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Pistons vs. Timberwolves preview: Getting a look at new-look T Wolves

Many people expected both the Pistons and Timberwolves’ rosters to look drastically different after ending their season at the same point in the Playoffs. Both teams are led by young stars in Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards that are still looking to break through to the NBA Finals.

For the Pistons, the clock isn’t ticking as much with their young core locked in an Cunningham seemingly in support of everything going on. For the Timberwolves, rumblings have started about the possibility of Anthony Edwards trying to find a new team to play for, which means that the Timberwolves had to try to do something bold.

They did just that with the acquisition of LaMelo Ball from the Charlotte Hornets. We now get our first look at the new-look Timberwolves even if we may not see their usual rotation for long since this is a preseason game.

Game Vitals

Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
When: Wednesday, October 14 at 8 pm EST
Watch: My TV 20 (Scripps Sports Network)
Odds: Timberwolves (-2.5)

Analysis

It is difficult to analyze a preseason basketball game given all the uncertainty around who will and won’t play and how long regular rotation players will play. There is also the whole other issue of players trying out new things they may not necessarily do in the regular season.

The biggest point of intrigue for the Pistons is whether or not Jalen Duren will play. He sat out the first two preseason games as he gets reacclimated with the team after sitting out most of Training Camp over his contract negotiation. He is not necessarily in need of preseason given his status with the team, but it would probably be beneficial to at least play a few minutes in the preseason.

Cade Cunningham sat last game, so he is another player that has uncertainty around whether or not they play. I would assume the Pistons want to get him on the court at least one more time, but could wait to do that until the final preseason game on Friday against the Raptors.

If Jalen Duren and Cunningham do not play, I once again expect Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed to get the start with a heavy dose of Ebuka Okorie and Tolu Smith off the bench. Both players had their moments in the overtime loss to the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Tolu Smith had a team-high 13 rebounds and Okorie led the Pistons in scoring with 14 points.

Okorie has impressed with his ability to run the offense and although he may not get many opportunities to play early-on in the season, if he keeps up how he has been playing, it may force JB Bickerstaff’s hand to give him more minutes.

For the Timberwolves, it appears we will at least get a short look at Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball together, as they have played in 3 of the 4 games for the Timberwolves during the preseason. However, the Timberwolves do have one more preseason game on Friday against the Bulls, so maybe they rest tonight and get in one final game on Friday.

It is very strange that the Wolves will play 6 preseason games while the Pistons only have 4, but I guess the team does have some say in it and they may have wanted a few more to integrate some of the new additions.

Hopefully this game doesn’t go to overtime for the Pistons. It took a last-second shot by Ebuka Okorie to seal the win against the Phoenix Suns in the first preseason game and prevent overtime and then the Pistons had the aforementioned overtime loss against the Wizards on Saturday. We shouldn’t have to be subjected to close games during the preseason.

Whoever plays tonight, let’s hope for no injuries and hopefully no scuffle like the Pistons have had in both preseason games. Given some of the history between these two teams, I am not getting my hopes up.

Lineups

I am going to put down what I would expect the starting lineups to be if this were a regular season game, since there is no way to know who will or won’t play or what kind of experimenting either coach will do.

DetroitPistons(1-1): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren

Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1): LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, Rudy Gobert

Question of the Day

Do you think we will see Jalen Duren play during the preseason?

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Can the Raptors Finish Top Four in the East?

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 11: Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends against Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last year’s Toronto Raptors exceeded expectations, as the young and athletic squad racked up 46 wins, their most since the 2021-22 season, and finished fifth in the Eastern Conference before pushing the fourth-seed Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink in the first round of the playoffs.

The Cavs’ second-half surge in Game 7 highlighted the importance of homecourt advantage (and experience) in the postseason. With the addition of former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, growth from the teams’ young core, and the scars of playoff battles, can the Raps win enough games to finish in the top four in a brutal Eastern Conference?

Can the Raptors take the next step?

Last year’s team was a pain for opponents to play against, especially in front of raucous Scotiabank Arena crowds. Toronto had a top-five defence that refused to let opponents get comfortable in their offensive sets, thanks to intense ball pressure from bulldogs like Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead, but their offence was squarely in the middle of the pack (15th in offensive efficiency) and struggled to generate clean looks in the fourth quarters of tight games. Adding a two-way superstar like Kawhi should only bolster an already-strong defence, while adding a proven late-game scorer who can help get them unstuck in late-game situations. Still, though, a few question marks remain.

TORONTO, ON- APRIL 12 – Guard Garrett Temple #17 of the Toronto Raptors greets guard Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors during player introductions as the Toronto Raptors play the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. April 12, 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images

The ‘25-’26 Raptors were a below-average three-point shooting team, which restricted the spacing that Barnes, a slasher who thrives in transition, needs to dominate, and they were in the bottom half of the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding. Their ability to address those two weaknesses will go a long way toward helping them shoot further up the standings.

The current squad is replete with quality guards and wings, but few are plus shooters. Leonard’s an excellent three-point shooter (38.7% last season and above 41% each of the three seasons before that), but he’s a medium-volume guy from deep. The big question isn’t so much whether or not he can space the floor for Scottie (he can), but how the spacing will look for Kawhi when he’s doing work in the midrange, which could be tricky given that neither of the team’s top two bigs (Jacob Poeltl and Collin Murray-Boyles) are threats from outside.

They may go to some lineups late in games with no traditional big on the floor, perhaps with Barnes as the nominal centres, but they suffer on the glass when Poeltl is on the bench, given that CMB is on the smaller side and only averaged 4.4 defensive boards per 36 minutes last year. That might not hurt them against the league’s smaller teams, but giants like Karl Anthony-Towns and Joel Embiid, both in the Raptors’ division, can take advantage.

On the plus side, better health from Immanuel Quickley and a potential mini-leap from Ja’Kobe Walter (40.9% from three last year), could offset their shooting deficiency and they have plenty of assets to pursue another big man should they feel they need one.

Who else is in the race?

The race for a top-four spot will be hotly contested, but the Raptors should be considered among the strong favorites. Kawhi has a long injury history, but suited up 65 times last season, and something similar should be plenty for a team that has plenty of depth on the wings, with Barnes and RJ Barrett both capable of scoring around 20 a night for a season. The East’s other contenders all have star-studded units but some concerns heading into the season.

BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 8: Tyrese Maxey #0 and LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 8, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers vaulted themselves into the NBA title race with the acquisitions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, but even with those two and Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in the starting lineup, Embiid is absolutely central to what they do, and he’s only averaging a paltry 32 games played over the last three campaigns. And on top of that, their backup centre, former Knick Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles in the preseason opener, leaving them dangerously thin in the frontcourt. The Sixers may still be dangerous when the postseason comes around, but you should expect a fair amount of missed games from Bron and Embiid. It wouldn’t be shocking to see them outside of the top four when the season ends.

Detroit felt like they overachieved with 60 wins last year, but John Collins could do a lot to help raise their offensive ceiling, especially if Cade Cunningham can help him look like he did back in Atlanta, where he scored 21.6 points per game on 58-40-80 shooting splits at just 22 years old. Few are as skilled at setting the table as Trae Young, but Cunningham draws a ton of defensive attention and there should be opportunities for him to feast. They might also get another year of improvement from an allegedly very disgruntled Jalen Duren.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a strong regular season team as of late, and Peyton Watson is a nice addition, especially if he maintains his improvement as a shooter, but they’re asking for a lot out of a lead ballhandler who was born in the 80s, even if he was super efficient after landing in Cleveland last season. James Harden’s been healthy and available consistently, their all-offence backcourt could wear down as the season progresses.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 10: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense on Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics on October 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It feels like you can pencil in the Boston Celtics to win 50-plus games every season. Just as they managed to win 56 last year with Jayson Tatum missing most of the season, swapping Jaylen Brown for the older (but better-shooting) Paul George will likely do little to slow them down….if he can stay on the court. George hasn’t played 82 games in the last two years combined and rostering him instead of the consistently healthy Brown might be what drops them below 50 this season, but great depth and good coaching could keep them near the top regardless.

The Knicks smacked their Eastern Conference foes en route to a historic NBA championship, but they were mostly fine in the regular season, looking discombobulated at points during a 53-win campaign. Star player Jalen Brunson is coming off of a surgery and head coach Mike Brown is unafraid to experiment with both the playbook and the rotation during the regular season, even if it costs them some regular season wins. Despite their playoff dominance, it’s unlikely they’ll go full throttle to chase the one-seed. Finishing somewhere around third again sounds about right for them, especially if some of their contract disputes lead to a shakeup, or even a distraction.

Orlando has plenty of talent, but the Magic will be adjusting to a new head coach, while still dealing with a somewhat misshapen roster that has crashed and burned in the playoffs amidst a lack of shooting and creation. They should be in the playoff hunt again thanks to their defence, but likely not in the upper tier. Meanwhile, the Hawks (tied with the Raptors at 46 wins last year) added to their fearsome wing defence, but still lack a true offensive engine, despite strong production from Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Charlotte is in a similar space without a true star, reorienting themselves after the departure of LaMelo Ball, and the Heat added major star power in Giannis Antetokounmpo but lack any real depth outside of him and 83-point scorer Bam Adebayo. As for the Washington Wizards, they are the Washington Wizards until proven otherwise.

Prediction

I think ultimately, the East will shake out something like this:

  1. Detroit
  2. Boston
  3. New York
  4. Toronto
  5. Cleveland
  6. Philly
  7. Atlanta
  8. Orlando
  9. Miami
  10. Charlotte
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Wednesday Rockpile: What can the Rockies learn from past pitchers about success at Coors Field?

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 27, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. De La Rosa earned the win as the Rockies defeated the Cardinals 4-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Colorado Rockies have to figure out how to pitch at Coors Field.

Since the team’s inception in 1993, moving to Coors Field in 1995, installing a humidor in 2002, and throwing just about everything they can at the wall, a pitching formula for success in Colorado has eluded them.

The pitching staff’s struggles, particularly the starting rotation, in 2026 did not escape president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta in his first year at the helm. This offseason appears primed to go back to the drawing board to continue diving into the problem of finding successful starting pitching. One of the major factors is a realization that it takes mental fortitude to tackle the beast without fear and simply outpitch the other guy. This has led DePodesta to seek out advice from former Rockies pitcher Pedro Astacio about what it takes to approach Coors Field as a player.

Looking back to the past and relying on the wisdom and examples of players is always a valuable resource in baseball. The issue with past Rockies front offices was that instead of learning from examples, they simply tried to replicate them, hence the years of pitching to contact and throwing sinkers like Aaron Cook. Today, let’s look back on a few examples of successful starting pitchers at Coors Field.

For the sake of this article, these are all pitchers with at least 90 innings thrown at Coors Field in a Rockies uniform.

Ubaldo Jiménez

The best place to start is by looking at the best Rockies starter in franchise history.

In 65 starts at Coors Field as a Rockie, Ubaldo Jiménez posted a sparkling 3.68 ERA, which is the lowest among starters in team history (min. 90 innings). That mark isn’t just a consequence of spectacular defense behind him, either, as his 3.82 FIP also ranks as the best in team history at home.

Jiménez was an electric arm that could easily overpower opposing hitters. While he was a little more wild at times with a 9.5% walk rate, he complemented that with a nearly 20% strikeout rate at home. The fastball was certainly his calling card — dialing up to 100 mph — but his slider regularly generated a whiff rate over 30% during his time with Colorado, while the curveball, changeup, and splitter contributed their fair share of swings and misses.

Jiménez was more than just a power pitcher trying to rack up strikeouts. His arsenal allowed him to limit opponents to a .244 AVG while inducing a 48.7% ground ball rate. The ability to miss bats and generate softer contact made him a threat every time out. Despite the walks, Jiménez could always rely on his ability to get batters out and he was rarely ever rattled when something didn’t go his way.

Jason Marquis

Folks often forget about the incredible season Jason Marquis had with the Rockies in 2009 and the major role he played in making the playoffs that season. Traded from the Chicago Cubs, Marquis put up the best season of his career as he became an All-Star and was valued at 3.5 rWAR. He went 15-13 with the Rockies that season and posted a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts, tossing a whopping 216 innings.

What stood out was Marquis’s success at Coors Field where, in 16 starts, he posted a 3.92 ERA. What made him successful despite a 10.3% walk rate (the second-highest for a starter at home) and a 12.9% strikeout rate was that he relied heavily on his sinker, slider, and changeup to induce ground balls at a 58.8% rate.

Naturally, a player who relies on sinkers near the bottom of the zone is going to have a higher walk rate, but Marquis escaped damage with double-play balls and avoided home runs. At Coors Field, he allowed just five of his 15 home runs on the season. But what made him most valuable is that ability to be a workhorse

Across 105.2 innings of work at Coors Field, Marquis had just two starts that lasted less than five innings. On top of that, he had 13 starts go six innings or more. The fewest pitches he threw in an outing was 77 over four innings on the road in Los Angeles. Nine of his Coors Field starts saw him throw over 100 pitches, including multiple starts with over 120 pitches across eight-plus innings.

Marquis was a bulldog on the mound, attacking hitters with complete confidence in his stuff and the determination that he was going to outlast the other starter and give the Rockies a chance to win.

Jorge De La Rosa

One of the top pitchers in franchise history, Jorge De La Rosa became a reliable arm during his years in Colorado. He ranks at the top of franchise lists in most categories for good reason, as he spent nine years in a Rockies uniform. As a result, he has a vast sample size of time at Coors Field, where in 99 starts, De La Rosa had a 4.36 ERA across 561.1 innings of work

De La Rosa wasn’t an overpowering pitcher, but he was savvy and had mental fortitude. He managed to neutralize the harsh Coors Field environment with a reliance on his off-speed and breaking pitches, particularly a split-finger changeup. Despite the lack of power pitches, De La Rosa still managed a 20.7% strikeout rate against a 9.3% walk rate. He induced plenty of ground balls along with weak fly balls through his career with the Rockies.

De La Rosa’s confidence on the mound was demonstrated by his ability to pitch backwards and throw any of his pitches in any count. The ability to be confident in his entire arsenal is crucial for a pitcher in Colorado, and De La Rosa was a great example of that. He could mix his fastball and split-finger up and down while disrupting time with his unique delivery.

While many pitchers let Coors Field dictate their strategy, De La Rosa adapted his repertoire to rely on gravity-based movement and coincide with his aggressive and resilient approach to prevent a compounding of errors.

Conclusion

There are certainly plenty more pitchers we could talk about (perhaps we’ll save that for another time), but these three examples are a great place to start. You can certainly look for certain archetypes and profiles that will fit at Coors Field; that’s just part of the game, but you also have to find a way to emphasize the intangible aspects that aren’t found in a stat sheet.

Colorado is a tough place to pitch, but it’s not impossible to have success there. Mindset and repertoire are important, and the Rockies would do well to keep looking for those who aren’t just trying to conquer and solve Coors Field, but learn how to be a successful pitcher that just happens to play at Coors Field.

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Shohei Ohtani will be in Dodgers’ Game 3 lineup against Brewers

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani will be in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani will bat anywhere from second to sixth with the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series.

“He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically (with his swing),” Roberts said. “He was adamant that he can help us. He’s well enough to help us win a baseball game, so that’s all I needed to hear.”

Ohtani is hitting .150 (3 for 20) over six postseason games. He has seven strikeouts, three walks and one stolen base with no home runs, no RBIs and an OPS of .411.

He hasn’t homered since Aug. 18 at Colorado.

Ohtani admitted before the NLDS against Atlanta that he’s not 100% healthy from right biceps and left knee issues that bothered him the last the last few months of the regular season. He has appeared visibly uncomfortable at the plate while flailing at pitches.

“The symptoms have subdued a lot,” Ohtani said through a translator while making an unscheduled appearance in the off-day interview room. “The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason why I can’t hit, and even if the injuries happen by accident, I take full responsibility.”

Roberts spoke to Ohtani before the team worked out at Dodger Stadium, where Ohtani took on-field batting practice, something he rarely does during the regular season.

Roberts said their conversation wasn’t about benching the Japanese superstar, but rather offering him time off similar to Freddie Freeman during the postseason in 2024. Freeman had a sprained ankle and bone bruise, and took three days off spanning the NL Division Series and NLCS before earning World Series MVP honors.

“Over the course of this long season, there’s only really a short period of time when my mechanics is completely in sync,” Ohtani said. “So it’s just really kind of just going back and forth, finding the right parts of the swing and managing just the different parts of the swing. It’s a constant, ongoing process that’s headed in the right direction.”

Ohtani led the Dodgers to a four-game NLCS sweep of Milwaukee last year, when the Brewers hit a measly .118 against LA’s pitching.

He was 5 for 14 (.357) with three home runs, four walks and five strikeouts as NLCS MVP — all three homers came in a memorable Game 4 clinch in which he also struck out 10 as a pitcher. He had a 1.643 OPS and 1.143 slugging percentage.

“We remember vividly at this time last year that he maybe had the best baseball game ever played the day he pitched against us and hit a home run every time up, it seemed like,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “You can’t forget that, his capabilities. But you still have to go at him.”

Ohtani is known for hitting homers but the offensively starved Dodgers would take any kind of production from him at this point.

“In this big moment, we’re listening to Shohei, and we’re going to support the crap out of him and believe in him,” Roberts said, “and that’s it.”

Snell looking to rebound for Dodgers in Game 3

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell starts for Los Angeles against Robert Gasser of the Brewers in a matchup of left-handers.

The Dodgers will be looking to get considerably more innings out of Snell than in his last start on Oct. 4.

He lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up one run, three hits, walking five and striking out five, in a 3-2 loss in Game 2 of the NLDS against Atlanta. He didn’t speak to media afterward and has kept a low profile since then.

“Just a lot of time talking to myself, figuring out where I need to get to, where I’m at,” he said. “Watching two games against Milwaukee, just kind of game planning, seeing what I can expose, what they’re doing really well. Just trying to figure them out.”

Mitchell back home

Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell grew up in Orange County as a Los Angeles Angels fan. His family had season tickets in left field. He went to high school with the son of Angels star Garret Anderson.

“Got to have some good conversations with him, take some blasts into the past and talk about memories,” Mitchell said. “I was a shortstop when I was a kid, too. So I enjoyed watching David Eckstein and Adam Kennedy, and I also have a personal relationship with Adam Kennedy as well.”

Mitchell said the way the Angels played reminds him of how the Brewers approach games.

“Guys who maybe aren’t the greatest or the best on the field but know what they’ve got to do and know their roles and grind and compete to the best of their abilities,” he said. “That’s what it takes, it’s a team effort.”

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NHL Power Rankings: New 1-32 poll

RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 13: Left Wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) of the Carolina Hurricanes fist bumps teammates on the bench to celebrate scoring during the NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes on October 13, 2026 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We’re just over two weeks into the NHL season, and it’s already been wild. There’s a lot of hockey left to play, but some trends are emerging that look very, very good for some of the Stanley Cup hopefuls, while fans of other teams might be hovering their fist over the panic button, ready to smash it at a moment’s notice.

Two of the most stunning teams to watch are the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers, two teams who figured to be far removed from the playoffs are experiencing an incredible surge to start the season, though it remains to be seen if it can be sustained. Both teams crack the Top 10 after ranking 29th and 23rd, respectively, in our preseason rankings.

Here are the full rankings right now, then we’ll dive into this a little bit.

RankTeamRecord
1Carolina Hurricanes6-1-1
2Edmonton Oilers5-0-1
3Vegas Golden Knights6-2-0
4Winnipeg Jets4-1-1
5New York Rangers6-2-0
6Utah Mammoth5-2-0
7Boston Bruins5-2-0
8Seattle Kraken5-2-0
9Ottawa Senators5-2-0
10Colorado Avalanche4-2-0
11Tampa Bay Lightning4-2-0
12Minnesota Wild4-2-1
13Anaheim Ducks4-2-0
14Montreal Canadiens3-2-1
15St. Louis Blues3-2-1
16Washington Capitals3-3-0
17Pittsburgh Penguins3-3-1
18Toronto Maple Leafs3-3-1
19Buffalo Sabres3-3-1
20Florida Panthers3-2-2
21San Jose Sharks3-3-0
22New York Islanders3-3-0
23Nashville Predators2-2-2
24New Jersey Devils3-3-0
25Dallas Stars2-3-1
26Columbus Blue Jackers2-3-0
27Detroit Red Wings1-3-2
28Vancouver Canucks2-6-0
29Chicago Blackhawks2-5-0
30Los Angeles Kings0-3-2
31Calgary Flames1-5-0
32Philadelphia Flyers0-5-3

The Carolina Hurricanes are even better, somehow

Logic typically dictates that the Stanley Cup Champion should take a step back, but there’s something in the water in Raleigh right now. The Hurricanes opened the season with a rusty two games, but have been a powerhouse ever since — winning six in a row, and beating some good teams along the way.

Carolina’s brand of hockey has always put a premium on team play over star power, comfortably settling to exist in a zone where five or six guys finish the season with 60+ points, rather than a couple registering over a point a game. Thus far in 2026-27 they’re doing both, with Sebastian Aho sitting at 13 points in 8 games, with Andrei Svechnikov at 11 points. Both players have been criticized over their careers for underachieving, but it’s as if the cup transformed them into top-tier superstars over night, and they’re not only playing the best hockey of their careers — but some of the best in the NHL, period.

The Hurricanes currently have six players on pace to finish with over 60 points, with Aho, and Svechnikov trending towards having over 100 points on the season. It’s another gear this team has reached, and they look terrifying.

The Oilers are playing like a team on a mission

Everyone in Edmonton is well aware that there’s a very narrow window for them to truly make a run. Connor McDavid gave the team two years notice when he signed a new contract designed to send a message that the Oilers need to make a run now, or lose him in 2027-28. Time is running out, and Edmonton is doing its best to convince him it can be a contender for the rest of his career.

The undefeated Oilers are the best team in the west right now, and the emergence of Vasily Podkolzin as a goal scorer has added a dimension to the top lines that the Oilers have lacked in the past. A mixture of their stellar top talent in McDavid, Leon Draitsaitl, and Evan Bouchard — paired with young players making the jump makes Edmonton a team to watch.

The Stars are in trouble

Dallas is an excellent team defensively, but for whatever reason this team can’t score a goal to save its life. Getting just two goals apiece from Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson simply isn’t good enough considering how much they’re being paid while being defensive liabilities. Goal scoring is the one thing they are supposed to bring to the table, and it’s not happening.

Jake Oettinger is bailing this team out in goal, but despite having a .944 SV% and a 1.20 GAA, he’s still 2-2 on the season because nobody can find the back of the net. This needs to change, and soon — or it’s going to be a long season in Dallas.

Philadelphia is in hell

I really bought in to the idea that the Flyers would take a step forward in 2026-27 following their playoff run, with both Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov seeming poised to break out. Not only has that not happened, but Philadelphia is ATROCIOUS.

Nobody can’t score, their passing is mediocre, the defense is bad, and Daniel Vladar has taken a step back in goal. The Flyers are winless, sitting at a -21, while being 32nd in goals for, and 31st in goals against. There’s nothing left to say.

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What do the cheapest tickets cost to see the Knicks at MSG in 2026-27?

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Knicks star Jalen Brunson drives to the hoop.

The road to the repeat begins now.

On Oct. 20, Jalen Brunson and the defending NBA champion New York Knicks kick off their 2026-27 season at Madison Square Garden against LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid’s new-look Philadelphia 76ers.

After that momentous occasion — that will include a pre-game ceremony where a championship banner is lifted to the rafters — Brunson, KAT, Mikal, OG and Hart of the City have a number of huge games scheduled on their home court.

Just a few of the most notable contests on the calendar include showdowns with Donovan Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 11), Tyrese Haliburton’s Indiana Pacers (Nov. 22), a Finals rematch with Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs (Dec. 25), Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors (Feb. 13, 2027) and former Knick Mitchell Robinson’s Boston Celtics (March 14, 2027).

Plus, don’t forget Julius Randle and the Brooklyn Nets drop in on Sunday, Dec. 27.

If you’d like to catch these games or any others, tickets are officially available for all 41 Knicks 2026-27 home games at MSG (as well as a few NBA Cup battles).

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any one regular season home game was $169 including fees on Vivid Seats (that’s for the Oct. 25 game against Paolo Banchero’s Magic).

Other hardwood battles at the Garden have tickets starting anywhere from $182 to $1,149 including fees.

And, they’ll need you there.

According to The Post, Reggie Miller said the Knicks have a “great chance of repeating” but warned that the Eastern Conference has gotten better and the Knicks have a bullseye on their back.

“It won’t be easy for the Knicks to reclaim home court advantage [in the playoffs], but they have the players (and coaching staff) to make it happen in an uber-competitive East,” Daily Knicks wrote. “It’ll be key to their chances of defending the 2026 NBA Championship.”

Don’t sleep on the team and take the season for granted- help make “Knicks in 5” happen all over again this year.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about seeing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in 2026-27 below.

How can I get tickets to see the New York Knicks play at MSG in 2026-27?

A complete calendar including all home game dates, opponents, start times and links to buy tickets are listed here:

October 2026 preseason games at MSG

Knicks October 2026 preseason gamesTicket prices
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Toronto Raptors vs. Knicks
Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.		$85(including fees)

October 2026 regular season games at MSG

Knicks October 2026 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Knicks
Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.		$1,149(including fees)
Orlando Magic vs. KnicksSunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.$169(including fees)
Detroit Pistons vs. Knicks
Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.		$193(including fees)

November 2026 regular season games at MSG

Knicks November 2026 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Brooklyn Nets vs. Knicks
Monday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m.		$194(including fees)
Chicago Bulls vs. KnicksWednesday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.$199(including fees)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Knicks
Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m.		$165(including fees)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. KnicksWednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.$234(including fees)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. KnicksSaturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.$239(including fees)
Indiana Pacers vs. KnicksSunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.$190(including fees)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Knicks
NBA Cup Game
Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.		$290(including fees)
Miami Heat vs. KnicksNBA Cup Game
Friday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.		$365(including fees)
Atlanta Hawks vs. KnicksSunday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.$197(including fees)

*Games listed as “NBA Cup Game” are part of the NBA in-season tournament.

December 2026 regular season games at MSG

Knicks December 2026 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Utah Jazz vs. KnicksWednesday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.$280(including fees)
San Antonio Spurs vs. KnicksFriday, Dec. 25 at 12 p.m.$519(including fees)
Brooklyn Nets vs. KnicksSunday, Dec. 27 at 6 p.m.$346(including fees)

January 2027 regular season games at MSG

Knicks January 2027 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Denver Nuggets vs. KnicksMonday, Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m.$204(including fees)
Miami Heat vs. KnicksThursday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.$259(including fees)
Dallas Mavericks vs. KnicksSaturday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.$272(including fees)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. KnicksMonday, Jan. 18 at 5 p.m.$208(including fees)
Toronto Raptors vs. KnicksWednesday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.$199(including fees)
LA Clippers vs. KnicksSunday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.$205(including fees)
Phoenix Suns vs. KnicksTuesday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m.$182(including fees)
Atlanta Hawks vs. KnicksThursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.$188(including fees)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. KnicksSaturday, Jan. 30 at 8:30 p.m.$385(including fees)

February 2027 regular season games at MSG

Knicks February 2027 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Toronto Raptors vs. KnicksThursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.$216(including fees)
Charlotte Hornets vs. KnicksTuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.$202(including fees)
Golden State Warriors vs. KnicksSaturday, Feb. 13 at 8:30 p.m.$343(including fees)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. KnicksThursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.$297(including fees)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. KnicksSaturday, Feb. 27 at 8:30 p.m.$392(including fees)
Milwaukee Bucks vs. KnicksSunday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.$199(including fees)

March 2027 regular season games at MSG

Knicks March 2027 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. KnicksTuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.$188(including fees)
Boston Celtics vs. KnicksSunday, March 14 at 12 p.m.$331(including fees)
Sacramento Kings vs. KnicksWednesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.$199(including fees)
Washington Wizards vs. KnicksSaturday, March 20 at 1 p.m.$297(including fees)
New Orleans Pelicans vs. KnicksTuesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.$193(including fees)
Houston Rockets vs. KnicksWednesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.$209(including fees)

April 2027 regular season games at MSG

Knicks April 2027 regular season gamesTicket prices
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Charlotte Hornets vs. KnicksThursday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m.$193(including fees)
Boston Celtics vs. KnicksSunday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m.$298(including fees)
Detroit Pistons vs. KnicksFriday, April 9 at 7 p.m.$237(including fees)
Indiana Pacers vs. KnicksSunday, April 11 at 6 p.m.$230(including fees)

Where are the Knicks playing on the road in 2026-27?

Here’s where you can find Brunson, Towns and the team when they’re not at MSG from October 2026 through April 2027.

How can I watch the Knicks on TV in 2026-27?

There are a number of options for fans who prefer to watch games from the comfort of their own home.

MSG Network, ABC, ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime Video and NBA TV are likely your best bets.

For cord cutters, we recommend looking into Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling or YouTube TV.

Just make sure to check local listings before tuning in.

Huge shows at MSG in 2026-27

Want to catch a show at the Big Apple’s one-of-a-kind entertainment epicenter?

Here are just five of the biggest acts headed to the Garden these next few months.

• Dave Chappelle (Nov. 6-7)

• Dave Matthews Band (Nov. 12-13)

• Stevie Wonder (Nov. 19)

• Doja Cat with Latto (Dec. 1)

• Andrea Bocelli (Dec. 16-17)

Who else is headed to the Garden? Take a look at this list of all the biggest events at MSG these next few months to find the show or game for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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New Warriors addition Brandon Williams addresses his viral meme with Steph Curry

New Warriors addition Brandon Williams addresses his viral meme with Steph Curry originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

New Warriors addition Brandon Williams spent last year trying to get under Steph Curry’s skin. Now he spends his days trying to learn from him.

The two share a strange history built almost entirely on viral moments. In a February 2025 Dallas Mavericks win over the Warriors, Williams shrugged on an imaginary backpack and flexed his muscles directly at Curry near the free-throw line — timed perfectly so Curry’s back was turned the entire time. A separate graphic comparing their career three-point totals made the rounds too, showing Williams with one made three in his career against Curry’s more than 3,000 — a gap wide enough to become a running joke of its own.

Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke, Williams was asked what stands out to him now that he has actually studied Curry as a teammate rather than an opponent.

“Besides the bizarre threes and everything like that, I think it’s how he comes into work every day,” Williams said. “His preparation is very detailed — he knows exactly what he’s getting out of it. I’m a sponge, so I take anything I can. If it’s Steph, if it’s the last guy, it doesn’t matter who it is. I try to learn something from everybody.”

Williams said the part of Curry’s game that impresses him most is not even the shooting itself.

“It’s obvious when he has the ball he’s dangerous, but I think even more when he doesn’t — he’s just flying around without the ball,” Williams said. “You have to be so alert and aware of where he is at all times.”

Reflecting on the shift from rival to teammate, Williams did not shy away from the moments that made him briefly infamous around the league.

“It’s crazy, it’s crazy. Me and Steph have had our run-ins, especially last year,” Williams said. “They made a funny little graphic when I hit my first career three. It was good meme stuff, but it’s good to be compared to him in terms of threes.”

The player who once flexed on Curry from behind now studies him from the next locker over — proof that even a viral grudge can turn into one of the better basketball educations in the league.

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St. Louis Blues Reportedly Interested In Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson; Would They Be Willing To Part Ways With The Necessary Assets?

Throughout the off-season and now as the 2026-27 NHL season is in full swing, the St. Louis Blues have been interested in adding a young, NHL-proven defenseman.

They've long been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes' 25-year-old blueliner Alexander Nikishin, but nothing has materialized. Many insiders believe the Blues are the frontrunners to land Nikishin, but progress has stalled for quite some time.

But a new young stud defenseman has hit the trade market: Detroit Red Wings' Simon Edvinsson.

Like Nikishin, Edvinsson is a restricted free agent without a contract, and he, too, prefers a trade away from the team that holds his rights. The 23-year-old is a do-it-all defender with a very intriguing skill set.

Standing 6-foot-6, Edvinsson is a two-way defender who most believe has more to offer offensively. Through two full seasons, Edvinsson's career high is nine goals and 31 points. Despite owning a large frame, Edvinsson still ranks highly in many of NHL EDGE's skating speed stats. 

He uses his footwork efficiently to defend against the rush and on puck retrievals. His reach helps him maintain effective gaps and recover defensively. He plays in all situations and is on a really strong path to becoming a top-pairing defenseman, if he isn't already considered one. 

A Hurricanes Trade For Connor Hellebuyck Reportedly Could Depend On The Blues And Alexander NikishinA Hurricanes Trade For Connor Hellebuyck Reportedly Could Depend On The Blues And Alexander NikishinThe St. Louis Blues remain interested in Alexander Nikishin, but now, their interest has direct implications on the Carolina Hurricanes' pursuit of Connor Hellebuyck.

Whatever team lands Edvinsson is gaining a high-end defenseman, but it will definitely come at a cost.

His contract projection keeps rising as the salary cap grows and big contracts are handed out across the NHL. But the price to acquire him might be greater. The Red Wings are in an interesting spot. They have several skilled players like Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin (another player who has requested a trade), Alex DeBrincat, Moritz Seider, and John Gibson, as well as several young, enticing prospects. 

With that, they hope to land an NHL-proven player among picks and prospects. Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon believes the Red Wings would prefer a promising young NHL center in return, suggesting Dalibor Dvorsky as an option. 

NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Simon Edvinsson And Alexander NikishinNHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Simon Edvinsson And Alexander NikishinTrade rumors continue to swirl around Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin, but are either players close to getting moved?

This raises an interesting question for the Blues. They think highly of Dvorsky, who has now locked down a middle-six center role for the Blues. But is he truly untouchable?

The Blues are committed to Robert Thomas as captain, made a big move to land Mason McTavish, and drafted two centers, Tynan Lawrence and Maddox Dagenais, in the first round of the last NHL draft. 

A position that was once a need is now a strength for the Blues, which could help them acquire a player like Edvinsson or Nikishin to address another need. 

Losing Dvorsky would be a tough pill to swallow. He's proven to be a reliable defensive center with strong offensive traits, highlighted by a heavy, accurate shot. If there were one downside to Dvorsky's game, it's his skating speed. The question is whether it's enough for the Blues to feel comfortable moving on. 

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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst won’t stop banging the Cooper Flagg drum

MACAU, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Cooper Flagg #32 of Dallas Mavericks dunks during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. 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 Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The headline on Brian Windhorst’s latest column for ESPN reads: “Why Cooper Flagg’s ascension is starting to feel inevitable.”

In it, Windhorst argues that the NBA media ecosystem has been a little slow in recognizing Flagg’s ascension, stopping just short of declaring the second-year stud ready to “take the NBA by storm.”

That he penned a column to that effect is notable, as Windy’s time is spent to a greater and greater degree behind a microphone or in front of a camera these days. He simply doesn’t write as many columns now, so Monday’s look is evidence that Windhorst thinks Flagg’s development and potential in year two is a particularly important story, league-wide.

It makes sense. A lot of the big-name star power in the NBA has been shipped out east. The Mavericks as a franchise, remain, shovel in hand, digging their way out of a mountain of their own make, and are not particularly attractive to a national television audience as currently constructed. All this leads to a downward pressure on Flagg’s media attention.

But Windy (and others, to be fair) stays beating the Cooper Flagg drum this preseason.

ESPN Analyst Brian Windhorst is all in on Cooper Flagg. Welcome to The Resistance, Windy. | Screenshot from ESPN

On Sept. 25, it was a segment on ESPN’s NBA Today, where Windy issued it glowingly and effusively:

“I feel like there’s not enough hype around Cooper Flagg,” he said. “I know it’s hard to say because he was tracked at Duke very closely, but because Victor Wembanyama took that giant step forward last year, and really took the league by the throat, and because there was so much attention to the tanking teams going for the 2026 Draft, and the Mavericks themselves became one of the tanking teams at the end, I don’t think people realized how breathtaking Cooper Flagg’s performance was last season. He absolutely reminded me, on an almost nightly basis, of LeBron as a rookie. All the way back to the fact that LeBron was forced to play point guard as a rookie, and that kind of took him out of his game a little bit like it did with Cooper last year. The ability for someone of his size to play multi positions, to grab a rebound and then to go down and start the offense, to guard up and down the lineup, I mean, and really, his shot is way better than I thought it’d be. I think it’s going to keep developing, and I couldn’t be higher on Cooper Flagg. I really believe that he’s going to enter the top-10 of the best players in the league sooner rather than later, and that his trajectory is really right there alongside Victor Wembanyama’s in terms of the future of the NBA.”

The direct parallels with James, whom Windhorst built the early part of his career reporting on, and his rookie year, are startling. To think that Mavs fans could be watching the next LeBron in his ascendency is a beautiful thought to think. Just don’t let those thoughts wander into morbid reflection about how ownership might screw this one up.

Then, on the team’s trip to Macau, China, Windy echoed his own sentiments, and if it’s even possible, amplified them in an interview with DLLS.

“I am extraordinarily bullish on his future and I am really excited about his present,” Windy said. “Because of the dynamics of the league, because LeBron is in Philadelphia, and Giannis is in Miami and the Knicks are the champions, and the Celtics are the Celtics, and Wembanyama’s Wembanyama, and Luka is now separate from LeBron, the Mavericks are not on national TV that much. It’s a good and a bad thing. Number one, it means Cooper is not getting the attention he deserves. … Grab onto Cooper. Get in early. Be there, because the league is overlooking him a little bit right now. Again, it’s not like they’re looking at him and going, ‘Ehh, he’s not that good.’ There is a set of circumstances that is depressing him a little bit. Mistake. And look, at ESPN, we’re going to put LeBron and Luka on, you know? We’re going to put Giannis and we’re going to put Victor on. We’re going to put Durant on. We’re going to put Ant Edwards on, but I’m telling you, if Cooper was a stock, I would buy it all. That’s how I feel about him.”

Windhorst isn’t the only one who’s comparing Flagg to James at this early juncture in his career. Flagg’s teammate Kyrie Irving did the same in some of his postgame comments after the Mavs’ second preseason game in Macao.

“I give my respect to KD and Bron and they are on their own separate categories and trajectories and careers but I would say this, I think Coop falls in line in terms of having that competitive nature at a very young age,” Irving said. “He’s displaying in front of you guys what’s capable of and he’s only going to continue to get better.”

It’s moments like these when I love being associated with this Little Fan Site That Could, because Windy, we outchea. We been here. We’ve been banging on the Cooper Flagg drum since jump. We made room for you, and we are here to declare that there is still room on the train for all of the lapsed Mavericks fans who had to take some time away from the team after the injustices suffered under the previous administration.

Glory awaits. The team is the laundry, not the financiers behind the building the team plays in. It’s become clear before his 20th birthday that Flagg is not only generational, but an all-time great in the making.

With a week to go before the Mavs’ first game of Flagg’s second year, it’s getting hard to contain the excitement surrounding the meteoric rise that this young man is about to embark on.

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Astros fire manager Joe Espada after .500 season, playoff exit

Joe Espada, whose tenure as Houston Astros manager was marked by sluggish starts followed by late-season rallies that left owner Jim Crane dissatisfied, was fired Wednesday, Oct. 14, two weeks after the Astros were eliminated in the American League wild-card round by the Chicago White Sox.

Espada's firing comes on the heels of Crane firing general manager Dana Brown on Aug. 24. Crane said at that time that Espada's status would be evaluated at the end of the season, a juncture that came quickly after the Astros were swept out of the playoffs in two games.

Tuesday, the Astros granted permission for Espada to interview for the vacant Seattle Mariners managerial job. Espada's contract with Houston expires at the end of this month.

"We are thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros," Crane said in a statement released by the club. "He represented the Astros and the Houston community in the most positive way. We wish he and his family the best moving forward."

The Astros also announced several members of the coaching staff who will either depart or remain, most notably that bench coach Omar Lopez, who guided Venezuela to the 2026 World Baseball Classic title, will be offered a different role in the organization.

Espada, 51, took over for Dusty Baker after the 2023 season and guided the Astros to an 88-73 record and the American League West title in his first season. But the Astros were swept out of the wild-card round by the Detroit Tigers, missed the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons in 2025 and failed to gain traction above .500 this season, which ended in an 81-81 record that was good enough to win the AL West but not enough to save his job.

Espada had a 256-229 record at the Astros’ helm and they exited the playoffs in the wild-card round both seasons he got them there. He spent six seasons as the Astros’ bench coach before Crane tabbed him to replace Baker.

His first squad got off to a 7-19 start, yet recovered to win 88 games and the West title. Similarly, the 2026 Astros lost 20 of their first 31 games. Yet the AL West's overall ineptitude kept them in the fight.

The Astros will be looking for their fourth permanent manager in 13 years and third in seven seasons after Baker took over for A.J. Hinch following Hinch’s 2020 firing for his role in the club’s 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

The club announced that pitching coach Josh Miller, first base coach Dave Clark, field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte will return.

Coaches not being retained include third base coach Tony Perezchica, assistant hitting coach Anthony Iapoce, assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz, catching instructor Tim Cossins and game planning coach Tommy Kawamura.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros fire manager Joe Espada after .500 season, playoff exit

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34 years ago today, my time as a baseball fan ended

A complex stew of factors combined to result in the creation of this specific NFL news outlet, which launched 25 years ago as of November 1. A reader reminded me of one of the specific dominoes that fell the right way a little while ago.

As a kid, I was a baseball fan before becoming a football fan. Growing up 60 miles from Pittsburgh, I loved the Pirates. I studied the box scores in the newspaper every day. I'd listen to games on the radio with my grandfather, who used a Tupperware container as a Mail Pouch spittoon. He often missed the target.

The 1979 "We Are Family" Pirates felt like a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Little did I know that it was.)

The '80s weren't great (the low point was 1985, and a record of 57-104). By the end of the decade, however, the pieces were in place for three straight National League East titles.

The 1990 NLCS felt like found money. Lose 4-2 to the Reds? Fine. Next year will be the year. Blowing a 3-2 lead to the Braves in the 1991 NLCS hurt.

But that was just the appetizer.

The 1992 NLCS became the lowest point possible. My wife (two years before we got hitched) and I went to multiple games. We were there the night Deion Sanders showed up after playing for the Falcons, but didn't get into the game. Down 3-1 in the series, the Pirates won that night (our seats in the upper deck at Three Rivers were so bad that we couldn't see the ball), and two nights later the Pirates forced a seventh game.

Game 7 happened 34 years ago today. We watched the game at her apartment in Pittsburgh. I was hobbling around on a hamstring that I'd torn, and then re-torn because I was too stubborn to let it heal.

Everything was going smoothly for the Pirates. They led, 2-0, entering the bottom of the ninth. Three outs to the World Series.

When the Braves scored a run on a sacrifice fly, I shrugged. It's fine, 2-1 is fine. This is fine. Only two outs to go.

Brian Hunter popped to shallow centerfield. One out to go. I still remember walking into the kitchen at her apartment and peering over the top of the railing above the sink while leaning against the counter and holding my breath as Francisco Cabrera came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Former Pirates first baseman Sid Bream was on second; he wouldn't score on a single. Extra innings would be fine. This is fine.

And then it happened. Routine single to left. OK, extra innings. Fine. But wait. What the hell? They sent Bream? Surely, Barry Bonds will nail him at home.

The throw from Bonds was off the line and the tag from Mike LaValliere wasn't in time and I looked down at the fake granite countertop and I said, "They won't be good again for at least 20 years. I'm done."

And that's when I forgot about baseball and became even more focused on football. Nine years and 18 days later, the flip was switched on ProFootballTalk.com, and here we are.

So, thanks, Francisco and Sid — and Barry. If the Pirates had won that game and advanced to the World Series, I may have never made the NFL the center of my sports universe. And I wouldn't be doing what I've been doing for as long as I've been doing it.

Still, it continues to sting. Thirty-four years to the day later.

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Philadelphia Phillies are keeping Don Mattingly as manager on a 2-year deal

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies are keeping Don Mattingly as manager, removing his interim tag and giving him a two-year deal even after a late-season collapse nearly cost the team a playoff spot.

Team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced the move. Mattingly led the team to a 79-55 record and a spot in the postseason after he replaced the fired Rob Thomson in late April. The Phillies nearly blew a four-game lead for a wild card in the final week of the regular season, then lost in three games to the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card Series.

The Phillies were 9-19 when they fired Thomson in April after he led the Phillies to four straight playoff appearances, including the 2022 World Series, and consecutive NL East titles.

Dombrowski and the Phillies were rebuffed twice by former Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Dombrowski was spurned by Cora when he made the move to fire Thomson and again after the season ended, leaving him in both cases with Mattingly.

The 65-year-old Mattingly was hired last offseason to serve as a bench coach and had another year left on his contract. With an MLB work stoppage on the table in December, leaving at least parts of next season in doubt, Mattingly is the safe and familiar choice to oversee a roster that includes Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and one of the top rotations in baseball.

Dombrowski has yet to hold his annual end-of-season press conference — he and Mattingly will speak Thursday, the team said. The Phillies were eliminated from the playoffs on Oct. 1.

The Phillies’ September swoon prevented them from lining up their pitching against Atlanta because it took until Game 162 to clinch a playoff spot.

Philadelphia forced Game 3 against the Braves with three dramatic solo home runs late in Game 2. But in the end, the Phillies were eliminated from the postseason for the fifth consecutive year as they chase their first World Series title since 2008.

The Phillies’ core of Harper, Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have made five straight playoff appearances and averaged 91 wins per year during that stretch. They have yet to win a championship and have been eliminated further and further from that goal each season since reaching the 2022 World Series.

The following season, Philadelphia exited in the National League Championship Series, and the next two years saw losses in the Division Series. A wild-card exit this season marked another step in the wrong direction.

Mattingly was one of three interim managers in baseball last season. Andy Green of the New York Mets and Chad Tracy of the Red Sox each were midseason replacements who eventually had the interim tag removed.

A six-time AL All-Star in his playing career with the New York Yankees, Mattingly is the father of Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly.

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5 Lessons Learned from Game 1 & 2 of the ALCS

Oct 13, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after pitching against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning in game two of the ALCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lessons Learned from ALCS Game 1 & 2

  1. This team had a long break heading into the ALCS, and looked rusty for it. It’s a consequence of being this good, but sweeping the Yankees meant the team essentially got a week away from baseball, and then the lineup — driven by the pitcher — featured short side platoon starters. Now with two games under their belt, look for the Rays offense to settle back in on Thursday on the road in Cleveland.
  2. Losing Game 1 is proper kick in the butt for the Rays in a best-of-seven. The Guardians scored all seven of their runs in the final four innings of Game 1, handing the Rays their first postseason loss. Now it’s on the Rays to play up to the moment. Cash framed the winning streak ending as potentially useful motivation, and I agree! Even a top seed needs to stay locked in. Also, you know what other team lost ALCS Game 1? The 2008 Rays!
  3. You need a little luck to be great. Junior Caminero benefitted from a walk the Guardians did not challenge that could have wildly changed Game 2. In a scoreless fourth, the Rays forced action with speed and contact on two outs. Chandler Simpson beat out an infield single, then José Ramírez’s fielding error on Ben Williamson’s grounder (the ball skipping through his legs on the turf) allowed the first run in Caminero. Liam Hicks immediately followed with a two-run single for a 3-0 lead—all three runs unearned. This very Rays-y small-ball inning showed how they punish defensive slips, but it never happens without that walk.
  4. Bryan Baker is an all-time great Rays closer. With his save in Game 2, the All-Star Baker now owns the franchise record for playoff saves, and is the first player in MLB history to allow 0 hits and earn the save in four consecutive playoff appearances (h/t Greg Harvey).
  5. Fastball Freddy firing on all cylinders. In Game 2, Peralta dialed in the Rays adjustments to his delivery and rode the adrenaline to a spectacular six inning performance, including a fastball up to 99.4 mph (averaging 96.9 mph, two mph above normal), and ripping it 71% of his 99 pitches thrown. Other than a couple curveballs, the rest was changeups, and strikeout inducing ones at that. It was an unfavorable matchup for the Guardians offense, to say the least.

Bonus: Attendance issues are back, and it certainly had something to do with prices. After much chatter online about the Rays not selling out, it was 35k instead of 42k in Game 1, and only 32k in Game 2. Those margins could have been filled if a weekday price for the 300 level in the cavernous Tropicana Field was $80 instead of $180, so there must be some sort of floor leading to strange pricing between MLB and the Rays. I can’t help but wonder if the energy behind the team’s all out media blitz to sell seats to marginal fans would be better directed at core fans who buy multiple tickets by offering discounts or clearer prices.

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Luka Doncic’s blunt 4-word reaction to dancing Lakers fan goes viral

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Luka Doncic smiling in the stands, Image 2 shows A fan wearing a Lakers jersey and a matching hat points a finger in the air while sitting courtside at a game

While Luka Dončić didn’t play in the Los Angeles lakers’ preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, that didn’t stop his fans from being active.

This was shown in the second quarter, when the game’s broadcast cameras focused in on one Lakers fan wearing a Dončić jersey dancing to “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC during a timeout.

Los Angeles Lakers fan dancing during a timeout of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. (X/@LukaUpdates).

After several seconds of the fan dancing (which was getting an animated reaction from other fans), the camera panned to Dončić, who looked to be watching the fan as well.

“Oh s***. He’s good!” Doncic said with a shrug after looking away from the fan.

Luka Dončić watching a Los Angeles Lakers fan dancing during a preseason game. (X/@LukaUpdates).
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after the Lakers received a technical foul in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89. Getty Images

Luka’s reaction has gone viral on social media, as fans are noting that he looks a lot more entertained by the dancing fan than by the game he was watching.

And that would be fair, given that Tuesday night’s game didn’t count and the Lakers didn’t exactly produce an entertaining on-court product in the 101-89 loss.

Dončić was held out of Tuesday’s game for rest purposes and isn’t injured. The Lakers will need to monitor his activity throughout the season, given that he’ll need to carry this year if they’re to put themselves in a position to make the playoffs.

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Red Sox star Payton Tolle hugged his way into our hearts

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 16: Boston pitcher Payton Tolle (70) embraces pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) following the conclusion of the during the MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves on May 16th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Before we begin looking ahead to 2027, OTM is looking back at 2026, highlighting some of the biggest, strangest, and most memorable moments that defined a memorable season. Today, we look back at a moment that is already defining the career of a young star.

On August 31, 2026, Payton Tolle hugged a grown man. In the midst of a still-gestating career, the hug is already what defines Tolle as both a ballplayer and a man. It even broke containment and made it onto The Today Show.

Hugs aren’t anything new in baseball. Hell, homoeroticism in general isn’t anything new in baseball, which, ironically, is frequently in the case in subcultures that are otherwise outwardly homophobic. But this hug was different. It happened on the field. It happened between two opponents who had never in their lives spoken to each other. It happened as part of the game play itself, with the hug doubling as a tag-out. And in a sport where being a red-ass is point of pride, it happened with a big, goofy smile.

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“The hug thing, I can go back to high school,” Tolle later said. “I used to hug the opposing coach in high school basketball whenever we would do the high-five lines… I was like, ‘No, I’m gonna make this uncomfortable. I’m gonna give him a nice hug.’ Most guys started to embrace it, but there were some that were like, ‘No, no, no.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m getting a hug here, man. I’m not running away from you until I get this.’”

Tolle’s ability to blow a fastball by just about anyone in the game is what’s going to make him a star. But his ability to embrace what so many other athletes find uncomfortable is what’s going to make him beloved.

Playing baseball in Boston is not like playing baseball anywhere else. It is genuinely important for Red Sox players — and for Red Sox stars in particular — to be comfortable with fame, if not to actively court it. Not every player is. When David Wells came to Boston for two years in the twilight of his career, he seemed like a good fit for the city. He was an established star with a big personality and a no-fucks-given attitude, and he’d already thrived in Yankees Universe, which presents its own kind of cauldron in the media capital of the world.

But Wells, as it turned out, hated his time in Boston, complaining that it was impossible for him to go anywhere without being asked to pose for a picture. In New York, even a personality as big as his was granted the blessing of anonymity outside the ballpark. He was just another celebrity in a city filled with them, a city that was home to literally millions of people who didn’t even know what Derek Jeter looked like, let alone David Wells.

It’s different in Boston. If you play for the Red Sox, you always play for the Red Sox, even as you go to the hardware store or try to grab a beer at the bar. You are one of the 26 most important people in the city, whether you asked to be or not. Players like Nomar, Mo Vaughn, and David Price struggled to handle this; David Ortiz, Pedro, and Dustin Pedroia thrived on it.

Payton Tolle is going to thrive on it. We already know this. This isn’t just because Payton Tolle is comfortable with fame; it’s because Payton Tolle is comfortable being Payton Tolle. He talks openly and genuinely about his emotions, about his faith, about the heart-breaking, life-defining death of his mother. He is not afraid to cry on camera, he’s not afraid to look vulnerable, he’s not afraid to subtly imply that a rival player is an overly intense asshole (though, somehow, he manages to do it entirely without judgement).

Tolle doesn’t seek the spotlight the way that others like Curt Schilling or Kevin Millar did. But he also doesn’t hide from it. And, more importantly, he doesn’t let it change him. That rare strength of personality is going to prove incredibly valuable as he grows into his inevitable role as Boston’s favorite son.

To be perfectly if not prematurely frank, I am already a little bit worried about Roman Anthony’s ability to handle the Boston spotlight. Anthony is already bristling and what he perceives to be unfair criticism over how he handled his injury this year. He has already pushed back against whispers that his nightlife is getting in the way of his baseball. I agree with him in both respects. Anthony has been unfairly burdened with the weight of expectations, and then unfairly criticized when his body prevented him from immediately meeting those expectations. But whether the criticism that is so often leveled at Red Sox stars is unfair or not is, unfortunately, immaterial for Anthony and Tolle. It is there and they need to accept that it’s there in order to thrive.

At this incredibly early stage of Anthony’s career, I am by no means passing judgment on whether he is going to be able to do that. But it is obvious that he didn’t have much fun this year. By the end of the season he looked like a man who was trying to shut out the rest of the world. He looked like a man who wanted to go home. He looked like a man who needed a hug.

Luckily, he knows where to find one.