The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost one of their best players as they cling to hope of making a late charge to reach the MLB postseason.
The team announced Thursday that All-Star starter Braxton Ashcraft is headed to the 15-day injured list with right arm discomfort, retroactive to Sept. 7. Manager Don Kelly told reporters that his season is finished ahead of the series finale against the White Sox in Chicago, though he added that there's no indication of any structural issues.
Ashcraft is 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA and 173 strikeouts this season. He was selected to his first All-Star game in July alongside reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes. He's been particularly solid since Aug. 1, allowing no more than three runs in any of his seven starts and allowing no more than one in four of those outings.
His performance has been a key building block of a late-season surge that's lifted the Pirates back to the .500 mark at 73-73 and on the fringes of wild card contention. The club has not had a winning season since 2018 and hasn't been to the playoffs since 2015 but has won seven of its past eight series to stay in the mix following a midseason swoon.
The Pirates enter action Thursday five games back of the San Diego Padres for the final wild card spot. Fangraphs pegs their odds of making up that deficit to reach the postseason at 1.3%.
Pitcher Antwone Kelly was promoted to the active roster in the corresponding roster move. He's allowed five runs in 8.1 innings of big-league action in 2026. He has a 4.93 ERA across 23 appearances - 17 of them starts - with Class AAA Indianapolis in the minors this season.
Stephen Curry intended to turn his post-workout exit in Beijing into an autograph stop. The crowd turned it into an evacuation.
Footage from Curry’s China tour shows the Warriors star emerging from a building in a gray sleeveless shirt, a white towel around his neck and a Curry-branded cap after completing a workout.
Curry initially appeared willing to linger. He briefly stopped as a fan handed him a red jersey to sign, but the opportunity disappeared as dozens of people closed around him with phones, Warriors flags and memorabilia raised overhead.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after scoring a three-point shot during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., Friday, April 17, 2026. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Security and staff attempted to form a moving barrier, guiding Curry through the crowd toward a group of waiting black vehicles. With fans continuing to press closer, the informal autograph session was abandoned and Curry left the area.
Steph Curry was mobbed by fans after a Beijing workout, ending his autograph attempt as new footage appeared to ease concerns about a possible injury.
The encounter provided an emphatic reminder of Curry’s popularity in China, where he is beginning a new commercial chapter after ending his lengthy relationship with Under Armour.
He signed a 10-year agreement with Li-Ning in June reportedly worth $400 million, pairing the Chinese sportswear company with Curry Brand across basketball, lifestyle and golf products.
It also offered Warriors fans a potentially encouraging visual.
An earlier 21-second video of Curry stepping out of a vehicle in Beijing generated concern online because the 38-year-old appeared to walk with a noticeable hitch. Some viewers interpreted it as a possible injury, although neither Curry’s representatives nor the Warriors announced that he was dealing with a new issue.
Stephen Curry attends the 7th Annual Workday Charity Classic hosted by Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. and Workday on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club in Palo Alto, California. Getty Images for Eat. Learn. Play.
In the footage captured after his workout, Curry does not appear to favor either leg or display the same noticeable limp while walking through the crowd. Completing the workout also offers more useful context than the brief clip that triggered the speculation.
The latest video is not a medical report, and crowd-obstructed footage cannot establish Curry’s physical condition. The concern was understandable after knee trouble limited him last season, but there is currently no official indication of a setback.
This time, the fans’ enthusiasm ended a moment Curry appeared prepared to provide. The encouraging part for Golden State was that his exit seemingly became hurried because the crowd could not be controlled — not because Curry could not move comfortably.
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The probe comes just days after the NBA dropped a staggering punishment on the Clippers, fining the team $30 million, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year and stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard received different punishments for the Clippers’ circumventing the league’s salary cap. Getty Images
It wasn’t clear as of Thursday what possible crimes federal prosecutors are investigating, or which people are the target of the federal inquiry.
It also wasn’t clear whether criminal charges would come from the investigation.
Spokespeople for the Clippers and the NBA didn’t respond to messages from The California Post on Thursday asking about the investigation.
“The NBA’s collectively bargained system for determining player compensation is a fundamental component of the basketball competition that the league oversees for the benefit of the teams and players and ultimately the fans,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement after the Clippers’ punishments were announced. “I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations.”
The Clippers aren’t taking the league’s punishment lying down.
The team said in a statement last week that it intends to “vigorously challenge” the NBA’s findings and penalties.
Kawhi Leonard in action against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 30, 2025. Getty Images
“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner [Adam] Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy,” the statement read.
But now the stakes are considerably higher.
What began as a dispute over NBA rules has moved into the realm of a criminal investigation by federal prosecutors.
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Brooklyn, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The league has already delivered a massive blow to the franchise; the federal probe threatens to turn the controversy into an even bigger crisis.
There isn’t an appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers to challenge the NBA’s findings. In other words, if the Clippers want to fight against the league’s punishments, they’ll have to take it to court.
At the center of the allegations is Leonard, a two-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star widely recognized as one of the greatest two-way players in basketball history.
Leonard was forced to pay the NBA $700,000 for restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.
Kawhi Leonard attends the match between Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Naomi Osaka of Japan during the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Ontario. Getty Images
In a statement he issued after the league’s punishments were announced, Leonard stated he accepted “full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.”
His statement continued: “I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.”
Leonard also alluded to returning to Toronto as part of the trade between the Clippers and Raptors that was agreed upon in late June but was halted in light of the investigation.
The Department of Justice is the second government entity to investigate the Clippers-Leonard scandal.
Daktronics, along with Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless and Lockton Insurance, was one of the four companies with endorsement deals with Leonard that were at the center of the NBA’s investigation.
The closest they will get to October baseball is scheduled over the next three days in The Bronx, and the timing probably couldn’t be better for the Mets.
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Just like for a playoff series, the Mets have their rotation aligned with their top guns set to face the Yankees. They also have collective confidence after winning three straight series (including a sweep in Miami this week) to escape the National League East basement, a domain they had owned for most of the season.
That the Yankees are playing for something — with the American League East title still a possibility — adds to a weekend that will begin with the raw emotion of commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
“The energy, the vibes, how loud it should be, it should feel somewhat like October,” Francisco Lindor said. “It probably will get a little cooler too, which usually when it gets a little cooler, you kind of feel like you’re in October.”
Aaron Judge on the field before the Yankees’ win over the Rockies on Sept. 9, 2026 at the Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Mets won two of three games against the Yankees at Citi Field in May, but plenty has changed since then. Manager Carlos Mendoza was fired June 23 — Andy Green replaced him on an interim basis — and the Mets went into full sell mode at the trade deadline, retooling their farm system at the expense of veteran pitching. Yet, the Mets are 21-12 since the trade deadline.
Their highest upside starter remains in the fold. Nolan McLean will lead the trio of young starters (Zac Thornton and Christian Scott also are scheduled to pitch this weekend) into Yankee Stadium.
They will face a lineup that again includes Aaron Judge following his return from the injured list this week.
“He’s super dynamic, a great player,” McLean said. “It will be a fun test for me, seeing how my stuff stacks up against one of the best hitters in the world.”
Juan Soto, who was targeted by fans in his return to the Stadium last season after a one-year hitch with the club, was asked by The Post if he expects it will be different for him this time.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think it’s going to be the same. I am not expecting less than that from Yankees fans. They are really passionate.”
Francisco Lindor runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Mets’ win over the Marlins on Sept. 8, 2026 in Miami. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
Does Soto, who left the Yankees for a record $765 million contract with the Mets, feel as if he’s hated in The Bronx?
“Who knows?” Soto said. “But they know I gave my best to them. Some of them appreciate it, some of them don’t. You can’t control that.”
Lindor, who has played previously on 9/11 in a Subway Series, understands the emotion of the day.
“The vibes, it’s almost like everybody comes together before the game, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Yankees or Mets, and it feels really good,” Lindor said. “And then once the game starts, it becomes Yankees vs. Mets, which is really cool. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a special day for a lot of people, and hopefully we can put a smile on people’s faces with a great showing and remember the ones that fought for everybody. They are the ones that lost their lives that day. It’s a truly special day.”
McLean grew up watching Subway Series games but said he hasn’t given much thought to the environment he will be entering Friday.
“I try not to look too much at that stuff because when you get out there, it really doesn’t matter that much,” McLean said. “It’s just you and the batter you are facing every time, so I am not too worried about it. I am sure it will be a fun [event] to be a part of, especially on the day that it is happening — not just like a Yankees-Mets thing, but a city thing as well.”
The Detroit Red Wings are only days away from starting Training Camp in preparation for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign amidst a feeling of uncertainty.
Not only have the Red Wings not found Steve Yzerman's successor as general manager, but RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson has yet to be signed to a new deal, while captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly not rescinded his trade request.
That hasn't stopped Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat from expressing optimism about the upcoming campaign despite the departure of his good friend and longtime teammate Patrick Kane.
"I think we have a majority of our team coming back," DeBrincat said at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour. "Obviously Kaner is gone, but we got a couple of additions that will really help us out. Going into the year, we're looking essentially the same as last year."
The Red Wings signed Viktor Arvidsson, who scored 25 goals with the Boston Bruins last season, on the opening day of free agency. They also acquired hard-nosed forward Keegan Kolesar and signed backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov.
Last season, Detroit lost what was a comfortable points cushion entering the month of March for the third consecutive year; they're now mired in the NHL's longest active postseason drought.
For DeBrincat, the new campaign represents a chance to correct the mistakes that have plagued them during critical times in previous seaosns.
"I think it's a fresh start, we can get our mindset and get confident again and learn from our mistakes last year, I think that's the biggest thing," he said. "We made too many mistakes late in the season, and it ended up costing us. But the first 60-75 percent of the season was really good; we were right at the top, but we just fell off a cliff."
"Try and get back that confident side of the game and hopefully not go through that same lull."
Last season, DeBrincat became the first Red Wings player since Marian Hossa in 2008-09 to reach the 40-goal plateau, many of which were assisted by Kane.
However, Kane decided to return to the Chicago Blackhawks, who will pay him $8 million a season over the next two years. While it's a disappointing loss for the Red Wings, DeBrincat believes the future Hall of Famer still has lots left in the tank.
"I think he's got a lot more (left) than people give him credit for," he said. "I feel like everyone thinks that he was a great player, but I think he still is. He's still almost a point per game, the way he still controls the play and makes passes and slows it down. Obviously still a power-play guy."
"I think Chicago is lucky to have him," he continued. "Obviously, we wish he were still in Detroit, but I guess if he's going anywhere, it's probably good that he's going back there, and the fans will treat him well there."
The Red Wings start Training Camp on Sept. 17, followed by their first preseason contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, Sept. 21.
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When the schedule makers came up with this year’s second installment of the Subway Series, they no doubt had Friday’s commemoration of the 9/11 attacks in mind but also a matchup of two New York teams expected to be at least in the hunt for the postseason. Instead, the Mets’ playoff chances were pretty much done in by a 12-game losing streak in April.
However, they have played better of late and could impact the Yankees’ path to October. The Yankees, though, got a much-needed boost from the return of Aaron Judge this week.
Here’s a look at how the teams match up heading into Friday’s series opener in The Bronx.
At the plate
Getting on base
The Mets are a much different team since they were sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, and they’ve defied expectations by improving in a handful of areas, including this one. In addition to Bo Bichette looking more like himself, the Mets have gotten contributions from Carson Benge and Brett Baty, as well as unlikely sources such as Jared Young and Luis Torrens. Now, they have a healthy Juan Soto — although Baty is dealing with a potential knee injury. The continued struggles of Francisco Lindor, A.J. Ewing and Francisco Alvarez have limited the offense. Meanwhile, the Yankees have been inconsistent in virtually every aspect of their offense since Judge went down with a fractured rib at the end of May. He’s just come off the injured list, but the Yankees hope his presence will help the likes of Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger and that deadline acquisitions Luis García Jr. and Heliot Ramos find their groove at the plate, since the team had the worst on-base percentage in the majors without its captain. Losing Jazz Chisholm Jr. to a sprained thumb hurts because the second baseman was hitting well over the last two weeks after slumping for much of the season.
Edge: Yankees
Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hits a single during a win over the Rockies. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Power
Somehow, since the trade deadline the Mets entered Wednesday with the second-highest slugging percentage in the majors. Perhaps the slugging of Baty, Bichette and Soto will continue in The Bronx and Lindor, who’s shown some pop lately, will benefit from the short porch in right. With Austin Wells, Ryan McMahon and George Lombard Jr. dragging down the bottom of the order, the Yankees need Judge — as well as Bellinger and Rice — to get back into form quickly. Fortunately, Spencer Jones has shown he’s ready to contribute in the middle of the lineup.
Edge: Yankees
In the field
Infield
The Yankees hoped the addition of the smooth-fielding Lombard would improve their defense up the middle, but the rookie shortstop is dealing with growing pains on both sides of the ball as he adjusts to the majors. Without Chisholm at second, the Yankees will have to go with José Caballero or Anthony Volpe, who had played some second base with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but remains inexperienced at the spot. García and McMahon have been adequate at the corners, and Wells has handled the pitching staff well. Across town, Young has been serviceable at first, as has Bichette at third, but Semien and Lindor clearly have taken steps back at second and short, respectively, and Torrens remains far superior to Alvarez behind the plate.
Edge: Even
Outfield
How much time is Judge going to spend in right field? If it was up to him, he’d be there every inning of every game, but the Yankees insist they’ll be cautious. That means Ramos or Jasson Domínguez could see action there. No thanks. Jones has looked solid in center, with Bellinger an expert in left. Soto and the Mets are still being cautious with him in left after his return from a calf strain, plus left field at the Stadium is spacious. Nick Morabito should see time there, with Ewing (with his speed) and Benge (with his arm) already having proved themselves defensively.
Edge: Mets
On the bases
Caballero has been dangerous on the basepaths, though he as been unable to get on base consistently. Coupled with Chisholm’s absence, it doesn’t do them much good. Ewing and Benge can wreak havoc on the bases, and Morabito is a known speedster but already has been caught stealing twice.
Edge: Mets
Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing stealing second base. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Bench
Losing Chisholm hurts their depth, too. Ramos is best utilized when facing left-handed pitching, while last year’s lefty-killer Amed Rosario has been bad all year, and Caballero’s effectiveness has slipped. Ali Sánchez hasn’t done much as Wells’ backup. Baty has been valuable at various positions, although his bat is his best weapon, while Mark Vientos has potential for pop, as does Christopher Morel.
Edge: Yankees
On the mound
Rotation
Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler are slated to start for the Yankees. Rodón has been effective but unable to pitch deep into games since returning from an inflamed elbow, and Cole has been uncharacteristically shaky. At least Schlittler has been in Cy Young form. The Mets will counter with three promising rookies: Nolan McLean, lefty Zac Thornton and Christian Scott.
Edge: Yankees
Cam Schlittler throws a pitch during the Yankees’ win over the Rockies. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Bullpen
The Yankees figure to have plenty of moving parts in their pen as they approach the playoffs. For now, they’ve gotten strong pitching from lefty Brett Headrick, ex-Met Paul Blackburn, and closer David Bednar. Michael Fulmer, another former Met, also is in the pen alongside newcomer John Schreiber. Mets interim manager Andy Green has been forced to get creative after the pen was dismantled at the deadline. Nate Lavender, Daniel Duarte and Dedniel Núñez have been solid, as has Kodai Senga in his new role finishing games.
Edge: Yankees
Manager
The Mets have a new manager in the dugout since the team’s last meeting, and Green has the team playing better, while Aaron Boone has the Yankees in line for another playoff berth.
Edge: Yankees
Mets interim manager Andy Green walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Intangibles
The Mets have shown some spunk following the sell-off, but the Yankees — who were without Judge for three-plus months and still held on to a playoff spot — clearly have been energized by the return of the best hitter in the game. As long as he stays healthy, that won’t change.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 10: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners points at Cal Raleigh #29 after tagging out the runner at home during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So often pitchers’ duels don’t really stand up to the hype, but today’s matchup between two former Stetson Hatters – the Mariners’ Logan Gilbert and the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom – delivered on all that promise and then some. The two pitchers combined for 23 strikeouts, and deGrom carried a perfect game through five innings. In true pitching duel style, it looked like the pitcher who blinked first would come out on the short end, but despite Logan Gilbert making a couple of mistakes, his offense was able to pick him up and deliver him the win. Bragging rights are fun; wins are better. (Gilbert also gets the honor of leading MLB in whiffs today: 24 to deGrom’s 20, despite having one fewer strikeout than deGrom.)
This all being said, it was a slog for the Mariners early on. The best at-bat the first time through the order for the Mariners went to – surprise, surprise – Cal Raleigh, who battled deGrom for nine pitches before striking out on deGrom’s fastest fastball of the day, a 99.6 mph heater (my campaign for decimal points on the ribbon board in the stadium, which read 100, continues unabated). But the Mariners did fight deGrom, getting themselves into good counts and forcing him into the zone; he finished the second inning at 37 pitches, compared to Gilbert’s 24.
But it only took two pitches to offset that work in the third. Nicky Lopez was able to take 96 up and in from Gilbert and find a hole on the infield, and one batter later, with two outs, Joc Pederson jumped a first-pitch slider for a two-run homer. It wasn’t a terrible pitch from Gilbert, away from Pederson but probably still too much on the plate; Gilbert had struck Pederson out on the slider in his first at-bat. The slider was particularly nasty today, with an eye-popping 75% whiff rate. He led with the pitch, throwing it 40 times, 12 times to start off an at-bat, which feels like a different sequence than he’s used. Gilbert credits Cal for coming up with a good game plan, especially after he felt like he fell into some predictable patterns in his last time out against the A’s.
“Like with Joc, we got him with the slider early, so he probably thought we were going to it next time,” explained Gilbert. “But then also other guys, we went heavy spin, like with Duran, and then next time went three or four straight fastballs. So I think we did a good job there. They’re trying to look at how we’re probably scouting them, and then next time through, maybe pitch them different. I think Cal did a good job there.”
But deGrom was just as tough on the other side. After striking out eight times in the first three innings, the Mariners hitters decided to try a different strategy the second time through the order. That also didn’t work, as they let deGrom cruise through the fourth on nine pitches, keeping his perfect game intact.
Unfortunately, in a game that was all about which pitcher would blink first, Gilbert blinked both first and second. He made a mistake to start the fifth, hitting Evan Carter with a slider; Carter went on to steal second and then take third on an erroneous throw by Cal Raleigh, essentially making that hit by pitch a leadoff triple. Gilbert seemed to lose focus after that, walking Jake Burger after striking him out earlier, and then the Rangers were able to small-ball in a run on a bunt from Nicky Lopez that turned into a base hit when Gilbert couldn’t field the weak dribbler cleanly. Nine-hole hitter Danny Jansen then bunted the runners into scoring position, but that strategy backfired as Pederson hit into a fielder’s choice on a soft grounder to Naylor, erasing the runner trying to come home, and then the Rangers tried to get overly aggressive on a wild pitch from Gilbert that bounced hard off the brick backstop and directly to Cal Raleigh, where he was able to tag out Lopez trying to come home.
Finally in the sixth inning Cole Young, Perfect Boy, broke up the perfect game; in an 0-2 count he cracked a ball that glanced off deGrom’s glove for an infield single and then scampered to second on a wild pitch. Young spoke yesterday after his big double about how he feels like in September he’s been trying to simplify things and just focus on putting the ball in play, and he did do that here. Thank you for saving me from having to write up deGrom’s perfecto, Cole, you have never been more My Favorite than you are right now.
“Obviously, I knew the perfect game was going, so I just wanted to put the ball in play,” said Young postgame. “I kind of got lucky there with it hitting off his glove and then bouncing in a dead zone, so I was able to get that hit. But just trying to get on the fastball and put it in play, honestly.”
The Rangers threatened again in the seventh, with Gilbert still out there; Langford led off with a walk and the Rangers made productive outs to get him to third, which brought up Lopez with two outs. With Logan pushing into the upper 90s in his pitch count, he spiked a splitter, and Langford broke for home aggressively. Cal was able to recover the ball, though, and made a nice toss to his long-term batterymate; Gilbert smacked down the tag on Langford to save a run and earn perpetual bragging rights among the starters. This is unironically one of my favorite clips of the year; I could watch it all day. (What is Logan saying there? I think it’s “it’s in my glove” but I can’t tell.)
With deGrom finally out of the game in the seventh, the Mariners made their move. Jakob Junis started off the inning by hitting Randy, never a smart move; he then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Dominic Canzone then briefly got to hold the title of WPA leader for the day, knocking in Arozarena with a solid ground ball single and ensuring the Mariners wouldn’t get shut out. Cal Raleigh followed that up with a single, extending his on-base streak to 12 games.
With Julio up to bat, Junis tried to sneak a first-pitch sinker past him. It’s been a struggle at the plate lately for Julio, but this sinker arrived right in Julio’s – to use a Ryon Healy-approved term – honey hole.
“I thought that ball was going to go through the back net in the bullpen,” said manager Dan Wilson postgame. “There was no way the ballpark could contain it because it was just hit so hard…As we’ve said before, this game rewards you when you do things right, and he’s been putting in the work and got a big payoff today for that.”
Julio was actually out for early work yesterday – something he doesn’t always do – working on his swing with his longtime organizational scout and friend (and home run derby pitcher) Franmy Pena.
Julio out early yesterday with Edgar and his HR Derby pitcher Franmy Pena working on getting the ball in the air. pic.twitter.com/VGAhIgg2pa
“I just feel like I’m focusing on getting back to my roots,” said Julio about reconnecting with his old friend. “[Franmy] was someone who signed me to the Mariners. He helped me develop back then when I was a kid, and I just feel like I needed a little refresher on things and just getting back to who I am and the things I do well.”
Gabe Speier posted a clean eighth in relief of Gilbert to keep the Mariners’ lead alive, setting up Andrés Muñoz for the save. Muñoz retired his first two hitters on groundouts but then walked the righty Langford, setting up a battle with Evan Carter. But Muñoz couldn’t reign in his command despite being able to use his changeup against the lefty, walking Carter and bringing up the power threat Burger. In a 2-2 count, Muñoz spotted a fastball at 101.2 on the outer edge that Burger was forced to swing at, grounding it right to the steadiest hand on the Mariners’ infield, Cole Young, who both stepped on second to beat out Carter and completed the throw through to first to easily beat out the slow-footed Burger, essentially getting the third and fourth outs of the inning to secure the Mariners win and the series win.
“There’s just so many different layers to that play,” said Young. “I wanted to make sure it didn’t hit the base and get past me, so making sure of that first, and then after I caught it I’m like, okay, I’ve got a chance at second, let’s just go there. But I knew it was going to be a bang-bang play so I started running and he’s approaching second and I’m like, oh, this could be close, I don’t know if I got him, so I threw it to first to make sure. I knew we got him at first, so I wasn’t worried, but it was definitely a really weird play.”
(Postgame when the media was thanking Young for his time, Muñoz piped up from his neighboring locker: “yes, thank you, Cole.”)
The math continues to not math in the Mariners’ favor, with the Astros winning today as well, but what’s done is done; bragging rights might not get you to the postseason but they are a nice comfort, and for all the times his offense hasn’t helped him out, it’s nice for Gilbert to get that big shiny W.
23 years after the Nashville Predators selected Ryan Suter seventh overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, he's set to be immortalized as a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
Suter, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, is more widely remembered for his time with the Minnesota Wild these days, but his professional career began in Nashville. After being drafted by the Predators, the defenseman spent one more season at the University of Wisconsin before remaining in his home state to start his professional career with the Milwaukee Admirals.
It didn't take long for the highly-touted prospect to get a chance in the NHL, as he made his debut after just a single season in the American Hockey League. While Suter would go on to play 1,526 games, the 21st most in NHL history, only 542 of them were spent with the Predators. In 2012, he opted to sign a 13-year contract with the Wild as an unrestricted free agent.
Suter is joined in the Class of 2026 by Phil and Amanda Kessel, TJ Oshie, and Stan Wong.
The Clippers only scored one run, but they still managed 8 hits and 4 walks. George Valera went 2-3 with a HR and Kahlil Watson went 2-5 with two doubles. Kody Huff also went 1-3 with a walk.
Logan Allen had his first start back in AAA and it did not go very well. He allowed five runs in 4.0 innings pitched with two strikeouts and a walk. His AAA ERA is now up to 4.65.
Welbyn Francisca went 1-3 with a walk and his first AA RBI. Jaison Chourio went 2-5 with an RBI single. Jake Fox continued his bounceback season going 2-3 with a walk and an RBI. He is now hitting .349 with a .964 OPS on the season. Luke Hill also went 1-3 with a walk.
The good news is that the RubberDucks bullpen combined for 7 scoreless innings of relief with 10 strikeouts and zero walks. The bad news is starter Sean Matson gave up 9 runs on 8 hits and two walks in the first innings. His ERA is now up to 7.23 on the season.
Hagen Smith gets his first career MLB start, as an opener in tonight’s series finale. | (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
With a sweep on the line, the White Sox need to lock in, with both pitching and the lack of hits over the last two games against the pesky Pirates. While the South Siders are still atop the American League Central, Cleveland is hanging around, and another loss tonight could be detrimental.
Hagen Smith, who has been great in a relief role, will open for Erick Fedde tonight. Jake Rogers will be behind the plate, with Andrew Benintendi as DH and at cleanup. The rest of the lineup is what we’re used to, with Sam Antonacci leading off. After last night’s bench-clearing kerfuffle caused by Antonacci’s elbow, and the White Sox on the verge of being swept, it should be a tense night in Chicago.
Jared Jones (3-6) will be on the mound for the Bucs. Jones is coming off one of his best games of the season, fanning nine in six frames against the Los Angeles Angels.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT. You can watch on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new center, a new supporting cast, and for the first time since 2018, no LeBron James.
That prompted former Lakers and Clippers forward Matt Barnes to give them a new nickname.
Welcome to the “Snowtime Lakers.”
Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hold hands during a time out in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images
With James now in Philadelphia and the franchise fully committed to building around Luka Doncic, the Lakers spent the offseason reshaping the roster around him.
They traded two first round picks and two pick swaps for Walker Kessler, giving them the imposing big man to pair with Doncic they’ve coveted for two seasons.
They re-signed Austin Reaves and assembled a supporting cast that has shooting, size, and compliments the new big three nicely.
Barnes took one look at the roster and delivered the line of the summer.
“They’re calling them the ‘Snowtime Lakers,’” Barnes told the California Post in a recent exclusive interview.
The former Lakers forward and current “All the Smoke” co-host laughed at the nickname, a play on the Lakers’ famed “Showtime” era and the collection of white players—seven to be exact—surrounding Doncic.
But beneath the joke was the same question hanging over this roster entering the 2027-28 season that was asked last season.
Can they defend?
“Anytime you’ve got Luka and AR at the head, you’ve got two tremendously score-driven guards,” Barnes said. “I’m someone who looks at defense, so I want to see how they’re able to round out this roster and be able to protect the basket.”
Matt Barnes on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Barnes isn’t the only former Laker asking how this team will defend either.
Four former Lakers — Barnes, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper and Robert Horry — spoke separately with the California Post about the franchise’s first season fully immersed in the Doncic era. All four see considerable offensive firepower. Several also see the potential fault line beneath it.
Scott put it most succinctly.
“You’re going to be able to score, but can you stop anybody?”
That question carries particular weight coming from Scott, a three-time champion with the Lakers who played during the Showtime era and was a formidable perimeter defender. Basketball has evolved dramatically since then, but Scott believes one championship ingredient has survived every stylistic revolution.
“NBA champions — it hasn’t changed in 40 years,” Scott said. “The teams that normally win the NBA championship are normally teams in the top five in defensive efficiency as well.”
Scott praised several of the Lakers’ offseason moves and is particularly intrigued by their first-round draft pick Cameron Carr out of Baylor. The athletic youngster was acquired in a multi-team draft day deal that sent the draft rights to Sergio De Larrea, the 25th overall pick, and cash considerations to the New York Knicks. Scott praised the move, and believes Carr can contribute on both ends of the floor immediately.
Cameron Carr of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of a California Classic NBA Summer League game at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on July 3, 2026. Getty Images
Still, he cautioned against treating the current roster as a finished product.
“I don’t think the book is totally written,” Scott said. “We’ve just got to wait and see.”
Cooper, an 8-time NBA All Defense selection, and one of the greatest perimeter defenders in Lakers history, was considerably more bullish.
Put this roster on paper, Cooper said, and championship expectations should follow.
“You’ve got two players who can go out and get 50 on any given night in Reaves and Luka,” Cooper said. “They’re going to be the nucleus of what the new Lakers are about as far as winning a championship. I don’t see anything less.”
That leaves the Lakers trying to construct everything else around them — defense, rebounding, rim protection and enough grit to survive the nights when the jumpers aren’t falling.
Horry believes they may have found some of that nastiness.
The seven-time NBA champion jokingly admitted his college allegiance to Alabama initially made embracing former Auburn center Kessler difficult. Purple and gold, apparently, can heal old SEC rivalry wounds.
“My heart says I can’t root for Walker Kessler because he went to Auburn, but now I have to,” Horry said.
Horry was particularly enthusiastic about Quentin Grimes, whom he described as a “nasty, gritty guy.”
“There’s a saying that we like to say: You’ve got to bring some nasty to the game,” Horry said. “I think that’s one of the things that he will do.”
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić leaves the InterContinental Hotel for a team dinner during the Lakers’ team mini camp. Andrej Tarfila/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
For the first time, there is no ambiguity about whose Lakers these are.
James is gone. Doncic is healthy. Reaves is back. Kessler is waiting around the rim and a new roster has been constructed around the superstar the franchise believes can carry it into its next championship era.
Whether the “Snowtime Lakers” can win a championship will ultimately depend on something far less catchy than a hilarious new nickname.
They already know they can score.
Now they have to prove they can play defense.
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DALLAS - NOVEMBER 18: Owner Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 99-94. 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 2009 NBAE (Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs Villain Tournament started with many strong contenders in the Haters, Killers, Former Players, and Dirty Players categories. For the most part, the favorites have advanced. Now things get even more interesting as the heavyweights of each region face each other.
The higher seeds dominated, for the most part, with only a couple of surprises so far. The favorites are clear, but there’s room for upsets as the tournament continues. The Elite 8 round should be a good test of whether the juggernauts that everyone expects to see in the finals will get there without much opposition.
To spice things up, I’ll be playing Devil’s Advocate in the matchup descriptions, trying to make the case for the lower seeds to pull off the upset, but ultimately the choice is yours. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the participants that have made it this far, and don’t forget to vote!
Spurs Killers Finals 1. Derek Fisher vs. 2. Ray Allen
There were no upsets in the Spurs Killers region, with the top two seeds advancing. Two heartbreaking shots, two potential championships snatched away. Derek Fisher robbed the Spurs of a potential repeat. So did Ray Allen, though, if you think about it.
San Antonio was the best team in both 2013 and 2014. Everyone knows that they were ready to roll out the trophy in Game 6, as the Spurs seemed to have it in the bag, before the Allen shot. In 2014, the Spurs got even better, and while the loss is often credited with motivating them, the talent for a repeat was there. It’s not crazy to think the Silver and Black could have won two in a row had Allen missed, getting Tim Duncan the one achievement he couldn’t secure and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili five titles.
As for Fisher, while other incidents contribute to his title of Spurs villain, 0.4 stands out most, and it was in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Pistons absolutely destroyed that Lakers team in the 2024 Finals. Are we sure San Antonio would have prevailed had they advanced? The context of the Fisher shot (the Big Three’s prime, the rivalry with Los Angeles, the concrete chance of a repeat, the rule change afterwards) all make it seem like the more painful shot. But Allen’s is at least comparable.
Dirty Players Finals: 1. Zaza Pachulia vs. 2. Karl Malone
Pachulia is often credited with ending the longest stretch of success in modern professional sports by taking out Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 of the Conference Finals. For the Spurs, beating the Warriors that year was unlikely but not impossible, and the post-Duncan future was looking bright. Nothing was the same after Leonard’s injury.
What’s often ignored is that it wasn’t Leonard’s ankle that sidelined him to start the next season and, knowing what we know now, it’s possible that Kawhi would have forced his way out anyway. Even back then, there were loud rumors that Leonard’s ultimate goal was always to go back to Los Angeles. While undoubtedly dirty, by sliding under Leonard, Pachulia probably only cost the Spurs a couple of wins against the Warriors in that series.
Without the Kawhi leaving factor, the dirtiness of the Pachulia play pales in comparison to Karl Malone, a notoriously terrible human, knocking David Robinson out with an elbow to the back of the head. Sure, Malone apologized, but the sheer recklessness of the move is shocking, even today. Does being dirtier, doing more damage, and taking down one of the most beloved Spurs of all time make Malone a bigger villain than Zaza? Up for you to decide.
Former Spurs Finals: 1. Kawhi Leonard vs. 2. Stephen Jackson
The unquestionable favorite to win it all advanced with ease to the finals of his region. Kawhi Leonard left the Spurs in the worst possible way, leading to a period of mediocrity the fanbase was not used to. To make things worse, he went on to win a title with the Raptors. His bona fides as a villain can’t be argued.
The one positive thing that can be said for Kawhi, however, is that once he got out, he seemed to completely move on from the Spurs. He didn’t talk much about them, in part because he simply doesn’t talk much about anything, and seemingly maintained a good relationship with Gregg Popovich, who (unsuccessfully) tried to shield him from the boos of the crowd in one of his visits. While he clearly subjected the franchise and the fans to a horrendous year of rumors and had a messy exit, he did his damage once and then went on with his career.
Jackson’s case is the opposite. He simply couldn’t hurt the franchise as much as a superstar could in just one instance, but he had two different stints that ended poorly and has a media career that often involves trashing the franchise or his former teammates. He first left in 2003 after winning a title, weakening a team that would attempt to repeat. He was looking for his first big payday, so that one is forgivable. Jack letting his ego potentially disrupt the locker room in 2014 to the point of having to be waived close to the playoffs in his second stint, however, is harder to stomach. And then there are the many, many times he has badmouthed the Spurs.
Is that enough to beat Kawhi? Probably not, but had Leonard left in more amicable circumstances, Jack would have a case to win the region.
Spurs Haters: 4. Uncle Dennis Robertson vs. 3. Mark Cuban
The Spurs Haters side of the bracket had the big upsets. Top seeds Phil Jackson and David Stern are nowhere to be found, in part because their villainy feels like old news now and in part because there were a lot of strong contenders in their region, like our two finalists, Uncle Dennis and Mark Cuban.
Robertson frankly looks unstoppable. He’s a newer villain, and his name is fresh in everyone’s mind after the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention scandal that was recently resolved, resulting in a five-year ban for Uncle Dennis. The way he handled Kawhi’s exit from San Antonio was terrible, and he was happy to talk once things were going well for his nephew in Toronto. It’s hard to make a case for Cuban, who has said a lot of negative things about the Spurs over the years but couldn’t really seriously hurt them, over someone who did direct damage to the franchise.
But is that how we should look at Uncle Dennis? Kawhi Leonard was 26 years old when he forced his way out, hardly a kid. It was easier then to villainize Robertson because Kawhi was quiet and beloved before his heel turn, and to be fair, Uncle Dennis has not helped his reputation at all since then, but the reality is, he was acting on Kawhi’s behalf. And if Robertson is the actual villain, the man who orchestrated everything in the shadows, unbeknownst to his nephew, then why is Leonard also in this bracket? Something to consider before voting.
With 10 top-flight goal contributions between them across three games already this season, the Chelsea trio of Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer are the early pace-setters for the Premier League’s most prolific, fluid and high octane attacking unit. But on the occasion of his 100th Premier League appearance, a scruffier and more ungainly unit will be hoping to steal their thunder, as high-flying Hull try to register a top-flight win against Chelsea for the very first time. Yet to score this season but with a couple of near-misses to his name, what Oli McBurnie has thus far lacked in goal contributions he has more than made up for with selfless graft and off-the-ball grunt work, making a total mockery of Steve Clarke’s decision not to include him in Scotland’s World Cup squad. The Hull striker ought to prove a real handful for a decidedly porous home defence, and a goal would be a fitting way to mark a century of Premier League appearances. Chelsea have not won any of their past four league matches against promoted opposition and given Hull’s blistering start to the season, victory on Saturday seems anything but a foregone conclusion. Barry Glendenning
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The acquisition of Miles Bridges will undoubtedly change the geometry of the Suns’ offense. He replaces Royce O’Neale in the starting lineup, a player whose primary offensive function was to catch the ball and shoot it. O’Neale averaged 2.63 seconds per touch last season, the fourth-lowest mark on the team among players who appeared in more than 50 games.
Miles Bridges will add a much-needed layer of downhill attacking, rim pressure, and versatility to the Suns’ offense. Yes, Phoenix is going to sacrifice some three-point shooting from the starting five to get there. But as we hypothesize about what this offense will ultimately look like, I can’t help but wonder what that means for Dillon Brooks.
Brooks is coming off a career-high 20.2 points per game while taking 17.1 shots a night. A lot of that was circumstance. The Suns were consistently dealing with injuries to Jalen Green, Devin Booker, or both, and somebody had to step up and take those shots. Brooks willingly did so, and I applaud him for it. The confidence he displayed, combined with his surprising ability to consistently put up 20 points, became one of the biggest surprises of last season and even pushed him into the All-Star conversation.
The challenge with Brooks offensively is that when he gets the ball, he tends to keep it. He likes to work in isolation, using the moves he practices to create his own shot in one-on-one situations. And to his credit, he succeeded. Brooks averaged 0.98 points per possession while using 12.4% of his possessions in isolation.
What worked for Brooks last season could become something that jams up the Suns’ offense this year if it’s used too frequently.
That’s where Miles Bridges changes the equation. His ability to attack downhill gives Phoenix another way to create shots for everyone else. Penetration forces defenses to collapse, and once that happens, the floor opens up. A kickout can create a clean look from three, and if the defense recovers, the next player can attack the closeout and get downhill again. That puts defenses on skates. It forces them into scramble mode, creates rotation after rotation, and generates opportunities both from beyond the arc and at the rim as defenders try to recover.
The expectation is that we’ll see plenty of penetration and kickouts with the addition of Bridges, and if that’s the case, that isn’t exactly a strength of Dillon Brooks. Brooks averaged 20.1 passes per game last season. More importantly, he received 37.3 passes per game, creating a 17.2-pass differential that ranked second-highest on the team. Only Devin Booker received more passes than he dished out.
Holding the ball and dribbling the air out of it probably isn’t the preferred method of attack for this offense anymore. Adjustments will need to happen, both philosophically and in execution, and Brooks may be the player asked to sacrifice the most. Jalen Green and Devin Booker both possess the ability to get downhill in different ways. Green brings elite athleticism and the ability to blow by defenders. Booker relies more on craft and technique to get to his spots.
That likely pushes Brooks into the fourth option offensively. And honestly, that’s a great thing for the Suns. Brooks has already shown that he has the confidence and ability to score when called upon. If Phoenix stays healthy, he shouldn’t need to do it with the same frequency he did last season. But when the offense needs him to step forward, he can still provide that production.
I’d much rather have Dillon Brooks as my fourth option than some of the fourth options that exist around the Western Conference. Would you rather have Jake LaRavia? Or Max Christie? How about the career 21.9% three-point shooting of Amen Thompson? Brooks is more offensively equipped to be productive as a fourth option.
So, as we prepare for the season to begin, it becomes an interesting question to ponder. What does Dillon Brooks look like in this version of the Suns’ offense? He doesn’t need to become a different player. He needs to become a more selective version of the player he already is. If Bridges, Booker, and Green are creating more of the initial action, then Brooks can attack advantages rather than manufacture them. And attack them he will, like a well-trained Kung Fu disciple.
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 06: Kyle Teel #8 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three run home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the Cardinals limp home from a rough road trip, I would prefer to focus on the enshrinement of Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols in the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame this weekend. However, there are still games to be played and 3 of them over the weekend will be against the Chicago White Sox who will hopefully give St. Louis a glimpse at what might be their not-so-distant future.
Pitching Matchups
(NOTE: As of this writing, the Chicago White Sox have not officially announced their starters, but these pitchers are projected based on recent rotation)
Friday night, September 11 – Matthew Liberatore (LHP 5-14, 5.57 ERA, 144 SO) vs Erick Fedde (RHP, 8-8, 4.00 ERA)
Saturday night, September 12 – Kyle Leahy (RHP 10-4, 3.41 ERA, 124 SO) vs Anthony Kay (LHP, 9-8, 4.47 ERA)
Sunday afternoon, September 13 – Michael McGreevy (RHP 6-9, 3.92 ERA, 106 SO) vs Sean Burke (RHP, 8-7, 3.58 ERA)
Former Cardinal Erick Fedde has won 2 of his last 3 starts including September 4 when he threw 5 innings against the Minnesota Twins allowing just 3 hits and no earned runs. Anthony Kay has lost 2 of his last 3 starts including the most recent on September 5 against the Twins where he threw 4 1/3 innings allowing 6 hits and 5 earned runs. Sean Burke is 1-1 over his last three starts as he took the loss in his most recent start on September 8 against the Pirates allowing 8 hits and 7 earned runs.
Who are the Chicago White Sox players to watch?
Colson Montgomery: Leads the team with 31 home runs, 83 RBI’s with an average of .209
Munetaka Murakami: Also a home run threat with 30 home runs, 62 RBI’s and an average of .208
Miguel Vargas: Vargas also has 30 home runs plus 79 RBI’s and an average of .250
Andrew Benintendi: Has 14 home runs, 70 RBI’s and an average of .244
Randal Grichuk: Former Cardinal has 12 home runs, 34 RBI’s and an average of .286
The Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals look like two organizations going in completely different directions on paper, but an optimistic person would also point to the quick turnaround of the White Sox as a possible near-future glimpse of what the Cardinals could be. This season, though, these teams are in different worlds. The Chicago White Sox sit atop the American League Central with a record of 75-69. The Cardinals record isn’t all that different as they’re 72-75 but they’re near the cellar of the National League Central only a couple games above the lowly Reds and they’re 6.5 games out of the final Wild Card which might as well be 20.
Let’s be realistic and stop concerning ourselves with Wild Card hopes. The St. Louis Cardinals expect to get JJ Wetherholt back in the lineup this weekend vs the White Sox. Perhaps he’ll catch fire offensively to give himself a better chance at winning some Rookie of the Year votes. The real highlight of the weekend will be the enshrinement of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Bill Sherdel in the Cardinals Hall of Fame. That ceremony will begin at 5pm Saturday, September 12 and everyone with a game ticket can enter the stadium early to witness it. Let’s hope the young Cardinals on the current and future rosters will soak in that moment and see what they can aspire to.
