For two or three years now, it’s been standard to nod approvingly at how well-run Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, and to move on. What else is there to say? It’s true, of course – these are sides who have made the most of relatively limited resources. But there’s also an underlying assumption in the designation: that these are clubs who have no higher aspiration, that their limit is earning praise for upper mid-table finishes.
This season, perhaps, offers an opportunity to change that. Other than Arsenal, every major club is undergoing significant transition. Manchester City may have started the season with seven straight wins, but there’s every chance the punishment for their multiple breaches of Premier League regulations takes them out of the race for the top five. In that context, why shouldn’t one of those efficient smaller sides qualify for the Champions League?
The Rangers’ first potential reinforcement has arrived.
Veteran center Luke Glendening signed a professional tryout agreement with the Blueshirts on Monday, The Post first reported. The signing comes on the heels of fourth-line center Joe Veleno going on long-term injured reserve for three to three-and-a-half months with a lower-body injury.
Access the Rangers beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting withMollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.
The 37-year-old Glendening played for the Devils and Flyers last season. After turning a PTO into a one-year contract in Newark, the Devils waived Glendening in March and he was claimed by Philadelphia.
He posted two goals, seven assists and a 52.9 faceoff win percentage in 70 games between the two clubs.
A veteran of over 930 games, Glendening spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career playing for his home team, the Red Wings. He has since made stops in Dallas, Tampa Bay, New Jersey and Philly.
As of this season, a mid-season PTO lasts for a maximum of 10 days under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Players aren’t allowed to play in games.
The Rangers have signed Luke Glendening to a PTO. NHLI via Getty Images
If another NHL team makes a contract offer during the PTO, his team has a right of first refusal to match the contract within 48 hours.
The one-year contract Glendening signed with the Devils last year was worth the league minimum of $775,000. This season, the league minimum is $850,000.
On Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, LeBron James will make his regular-season debut for the Sixers and begin his record 24th NBA season. Philadelphia is his fourth franchise and fifth NBA stint, counting his two runs in Cleveland.
It’s happening.
This season will bring the obvious milestones and memorable performances. It will also bring smaller moments that help tell the story of James’ time in Philadelphia. The LeBron Log will keep track of both.
Check back throughout the season for new entries. For now, let’s get started with No. 1.
TEAM DEBUTS
Tuesday’s setting carries its own twist.
James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin at Sixers media day that he had “visions” of playing at Madison Square Garden and finishing his career there. The Knicks’ championship changed those plans.
Instead, James will begin his Philadelphia chapter from the visiting locker room while New York raises its championship banner.
Few road arenas have treated him better. James owns a 24-9 record in 33 games at Madison Square Garden, averaging 28.2 points, 7.4 assists and 6.9 rebounds.
His previous debut games with new teams and stints have not gone nearly as well.
Oct. 29, 2003: Cavaliers at Kings
An 18-year-old James recorded 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in his first NBA game. He shot 12 of 20 from the floor, but Sacramento won, 106-92.
Oct. 26, 2010: Heat at Celtics
The highly anticipated debut of Miami’s James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh trio began in Boston. James scored 31 points, but the Celtics held off the Heat, 88-80.
Oct. 30, 2014: Knicks at Cavaliers
This is the closest parallel to Tuesday.
James’ return to Cleveland produced a deafening reception and enormous expectations. The Knicks spoiled the homecoming. James finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and eight turnovers as New York won, 95-90.
Oct. 18, 2018: Lakers at Trail Blazers
James opened his Lakers career with 26 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Portland still handed Los Angeles a 128-119 loss.
That makes four previous stint debuts and four losses. James averaged 24.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists across those games.
Tuesday gives him his first opportunity to win one. The same franchise that spoiled his Cleveland return will stand in his way again.
TAKING CHARGE
Friday’s preseason finale offered an early example of the smaller moments worth tracking throughout James’ first season in Philadelphia.
With 8:56 remaining in the third quarter and the Sixers leading the Celtics, 69-62, Luka Garza missed a three-pointer. Ron Harper Jr. grabbed the offensive rebound before the ball returned to Garza.
James established position outside the restricted area and absorbed the contact from the 6-foot-10, 243-pound center. The whistle blew for a charge, and the Sixers’ bench erupted.
There was more behind the celebration than one preseason possession.
Maxey said the Sixers had encountered a similar situation during practice. Adem Bona rolled toward the basket with James waiting in his path, but the 41-year-old moved aside. James assured his teammates that he would take the contact once they played an actual game.
“We don’t want Bona running Bron over,” Maxey joked.
James kept his word, putting his body in front of a center during the Sixers’ final exhibition game.
The moment also stood out to 20-year-old rookie Labaron Philon.
“Everybody jumped up off the bench and was pretty happy for him that a guy really that old was still putting his body on the line for us in a preseason game,” Philon said. “That really tells it all. … I hope he can bring that to Tuesday and for the rest of the season. I want to see some more of those.”
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT
James appeared on a SLAM cover before he played a minute in the NBA.
In August 2002, James and fellow high school star Sebastian Telfair shared the cover of SLAM 62. The issue was titled “The Takeover,” and its cover predicted that the two teenagers were about to rule the basketball world.
More than 24 years later, James is back on the cover.
The Sixers star fronts SLAM 265 in his new No. 23 uniform. The cover reads, “This is my last run. Part II,” followed by the title, “Leaving the Legacy.”
The standard edition costs $13.99. It is the first of five covers for SLAM’s December 2026/January 2027 issue and includes 82 pages and a pullout poster.
SLAM also opened a 48-hour ordering window for a $65 Orange Metal version. It will remain available through Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. Each copy will be numbered, and 24 customers will randomly receive an even rarer Platinum Metal edition instead. A $125 Gold Metal version, limited to 94 copies, has already sold out.
With injuries quickly beginning to pile up, the Philadelphia Flyers have turned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, tapping two exciting forward prospects for NHL call-ups ahead of Monday night's game against the Colorado Avalanche.
On Sunday, the Flyers made an interesting roster move, shorting themselves a healthy forward by sending center Jack Studnicka down to the AHL and re-calling defenseman Hunter McDonald, rather than another forward, while also placing Cam York on injured reserve and assigning Helge Grans to the Phantoms.
To solve the puzzle, though, the Flyers made the state of the roster clearer on Monday, as they re-called wingers Alex Bump and Cole Knuble from the Phantoms, filling the two vacant roster spots left by the demotions of Studnicka and Grans.
Bump and Knuble are both expected to play against the Avalanche on Monday night, with the latter in line to make his NHL debut having just over a dozen games of professional experience.
Knuble, 22, has a goal, three assists, and four points in six AHL games this season, featuring as a top-line winger for John Snowden's Phantoms.
Bump, who started the season on the Flyers' roster, has scored a goal in each of the five AHL games he's played this season, erupting for a total of seven goals, an assist, and eight points.
The 22-year-old last played for the Flyers in their third game of the season, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 3. Prior to that, though, Bump had been benched by Tocchet in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 1.
But, with Travis Konecny still on injured reserve and Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster nursing upper-body injuries, the Flyers are in desperate need of healthy wingers with scoring talent, and they've made their moves, replacing Studnicka.
It is also currently unclear if Sean Couturier will play against Colorado on Monday, which could make for even more opportunities for Bump and Knuble if the Flyers' captain has to sit out.
With the Flyers getting hit hard by injuries, Bump, Knuble, Jacob Gaucher and Hunter McDonald were called up. Rick Tocchet said there’s a “good possibility” Bump and Knuble play Monday when the Flyers host the Avalanche at Xfinity Mobile Arena (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). It’s uncertain if Gaucher or McDonald will play.
For Knuble, it would be his NHL debut. And a pretty cool one. He’ll be playing for the team he grew up watching. His father Mike Knuble played 338 career regular-season games for the Flyers over two stints with the club.
“I’ve been a fan of this team my whole life,” Knuble said Monday after morning skate, “so I think it’s extra special.”
Some of his childhood was spent at this arena.
“I probably remember the family lounge more and playing mini sticks with my brother,” Knuble said. “But I remember little things — Peco power play was around, so all of that stuff.”
Knuble has been a riser in the Flyers’ system. The 22-year-old forward had a strong camp and preseason. With the Phantoms, he had a goal, three assists and 19 shots in six games.
“I’m going to bring energy and compete,” Knuble said. “I’m going to be moving every shift.”
Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche are in town. Colorado is scoring 4.50 goals per game.
Bump scored a blistering seven goals (two of them empty-netters) in five games with Lehigh Valley. He also collected an assist and fired 27 shots.
“Try to make it hard on them to keep me down there,” Bump said.
The 22-year-old winger was scoreless with four shots for the Flyers.
“Building the confidence again,” Bump said. “I think I kind of got away from my game up here, so I think it was good for me to go back down and just kind of find it and play freely.”
On the Flyers’ injury front, Travis Konecny (lower body), Owen Tippett (upper body), Rasmus Ristolainen (left hand) and Cam York (upper body) have been ruled out against Colorado.
Sean Couturier and Tyson Foerster are game-time decisions. Both missed practice Sunday, but they tested things out on the ice at Monday’s optional skate. Couturier is banged up but could be good to go. Foerster, though, did not look real comfortable testing out his right hand.
The 24-year-old winger blocked a shot in the Flyers’ 3-1 win Saturday night over the Senators. At one point Monday, he left morning skate, but he then returned for some more work.
Tyson Foerster testing out his right hand. He took a shot there last game and missed practice Sunday.
After this, he talked to the trainer. He shook his head slightly, doesn’t look like it feels great for him. He ended up leaving skate just now. pic.twitter.com/YwgSrMmfM7
The Flyers (1-6-3) have a tall order against the Avalanche (5-2-1), a high-powered team that’s scoring 4.50 goals per game.
“The best way against that team is you’ve got to protect the middle of the ice and you’ve got to be aggressive,” Tocchet said. “You play Colorado or these teams, you don’t back up. It’s the opposite, you want to be aggressive, you want to squash a play.”
The Boston Celtics capped a vibes-filled preseason in the most Celtics way possible: Trotting out a starting five in which four players — likely bound for Maine and waived almost immediately after the team’s final preseason tuneup — toppled a Hall-of-Famer-filled starting five of the new-look Sixers, including old friend Jaylen Brown.
Boston produced a 4-0 preseason. Far more importantly, the team doubled down on an identity it started carving out last season and built around three main tenets: Be the hardest-playing team, win the margins, and do both those things regardless of the personnel combinations that Joe Mazzulla puts on the floor.
There are still a bunch of lingering questions as the regular season arrives — we’ll tackle a few of those in a bit — but let’s start with five reasons for optimism as the Celtics prepare to dive into the 82-game grind.
1. Jayson Tatum looks ready to be Jayson Tatum
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
A healthy Jayson Tatum playing at an All-NBA level is the key to Boston remaining competitive in the East.
If a longer-than-expected offseason had only one benefit, it is this: Jayson Tatum looks and sounds like he’s back to his old self. Tatum has admitted that he’s in a far better place, both mentally and physically, than when he first returned to action in March. Entering Year 10, and further removed from the Achilles injury that limited his availability last season, Tatum appears ready to shoulder the hefty load the team will heap upon him after its offseason changes.
Tatum checked all the preseason boxes. The scoring looked effortless. He shot the 3-pointer well (38.9 percent). He routinely generated quality looks for teammates. He was active on the glass. The stat line is going to pop this year. Tatum looked like a player who is ready to muscle back into the MVP conversation.
Tatum has always had a great appreciation for some of the stuff that NBA superstars eventually take for granted. He’s repeatedly noted this preseason how the uncertainty he faced a year ago has made him appreciate the minutiae of NBA life, including simply being on the court with his teammates throughout training camp.
“I think when you’re sitting on the sideline for as long as he did, you kind of see the game a little bit differently,” said teammate Derrick White. “I just think that he’s more confident. I thought he looked pretty good last year and so just getting that confidence, getting over the mental hurdle that everybody says is the toughest part about it.”
The bottom line: A healthy Tatum playing at an All-NBA level is the key to Boston remaining competitive in a beefed-up Eastern Conference. The early returns have been encouraging.
2. Hugo Gonzalez’s jumper could change the conversation
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Hugo Gonzalez adding a dependable jumper will only make it easier for Joe Mazzulla to keep him on the floor.
We resisted the urge to put this at No. 1.
Gonzalez finished 11-of-20 shooting (55 percent) from beyond the arc in four preseason appearances. That number should come back down to Earth a bit, but hopefully the confidence with which Gonzalez is chucking those triples will not.
The release looks quicker. The confidence looks higher. Gonzalez shot 36.2 percent beyond the arc in his rookie season — right around league average — but being able to consistently knock down 3s is only going to help keep Gonzalez on the floor for a team overflowing with wing options.
Still, we marvel at the confidence in preseason situations. Watching Gonzalez and buddy Baylor Scheierman shoot before training camp practices, Scheierman seemed to make everything he hoisted, while Gonzalez could be a bit more streaky.
Then the games started, and Gonzalez thrived from distance.
There was a sequence in the final Philadelphia meeting where Scheierman zipped a pass to the corner in transition and Gonzalez went straight into his shot. No hesitation. Just a confident catch-and-shoot 3 on his way to 21 points.
We already knew that Gonzalez will make good things happen on both ends with his activity. The lasting image from his rookie campaign was his willingness to go joust with Joel Embiid in Game 7 of a playoff series. Adding a dependable jumper will only make it easier for Mazzulla to keep Gonzalez on the floor.
3. Paul George’s defense can make life easier on the offense
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Even at age 36, Paul George is active in passing lanes and routinely causing deflections.
Doc Rivers made this point on a recent Celtics Talk Podcast: You might not fully appreciate how good George can be, defensively, until he’s on your team. The preseason offered a pretty convincing introduction.
George was a constant disruptor. Even at age 36, he’s active in passing lanes, routinely causing deflections and generating seven steals overall in two appearances. Even more importantly, Boston turned many of those takeaways into transition points.
Generating some easy points off turnovers could be vital as the Celtics carve out an offensive identity without Brown. But the defense, overall, is intriguing considering how good the Celtics were on that end even before adding two guys like George and Mitchell Robinson.
Slot George and Tatum at the forward spots, then add White doing All-Defense things at the guard position, and you can see the outline of an elite defense. Add in a Boston team that might be the best rebounding group in the NBA and things get real tough for opposing teams on the margins.
4. Payton Pritchard’s next jump might be as a playmaker
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Payton Pritchard racked up 11 assists in the Celtics’ preseason game against the Hornets.
We know Pritchard can score inside despite giving up size. But, going back through the tape, what stuck out was how often his penetration sucked in multiple defenders and created opportunities for teammates around him.
Neemias Queta was a frequent beneficiary against Charlotte. That leaves us intrigued by how Mazzulla will deploy talent and how much that combo will play together.
The Celtics need Pritchard’s scoring in the aftermath of Brown’s departure, but part of any leap he makes again this season could be tied to impacting the game even more as a playmaker.
Maybe the best part is that Pritchard is setting a tone about roles, doubling down on his assertion that it doesn’t matter if he starts or comes off the bench, he simply wants to pile up minutes and impact winning.
“The starting conversation is kind of funny. To me, a starter is the amount of minutes you play,” said Pritchard. “Do you finish games? Are you playing 30-plus minutes? Then you are a starter.
“How do you impact the game is what really matters to me. I don’t really care — this might be an ego thing — I don’t really care to hear my name called at the beginning of the game. The first five minutes of the game really have no effect on the game. So if that is what Joe thinks benefits our team the most, is me coming off the bench and playing those minutes, then I’m going to do it. And I’m going to try to be the best at those minutes. That’s my only thought process.”
5. Depth remains a Boston calling card …
Tucker DeVries, Hayden Gray, Gabe McGlothan, and Milos Uzan were part of Boston’s starting five that toppled the Sixers. They were waived a few hours later with hopes they will all land in Maine as affiliated players.
But the success of the “red team” — the deepest reserves, most on Exhibit 10 contracts in camp — was a staunch reminder that Mazzulla can and will lean on depth throughout the roster. As his Game 7 lineup versus Philly showed last season, he won’t be afraid to mix and match as the situation requires.
Which coincides with the second half of this optimism bullet point:
… and the development pipeline has some intriguing projects
Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. is incredibly raw. But he’s also still a teenager, and you can see all the potential to impact the game with his size, length, and athleticism. Both him and rookie two-way Dillon Mitchell ought to spend a lot of time with Maine this season, but those reps — and time behind the scenes in Boston’s player development factory — could be key in breeding future depth.
Heck, even the Celtics’ assistant coaches got important reps this season with Mazzulla handing the head coaching reins to Tony Dobbins, DJ MacLeay, and Sam Cassell at various times this preseason.
The Celtics are getting contributions from every player and coach on the roster. But now the real games begin and we’ll see if they can maintain the vibes.
The big questions going into the year:
1. Can Boston stay healthy?
Tatum missed Game 7 while still working his way back from the Achilles injury; George and fellow offseason addition Mitchell Robinson have to prove they can stay on the floor, even if the team will likely manage their overall workloads. Boston has the ability to lean into its depth, but it also needs to keep its main guys on the floor.
2. How does Mazzulla deploy his depth?
Mazzulla has no shortage of options in how he crafts lineups. Robinson and Neemias Queta should eat the bulk of the 48 minutes at the center position, but who starts game to game could vary. The bigger question might be at the fifth starter spot. Does Mazzulla lean on a defensive-minded wing (like a Jordan Walsh who got multiple preseason starts with the core starters), or does someone like Baylor Scheierman or Sam Hauser elevate to that spot based on matchups. What combos give the bench the best ability to thrive?
3. How will Boston fill the Brown void?
Replacing Brown will be collaborative for the Celtics. Maybe Tatum gets a whole bunch more shots and fills much of the scoring void on his own. But no one can individually replace what Brown brought to both ends. And the team will have to morph a bit in his absence. Can George (or Pritchard or White) be strong secondary scoring options on nights that Tatum is either struggling or defenses are blanketing? Brown routinely loved taking on the challenge of defending the opposing team’s top scoring options. Even on Day 1 against Cade Cunningham and the Pistons, who takes on the lion’s share of that defensive assignment?
Answers are coming soon. After nearly six months, it’s finally time for real basketball in Boston again.
UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 13: Charles Davalan #6 of the Glendale Desert Dogs makes a play for an out during the game between the River Rafters and the Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in Glendale, AZ United States. (Photo by Norm Hall/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Some news and notes from the Arizona Fall League, in which Dodgers prospects play for the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Charles Davalan, the outfielder who was named 2026 Midwest League MVP for his work this season with High-A Great Lakes, had been playing second base in the AFL. He has just five hits in 30 at-bats — plus three walks and five times hit by a pitch for a .333 on-base percentage — but four of those hits came in the last week. That included a solo home run last Monday in Scottsdale.
Charles in charge 💣@dodgers No. 6 prospect Charles Davalan blasts his first home run of the fall. In 2026, Davalan launched 24 across High-A and Double-A pic.twitter.com/CiK1e17LOa
Third baseman Chase Harlan has two home runs, a double, and seven walks in eight games thus far in Arizona, hitting .269/.444/.538 in his 36 plate appearances. His second home run of the season came last Sunday, October 11.
“Dodgers right-hander Sam Horn threw an inning in that game, working 94-95 mph with a slider at 82-84 mph. The fastball was fairly flat, and the curveball was mostly down and out of the zone,” Law wrote. “Seeing him throwing at all in the AFL was a positive. He showed a good pickoff move, for what that’s worth.”
Dodgers prospect Sam Horn strikes out the side in his second outing this Fall!
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) October 7, 2026
Brooks Auger, the Dodgers’ sixth-round pick in 2024 out of Mississippi State, allowed two runs in two innings with three strikeouts last Monday in his second start thus far in Arizona. Law at The Athletic wrote, “ had the best arsenal among potential starters, showing five distinct pitches, highlighted by a 95-98 mph fastball and a plus changeup with a ton of fading action.”
A season after the Mets (and every other team but the White Sox) passed on slugging Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami, another intriguing Japanese star is about to hit the market.
The Hanshin Tigers have granted infielder and reigning NPB MVP Teruaki Sato's request to be posted this offseason, according to Yakyu Cosmopolitan, paving the way for him to sign with an MLB team before the expected lockout on Dec. 1.
Sato, 27, won the Triple Crown in Japan this year after slashing .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs, 40 doubles, 100 runs scored, and 106 RBI in 143 games for Hanshin.
He hit .278/.345/.579 with 40 home runs, 34 doubles, and 102 RBI in 139 games in 2025 as he won the Central League MVP award.
Sato, a third baseman, would very likely have to slide over to first base in a world where he lands in Queens and Bo Bichette doesn't opt out of his contract.
New York's in-house options at first base for next season include Jared Young and Jorge Polanco. However, Young doesn't hit for much power and struggles against left-handed pitching, while Polanco is an unknown following a 2026 season that was derailed by injury.
Regarding Bichette, he has opt-outs after this season and the 2027 season. However, it's difficult to envision him exercising it this offseason, with him set to get an AAV of $42 million in both 2027 and 2028.
These moves come as Toronto is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, with a 4-1 defeat to the New York Islanders on Saturday.
The San Jose Sharks are in town for a Monday night clash. It's possible that Lettieri makes his debut for the Maple Leafs, which would be his first NHL appearance since April 2025.
The 31-year-old has had a great start to the AHL season with the Toronto Marlies. He's notched three goals and nine points in five minor-league games.
As for Akhtyamov, appearing in the NHL this season was inevitable given the Calder Cup run he had in the American League last year.
The 24-year-old netminder played 22 games and registered a .923 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average. That performance earned him the title of AHL playoff MVP.
The Russian goalie hasn't been off to such a great start this season, numbers-wise. In three games for the Marlies, he's posted an .882 SP and a 2.94 GAA while earning a 2-1-0 record. He's been splitting starts with the other goaltender, Samuel Hlavaj, who also has a 2-1-0 record, but with a .870 SP and a 3.01 GAA.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Richie Palacios #1 and Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate their 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Team news
[MLB] D-backs prospect Patrick Forbes discusses his pitching repertoire, his development playing in the Arizona Fall League and more
[Roundtable.io] Will Diamondbacks’ Garcia Take Another Leap in 2027? – Depending on which veteran players end up departing, some of the Diamondbacks’ younger players may end up having greater responsibility. One such player is left-hander Brandyn Garcia… Garcia joins a list of young players, such as Ryan Waldschmidt and Jordan Lawlar, who can play bigger roles for Arizona in the future. Given the amount of time they have logged so far, it would not be surprising to see them become mainstays on the field as soon as next season.
[MLB] Confident Rays quiet Cleveland, return home one win from World Series – The Rays are just one win away from the World Series, headed back to Tropicana Field with every ounce of momentum in the ALCS. Sunday’s 3-1 win in Game 5 felt even more convincing than the low score suggests, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead in the series. If the Rays advance, it would guarantee a first-time champion as neither the Rays nor the Brewers have won a World Series since their organizations entered the league. “We need to rebound tomorrow,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “I know we’re going to have a tough matchup tomorrow. But we need to get guys on base and we need to score runs. And we just haven’t done that enough over the last two days.”
[CNN] Why baseball teams party so hard and so often in October – Every year, as the postseason approaches, a carpet-cleaning company in Boston knows to stand by; if a series is clinched, they’ll be called in for a shampooing assignment at 2 a.m. The clubhouse managers try to protect as much of the property as possible, but there is only so much they can do. “No matter how much you clean it, it smells horrible for days,” [Red Sox Clubhouse manager Tom] McLaughlin said, adding that the ceiling tiles turn brown, almost black, and must be replaced.
[Tampa Bay Times] For Rays, stability in dugout is a big part of their onfield success – Cash, completing his 12th season, is the longest-tenured manager in the majors with his current team. Mottola, who was promoted from the minors in September 2016 to replace Derek Shelton, is the longest-serving active hitting coach in the majors. And Snyder, who was promoted from Triple-A Durham after the 2017 season, is tied with Cleveland’s Carl Willis for the second-longest run among current pitching coaches, trailing only Toronto’s Pete Walker (hired in 2013).
[SI] The Best Baseball Rookie Cards From Every Decade – More collectors have embraced building smaller, more focused collections. Consolidating and selling off lower-value cards can make it possible to own several iconic rookie cards that might otherwise seem too expensive or unattainable. If a collector just wanted to own the very best rookie card from each era, which cards would make the cut? Beginning with the 1910s, I selected the most valuable baseball rookie card from each decade… For each decade, I also included an iconic “budget” rookie card under $1,000 for collectors to target with a more modest hobby budget.
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 30: A general view inside the stadium from outfield seating during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Mikayla Schlosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals cited two big reasons why they chose to change the dimensions at Kauffman Stadium for the 2026 season. First, the front office hoped that the dimensions would play more fairly, particularly on home runs. Second, the staff hoped that hitters would be able to have a more consistent approach at home and on the road, not needing to tailor their swings based on whatever park they happened to be in.
As far as the former goal goes, it’s too early to tell based on one season of data, butThe K played like a true hitter’s park this season—one of the best hitter’s parks in the league. As far as the latter goal goes, it’s again hard for us to know whether guys had a more consistent approach at home versus on the road. It’s much more difficult for us to judge intent and approach as fans. What we can judge, however, are results, and the results on the road during the first year of the new dimensions at The K were not good.
Here’s a table breaking down how the Royals performed at home at the plate versus on the road:
Location
PA
BB%
K%
BB/K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
ISO
BABIP
wOBA
wRC+
Home
3019
8.50%
18.80%
0.45
.266
.334
.439
.774
.173
.303
.337
110
Away
3064
8.30%
23.00%
0.36
.229
.299
.366
.665
.136
.279
.294
86
The Royals at home were a very good offense. If the 110 wRC+ they accumulated at home was their full-season number, they would slot between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers as the third-best offense in the league. This isn’t a fair comparison, as almost everyone performs better at home than on the road, but it shows that if you thought at times the Royals had a great offense, it was likely during one of their home stands. They have the fifth-highest home wRC+ in baseball, and ended up just one point behind the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates, the third- and fourth-place finishers, respectively.
The batting eye at Kauffman Stadium is considered excellent, and we see that contrast in the offense’s results on the road this season. The Royals struck out 150 times more on the road than at The K. They hit 16 more home runs at home this season. Their batting average was 36 points higher in Kansas City. Interestingly enough, they drew a similar number of walks between home and road games.
Overall, the Royals finished with a slightly below-average offense (a 98 wRC+). Their 24-point gap between their home wRC+ and their road wRC+ was the biggest gap in baseball this year. As good as the Royals were at home this year, they were significantly worse on the road, which brought down their overall average. Not for nothing, the Royals had a 40–39 record at home this season to go with a 28–53 record on the road.
What does all of this mean? Is batting at the new-look Kauffman so great for hitters that we need to expect a Coors Field hangover effect? Were the Royals just a bad hitting team buoyed by a great hitter’s park? Was this a large but not unexpected variance between home and road, and due to various factors outside of the batters‘ control, will look more normal next season? Why are we even alive?
I don’t think we have enough information to get good answers to these questions, but for this season we can say that whatever the Royals hoped moving the walls would do to help the team’s consistency between home and road results did not work. Whether this is just variance, whether the Royals need to petition to install the Kauffman batting eye in all stadiums, or whether something else entirely is causing this difference in results (such as needing to get more sleep on the road or something) is up to the Royals to figure out and implement changes.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: PitcherDrew Rasmussen #57 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates at the end of the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning! The Tampa Bay Rays will head home with a chance at the American League pennant after their 3-1 win last night. Up 3-2 in the ALCS, the Rays will face the Cleveland Guardians tonight for Game 6 at 5 PM.
A reliable closer is like an endgame security blanket for ball clubs made jittery by the generally-fickle nature of relievers and the pitfalls of the treacherous ninth inning. That’s why David Bednar figures to do well in free agency this winter.
He’s coming off a strong season with the Yankees in which he converted 35 of 39 save chances, notched a 2.47 ERA and allowed only 52 hits in 69.1 innings while striking out 76.
Now the Yanks have to figure out their endgame strategy with Bednar, who made $9 million this season. He just turned 32 years old, jacked up his ground ball rate to a career-best 50 percent, well above the MLB average (41.2 percent), and proved he can handle the Bronx cauldron, overcoming an early wobble or two.
And he threw three scoreless innings in the postseason, giving him a 1.00 ERA in nine playoff innings with the Yanks.
Sounds like a prime resume for a return. What will the Yanks do?
Here’s a look at whether Bednar should stay or go:
WHY IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO RE-SIGN BEDNAR
Bednar was by far the best thing to come out of the Yanks’ reliever splurge at the 2025 trade deadline, cementing an uncertain closer role that year and carrying that into 2026. He has a 2.39 ERA as a Yankee, not including the postseason.
In other words, he can hack it here.
It’s impressive that he’s still evolving, too. He threw his splitter much more this season and it was a devastating pitch for him. Opposing batters hit just .149 in at-bats ending on the split, with a .189 slugging percentage. According to Statcast, Bednar’s split was tied for 17th in Pitching Run Value, suggesting it was among the best single pitches in all of baseball.
He reduced his walk rate to 7.1 percent, career best for a full season, and had a 1.04 WHIP. Only the Rays’ Bryan Baker and Cade Smith of the Guardians had more saves than Bednar this year.
We could go on and on about Bednar the bullpen bedrock. We haven’t even brought up how much we like his entrance song – “Renegade” by Styx.
The Yanks will have to decide whether to extend him the $23 million-plus qualifying offer. They should. Even if he takes it, he’s probably worth that for one year. If he accepted, it’d be the top average annual value ever for a reliever, just above the $23 million Edwin Díaz is making with the Dodgers.
WHY IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO LET BEDNAR GO
We can’t think of any real reasons. No, seriously.
Jul 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Bednar (53) follows through on a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Fine, we’ll nitpick: He had an ERA of 5.14 as late as May 18 (but it was 1.30 afterward). He made four appearances against the Mets and the Mets scored against him three times.
The Yanks have been adept at developing bullpen arms in recent years, so could they have an in-house replacement lurking?
There are options on the free agent market, too. Raisel Iglesias has more saves than anyone in MLB over the last three seasons, as well as a sparkling 0.931 WHIP. He’ll be 37 in January, but if the Yanks feel they have a closer-in-waiting and Iglesias will accept a shorter-term deal than Bednar, is that a move?
Lefty Adrian Morejon remains appealing. Two-time All-Star Andrés Muñoz is coming off a 4.24 ERA, but is tied for the second-most saves over the past three years. However, the Mariners hold a relatively inexpensive $9 million club option on Muñoz for 2027.
VERDICT
Stay.
Don’t overthink this. Quality bullpen arms should be hoarded and everyone’s mood is elevated when a team can cling to any smidge of ninth-inning certainty. Paul Blackburn, a relief revelation this year, is also a free agent, so there’s already some uncertainty in the Yankee pen. Lefty Brent Headrick enjoyed a sparkling season, but there’s work to be done. Retaining Bednar is an easy stabilizer.
In the 13 seasons since great Mariano Rivera retired, the Yanks have had seven different pitchers lead the team in saves, including Bednar this year. Aroldis Chapman (five times) and Clay Holmes (three) are the only pitchers who did it more than once.
Díaz, Josh Hader ($19 million per year), and Tanner Scott ($18 million) are the three highest-paid relievers in MLB via AAV, according to Spotrac. Bednar likely will be in that kind of company.
The Yanks would be smart to be the team paying him.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays bunts during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to a new week!
The Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays are giving us one heck of a series. The Rays took yesterday’s contest and now find themselves just one win away from the World Series. One of the newest additions to the league, they’ve already made it to the Fall Classic twice but have yet to win it in their 28 year of existence. Not bad all things considered but they’re still waiting to hoist that trophy.
The Guardians meanwhile wasted a golden opportunity to take a stranglehold over this series at home after stealing a game in Tampa. Now they’ll be tasked with winning two straight games on the road in Florida or else their season is over. Like the Rays they have their own championship drought hanging over their heads and that might be too much pressure to overcome in a short series for the Stephen Vogt-led Guardians.
While the Brewers and all of the baseball world wait to see how the ALCS ends up, the Athletics meanwhile have their own major decisions going on in the back round at this very moment. The team is still looking for its new leader in the front office, presumably the person that will take charge of the club as we head into our new home park in Las Vegas. Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith is reportedly a favorite, but in what role? The Athletics were willing to offer the title of President to the Phillies’ Sam Fuld, but is that something they’re offering all of the candidates? Or is that what’s holding up any sort of announcement of a hire? We’re all waiting with baited breath and would like to know our newest General Manager before the end of the World Series. So, you know, chop chop A’s.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 07: Trevor Zegras #46 of the Philadelphia Flyers takes a shot on goal against Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 7, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
After a weekend off, the Colorado Avalanche embark on another back-to-back on a brief two-game road trip to begin the week.
Their first stop takes them to Philadelphia to meet a Flyers team that’s having some early season struggles to say the least.
Colorado Avalanche (5-2-1)
The Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers (1-6-3)
Time: 5:00 P.M. MDT/7:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), NBCSP (Philadelphia Local Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – Canada)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs head into today’s game fresh off clearing one of their biggest hurdles of the young season. They earned three of a possible four points in a split of a home and home set against Dallas, and put together an unanswered five-goal rally to defeat the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Mackenzie Blackwood earned wins in Dallas and at home against Pittsburgh, while Scott Wedgewood couldn’t prevail in the shootout versus Dallas in Denver.
Martin Nečas helped provide the offense in Dallas with a pair of goals, while two goals from Artturi Lehkonen sparked the comeback effort against Pittsburgh. T.J. Hughes also scored his NHL career on Friday, which he scored after Nathan MacKinnon fed him a perfect pass to redirect past Pittsburgh goaltender Artus Šilovs.
“That first one feels incredible to get that first one in,” Hughes said in postgame comments. “I think the power play just expired […] Great pass by [MacKinnon], just nice to finish it off.”
In another first, Friday’s game marked the debut of new Avalanche assistant head coach Brett McLean. McLean, who replaced David Hakstol, will face the challenge of revamping a power play that has been woefully anemic over the past couple of years. As McLean acclimates to his new role with his one-time former club, changes that go beyond simple personnel swaps like we’ve seen implemented over the past couple of games leading up to Hakstol’s departure (exchanging Nečas for Jaden Schwartz on the top unit, for example) should be on the horizon.
Head coach Jared Bednar highlighted the struggles his team has had in putting together a full sixty minute effort over the past few games. “We’re having a tough time putting together a full sixty,” he said in postgame comments on Friday. “I look at Toronto; I didn’t like a period against Toronto. I didn’t like the first in Dallas. I didn’t like the second at home against Dallas. But, when we decide to play, and play the right way with the right level of—you know, for me, it’s intensity and discipline—then we’re a really good team, and we’re playing well. We have to find a way to just get it there for sixty minutes.”
Gavin Brindley was called up from Loveland on Wednesday to take the place of the injured Zachary L’Heureux. While Bednar said Brindley has showed well since being called back up, he pointed to Brindley’s performance prior to the start of the season which earned him his call-up. “The reason he’s up is because he had a great training camp and a great exhibition,” Bednar explained on Saturday, “and we have the leeway with him to be able to send him down. That’s just the situation he’s in, and we’re going to do what’s best for our team long term, not just for the right now.”
Bednar also stated that L’Heureux and Nicolas Roy were considered “week-to-week”, but indicated that both will not be on the road trip. Logan O’Connor also will remain in Denver, but Bednar indicated that he was much closer to returning to the lineup and will be working through on-ice drills while the team is on the road.
Minnesota’s victory over Columbus on Sunday has them occupying first place in the Central Division, but a win in Philadelphia coupled with a Pittsburgh victory over Utah tonight could put the Avs in front of Minnesota.
MacKinnon still leads all skaters in points (16) and assists (10), and is tied with Lehkonen for the team lead in goals (6). Defenseman Noah Juulsen spent the 2025-2026 season with Philadelphia prior to signing a two-year contract with the Avs this off-season.
The Avs split the season series against Philadelphia last season, with both teams winning as the road team.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Gabe Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nazem Kadri Jaden Schwartz – Fedor Svechkov – T.J. Hughes Parker Kelly – Gavin Brindley
Defense: Devon Toews – Cale Makar Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski Josh Manson – Brent Burns Noah Juulsen
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Philadelphia Flyers
Coming into this season, the Flyers had every reason to feel optimistic. They returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in five years this past spring and eliminated their archrival Pittsburgh in the first round. They fell to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in a four game sweep in the second round.
Flyers general manager Daniel Brière spent his off-season revamping his goaltending platoon in the hopes of building on that playoff appearance. On June 16, he acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae (later traded to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko), and Philadelphia’s 2026 third round pick.
At the start of free agency, he also signed goaltender Dan Vladar to a five-year, $27.5 million dollar contract. Brière also signed right wing Noel Acciari to a two-year, $5.6 million dollar contract the same day. Garrett Wilson and Michael Bunting were late additions to Brière’s roster: Wilson signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, on September 27, while Bunting signed his one-year, $1.2 million dollar contract, on October 06.
Brière also triggered what became an unprecedented spike in player salaries when he tendered a five-year, $90 million dollar offer sheet to restricted free agent center Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks on July 03. Although Anaheim matched the offer sheet, this move was a clear statement to the rest of the League: the Flyers were on the way up, and Brière was willing pay a significant price to build on what he believed was a franchise on the rise.
The assumed ascent for the Flyers became a calamitous crash right from the opening puck drop. Philadelphia lost their home opener in a rematch with Pittsburgh by a humiliating 7-0 outcome on September 30. They followed this performance up with eight consecutive losses—a new franchise record—before finally recording their first win of the season, a 3-1 decision against the visiting Ottawa Senators this past Saturday.
To add insult to injury during the losing streak was actual injury: right winger Nikita Grebenkin underwent back surgery on October 10 following a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, and is expected to miss four months of action. The following day, fellow right wing Travis Konecny was placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was also placed on injured reserve on October 14 following a 3-2 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken the previous evening.
Even the win against Ottawa was costly: forwards Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Flyers captain Sean Couturier are now considered day-to-day.
Head coach Rick Tocchet said this after the win on Saturday. “It was a gutsy effort. We have a lot of guys hurt. Some guys stepped up. […] It was nice to see some resiliency, you know? It was good. We saw a lot of compete tonight. Better execution. There was some stuff we really liked tonight, and hopefully we can carry it on.”
When asked about the contributions from the lineup, Tocchet said, “I think, honestly, to a man, everyone contributed something. It wasn’t pockets of people. That’s the way we’re built. We need everybody. We just can’t have everybody on the sidelines.”
Matvei Michkov leads all Philadelphia skaters in points (5) and goals (4), while the injured Konecny and Couturier currently share the team lead in assists (3). Porter Martone leads all Philadelphia skaters in penalty minutes (14). Vladar and Woll have a combined nine (9) losses in goal, with Vladar holding the single win.
Although Philadelphia is last in the Metropolitan Division, they sit one point behind Columbus, who lost to Minnesota on Sunday night.
Philadelphia heads to Buffalo on Wednesday before beginning a two game home stand at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday against Anaheim.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Tyson Foerster Porter Martone – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Michael Bunting Garrett Wilson – Jack Studnicka – Noel Acciari
Defense: Travis Sanheim – Oliver Bonk Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale David Jiříček – Simon Benoit
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
