Rangers rookie Dylan Garand records first career shutout, earns praise from Mike Sullivan

Rangers rookie goaltender Dylan Garand has had "the craziest week of [his] life."

The 24-year-old Canadian - who was drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft - was sent down to the team's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, on Sunday, Sep. 27.

This came on the heels of Garand's promising NHL debut last year, albeit in a very small sample size. Garand started three games towards the tail end of a rough Rangers season and posted a .954 save percentage, saving 3.9 goals above expected as the Rangers went 2-0-1. 

"I had a number of conversations with [Garand] when the decision was made to send him to Hartford," explained head coach Mike Sullivan. "He knows that we believe in him. He's a good, solid goalie."

Sullivan and his staff chose veteran journeyman Joonas Korpisalo - acquired during the offseason from the Boston Bruins - to be Igor Shesterkin's backup this season, and Garand returned to Hartford for the sixth consecutive season (dating back to the first season after he was drafted) once he cleared waivers.

Garand could've been discouraged. Discouraged that he didn't win the backup job. Discouraged that not a single one of the 31 other NHL teams took a chance on him.

Instead, Garand stayed ready, determined to make the most of his chance once it came.

"I'm proud of the way I handled it," Garand reflected. "It was out of my control, so I focused on what I could control... It doesn't really matter how you feel, it matters what you do."

It didn't take long for him to get that chance.

With the Rangers opening their season with three games in four days (in Boston on Tuesday, at home against Tampa Bay on Thursday, and in Detroit on Friday), the organization knew that they'd have a backup goaltender start one of those games.

The problem? On Thursday, Korpisalo was placed on IR, out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. 

As such, Garand was promptly pulled off the ice during practice in Hartford, mere days after finding an apartment, and told by Assistant GM Ryan Martin to travel to Detroit so he could start Friday's game against the Red Wings.

Garand didn't miss a beat, saving 22 shots and recording his first career shutout in front of a boisterous Little Caesars Arena crowd. He lifted the Rangers to a second straight win, a gritty 2-0 affair in a hostile environment.

"The team played really well, I just tried to battle and give them a chance to win," reflected Garand postgame. 

"Proud of the group, the whole [defensive] core was unbelievable tonight," Garand chuckled as he rattled off the names of each Rangers defenseman, player by player. "We only gave up three shots in the third period, which made my job easy."

His coach sang the praises of the young man between the pipes, both regarding his stellar performance and his attitude through the adversity he's faced.

"He's a good person, first and foremost," said Sullivan. "Every time I see him walk through the door, the way he works on his game, he wants to play in the NHL."

"He's a fierce competitor. He's battling. He's controlling what he can, and it's hard... things don't always go your way. You've got to be able to work your way through the ebbs and flows of a career," he continued.

The Rangers having a capable backup for Shesterkin is crucial. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, the Russian star has played in 323 total games (including playoffs), the fifth most among all NHL goaltenders during that span.

Being a workhorse wears down the body, of course. Shesterkin has missed time due to injury on multiple occasions during those past five seasons.

Last season, he missed 13 games due to injury, starting 51 games, his lowest amount during this time frame. In the 31 games without their franchise netminder between the pipes, the Rangers went 9-20-2.

Garand will hope that his persistence, combined with his dazzling display on Friday night in Detroit, earns him the chance to seize the invaluable role of reliable backup goaltender.

"He's got a great attitude. His effort is always where it needs to be," Sullivan concluded. "I really have a lot of admiration for him, for how he handles his circumstances."

"He's a great kid. I was thrilled for him that he got a shutout tonight.”

The Rangers don't have another back-to-back until the end of November, so it's difficult to predict when Garand will next hit the ice for the Rangers.

What we can predict, however, is that he'll be ready when his number is called again.

MLB Trade Rumors projects $59.1 million for sixteen arbitration-eligible Brewers

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Brice Turang #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates his solo home run with William Contreras #24 in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MLB Trade Rumors has released their annual list of projections for arbitration-eligible players, and the Brewers feature a whopping 16 players on the list, led by catcher William Contreras, second baseman Brice Turang, and first baseman Andrew Vaughn.

As with everything else this offseason, the arbitration process would be frozen in the event of a lockout, which certainly appears to be the most likely scenario. Either way, the arbitration system itself could change under a new collective bargaining agreement, so these numbers may not hold even if the offseason proceeds normally.

As things stand now, here’s what MLB Trade Rumors projects:

  • William Contreras (5.112 years of service): $14.6MM (Brewers hold $14.5MM club option)

Contreras and the Brewers avoided an arbitration hearing last winter, agreeing to a $9.4 million salary for 2026 with a $14.5 million club option for 2027. That $9.4 million was a new record for a second-year arb-eligible catcher. This time, the option is actually slightly below his $14.6 million projection, the reverse of last year, when the Brewers declined a $12 million option that came in above his projection.

The Brewers control Contreras through the 2027 season no matter what, so they could theoretically decline his option and try to save some money in arbitration. That’s probably not worth it, for a couple of reasons: one, Contreras is one of the best catchers in baseball, and there’s no guarantee he’d get less in arbitration; and two, they’d risk alienating their starting catcher over what could end up being a negligible amount of money. Not only would that look bad, but there are other ways the Brewers could trim payroll if they choose to. Unless the Brewers decide to trade him, it’d be a surprise if they didn’t pick up the option.

Contreras put together a season pretty similar to last year’s, hitting .270/.341/.417 (108 OPS+) with 18 homers and 94 RBIs across 147 games and making the All-Star team. However, his 2.9 bWAR was nearly a full win less than his 2025 season (3.8). He’ll be a free agent after 2027.

Turang earned $4.15 million in arbitration last season as a Super Two. He followed his 2025 breakout with an even better season, hitting .268/.366/.450 with 21 homers, 100 RBIs, 102 runs, and 19 steals for 7.3 bWAR. He should finish in the top five in NL MVP voting, and his $9.5 million projection, the second-highest on the team, reflects that. Turang remains under club control through 2029.

Vaughn avoided arbitration with a $7.65 million deal for 2026. He opened the season on the injured list, and by the time he returned, Jake Bauers had turned into one of the Brewers’ best hitters. Still, when he played, Vaughn hit: .306/.390/.444 (130 OPS+) in 104 games, albeit with just six homers.

Next season is Vaughn’s final year of arbitration eligibility, so he and Contreras will hit free agency together after 2027.

Megill avoided arbitration last year by signing a one-year, $4.7 million deal for 2026. While that was more than MLBTR projected ($4.2 million), he earned every penny, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 30 saves, and 69 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings.

Arbitration rewards saves, which is why his projection jumps to $8 million. Like Contreras and Vaughn, Megill will be a free agent after 2027.

Mitchell finally stayed healthy for a whole season, and the results speak for themselves: .262/.354/.416 with 11 homers, 30 doubles, and 14 steals in 145 games, worth 3.4 bWAR. He earned $950,000 in 2026, and his projection nearly triples that, at $2.7 million. Mitchell is arbitration-eligible through 2028.

Frelick is entering arbitration for the first time after the worst season of his career: .230/.295/.319 (70 OPS+) over 111 games, worth -0.5 bWAR. He’s projected at $2.4 million.

The overall body of work isn’t eye-popping, but Ortiz found another level after moving to third base, and his season-long stats show it: .270/.328/.402 over 134 games, worth 2.6 bWAR. He’s projected $2.4 million in his first year of eligibility and might get a bit more.

Hamilton came over from Boston in the Caleb Durbin trade and played all over the infield, hitting .245/.314/.336 with 30 steals in 121 games. With Pat Murphy at the helm, the fact that Hamilton led the majors with 13 sacrifice bunts means something. He’s at $1.6 million.

The Brewers acquired Naylor and reliever Codi Heuer from the Guardians on Aug. 1 for outfielder Blake Perkins and reliever Craig Yoho. Naylor hit .143 over 28 games with Cleveland before being optioned in May but posted a .903 OPS with four homers in 14 games with Nashville after the trade. He appeared in only three games for Milwaukee.

With Gary Sánchez a free agent and Contreras entering his final year of control, Naylor could get a real look in 2027. MLBTR has him at $1.5 million, which is well worth it if Milwaukee sees him as the backup catcher.

Priester spent the entire season on the injured list, ultimately undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in June. Because he spent the year on the 60-day IL, he still accrued major league service time and pay. That’s how he reached 2.134 years of service, just above MLBTR’s projected Super Two cutoff of 2.133. His $1.3 million projection is based mostly on his strong 2025.

Zerpa avoided arbitration at $1.095 million in his first year of eligibility. His 2026 was a lost one, though: just 12 2/3 innings with a 6.39 ERA before he suffered a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery. He’s projected for a modest raise to $1.3 million and has two more arbitration years before free agency after 2028. There’s no guarantee he’ll be ready for the 2027 season, which could make him a non-tender candidate.

Baddoo signed a one-year major league deal with the Brewers in December but suffered a quad strain near the end of spring training and spent the start of the season on the 60-day IL. He was activated and optioned to Nashville on May 24 and never appeared in a big league game for Milwaukee. At $1.3 million, and with the Brewers’ outfield depth, he’s probably a non-tender candidate.

Wilson’s 2026 was a roller coaster. After brief stints with the Phillies and Cubs, he signed a one-year major league deal with Milwaukee on July 10, was designated for assignment on Aug. 8, elected free agency, and re-signed with the Brewers three days later. He then landed on the injured list with a lower-back strain on Aug. 31.

When he was needed, he was solid: a 3.51 ERA over 25 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts and just one walk. At 5.049 years of service, 2027 would be his final arbitration year. Wilson is nice to have, but he’s a depth arm; at a projected $1.1 million, he’s an obvious non-tender candidate if the Brewers need the roster spot.

Hall was one of the Brewers’ best relievers this year. In 47 appearances, he posted a 1.91 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings and finished the season worth 2.0 bWAR. The walks are still a concern (35 in 61 1/3 innings), but a $1 million projection is a bargain for those results. Non-closers tend to be undervalued in arbitration, but I’d still be willing to bet he gets more than that.

Anderson was a key middle-relief piece for most of the year, posting a 3.36 ERA in 59 innings across 52 appearances. He was optioned to Nashville after the Brewers added pitching at the deadline and later landed on the IL with right biceps inflammation. He’s projected at $1 million.

Koenig’s season was pretty much the worst-case scenario. The Brewers placed him on the IL in April with a sprained UCL, which Pat Murphy called a “big concern,” and he didn’t return until late June, 81 days later. He spent much of the year in the minors (2.21 ERA) and finished with just seven big league innings and a 9.00 ERA. He’s a Super Two, with MLBTR projecting him at $900,000.

SnakePit Post-season GDT, #4

BRONX, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: A general view of the Post Season Logo prior to the Boston Red Sox game against the New York Yankees in game 2 of the American League Wild Card Playoff Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2026 in the Borough of the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Whoops, didn’t expect today’s games to get under way quite as early as they did. The White Sox vs. Guardians game is already under way in Cleveland, but there’s currently no score at the end of the third inning. So it’s not as if we missed much. A full slate of four Division Series games under way today. I imagine we’ll be cheering on Atlanta as they take on Los Angeles. But I’m less certain about the San Diego vs. Milwaukee contest. I don’t have much love for either team, though the Padres have been more annoying of late. I’ll probably put aside my Braun hatred for the week, and cheer for the Brewers. Here is the full schedule for today, all times Arizona.

  • Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Guardians 10:00 am
  • Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers 1:00 pm
  • New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 3:30 pm
  • San Diego Padres @ Milwaukee Brewers 5:30 pm

A full breakdown of the Yankees’ Division Series roster

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees in action at bat against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning in game two of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The stage is set for the Postseason, and the Yankees have confirmed their 26-man roster for the American League Division Series.

There isn’t too much of a change from the Wild Card Series roster, but it’s worth noting that Aaron Judge is left out once again, and Ryan Weathers is available to step in as a reliever for the first time since late August. The lefty pitcher was placed on the IL with a left forearm flexor strain. The Yankees also left out third baseman Amed Rosario to make room for Weathers on the roster.

Here’s everything you need to know about each player and how they can propel the Yankees’ postseason run in the ALDS against Tampa Bay.

Position Players

Cody Bellinger: The Yankees will rely on Bellinger to give the offense some momentum, especially without Aaron Judge. He went 3-for-9 in the Wild Card Series with a home run that sealed the victory for the Yankees in Game 2. If he can stay hot in Tampa Bay, it should be enough to keep the Pinstripes on top.

José Caballero: A utilityman most likely to be deployed at third base, Caballero has the potential to be effective defensively and may get the start over Ryan McMahon. He finished September batting .163 with a .260 OBP, but didn’t get any at-bats during the Wild Card Series against Boston.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Jazz will likely play second in higher risk scenarios and alternate with Anthony Volpe. He went 2-for-3 with two runs and worked a walk in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.

Luis García Jr.: After drilling a home run that helped the Yankees dominate Boston in Game 2, García Jr. will look to keep his numbers up against the Rays. He will likely alternate with Paul Goldschmidt, who does well against lefties.

Paul Goldschmidt: Serving as a reliable option at first base, Goldschmidt brings a strong veteran presence that sets the tone for the younger guys on the roster. He worked two walks late in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series that gave Ben Rice the perfect setup for the grand slam.

Trent Grisham: After making his return from the IL in the Wild Card Series, Grisham will likely alternate at center field with Spencer Jones. It’s unclear if the Yankees will use him as a starter against Tampa Bay over Jones, but keeping him available to pinch hit could be the best option.

Spencer Jones: Following his postseason debut, Jones will likely continue to build off his momentum as the Yankees head to Tampa Bay. However, if he ends up struggling to make an impact offensively, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a pinch hitter like Stanton take his place in the order.

George Lombard Jr.: A standout in the Wild Card Series, Lombard Jr. instills confidence defensively while also remaining fearless at the plate. He went 4-for-8 against Boston with three runs, and can give the Yankees support towards the middle of the order.

Ryan McMahon: Alternating with Caballero at third, McMahon is expected to make a start at least once against Tampa to test the options at third base.

Heliot Ramos: Although he didn’t play a huge role in giving the Yankees insurance against Boston, Ramos will likely start at right field if the Rays throw out a left-handed starter and otherwise prepare to get hot off the bench in the ALDS. There’s also a chance that he alternates with Spencer Jones in the field. After a bit of a cold start in Pinstripes, Ramos finished September batting .255 with a .491 slugging percentage.

Ben Rice: What else is there to say about Rice other than that he’s been the most clutch hitter for the Yankees without Aaron Judge? There’s no doubt we’ve seen the last of his electricity at the plate, and it’ll be very exciting to see how he matches up against the Rays.

Ali Sánchez: Available as a backup for Austin Wells behind the plate, it’s unsurprising that Sánchez made the roster and has the chance to appear in a low-risk scenario.

Giancarlo Stanton: Despite not getting the chance to hit in the Wild Card Series, Stanton will likely have a pinch hitting opportunity in the ALDS. One of the Yankees’ all-time leading playoff sluggers, with 18 homers, Big G might have his classic playoff moment that will leave the Rays stunned.

Anthony Volpe: After hitting a sacrifice bunt in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series that helped set the Yankees up to shut down Boston, Volpe has the potential to shine against the Rays. He will alternate with Jazz at second, and we will likely see him get the start at least once in the series.

Austin Wells: After jumpstarting the Yankees offense that totaled 18 runs in the two-game Wild Card Series sweep, Wells will look to bring the same energy against Tampa Bay. It will be fun to see him hopefully win an ABS challenge.

Pitchers

David Bednar: Maintaining his spot on the roster as the Yankees’ closer, Bednar wasn’t needed in the Wild Card Series but got some work to stay fresh in Game 2. He’ll be prepared to earn the save against Tampa Bay should the Yankees enter the ninth with a lead and continue the chase for 28.

Paul Blackburn: After giving up a hit in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series and inducing a double play that ended the seventh, Blackburn is prepared to make an impact in quieting the Tampa Bay offense.

Gerrit Cole: Getting the start for Game 1 of the ALDS, Cole will look to dominate the Rays in his first postseason outing since 2024. If needed, he will also likely be available for the Game 4 start.

Max Fried: Effectively shutting down Boston’s offense in the Wild Card Series, Fried will likely start Game 3 and hopefully keep the Rays’ offense at bay.

Brent Headrick: Maintaining consistency throughout the regular season, Headrick is expected to shine in a relief role throughout the postseason. He finished the regular season with a 2.18 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 78.3 innings. Headrick was used a lot, but did at least get three full days of rest going into today.

Carlos Rodón: If we don’t end up seeing him in a starting role, Rodón is expected to come in as a reliever and shut down the Tampa Bay offense. He didn’t make an appearance against Boston, but if he can keep his numbers from September trending in the right direction, he’ll be lights out.

Cam Schlittler: Dominating Boston in Game 1, and continuing his feud with seemingly the entire state of Massachusetts, Schlittler will surely be one of the Yankees’ most powerful weapons on the bump. The 25-year-old ace is poised to make his second career ALDS appearance as a starter for Game 2 and could be available for a decisive Game 5 should this series go the distance.

John Schreiber: Taking a spot as a relief option if needed, Schreiber may take the mound in a low-risk scenario.

Will Warren: Giving up a run in 1.2 innings of Game 2 in the Wild Card Series, Warren will look to bounce back and silence the bats from Tampa Bay. One of the team’s core starters all year, Warren started transitioning into a role with the bullpen through a couple appearances in September and his presence as a multi-inning option is one of the reasons the Yankees can so confidently field an extended bench.

Ryan Weathers: Positioned to make his first relief appearance since being reinstated from the IL, Weathers will be a crucial addition to this roster in place of third baseman Amed Rosario. He showed promising signs in his bullpen sessions, and we’ll expect him to be an essential factor in shutting down the Rays’ offense. Weathers was another starter alongside Warren making the shift over, though he has some experience relieving as he made 12 appearances out of the ‘pen in his rookie season with the Padres.

Ryan Yarbrough: Securing his spot on the roster over Tim Hill, Yarbrough will be available as a low-risk option, and he could make an appearance on the bump if there’s a scenario where they need to get a reliever out of a jam.

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Open Thread For Saturday’s Division Series Games

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - October 02: American Family Field ahead of the National League Division Series between the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

I’m putting this together the night before, because I’m out tomorrow morning. We have four games today.

Game One: 1:00 Eastern:

White Sox @ Guardians: Smith vs. Messick.

Game Two: 4:00 Eastern:

Braves @ Dodgers.

Game Three: 6:30 Eastern:

Yankees @ Rays. Cole vs. Rasmussen.

Game Four: 8:50 Eastern:

Padres @ Brewers. Ray vs. Misiorowski.

Go Baseball Go.

Keon Ellis is already looking like Jordi Fernández’s kind of player

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Keon Ellis #1 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 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

Keon Ellis is one week into his first Nets training camp, and Jordi Fernández is already seeing what he expected.

“He’s got the best hands in the NBA, and that’s hard to teach,” Jordi Fernández said at Friday’s practice. “At the same time, you want to be disciplined and follow the schemes, whatever the game plan is. I trust him. I know he’s very diligent with his work and everything, and I know he can perform at a high level. He’s going to help us a lot at the defensive end.”

The connection between Ellis and Fernández goes back to Sacramento, where the two were together from 2022-24 while Fernández worked under then-Kings head coach Mike Brown. That familiarity was part of what made Brooklyn an appealing destination for Ellis this offseason, when the Nets signed him to a two-year, $18 million contract with a full mutual option for the second season.

“You have a guy with many intangibles, is a super pro. He has probably the best hands in the NBA, can shoot the ball, can handle, is a good human,” the Nets coach said. “He’s coming here and is about business. It was a no-brainer.”

Ellis knows the mutual respect benefits both of them.

“In this game — and it is a business — having someone like Jordi being the head coach, someone you’re familiar with, [is big]. You know all the schemes, you know what he’s about, you know what they want to run,” Ellis said Friday after practice. “It’s a safe space right there. He’s familiar with my game, I’m familiar with how he rocks. That was the No. 1 thing.” 

He added, “He [Jordi] knows how I play, and I know how he wants his team to play. I know I can have a big impact in that way.”

Ellis enters Brooklyn coming off a season in which he averaged 6.7 points while splitting time between Sacramento and Cleveland following a February trade. He also shot 36.3% from three last season after hitting on 42.9% over his first three NBA seasons.

“It’s not for me to say [how much of an impact he will make],” Fernandez said. “It’s for me to believe every time he guards he’s going to be good on that player, and every time he shoots the ball, I believe it’s going to go in.” 

Michael Porter Jr. has noticed it, too.

“Strong start. Keon has been hooping these first two days. He plays the right way. He plays defense. He can really shoot the ball, and he’s been just overall very solid,” Porter said at Friday’s practice.

He’s also made an impression on Nets sophomore Drake Powell.

“Keon’s been great overall so far, not just on the court, but off the court as well,” Powell said at Media Day. “I think what I can take from him defensively is just how active he is with his hands and, you know, just being in the right spot. The ball will just naturally come to him defensively, get a steal and from there we’re just out and running.”

The Nets held their first scrimmage of training camp Friday, giving Ellis and the rest of the roster their first chance to compete in a game-like setting.

One week of training camp won’t tell us everything. For now, Ellis has already given Fernández and his teammates plenty to like.


Dylan Dodd will begin NLDS Game 1 for Braves

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 30: Atlanta Braves pitcher Dylan Dodd (46) looks on from the dugout during the MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the Atlanta Braves on August 30, 2026 at TRUIST Park in Atlanta GA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After somewhat intense speculation, the Atlanta Braves have selected a pitcher to start Game 1 of the NLDS.

The Atlanta Braves, who have won the 2026 NL East Division title and brushed aside the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card round, have selected Dylan Dodd to start the playoff game today. As you likely already know Chris Sale and Brent Suter will likely not pitch until Games 2 and 3 respectively, and Grant Holmes pitched nearly one time through the order on Thursday. The Braves have ten other options and have decided on Dylan Dodd.

Dylan Dodd has a 2.54/3.83/3.94 line in 49 and 2/3 innings this season. He hasn’t started a game since 2023, when the Braves considered him a pitching prospect. His numbers in that stretch are horrifying (7.60/6.92/6.50 over 34 and 1/3 innings) but that’s not nearly reflective of the work he has done since. His longest outing since his starting days was 3 and 2/3 innings in Houston on September 13th, 2025. The sinker and cutter have been quite good this season.

I don’t hate this. Dylan Dodd won’t get lost in the moment. Both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman are big lefties at the top of the lineup. The Braves seem to view the opener role as a reliever who can pitch up to 3 innings. So we may see Dylan for 13 batters today if all goes well. Please, go well.

Montreal Canadiens At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener on Saturday night. 

Both teams have started the season 1-0-0 after the Penguins demolished the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 on Wednesday and the Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Tuesday. 

This will be a great test for the Penguins since the Canadiens are expected to be one of the best teams in the NHL this year. They got to the Eastern Conference Final last year and are primed for more. 

Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki lead the way up front and are spectacular players. Caufield can score from anywhere in the offensive zone and finished last season with 51 goals and 88 points.

Suzuki is a two-way force and can do it all. He has excellent vision, a great shot, and can take away an opposing team's best player. 

Don't forget about forward Ivan Demidov and defenseman Lane Hutson, either. Demidov is a ton of fun to watch, and Hutson's skating is breathtaking. 

Jakub Dobes will start in goal for the Canadiens. He was great in their season opener on Tuesday after a fantastic year in 2025-26, stopping 26 of 28 shots. 

As for the Penguins, multiple forwards look poised to return to the lineup. Andrei Kuzmenko will make his season debut, while Ben Kindel was activated off injured reserve on Saturday afternoon. Blake Lizotte also told reporters after the morning skate that he's good to go. 

Goaltender Arturs Silovs will make his second straight start after earning a shutout on Wednesday. 

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'


Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

Dodgers vs Braves pitchers: Who is Atlanta starting in NLDS Game 1 against Skubal?

Game 1 of the National League Division Series will pit a reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner with a fellow who's made just seven career starts. 

That's the Atlanta Braves' reality as they trot out Dylan Dodd against Tarik Skubal in the opener of their best-of-five Saturday, Oct. 3 at Dodger Stadium. 

Skubal, 29, will give up his reign as the AL's top pitcher - his August trade to the Dodgers instead installed him atop the two-time defending champions' pitching pyramid. He unseats World Series hero Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their first ace out of the chute. 

Skubal also has a shot to help neutralize Atlanta's lefty hitters, such as leadoff man Drake Baldwin, slugging first baseman Matt Olson and left fielder Mike Yastrzemski. 

Dodd's task is even more focused: Shut down Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the first couple innings. 

A third-round pick in 2021, Dodd had a pair of three-inning outings in April and May but has been used in much shorter bursts since then. Yet Atlanta comes into this series with its starting pitching compromised, as ace Chris Sale's turn doesn't come up until Sunday - and, he closed out their Game 3 clincher in the wild card series against Philadelphia, recording the final four outs Thursday. 

So the Braves will attempt to patch together nine innings of a bullpen game, with either Sale or No. 2 starter Tyler Mahle ready to roll in Game 2 Sunday. 

Where to watch Dodgers vs Braves: TV channel, streaming

  • Time: 4 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream: Fubo

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers vs Braves pitchers: Who is Atlanta starting in NLDS Game 1 against Skubal?

Blackhawks Vs Sabres: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 3

The Chicago Blackhawks are 0-2-0 coming into their third game of the season. This is the third and final game of the road trip that opens their 2026-27 season, and it is against the Buffalo Sabres. 

The first two games were not just losses. The Blackhawks were blown out in both, with a combined score of 11-2. Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth are good and will be playoff contenders, but they shouldn’t be able to toy with the Blackhawks the way that they did. Now, the Hawks have another opportunity to bounce back. 

Scouting Buffalo

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off their most exciting year in decades. They ended a 14-year-long playoff drought, which is the longest in the history of the NHL. They didn’t just squeak into the playoffs, either. Buffalo went 50-23-9 for 109 points and won the loaded Atlantic Division. 

Buffalo did lose some pieces, including Alex Tuch, who was one of the top free-agent forwards this past off-season. They also lost Bowen Byram, whom they traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal that included the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and Louis Crevier. 

Still, after ending the drought, Buffalo has more hype coming into the season than they’ve had in years. They had a tough road loss to a motivated Columbus Blue Jackets team to open their season, but now they will host the Blackhawks, hoping for their first win. 

Norris-Thompson-Doan

Benson-Ostlund-Quinn

Krebs-McLeod-Helenius 

Kulich-Carrick-Malenstyn 

Samuelsson-Dahlin

Power-Crevier 

Metsa-Gilbert/Grzelcyk

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is going to be Buffalo's starting goaltender. The third pair will be two of the three who rotated in and out during practice. 

Buffalo has three outstanding defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Owen Power. Louis Crevier adds another layer of strength in place of Bowen Byram, who was expendable because of the talent they have at the top. 

At forward, Tage Thompson drives the bus. He gets plenty of help from Josh Doan, Jack Quinn, Josh Norris, and Zach Benson, among others, throughout the lineup. For the Blackhawks, they have to use their speed to overcome a group like this and get to a much better forecheck with traffic in front of Luukkonen. 

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Blackhawks are off to a rough start. It is a situation where they had higher expectations than in previous years and somehow managed to look worse over two games. Even without Connor Bedard, it has been disappointing. It’s one thing to lose; it’s another to be blown out. 

Bowen Byram is going to miss the game against his former team as he addresses a family matter. Sam Rinzel is going to be a scratch as well. This means that both Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro will be called up. 

With that, it is unclear how the pairs will line up. However, the forward group is projected to look like this: 

Kantserov-Nazar-Kane

Bertuzzi-Frondell-Teravainen

Donato-Moore-Lardis

Smith-Greene-Greenway

These are the lines that the Blackhawks had going during training camp, but then went away from them a day before the season started. Spencer Knight will start in goal. 

Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, Oliver Moore, and Ryan Greene have been projected to play center ever since Connor Bedard went down. One of them will move to the wing when he returns, but this is a bright young group in the meantime. 

Greene’s 4th line with Cole Smith and Jordan Greenway has been the team’s best through 2 tough games. The top 9 are hoping to match that energy in Buffalo. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. For the first time this season, the Blackhawks can be seen locally on CHSN. Nationally, it can be streamed on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 6:00 PM CT. 

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Dodgers NLDS roster: Josue De Paula, Hyeseong Kim active vs. Braves

Los Angeles, CA - October 02, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Josue De Paula (95) sits in the infield during a team practice ahead of Game 1 of the NLDS at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) | 21-year-old De Paula makes roster as lefty bat off the bench, Hyeseong Kim adds speed and defense in specialized role

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers will carry 12 pitchers and 14 position players on their National League Division Series roster against the Atlanta Braves, including 21-year-old rookie Josue De Paula active after impressing in his first 11 games in the majors in September.

Down from the usual split of 13 pitchers and 13 position players during the pre-September regular season, manager Dave Roberts has intimated multiple times over the last two weeks that a short series like the best-of-5 NLDS makes it less likely to carry an extra arm. It gives them more room for more specialized players, like De Paula in what is essentially a left-handed pinch-hitting role, plus Hyeseong Kim also active as a speedster to potentially pinch-run and play defense up the middle in the late innings if needed.

Kim hit .259/.323/.328 in 43 games for the Dodgers this season, and stole five bases in six attempts. But he spent most of his season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, having last played for the Dodgers on May 27.

De Paula is 21 years, 111 days old on Saturday. If he gets into a game this October, he’ll be the youngest Dodgers position player in a postseason game since 19-year-old Willie Crawford in the 1965 World Series.

Dodgers NLDS roster

  • Starting pitchers (4): Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow
  • Right-handed relievers (5): Roki Sasaki, Edgardo Henriquez, Edwin Díaz, Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart
  • Left-handed relievers (3): Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Kris Bubic
  • Designated hitter (1): Shohei Ohtani
  • Catchers (2): Will Smith, Hunter Feduccia
  • Infielders (5): Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Hyeseong Kim
  • Outfielders (4): Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, Josue De Paula
  • Infielder/outfielders (2): Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández

Kris Bubic, acquired at the trade deadline from the Kansas City Royals while on the 60-day injured list, rehabbed in Triple-A in September before joining the Dodgers. He made the bullpen as the third left-handed reliever, over Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski.

“Our first two starters are going to be left-handed, you’re talking about a lot of innings being covered by left-handed pitching in a series,” Roberts said Saturday, referring to Tarik Skubal starting Game 1 and Blake Snell starting Game 2.

Roberts was asked Friday which relievers he felt might close games for the team in October.

“I think the one guy I feel that it’s easy to say I see finishing games is Tanner [Scott], but if it’s a different lane that I feel that he’s the best option in the eighth inning, then we’re going to use him,” Roberts said. “But as far as Evan, Roki, Diaz, I feel very comfortable with any of those guys closing out the game.”

Braves NLDS roster vs. Dodgers has 13 position players, 13 pitchers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: A detailed view of MLB postseason signage prior to game one of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — The Atlanta Braves set their roster for the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Saturday, carrying 13 position players and 13 pitchers for the best-of-5 series.

Atlanta is carrying one more pitcher than the Dodgers, which makes sense given that the Braves are deploying a bullpen game for Game 1 on Saturday.

The Braves haven’t yet made a decision on whether ace Chris Sale would start in Game 2 on Sunday. That would be five days after his start in Game 1 of the wild card series, but the veteran left-hander also got the final four outs in relief to close out the wild card round on Thursday. Braves manager Walt Weiss they won’t decide on whether Sale starts Game 2 until Sunday morning.

“When we came in the other night, the first words out of his mouth were ‘I feel amazing,’” Weiss said Saturday. “If he were to come in tomorrow morning and say ‘I feel amazing,’ there’s a chance he pitches tomorrow.”

Among the pitchers added for Atlanta who weren’t active during the wild card round are AJ Smith-Shawver and JR Ritchie, who have both started and pitched in relief for the Braves this season. Demetrius Bell at Battery Power has more on the Braves roster.

Braves NLDS roster

  • Potential starting pitchers (4): Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, JR Ritchie, AJ Smith-Shawver
  • Right-handed relievers (5): Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suárez, Didier Fuentes, Grant Holmes, Victor Mederos
  • Left-handed relievers (4): Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, Brent Suter, Ray Kerr
  • Catchers (2): Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy
  • Infielders (5): Matt Olson, Ha-Seong Kim, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Rowdy Tellez
  • Outfielders (5): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Mike Yastrzemski, Lane Thomas, Brewer Hicklen
  • Infielder/outfielder (1): Mauricio Dubón

MLB Divisional Round: Game 1 open thread

Los Angeles, CA - October 02, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal speaks during a press conference ahead of Game 1 of the NLDS at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Join us as all four divisional series get underway on Saturday. Each best-of-five playoff series in the divisional round will have a 2-2-1 home field structure, where the higher seeded team hosts Game 1, Game 2, and if necessary the deciding Game 5, while the lower seed hosts Game 3 and Game 4.

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians -1:00 p.m. ET – TBS

Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers – 4:00 p.m. ET – FOX

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays – 6:30 p.m. ET – TBS

San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers – 8:30 p.m. ET – FOX

Braves reveal 2026 National League Divisional Series Roster

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 29: JR Ritchie #92 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another round, another roster update.

The Atlanta Braves are set to do baseball battle with the Los Angeles Dodgers in just a few short hours and as such, the team has taken this chance to update the roster a bit. There are three changes, which we’ll get into below:

Lane Thomas has been healthy and Walt Weiss expressed confidence that Thomas would be involved for this series, and sure enough, he’s on the roster. His right-handed bat should come in handy against the litany of left-handers that the Dodgers will be sure to throw out there over the next few games.

Meanwhile, the pitching situation (particularly when it came to starters and bulk guys) had to be addressed and it has been, as both JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver have been added to the roster. It’s safe to assume that one (or possibly both) of those guys will be making starts at some point during this series or they’ll be covering as many innings and outs as they can.

Rowdy Tellez gets to stick around for another round, while Dominic Smith, Luke Williams and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. have all been dropped for the NLDS.

Here’s the full roster:

26-Man Roster:

PITCHERS (13): LH Dylan Dodd, RH Didier Fuentes, RH Grant Holmes, RH Raisel Iglesias, LH Ray Kerr, LH Dylan Lee, RH Tyler Mahle, RH Víctor Mederos, RH JR Ritchie, LH Chris Sale, RH AJ Smith-Shawver, RH Robert Suarez, LH Brent Suter

CATCHERS (2): Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy

INFIELDERS (6): Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubón, Ha-Seong Kim, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Rowdy Tellez

OUTFIELDERS (5): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Brewer Hicklen, Lane Thomas, Mike Yastrzemski

So, what do y’all make of the NLDS roster? Like it? Love it? Want some more of it? Hate it? Let’s hear it.

Diamondbacks News

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Arizona Diamondbacks principal owner Ken Kendrick and president Derrick Hall talk on the field prior to Game 4 of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Diamondbacks News

Ken Kendrick Announces Cuts to 2027 Payroll
In entirely predictable fashion, Ken LKendrick is unhappy with the results of his investment in the 2026 team. The result of the situation is that the team should be expecting reduced investment in 2027. Some of that will come organically from contracts dropping off. Some of it will have to come from parting ways with some contracts, a task easier said than done.

Diamondbacks Executives Speak About Relationship with Ketel Marte
The Ketel Marte saga just keeps going. This story simply will not go away until a year after he either comes correct regarding his behaviours or the team is a year moved on from having found a viable trade.

What Might a Lower Payroll Really Mean?
If nothing else, it seems likely fans will get a hefty serving of developing talent for a while.

What is Marte’s Future with the Diamondbacks
At the end of the day, Marte’s particular situation means he is almost entirely in control of the entire affair. HIs future is in his hands. Now it is time to see what he will do with it, since it is clear he no longer has people rushing to defend him.

Was Retaining Lovullo the Right Move?
It is honestly hard to see how it wasn’t.

Other Baseball News

ALDS Preview: Guardians Versus White Sox
This particular series feels almost irrelevant, which is somewhat sad to be saying about a division series.

NLDS Preview: Dodgers Versus Braves
What ends up getting more coverage, Ohtani continuing to have work restricted in the playoffs, or the brutal heat expected to descend on the game?

Judge Left Off Yankees ALDS Roster
It’s getting harder and harder to imagine Judge returns before the lockout.

Dodgers to Throw Skubal for Game 1
Tarik Skubal will finally be3 given a chance to earn that massive arbitration win of his.

Projected Arbitration Salaries for 2027
MLBTR has one of the very best arbitration estimators in the entire business. Here are their estimates for next season. Notably, the Diamondbacks have four arbitration eligible players. Only three are likely to be tendered.
Player (service time): projected salary
Lars Nootbaar (5.076): $6.3MM
Pavin Smith (4.144): $2.5MM *(non-tender candidate)
Gabriel Moreno (4.061): $6.1MM
Ryne Nelson (4.020): $3.4MM