench depth/outfielder could go a long way toward setting the Padres up for what will need to be an active free agent period.
A busy trip to Las Vegas
The General Manager’s meetings begin in Las Vegas on Nov. 9. They are traditionally the start of the trade season, with the free agent market usually getting hot during the Winter Meetings. With the pending labor dispute, the Winter Meetings will likely be cancelled and everything will be swinging in Las Vegas.
President of baseball operations/general manager A.J. Preller will have a structure by then that will dictate the financials and goals of the organization. He should know how much he can spend and which players are considered available. He will have a shopping list for what is needed.
If the Padres can make a fast break during November, getting a skeleton of a starting staff and their team MVP of 2026 back in the fold, the extended work stoppage that might come will not bring as much worry to the fan base.
Knowing that the 2027 season, whenever it begins, has most of a team already in place should decrease the anxiety that the shortened offseason would normally bring.
There is also a chance everyone plays it safe and almost nothing happens during the short signing season. But the chance of that seems like a big gamble for the teams that consider themselves playoff contenders. Pushing through a lot of business in a short time will make for hasty decisions and probably inflate player values.
The November flurry of activity could be a small one or a blizzard. If it’s a blizzard, the Padres and Preller have to be taking part.
Padres News:
In his ongoing grading of players on the Padres’ roster, Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball takes a look at veteran shortstop, Xander Bogaerts.
Here is all the information for Game 1 of the World Series, which starts tonight along with three questions to think about as the championship series gets underway.
Former San Diego pitcher Nick Martinez will start Game 1 for Tampa Bay against Milwaukee and ace Jacob Misiorowski.
The last time the Mets made a big splash by signing a position player from Japan was the only time they made a big splash signing a position player from Japan.
It was the 2003-04 offseason, and the player was Kaz Matsui, a power-hitting superstar infielder. The signing of Matsui was enormous at the time since it came on the heels of Ichiro Suzuki being the first-ever Japanese position player to be posted and signed by an MLB team -- in 2001 with the Mariners, when he won the MVP award. Shortly after Suzuki arrived, Hideki Matsui inked a deal with the Yankees during the 2002-03 offseason and made an immediate impact in the majors.
The Mets had signed a Japanese position player before, landing the flashy outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo ahead of the 2001 season. But Shinjo, while a fun player, was not viewed as a difference-maker.
Kaz Matsui was, though he didn't live up to the hype. He had a respectable .727 OPS in 2004 but flamed out quickly in New York, with a .670 OPS in 255 games over parts of three seasons before he was traded to Colorado in June of 2006. Matsui had some solid years for the Rockies and Astros later in his career, but never hit more than nine home runs in a season -- a massive disappointment after blasting 30-plus homers in back-to-back seasons for the Seibu Lions in Japan before coming to the majors.
Since Matsui, the Mets have been active in the Japanese market, but it has been limited to pitchers -- most recently the signing of Kodai Senga and strong pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto before he landed with the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Japanese position players have continued to wind up elsewhere.
Most recently, Shohei Ohtani went to the Angels and then the Dodgers (refusing to even consider an East Coast team), Seiya Suzuki signed with the Cubs, Kazuma Okamoto landed with the Blue Jays, and Munetaka Murakami inked a deal with the White Sox.
Another crop of Japanese stars is about to hit the open market this offseason, and slugging infielder Teruaki Sato could be a strong fit for New York.
Should the Mets pursue Sato? Here are the pros and cons...
Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Hanshin Tigers right fielder Teruaki Sato (8) gestures during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome. / Darren Yamashita - Imagn Images
PROS
Sato has reached another level offensively over the last two seasons for the Hanshin Tigers.
He smacked 40 homers and 34 doubles while posting a .924 OPS in 2025 as he won the Central League MVP award. Sato followed that up in 2026 with another monster season. In 143 games, he slashed .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs, 40 doubles, 100 runs scored, and 106 RBI -- winning the Triple Crown in the process.
Sato also excelled in a small sample against international competition in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, hitting .300/.417/.600 with three doubles in 12 plate appearances.
A look at Sato's advanced stats doesn't reveal any glaring issues. While he has a propensity to strike out (he fanned 164 times in 143 games in 2026), his strikeout percentage has been quite steady since 2023 -- and it actually ticked down a bit from 2025 (27.3 percent) to 2026 (26.7 percent) as his power output increased. Sato's BABIP in 2026 (.370) was a career high, so there should be some regression there. But his BABIP has always trended relatively high (.343 in 2024, .323 in 2025).
When it comes to durability, Sato has been a rock of sorts, appearing in 132 or more games in each of his first six seasons.
Sato also has youth on his side, as he'll be playing the entire 2027 season at just 28 years old.
While Sato has been primarily a third baseman and corner outfielder in Japan, many experts believe his defensive home in the majors will be at first base.
If Sato is indeed destined for first base, it would make him an ideal fit for a Mets team that still has a huge hole at the position. Jared Young performed admirably there this past season with Jorge Polanco injured and Mark Vientos ineffective, but Young -- who doesn't have much power and struggles against left-handed pitching -- might profile better in a reserve role.
Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Hanshin Tigers right fielder Teruaki Sato (8) poses for a photo after defeating the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome. / Darren Yamashita - Imagn Images
CONS
While Sato might fit better at first base than third base, that doesn't mean he can definitely handle the position. At the same time, plenty of players have made a successful transition across the diamond, so there should be hope that a relatively athletic player like Sato can do it.
Another possible knock against Sato -- strictly when it comes to a possible Mets pursuit -- is that he hits from the left side of the plate.
The Mets are already very left-handed, with Juan Soto, Carson Benge, and A.J. Ewing among their key offensive cogs. But they do have some variety with the switch-hitting Francisco Lindor, both of their catchers (Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens), and Bo Bichette (if he opts in to his contract) all hitting from the right side.
Then there's the strikeouts.
As is noted above, Sato's strikeout rate for Hanshin in 2026 was 26.7 percent (164 K's in 143 games).
In 2024, in what was his last full season playing in Japan, Murakami's strikeout rate was 29.5 percent (180 in 143 games). In 69 games in 2025, Murakami's strikeout rate was 28.6 percent (71 in 69 games). In his first season for the White Sox, Murakami fanned a whopping 196 times in 127 games -- a rate of 35.4 percent.
Even though it's fair to expect Sato's strikeout rate to tick up as he transitions to the majors, there's no reason to believe it will be as stark as Murakami's increase.
In any event, even while striking out as often as he did in 2026, Murakami was still very valuable for Chicago, posting an .825 OPS (130 OPS+) and cracking 35 homers in 127 games.
VERDICT
With the Mets seemingly locked in at most positions on the diamond, the easiest way to move the needle offensively is to add someone to play first base or be the regular designated hitter. And with there being serious drawbacks to adding a DH-only player, the target should be first base.
There are other intriguing first basemen set to be on the free agent market, including Ty France. But none of them possess the upside of Sato.
Sato obviously comes with some risk, but it's time for the Mets to take a big swing on a high upside talent.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 22: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The home debut for LeBron James and Jaylen Brown was always going to be a memorable one. The Sixers made sure of that with their biggest comeback in the play-by-play era. They stormed back from 29 points down to fend off the Cleveland Cavaliers on national television.
Starting the second half down 24 points, the Sixers went full throttle for the final 24 minutes of the game, outscoring the Cavs 69-37 in the second half to secure the 114-106 victory. There were several runs needed to pull off the comeback, but the one that gave them their first lead of the night was a 15-0 stretch that lasted over five minutes.
A familiar sight in the form of a Joel Embiid heater initially gave them that one-point advantage, but as his minutes racked up, an even more familiar problem loomed. For his entire career, the Sixers have massively dropped their production when the big fella heads to the bench. Despite all the shiny new additions to the team, that fear feels as strong as ever seeing Adem Bona’s play through the first two games of the season.
Embiid had just given them the lead but after playing most of the second half and still six and a half minutes to go, Nick Nurse needed to give him a breather. With just a one-point lead the question became how will the Sixers survive these next couple minutes until they can get their full starting five back on the court?
All five guys on the floor stepped up, including Bona, who was finally able to swat a shot so hard it leaked all the way out to give Tyrese Maxey a fast break layup. The biggest answer to that question though, was Jaylen Brown.
Like just about every other Sixer, Brown had struggled most of the night to find his offensive footing. It seemed like the Cavs were able to prevent him from getting to his spots, not allowing him from getting into any type of rhythm.
After securing a rebound, Brown brought the ball up the floor and was finally able to hit a midrange pull-up jumper. On the next two possessions, he put his head down and got all the way to the rim. Brown’s surge put them up seven, where the Sixers were able to trade baskets for the next minute and a half, allowing Embiid and LeBron to check back into a game with that lead with only 3:32 to go. From there, the starters were able to grind out their second win of the season.
After the game, Nick Nurse was asked if the nature of the comeback meant he played his starters more minutes than he would have liked too. While Nurse acknowledged he let that group ride longer in the third because of the run, he was able to get those minutes back because of how well the group played with Embiid and James off the floor.
“We were getting ready to sub, and it’s like it’s not time to,” Nurse said, “’cause they’ve gotten like three consecutive stops and three consecutive scores. You got to let them play their next two possessions to see what happens, and I think they did it again, so we were able to buy another couple minutes before we brought LeBron and Joel back.”
Embiid and LeBron played 34 and 33 minutes, respectively. According to Nurse, that’s right about the number the team wants those guys at for the regular season.
While the backup center position may still need addressing, this fourth quarter was the proof of concept for this team. They are supposed to be stacked with enough star talent that someone else can take over for a few possessions while others catch a breather, and that’s exactly what Brown did.
As for Brown himself, he’s still figuring out when exactly to pick and choose his spots.
“It’s gonna take some time,” Brown said. “Just trying to earn trust from my teammates, earn trust from my coaching staff. I feel like I can make plays for my team. I’m a winning player. So, whatever it takes for us to win, that’s what I’m willing to do.”
For a group that is still very much learning each other, they’ve accomplished some cool things so far through two games.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Cade Povich #37 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 18, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every team needs a guy who can spend most of the year in the minors and comes up to the big leagues to fill in for someone who is hurt or to help the rest of the rotation get another day of rest. As a team, you could do worse than to have lefty Cade Povich in that position.
After making 16 starts in 2024 and 20 starts in 2025 for the Orioles, Povich couldn’t crack the Orioles’ starting rotation out of Spring Training in 2026. It’s not surprising. While Povich showed flashes of brilliance over the previous two years, he was mostly quite bad. His ERA was over 5 both seasons. He walked too many guys and allowed too many homers.
With Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt added to the team, there was no room for Povich in the rotation. Heck, there wasn’t even room for Dean Kremer. And so off Triple-A Norfolk Povich went.
Povich’s 2026 debut came on March 31st with the Norfolk Tides. It was not good. He struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone, but he allowed five runs in five innings and gave up two home runs. Even so, he was the first man up when Zach Eflin went onto the IL after just one start.
Povich only appeared in eight games with the Orioles, and he never made more than two appearances in a row before being sent back to the minors. He was truly a use in case of emergency kind of guy.
His first stint with the team lasted two games, and he was actually pretty good. On April 5th, he relieved Bassitt in the third inning and pitched 5.2 strong with two runs. His next appearance was an excellent game against the Giants. Povich pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just one run.
Despite the limited success, Povich was sent back to the minors the day after his second start. The Orioles needed a starter for the next day, so they swapped him with Kremer. He wasn’t down long, though. After two starts at Triple-A, Povich was right back on the big league roster.
He might have lasted longer in this stint, but in his second start back, he was pulled after just three innings. He had forearm soreness, which, luckily for him, did not send him to Tommy John surgery. It did cause him to miss quite a bit of time. By the time he healed, rehabbed, and was back with the Tides, he was almost two months later.
By early July, the Orioles rotation was solidified with Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Kremer, Brandon Young, and Shane Baz. So Povich settled into Norfolk’s rotation, although he didn’t have a very impressive stretch. Over five starts, he had an ERA over 7. He only had two true clunkers, but failed to pitch deep into games and gave up a bunch of homers. If he was angling for a call-up, he wasn’t doing a very good job.
He got called back up at the beginning of August anyway. Somebody had to pitch after Kremer was traded to the Twins, so Povich it was. And in his start on August 4th against the Angels, he was very good. He pitched six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and earned himself another look. But once again, he was gone after two starts. It had to be frustrating to him. Bassit was returning to the rotation, so someone had to go.
Povich got two more starts with the Orioles after that. He was back for just one day on August 31st to start against the Rockies, and again on September 18th against the Brewers.
Altogether, Povich had five stints with the Orioles, five stints with the Tides, and one rehab stint with the Chesapeake Baysox. In 13 starts with the Tides, he had a 6.28 ERA. He struck out over 10 batters per nine innings, but allowed 17 homers in just 61.2 innings.
In eight games with the Orioles, Povich pitched 37 innings with a 4.38 ERA. He struck out 28, which was just 6.8 per nine innings. But he only allowed six home runs! Small victories.
Cade Povich turns 27 years old just after Opening Day 2027. He is no longer a prospect, and he was never a top prospect. He struggled mightily in Triple-A, especially with the long ball.
It’s hard to judge his MLB season with the way he was moved up and down, but it’s hard to envision him having a place in the Orioles’ Major League rotation. Since Povich was shut out of the Opening Day rotation in 2026, the Orioles have lost (or will lose after the World Series) Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer, Chris Bassitt, and Zach Eflin.
They still have Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, and Brandon Young but will have to build out the rest. If they end up filling those spots with Povich and/or Trey Gibson, it will be hard to take them seriously as a team that intends to contend.
Povich could be included in a trade, but in my opinion, he will, in 2027, fill a similar role to the one he did in 2026. It’s probably what he is best suited for. I’d love for him to prove me wrong.
