Call for urgent talks after gaming machines tax increase
Brant Dunshea: ‘thousands’ of betting shops may close
Brant Dunshea, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said on Wednesday that the sport’s ruling body will “urgently engage with the government to establish how we can work together to reduce the impact” after John Healey, the chancellor, raised the duty on the profits from fixed-odds gaming machines in betting shops from 20% to 25% in his first budget.
The widely anticipated rise in Machine Games Duty (MGD) was well below the doubling of the rate, from 20% to 40%, recommended by the Social Market Foundation think-tank earlier this year, but Dunshea warned that the move could “still prove devastating for our sport” since it presented a “clear risk” that “hundreds, if not thousands” of betting shops nationwide face closure as a result.
LOS ANGELES, CA: Mike Marshall #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circa 1989 bats at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Something stuck with me over the last two months that I never actually got around to looking into, until now. I’m a regular listener of the Effectively Wild podcast on FanGraphs, with Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley, and in August they did a stat blast that happened to involve the Dodgers.
A listener wondered what was the longest succession of the same first name batting consecutively in a starting lineup, and it turned out to be the 1988 Dodgers who topped the list. In two different games, the Dodgers had these four players batting in order, fifth through eighth:
Mike Marshall, first base
Mike Davis, right field
Mike Deveraux, center field
Mike Scioscia, catcher
Four straight players with the same first name is the record, so let’s look into the two games in question from 38 years ago.
Rainouts are so rare at Dodger Stadium, that the preemptive rescheduling in August 2023 due to a tropical storm was the first schedule change due to rain in Los Angeles in 23 years, the longest such streak in major league history. The previous record without a rainout was also at Dodger Stadium, between rainouts in 1988 and 1999.
It began even before the first pitch, when a vote of Dodger players overturned the Giants’ plans for making up Friday night’s rainout on Monday night–originally a day off for the teams. Since teams are not required to come to the ballpark for more than 20 consecutive days, the Dodgers could–and did–veto the plans of Giant General Manager Al Rosen. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in July.
“It’s difficult for me to understand why a team that had four days off can invoke the 20-day rule,” an indignant Rosen said. “Seems to me they would want to go back to work.”
The Dodgers would make up the Friday rainout on July 26, and won both games of that doubleheader.
But for the Saturday, April 23 game, it was Mike Marshall who stood out. He walked and scored in the seventh inning, and singled in the eighth. In the ninth inning, the Dodgers were up 6-3 with two outs and runners on second and third base. Giants manager Roger Craig intentionally walked Pedro Guerrero to bring up Marshall.
But on April 23, 1988, Marshall was more muted when he crushed a grand slam, widening the Dodgers’ lead to 10-3. More from McManis in the LA Times:
“I don’t blame any manager for walking Pete,” Marshall said. “He’s one of the top five hitters in the National League. It’s important that I do the job, because batting in the fifth slot is important on this team. The most important thing is that, next time, maybe Pete will get to hit.”
Also in this game, Mike Scioscia singled three times and walked, and scored three runs, the latter matching his career high.
Mike Davis did not get in on the hitting party in that April 23 game, going hitless in five at-bats, with three strikeouts. After hitting 65 home runs in the previous three seasons with the A’s, Davis signed with the Dodgers before 1988. This was a different time in baseball, such that free agency was barely more than a decade old, and the Dodgers for the most part avoided free agency entirely between the disastrous signings of pitchers Don Stanhouse and Dave Goltz after 1980, until 1988.
Davis hit just .216/.279/.315 with a 75 wRC+ in his two seasons with the Dodgers, and he never played in the majors again after his age-30 season in 1989. But he’s also etched in franchise lore for working a walk off the stingy Dennis Eckersley in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, keeping the game alive for Kirk Gibson to do his thing.
Devereaux was a fifth-round draft pick of the Dodgers in 1985 out of Arizona State, and he played in 49 games for Los Angeles in 1987-88 combined. He only started 16 times for the Dodgers, including just five starts among his 30 total games in 1988. Two starts were these games to complete the consecutive Mike quartet.
The Dodgers traded Devereaux in March 1989 for another Mike, pitcher Mike Morgan, the former No. 1-overall draft pick who debuted in the majors at 18 and pitched for a dozen teams during his 22-year career.
Devereaux was 0 for 4 on April 23 against the Giants, then was 0 for 2 on May 1 at home against the St. Louis Cardinals before Franklin Stubbs pinch-hit for him in the eighth inning. Stubbs, more known as a first baseman and occasional corner outfielder in his career, remained in the game for Devereaux in center field, one of 32 career games for Stubbs in center.
In fairness to Devereaux, no Dodgers did much of anything in that May 1 game.
The Cardinals jumped on Tim Leary for six runs in the first inning and he was done after only two outs.
Meanwhile, John Tudor didn’t allow a hit in his six innings. He did walk Alfredo Griffin, he of the low 4.6-percent career walk rate, in the first inning and Devereaux reached on an error in the second. But Tudor got everyone else out, including retiring 13 in a row to finish out his six innings, and exited up seven runs.
Tudor was in his second start coming off the injured list, so the Cardinals were cautious.
“I knew I wasn’t going nine before the game,” Tudor said, per McManis in the LA Times. “But I guess at that point, it was my choice. I could have gone another inning, but I didn’t see the point. I was starting to feel a little stiff.”
“He’s an All-Star, a quality pitcher,” said Steve Sax, per the UPI game recap. “He’s gonna have days like that. We’re just not hitting right now, but the worm will turn.”
Back in that May 1 game, Scott Terry followed Tudor with a scoreless outing of his own to earn a three-inning save. Any chance at a combined no-hitter ended when Kirk Gibson greeted Terry with a single to open the seventh inning. But that was it for the Dodgers other than a Danny Heep walk in the eighth in a 9-0 loss.
The Mike quartet combined to go 0 for 11, but the rest of the team was just 1 for 17.
That was the last time a major league team started four players in a row with the same first name.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just when I thought we were hunting for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft…
…Mike Brown and the lads decided to get their excrement together and remind us the Knicks are actually a title contender.
Here’s the latest before we turn the page quickly to this evening’s affair against the Chicago Oxen.
"Close to 48 minutes of basketball we know how to play and we like to play"
On facing the Pistons despite Detroit dominating the Knicks last season:
“We have to concentrate on the next opponent in front of us, and Detroit happens to be that opponent. And, they had our number last year, you know. It is what it is, that’s kind of how the NBA is [and] it works. I said this before, one of the years we won it when I was in Golden State as an assistant. We lost the season series to Utah, I don’t know, it was 0-4, 1-3. One game, we got I think, beat by 40.
“So, you know, I don’t necessarily take a ton of [stock in it]. Obviously, you want to win, you want to be in good position for a playoff run, but I don’t take a ton of stock in, they won this series or they killed us in this [regular season] series because playoff season is a different ballgame.”
On experimenting with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns’ minutes and rotations during the first games of the season:
“No, no, no, no. You can always get better. You guys probably don’t notice, you probably never picked up on it but in Games 1 and 2 [of this season], my big experimentation was playing [Karl-Anthony Towns] and Jalen in two stretches together. And so the middle of it, I had both KAT and Jalen off the floor. We didn’t really do that last year.
“Watching it, I didn’t like it. So last game was the first game that I went back to [keeping one on the floor]. So there’s some things that I’m looking at or messing with that may or may not stay the same.
“That’s part of what you’re trying to do to figure out what’s best for your team long term. In the short term, it might not turn out good, like it didn’t turn out good not starting Josh, we took our lumps. But it was good to go through it last year. So, it’s something we’ll continue to try to figure out early on.”
On challenging Karl-Anthony Towns at halftime against the Pistons and his 27-20 outing:
“I challenged KAT and KAT had a tremendous second half. Twenty-seven and 20, he’s more than capable of doing that night in and night out.
“KAT’s a grown man. He’s obviously a perennial All-Star. I just told him the truth: ‘KAT, the guy is killing us on the glass, and when he gets a rebound, he’s putting it back. Anything he gets in the paint, he’s putting it back. If he catches on the perimeter, guard him,’”
“And he did those things. I’ve got to take my hat off to KAT because I thought his shift in his mindset was really big for us in the second half.”
On the Knicks dictating the physicality against Detroit:
“Once our guys realized, ‘No, no, I can’t react to them, I gotta dictate to them what’s gonna happen,’ and they do it with a smart level of physicality, then it makes it easier [to defend].”
On the Knicks putting together a more complete performance in their first win:
“We talk about trying to string a game together. 48 minutes of basketball the way we know how to play, and we like to play. And we had some lulls where we weren’t as physical as we should have been throughout the course of the game, but we had some really good moments. We had more good moments in this game in totality than we did in the first three games, and that’s why we got the win.”
On the Knicks’ early struggles being part of the process of preparing for the playoffs:
“We can have some hiccups. That’s what the [regular] season’s for. It’s trying to correct it, so come playoff time, you’re ready to go do what you need to do. So is it fixed? No, it ain’t fixed. Nothing’s really fixed.
“What tonight shows us is we’re more than capable if we put our minds to it. And that’s what we gotta continue to try to build off. And then if we do slip up, that we don’t slip up for eight minutes or 10 minutes. Maybe for a minute and a half, two minutes, and then we get back, regroup, and get back heading in the right direction again.”
On the Knicks’ shot selection and overall performance against Detroit:
“I still believe we took some really good shots. I believe if we keep taking the shots that we’re taking, they’re going to start going in sooner than later. But our guys played an overall good game. On the offensive glass, defensively physically, offensively physically.”
On the Knicks doing a better job defending Detroit’s designated shooters:
“The guys that we labeled hot tonight, two of the guys were obviously Duncan Robinson and [Daniss] Jenkins, and they were combined 3-for-16. So our awareness, our level of physicality, throughout the 48 minutes were a lot better on those two guys in the previous game.”
On the Knicks’ performance against Detroit compared with their first three losses:
“I give our guys credit. We talked about trying to string a game together, close to 48 minutes, the way we can play and like to play. We had some lulls where we weren’t as physical as we should have been. But we had some good moments. We had more good moments in totality than the first three games.”
On lessons from the Warriors’ 2018 championship defense and avoiding panic:
“The one thing that I do know [about that season] is nobody ever panicked, from the ownership to the [general manager] to coaching staff all down through players. We just truly felt we were better than the way we were playing.
“At that point in the season, to go through getting thumped in the head sometimes, might not be all bad, you know? So I think that’s the biggest thing is to know that you’ve got a game plan and you want to stay the course. Make some tweaks here, make some tweaks there.”
Jalen Brunson was asked what he thinks drives Josh Hart's mentality:
“Everyone can say it’s obviously early in the season. We could use that as an excuse. But I think the one thing that I see is when we get those runs, when we start to look like the team that we’ve been in the past, we get a little comfortable. So we’ve got to continue to put our foot on the gas and execute things that we did last year.
“And we’re not going to be the same. We’re not going to be the way we were playing last year. That’s just human nature. But we have to accept this part of the journey, find a way to be better. And hopefully, throughout a couple of games, we’re going to look back on it and say, ‘Yeah, we grew from that.’”
On responding to early-season adversity and the sky-high expectations of a title defense:
“Find whatever it takes to win. Control what we can control. Focus on the little details that might seem small but can impact winning. Most importantly, stick together. One thing I’ve said during training camp and to this day is we’re going to see who we are within the first couple weeks of the season. And we’re seeing adversity so how are we going to respond?
“We’re going to get everyone’s best because of last year. Everyone has been telling us what a great job we did, how fun it was, what we did for the city, the constant praise and so we need to be the opposite.”
On the Knicks’ identity after earning their first win:
“We’re the Knicks, actually.”
On the Knicks’ defensive turnaround against Detroit:
“We talked about it and we knew we needed to do it. I think the way we played that second quarter really turned things around and helped us take control of the game.”
On the Knicks’ need for patience:
“We got to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is a new year, new team. Adversity started early, so we just gotta fight back. We have a long way to go, but obviously we want to learn from wins as much as we do from losses. Excited we came up with the win today.”
On Karl-Anthony Towns stepping up against Paul Reed and the Pistons on Tuesday:
“[Reed] played great in the first half. I think we were able to not let him loose on the offensive boards. He was really impacting the game. For [KAT] to step up as he did throughout the game was something that we needed.”
On Josh Hart’s sources of energy:
“Popcorn, candy, wine and caffeine. He’s just a different person.”
Karl-Anthony Towns on what changed for the Knicks coming out of halftime tonight
"I thought we did a better job picking up on our intensity and our physicality and we executed at a high level. We've got to worry about the controllables, which is playing our best" pic.twitter.com/wPdkAzct2U
On staying optimistic despite the Knicks’ 0-3 start:
“As much as you lose nine out of 11, it’s the way you can win 13 straight. So just stay faithful, stay faithful, continue to put the work in, continue to find different ways we could be better. We’ve just gotta get back to the drawing board. Back to what made us so special last year. We have to tap back into that kind of mojo, that magic, and find ways to do what we got to do to get it back up.”
On the Knicks resembling last season’s championship team against Detroit:
“More like ourselves from last year.”
On the Knicks increasing their physicality and intensity against the Pistons:
“I thought we did a better job picking up our intensity and our physicality, and we just executed at a high level. We’ve just got to worry about the controllables, which is us playing our best, executing at a high level, and bringing that physicality to the game.”
On the Knicks executing the fundamentals against Detroit:
“We did all the little things tonight. That’s how we got the W.”
On the need for building momentum after the first win:
“Gotta get the next one. Build off of this game and continue to improve as a team. All year it’s gonna be us improving, going through the ups and downs of a season. We just gotta stay steady, keep believing in each other, keep pushing each other to another level.”
On wanting to reward Knicks fans after three disappointing losses:
“It’s been an ongoing thing. These fans deserve the best of us and we haven’t given them that the first three games. We wanted to give them something to cheer for.”
Josh Hart so unserious lmaooo. Scuffle going on and he fake squared up on Pistons assistant coach Jarrett Jack and SCARED the sh*t out of him 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/D75g5uwcxR
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to extend their winning streak to 17 games against the Washington Wizards. The last time the Wizards defeated the Cavs, Kevin Pangos started at point guard, and Kevin Love put up 24 points. 2021 was a while ago.
This Wizards team will look a little different than the ones that the Cavs have consistently beaten over the last five years. This new-look version seems to have modeled itself after the Cavs, with their new two-big frontcourt that features Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. They also have a small guard in Trae Young who serves as the team’s offensive engine.
This game will also feature the NBA debut of number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa. He missed Washington’s first four games with an ankle injury.
This is a much better Wizards team than the one that the Cavs last faced back in April. Washington could make a push for the playoffs in a loaded Eastern Conference. The Cavs will need to play decently well to come out with a win.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -OCTOBER 27: The San Antonio Spurs starters and bench reacts after a dunk by Harrison Barnes #40 (not in photo) against Sacramento Kings in the second half at Frost Bank Center on October 27, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
None of this feels real to me. Not yet, anyway. It’s like we’re floating through an ethereal state of existence somewhere between awake and asleep. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something still feels off. The season has started. The music is playing. The lights are on. Is anyone home?
This was a win. From a basketball standpoint, the Spurs went out there against an overmatched Kings lineup and, mercifully, followed the script. They jumped on them immediately and never let up. Lobs, threes, blocks, the works. It all ran like a well-oiled machine, and we were treated to a comfortable, easy win that doesn’t require much analysis. The Spurs are better than the Kings. Let’s pack it up and call it a day, yeah?
Because no one needs me to come into this space and tell you that when Julian Champagnie hits eight threes off the bench, the Spurs are hard to beat. It’s not breaking news that Wemby will have a big night if he gets unfettered access to the lane on barely contested pick-and-rolls. I’m not getting a Pulitzer for informing the noble readers of this site that if every team were the Sacramento Kings, we could start planning the parade right now.
All due respect to the Kings, who I know are a real NBA team, but all of this brings me back to a nagging feeling in my gut that we’re stuck in some sort of basketball purgatory where nothing is beautiful and everything is fine. The stakes are real, but the outcomes feel perfunctory. Or maybe it’s just me.
Look, I think I maybe died in June. Not literally, obviously, I’m still here typing away, but somewhere between the double-overtime Game 1 against OKC, the OG Tip-In, and the Knicks holding the trophy on our court, the part of me that does the feeling sort of got used up. I think I just forgot how much effort the playoffs require. How locked in you get, night after night after night. You redline it like that for long enough without the payoff of actually winning and then you’re just sitting there feeling empty. Waiting for it all to click on again.
I wrote after the opening night Thunder game that I didn’t feel ready for the season to start, and I’m starting to think the season wasn’t ready either. The whole league seems to be out of whack in oddly specific ways. The Knicks hung their long-awaited banner and then became the first defending champs to start 0-3 since the 2011-12 Mavericks. The Nuggets got booed at their home opener, lost by 20 to the Warriors, and Jokic is snapping back at the crowd. The Heat got Giannis and promptly turned into the Bucks. I’m even seeing reports that LeBron James is a Sixer? That can’t be right.
What else, what else. The Thunder are 4-0 and also might be in crisis. Jalen Williams was carried off the floor Sunday with a gruesome leg injury, Cason Wallace is headed for shoulder surgery, and Chet Holmgren is out with a bad knee. Are they, like, already maybe done? The new-look Wolves were off to a great start until word came down Tuesday that Ant is having knee surgery and will miss up to two months, a day after he scored 47 playing on it. Even Certified Iron Man Kawhi Leonard might miss some time with a swollen knee! (Ok, actually that checks out.) Meanwhile, Memphis and Portland are sitting near the top of the West. Just like we all predicted!
In that sense, I suppose the relatively routine nature of the Spurs romping over the Kings last night was a welcome sign of life. Something happened the way it was supposed to. The shots went in. No one got hurt. The crowd cheered and we all moved on to the next thing.
I just can’t wrap my arms around any of it yet, and I don’t think I want to. This is the preseason, for all intents and purposes. From now on, I’m going to try to just let this stuff happen however it needs to happen. Go smooth-brained with it. Shake off the losses, ignore the wins, and clap like a seal when there’s a big dunk or a loud noise. It’s fine. It’s all fine. Or it’s not. Whatever.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the game long decided, Harrison Barnes rose up over Alex Karaban and the whole building went nuts as he threw it down. The bench was on its feet. The announcers fell apart. Wemby even said afterward that he stood up so quick he got dizzy, and his explanation for all the commotion was simply that everybody loves Barnes.
Maybe that’s it. The season started before we were ready and we simply stood up too fast. The blood rushed to our heads, the room tilted a bit, and the whole place got a little too loud for a few seconds. We couldn’t tell whether we were waking up or just finally losing it for good. Honestly, I’ll take either. In a league where up is down and left is right, the most meaningful thing that happened in this game was a dunk that didn’t matter. It could be that it was just nice to feel some synapses firing again, if only for a moment.
We’re all losing our minds. Or maybe we lost them already. Either way, the lights are on.
It’s time to go home.
Takeaways:
I just can’t help feeling like the season doesn’t actually start until Tobias Harris gets in the mix. He’s the skeleton key that unlocks this whole thing. Has to be.
It’s really frustrating to watch this game and feel like this is how the whole thing is supposed to look but, because it came against the Kings, it’s hard to feel like it matters. It’s a scientific result that happened in a vacuum. It’s a scrimmage against cardboard cutouts and traffic cones. I liked it. I was happy with it. I don’t trust it even a little bit.
That said, made shots beget made shots beget made shots. Mitch has emphasized a few times this season that the process for getting looks has been good and that the shots going in was a matter of time. Well, tonight they went in. The Spurs came in shooting 31.2 percent from three and went 17-of-37, including 13-of-22 before halftime, and we were all treated to just how effective this offense can look when that happens.
I know Wemby can’t be this aggressive against every team, but it would have been more worrying if he hadn’t taken full advantage of a night like this. He missed all three of his threes and still scored 29, because 18 of his 21 shots were twos, including nine dunks, five of them off lobs. So everyone here at WWL headquarters is going to go ahead and give him a polite golf clap anyway.
WWL Post Game Press Conference
So you’re having trouble getting out of the blocks this season?
I really am. I wish I could say that I’ll stop talking about it sometime soon but I’m not sure I can make that kind of a commitment. I’m adrift. I’m waltzing around in no man’s land. I’m lost on the Penrose stairs in an infinite loop of wondering when this season will feel like it’s actually real.
It seems to me like you flew too close to the sun and now you’re trying to dig out of the hole with as many metaphors as possible.
I’m looking for any port in a storm.
Sounds like you’re just spinning your wheels.
I’m certainly burning the candle at both ends, I’ll tell you that much for free.
Maybe you’re missing the forest for the trees?
I probably just put the cart before the horse.
It’s still early, no need to clutch at straws just yet.
Joint statement said ‘resources focused on English clubs’
Prem Rugby and the Rugby Football Union have stated they are committed to expanding the top flight with English clubs in response to a report claiming that two Welsh sides could soon join the competition.
According to the report, the Welsh Rugby Union is in advanced discussions with Prem Rugby and the RFU over the possibility of turning the Prem into a cross-border competition.
(Original Caption) This is a close up of Willie McCovey, a San Francisco Giants' infielder, during Spring Training.
On Monday, we kicked off my favorite annual tradition ‘round these parts: the Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List, in which we, as a collective, will rank the top 44 prospects in the San Francisco Giants organization.
The introductory post served not just to lay out the rules and regulations, but also to nominate the first group of names for us to vote on. I think we all know who is going to earn the coveted title of No. 1 prospect now that Bryce Eldridge has moved on to higher-paying pastures, but we still need to vote! It’s that time of year, after all, and we respect the democratic process around here.
Voting will take place in the comment section this year. I will leave a list of the players to vote on in the comments, and you can click the “rec” button on the name you wish to cast your vote for. And while you’re in the comment section, stump and debate!
No. 1 prospect nominees
JacobBresnahan — 21.4-year old LHP — 2.92 ERA/4.32 FIP in High-A (98.2 IP); 5.06 ERA/3.60 FIP in AA (16 IP)
BoDavidson — 24.3-year old OF — .861 OPS/122 wRC+ in AA (315 PA); .923 OPS/138 wRC+ in AAA (234 PA); .714 OPS/100 wRC+ in MLB (22 PA)
JacksonFlora — 21.5-year old RHP — 0.00 ERA/3.41 FIP in Low-A (1 IP); great numbers in a small sample in the playoffs (Low-A and AA)
JosuarGonzález — 19.0-year old SS — .966 OPS/139 wRC+ in the ACL (122 PA); 1.010 OPS/151 wRC+ in Low-A (153 PA)
LuisHernández — 17.10-year old SS — .917 OPS/117 wRC+ in the ACL (228 PA); .594 OPS/48 wRC+ in Low-A (98 PA)
JhonnyLevel — 19.6-year old SS — .968 OPS/134 wRC+ in Low-A (217 PA); .836 OPS/119 wRC+ in High-A (331 PA)
RamonMarquez — 21.1-year old RHP — 1.86 ERA/2.67 FIP in Low-A (29 IP); 2.48 ERA/2.45 FIP in High-A (40 IP)
Note: Each player’s first name links to their Baseball-Reference page, and their last name links to their Fangraphs page.All stats are from the 2026 season.
Dybantsa, 19, missed the Wizards' first four games this season due to a sprained left ankle suffered late in training camp. He steps into a Wizards offense already loaded with firepower, including Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the latter of whom has had a couple of very impressive games to start the season.
Dybantsa comes to Washington as the hope for the future, the top pick who will change the fortunes of a long-middling (or worse) franchise. Dybantsa was a standout at BYU, averaging 25.5 points a game, and followed that with an impressive Summer League. Dybantsa looked like a rookie still finding his footing in the preseason, averaging 12.8 points per game, shooting just 18.2% from 3-point range.
But that's just the preseason. Starting Wednesday night, things get real.
Keepers rebuild the innings to reach 330-4 at the close
Green sparkles but Labuschagne duck must be the end
If Cape Town’s first day was a rollercoaster, the second was some more sedate form of transport, though it continued with ups and downs fitting its mountainous backdrop. Twice, South Africa produced double strikes to stall promising Australian positions; twice the Australians rebuilt. Finally, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey pushed Australia in front, 330 for four to South Africa’s all out 329, ready to surge on through day three with those six wickets left in hand.
While Travis Head was there, Australia’s first session threatened to match South Africa’s the day before, when Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman had piled on 140 against a bewildered attack. Head threw his hands at width, mixing luck with skill for seven boundaries. His new foil Matthew Renshaw showed contrasting temperament for the opening role, leaving and defending the new ball with the clarity he had shown in the middle order in Durban, underlining why he was the original candidate to replace Jake Weatherald at the top before the selectors’ brief and ill-fated Nic Maddinson excursion.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 24: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a layup against Luke Kennard #8 and Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 131-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Small-ball lineups have been the bane of Jordan Ott’s existence during his early tenure with the Phoenix Suns, as through his first season and three games, it appears that they simply don’t work. The team compromises on rebounding to prioritize athleticism and flexibility. In theory, you should be able to play five out and shoot the ball effectively, but the Suns aren’t particularly good at shooting the ball.
But here’s where two harsh realities need to take root, at least based on the small sample size we’ve experienced through the first three games. First off, you don’t have to look exclusively at small-ball lineups to recognize the undeniable truth that the starting five hasn’t played particularly well together either. The combination of Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Green, and Khaman Maluach has logged 37 minutes together, producing a net rating of -35.5 and an offensive rating of 94.7.
The second is that small-ball lineups exist within the Phoenix Suns’ ecosystem out of necessity rather than by schematic preference. Ott isn’t sending Miles Bridges out there at the five because he thinks it’s a strategic advantage. Mark Williams is injured. Oso Ighodaro is injured. That’s a seven-footer and a 6’10” big man who are simply unavailable. The Suns are rolling out small ball lineups because they have to.
And yes, some of those lineups have been absolutely blasted early on. To the moon. Take the combination of Collin Gillespie, Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges. That group has played a total of 6 minutes across 2 games and has a net rating of -105.2. I didn’t know that was possible. It is.
What’s interesting, however, is that the five-man lineup with the second-most minutes played this season features Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Luke Kennard, Miles Bridges, and Ryan Dunn. Would you call that one small? I sure would. Yet that group has an offensive rating of 131.8, a defensive rating of 100.0, and a net rating of +31.8. Gasp!
So all this pounding the table about the small-ball lineups Ott is putting on the floor is based on a false premise. He’s not doing it by design, and within that context, one of the combinations he’s deployed has actually been productive.
If your response is, “Well, they should throw Rasheer Fleming into the fold because he has size,” let’s remember a few things. First, he’s still only 6’9”… so he would be too small as compared to the opposing center’s size. Second, think back to the preseason and the challenges he experienced in understanding his spacing and where he needed to be on the floor. Now ask him to know where to be as a five. Good luck with that. Third, when Fleming has played as the small-ball five alongside Gillespie, Goodwin, Bridges, and Dunn, that group has produced an offensive rating of 33.3 and a net rating of -36.7 over five minutes. That ‘disease of what if’ relative to Fleming isn’t a quality argument for his insertion into this shit show.
There’s a lot wrong with this team right now, of that there is no doubt. And once again, we’re searching for the person responsible, the individual upon whom we can place the blame. For some people, that finger points directly at Jordan Ott. I’m not suggesting he’s without sin in this situation. I’m simply making the point that the small ball philosophy is being forced upon him rather than chosen, much like what we witnessed during the back end of last season.
Even within those circumstances, there are some positives worth recognizing. The Suns have real problems to solve, and small ball hasn’t exactly covered itself in glory through the first three games. But context matters. Phoenix is playing without its two primary centers, the starting lineup hasn’t found its footing, and at least one smaller combination has produced encouraging results. Jordan Ott deserves scrutiny, but he also deserves a fair evaluation of the circumstances he’s navigating. Before we declare small ball a failed experiment, let’s see what happens when the Suns actually have the personnel to make other choices.
Oct 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz (32) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in game one of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
In the cinematic classic that is Pokemon: The First Movie, there is a scene where Mewtwo and his clone army face off against the heroes and their pokemon companions. The pokemon and their clone counterparts engage in an epic battle with neither side claiming a clear advantage. The battle rages on for an eternity until eventually both sides just collapse from exhaustion.
That is how I picture the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers right now after playing 12 incredibly strenuous innings last night in game four of the 2026 World Series.
Tampa Bay came out victorious, stalling out the Brewers World Series hopes for at least one more night.
Now, they’ll have to do it all over again.
Who will be on the mound for the Rays?
Nick Martinez was the scheduled starting pitcher but after entering last night’s game in relief, delivering two scoreless innings, he might not be available to start tonight’s game for more than 1-2 innings, and that’s assuming he’s good to go.
Following the game last night, Kevin Cash said it will be all hands on deck and we know that each Rays pitcher would be willing to throw. However, realistically, Cash’s options are a lot more limited.
The Brewers offense has been relentless in grinding down the Rays pitching staff, forcing the hurlers to inflated pitch counts. The two most well rested arms for Kevin Cash to turn to will be Cleavinger and Steven Matz; Matz has made two appearances in the World Series, last pitching on Monday when he threw 17 pitches.
#Rays Cash said staff would meet last night to discuss Game 5 pitching options: 5 didn't pitch Tuesday: Cleavinger, Matz, Sulser, Peralta (87 pitches Mon.), Rasmussen (89 Sat.). Pitches for who did: Jax, 74; Kelly, 12; Martinez, 33; Baker, 21; Wells, 24; Booser, 9; Seymour 32
Tampa Bay may also call upon potential game 6 and 7 starters Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta to help cover some innings. Drew Rasmussen told reporters that “I’ll be smoking hot” and both starters will need a bullpen day before their scheduled starts. It might as well be tonight!
The pitching plan is obvious for Milwaukee.
They’ll be sending the eventual National League Cy Young to the mound, Jacob Misiorowski.
Thus far in three postseason outings, Misiorowski is averaging under 5 innings a start with strikeout rate dropping to 25.5% compared to 37.9% during the regular season. During his start in game one of the World Series, Misiorowski allowed a run on 4 hits, while he walked one and struck out three over five innings pitched; the three strikeouts were the fewest he had in any start of 2026 and since striking out three Cubs in the postseason last year on October 11th, 2025.
Concluding thoughts
The Rays offense, despite walking it off last night, has been abysmal all postseason. They are currently averaging 3.5 runs a game and have a 68 wRC+, while the Brewers have a 110 wRC+. The World Series has seen the Rays unable to draw walks (4.2 BB%) or hit for power as they are collectively hitting .195/.236/.256 with only one homerun. For the Rays to have any chance of making a historic comeback, the offense needs to wake up.
There is also uncertainty regarding Junior Caminero who suffered a thus far undisclosed injury during the game last night. It looks like he might have gotten hurt during the play in the 4th inning, in which Caminero avoided a tag from David Hamilton. Later in the game, Caminero noticeably had difficulty making it up the line on a groundout. Then in the 12th, he also was seen in pain as he reached base on an error. He was still able to race to third base on Liam Hicks’ basehit but was then removed for Cedric Mullins.
Caminero told reporters that he would play in game five, but given his injury situation it may make things tricky for Kevin Cash in terms of a defensive lineup.
There are a lot of important decisions to be made between now and first pitch later tonight.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Jake Irvin #27 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on September 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Since he was called up in 2023, Jake Irvin has been an ever-present in the Nats rotation. He has been a durable arm, tallying 595.1 innings since he got called up. In the first half of the 2024 season, Irvin flashed middle of the rotation potential. However, he has been on a downward slide since then.
Irvin has posted an ERA well over 5 in each of the past two seasons. As the Nats look to take the next step, Irvin may not be a fit in the rotation anymore. While Irvin is durable and seems like a great guy off the field, the results just have not been there. He has been plagued by home run problems and has been unable to capture that early 2024 magic.
From 2005-20, the Nationals had only 1 pitcher with 100 IP and an ERA over 5.50 (Ramon Ortiz in 2006).
Since 2021, they've had 9: Patrick Corbin (2021-22, 2024) Erick Fedde (2022) Trevor Williams (2023) Mitchell Parker (2025) Miles Mikolas (2026) Jake Irvin (2025-26)
Jake Irvin will be arbitration eligible this offseason entering his age 30 season. That means Paul Toboni will have to make a decision about whether to keep Irvin around. Honestly, there are cases for both sides, which I will break down.
According to the MLB Trade Rumors projections, bringing back Irvin will not exactly break the bank. He is expected to make around $3.4 million next season if the Nats tender him a contract. That is not nothing, but it is not some huge number either.
While the last two years have not been pretty, I think there is a path for Irvin to be worth this much and maybe even a bit more. Irvin posted a 5.48 ERA this season, but he did generate more swing and miss. He struck out 110 batters in 106.2 innings, or 9.28 K/9. That is by far the best mark of his career. For context, he only struck out 6.20 per 9 in 2025.
Irvin had plenty of issues in 2026, but his curveball was extremely effective. Batters hit just .161 against the pitch with a 34% whiff rate. It is an unusual curveball that moves a lot like a sweeper. Irvin’s curve has always been solid, but it was better than ever in 2026.
His 4-seam fastball also generated pretty good results. Batters hit just .242 with a 23.6% whiff rate against that offering. That is not elite, but it is a rock solid mark, especially for a 93 MPH fastball. Those two pitches worked well for Irvin, the issue is that everything else was very bad.
Hitters absolutely teed off on Irvin sinker, with a .338 average and .676 slugging percentage. He also struggled to find another secondary pitch to complement the curveball. His cutter and sweeper were not very good, while his changeup flashed, but he only threw it 7.8% of the time.
Another aspect of Irvin’s game that is problematic is his velocity fluctuations. He often started games throwing in the 94-96 MPH range pretty consistently. However, by the time the third inning rolled around, he would be sitting between 90-93.
A lot of these characteristics lead me to believe Irvin would be better off in a bullpen role. It would allow him to throw harder and shrink his arsenal. I think Irvin could be a solid middle reliever who leans heavily on his 4-seamer and curveball.
However, is a guy who could be a decent middle reliever worth $3.4 million? I am not so sure about that. With how the past couple of years have gone, I am not very high on Irvin as a starter. He will post every 5th day, but on a team that has real aspirations, I don’t think he will be effective enough.
This will be an intriguing decision for the Nats early this offseason. I actually think Irvin has some talent, but it is unlikely to work as a starter. The Nats also have a plethora of multi-inning relief options. In my opinion, Irvin is surplus to requirements at this point, but it would not be unreasonable to tender him a contract.
DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 25: Santi Aldama #34 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for portraits at Mavericks Media Day at American Airlines Center on September 25, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The team’s PR machine announced on Tuesday that stretch big man Santi Aldama, whom the Mavericks acquired in a six-team draft day deal in July, has been assigned to the Texas Legends “to practice with the team as part of his return-to-play protocol.”
Thrown in with that announcement is an upgrade for Aldama on the team’s injury report ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Thunder from “out” to “doubtful.” And on top of that, was this note attached to the end of the MavsPR update:
“He will scrimmage with the team and be recalled following practice without appearing in any games for the Legends.”
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that F Santi Aldama has been assigned to the Texas Legends to practice with the team as part of his return to play protocol.
He will scrimmage with the team and be recalled following practice without appearing in any games for the Legends.
As of this writing, that scrimmage has likely already taken place. So, it should stand to reason, then, when the Dallas Morning News reported alongside the announcement that “it appears possible that Aldama could make his debut on either Friday or Monday.”
Indeed, the PR machine basically confirmed as much when they gave a further update later in the day on Tuesday: that Aldama had been recalled from the Legends after practicing with the team.
The Dallas Mavericks have recalled F Santi Aldama from the Texas Legends after he practiced with the club as part of his return to play protocol.
The Mavericks host the Houston Rockets on Friday and the Sacramento Kings on Monday in the last two legs of the team’s first homestand of the season. That Rockets game is also the first group-stage matchup of the NBA Cup for the Mavs.
Dallas has turned some heads in the first four games of the season, with wins at the Indiana Pacers, in Tyrese Haliburton’s Welcome Home Game after missing last season recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and at the new-look Miami Heat, who remade their roster behind Giannis Antetokounmpo after nabbing the superstar in an offseason trade. Adding a stretch big to the mix after those early results, who scored 15 points per game last season (albeit in just 43 games), could elevate the Mavericks to a level many didn’t expect this year.
Joining the team five or six games into the season is pretty close to the best-case scenario we wrote about in Aldama’s purposefully vague player preview profile before the season started. He’ll need time to work his way into shape and into his role in a new team at the same time.
But if he can run the floor and fill lanes to shoot like he did with the Memphis Grizzlies, he definitely fits next to Cooper Flagg, as well as a true weapon off the bench.
Santi Aldama is a unusual transition weapon for a 7-footer…
One of the highest volume transition 7+ footers in the league. Runs the court well. Fills lanes to shoot. Gets to the rack. Can be weaponized running the floor next to Flagg. pic.twitter.com/dky0lhGxsh
He’s a versatile player. That gives us some level of confidence the veteran entering his sixth year will find a role and fill it successfully.
A little bit of excitement is gathering behind this young Mavericks bunch. The news about Aldama’s injury status should only serve to fill the fanbase’s sails with a little more hot air.
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 26: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards arrives to the arena before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 26, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Washington Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa will play today against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to the team.
Update: AJ Dybantsa has been upgraded to available for tonight's matchup. https://t.co/Zy2qaBsBnC
Remember when it felt like Semyon Varlamov might never play in the NHL again?
For nearly two years, that looked like a real possibility. Multiple knee surgeries and a long recovery kept the former Colorado Avalanche goaltender away from the game, and with every month that passed, a return seemed a little less likely.
Well, Varlamov is back.
The 38-year-old returned to regular-season action Tuesday night, helping the New York Islanders beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout. After everything he’s gone through just to get back in the net, picking up a win in his first game back makes the night even sweeter.
Look at the emotion of this team as they celebrate with Semyon Varlamov.
And if you watched Varlamov during his eight seasons in Colorado, you know this is pretty cool to see.
Varlamov hadn’t played an NHL game since Nov. 29, 2024. Heading into training camp, Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche called his progress “almost a miracle,” although he was quick to point out how much work the veteran had put in to get to this point.
Now, he has another NHL win to his name.
The Islanders made things interesting Tuesday, to say the least. They built a 3-0 lead against Nashville before the Predators battled back to tie the game and force overtime. Varlamov stopped both shots he faced in the extra period, and New York eventually got the job done in the shootout, with Kyle Palmieri and Bo Horvat scoring.
Not exactly the stress-free return you might draw up, but a win is a win.
The victory was the 290th of Varlamov’s NHL career. It’s a pretty remarkable number considering how uncertain his future looked not that long ago.
Avalanche Fans Know This Feeling
If Varlamov’s comeback sounds familiar, there’s a good reason.
Avalanche fans watched Gabriel Landeskog go through his own incredibly difficult journey back to the ice after missing nearly three full seasons with a serious knee injury. Plenty of people wondered whether Colorado’s captain would ever play again. Then he finally made his return during the 2025-26 season.
Varlamov’s situation isn’t identical, but the uncertainty surrounding both players was hard to ignore. At some point, you start wondering whether the next update will be the one that confirms a career is over.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case for either of them.
Varlamov spent eight seasons with Colorado from 2011-12 through 2018-19, playing 389 games and posting a .913 save percentage with a 2.79 goals-against average. He later moved on to the Islanders, but plenty of Avalanche fans will remember the years he spent holding down the crease in Denver.
He’s now played 621 NHL games in his career, with a .916 save percentage and 41 shutouts.
Tuesday also gave Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer a place in the history books. He became the first player in NHL history to play the entire five-minute overtime period.
That’s quite a night for New York, but Varlamov’s return is what really stands out here.
At 38, after multiple knee surgeries and almost two years away from an NHL game, he could have called it a career. Instead, he kept working until he got another chance.
And now he’s back in the win column.
For those of us who remember watching Varlamov in an Avalanche uniform, it’s hard not to be happy for him.
