The Minnesota Wild have two of the four highest-rated left wings in NHL 27.
EA Sports revealed its top 10 left wingers for the upcoming game, with Kirill Kaprizov taking the No. 1 spot with a 94 overall rating.
Kaprizov finished ahead of Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson and Winnipeg Jets star Kyle Connor, who were each given a 92 overall rating.
Then comes another Wild star.
Matt Boldy received a 91 overall rating and ranks fourth among left wingers, giving Minnesota two players inside the top four at the position.
Los Angeles Kings winger Artemi Panarin also received a 91, while Matthew Tkachuk, Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel were rated 90. Jesper Bratt and Filip Forsberg round out the top 10 at 89.
Kaprizov's placement at No. 1 isn't much of a surprise. He has established himself as one of hockey's premier offensive players and remains the centerpiece of Minnesota's attack.
Boldy's continued ascent makes the rankings considerably more interesting for the Wild.
Having one elite winger is difficult enough for opposing teams to handle. According to EA Sports' ratings, Minnesota now possesses two of the four best left wings in hockey.
Kaprizov and Boldy give the Wild high-end scoring talent capable of driving separate lines or creating a dangerous combination when Minnesota puts its stars together.
NHL 27's ratings certainly aren't shy about Minnesota's talent on the wing: nobody at the position ranks higher than Kaprizov, and only three players rank ahead of Boldy.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 12: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a sweep in Minnesota, a win against the Chicago White Sox, and now a chance to avoid a sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers, could Tyler Mahle be the guy to save the Atlanta Braves tonight and get them back on track?
Mahle has had his fair share of quality starts since joining Atlanta’s rotation. And though he didn’t get the results he worked for in his last outing against the Minnesota Twins earlier this week, he’s still on pace for a solid appearance, with an ERA of 1.45 over his last seven outings.
So far, he has a season WHIP of 1.31 and a 4.53 ERA. His five-pitch arsenal is led by his top three pitches: four-seamer, splitter and cutter, but Milwaukee has a thing for right-hand pitchers, and they’re riding a momentum that the Braves’ offense has given them thus far.
For Milwaukee, Shane Drohan is taking the mound. Boasting a 3.86 ERA and a 1.25 season WHIP, Drohan will need to tighten up after allowing 22 earned runs across his last seven outings. And, with the Braves hitting fairly well against left-handed pitchers, this could be the day their bats decide to wake up.
Tonight’s matchup is anyone’s game. It’s going to be hard to predict a clear-cut winner when Atlanta’s offense could be an outlier, and Milwaukee’s pitching is questionable. Either team could decide to show up in this finale.
The Braves are looking to avoid a sweep and get back to business before heading home and the Brewers are looking to bring out the brooms.
Detroit Tigers Eduardo Valencia (32) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Detroit Tigers (61-68) vs. Kansas City Royals (57-74)
Time/Place: 2:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium SB Nation Site:Royals Review Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: TBA vs. LHP Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.83 ERA)
Left-hander Andrew Sears is expected to be promoted on Sunday to serve as the Tigers’ bulk arm for a bullpen game, but he may have an opener rather than simply making a short start.
Munetaka Murakami has a prime matchup this afternoon, facing the walk-prone Nolan McLean. | MLB Photos via Getty Images
OK, we got the Luis Robert Jr. revenge game out of the way. Phew. Nothing more to say, except for perhaps the hope that today may be Luisangel Acuña’s turn.
I’m not holding my breath. If I was holding my breath, I would probably lose my life, because Acuña isn’t even in the starting lineup today. If the Sox want to take this series, it’ll have to be through the good, old-fashioned, regular brand of revenge, much-angsted-over offseason trades aside.
The Acuña-less lineup will have its work cut out for them, because they’re getting a look at Nolan McLean today, the fireballing 25-year-old who’s encountered some consistency issues in his first full season in The Show but has generally been outstanding, working to a 3.02 ERA with 219 strikeouts over 33 career starts dating to around this time last year. A stocky righthander whose fastballs sit in the upper-90s and are complemented by (count ’em) at least six secondary pitches, he’s given up no more than two runs in 18 of his 25 starts to begin this campaign.
Jake Rogers is the only Sox hitter who’s ever seen McLean, having struck out in two tries against him with the Tigers earlier this year. For a glimmer of hope, McLean hasn’t been nearly as consistent as those numbers might have you think. He’s had his share of blow-ups, allowing 5+ earned runs on four other occasions this year, and he’s walked at least two hitters in 20 of those 25 starts, only once going without issuing a free pass.
Given that the White Sox draw walks about as well as anyone in the American League — what a concept! — it seems likely that, unless McLean is hopelessly locked in, they’ll have at least a few free baserunners to make hay with this afternoon. If the Sox can break with their worrying second-half trend of leaving hitters on base and failing to punish mistakes, there is a very reasonable path to taking this game, the series, and entering the final leg of this brutal no-days-off stretch with a secure hold on the AL Central.
Naturally, just as much will depend on the opener-bulk combo of Sean Newcomb and Erick Fedde, both of whom were absolute nails in identical spots against the Cubs earlier this week. This will be Newcomb’s fourth turn as an opener in 2026, and he’s been nearly untouchable in the role, throwing 6 1/3 hitless innings. And we can only hope that if Fedde manages to turn in another 4 2/3 shutout innings of bulk work, it won’t go down in a losing effort like it did at Wrigley.
It’s a typical Sunday matinee matchup, with first pitch from Rate Field coming in at 1:10 p.m. CT. Standard broadcasts will be available on CHSN (TV) and ESPN 1000 AM (radio). We’ll see you there!
Skubal produced the longest outing of his Dodgers tenure on Saturday, going seven innings and tallying 11 strikeouts against the Pirates in a 4-3 victory. It marked his first official win with Los Angeles since getting traded from the Tigers a few days before the deadline.
Los Angeles Dodgers Tarik Skubal during the first inning of the regular season MLB game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (ZUMAPRESS.com) ZUMAPRESS.com
He’s also finding his place in Los Angeles’ clubhouse, which is shown by his new “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” nickname that Miguel Rojas has given him.
“Absolutely,” Skubal said postgame when asked whether he likes being “Scooby Doo Pa Pa.”
Dodgers utilityman Kike Hernandez commented, “SCOOBY DOO PA PA!!!” on one of Skubal’s recent Instagram posts, which brought this new nickname to everyone’s attention.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“I think it’s great,” Skubal added. “I think it’s funny, lighthearted. I think that [Rojas is] really good at those types of things… Especially with starting pitching, he kind of orchestrates a dance thing before the guys go. So he’s a ton of fun to be teammates with. It came right to his mind when we were on the bus, so yeah. It stuck.”
“They play it for every strikeout, too, which I think is funny, too. And I got some video of my boys dancing to it before the game today, too, so that’s pretty funny. Yeah, it’s good.”
Tarik Skubal is a fan of his new nickname “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” that Miguel Rojas and the Dodgers gave him:
“It’s funny, lighthearted… he’s a ton of fun to be teammates with. It came right to his mind when we were on the bus so it stuck.”
The nickname is clearly because Skubal’s last name sounds like “Scooby,” which then brings the iconic cartoon dog “Scooby Doo” to mind. The “Pa Pa” part must have stemmed from Rojas’ unique creative flair.
Any ballplayer getting a nickname from teammates is a sign of affection. Perhaps this affection from Rojas and the rest of the Dodgers’ roster will get Skubal fully settled with his new squad.
Before kick-off a banner was raised in the Gallowgate End inscribed with a quotation from the late Kevin Keegan. “I want people to dream about their football,” it read. “We should all be dreamers at heart.”
Out on the pitch it swiftly became apparent that both Matthias Jaissle, Keegan’s latest successor in the Newcastle dugout, and Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola are on individual missions to create forms of organised chaos capable of subjecting the best opponents to torrid nightmares.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 18: Starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV #41 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on August 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals are the hottest team in the MLB currently, and no it’s not a typo. They have ripped off seven straight victories and won 8 of their last 9 games. The Royals are now 57-74 on the season. They sit 11 games back of the White Sox and 7.5 games out of the final wild card spot. The 2024 Tigers made a crazy run, the Guardians made a crazy push late last season to win the division from the Tigers, is it the Royals turn this year? (Highly unlikely, but a slim chance right?)
Daniel Lynch IV will start today; it’s been a mixed bag with his three starts so far. Against two really good teams in the Cubs and Dodgers, Lynch wasn’t great, but his last outing against the Athletics was rather good. He went 4 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, walking a pair and striking out a batter.
Here is the Royals lineup behind Lynch. Jac Caglianone was in the initial lineup, but was scratched due to the lingering ankle soreness. John Rave takes his place.
UPDATED LINEUP:
3B Nick Loftin SS Bobby Witt Jr. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino DH Salvador Perez LF Isaac Collins RF John Rave 2B Tyler Tolbert C Luke Maile CF Kyle Isbel
The Tigers were supposed to be starting Framber Valdez this afternoon, but from what I’ve read it seems like extra rest, they are pushing his start back, so it’ll be a bullpen like game for the Tigers.
Jacob Waguespack will be their opener; Waguespack is a right hander. He has pitched twice against the Royals this season, totaling 2 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run, with a strikeout. That hit and run was the go-ahead solo homer from Nick Loftin in the 9th inning, in a 3-2 Royals win.
Andrew Sears is expected to come in after Waguespack and be the bulk guy from the reports I’ve seen. Sears is a 23-year-old lefty, who will be making his MLB debut. He only made two appearances in Triple-A in his career. The 2023 10th round draft pick for the Tigers has some decent numbers. He has recovered from a fractured bone spur in his left elbow earlier this season. He will not overpower and has a solid slider/sweeper and has worked on a split-change.
Here is the Tigers lineup for Sunday’s contest.
Tigers 8/23
G. Torres 2B H. Lee 3B K. McGonigle SS E. Valencia C S. Torkelson 1B C. Julks DH B. Malgeri RF M. Clark CF J. Báez LF
The Royals are off tomorrow and will hit the road opening a three-game set on Tuesday in Toronto. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. the game can be watched on Royals.TV. The Royals are looking to go a perfect 7-0 on the homestand, they are also 6-6 against Detroit this season, so this is a big one for a multitude of reasons.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 11: Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after a collision with Ezequiel Tovar (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This morning following the unveiling of the new Larry Walker statue, the Colorado Rockies announced a series of roster moves.
The Rockies announced today the following transactions: – Placed INF Kyle Karros on the 7-day concussion IL. – Recalled INF/OF Ryan Ritter from Triple-A Albuquerque. – Reinstated INF/OF Tyler Freeman from the 10-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) August 23, 2026
Kyle Karros had just returned from the Injured List before leaving last night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians after the fifth inning. As manager Warren Schaeffer said in the postgame, “[He had] symptoms similiar to his concussion. So we had to take him out.”
In his place, the Rockies have recalled infielder/outfielder Ryan Ritter. Ritter has had his own injuries to contend with this season, but is back with the Rockies as Eli Whitney reported this morning.
Ritter is slashing .325/.424/.459 in 52 games with the Isotopes with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 25 RBI. He has played 37 games at shortstop, 11 games in left field, three at second base, and two at third.
Perhaps most surprising is the Rockies decision to option Tyler Freeman to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Freeman has been a regular in the Rockies lineup since joining the team last season in a trade with the Guardians. He has been on the IL twice this season, and recently went 1-for-4 with a walk as the designated hitter in his third rehab game with Triple-A Albuquerque.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 22: A detail shot of a Texas Rangers 1996 West Champions 20th Anniversary Base prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Saturday, August 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tenley Wright/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 18: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on August 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (65-65), who own a slim 1.0-game lead in the AL West over the Rangers, will play a rubber game with the A’s (50-80) today in what is the finale of their nine-game homestand.
Both clubs named today’s starters following last night’s game, with RHP Cristian Javier (1-4, 6.44 ERA) starting for the Astros opposite an opener in LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 3.91) and a bulk reliever in RHP Jack Perkins (2-9, 6.96 ERA).
EL REPTÍL: RHP Cristian Javier is making his eighth start of the season and his fifth since returning from the IL in early July. He’s split time between being a starter and reliever since his return, making four relief appearances and four starts. Since returning from the IL, he has a 4.33 ERA (13ER/27IP) with 26 strikeouts in 27.0 IP.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 45-34 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.410), first in total bases (1790), third in home runs (171), third in runs scored (590), and fourth in OPS (.727). In the Majors, the Astros rank fourth in homers, trailing only the Nationals (183), Yankees (177) and White Sox (173).
PLAYERS’ WEEKEND: Today is the final day of MLB Players’ Weekend, which provides players the opportunity to showcase the people, passions and causes that make them who they are. After originally taking place from 2017-19 and then re-imagined in 2024, this sixth edition of Players’ Weekend brings personal stories and self-expression to life through custom bats and cleats, and a wide breadth of storytelling across MLB platforms.
THE DOG DAYS: Today at Daikin Park, the Astros will hold their second straight Dog Day. Like last night, the first 500 dogs to enter the park will receive an exclusive Astros Dog Toy. There will also be fun activities for dogs to participate in and will be dog-related vendors in attendance in Hall of Fame Alley.
ROAD WARRIORS: After today’s game, the Astros will embark on a week-long jaunt to New York to take on the Yankees (3g) and Mets (3g). Houston has gone 25-16 (.610) on their last five road trips and are 31-22 (.585) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season. Houston is 32-31 overall on the road in 2026.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average (.319), first in HR (36) and first in RBI (90). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.047), OBP (.433), SLG (.614), and TB (283). In the AL, he ranks first in XBH (64), second in hits (147), walks (88), and runs (85), and tied for fourth in doubles (28)..
GOOD INTENTIONS: DH Yordan Alvarez has been intentionally walked 25 times this season, by far the most in the Majors. Alvarez’s 25 intentional walks are the second-highest total in a single season by an Astros player in club history, trailing only the 27 intentional walks to 1B Jeff Bagwell in 1997.
HIT PAREDES: Prior to last night, 3B Isaac Paredes had gone 11 straight games without a strikeout, taking 45 plate appearances in those contests. Despite the strikeout, Paredes has hit safely in 10 of his last 14 games (since Aug. 7), while batting .346 (18×52) with five doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and a .914 OPS in that span.
AUGUST HEROES: 2B Jose Altuve is having a strong month, hitting .317 (20×63) with a .380 OBP and an .809 OPS in 18 games this month. Also, RF Cam Smith is hitting .276 (16×58) with four homers, 10 RBI and an .824 OPS in 18 games in August.
THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Hader has made 500 career appearances and is one of 12 active pitchers to reach that milestone. Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in June, going 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA (3ER/31IP), 41 strikeouts, a .123 opponent average (13×106) and a 0.77 WHIP, while converting all 18 of his save chances in 32 appearances.
MY BOY BLU!: RHP A.J. Blubaugh has taken a huge Major League lead in innings pitched as a reliever with 79.1, far ahead of second-place LHP Aaron Ashby (69.2IP) and LHP Brent Suter (69.2IP). The Astros have not had a reliever lead the MLB in innings since RHP Doug Jones (111.2IP) in 1992.
VS. THE A’S: This is the third of four series between the Astros and A’s this season, with Houston going 4-4 in their eight games. After this series, the two clubs will match up for a four-game series in Sacramento to end the regular season from Sept. 24-27.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Several of the Astros minor league clubs are having success this season:
• Triple A Sugar Land: In the second half, the Space Cowboys (34-16) are in first in the PCL East Division.
• Class A Fayetteville: For the second half, the Woodpeckers are in first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 30-20 (.600) record.
• Rookie Level FCL Astros: The Astros won the Florida Complex League championship, finishing with a 42-11 (.792) record in the regular season.
• Rookie Level DSL Astros: The DSL Astros Orange finished with a 33-20 record and advanced to the DSL playoffs, going 1-1 so far in their current three-game series vs. the DSL Padres.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1992 – The Astros defeat the Phillies, 3-1, to complete their record-long, 26-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Veterans Stadium. The long trip was the result of the Republican National Convention being held in the Astrodome. They ended the trip with a 12-14 record.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 23, 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; ESPN Radio (National); TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 18: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 18: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up a long road trip on Sunday as they try again against the Philadelphia Phillies. Kyle Leahy is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals while the Phillies will give the ball to Cristopher Sánchez. First pitch is set for 12:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 17: Francisco Alvarez #4 and Nolan McLean #26 of the New York Mets walk in from the bullpen before the game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on August 17, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Bo Bichette – 3B
Carson Benge – RF
Luis Robert – LF
Eric Wagaman – 1B
Christopher Morel – DH
Marcus Semien – 2B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Luis Torrens – C
SP: Nolan McLean – RHP
White Sox lineup
Sam Antonacci – LF
Munetaka Murakami – 1B
Miguel Vargas – 3B
Andrew Benintendi – DH
Braden Montgomery – RF
Colson Montgomery – SS
Chase Meidroth – 2B
Tristan Peters – CF
Jake Rogers – C
SP: Erick Fedde – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 2:10 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Jul 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Athletics pitcher Brady Basso against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The A’s got a win yesterday! Can they make it two in a row?
It’s Brady Basso getting the ball today. How long will the lefty last this afternoon? Something to monitor.
As for the Astros, they have Cristian Javier on the mound for them. The right-hander has looked so-so in his limited time this season. He’ll come into today’s contest with a 6.44 ERA.
BRONX, NY - JULY 04: Carlos Rodón #55 of the New York Yankees in the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins on July 4, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Borough of the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Yankees made it close yesterday, but as they say close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Just three games behind the division-leading Rays, they don’t need to win every game, but they almost need to win nearly every series to chip away at that deficit. That means today’s rubber game with the Blue Jays is more important than your typical Sunday in August, and with starter Carlos Rodón likely still on a pitch limit, the team needs him to be as efficient as ever.
Rodón returned earlier this week, a four-inning effort that wasn’t a bad start in and of itself, but saw him get too deep into too many counts. Walks have been his problem all year, and getting into 2-2 or 3-2 counts multiple times an inning doesn’t just make those walks more likely, but when you’re limited to 65 or so pitches, you burn through that allowance quickly. He threw 66 against the Orioles on Tuesday, so we should expect about 75-80 from the southpaw today, and hopefully another inning and a bit than he managed in his return.
José Soriano goes for the Jays, one of the pieces that came to the club in their build-but-tactically Trade Deadline. He had 22 strong starts with the Angels, but his three with the Jays have been a little more of a mixed bag. The ERA is great, 2.76, but he’s given up some loud contact and critically has nearly halved his strikeout rate from when he was out west. Three games out of 25 isn’t that much to analyze, but if there are pitches in the zone, the Yankees need to go hunting.
The big news on the offensive side is Cody Bellinger is back! The former MVP bats cleanup and perhaps most exciting of all takes over left field from Heliot Ramos. The lineup looks just a little more professionalized today, and hopefully that bears out in just a little more production for a team thirsty for a spark.
How to Watch
First pitch: 1:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | SN590 THE FAN (TOR)
