NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 23: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Over the past five games, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has started to look like his older self, displaying what Aaron Boone likes to refer to as “Jazz-ball.” While his 50/50 season goals are likely not happening with 32 games left in the season, the second baseman now says he only has one goal: to win the World Series. If he continues to play like he did on Sunday, that would be a huge boost to a team that’s stayed afloat with a stale offense without their leader, Aaron Judge.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: One of the best things about Giancarlo Stanton has always been his accountability. He never gives up and is always working hard whether he’s on the field or trying to work his way back. Unfortunately, accountability is not as great as availability, and he simply cannot be relied upon to be available. The midseason acquisition of Luis García Jr. signaled that the Yankees have had similar thoughts on being able to rely on Big G, and now with just a year left on his contract after this one (team option for 2028), this could be the beginning of the end of Stanton’s storied career.
The Athletic | Brendan Kuty: The Yankees, fortunately, received “really good news” on Ryan Weathers’ injury. They say there’s a good chance he’ll pitch again this season, even if they don’t have an exact plan in place for him just yet. There are questions that need to be answered around what his role will be, but they likely won’t be answered until they absolutely need to be. If he’s back like they expect him to be, they’ll determine whether he’ll return to the rotation or pitch out of the bullpen, and the health of the rest of the rotation will also help answering those questions when the time is right.
For all the upheaval and neurosis, it may yet be that the darkest hour came just before dawn for this England team
To say England’s summer of Test cricket has not gone entirely to plan would be a bit of an understatement. At times it has been like watching Gromit frantically laying track in front of a runaway locomotive.
Even now the England and Wales Cricket Board find themselves throwing down the sleepers, reacting to footage of centrally-contracted Brydon Carse in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby on Saturday night following a match for Durham. Whatever the precise details – Carse was released without charge – it continues a madcap season.
Manchester United’s under-powered attack, Brentford’s £39m bargain and Dewsbury-Hall delivers for Everton
Arsenal’s treatment of Gabriel Martinelli has been questioned by Ian Wright after the Brazil forward was left out of their squad for Friday’s opening game against Coventry. Martinelli turned down a move to Galatasaray last week after Arsenal had agreed a fee with the Turkish club and the former striker Wright revealed on Sky Sports after the Coventry game that no one at the club has spoken to the 25-year-old to discuss his future. “I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time for him to move him on’. But there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave,” said Wright. “He’s done enough with this squad to be treated with a little bit more respect than he’s being treated with at the moment.” Ed Aarons
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 7: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 7, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Before I start, I wanted to give some shoutouts to some great resource material that has helped me understand some things better about Jaren Jackson Jr. First, if you haven’t read Parker Fleming’s Substack, he does great work on the Grizzlies, and you can find incredible work from him on Jaren Jackson Jr. This article discussing Jackson at the 5, is great insight.
I also really enjoyed this episode of the Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie, which discussed JJJ and the pros and cons of his play.
Fleming and Vecenie give great insight into Jackson and the flaws in his game. Those flaws have led many, myself included, to believe that he shouldn’t be at the 5. With the trade of Walker Kessler and the signing of Jusuf Nurkic, Will Hardy is going to be left with a tough decision of who should start at the 5 this season. The consensus with Jaren Jackson Jr. from those not as close to the Grizzlies is that because of his flaws, he shouldn’t be starting at the 5. What are those flaws? They can basically be boiled down to two things: rebounding and foul rate.
The question for the Jazz is, are those flaws insurmountable?
The answer appears to be yes.
The question of whether Jaren Jackson Jr. can improve his rebounding is probably a definitive no at this point. Coming into his 9th season in the league, it’s safe to say that he is what he is at this point as a rebounder. Luckily, rebounding isn’t something that only Jaren Jackson Jr. has to worry about. Lauri Markkanen, who is in the 64th percentile in the league as a rebounder, can have a big impact for the Jazz. And having Ace Bailey on the floor can also be a huge boon to the Jazz’s defensive rebounding. Bailey is a huge, athletic wing who shows great rebounding ability and can be a big help as well. With Bailey and Markkanen helping gang rebound, the Jazz should be relatively fine on the defensive glass. Now, this will still likely be an issue. When Utah faces elite offensive rebounding teams, mostly in the playoffs, they might need to think of starting Nurkic. But during the season, and even in the playoffs, they might be fine, regardless.
The other issue is the fouling. When you look at this roster, it looks like the Jazz made their decisions knowing that Kessler might not be on the squad. The Jusuf Nurkic signing looks more and more like an essential one. Not just that Nurkic played well last year, but that he covers the holes in Jackson’s game. If Jackson gets in foul trouble, Utah can put in Nurkic and not lose a beat. And in reality, they will play the same style whether it’s with Jackson or Nurkic. In all likelihood, Utah understood this when they traded Kessler. Learning more about Jackson’s game, he is a vastly better on-ball player on offense than I realized. This post from Parker Fleming’s Substack dove into a game where Jackson dominated against Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
What Jackson and Nurkic both do that Kessler didn’t is not just run endless dribble handoffs at the top of the three-point line, but initiate offense. Nurkic is more of a passer from the top, while Jackson is a punishing isolation player who can drive to the basket or pull-up in the mid-range. According to DunksandThrees.com, Jaren Jackson Jr. has been in 90+ percentile or higher the last two seasons from the mid-range. Jackson’s game is extremely versatile, so he doesn’t have the elite rim% of players who solely finish alley-oops and make putback dunks on offensive rebounds. He’s more of a center with guard skills that makes life miserable for most traditional centers. He’ll also occasionally grab a rebound and dribble the length of the court. He’s got a lot to his game that can make the Jazz extremely unique offensively.
With Jackson, and in life, it’s important not to get completely consumed by players’ flaws. The strengths of Jackson’s game are what make it hard not to think this Jazz team couldn’t be in the top half of the playoff seeds next season. Utah will have a 5-out offense that will punish opposing weaknesses. Jackson will be a problem every night, whether it’s from his three-point shooting, his mid-range iso, or his rim pressure. On top of Jackson’s personal impact, he allows the Jazz to clear the paint, giving players like Keyonte George and Darryn Peterson space to get to the basket. There’s no question we’re going to see nights where Utah runs up the score, and I personally can’t wait. Jaren Jackson Jr. at the 5, if Utah can minimize his flaws, should have an incredible season. It’s not out of the question to wonder if it becomes his best season yet.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon faces media for first time since players stood down, saying ‘the way we treat women says a lot about who we are’
The AFL will not invite five Sydney Swans players suspended by their club to this year’s Brownlow medal ceremony, as the league holds fire on opening its own inquiry into the actions of the quintet until a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault last week at a Melbourne hotel has been completed.
The AFL’s chief executive, Andrew Dillon, faced the media on Monday for the first time since Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon were stood down for the rest of the AFL season by the Swans tfor breaching the club’s standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel.
It's officially another season, another prospects ranking for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In years past, this has been a bit easier of an exercise, as there used to be a more clear-cut line between prospects with NHL upside and longshots. However, because of the work that general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and his staff have put in during the last several years, the line is blurring a whole lot more - and there is a substantially higher volume of talent in the system.
This time around, making a top-20 list was challenging. So, a few criteria were put into place: To make our list, prospects must be under the age of 26 and have played less than 50 NHL games. This excludes names such as Ben Kindel, Filip Hallander, Oliver Okuliar, and Alexander Alexeyev.
The No. 4 spot belonged to right wing Rutger McGroarty, who still has top-six upside despite some inconsistencies early on in his NHL career. For No. 3, we dive into, arguably, the most multidimensional and toolsy player in the Penguins' system - and his NHL ETA may be sooner than you think.
Zonnon, 19, was selected 22nd overall by the Penguins in 2025, and he was one of three first-round picks by the team. While center Ben Kindel unexpectedly cracked the NHL roster at 18 last season and Will Horcoff is showing off his high-end scoring ability in the NCAA, Zonnon is making some pretty big statements as well.
Unlike Kindel, Zonnon never even had the chance to make the NHL roster out of camp last season, as an injury forced him to miss all of camp and a good chunk of the QMJHL regular season. But, after his return for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada during the fall last year, he picked up right where he left off in his draft year, registering 14 goals and 46 points in 35 QMJHL games as well as two goals and 15 points in 17 playoff games.
But the real statement he made was when he joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins during the team's Calder Cup Playoff run. His AHL debut happened in WBS's second-round series against the Springfield Thunderbirds on May 12, and he scored a goal in his debut.
Then, he scored again in the next game. And again in the next. Zonnon, freshly out of junior hockey, registered four goals and seven points in 11 playoff games, which was the second-highest point-per-game pace (0.64) on the team only to center Tristan Broz (.73).
BILL ZONNON DOES IT AGAIN.
2-0 #WBSPens on Zonnon's third goal in three games.
Of course, the immediate production was definitely something that stood out about Zonnon's game, especially since he was primarily playing fourth-line minutes. But that is only the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to Zonnon.
Much like Rutger McGroarty, Zonnon possesses a natural ability to put the puck in the back of the net, even if he makes most of his living down low and around the net front. He also uses his vision and playmaking skills to create and distribute, he doesn't shy away from physicality, he has some speed, and he's a relentless forechecker. He can make good reads on the defensive side of the puck and force opponents to the walls, and he, like McGroarty, is effective on both special teams units.
The skating and his positional versatility - he can play all three forward positions - are the two things that separate him from McGroarty, even if both are two of the most promising 200-foot prospects in the Penguins' system. Zonnon plays a blue-collar style but has all the tools and the skill to be an effective producer, too, making his floor higher than arguably any other prospect in the organization.
As a center or a winger, that floor is likely an NHL middle-sixer. And, if he does indeed hit that floor, there's a good chance he will be one of the Penguins' best, if not the best, two-way players a few years down the road. And a lot of that was on display during WBS's playoff run.
"He did great. Coming back from the injury he had at the beginning of last season to jumping into the playoff run he had in Blainville to jumping into Wilkes-Barre right into the playoffs... that's not easy to do for a young kid, and he started producing right away," director of player development Tom Kostopoulos said during development camp. "Then, even when he stopped scoring, you could see him make plays out there. You could see him creating plays, making plays, moving pucks, and you can see his strength coming along.
"He could be a centerman, he could play wing, he gives you both sides of the ice up and down the ice, he can kill penalties, he can play on the power play... he's got a lot to look forward to."
What has allowed @penguins 2025-1st rounder Bill Zonnon to make an immediate impact (three goals in three games) at the pro level?
I asked @WBSPenguins HC Kirk MacDonald after last night's Game 3 win in Springfield.
This time around, Zonnon is healthy ahead of training camp, and he has a chance to prove himself to the NHL club. If there is a dark horse prospect candidate to make the NHL roster out of camp, it's him. In his small AHL sample, his transition was seamless, and he looked just about as close to NHL-ready in that sample as he could be.
If Zonnon doesn't make the team out of camp - again, it's worth repeating that the Penguins have a lot of forwards signed to NHL contracts competing for few spots - don't be surprised to see him make his NHL debut at some point next season. He is closer than you might think, and his toolbox is already nearly complete as-is.
Zonnon is a unique player in the Penguins' forward prospect pool, and he's pretty much got it all going for him. For that, he has landed in the top-three on our list this year.
New York Mets first baseman Jared Young hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. (This asset including all text, audio and imagery is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connect ha)
CHICAGO — Jared Young began the day on the bench but ended up producing the biggest Mets hit Sunday.
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Unfortunately for the team, Young’s ninth-inning RBI single against Grant Taylor that tied the game became a footnote when Tristan Peters smacked a walk-off homer against Kodai Senga in the bottom of the frame.
It was just the latest big hit for Young, who has an .871 OPS in August and has provided stability at a position (first base) that was a black hole for the Mets during most of the season’s first half.
“He’s always been a good hitter,” interim manager Andy Green said following the 2-1 loss to the White Sox. “This is the first time he’s gotten any runway in the big leagues, and he’s been really good. Those are the type of at-bats you have been getting. That’s a legit closer that has really good stuff and another big swing from him.”
Mets first baseman Jared Young hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Mets needed more, but Francisco Alvarez and A.J. Ewing each struck out to leave the go-ahead run in scoring position. Alvarez struck out in both of his plate appearances to continue a recent slide. Overall, he’s struck out 29 times in his past 58 at-bats.
Young was on the bench at the start as Green deployed Eric Wagaman, a right-handed bat, at first base. But Wagaman was removed after only one plate appearance.
Bo Bichette went 0-for-4 and snapped his on-base streak at 12 games. During that streak, he posted a .462 on-base percentage with eight extra-base hits.
The Mets will face a second straight first-place opponent, with the NL Central-leading Brewers headed to Citi Field for three games beginning Tuesday. After the Brewers, it’s three games against an Astros team that currently leads the AL West. The Mets will play the AL East-leading Rays for three games beginning next Monday.
Kodai Senga of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Getty Images
The Mets are 17-16 in interleague play this season, with plenty still ahead — games remaining against the Astros, Rays, Yankees, Orioles and Rangers.
New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón reacts on the mound in the fourth inning as the New York Yankees play the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, NY. (Jason Szenes)
The loss of Ryan Weathers, at least as a starter, puts a bit more pressure on each Yankees rotation member.
Including Carlos Rodón, whose on-the-fly buildup is going well if not perfectly.
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Rodón was “good enough,” in his words, for four innings of an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays in The Bronx on Sunday, when he stretched out to 76 pitches.
Of that total, just 42 were strikes and he walked a pair. Against a Toronto lineup that is known for its contact abilities, Rodón recorded just four swings and misses and struck out two.
But he allowed only a pair of runs (one earned) while letting up just two hits and came away happy with his stuff and his arm as he returns from an IL stint for elbow inflammation.
“It’s good,” Rodón said of his stuff, his fastball matching his season average of 94.4 mph and inducing a few whiffs with his slider. “Obviously there’s some things I want to refine and obviously be in the [strike] zone a little more, crisper with strikes and just attacking and getting ahead.
“So there’s some things I can work on.”
If next-level command is his goal, he should have a month-plus to hone it.
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón reacts on the mound in the fourth inning as the Yankees play the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, NY. Jason Szenes for the New York PostRyan Weathers pitches during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 22, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
Sunday, he was burned by a third-inning walk to No. 8 hitter Charles McAdoo, who raced around the bases on a Myles Straw double and then scored on a Brett Bateman sacrifice fly.
And he was burned by a potential double play that George Lombard Jr. could not convert. The young shortstop appeared to glance toward second base before gloving a hard grounder from Ernie Clement, and the ball bounded out of his glove. Instead of a potential frame-ending double play, the Blue Jays had the bases loaded with one out. Daz Cameron’s sacrifice fly scored a run.
“I think he’s in a really good place,” manager Aaron Boone said of Rodón. “I think his stuff physically is where it needs to be and hopefully he just continues to get a little bit sharper as he does build up here.”
As the Yankees moved Weathers (flexor strain) to the injured list, they called up Brendan Beck, who had been scratched from his start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
Yet Beck is not officially set to join the rotation. The Yankees are listing Will Warren as Tuesday’s starter and TBA on Wednesday before Gerrit Cole on Thursday.
Top prospect Elmer Rodríguez owns a 1.38 ERA in his past five starts.
“We’ll see how the next several days play out,” Boone said of his Wednesday starter. “Obviously Elmer down there could factor in. Brendan Beck’s up here today.”
Clarke Schmidt, building up from Tommy John surgery and past a forearm issue, is expected to throw a live batting practice Tuesday.
If that goes well, Schmidt would begin a rehab assignment that would end with his joining the Yankees bullpen.
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Cody Bellinger went 1-for-4 with a run scored in his return.
“Felt really good,” Bellinger said after a four-week absence with a hamstring strain. “Honestly felt 100 percent.”
The Dodgers unleashed their three best pitchers on the Pirates over the weekend: Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching the series opener, Tarik Skubal the middle game and Blake Snell the series finale on Sunday.
The results were predictable: win, win, win.
“Definitely excited about it,” Snell said.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell completes another inning at the top of the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (This asset – including all text, audio and imagery – is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connec) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Snell pointed out that Tyler Glasnow is set to come back from a back injury on Tuesday in the series opener in Atlanta, as well as how Shohei Ohtani is closing in on his return to the mound.
“It’s going to be a lot of good competition within the starting rotation,” Snell said. “I’m really excited about it.”
Admonishing himself for chasing strikeouts, Snell was displeased with his performance.
“I just gotta be better,” he said.
He still pitched six shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 4-0 victory.
He didn’t like that he walked three batters and hit another. Or that his inefficiency kept him from pitching into the later innings.
“Honestly,” he said, “it’s lazy.”
In the three games Snell has pitched since returning from a minor procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow, he has allowed only two runs in 18 innings.
Snell’s solid-but-unspectacular effort was backed by a similar-quality performance by the offense.
The Dodgers collected only six hits but worked four walks and turned that into four runs. Their first run scored on a double play by Mookie Betts. The other runs were driven in by No. 8 and 9 hitters Alek Thomas and Hunter Feduccia and a groundout by Max Muncy.
“I liked the way we manufactured runs,” manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts applauded Shohei Ohtani for setting the tone with an 11-pitch walk to start the game. Facing Pirates opener Lake Bachar, Ohtani fell behind in the count, 0-2, then fouled off the next four pitches.
“I love going 0-2 to 4-2, spoiling the pitches and working the count,” Roberts said.
Ohtani stole second base and reached third on a single by Freddie Freeman. Betts’ double-play ball got him home.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 23: William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers jokes with Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves in the first inning during the 2026 Little League Classic presented by New York Life between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A win is a win, but when you’re the Atlanta Braves looking to break out of a scoring slump, you can’t help but look forward to a bit more.
Regardless, in a game filled with questionable calls and moments of minimum effort, the Braves managed to take a 4-2 win against the Milwaukee Brewers to close out their trip to Wisconsin.
The Braves put themselves on the board first with an RBI double from Mauricio Dubón, bringing Ozzie Albies home in the top of the second inning.
The Brewers answered back in the third with a run of their own off an RBI single, tying the contest at 1-1.
After adding another run in the fourth, it was a costly fielding error in the top of the sixth that helped the Braves pull away with a 3-1 lead. And that run ended up being much needed, because the Brewers went on to score in the bottom of the eighth, cutting into Atlanta’s lead just when it looked like the Braves might be all out of runs for the night.
But a homer from the leadoff man, Michael Harris II, sparked the Braves’ offense once again in the top of the ninth, giving Atlanta one final pull-away from its opponent and ending the night on a positive note. It was also his career-best 21st home run.
Tyler Mahle had a decent outing in his fourth appearance with Atlanta, finishing with 5.0 innings pitched, six hits allowed, one earned run, two walks and four strikeouts. His ERA dropped to 4.41.
Mahle has shown that he can be a considerably solid starter, but more importantly, a consistent one. Adding that to what the team has in Chris Sale, at least there’s a bright side to the Braves’ constant rotation scrutiny. While there are still plenty of questions surrounding the rotation, Mahle’s recent outings have given Atlanta something it needs: another starter it can rely on to give the team a chance.
Will it be enough to take on the Dodgers at Truist Park?
First, a much-needed break before the return home. But until then, let’s enjoy the win.
Aug 23, 2026; Williamsport, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jake Bauers (9) shakes hands with his teammates prior to the MLB Little League Classic game against the Atlanta Braves at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With really good starts by Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson behind them already in this series, Brewers starter Shane Drohan had a lot to live up to. But not all low-scoring games are pitchers duels. This wasn’t an especially attractive game of baseball, but it was at least close until the end. Atlanta, however, playing to avoid a sweep, was just able to keep the Brewers at arm’s length all night and Milwaukee once again struggled with runners in scoring position.
With one out in the first, Drohan allowed his first baserunner on a free pass to Ronald Acuña Jr. But a couple pitches later, Drohan induced a double play from Matt Olson and he faced the minimum in the first. Tyler Mahle also faced the minimum in the first: he got three groundouts in a row from the top of the Brewers’ order, and we were off.
The first hit of the game came when Ozzie Albies hit a slow roller to short; Joey Ortiz took just a beat too long, and Albies beat the throw by a half a step. Drohan came back with a strikeout of Drake Baldwin, but Lane Thomas jumped on the first pitch he saw and knocked a solid single to center fielder Garrett Mitchell (while he was chatting with the broadcast team during the game). The Braves continued to barrel up Drohan, as Mauricio Dubón hit a ball just inside the right-field line that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double, which scored the first run of the game.
A five-pitch walk to Austin Riley loaded the bases with one out and prompted a visit from Chris Hook, but from there Drohan buckled down. Sean Murphy popped out to Andrew Vaughn in foul territory for the second out, and Michael Harris II struck out to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the second, the Brewers got their first hit when Vaughn lined a single into left field. Christian Yelich then came up swinging at the first pitch and lined a single through the hole up the middle to make it back-to-back singles. A Joey Ortiz walk loaded the bases, and the Brewers had Mahle on the ropes. The batter was Mitchell, and with nowhere to put him, Mahle fell behind 3-0, but he was able to come back for a strikeout. Mahle fell behind Hamilton 3-0, too, but he was robbed of a hit and a couple RBI by a sliding Acuña to end the inning. It was about as far as a pitcher can bend without actually breaking, but Mahle was through two scoreless.
Drohan had a painful start to the third, as Acuña—who, I remind you, had just robbed the Brewers of a couple runs—lined a ball off of Drohan’s “backside” that deflected for an infield single. Olson, though, grounded into his second double play of the game—a beauty of a play by Hamilton, who was in a shift but ranged way over to his left to pick up Olson’s ground ball, stepped on the bag, and made a difficult throw to first for a 5-3 double play. After a bit of a battle, Albies went down swinging to end the inning.
An incredible 5-3 double play started by David Hamilton 😮
Jackson Chourio hit a hard ground ball that Olson made a nice play on at first base to start the bottom of the third. Brice Turang picked up a one-out single, and William Contreras made nice contact but Albies made a nice play to get Contreras at first. The fielder’s choice advanced Turang to second though, which was big when Jake Bauers hit a line drive to right on the next pitch for a single that scored Turang ahead of Acuña’s throw. Vaughn struck out to end the inning, but Bauers’ RBI single had tied up the game at one.
With Rob Manfred in the booth (booooo), Baldwin got the Braves off to a good start in the fourth by hitting a double into the right-field gap. Thomas, who was next, picked up his second hit on a hard line drive to right; Baldwin held at third, but Atlanta was in business with runners on the corners and nobody out. Dubón helped Drohan out by popping out to shallow left on the first pitch he saw, and Riley struck out. Drohan was one batter away from getting out of it, and he induced a ground ball, but Hamilton slipped while fielding Murphy’s slow grounder and a run scored. Harris flew out to end the inning, but the Braves had restored their lead.
Yelich walked to start the bottom of the fourth, but Ortiz grounded into a double play to erase the baserunner. Mitchell squared to bunt, but a fastball got away from Mahle and Mitchell got plunked on his right wrist. He was clearly in pain. (Mitchell stayed in to run, but was later replaced in the field by Luis Lara; the word was a “right forearm contusion.”) Hamilton smoked a ball with two outs, but for the second time in the game he was robbed of a hit, this time by Albies, who snagged his 1o1 mph line drive for the third out.
Drohan walked Acuña to start the fifth, and he stole second with Olson at the plate. Drohan was able to strike out Olson, but with one out Albies snuck a single just over the glove of Ortiz and into left field. Acuña aggressively rounded third but got a late stop sign, and before he could get back to third, Contreras, who already had Chourio’s throw from left field, got him trying to get back to the base. Baldwin flew out, and the Brewers were through another scoreless inning.
Chourio grounded out for the third time in the game on the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth. Turang then struck out on three pitches, but Contreras extended the inning with a two-out single to center. Bauers, though, grounded out, and the Braves maintained their 2-1 lead.
Drohan was done after five innings; he wasn’t very good, but he managed to hold the Braves to two runs in five innings despite eight hits and three walks. There was a lengthy delay during Thomas’s at-bat to lead off the sixth; Contreras accidently put his foot on Thomas’s while new pitcher Grant Anderson was winding up, but the explanation given was that, since it happened before the pitch, it wasn’t catcher’s interference. After the delay, Thomas grounded out. Anderson walked Dubón with one out—his 30th walk, adding to his career high!—and Riley followed with a single to put runners on the corners. With Murphy batting, Riley stole second, perhaps trying to goad Contreras into a throw, but he held onto the ball while staring Thomas down.
Anderson got Murphy looking for the second out, and Pat Murphy went to play matchups by going to DL Hall to face Harris. Hall did his job and got a weak ground ball from Harris, but Vaughn—who needed to hustle with Hall covering first—misplayed the ball, Harris had an infield hit, and Thomas scored from third. Acuña flew out to left to end the inning, but the Braves had their lead up to 3-1.
The Brewers got a fortunate break in the bottom of the sixth. After Vaughn singled to right, Yelich hit what maybe should’ve been a 3-6-3 double play. But Vaughn did a good job getting in Olson’s throwing lane, and Olson’s throw to second bounced off of his head. Vaughn and Yelich were both safe, and the Brewers were in business with nobody out. That was also the end of Mahle’s day, as Walt Weiss went to his bullpen for righty Didier Fuentes.
The runner creates his own baseline, kids. Here's Murph's explanation on the broadcast for why he loved this play: "Well, Vaughny ran to the inside like he should. He had to take a shot to the head, but sometimes we have to do that in order to make it work."
Fuentes did exactly what the Braves needed. For the second tiem in the game, Ortiz grounded into a double play, and with Vaughn at third and two out, Lara, in his first at-bat, grounded out to end the inning. Hall had no trouble in the top of the seventh, and retired Atlanta’s 3-5 hitters in order.
After Hamilton flew out to left to start the bottom of the seventh, Chourio hit his fourth ground ball of the game, but this one was slow enough that he could beat it to first for an infield hit. After Turang popped out, Contreras lined another single to right, which gave Bauers a shot with two on and two out. He got a pretty good pitch to hit on 2-2 but swung under it, and the Braves held their 3-1 lead through seven complete.
Bryse Wilson replaced Hall in the eighth. Riley picked up his second hit on a two-out single, but Murphy lined out to end the inning. The Brewers, though, needed offense. Yelich did his part: with one out, he lined a double into the right-field gap off of the lefty Dylan Lee. Ortiz, though, continued his tough day with a strikeout, but Lara’s second at-bat was a beauty. On the ninth pitch of a lengthy battle, he lined one past Olson at first and into the right-field corner for a stand-up triple, which made it 3-2. The Brewers sent Gary Sánchez to the plate, which was countered by Weiss bringing on his closer, Raisel Iglesias, with two outs in the eighth to attempt a four-out save. Sánchez, in front of the Little Leaguers, hit a big-league pop-up for the third out, but the Brewers had halved the lead.
With the lead at one, Murphy went to Aaron Ashby rather than sending Wilson out for a second inning of work. He maybe should’ve stuck with Wilson; Ashby left an 0-2 slider too close to the zone and Harris knocked it out for his 21st home run of the season, restoring Atlanta’s two-run lead. Ashby recovered; Acuña grounded out, then the Brewers were almost harmed by tonight’s lack of ABS technology in Williamsport, as a perfect 0-2 pitch to Olson was called a ball. But a couple pitches later, Olson struck out on a 3-2 slider, and an Albies fly out ended the top of the ninth.
Milwaukee had the top of the order up in the bottom of the ninth. Chourio hit his fifth ground ball of the game up the middle for a solid single, and after a wild pitch in a 2-0 pitch advanced Chourio, and Turang walked a pitch later. Contreras then got into one and hit it deep to the right-field gap, but the ballpark held it—it would’ve been a homer in seven of the league’s ballparks, though American Family Field was not one of those seven. (Remember—this game would’ve been in Milwaukee if not for tonight’s festivities.)
In any case, a couple pitches later, Bauers, on a check swing, hit a weak comebacker to the mound that started a 1-6-3 double play to end the game. The Braves took game three of the series with a 4-2 victory.
This game, despite its low score, was a slog. Drohan and Mahle together allowed 19 baserunners in just ten combined innings, though only three of them scored; the bullpens settled things down a bit after that. The Brewers were bitten again by their lack of timely hitting; they were just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base. Only two of Milwaukee’s 11 hits went for extra bases (Yelich’s double and Lara’s triple, which came in succession in the eighth).
The Brewers get the day off tomorrow before starting a series with the Mets in New York on Tuesday evening.
It’s unclear how or why the skirmish started, but multiple viral videos from different angles showed about a dozen fans in section 518 punching, shoving and stomping on each other while moving dangerously close to the railing at the front of the section.
A fan leaps down rows to stomp a fellow spectator during a wild brawl at a Mets-White Sox game. X/ @jwinesack66
As the extracurriculars spread, some bystanders fled the scene — “there’s a kid!” one shouted — while others whipped out their phones.
Some even rushed to get involved themselves.
MASSIVE Fight in upper deck at White Sox vs Mets Game today
At one point, a fan jumped down two rows and landed feet-first on a man’s stomach after he was pushed to the ground.
That man then grabbed his attacker by the shirt and aggressively flung him down another row of seats, somehow losing his own shirt in the process.
A fight breaks out on the top level at Rate Field during the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox take on the New York Mets on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago. Getty Images
A loud gasp could be heard from around the ballpark as the crowd turned its attention away from the product on the field.
Even as security guards — some wielding handcuffs — showed up to break up the fight, fans could be seen continuing to point and shout at each other, with one man even defying his handler to get in one last hit before he was held back by the arm.
A fan leaps down rows to stomp a fellow spectator during a wild brawl at a Mets-White Sox game. X/ @jwinesack66
There was even a bit of a crowd pop on the final blow.
It’s the second melee involving White Sox fans in less than a week after a viral incident during Chicago’s Crosstown Classic at Wrigley Field. Multiple fans were arrested during that game for an unrelated infraction.
Fans fight during the White Sox’s game against the Mets on Aug. 23. X/ @jwinesack66
Unlike last week’s brawl at the Friendly Confines that was between rivals, this one appeared to be mostly friendly fire between White Sox fans.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 23: The Larry Walker Statue is Unveiled prior to the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The baseball world was slow to recognize the contributions of the greatest players in Colorado Rockies history. When Larry Walker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame back in 2020, he did so on his 10th and final chance on his last ballot of eligibility. Four years later, Todd Helton got the call in his sixth year of eligibility.
For a variety of reasons and biases, national sportswriters took their time in granting the two legends their place in the game’s history.
The Rockies were quicker to honor Helton, retiring his number 17 in 2014, the season after his retirement. They were a little slower on the draw than they could have been with Walker, who retired in 2005 but didn’t have his jersey retired until 2021 alongside a celebration of his Hall of Fame induction.
Beyond the retired numbers, Rockies fans have long clamored for the club to do more to celebrate these greats around the ballpark. Finally, fans got their wish.
The Rockies announced plans this year to unveil statues of both Walker and Helton, with the first taking place today and the latter coming soon on September 19th.
Join us for a celebration and statue unveiling of Rockies Legends Larry Walker and Todd Helton!
Between the Hall of Fame inductions, the jersey retirements, and the statues, all of the celebrations are long overdue and beyond well-deserved for these two. Coors Field is already one of the best ballparks, but the new additions will make it even better.
There’s often discussion about where the line should be drawn around how many players are honored by a franchise and how that should be done. Some argue that teams retiring too many numbers can cause that recognition to lose some of its meaning.
I’ve always enjoyed the Denver Broncos approach to celebrating team legends. They’ve historically been selective in retiring numbers but have a robust Ring of Fame. They host meaningful celebrations for new inductees and honor all Ring of Famers by enshrining their names inside the stadium and building statues of each outside. While I don’t think a newer team like the Rockies can expect to have as many players celebrated as a historically rich team like the Broncos, I do think the model is a nice one.
So after this, what comes next for other great players in Colorado baseball history now that the Rockies built a new future for honoring the past with the Walker and Helton statues?
What’s your threshold for who should get their number retired and/or receive a statue?
Would you like to see the Rockies reserve those honors for only the players who make it into the MLB Hall of Fame? Or would you like to see the franchise recognize more of its own players where MLB won’t?
With all of that, who should get the next statue outside of Coors Field? Charlie Blackmon? Some or all of the Blake Street Bombers? Matt Holliday? Nolan Arenado? Anyone else?
Give us your thoughts on memorializing Rockies legends below!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 23: Jacob Latz #67 and Elias Díaz #35 of the Texas Rangers celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field on August 23, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rangers 5, Angels 3
Your Texas Rangers have won their fifth straight home series.
And, thanks to the Houston Astros blowing a 6-0 lead against the Sacramento A’s, your Texas Rangers are in first place in the American League West.
Yes, yes, its a tie in the West with Houston, and the Astros hold the tiebreaker so the Rangers are effectively a game back, but spare me all that nitpicking.
At least for now.
The Rangers also are tied for the third Wild Card spot with Cleveland. Texas does hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Guardians, having won 4 of 6 against them, so we have that going for us.
The last time the Rangers lost a series at home was a month ago, when they lost two of three to the White Sox of Chicago, the very same team they are playing on the road starting Monday. I’m not sure if that’s an omen or not.
I remain a Cal Quantrill skeptic.
Nonetheless, he continues to exceed expectations.
This is now five straight starts where Quantrill has given up 0 or 1 earned run.
With six shutout innings in this start, Quantrill has now allowed one run in his last nineteen innings.
He has lowered his ERA on the season to 2.90.
I will note that Quantrill has a 4.01 FIP and 4.61 xFIP to go with the 2.90 ERA, which is why its not unreasonable to be skeptical about whether he can continue to do this.
But it doesn’t change what has occurred so far.
I will acknowledge that I got concerned in the eighth inning, when Peyton Gray allowed a homer to Zach Neto, and then Tyler Alexander allowed two more runs, bringing the tying run to the plate before Chase Silseth got the final out.
I don’t mean to alarm anyone, but Peyton Gray is kinda trending in the wrong direction. He’s allowed three home runs in his last four outings, and five in his last 12 outings, after allowing just three in his first 33 appearances.
I was also a bit concerned when Jacob Latz started the ninth by allowing Christian Moore to smoke a ball to the wall for a double, once again putting the tying run at the plate.
It was fine, though, in part due to intentionally walking Mike Trout with two outs.
Also, shoutout to Elias Diaz, whose success challenge on a 1-0 pitch to Moises Ballesteros, right after the intentional walk to Trout, turned a 2-0 count into a 1-1 count, ultimately leading to a game ending K of Ballesteros.
Texas even managed to put some runs on the board, in a novel change from recent games.
Ezequiel Duran, starting in center field as part of an effort to get some more offense going, allowing Cody Freeman and Justin Foscue to both start in the infield against a lefty and have the newly recalled Logan O’Hoppe start at DH, homered for the Rangers’ first run of the game in the second. Cody Freeman tripled home O’Hoppe later in the inning, and then scored on an Elias Diaz sac fly. Diaz added a home run in the fifth.
Yes, your first place Texas Rangers were led by Duran, Freeman, Foscue, and Diaz today.
To be fair, Corey Seager was 2 for 3 with in the game with a HBP, and Wyatt Langford was 2 for 3 with a walk, and Langford hit a double that put Seager on third so that he could score on a Brandon Nimmo sac fly for what was the final Ranger hit of the game.
And, not to belabor the point or anything, but Seager and Langford getting their grooves on simultaneously would be a very fine thing indeed.
Cal Quantrill topped out at 95.2 mph with his sinker, averaging 93.8 mph, and 94.3 mph with his fastball, averaging 93.4 mph. Peyton Gray hit 94.4 mph with his fastball. Tyler Alexander’s fastball hit 92.4 mph. Chase Silseth threw one sinker at 95.4 mph. Jacob Latz touched 95.3 mph with his fastball.
Wyatt Langford had a 108.3 mph GIDP. Elias Diaz had a 106.3 mph sacrifice fly, a 106.1 mph fly out, and a 103.7 mph home run. Elias ate his Wheaties this morning. Cody Freeman had a 104.5 mph groundout. Brandon Nimmo had a 103.6 mph sacrifice fly. Corey Seager had a 100.6 mph single. Jake Burger had a 100.5 mph ground out. Logan O’Hoppe had a 100.4 mph single. Ezequiel Duran’s homer was 100.1 mph.
Let’s be happy with the Rangers. At least for now.