“I’m so excited. I’m never watching another baseball game again,” the 34-year-old model admitted while sitting next to Verlander when asked about her feelings about his retirement by co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
“It was tears of joy for me,” Upton added as laughs filled the room.
Kate Upton and Justin Verlander are seen at the “TODAY” show in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. GC Images
Verlander, 43, was honored at Comerica Park on Friday night before taking the mound for the last time on Saturday against the Pirates in what was a 4-3 win for Detroit.
Before his last start, the three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion also caught the first pitch thrown by his 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, who threw a strike and then gave her dad a big hug in what was adorable moment.
“It’s been awesome. We’ve been practicing,” Verlander told reporters before the game. “She’s all pumped up about it. We actually came out here to the field and practiced off the mound one day. I asked her, ‘Where do you want to go? You want to go to the mound? And she’s like, ‘The mound.’ I’m like, that’s my girl.”
Another emotional moment came when Verlander was pulled in the top of the sixth inning.
He began to shake with tears as Genevieve, who was wearing her dad’s Tiger jersey, sprinted out to give him a hug following his last MLB pitch. Verlander gave his daughter the ball and said goodbye to his teammates before walking off the diamond to a standing ovation while holding Genevieve’s hand.
Upton, dressed in an orange sweater and Tigers hat, was watching with their 1-year-old son, Bellamy. The family of four hugged before leaving through the team’s dugout.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is greeted by his wife Kate Upton after the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectGenevieve Verlander, right, hugs her father Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers as he leaves the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Getty Images
Verlander gave up five hits and two runs with six strikeouts. He finished the season with a 7.00 ERA.
His 266 career wins rank 36th all-time — tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey — while a total of 3,560 strikeouts are the eighth-most ever.
“There’s no script,” he said afterwards. “I want to go as long as I can. I skipped about a month’s worth of rehab to be able to do this, but I also don’t want to just go out there and throw 20 pitches. I think everybody feels comfortable with 20 pitches, and then after that, we’re kind of in a who-knows zone.”
Verlander and Upton met while filming a commercial for “Major League Baseball 2K12” in 2013. The two became an official couple in 2014 and Upton posted a photo of her with the major leaguer at Fenway Park.
The two got engaged in 2016 and tied the knot in 2017 in Tuscany, Italy just days after Verlander won the World Series with the Astros.
El Segundo, CA, - September 28, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler participates in the team's media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026 in El Segundo, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Whether it’s been head coach JJ Redick or superstar point guard Luka Dončić, excitement surrounding Walker Kessler’s arrival with the revamped Los Angeles Lakers is palpable.
Kessler himself relayed that excitement during Monday’s media day, expressing optimism about his fit alongside Dončić and Austin Reaves, as well as what the organization’s commitment to him means.
“Obviously, playing with guys like Luka and AR that are unbelievable guards, and especially – and even AR in the pick and roll – but Luka in Dallas with playing with kind of a lob threat big, the formula’s been done before and it makes sense,” Kessler said. “As far as the belief they’ve shown in me, it makes me excited for this year. It makes me feel like I can run through a brick wall for this organization, this team, my teammates. I’m just so excited.”
This isn’t the first time that Kessler has said he wants to bust through a wall. Back in July, one of his first quotes as a Laker was a similar sentiment based on having a franchise back him the purple and gold did.
“It definitely makes you feel a certain way when you know an organization believes in you,” Kessler said on Monday during his first media availability since joining the Lakers. “And I think what they’ve invested, they’re showing that belief in a monetary value, not just with money, but like you said, assets. And for me, I’m somebody that if I know that they have that belief in me, I’m gonna run through a brick wall for them. That’s just how I’ve been wired my whole life and it definitely makes it a lot easier to go out there and compete for a team.”
Run through a brick wall is a classic sports truism, so Kessler was asked to explain how that sentiment may manifest on the court. The fifth-year center clarified he’s willing to embrace the little things and the dirty work to help make the Lakers a great team.
Of course, his rim protection and interior scoring are the headlining reasons Los Angeles sought him but nailing the details of his role could take his impact to another level. He seems ready to do exactly that because of the confidence the organization has instilled him.
“For me, it’s just doing the little things and just competing my tail off every night and doing all the little stuff,” Kessler said. “Whether that’s setting a hard screen, crashing the glass, sprinting the floor, just doing all the things it takes to win. I think when you have someone backing you and someone that shows you the belief that they have in you, it makes it a lot easier to want to make them proud and make them feel like you’re doing your absolute best for them.”
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees looks on during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It was always inevitable that Cam Schlittler would continue his feud with Red Sox fans and Boston-based media outlets.
Following the blowout 9-2 win on Wednesday night that clinched the Yankees’ slot in the ALDS, Schlittler was easy to find in the comments on the Yankees’ celebratory social media post. The Walpole, Massachusetts native had some choice words in response to some earlier comments made about his career stats against the Red Sox.
Schlittler’s comment, “Wat the 4’s gotta say now,” is a clapback at some personalities from New England sports media personality Jared Carrabis’ podcast ‘Section 10.’
To provide a bit more context, Rusey, one of the personalities on the podcast, previously called Schlittler ugly and essentially useless, even after dominating Boston in the final rivalry matchup of the regular season. He could’ve taken the high road in celebratory fashion on Wednesday night, but he seemingly found that choice too boring and let the fans stay mad.
Schlittler had an outstanding performance to completely shut down Boston in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday night. Pitching through six and a third scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, the Yankees’ ace has accumulated a 0.47 ERA in his first six career starts against the Red Sox. He’s the fourth pitcher in MLB postseason history with two 10-strikeout games before turning 26.
The Yankees’ postseason run hasn’t seen the last of Schlittler, as he will likely take the mound for the second game of the best-of-five Division Series against Tampa Bay, with a chance to start in Game 5 as well should it go the distance. Securing the Wild Card Series in two games allows for an extra day of rest before the Yankees travel down to face the Rays.
Phil Mickelson sought treatment earlier this year for “family trauma and addiction”, his representatives confirmed to multiple outlets on Wednesday.
The 56-year-old golfer voluntarily entered a treatment facility and has since returned home. Mickelson’s representatives did not say when he sought treatment or how long he stayed at a facility.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Josh Hart of the New York Knicks throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game two of the doubleheader between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Would you believe the Knicks play basketball tomorrow!?
That’s right, and they do so against the Philadelphia 76ers of all teams, one that surely pays homage to the age of their roster with their moniker.
Here’s the latest we heard straight out of Tarrytown and elsewhere on Wednesday.
Mike Brown
On eventually discussing Miles McBride’s contract situation with him:
“There will probably be a time and place where I talk to him about that because he’s human, and we all want what’s best for ourselves, our families, as well as the organization. That’s a nice balancing act, but at the end of the day, he wants to be here, we want him to be here, and that’s something that I have faith in Leon and Deuce’s representatives to figure that out.”
On staying out of the Knicks’ contract negotiations:
“It literally is the [salary] cap’s above my head. I don’t know how that works, and we’ve got a lot of moving parts as we all know. So I’m gonna let that unfold how it unfolds and in the meantime, we’re all just worried about how we can help each other on the court more than anything else because we know off the court, things get taken care of the right way here.”
On Gregg Popovich reaching out during the Knicks’ playoff run:
“[Pop] is grizzled, experienced. He understands how this works. We actually talked a couple of times during the playoffs. After OG’s tip-in, he called me and talked me through a lot of things. It was great to have conversations with him from time to time.”
On the support he received from the NBA coaching community after winning the championship:
“The coaching community is tight. Everybody wants everybody to do well because they know that the guy across from them is the one that really knows what I’m going through or the other guy’s going through. So because it’s that hard we really try to uplift one another whenever we can and when we won it, a lot of guys reached out if not everybody, and said congratulations in some way shape or form. It was great.”
On the Knicks looking for more centers:
“We’re looking for bigs. We’re looking at that [center] position heavily.”
On adding Tony Bradley and the need for center depth:
“Tony’s a veteran guy that’s still in his prime and has a good feel for the game, knows how to play the game the right way and he’s hurt us in the past. And, to be honest, when a guy hurts you in the past, you tend to remember him more than others. So to be able to add him to camp was a positive for us because, again, I said this last year: KAT has one of the most [difficult] spots out of everybody because I want to move him around when I play him at center. I want to play him at power forward, and at power forward, one through four is interchangeable.
“Same with OG [Anunoby]. OG we put him at the 5 last year. We probably will do it a little bit more this year as well. But to be able to do that, you’ve gotta have enough centers around on the team, so having Tony here with his skill set and feel is definitely a blessing because we’re looking at that position heavily.”
On planning to use Karl-Anthony Towns and OG at multiple positions:
“I want to play him at center, I want to play him at power forward.
“OG, we threw him at the five some last year. We probably will do a little bit more this year as well.”
On Josh Hart suddenly embracing the power forward label for the conditioning test:
“Josh was a power forward but when it came to the conditioning test, the power forwards and centers have an easier time [requirement]. Not much, but an easier time than guards. So all year I was calling him a power forward and he was cool with it but I could tell he didn’t really like it. But as soon as he heard about the conditioning test, he said he was a power forward.”
On wanting to remain with the Knicks for the rest of his career:
“Obviously, I love being in New York. I’d love to continue my career here, end my career here. Best fans, feel like we’ve done, obviously, something great this past year, and the years leading up to that. And I want to continue with this team.
“I’ve addressed a little bit earlier with some comments. But I’ll let the front office and my agency handle that.”
On being disappointed by the lack of a contract extension while remaining professional:
“It’s a little hard at times, but I’m gonna be a professional. I want to go out and do my job. So that’s in my ability, and to help the team win for as long as I’m with the team.”
On not allowing his contract uncertainty to affect his play:
“In a sense, every year you have to prove yourself. I feel like there’s uncertainty across the board for everybody in the league. Everybody’s going for big contracts and this and that. So I don’t let it really bother me. At the end of the day, I just want to go out there and give it my shot, play my best basketball.”
On whether he sees similarities in Mitchell Robinson’s departure and his situation:
“No, no. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a business.”
On being fully healthy after recovering over the summer:
“I’m feeling a lot better. It’s kind of crazy thinking about how unhealthy I was playing through that playoff run. You go through surgery in an area where you need it. The easy medical term is sports hernia but it was a lot more complex than that. So having a summer under me, getting back fully healthy, it’s been so much better being able to move around how I want to move.
“They took my hip flexor, my abdomen and my groin and they pulled it and they put it in my pelvis and they did it on both sides. So trying to open a door, reach for a remote and everything you do is in that core, in that core section.
“So trying to keep up with those young guys in the Finals was tough.”
On the Knicks moving on from their championship summer:
“The summer that you’re champions, obviously, you only get to experience that for the summer, and then you’re right back to playing. I feel like we all had a good time. Everybody did the right thing over the summer. And we got right back to work when it was time to get back to work.”
On the Knicks’ championship bringing estranged families back together:
“I have people coming to me and saying, ‘I haven’t talked to my family member in 10 years,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, we should not be the reason that’s happening.’ But, you know, that’s cool to hear. Like I said, it’s not what I want to hear, necessarily, but those are cool moments to hear that what we’re doing on the court was able to bring people back together.”
On getting to take the Larry O’Brien Trophy to his high school:
“So you actually get to request it. You have to get approval from the front office and somebody in the front office is supposed to have it that weekend. They kindly let me have it, so shout out to Leon [Rose] for that. He let me have it for that weekend.”
"I've never been with a team three years in a row, given the camp deal stuff last year. Just the comfortability with the group alone, that's huge"
Landry Shamet talks about his comfort level with the Knicks and within Mike Brown's system: pic.twitter.com/ipLqKvjnUb
“It definitely gives you a sense of perspective and appreciation that I’m grateful for. To be believed in and have that offered to me, for me and [his fiancée] Cammi to be able to stay here in New York and continue to grow this thing, it’s pretty special. To be asked to be a part of it is humbling and I’m grateful for it every day. It means a lot.”
On feeling proud after earning long-term security with the Knicks:
“In a way, it just makes me proud of myself. That’s why you work through the difficult times and the challenging and the questioning ones. Typically, there’s really good stuff on the other end of that. It feels good, it feels good to be a part of this moving forward. I don’t want to drop my level or get complacent or any of that, that’s definitely not the feeling. It’s more, it just feels good to know that you don’t have that heavy wave right on your ass again this training camp.”
On whether he has rewatched his Eastern Conference Finals 11-of-12-from-three performance:
“I haven’t watched it all back in full, no. I’ve seen little clips.”
On staying ready for his playoff opportunity:
“Playoffs are funny in that way, and I feel like I’ve been privy to that with my past experiences, where you sit and you’re not in the rotation, but you’re one or two games away from being called on, being relied on to do something. I don’t know, I kind of just had a feeling, I’ve seen this movie before. It worked out.”
On what his new contract means after years of uncertainty:
“Last couple of years I’ve been pretty open with you guys. It definitely gives you a sense of perspective and appreciation that I’m grateful for. To be believed in and have that offered to me, for me and Cammi to be able to stay here in New York and continue to grow this thing, it’s pretty special. To be asked to be a part of it is humbling and I’m grateful for it every day. It means a lot.”
"I took it on a date. I took it to my wedding. I couldn't have a wedding without Larry there" 😂
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about spending time with the Larry O'Brien trophy this summer: pic.twitter.com/REeNRDVCwe
On bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy to his wedding:
“I took it on a date. I took it to my wedding. I asked to have it. I couldn’t have a wedding without Larry there, you know?”
On traveling with the trophy and still being amazed by winning it:
“He had a rider and all, and we made sure we got him there first class, and we got it done. So, I spent some time with the trophy this summer, and every time I see the trophy, I still can’t believe it.”
Julius Randle says he’s happy the Knicks won the championship and plans to do the same with the Nets.
“It was a great thing not just for them, for the city…We plan to do the same thing here.”
On being happy for his former Knicks teammates after their championship:
“I’m happy [for the Knicks], man. I kept in touch with guys. I’ve had a lot of great moments here in the city. I spent five years here, my family has grown here; so I was extremely excited, happy for those guys. A lot went into that; it’s not just myself, years before me.
“So, just happy for those guys. I was just last month on a trip with OG [Anunoby] in Brazil, just kicking it, talking with each other. So it was a great thing, not just for them, for the organization, [but] for the city that has craved that — we know how New York is — so has craved that winning formula, winning environment. And we plan to do the same thing here.”
Yankees captain Aaron Judge: “It’s tough to go up against world champs like the Knicks and the run they went on, it was so incredible with the ups & downs. But I got a lot of faith in these guys, man. We’ve got a special group here with a lot of grit.”https://t.co/XQ83Y7ZXz9
On what Knicks and Yankees championships in the same year would mean:
“A Knicks championship in June and a Yankees World Series in October would bring world peace.”
On the Knicks’ championship run and his faith in the Yankees:
“It’s tough to go up against world champs like the Knicks, and the run they went on, it was so incredible with the ups and downs. But I got a lot of faith in these guys, man. We’ve got a special group here with a lot of grit.”
On the Yankees drawing inspiration from the Knicks:
“We’re definitely inspired by the Knicks, and we’ve got to keep the winning going in New York.”
Yanks advance Liberty advance Knicks been advanced It's Winning Time in Gotham pic.twitter.com/IhfJQ63AZu
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Boston Red Sox reacts in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
By now you’ve seen the quotes. After another ugly night at Yankee Stadium, a number of Red Sox veterans expressed their frustration not only with the way they played, but with certain on and off-field decisions.
First and most notably there was Sonny Gray, who didn’t mince words when it came to his thoughts about being lifted after having thrown just 70 pitches in an elimination game. “I think I’m the best pitcher in the American League going through the order a third time. I think that’s a fact,” Gray said. “I would have liked to have been trusted in that moment.” (ESPN)
Making matters worse, Chad Tracy’s decision to lift Gray in favor of Erik Miller seems to have soured the pending free agent on the organization as a whole. Gray was asked a variation on a question that every veteran has been asked dozens of times throughout their career: “Are the Red Sox a destination you’d want to return to?” It’s a softball question that, 99 times out of 100, would be answered with pablum about enjoying his time here and wanting to explore his options, and doing what’s best for his family, yadda, yadda, yadda. But in the heat of the moment, Gray offered something else:
When Sonny Gray was asked if the Red Sox were a destination he'd want to return to…
Earlier this season, in the midst of one of the hottest stretches in baseball history, Willson Contreras made it clear that he wanted to finish his career in Boston, saying that he had “found my family.” But in the clubhouse last night he didn’t hold back in criticizing the organization’s decision-making “It’s not enough when you have talent, or you have data, or you have computers telling you what to do, because this is baseball,” he said. “The data is here to help us, but at the end of the day, you’re going to need experience and veteran guys to win games. There’s a lot of stuff that I would like to say, but I’ll stay (with) that.” Asked further about accounted for the Sox’ swing from mid-summer brilliance to fall failure, Contreras demurred in eyebrow-raising fashion: ”I’m not going to answer it because I don’t want to give my honest answer.“ (Justin Leger, NBC Sports)
So what was Chad Tracy’s explanation for the quick hook? “We were trailing, we’re struggling to score runs, and you have to when you get in spots where you’re struggling to score runs and you’re already trailing, you feel like you’ve got to be aggressive and go,” he said. “They’re getting back to the top of the lineup, they got a couple hits against them, you see if you can put it out. And if you put it out, you’re kind of lined up to where we wanted to go. That just didn’t work.” (Tara Sullivan, Boston Globe)
While Tracy’s quick hooks are garnering a lot of attention, the Red Sox weren’t going to win much of anything with the way they were hitting. “Obviously, we didn’t score enough runs,” said Sox Trevor Story. “That’s kind of what it comes down to. We weren’t really swinging it real hot at the end of the season coming into the postseason.” (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
Naturally, it’s even harder to score runs without Roman Anthony. The Red Sox have struggled to get a handle on Anthony’s injury all season long, and that appears to still be the case today. “We’re still trying to figure out exactly what happened and what the prognosis will be,” Craig Breslow said, while Anthony himself sounded devastated: “I feel sick to my stomach. I haven’t slept much. It doesn’t really feel real, to be honest,” he said. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees looks on during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well that’s how you win a playoff series! The Yankees swept aside an inferior Red Sox squad, outscoring their opponents, 17-2, in two games in the Bronx. They are set for a date with the Rays in what should be a thrilling ALDS. However, before we get to that, we get to introduce our first Sequence of the Week of the postseason, Cam Schlittler setting the tone in Game 1 for the eventual sweep of Boston.
We join Schlittler in a packed house at 161st St. and River Ave., the Yankees ace set to throw the first pitch of this seventh playoff meeting between eternal foes. He is the best pitcher in the AL, the presumptive Cy Young winner after posting the third-lowest ERA (1.95) by a starter in a season in franchise history. He owns the Red Sox in his young career and is looking to author another chapter in his postseason biography after tossing eight scoreless innings and striking out a dozen to eliminate the Red Sox in Game 3 of last year’s AL Wild Card Series. The Red Sox offense may have been hobbled by injury in September, but they are not a group to be trifled with, starting with leadoff hitter Roman Anthony. Anthony missed most of the season with a torn finger ligament but returned at the end of August to post a 119 wRC+ in his final 25 games.
Schlittler certainly wants to declare a statement of intent from the first batter he faces, particularly the face of the Boston franchise. Everybody in the stadium and watching the broadcast knows a heater is coming first pitch, the only question is how fast.
We have our answer. Schlittler throws one of the fastest pitches of his season, dotting this 101 mph four-seamer on the corner away and at the knees for strike one. If anyone had any doubts whether Schlittler would be amped up for this start, this pitch is a resounding yes.
With the adrenaline coursing through his veins, it looks like Schlittler has access to a couple more mph on his fastball. He looks to take advantage of this fleeting boost in velo with another four-seamer to Anthony, convinced that he can throw it by the dangerous Boston lefty.
This one comes in at *just* 100 mph. Austin Wells sets a target up and in and Schlittler doesn’t miss his spot by much, tugging this pitch just a few inches inside. It starts as a ball out of his hand and never really deviates toward the zone, making for a pretty straightforward take by Anthony.
After two pitches, it appears Schlittler’s release is better aligned for that outside lane than to the glove side. Anthony showed zero interest in offering at the first pitch fastball called for a strike, so Schlittler and Wells go back to that well.
Schlittler throws almost an identical copy of the first pitch of the game, dotting another 101 mph four-seamer low and away. Same pitch, same result. Anthony is clearly hunting something up and on the inner half. It wouldn’t make sense for him to be guarding against the breaking ball below the zone considering Schlittler threw a fastball roughly 90-percent of the time during the regular season.
It’s been a slightly different approach from Schlittler to start the game, as he generally likes to live up in the zone with all three of his fastballs. That partially helps to explain Anthony’s passivity against the two in-zone four-seamers low, however that approach now has him in the hole, 1-2. There’s no subtlety to the following pitch selection, Schlittler looking to bully Anthony into submission with another heater over the plate.
This is Schlittler’s third four-seamer at 101, though this one catches way more plate than the other two. All the same, Anthony still can’t catch up despite knowing exactly what’s coming, his late swing slashing the pitch foul back to the screen.
Following that foul ball, Schlittler introduces his first wrinkle of the AB. After finally establishing his four-seamer in the zone but above the knees, Schlittler has the situation perfectly set up to get Anthony to chase a curveball in the dirt.
You might wonder why an MLB hitter would swing at a pitch that bounces in front of home plate. However, out of the hand this curveball looks exactly like the four-seamer in the zone that immediately preceded it. Because he has to stay geared up for 101, Anthony is almost forced into starting his swing before that curveball’s downward break kicks in, leaving him no chance to check his swing in time. I’ll admit I was shocked to see Schlittler throw a curveball this early in the game. I was expecting a diet of purely fastballs in the first inning and maybe even the whole first time through the order before using the curveball later in the game as a change of speeds and change of look.
Here’s the full sequence:
This outing was vintage Schlittler against Boston, but with an extra twist that could vault the Yankees ace into truly untouchable territory this postseason. He threw a career-high 32 curveballs to the tune of a gaudy 50-percent whiff rate. It surely confounded the Red Sox game plan against him and they were helpless against the Uncle Charlie for the entirety of his outing. Even if he ups the fastball usage in subsequent starts, the curveball usage rate in this game plants the seed of doubt in the mind of anyone attempting to game plan for Schlittler. Don’t be surprised to see his calling card elevated heater rack up whiffs in bunches now that hitters have to be mindful of the hook.
Though not quite as stratospherically dominant as last season’s Wild Card start against the Red Sox, Schlittler still found a way to silence Boston without his A-1 fastball command. He threw a career-high 117 pitches across 6.1 scoreless, striking out ten to join Bob Gibson as the only other pitcher in MLB history with multiple scoreless starts with double-digit strikeouts against the Red Sox in the playoffs. Needless to say, we are excited to see what brilliance he cooks up next.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Painter #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Derek Hill #49 after winning Game Two of the National League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Basking in the afterglow of a Phillies victory over the Braves on Wednesday, I kept going back to something over and over. Yes the in game redemption arc of Bryce Harper was probably the dominant storyline of the game, as was the Alec Bohm home run. Cristopher Sanchez carried them on his back for 6+ innings until he could literally not do it any more, sending the game to the bullpen. That’s when Don Mattingly pulled the Andrew Painter card to help him get through the game.
It turned out: the Phillies may have another pitcher with an elite pitch on their staff.
If we look at the Phillies’ starting rotation and tried to name the elite, 80 grade pitches that are there, one might determine these ones, in no particular order:
But did Painter’s changeup also just join the list? After only one game, one could be tempted to call it elite, especially since it was in a playoff setting when the leverage index was well over one. I’m not sure that I am there yet, but boy did that pitch look elite.
It wasn’t just one pitch that made me consider this over and over. I cannot get over the pitches that he threw to Dominic Smith. To have the absolute stones to throw the changeup as the first pitch is impressive. It ended up being middle-middle, not exactly where one wants to put it, but Smith was likely so amped up about getting a first pitch fastball that he’s miss the changeup by a mile.
Then to back it up with another changeup, this one down in the zone?!?!?!?!
Heavenly lord that pitch is illegal in about four countries.
In that moment, the tying and winning runs on base, seeing Painter rely on that pitch means that the trust he has in it is sky high at the moment. The coaching staff probably has more, better data on the pitch that suggested throwing it to Smith in that moment was the correct call. It perfectly set up his third strike, the ABS challenge that, quite honestly, should have never needed a challenge in the first place. There was quite literally nothing that Smith was going to be able to do with that well placed of a fastball.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Joe Davis and John Smoltz during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game broadcast at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/FOX Sports via Getty Images) | FOX Sports via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — The television broadcast for every single Dodgers game this postseason, however long they last, will feature a familiar voice for those in and around Los Angeles. Joe Davis will call the Dodgers National League Division Series for Fox Sports, which begins on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers in the NLDS will play either the Atlanta Braves or Philadelphia Phillies, with that wild card series getting decided on Thursday night (5 p.m. PT, NBC) in Atlanta.
Davis will call the NLDS alongside John Smoltz for Fox Sports, with reporter Ken Rosenthal. That’s the No. 1 MLB crew for Fox, which will also televise the National League Championship Series and World Series. In other words, Davis will call every Dodgers game on television this October, no matter how long they last, just like he did in 2024.
Davis called 88 Dodgers games on SportsNet LA this season, right in line with recent years — he called 87 games in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 — in addition to five regular season Dodgers games on Fox Saturdays. This is the fifth season Davis is on the No. 1 MLB broadcast crew for Fox.
After falling to the New York Yankees in the 2025 Wild Card Series, the Boston Red Sox took the scenic route to the same destination in 2026.
Boston’s rollercoaster season ended with another devastating Wild Card Series loss at Yankee Stadium. This one was even worse, with the Red Sox being outscored 18-2 in a two-game sweep. Again, Yankees ace Cam Schlittler asserted his dominance. Again, Boston’s offense looked lifeless. And again, managerial and defensive miscues proved costly.
The ugly series sets us up for a fascinating offseason for Craig Breslow and Co. But before we turn the page to what should be another eventful winter, let’s take a moment to reflect on all that transpired over the last eight months. What will come to mind when we look back on the 2026 Red Sox season? Did their midseason turnaround make it a success, or does another early playoff exit make it a failure?
Here’s what we’ll remember about the 2026 Red Sox:
Alex Cora out, Chad Tracy in
The 2026 Red Sox started their season 10-17 before Craig Breslow decided enough was enough. Boston’s chief baseball officer cleaned house, firing longtime manager Alex Cora along with most of his staff, including game-planning coordinator Jason Varitek, hitting coach Pete Fatse, bench coach Ramon Vasquez, and third base coach Kyle Hudson.
Breslow’s surprising move ended Cora’s eight-year tenure with the organization. He finished with a 620-541 record as manager and a World Series title in 2018.
“By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us,” Breslow said in his press conference following Cora’s firing, “so we’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division and deep postseason run in the way that we talked about it and envisioned and believed heading into spring training.
“We believe in the group of players that we have in the clubhouse, down the hallway, and we believe that a new direction is warranted, new voices, and something that enables us to take a fresh start.”
Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy took over for Cora as Boston’s interim skipper.
A historic stretch
The 2026 Red Sox will forever be remembered as the club that started 32-46, won 32 of its next 37, and clinched an improbable playoff berth. Their incredible turnaround included a franchise-record-tying 15-game win streak.
Boston looked dead and buried on June 24. Craig Breslow’s firing felt like a foregone conclusion. Then, the impossible happened.
The Red Sox went 77-58 with Tracy leading the charge. The club’s turnaround under his leadership was eerily reminiscent of what his father, Jim Tracy, accomplished as interim manager of the 2009 Colorado Rockies. He propelled Colorado to a 74-42 record after taking over in May and won the National League Manager of the Year award.
Role players step up
Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela were the stars of the 2026 Red Sox season, but the team’s historic turnaround doesn’t happen without the key contributions of several role players.
Depth infielder Andruw Monasterio had a 1.044 OPS in July. Fellow ex-Milwaukee Brewer Anthony Seigler notched a .959 OPS in June and added an unexpected emotional spark to the dugout. Tsung-Che Cheng played great defense in 14 appearances at shortstop and saved Boston’s win streak with a spectacular catch.
Mickey Gasper and Nick Sogard weren’t huge factors while the Red Sox won 32 of 37, but they were enormous from August on. Gasper put up Barry Bonds-like numbers for a 12-game stretch and became one of Boston’s most reliable bats. Sogard shook off his reputation as a “4A” player and served as a perfect utility infielder with solid offensive numbers down the stretch.
Lefty masher Jahmai Jones, acquired from the Detroit Tigers in July for a player to be named later, had four homers and a .993 OPS in 37 games with Boston. Most of his damage was done in August, when he hit .474 with three homers and a 1.284 OPS.
A bold Craig Breslow trade deadline
Say what you will about Craig Breslow, but he hasn’t shied away from making bold, uncomfortable moves as Red Sox CBO. That was especially the case at this year’s trade deadline.
His most notable move was sending Carlos Narvaez and four top prospects — Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas — to the Baltimore Orioles for All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman. The deal was widely considered an overpay, but Breslow deserved credit for doing whatever it took to add a difference-maker to the big-league roster.
Breslow also parted ways with former top prospect Marcelo Mayer, who struggled mightily in his second season with the club. He was sent to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-handed reliever Erik Miller.
Promising rookie left-hander Connelly Early was shipped to the Washington Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury during his second plate appearance with Boston. He brought in Jones and speedy outfielder Eli White in under-the-radar deals that helped the Red Sox over the final two months.
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries
The Red Sox persevered through a number of injuries in 2026. Here’s a breakdown of each:
Ace left-hander Garrett Crochet made only six starts during the regular season due to a shoulder injury suffered in April.
Former top outfield prospect Roman Anthony played in only 55 regular-season games because of a torn ring finger ligament. He exited Game 1 of the Wild Card Series vs. the Yankees and was removed from the playoff roster after experiencing more hand/wrist issues.
Offseason addition Johan Oviedo made only one start before missing the season with a flexor strain.
Trade deadline addition Curtis Mead suffered a fractured wrist on a hit-by-pitch in his second Red Sox plate appearance and did not return for the rest of the season.
Outfielder/DH Masataka Yoshida suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in August.
Reliever Justin Slaten missed time throughout the season due to an elbow injury that flared up again before the playoffs, forcing him off the postseason roster.
Breakout slugger Mickey Gasper was left off the playoff roster because of a torn biceps tendon.
Deadline addition Eli White missed the end of the regular season and the playoffs with a foot injury.
Utility man Anthony Seigler went down with a foot injury at the end of the regular season, missed the playoffs.
Breakout reliever Tyron Guerrero was left off the playoff roster due to a shoulder issue.
Outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quad/hamstring) and Willson Contreras (hand) were both banged up just before the playoffs.
RHP Kutter Crawford and 1B Triston Casas missed the entire season.
RHP Tanner Houck made just one appearance (Game 162) after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
It’s no excuse for how their season ended, but it certainly impacted their ceiling in 2026.
Craig Breslow and Chad Tracy get rewarded
On Sept. 22, the Red Sox removed Chad Tracy’s interim tag to officially make him the 49th manager in franchise history. He signed a three-year contract through the 2029 season with a club option for 2030.
Breslow was also rewarded, with his contract options being exercised through 2030.
At the time, committing to Tracy and Breslow made sense as they pulled the right strings to get Boston back into the playoffs after an abysmal start. But after what transpired in the Wild Card Series, it’s fair to wonder if there will be some buyer’s remorse.
The downfall of the “Big Three”
Marcelo Mayer was traded at the deadline. Kristian Campbell remains in Worcester with no clear path back to the majors. Roman Anthony can’t swing a bat without injuring himself.
The former top prospect trio was once hyped as the “Big Three.” While the Red Sox failed to clinch a playoff berth from 2022-24, they could at least hang their hat on the impending arrivals of three potential franchise cornerstones.
Now, there’s a real chance we’ll look back at 2026 as the year the “Big Three” dream died. Of course, Anthony and Campbell still have a chance to be difference-makers in Boston.
Different season, same result
The 2026 Red Sox gave us a fun summer. They will be remembered for winning 32 of 37 games — including a 15-game win streak — and clinching a playoff berth to complete a miraculous midseason turnaround. Besides that, they will largely be forgotten.
Red Sox fans don’t look back fondly on seasons that end with anything less than a deep postseason run. Even the 2021 Red Sox, who exceeded expectations with a trip to the ALCS, are an afterthought.
Don’t be fooled by the midseason surge. This was a club that entered the 2026 campaign as one of the favorites in the wide-open American League. They failed to match that expectation, marking the year as another failure for the organization.
Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal sits in the dugout before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 3. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers did not need Tarik Skubal to win the National League West. They traded for him to help them win a third consecutive World Series.
Their legacy is at stake. So is his.
That could be hyperbole. Skubal turns 30 next month, already the winner of two Cy Young awards, one of them unanimously. He could sign the largest contract of any pitcher in major league history this fall. His career might be only at its halfway point, and already we can say he’ll be remembered as a star.
So I asked him if his career would feel somehow empty if he did not win a World Series. No one in Anaheim thinks any less of Mike Trout, and no one in San Diego thinks any less of Tony Gwynn, because neither Hall of Famer won a World Series.
Skubal thought about it. Yes, he said, his career would feel diminished without a championship.
“I think winning is the most important thing, so I think that’s fair to say,” Skubal told me.
“If I retire and I don’t have one, that will definitely be something that I don’t know when I will live it down.”
The Dodgers imported him for five or six starts in October, the first of them this weekend. I wasn’t sure of the right noun to use to capture his feelings: Excitement? Pressure? Responsibility?
“I think all of those things,” he said.
How so?
“I’ve grown to appreciate expectations from teammates, from fans, from organizations,” he said. “I’ve come to appreciate pressure. Early on in my career, there wasn’t much of that. It was more just kind of finding my footing, which I’m grateful for. It helped me learn a lot about myself.
“Having the expectation of being a team that is going to win the World Series, and me being a part of that, is something that I’ve come to really appreciate. I’ve come to appreciate all that stuff. As much as they can be looked at as negative things, or stress-inducing things, I’ve come to really appreciate those things, because I haven’t had that for my entire career.”
As soon as the Dodgers traded for Skubal two months ago, he was delighted to receive a text message from a pitcher who wore the weight of expectations throughout his career.
“Honestly,” Skubal said, “I wanted to get a jersey from him.”
The Dodgers' Tarik Skubal pitched seven scoreless innings in his final start of the regular season last week against the San Francisco Giants. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
They talked pitching too, of course, and stayed in touch. When the Dodgers landed Skubal, Kershaw’s welcome text led to him sharing advice not just about the team itself but about navigating the notorious L.A. roads to Dodger Stadium, and various neighborhoods that Skubal, his wife and two young boys might enjoy.
For Kershaw, the postseason was a widely publicized menace throughout the previous decade. In 2019, after he inherited a two-run lead in the deciding game of the division series, Kershaw gave up home runs to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto.
After the game, Kershaw said, “Everything people say is true right now about the postseason.”
In 2024, the Tigers were five innings from the American League Championship Series, leading 1-0 in the deciding game of the division series, with Skubal on the mound. Three singles, a hit batter and a grand slam later, the Tigers trailed for good.
“I felt pretty responsible for the season ending,” Skubal said.
Kershaw earned his redemption in 2020, winning both of his World Series starts as the Dodgers won their first championship since 1988. That title lifted the postseason burden off Kershaw, and I wondered whether Skubal might feel the same way if he leads these Dodgers to a parade.
Skubal rejected the premise.
“I don’t really buy into that narrative with Kersh, the postseason struggles,” Skubal said.
Kershaw’s 41 postseason appearances include four starts on short rest and nine relief outings. In 2013, he pitched a combined 259 innings between the regular season and playoffs. In 2015, that number was 246 innings.
“It takes a superhuman to be held to the standard he was being held to, in the biggest of moments,” Skubal said. “I think he was great. He did everything he could for his team. He wore it out there sometimes. Chasing box scores and stuff is kind of unfair to judge guys on, because I’m sure he was pitching through some stuff and grinding through some stuff.
“But he had to do it, because he was Clayton Kershaw.”
Kershaw’s postseason earned-run average: 4.62. For Skubal, in six postseason appearances, all of them starts: 2.04. In that one five-run inning, he gave up more runs than he has in the other 38-2/3 innings of his postseason career.
After he gave up those five runs, he returned for one more inning and retired the side in order.
“That moment solidified who I thought I am, in terms of how I responded to that failure, how I responded to that adversity,” he said. “It’s weird to say and it’s probably weird to portray, and I don’t know how many people it’s going to resonate with, but that’s what I feel.”
Right time, right place: If Skubal wants to win a World Series, where else would he rather be?
“For him?” pitcher Blake Snell said. “There’s no better time for anybody than right now.”
The Dodgers acquired infielder Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2024 trade deadline. For Edman, that’s two Octobers and two parades.
“In St. Louis, I think we were hovering around .500,” Edman said. “I found myself traded here and I was like, ‘OK, all of a sudden I’m on the team with the best record in baseball right now, going for a ring just about every single year.’
“That’s the expectation we have here. There’s definitely a level of excitement.”
“There’s also a difference between being on a team like the Tigers — and nothing against that organization — where the goal really isn’t to win the World Series. It’s the hope,” Roberts said. “But being here and seeing the standard that we have and it’s like: ‘I’m here to win the World Series. This team has the best chance to win the World Series, and I get to be a part of it.’
“So I fully see him, now that he is completely immersed into our culture, where the first month was trying to feel his way: ‘Where do I fit in? I’m this hired gun.’ And now it’s like he’s one of the guys.”
Skubal insists that he has not really thought about his free agency, that his focus is on the here and now, and on each start as it comes. That means this month could be his last in Dodger blue, and that means this really might be his best chance to win a World Series.
“I don’t really know if I like the verbiage of that, thinking I must win this year,” he said. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings by an 8-4 final score on Wednesday night, and former Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen certainly played a role in it.
Lehkonen scored two goals for the Avalanche in their season-opening win against the Kings. With this, there is no question that the former Canadiens forward has kicked off his 2026-27 campaign on the right foot for Colorado.
Seeing Lehkonen have a strong opening night for the Avalanche is not too surprising. He has had plenty of success during his time with the Avalanche and has emerged as one of their key players because of it.
In 70 games during the 2025-26 season with the Central Division club, Lehkonen posted 21 goals, 27 assists, 48 points, and a plus-32 rating. This was after the former Canadiens forward had 27 goals, 18 assists, 45 points, and a plus-36 rating in 69 games for the Avs in 2024-25.
It will now be interesting to see how the former Canadiens forward builds off his strong start to the campaign from here. In 396 games over six seasons with Montreal from 2016-17 to 2021-22, he posted 74 goals, 75 assists, and 149 points.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 15: Cade Cunningham #2 celebrates with Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There might not have been a better story in the NBA’s regular season last year than the Detroit Pistons. After coming up short in the first round of the playoffs in 2025, the Pistons roared back with a vengeance in the 2025-26 regular season, winning 60 games in route to earning the number one seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The playoffs brought a different challenge, however. Detroit needed an all-time comeback in the first round against the Magic to survive that series, but ultimately their offense failed them in a six-game loss to the Cavaliers in the second round. Jalen Duren was missing in action the entire postseason, which ultimately clouded the offseason in the Motor City. As of this writing, Duren and the Pistons have still yet to come to a long-term agreement. The Pistons did not include him on their media day roster, and the deadline for him to sign the qualifying offer is rapidly approaching.
Detroit Pistons: Over/Under 48.5 wins (-105/-120)
To win Central Division: +130
To win Eastern Conference: +850
To win Finals: +2500
Last season: 62-20, lost in the second round to Cleveland in six games
Key additions: John Collins (via LA Clippers), Ebuka Okorie (17th pick in 2026 Draft), Isaiah Joe (via OKC)
Key losses: Tobias Harris (San Antionio), Caris LeVert (Milwaukee), Isaiah Stewart (Memphis)
DETROIT, MI – MAY 5: Ausar Thompson #9, Cade Cunningham #2, Daniss Jenkins #24 and Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cade Cunningham continues to take leaps, as the first time All-NBA first team selection managed a career high in assists last year. A core of he and Ausar Thompson is fun to think about, but Thomspon needs to take a leap offensively to help this team reach its potential. But looking at the rest of this roster, I just have more questions than I did last season. Ebuka Okorie is a great option to play off of Cunningham, but he’s likely a year or two away from slotting into the starting lineup. I don’t believe them to be as deep as they were last year, and the depth that they do have is more limited in what they can do.
Even if the Duren situation works itself out, it’s caused a cloud to hang over this team a bit. It was always going to be tough to replicate the success of last year, but even with the respect that I have for Cade Cunningham, I’m expecting a pretty large step back for Detroit basketball this season.
Mar 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) skates with the puck in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Rick Osentoski/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
DETROIT — Simon Edvinsson remained unsigned as a restricted free agent the day before the Detroit Red Wings were to open the season at home against the New York Rangers.
Edvinsson did not skate with the Red Wings, but the 23-year-old defenseman was seen training with a team in his native Sweden.
“The organization will continue conversations with Simon and his representatives,” interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said.
Edvinsson had nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last year, his second full season in the NHL. Detroit drafted him No. 6 overall in 2021 and he has 19 career goals and 60 points in 175 games.
Dylan Larkin, meanwhile, still is in limbo heading into the opener.
Larkin asked for a trade in the offseason with the franchise mired in a decade-long playoff drought. After he was not traded, the team stripped him of his captaincy. Larkin has been limited during training camp after saying he got hurt working out.
He has five seasons left on the eight-year, $69.6 million contract he signed in 2023. That deal includes a no-trade clause and he initially told the Red Wings he would only accept a move to Florida, Minnesota or Las Vegas. Larkin recently declined to share which teams he’s willing to be traded to.
He has played his entire NHL career in Detroit, which took the former Michigan star with No. 15 draft pick in 2014. Larkin ranks 10th in franchise history in scoring with 643 points. Larkin was an important role player for the United States when it won the Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games in February.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Ray Kerr #58 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Truist Park on September 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Postseason run on the line, the Atlanta Braves are now in a situation where they’ll likely be leaning on their bullpen to get them through to the Divisional Series over the Philadelphia Phillies. There was an open question as to whether or not Grant Holmes would get the start or if they’d go with a bit of a strategy for the final game of this series and as it turns out, there will be some tactics at play.
The Braves have announced that Ray Kerr will be on the mound to start tonight’s game for the Braves.
From a personal standpoint, it’s an amazing story for Kerr as he’s gone from missing the entirety of the 2026 season to returning to the bullpen a couple of months ago, making the Wild Card Series roster and now getting the call to make a start. Perseverance matters and Kerr is full of it.
From a tactical standpoint, it makes sense. Kerr has gone three innings in four different occasions so far this season and he actually did so against the Phillies back on September 13. That was when he pitched three scoreless innings and struck out four batters while only giving up one hit and zero walks. I’d imagine that Atlanta would be thrilled with a repeat of those results in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series.
Kerr’s last appearance on Septmeber 25 was similar in that he went three innings (all scoreless) and only gave up two hits and a walk while he was out there. He’s perfectly capable of eating multiple innings in effective fashion and the Braves are going to need every bit of it in order to stay alive in this one.
As for what’s happening afterwards, I’d imagine that Grant Holmes could come in for relief after that and if he gets three innings then that’ll get the Braves through to the sixth and then they can start to really use some of their big arms out of the ‘pen. I’d say it’s an open question as to whether or not both Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee make appearances in this one but everybody else in the bullpen would appear to be available.
So there you have it, folks: It’ll be Ray Kerr vs. Aaron Nola to start out the Winner-Take-All Game 3 of the Wild Card Series. What do y’all make of this?
