CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 09: A Cincinnati Reds mascot stands on the field beofre the game between the Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on September 09, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Adolfo Sanchez repeated a level by staying in the Dominican Summer League again in 2025, doing so after a somewhat disappointing season there in 2024 where he posted just a .701 OPS as a 17 year old.
His 18 year old season, though, couldn’t have gone much better.
His repeat in the DOSL saw him hit .339/.474/.504 (.978 OPS) with more walks (24) than strikeouts (21) across 154 PA, even swiping 10 bags in the process. While he socked just a pair of homers, his line-drive approach saw him mash 8 doubles and a trio of triples, and it was a massive reduction in strikeouts that helped define his breakout campaign – he fanned 60 times in 177 PA the season before.
He’s a hit-first outfielder who can play center but likely will end up in right, and after signing for a $2.7 million signing bonus his work in 2025 gave the Reds a much better feeling about investing that kind of coin. Sanchez will certainly be stateside for the first time in 2026, the only question being whether they choose to slow-play him by starting him in the Arizona Complex League or if they’ll send the now 19 year old straight to Daytona in the Class-A Florida State League.
While he doesn’t have any one tool that jumps off the board, he’s got five tools that are above average, especially an ability to run and throw that complement his hitting prowess well. He’s also physically mature for the most part, meaning the Reds might well choose to be more aggressive in promoting him since they won’t be simply waiting for him to fill out further.
All of that compiled is your #14 prospect in this year’s Community Prospect Rankings, as Sanchez outlasted his peers in the voting.
Benjamin Sesko will never forget the sweet pirouette-and-finish that burst Bernd Leno’s net in stoppage time to earn Manchester United a dramatic victory over Fulham.
Only 180 seconds earlier Kevin had curled a peach of an equaliser past Senne Lammens in the 92nd minute that hushed the Old Trafford faithful and seemed to have grabbed a point for the visitors.
We are launching a new daily article here at South Side Sox, more prominently than our items that pop up on The Feed. It falls under the category of White Sox Discussions, which you’ll see in a few weeks will also be our new branding for Game Threads.
A lot’s happened this offseason, and while we as White Sox fans remain angry about a low payroll and lack of core superstars, the team will undoubtedly improve in 2026. Bring over Munetaka Murakami from Japan, both a power-boost move on the field and a shocking reversal of fortunes for a team so flaccid in free agency, is a big reason. But even if that move doesn’t pan out along with countless other “AAAA” adds by the White Sox this offseason, the young core of this team alone should present sunnier days.
What stands out as the biggest reason why we’ll be happy to have been dialed in to the White Sox in 2026?
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 31: Noel Acciari #55 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against the New York Rangers at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Over the summer, a respected voice like Elliotte Friedman really drove home a lot of feelings about the Pittsburgh Penguins in a podcast:
“It’s really hard to make deals right now because there are 31 teams in the NHL attempting to get better….then there is Pittsburgh”
Turns out the signings of players like Anthony Mantha, Parker Wotherspoon, Justin Brazeau and Connor Dewar didn’t impress many people in the moment. Someone forgot to tell the Penguin players they were going to be uncompetitive this year. Rolling on a six-game winning streak, Pittsburgh has climbed solidly into second place in the Metropolitan Division.
As the Olympic break approaches this Thursday, here’s the picture in the Eastern Conference.
The mission is becoming clear for the Pens: stay ahead of Columbus, Washington, Philadelphia and New Jersey and they will make the playoffs. Considering that Washington has been stuck in neutral for a while, Philadelphia has melted away and New Jersey has yet to put it all together, that mission for the Penguins looks more achievable with every passing game.
What a shocking season this has been. The two time Stanley Cup champion (and, let’s not forget 3x Eastern Conference champion) Florida Panthers are eight points out of a playoff spot. Other, almost near unanimous preseason playoff shoo-ins like Ottawa, Toronto, New Jersey and Washington find themselves in the bottom-half of the block too.
Pittsburgh is one of many surprise stories and success stories. John Gibson has boosted Detroit, Matthew Schaefer is absurdly good for the Islanders. Buffalo fired their GM and somehow shook themselves out of the doldrums at a most unexpected time. Ditto Columbus, just replace the word ’GM’ in last sentence with ‘coach’.
But, bias aside, Pittsburgh might be the most astounding stories of them all. The team that was pushed to the side and about unanimously picked to finish last – in the division, if not the conference or the entire league, instead has been one of the best teams and stories across them all so far. Now almost two-thirds of the way through the season (at 53 games, they’ve completed 64.6% of it), it’s no fluke or something to be written off as a small sample.
The Penguins have a good process offensively. Defensively they’re nothing special but not to a harmful amount, and they still keep shots down. Both of their special teams are top-5 level. They are getting great goaltending inputs and finishing chances when they shoot. Pick a category, Pittsburgh is pretty darn good at just about all of them.
Many of the popular models are starting to buy in at this point to shift and adjust their pictures that now include the Penguins in post-season outlooks.
The Milwaukee Bucks are wrestling with whether to bring down the curtain on the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and it would be no surprise if there’s a distracted vibe in today’s clash with the Boston Celtics.
Milwaukee has lost four in a row and will be without Giannis again here, so my Bucks vs. Celtics predictions expect Boston to take care of business, powered by more Payton Pritchard fireworks.
Check out my NBA picks for this Eastern Conference showdown on Sunday, February 1.
Bucks vs Celtics prediction
Bucks vs Celtics best bet: Payton Pritchard Over 16.5 points (-110)
Despite Jayson Tatum’s injury and Kristaps Porzingis’ exit, the Boston Celtics still rank second in the league in 3-pointers made per game this season.
Payton Pritchard has willingly stepped up from beyond the arc, and he had free rein to cook on Friday with Jaylen Brown sitting out. He turned those extra touches into 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting against Sacramento, and Pritchard's a high-value pick to continue that hot streak against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While he probably won’t have that kind of volume today, Pritchard still fits in effortlessly when Brown and Derrick White are running the show, and he’s averaging 21.2 points per game across his last five games. That leads me to the Over on this points prop, after Pritchard knocked down his 3-pointers at a 42% clip in January.
It helps that the Bucks are on the ropes — their double-digit loss to Washington this past Thursday says it all. I don’t expect the visitors to offer much resistance defensively, especially with the Giannis shadow still looming over the franchise.
That should mean some great looks for Pritchard, who’s a slightly more accurate shooter at TD Garden and has become a steady No. 3 option for Boston.
Bucks vs Celtics same-game parlay
Piggybacking on a big Pritchard game, I’ll take the Over on this Celtics team total. The hosts are averaging 116.3 ppg this season, and without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee could be vulnerable to an avalanche of Boston 3-pointers.
Antetokounmpo’s absence also opens up more rebounding opportunities for his teammates, and Kyle Kuzma has upped his activity on the glass lately. Kuzma has hauled in 27 boards across his past three contests, and he’s seen an uptick in court time, logging 30+ minutes in four of his last five games.
White continues to contribute all over the box score for Boston, but his 3-point slump has been alarming.
The Celtics guard shot just 26% from downtown in January, and he’s only knocked down 3+ triples in one of his last nine outings.
Bucks vs Celtics SGP
Payton Pritchard Over 16.5 points
Celtics Over 114.5
Kyle Kuzma Over 6.5 rebounds
Derrick White Under 2.5 threes
Bucks vs Celtics odds
Spread: Bucks +13.5 (-110) | Celtics -13.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Bucks +550 | Celtics -900
Over/Under: Over 217.5 (-110) | Under 217.5 (-110)
Bucks vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Bucks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Celtics.
How to watch Bucks vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Bucks vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Is Sunday LeBron James' final game in Madison Square Garden?
Fans are treating it like it is. In a city where hot tickets — from hit Broadway shows to Harry Styles coming residency at Madison Square Garden — are a fact of life, no ticket is hotter right now than when the Knicks host LeBron and the Lakers on Sunday at 7 p.m. (a game you can watch on NBC and Peacock, it’s the debut of Sunday Night Basketball).
This is the most expensive NBA regular-season game ticket since Kobe Bryant's final game in Los Angeles, according to both Gametime and TickPick.
Lakers-Knicks at MSG is one of the biggest matchups of the season!
Just the average ticket price for this game is close to $900, according to Gametime.
Is this LeBron's final game in New York, at age 41 in his record 23rd NBA season? Nobody knows, not even LeBron.
"I don't know what the future holds," LeBron said last week after an emotional return to Cleveland this week. "I'm just trying to live in the moment."
LeBron said he and his family would discuss his future after this season. Most people in league circles think LeBron will play one more season, kind of a farewell tour, but it will not be with the Lakers. New York and Cleveland have been speculated to be the most likely final stops in LeBron's unparalleled career if he does play another season.
But this could be his final game in Madison Square Garden. It's just one more reason to tune into what will be a star-studded game with All-Star Game starters Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, among others. Be sure to tune in on NBC and Peacock to not miss a moment of what shapes up to be an epic game.
Whichever way you look at it, Jakub Dobes has now taken over as the Montreal Canadiens’ number one goaltender. Hockey is a results business, and the Czech netminder does nothing but deliver results. With Saturday night’s win, the 24-year-old now has an 18-5-3 record. To put it bluntly, he has won twice as many games as Samuel Montembeault, who has a 9-5-3 record.
Granted, Dobes’ goals-against average (2.92) could be better and so could his save percentage (.894), but behind a Canadiens’ team that is now a well-oiled scoring machine (189 goals for, third-highest total in the league), they are enough.
With the week the young netminder has had, the net must be his to lose. He now has an 8-0-1 record in his last nine games, and considering how tight the standings are, the Canadiens need results. They need points, and Dobes is the man who gives them the best chance of getting them.
Montembeault has had more than enough chances to reclaim his spot, and he’s failed to do so. The Canadiens cannot afford to gamble on him anymore. Unless there’s a back-to-back or Dobes has an awful game, there’s no reason for the Habs to go back to Montembeault. Kent Hughes said in his mid-season review that the goaltender who plays the best will play the most, and by that logic, the net has to be Dobes’.
Granted, in an ideal world, an NHL team has two goalies who can perform, but you need to play with the hand you were dealt. As for needing a veteran in net in the playoffs, well, Montembeault may be 29, but he’s only ever played three playoff games, last season when the Canadiens were eliminated in five games by the Washington Capitals. He was injured in the third match, which means that Dobes, who was his backup, also has three games of playoff experience, and he’s the one who picked up the sole win (even though Montembeault started the game).
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 18: Steven Adams #12 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center on January 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Excuses, excuses…
Injuries. Yuck.
The worst part of sports. Bar none. Everything you planned was wasted. It was all contingent on the roster you thought you had.
You know injuries are coming, but you don’t know when or where. They cannot be accounted for.
They’ve been one of the defining features of the Houston Rockets’ season.
There are different types of injuries – or more to the point, different types of NBA players. The Rockets’ stars have mostly been healthy. Alperen Sengun has been dealing with some ailments lately. They seem to be impacting his level of play when he can get on the floor. Still, he’s appeared in 39 of the Rockets’ 46 games.
Still, an NBA team can’t survive on star power alone. There are lower usage players who are functionally integral to a team’s gameplan.
The Rockets have been missing those guys all year.
Key Rockets players are missing
It starts with Fred VanVleet.
How did the Rockets succeed last year? By controlling the possession game. They dominated the offensive glass, and their 14.0% Turnover Percentage ranked a sufficient 11th in the NBA.
They still control the glass. Their 40.6% Offensive Rebound Percentage is historic. Regrettably, their 15.8% Turnover Percentage is third-worst in the league.
There’s a clear causal relationship between the increased turnover and the loss of VanVleet. He’s one of the safest point guards in the NBA. VanVleet seldom makes mistakes.
At times, fans complained about his conservative brand of offense. The league’s most significant needle-movers indeed take risks to yield rewards. That’s why VanVleet isn’t a superstar, but his ability to manage the offense was always part of the game plan.
Now, there’s concern that the other half of the plan will be compromised.
Steven Adams was an undeniably large part of that dominant offensive rebounding. He’s one of the best in league history. Clint Capela will suffice, and the Rockets will still lead the NBA in Offensive Rebounding % at the end of the season. That said, their utter dominance may be weakened.
Especially if Tari Eason keeps missing games. Like Sengun, he’s been around more than not (36 games), but given his history, the missed games are a cause for concern. Sengun likely needs to just take a week off and let that ankle fully heal. It’s a bit more difficult to diagnose the oft-injured Eason. Getting his additional offensive rebounding from the wings has been part of Houston’s strategy as well.
What will they do if he’s not available?
Rockets need to focus
What’s more, Dorian Finney-Smith’s whole season has been compromised. He was Houston’s big summer signing. It’s not Finney-Smith’s fault, but Houston has seen little return on investment. Even when he’s available, Finney-Smith looks like he’s working through the rust.
This team feels snake-bitten. Little has gone right. Well…
There’s always next year.
VanVleet should be back. Adams too. If everything clicks, the 2026-27 season could be a banner year for the Rockets:
But they can’t afford to think that way.
Win a playoff series. That’s all we ask in 2025-26. It would be a step forward. After that, the Rockets would be playing with house money:
If they were structurally intact, it would be a different story.
There’s been no sophomore slump for Cutter Gauthier, who leads the Anaheim Ducks in goals and points through 54 games.
Ahead of tonight's matchup against Las Vegas, my Golden Knights vs. Ducks predictions see Gauthier making his mark against a team struggling to keep the puck out.
Let’s dive deeper into my NHL picks for Sunday, February 1.
Golden Knights vs Ducks prediction
Golden Knights vs Ducks best bet:Cutter Gauthier Over 0.5 points (-150)
The Vegas Golden Knights may lead the Pacific Division, but they’re far from flawless — particularly in net.
Vegas currently ranks 28th in team save percentage and has struggled mightily to keep the puck out of its net. The Golden Knights had hoped goaltender Carter Hart would provide some stability, but he struggled mightily before getting injured.
Adin Hill has only further exposed those issues. Since rejoining the team, he’s endured a miserable stretch, allowing 21 goals over five starts.
Put it all together, and the Golden Knights have surrendered 3.4 goals per game over their last 20 contests and 3.5 over their past 10. Now they head into a road back-to-back against a potent Anaheim Ducks offense led by Cutter Gauthier.
Gauthier has feasted on teams that struggle defensively, hitting the scoresheet in 11 of his last 14 games against Bottom-10 teams in points allowed.
That stretch includes a two-point performance against Vegas in late November, when Gauthier piled up six shots and a ridiculous 14 shot attempts.
Anaheim will lean heavily on Gauthier to get back on track, and I expect him to deliver once again.
Golden Knights vs Ducks same-game parlay
Mason McTavish is centering Gauthier on the top line and should see increased opportunity with phenom Leo Carlsson sidelined.
Tomas Hertl has hit the scoresheet in eight of his last 10 games against Bottom-5 teams in goals against, piling up 13 points over that span.
Newcomer Rasmus Andersson has also been firing the puck since arriving in Vegas, recording multiple shots on target in all five games with the Golden Knights.
Golden Knights vs Ducks SGP
Cutter Gauthier Over 0.5 points
Mason McTavish Over 0.5 points
Tomas Hertl Over 0.5 points
Rasmus Andersson Over 1.5 shots
Golden Knights vs Ducks odds
Moneyline: Golden Knights -125 | Ducks +105
Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (+205) | Ducks +1.5 (-250)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-120) | Under 6.5 (+100)
Golden Knights vs Ducks trend
Cutter Gauthier has points in five of his last six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Ducks.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Ducks
Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Date
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Golden Knights vs Ducks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Cale Wetwiska, Bethany baseball, is pictured at Media Day in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Media Day 313
As with our #35 prospect, LHP Ben Jacobs, right-hander Cale Wetwiska is another college pitcher that the Detroit Tigers paid a pretty penny for in the 2025 amateur draft. A seventh round pick out of a junior college, Wetwiska pulled a well above slot deal for $647,500, where players drafted at that level were generally getting $260,000. He’s basically in that sweet spot between D1 college pitchers and prep arms. He won’t even turn 21 years old until April.
The Tigers scouting department did a nice job here finding Wetwiska at Northern Oklahoma College-Enid, the junior edition of the main D1 college. He was a high school quarterback in Oklahoma, and both a good hitting outfielder and a pitcher in junior college. He’s a pretty athletic 6’2” 190 pound specimen all around. So while he’s more developed than your average prep arm, he still has plenty of projection remaining. There’s risk based on his inexperience and limited pitch mix right now, but the raw stuff and athleticism gives him more upside than many at this level of slot bonus.
Wetwiska is typically 93-94 mph with his fourseam fastball, but he was scraping 96 mph with his best fastballs in his brief look at Single-A Lakeland after the draft. He has above average extension and induced vertical break already, both traits the Tigers crave and can develop a bit more. He backs it mainly with a cutter at 87-88 mph which is basically a hard slider without that much depth yet. He did show a truer slider at 84 mph in Lakeland with more down action, but wasn’t using it much. His changeup is still more of an afterthought and lacks enough movement and velocity separation from the fastball. Based on his high arm slot and release, he’s probably better off moving toward a straight change or a splitter if he can manage that.
Wetwiska isn’t the next Trey Yesavage, but it is a pretty high slot with a vertical forearm position into release. Pitchers like this often have good bat missing fourseamers and pitch up and down well with a wipeout slider or curveball, but struggle to move the ball horizontally. That can make them one dimensional, adding a bit to the relief risk here. However, his youth and lack of pitching experience make for more realistic hopes that he can develop a better third pitch in pro ball.
Until such a third pitch presents, Wetwiska still profiles a little more like a future reliever than a starting pitching prospect. Still you have to like the fact that he’s not coming from an advanced program with a state of the art pitching lab, and already has a pretty good fastball with several plus traits beyond velocity. There’s likely a lot more meat left on the bone than with your average D1 junior with a longer pedigree.
The Tigers have a fairly intriguing project here. Wetwiska is pretty likely to develop more velocity and his strike throwing is quite good for a junior college pitcher who was only three months past his 20th birthday on draft day. Considering his somewhat unrefined repertoire, he moves the ball around the zone and has pretty good feel for setting guys up. While other pitchers at this tier are more polished, Wetwiska offers more upside than most, and I’m very curious to see how the Tigers develop his secondary stuff to compliment a good fastball. With a few innings with the Lakeland Flying Tigers already under his belt, he should start there this season with a good chance to reach West Michigan this summer.
Since the last time we looked into the Mets offseason, a lot has changed! They let key players walk, signed new ones, and made multiple big trades to address drastic needs. There is a lot to dive into.
On the Braves’ side, I should apologize for not talking about all of these moves earlier, given when they were made.
While this is the Phillies blog on SB Nation, it is still important to cover what the other serious teams in the division are doing for 2026. Notice the word serious and why there doesn’t need to be much on the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins.
The new look Mets
To even process just how much the Mets roster has changed from 2025 to 2026, the only proper way is to lay out who came in and who is gone.
In: Freddy Peralta, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Luis Garcia, and Tobias Myers
Out: Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, Luisangel Acuña, Starling Marte, Cedric Mullins, Edwin Diaz, Griffin Canning, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto, and Frankie Montas
That is a lot of turnover for a team that expects to compete next season. They will have a new starting first baseman, third baseman, second baseman, center fielder, left fielder, new starter, and new high-leverage relievers. The Mets are also taking the right path because the previous core didn’t win enough and never fully came together outside of 2024.
The big question with all of this turnover is what the final product will look like. Did they improve their 2025 roster? It looks like they have.
The infield’s biggest upgrade might be with their corner infielders. Pete Alonso put together his best season at the plate since 2022 but they gave Mark Vientos 463 plate appearances last year as a mediocre hitter and a horrible defensive third baseman.
Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco are not flawless players but it looks like a better combination on both sides of the diamond compared to what they had even if its mostly because Mark Vientos isn’t very good.
Luis Robert Jr. is both overrated and underrated as a player. Depending on who you ask, he’s either one of the worst everyday players in the sport or someone who can still be a superstar in the right environment. The Mets probably just need him to be a slightly luckier version of 2025, where he underperformed his xwOBA by 32 points.
If he hits closer to those projected numbers, his defense would give the Mets one of the better everyday center fielders in the sport. With prospect Carson Benge in left and Robert in center, there is way more support to deal with Juan Soto’s right-field issues than there was in the past.
The starting rotation was a disaster last season but now it looks deep with the addition of Freddy Peralta. He and Nolan McLean should give them one of the better one-two punches in the sport next season with competitive pitchers behind them. David Peterson and Clay Holmes were solid mid-rotation options last year that were asked to carry the staff. Now they’re just asked to be mid-rotation options like they were paid to be.
What’s behind will be a question but the answers might not be disasters. Sean Manaea wasn’t good last season with a 5.64 ERA but should be bound for more luck. He struck out 28.5% of hitters he faced last season while only walking 4.6%. His FIP and xERA hovered around 4 so that, along with a more durable season is the leading candidate to be their number five starter right now. They also feature prospects like Jonah Tong, Jack Wenninger, and Will Watson in the high minors so their depth should be in a much better place than last season.
The big concern with the Mets right now should be their bullpen. After Williams and Weaver, the unit gets thin fast. AJ Minter is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season but is effective when healthy. Brooks Raley is still very deceptive but is going to be 38 years old next season and the middle of their bullpen could use some upgrading over Austin Warren and Luis Garcia.
However, if that’s the biggest complaint at the end of your off-season, there is a good reason for it.
Some of their starters might factor into relief roles next season too. Tobias Myers is probably the best candidate for that type of transition with his four-seam and splitter combination. Jonah Tong needs to develop a more consistent third pitch to be a starter in the Majors and they should be doing whatever it takes to make him a starter but his fastball-changeup combination looks extremely enticing for a late-season bullpen run if they need it. Maybe he’s the next Roki Sasaski in October of 2026.
They lost a lot of talent but gained a lot of talent, and their owner should stay off Twitter when the team is targeting a big free agent but they do look better than last season.
Straight to the point Atlanta Braves
The Braves said they needed a shortstop, a high-leverage reliever, an outfielder, and some help on the bench. They’ve done just that, regardless of the value.
They added Robert Suarez to the bullpen on a three year deal, signed Ha-Seong Kim to play shortstop (who is now hurt), added Mike Yastrzemski to the outfield, and made small moves for Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo.
Did the Braves make themselves better for 2026? Probably but it’s not the best process.
Suarez was given a three-year deal as a four-seam fastball-driven reliever that’s 34 years old. He dropped half a mile per hour last year and doesn’t have the best mix for adjusting as he ages. Suarez’s best secondary offering is his changeup that already saw a big decrease in it’s whiff-rate last season and allowed a .483 slug. This just doesn’t seem like the best profile to bet on with a three-year deal.
Yastrzemski is 35 years old and declined defensively each of the last two seasons. He did make real changes to his approach, decreasing his whiff rate by 7.1% and his strikeout rate by nearly 7% but it’s still a tough bet to make with an aging player that’s not an outlier athlete.
There were 17 hitters with at least 150 plate appearances at 35 years old or older last season; only seven of them had a wRC+ of at least 100.
That’s before mentioning that he signed a two-year deal so his Braves tenure will be taking him through his age 36 season. Only 3 of 10 hitters at 36 or older in at least 150 plate appearances had at least a wRC+ above 100.
Both of these deals feel like a year too long and that might not seem like a massive deal but you have to make certain promises with deals beyond one season. Suarez is getting at least two seasons in their bullpen, no matter if he’s good or bad. Yastrzemski is getting this season and probably a bit of next season, too, as the Phillies did with Didi Gregorius a few years ago when he signed a two-year deal. This is a promise that has nothing to do with player performance.
With Kim being hurt for multiple months and the red flags on these deals, it might not be the kind of off-season that Atlanta was hoping for.
For this sleuthing exercise, we are concerned only with the first 14 seconds of the video. which shows Ernie hitting a home run in… now, what park is that exactly? It doesn’t look familiar at all, at first glance.
All we know on first look is that it’s a two-run homer, with someone scoring ahead of Ernie, and it’s a day game.
Racked my brains trying to figure out what park this was, and then I slowed the video down and got this screenshot:
It’s a little bit blurry and pixellated, but the first three letters of the home team are clearly “SAN.”
So this has to be San Francisco. But it’s not Candlestick Park, I would have recognized that right away.
That means this has to be Seals Stadium, where the Giants played in 1958 and 1959 after they moved from New York to San Francisco.
Ernie Banks hit six home runs at Seals Stadium, four in 1958 and two in 1959.
There are two more clues in the video. Here’s another screenshot:
There’s bunting on the wall in the outfield. You can also see this on the third-base line in the video, right after Banks hits the ball. This hints a special event, most likely Opening Day.
Lastly, that’s clearly a “2” on the scoreboard for the Giants in the second inning and for the Cubs in the fourth.
The Giants’ home opener, Tuesday, April 14, 1959, matches all these things, and you can understand why a film crew would have been at the ballpark on Opening Day, especially with Banks, the reigning NL MVP, as a visiting player. Felipe Alou, who later managed the Giants, had homered to give them a 2-0 lead in the second. Banks homered in the fourth, a two-run shot off Jack Sanford, to tie the game.
The two-run homer you see in this video was hit in the top of the eighth, breaking the 2-2 tie. George Altman (No. 21) scores ahead of Banks. No. 7 in the video, who you can see waiting at the plate for Altman and Banks, is Walt “Moose” Moryn, who was the next hitter.
The Cubs scored another run in the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants loaded the bases with two out, but Don Elston struck out Bob Schmidt to end the game, which the Cubs won 5-2.
The Cubs briefly contended in 1959. After defeating the Braves July 28, they were 50-48, in fourth place but just 4.5 games out of first. They faded from there and finished 74-80, which was their second-most wins since 1946. Along the way, though, they helped knock the Giants out of the pennant race by sweeping them in a two-game series at Wrigley Field the last week of the season, both walk-off wins. The Giants had been in first place, two games ahead, with eight games remaining, but lost seven of those eight and finished third behind the Dodgers and Braves, who tied for the pennant. The Dodgers won a best-of-three playoff and defeated the White Sox in the World Series.
The Cubs finished 12 games out of first place (13, after the playoff). It was the closest they’d been to first place since the 1945 pennant year. If they’d had better pitching they might have been closer, but they had traded away Sam Jones in 1956 for a bunch of guys you’ve never heard of, and Jones had a spectacular year for the Giants in ‘59, going 21-15 and leading the NL with a 2.83 ERA. Jones finished second in Cy Young voting that year, and back then there was only one Cy Young winner for both leagues. The winner was Early Wynn of the White Sox, so Jones would have almost certainly been the NL winner had there been separate awards.
Such were the Cubs of the late 1950s.
This video is pretty cool — I don’t think I had ever seen it before. Just another little slice of Cubs history. For Ernie Banks, the homers hit that day were his first two of 1959, a year when he’d hit 45 and win his second straight MVP. For his career they were homers No. 184 and 185, of 512. The video, as noted, has quite a few other highlights of Ernie’s career.
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 27: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns grabs the rebound during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 27, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Mark Williams was one of the biggest question marks heading into the season when the Suns traded for him on draft night. After selecting Khaman Maluach with the tenth overall pick just seconds before, fans wondered how Williams would truly fit into this team. With him having had past injuries that limited his full potential, no one knew what Williams could truly be for this squad.
That is where Phoenix took a risk of acquiring him and trying to use him as their new starting center. This risk would prove beneficial for the team, as they struck gold with someone who has clearly shown that, in the right system, he can flourish and, with the help of this training staff, has managed to stay healthy all season. So how does he do it?
As we have all seen, Williams has been available this year, which is a vast difference from the past. To start, they were very hesitant with Williams’ playing style and brought him off the bench to bring him up to game speed. Then they had him sit out back-to-back games early in the season to limit the risk of injury. By doing this, the Suns allowed Williams to get comfortable with the team and find his rhythm in his new role.
Allowing Williams to get used to his body and adjust to the Suns’ fast-paced style was key to his success, and I am glad the Suns took the time to do so. We have already seen some monstrous performances from the big man, especially in both games against the Nets, where, when he got the touches, he made the Nets know. With the Suns wanting to get him more involved, this adds to the team’s versatility, which can beat you every night.
How would you describe your fresh start with the Suns?
Mark Williams: It’s been great. I’ve been here all summer. I’ve really focused on my body and working on my game. This organization has shown a lot of love and support and helped me be the best version of myself.
Since all of that has come together, we have now seen Williams play in 44 games this season, tying a career high for the big man, one he will break shortly. A huge credit goes to the Suns staff for working with him and making sure he stayed on this track.
What’s been the biggest reason for your improved availability on a consistent basis?
MW: I’ve had a good plan in place with the staff. I had a bunch of different injuries in the past. For us, it was making a focus of getting overall strength around my body and not trying to overdo anything and overcompensate. I’ve done on-court work, weight room work, and all the recovery stuff has been really good.
The availability he has is excellent for his growth as a player, allowing him to shine bright in the Valley. This season, he is averaging 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.1 steals, and 1 block per game in 24 minutes. Even if his numbers are drastically better than in Charlotte, the availability has allowed him to compete at a high level throughout the season, which I consider a better win. Not to mention, his numbers are still solid in the role he plays, where he has grown tremendously on the defense end
This growth on that side of the ball, being a better rim protector, allows Mark to get the rim pressure the Suns need. They lacked this sort of pressure last year, and even though Williams is better on the offensive end, he can come up big, nabbing some blocks or even now getting some steals. His aggressiveness in fighting for rebounds and generating second-chance points has been key, especially on offense. Williams has filled in the gaps that this front court has been missing in past seasons.
We have also seen Williams be immensely reliable in games when they go to him. As I mentioned earlier, please take a look here at the recent game against the Nets. The Suns had the most points in the paint that season with 72, and Williams was the leading scorer with 27.
"I changes game by game but today I was just getting out. My teammates were finding me. Able to get me going early."
Mark Williams season-high 27 points in Suns win vs Nets.
"Just getting involved early. Demanding the ball. Sealing. Making it real clear and obvious when I'm… pic.twitter.com/0idAyI9wOq
They continued to attack the Nets’ weak frontcourt defense, and even Jordan Ott agreed he was a significant factor in that win.
"We have to involve Mark. This is something that we'll definitely talk about going forward even when we are fully healthy, Mark has got to be a presence down there."
All of this coming together has put Williams in a great spot moving forward, both for the Suns and for his personal growth. After years of uncertainty and being viewed as an “injury-prone” center, he has written that narrative off as false. He has proved his doubters wrong, as many Suns on this team have, by showing his actual value.
Williams can be a great contributor for this team, and even in the future when his contract is up this offseason. After a solid year with the team and remaining healthy, he can get a payday he is well deserving of, and one the Suns would be happy to give him.
Did you have any extra motivation coming into the season after not signing a contract extension with the Suns when you were eligible?
MW: In a way. I think for both sides it made sense. At the same time, I knew what I was capable of doing. Obviously, the biggest question around me was my availability and my body. I think the staff and I have done a great job of being available and being there for my team. I think if I continue to do that, it’ll all take care of itself.
Ultimately, I think he has found his home in Phoenix and cannot wait to see the continued growth Williams presents this season and in the future.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 24: Mikal Bridges #25, Jalen Brunson #11 and OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 24, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA trade deadline is just four days away.
By Thursday afternoon, pencils will be down across the NBA, and the teams will mostly be set. The Knicks, after a 7-8 month that saw them go from playing like the worst team in basketball to a five-game winning streak, are fishing in several different waters ahead of the deadline.
Will they look for the Great White Shark, or will they just be content fishing for a good ol’ trout? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this Thursday’s deadline:
What do the Knicks’ financials look like?
The Knicks are currently operating in the first apron with a second apron hard cap that cannot be removed. The hard cap was automatically triggered when the Knicks used the mid-level exception to sign Guerschon Yabusele.
The most notable first apron restriction that impacts the Knicks is the inability to acquire more salary via trade. For example, if the Knicks traded Yabusele and his $5.5 million salary, they cannot acquire a player making more than that. The Knicks are allowed to stack multiple players in a trade, but cannot stack minimum deals, which may impact any deal involving the newly-benched Jordan Clarkson.
The Knicks have one open roster spot, so they could execute a 1-for-2 trade if they combine to make less than the outgoing player. That roster spot, as of now, cannot be filled for two months due to the team having under $150,000 in hard cap space. A salary dump or 2-for-1 trade can change that.
Three Knicks are pending free agents: Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson, and Jordan Clarkson.
Ariel Hukporti and Mo Diawara will also be restricted free agents. Additionally, Yabusele has a $5.7 million player option for 2026-27, which he would be expected to accept due to his decreased market value. This has apparently been a hindrance in attempting to trade the French forward.
Who are the Knicks targeting?
(The following players have been linked to the Knicks by at least one outlet. It will be updated.)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (F, MIL): The white whale of every team’s deadline. It remains unknown if the two-time MVP will actually be moved before the deadline, as his interests and the Bucks’ interests differ. He’d like to get traded and extended now, while the Bucks would benefit from waiting for when teams have more flexibility in the offseason. We had to include him here, but there is absolutely no chance the Knicks make the trade in-season. Re-assess if he’s still a Buck in June.
Jrue Holiday (G, POR): Marc Stein reported last week that the Knicks were calling the Portland Trail Blazers about a potential deal for the veteran lockdown defender, seeing him as a great pair with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. The 2021 NBA champion turns 36 in June and has two years and $72 million left on his contract after this season. This feels like a move that would happen in conjunction with his former teammate in Milwaukee, not as a midseason shakeup, considering his salary.
Naji Marshall (F, DAL): The Knicks are one of many teams that are looking to add the veteran wing from a Mavericks team that is undecided on whether to sell off talent and fully commit to a Cooper Flagg window or try to make it work next season with their aging roster. He’s a bad shooter (30.3% for his career), but has made it work by averaging 14 points a night over the last two seasons by shooting over 60% inside the arc. Marshall makes $9 million and is under contract through 2026-27.
Jose Alvarado (G, NO): Grand Theft Alvarado having a homecoming in New York would be a great story all around, but the Brooklyn native has a few things working against it. The Pelicans, despite their record, have not been very willing to shop some of their talent, and Alvarado seems to like it in New Orleans. The pesky guard is averaging a career low in steals but a career high in efficiency. He has a $4.5 million player option for next season.
Yves Missi (C, NO): In the same reports that link Alvarado to the Knicks, they also mention the team’s interest in the Pelicans’ reserve center. The No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 draft has seen his role decrease, despite the Pelicans being one of the worst teams in basketball. His relatively inexpensive contract and control through 2027-28 would be an asset for the Knicks, especially when his skillset mirrors that of a younger Mitchell Robinson. There’s untapped potential in the 21-year-old, but will the Pelicans sell low?
Jeremy Sochan (F, SA): Before the Spurs became the contenders they are today, Sochan was a solid contributor who made real improvements from Year 2 to Year 3. Still just 22 years old, he’s fallen out of favor in Mitch Johnson’s rotation as he struggles with efficiency and seems out of place. The rumors say that the Knicks tried to get the expiring contract for Yabusele, but the Spurs were scared off because of the player’s option. In the event this happens, it would be a lottery ticket and a way to clear salary for the offseason.
Goga Bitadze (C, ORL): The Knicks have long coveted the Georgian big man, pursuing him after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency in 2024. The 26-year-old is under control through 2026-27 on a frontloaded deal, but could make a bit too much for the Knicks at this point. He would provide the needed center depth behind Towns and Robinson and could be available after being the odd man out in Orlando’s rotation.
Nick Richards (C, PHX): Richards is in the same boat as Bitadze in the sense that the Knicks have coveted him for a while, but the Suns beat them to the punch at last year’s deadline when the Knicks looked for center depth. With a crowded Suns rotation and a desire to go under the luxury tax, Richards may be available. He averaged nine points and six rebounds on 60.5% from the field last season and is on an expiring contract, making $5 million.
What assets do the Knicks have to trade?
The Knicks do not have an available first-round pick to trade. Their 2027, 2029, and 2031 firsts belong to Brooklyn, as well as their 2028 pick swap.
The Knicks are able to trade three pick swaps in 2026, 2030, and 2032. Their best asset in general is probably the conditional 2026 Wizards’ pick that will almost certainly turn into two second-round picks. In the new two-night draft format, the chance to draft No. 31 is sneakily valuable, and that’s where it could end up, not to mention they’d also have the rights to the Wizards’ second in 2027.
The Knicks also have the following second-round picks to trade:
Least favorable of ORL/MIL/DET (2026)
Least favorable of NYK/MIN (2026)
Second most favorable of OKC/HOU/MIA/IND (2027)
Third most favorable of OKC/HOU/MIA/IND (2027)
Least favorable of IND/PHX (2028)
BOS, top-45 protected (2028)
NYK (2032)
Who could be on the move?
Depending on the level of trade? Anyone.
Well, not Jalen Brunson. Obviously.
Any key starter is unlikely to be moved solely because of the circumstances. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart don’t seem to be floated in any rumors, but in the event of a Giannis and/or Jrue megadeal, all hands are on deck.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns are the most likely to be moved in any big trade, but as previously stated, that’s not happening before the trade deadline. Bridges was not eligible to be traded until Sunday due to his offseason extension.
Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet are outperforming their miniature contracts, so despite the value they may present on the open market, the Knicks won’t be looking to trade them. As for other players unlikely to go anywhere, I don’t see Tyler Kolek or Mo Diawara going anywhere yet. Ariel Hukporti could go, but I don’t see much value there.
Mitchell Robinson should not be traded, at least in my opinion. Still, he’s an expiring contract, and the Knicks are taking a tremendous risk if they let him hit free agency. He’s invaluable to this team, so he should stick around, and the team can figure it out in June.
There are three players on the roster who are at greatest risk of being shipped out the door. You can probably guess who they are.
The Knicks have been very public in their attempts to get rid of Guerschon Yabusele, who’s been a flop of a free agent signing. They’ve also appeared willing to attach former first-round pick Pacome Dadiet to get a player who makes a higher salary. The third player is Jordan Clarkson, who’s fallen out of the rotation but still could contribute somewhere as a microwave scorer. If anyone goes, it’s one of these three.
Brandon Hagel has had more thrown on his plate this season due to Brayden Point's absence and has taken full advantage of it, producing 18 points and 52 shots over 15 games.
My Bruins vs. Lightning predictions see Hagel rising to the occasion once again in a Stadium Series matchup between two Atlantic Division foes.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Sunday, February 1.
Bruins vs Lightning prediction
Bruins vs Lightning best bet: Brandon Hagel Over 2.5 shots (-140)
Brandon Hagel has averaged 3.5 shots on 7.7 attempts through 15 games without Point, clearing 2.5 shots in 11 of them.
Those numbers are all well clear of what Hagel managed with Point healthy (2.7 shots, 6.1 attempts).
Hagel has a nice matchup to build on his outputs further. The Boston Bruins rank 20th in shot suppression and 22nd in shot share at 5-on-5, so Hagel’s line — which also features Nikita Kucherov — should be able to tilt the ice and spend a lot of time in the offensive zone.
It’s a great power play spot as well. The Bruins have given up shots at the third-highest rate while killing penalties over the last 10 games. Not to mention, Boston ranks 28th in shot suppression vs. wingers during that same period of time.
Hagel recorded six attempts the last time these two sides played, and that was with Point in the lineup. For reference, Hagel has three or more shots on goal in 81% of his games this season when generating six or more attempts.
Bruins vs Lightning same-game parlay
Hagel leads the Tampa Bay Lightning in expected goals and scoring chances since Point went down. He's piling up the looks around the net, and that should continue against the Bruins — especially on the man advantage.
Kucherov leads the team in helpers by a country mile and is setting up Hagel for a lot of his chances each night.
While Victor Hedman is expected to return today, Darren Raddysh produced 27 points over 22 games without him and figures to still play a large role offensively. Raddysh produced multiple assists in three of his last four following two days of rest.
Brandon Hagel has registered at least three shots in five of his last six against Boston. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Lightning.
How to watch Bruins vs Lightning
Location
Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Puck drop
6:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Bruins vs Lightning latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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