Why Giants' Buster Posey emphatically believes Mariners' Cal Raleigh is AL MVP

Why Giants' Buster Posey emphatically believes Mariners' Cal Raleigh is AL MVP originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

From one MVP catcher to … another? It’s no secret who Buster Posey believes is most deserving of the American League honor this season.

The Giants president of baseball operations, and 2012 National League MVP, joined KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” on Thursday, and among the many questions asked pertaining to his team, also was asked to share his thoughts on Seattle Mariners star catcher Cal Raleigh’s incredible 60-homer 2025 MLB season.

“It’s incredible,” Posey said of Raleigh. “He’s a Florida State alum like myself. I don’t know Cal that well, I had a chance to talk to him a little bit earlier this season when they were in town playing. I’m glad I don’t get to vote on the MVP race on this one, because I know which way my vote would be going.

“To do what he’s done behind the plate, to lead the staff, the grind of being behind the plate [and] to hit 60 homers and to do it in meaningful games down the stretch, I think it’s immeasurable his value to that team and just truly a season for the ages.”

Raleigh finished the regular season batting .247/.359/.589 with 60 home runs, 125 RBI and a .948 OPS in 159 games for the AL West-winning Mariners, who secured their first division title in 24 years.

The race for the AL MVP award will come down to Raleigh and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who batted .331/.457/.688 with 53 home runs, 114 RBI and a 1.144 OPS in 152 games.

While Judge clearly has the better percentage splits than Raleigh, it appears that Posey believes the catcher’s work behind the plate and his importance to Seattle’s elite pitching staff should put him over the top.

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Early's historic start among fascinating Red Sox-Yankees Game 3 subplots

Early's historic start among fascinating Red Sox-Yankees Game 3 subplots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Red Sox’ 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night was a tough pill to swallow for Boston fans.

But if you’re a fan of intriguing storylines and high drama, you’re in for a treat.

Boston and New York are tied at 1-1 in their best-of-three American League Wild Card series entering Thursday’s 8 p.m. ET finale in the Bronx. The winner advances to the Division Series to face the Toronto Blue Jays and the loser starts its offseason early.

The stakes are sky-high — and the fate of both teams rests on the arms of two rookies.

Let’s dive into the subplots that will make Thursday’s Game 3 at Yankee Stadium one for the history books:

Connelly Early making historic postseason debut

The Red Sox will start left-hander Connelly Early, who was promoted to the majors less than a month ago(Sept. 9) and has made just four starts at the big-league level.

If you’re wondering how many pitchers have been in Early’s position before as a recent call-up starting an elimination playoff game, the answer is … zero.

In fact, Early will be just the fifth pitcher to make apostseason start of any kind within his first five MLB appearances, and the first to do so since Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz and Atlanta’s Dylan Lee in 2021.

The good news for Red Sox fans: Early has looked sharp in his four starts to date, allowing two runs or fewer in every outing. He owns a 2.33 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 29 strikeouts over 19.1 innings. The 23-year-old didn’t exactly face elite competition, however, facing the Athletics (twice), Tampa Bay Rays and a scuffling Detroit Tigers squad.

Early will face his stiffest challenge yet in a Yankees lineup that led Major League Baseball in OPS (.797), home runs (70) and RBI (239) against left-handed pitchers this season.

Not that the rookie is shying away from the challenge.

“I’m excited to get out there,” Early told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve stuck to all my preparation and feel pretty good, so I’m ready to go out there and do it.”

Rookie with local ties gets the start for Yankees

Early won’t be the only fresh face on the mound Thursday night. New York is rolling with 24-year-old right-hander Cam Schlittler, who made his MLB debut on July 9 and has just 14 big-league starts under his belt.

Between Early and Schlittler, Thursday will be the first MLB playoff game ever featuring two starters with fewer than 15 career appearances under their belts.

Schlittler, who posted an impressive 2.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over those 14 starts and pitched seven scoreless innings in his most recent outing against the Baltimore Orioles, has plenty of ties to Boston. Born in Walpole, Mass., he attended Walpole High School, played college baseball at Northeastern and spent the summer of 2021 playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Harwich Mariners.

In an ironic twist of fate, Schlittler may not have many family members in attendance Thursday, as the Yankees barred Massachusetts residents from buying tickets through Ticketmaster. But he’s managed to convert many close to him to root for New York over Boston.

“I take pride in being from Boston. When it came to my career and where I want to be, this is where I want to be,” Schlittler told reporters Wednesday. “They are full Yankee guys now. They don’t wear it around as much in Boston, just because. When they are here (in New York), they are very prideful about it.”

How’s that Red Sox bullpen looking?

Alex Cora’s bold move to pull Brayan Bello after just 28 pitches Wednesday meant Boston had to use six different relievers to finish the game.

But with the exception of Garrett Whitlock — who threw 47 pitches and took the loss — none of those relievers threw more than 25 pitches, and Cora told reporters Wednesday that everyone minus Whitlock should be available.

“We’ll check with Whit, right? Get a lot of treatment and see where we’re at (Thursday),” Cora said. “But the rest, they’re in good shape.”

Early didn’t make it past the fifth inning in any of his previous four starts, so how Cora manages Boston’s bullpen could decide the outcome of this game.

Simon Benoit Eyes Maple Leafs Preseason Return After Training Camp Injury, Looking To Evolve His Game

BRACEBRIDGE, Ont. — Simon Benoit is feeling better after a “bump” early in training camp forced the defenseman to miss a portion of on-ice activities with the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an upper-body injury.

“It was bothering me so I just didn’t want to take any risk to make it worse,” Benoit told The Hockey News.

Benoit took part in his first full practice without having to wear the red non-contact jersey, as the club practiced at the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre for their annual getaway up north.

The third-year Leaf wasn’t concerned, as he was during his first go-around with Toronto in 2023, when the defenseman suffered from back spasms. When he returned, he started his season with the Toronto Marlies before working his way back to the Leafs and eventually earning an everyday spot with the NHL club.

But now a new challenge awaits the 27-year-old from Laval, Quebec: playing on the right side.

When training camp opened, the Leafs flipped Benoit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Both players are left-handed shots, and while skating together, it was Ekman-Larsson who skated on the right side. While Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said earlier in the camp that playing on the strong side unlocks more offense—a sentiment underscored by Ekman-Larsson, who scored just four goals last season compared to the nine he put up with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24—this positional switch means Benoit will play on his weak side, something he hasn’t done at the NHL level before.

Maple Leafs Provide Update On Playing Status Of Max Domi, Simon Benoit and Nicolas Roy Maple Leafs Provide Update On Playing Status Of Max Domi, Simon Benoit and Nicolas Roy As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for their second game of the preseason, there remain question marks about a few key players in their lineup.

With two games remaining in the pre-season, Benoit is eager to get into games so he can get some time on the weak side.

“It just takes a couple of games to break the habit and make sure you are in the right spot,” Benoit said.

The Leafs have been pleased with Benoit’s game over the last couple of years. He is a big, bruising defensive defenseman who is responsible with the puck. But now he aims to evolve his game by contributing offensively.

Benoit exhibited some of that ability when he set up Max Domi for Toronto’s overtime-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their 2025 first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. He took it a step further, scoring the game-winner in Game 3 of that series.

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Ex-Flyers Goalie Carter Hart Reportedly Likely to Join Western Conference Contender

(Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)

According to a report, former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart is rapidly gaining momentum to sign with a top Western Conference contender in the coming days.

On Wednesday, The Athletic NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that Hart, 27, is the closest of the recently acquitted Hockey Canada players to signing a new contract and resuming his playing career in the NHL.

The Vegas Golden Knights, according to Johnston's sources, are a near lock to sign the former Flyers goalie to a deal.

"Hart appears closest to signing a contract, with the Vegas Golden Knights almost certain to be the eventual destination for the 27-year-old goaltender, according to league sources," Johnston wrote for The Athletic. "Hart received interest from multiple NHL teams and is drawn to the opportunity to play for a contender in a situation where he’d likely end up sharing the crease with Adin Hill."

Flyers Roster Prediction 1.0: Nikita Grebenkin Secures Big OpportunityFlyers Roster Prediction 1.0: Nikita Grebenkin Secures Big OpportunityFollowing multiple roster cuts on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers have only a handful of decisions to make before they reach their final roster for the start of the regular season.

The 27-year-old Hart was found not guilty of the sexual assault charge levied against him on July 24 and has since been reinstated by the NHL, though it should be noted that he, along with the other four players involved in the Hockey Canada trial, are suspended until Dec. 1.

Hart was eligible to sign a contract with a new team as of Wednesday, though it will not be officially registered until Oct. 15.

Previously, it was reported, then confirmed by the Flyers themselves, that a reunion in Philadelphia would not be in the cards.

Hart last played an NHL game on Jan. 20, 2024, when he ceded five goals on 15 shots and was replaced by Sam Ersson in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Panthers bring Stanley Cup to Epic Universe during day off in Orlando

Just when you thought the fun Stanley Cup stories from the summer were over, the Florida Panthers squeezed in one more ahead of Opening Night.

On Tuesday, the Panthers played the Tampa Bay Lightning at Kia Center in Orlando, and on Thursday, the rivals will meet again, this time in Tampa.

As they have done in the past when playing an exhibition game in Orlando, the Panthers took the opportunity to enjoy some of what the tourist destination city has to offer.

This year, Florida was afforded the opportunity to include something very special: the Stanley Cup.

On Wednesday, the Panthers and the Cup visited Universal Studios’ brand new Epic Universe theme park.

Judging by the looks on many of the players’ faces, having the chance to cut loose and enjoy a little fun with each other before the season is something that they took full advantage of.

“It’s great,” said Panthers forward A.J. Greer. “We got to do something very unique, something that we don’t get to do much often, and I haven’t done it since I was a kid.

“You feel like a kid, and walking around with your best friends, it’s great to indulge in some of the stuff that you used to love.”

You can check out footage of the Cats’ day at Epic Univese in the video below:

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Penguins' Pre-Season: Final 23-Man Roster Prediction Edition

A few days ago, we had our Mailbox Monday, and I gave my final predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins' final 2025-26 roster.

Well, as it turns out, some things have changed. More specifically, some of these young players - and the veterans - have me changing my mind. 

Through six pre-season games, the Penguins are 4-1-1, and that is in large part to some of the young players who are making a statement in this camp. While I don't think that means every single one of them will make the opening night NHL roster for puck drop on Oct. 7, I do think some of them have made enough of an impression to earn their way there - and I also think there are some veterans that have not performed up to standard and could, potentially, be blocking one of those younger players from a roster spot.

With major roster cuts expected within the next two days, we are drawing closer and closer to the end of camp - and the dawn of the new season.

So, here goes. Here is my final roster prediction to begin the 2025-26 season.


Forwards (14)

C Sidney Crosby
No explanation required.

C Evgeni Malkin
See "C Sidney Crosby."

RW Bryan Rust
Assuming he is not dealt in the next week, Rust will be on the opening night roster.

LW/RW/C Rickard Rakell
See "RW Bryan Rust."

RW Anthony Mantha
Mantha has shown value with his size, strength, and ability to create scoring opportunities off his shot. He has also meshed well with Malkin up to this point, and the Penguins will not want to waste a chance for him to make himself valuable enough to flip for assets at the trade deadline.

Penguins' Pre-Season: Prospects Lead Way As Penguins Defeat Sabres, 5-3Penguins' Pre-Season: Prospects Lead Way As Penguins Defeat Sabres, 5-3The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their winning ways in the pre-season on Wednesday when they visited the Buffalo Sabres.

LW Ville Koivunen
It will be an absolute travesty - as well as serious malpractice - if Koivunen is not on this roster to start the season. He is tied for the pre-season lead in goals with two, and he's making guys look silly out there on a nightly basis.

C Tristan Broz
Broz has been one of the most impressive forwards in camp, period. And not only has he impressed offensively with two power play goals, it's telling that the Penguins are experimenting with him up and down the lineup and in all situations, almost as if to test him - and he's passed with flying colors.

RW Philip Tomasino
At first, I did not have Tomasino on my final roster projection. But he has been legitimately good in the last couple of games, and he has also shown some chemistry with a few other guys who could be on the roster. He's been going to the net a lot, he's been unafraid to pull the trigger, and he's made a few nice passing plays, too. He's earned a stay on the roster.

Penguins' Mid-Camp Prospect Tiers: Who Is Most Likely To Make NHL Roster?Penguins' Mid-Camp Prospect Tiers: Who Is Most Likely To Make NHL Roster?We're officially 10 days into Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp, and if one thing is for certain, there has been a ton of competition. 

C Filip Hallander
In the first half of camp, I felt that Hallander needed to show me more in order to convince me he should be on the roster. Well, he has convinced me in the last couple of games with his playmaking smarts, his two-way play, and his center drive. I like what I've seen from him, and he didn't cross an ocean again for nothing.

C/LW Connor Dewar
Dewar has been outstanding in this camp. He made himself stand out in the 4-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday with a nice backhand goal and a fight, and he continues to prove why he may be a hidden gem for the Penguins on their fourth line.

RW Justin Brazeau
He's big, he's physical, he forechecks well, he goes to the net... and he's remarkably good at deflections. While that reason alone is not enough to earn him a roster spot, what does earn him a spot is his knack for seemingly always being in the right place at the right time. He's a great combination of size and smarts, which is something the Penguins could use.

C Ben Kindel
If you would have asked me at the beginning of camp if Kindel had a shot, I may have laughed. Not because Kindel isn't good, but because there are so many worthy forwards in camp. But Kindel has managed to rise above them all, and he's earned himself a nine-game trial - even if that means waiving a veteran. He may need to add size, but so does almost every 18- or 19-year-old who plays in the NHL. To me, that's not a valid reason to hold him back when he's shown he can handle NHL-grade competition - and even outmatch it.

Should Ben Kindel Get The Nine-Game Trial? The Case For And AgainstShould Ben Kindel Get The Nine-Game Trial? The Case For And AgainstThere are a lot of stories coming out of Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp this year. Many of them involve young players making an impression and pushing for the NHL roster.

C Blake Lizotte
Quite honestly, I think Lizotte barely makes this roster. It's not because he's been bad, but there have simply been younger centermen who have outplayed him. He's someone the Penguins would probably lose to waivers, so I think they'd rather hold onto him for a potential trade later.

C Tommy Novak
Truly, I haven't been a huge fan of Novak's camp. There are times when he looks a step slow, and he could stand to do a bit more away from the puck. But I have liked the look of the Novak-Hallander-Tomasino combination, and I do think that he has more to offer than what he's shown.

Notable omissions: Avery Hayes, Noel Acciari, Danton Heinen, Robby Fabbri, Boko Imama


Defensemen (7)

RD Erik Karlsson
Barring a surprise trade, there is no way the Penguins' top defenseman misses out on a roster spot. He's consistently been paired with a stay-at-home partner, and they've meshed well together.

RD Kris Letang
See "C Sidney Crosby" and "C Evgeni Malkin."

RD Matt Dumba
Dumba has been one of the best surprises of camp, and this is good news for him and the Penguins. He seems to be a different player than he was with the Dallas Stars a year ago, and he has been unleashing his booming shot with consistency, too. The pre-season has been good for his confidence, and, hopefully, that can translate to the regular season and turn him into a tradeable asset.

RD Connor Clifton
Clifton has been very sound in this camp. He knows his identity and sticks to it, and he's never trying to do too much. He strikes me as someone the Penguins could potentially play on their off-side, too.

RD Harrison Brunicke
Brunicke may not have been his tip-top self in a 5-3 win over Buffalo Wednesday, but he's been tip-top otherwise all throughout camp. He's already one of the Penguins' three best defenseman in this camp, and he has absolutely nothing left to prove or develop in juniors. His development needs to happen at the NHL level. He's ready, and he's a good, smart hockey player.

LD Parker Wotherspoon
Wotherspoon has been very unremarkable in the best possible way. His defensive details are on-point, and - so far, anyway - it seems like he can read pretty well off of Karlsson, which is a very hard thing to do. He plays a simple, calm game, and the Penguins need that on their blue line.

Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins' Final Roster Look Like?Mailbox Monday: What Will The Penguins' Final Roster Look Like?Pittsburgh Penguins' training camp is beginning to draw to a close, and there is sure to be a lot of drama in the next several days. 

LD Ryan Shea
Shea struggled a bit in the 5-3 loss to Buffalo, but before that, he was making his case. It's worth noting that Shea played his off-side in Buffalo and that the Penguins only had five defensemen. Other than that, he's had a solid, steady camp and has earned his way onto the NHL roster.

Notable omissions: Owen Pickering, Ryan Graves, Caleb Jones, Jack St. Ivany

Goaltenders (2)

Starter: Tristan Jarry
Jarry has been good in the pre-season, and - although he will more than likely have a short leash at the NHL  level - he has earned the right to try to defend is net from younger guys coming up through the system and via trade - at least, one last time for old times' sake.

Backup: Arturs Silovs
Some will groan that this isn't Sergei Murashov, but the best thing for Murashov's development right now is to get a heavy workload in the AHL and see how he handles it. Besides, Silovs has been perfectly serviceable and solid, and he's earned his way onto the roster as a No. 2.

Notable omissions: Sergei Murashov, Filip Larsson

'Inspiring': Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Reflects On Fleury, Game To Remember 'Inspiring': Penguins' Top Goaltending Prospect Reflects On Fleury, Game To Remember Marc-Andre Fleury's final game in Pittsburgh was an unforgettable experience for many, fans and longtime teammates alike. 

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

Steve Kerr details why Warriors adding Seth Curry finally made sense this season

Steve Kerr details why Warriors adding Seth Curry finally made sense this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph and Seth Curry finally are living the dream of every sibling around the world after teaming up on the Warriors for the 2025-26 NBA season.

But there’s a reason it took more than a decade for the Curry bros to unite in the NBA, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr believes the time finally feels right.

“I think it’s awesome,” Kerr said Wednesday of Seth joining his brother in Golden State. “When I got here, I think Seth had just played in Santa Cruz about 11 years ago. And then he set off on his own course and made a really good career for himself. I think the timing feels right on this. I don’t know if the timing was right over recent years. We probably didn’t have playing time for him. He was in a place where he was going to teams and playing a lot [and] making money.

“And it just feels like they’re both at a point in their careers where this makes a ton of sense. I’m thrilled to have Seth and to see the two brothers side by side today at our meeting. It was pretty awesome.”

After going undrafted in 2013, Seth signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State but was waived and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be his 10th NBA team as he enters Year 12 in the league.

With former Warriors guard Klay Thompson serving as Steph’s partner in crime for 13 seasons, earning the “Splash Brothers” nickname, there was no room or opportunity for Steph’s real brother, Seth, to fit on the Warriors.

But when Thompson left Golden State for the Dallas Mavericks last offseason, the Warriors have been trying to find someone to fill the void of Thompson’s consistent sharpshooting abilities, experimenting with players such as Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield.

Now, Seth also addresses that void, as he averaged a career- and league-best 45.6 percent from 3-point range on nearly 3.0 attempts per game last season with the Charlotte Hornets.

So not only is it a feel-good, wholesome storyline, but the brotherly bond hopes to benefit the Warriors as they push to get back to championship contention with their aging core.

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Do Spurs lack 'leadership qualities'?

Micky van de Ven confronts the referee during the draw against Bodo/Glimt
[Getty Images]

Micky Van de Ven had a bad five minutes on Tuesday in Norway.

Tottenham's equaliser had been ruled out for a foul by him - a decision which caused him to argue bitterly with the referee.

Moments later he absolutely clattered into one of Bodo/Glimt's attacking players, earning him a yellow card and a talking to. He looked fit to burst.

I immediately cast my eye around the team to see who could calm him down. Then I remembered he was the captain and none of his team-mates appeared comfortable trying to rein him in.

As it turned out, Van de Ven didn't completely lose it. He stayed on the pitch and headed in the goal which sparked another comeback - but he trod a very thin line that night in Norway - something Spurs keep doing this season, not just from a disciplinary point of view, but in other areas too.

With the departure of Son Heung-min and injury to James Maddison, two of the obvious leaders in a Spurs shirt are now absent. Cristian Romero is captain, but it would be generous to describe him as an even-tempered presence on the field.

Van de Ven was the obvious choice to take over the armband on Tuesday, but Thomas Frank is going to have to ask some of the squad's other players to take a leading role as well.

The goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, Joao Palhinha and maybe Pedro Porro need to shoulder some of that burden.

Either that or Tottenham's January plans will need to have 'leadership qualities' at the very top of the agenda.

Pitch points: why are United sticking with Amorim? And is Pulisic really that good?

The world of soccer throws up no shortage of questions on a regular basis. In today’s column, Graham Ruthven endeavors to answer three of them

It’s no wonder Ruben Amorim spent the closing moments of Manchester United’s defeat to Brentford staring at the floor. That’s the only place he can escape the reality of his team’s continued slide. United’s latest defeat means the Portuguese manager has now lost nearly twice as many matches (17) as he has won (nine).

Continue reading...

Sporticast 489: The NHL Is Gaining Ground on MLB

On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams are joined by Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico‘s valuations expert, to discuss his latest NHL valuations.

The average NHL team is now worth $2.1 billion, up 17% from last year’s numbers. The Toronto Maple Leafs top the list at $4.25 billion, followed by the New York Rangers ($3.65 billion) and the Montreal Canadiens ($3.3 billion). The Columbus Blue Jackets are last at $1.3 billion.

The hosts talk about the tailwinds for the league right now. A new Canadian media deal and long-term labor peace have created a sense of stability and revenue certainty. Teams are expecting a boost from the next U.S. national TV deal as well. The downside of the RSN collapse, which has impacted the NBA and MLB as well, has been softened by the fact that RSNs in Canada have remained strong.

Over the past few years the NHL has crept closer to MLB in valuations. The average MLB team is worth about $2.8 billion, but the get-in price for both leagues is around $1.3 billion. In Tampa in the past two years, the Lightning sold for more than the Rays.

The trio discusses success in the Sun Belt—particularly for the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes—and how the NHL might better monetize its popularity oversees. NHL players will skate in the Winter Olympics next year in Italy, the first Games since 2014 to feature the world’s top players.

They close with a discussion about the culture of NHL locker rooms, where stars have historically shied away from marketing opportunities. Outside of Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, who is the third-most recognizable active NHL player in the U.S.? The hosts debate.

(You can subscribe to Sporticast through Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts.)

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Hernández: Is Roki Sasaki the Dodgers' closer now? 'That's what we need right there'

Los Angeles, CA, October 1, 2025 - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki.
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki delivers during the ninth inning of an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of a National League wild-card series on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers aren’t ready to call Roki Sasaki their closer, but who are they kidding?

Sasaki is their closer.

When the 23-year-old rookie from the Japanese countryside stepped onto the October stage on Wednesday night, he revealed himself to be more than the team’s best late-inning option.

He showed he was special.

He was Reggie-Bush-exploding-through-the-Frenso-State-defense special.

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers dismantle Reds. Bring on the — gulp — Phillies!

He was Allen-Iverson-crossing-up-Michael-Jordan special.

He was Yasiel-Puig-doubling-off-a-runner-for-the-final-out-in-his-debut special.

“Wow,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “Really, all you can say is wow.”

Watching Sasaki pitch the final inning of a two-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in their National League wild-card series, the patrons at Dodger Stadium at once recognized the novelty of his act. The same crowd that can’t distinguish home runs from fly balls was chanting his first name throughout the ballpark after just two pitches.

Sasaki threw seven fastballs in the perfect inning, and six of them were faster than 100 mph. The other was clocked at 99.8 mph.

With a forkball that looked as if it was dropping perpendicular to the ground, he struck out the first two batters he faced. Spencer Steer and Gavin Lux had no chance.

“That guy is gross,” reliever Tanner Scott said.

The 11-pitch performance by Sasaki was why the 8-4 victory in Game 2 felt so different than the 10-5 win in Game 1. In both games, the bullpen created messes in the eighth inning. Game 1 left the Dodgers questioning how they could defend their World Series title with such an unreliable group of relievers. Game 2 offered them a vision of how they could realize their ambition.

“That’s what we need right there,” Muncy said.

Sasaki was the last card in the deck for the Dodgers, who gave up on Scott before the playoffs even started. They experimented with some less experienced arms, but none of them performed well. Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer were part of a dispiriting three-run eighth inning against the Reds in Game 1. Converted starter Emmet Sheehan was part of another eighth-inning meltdown in Game 2, as he retired just one of the five batters he faced, and that was on a sacrifice fly that drove in a run. Sheehan was charged with two runs.

By the time Sasaki started warming up in the bottom of the eighth inning, he might as well have already inherited the closer role by default. The other candidates had pitched their way out of consideration.

Never mind that Sasaki had never pitched in relief in either the United States or Japan until he did so on a recent minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Sasaki pitched out of the bullpen twice in the major leagues in the final days of the regular season, and he was about as promising a bullpen possibility as they had.

So when Sasaki emerged from the bullpen against the Reds, fans in every section of Dodger Stadium stood to applaud. Sasaki represented their final hope.

Read more:Dodgers showcase their mental resolve and beat Reds to advance to NLDS

Once on the mound, Sasaki delivered a performance that was aesthetically pleasing as it was effective.

The high leg kick. The athletic delivery. The velocity and precision of his fastball.

Words couldn’t accurately describe what he did, so his teammates didn’t bother trying.

“You guys saw the same thing I did,” catcher Ben Rortvedt said.

Dodgers management was reluctant to say anything definitive about Sasaki’s role moving forward.

Was Sasaki the new closer?

“He’s going to get important outs for us,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman replied.

Read more:Nine concerns the Dodgers should have about facing the Phillies in the NLDS

Asked the same question, manager Dave Roberts offered an equally ambiguous answer.

“I trust him,” Roberts said, “and he’s going to pitch in leverage.”

As guarded as Friedman and Roberts were, they couldn’t conceal the truth. Something fundamentally changed for the Dodgers on Wednesday night: They found their ninth-inning pitcher.

Sasaki is their closer.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Highlighting 10 potential Giants managerial candidates after Bob Melvin firing

Highlighting 10 potential Giants managerial candidates after Bob Melvin firing originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey did a Zoom call with reporters on Monday, sat down for a press conference on Wednesday morning, and then taped an episode of the Giants Talk podcast. He has been bombarded with questions about his managerial search since firing Bob Melvin, and so far, he has revealed just one real bit of news: The Giants won’t be turning back to Bruce Bochy

When it comes to anything and anyone else, reporters might as well be opposing runners trying to steal second. As they said for so long at Oracle Park, Buster ain’t having it. 

“I’ve mentioned that I’m going to keep it tight,” Posey said in response to one query during a press conference with general manager Zack Minasian. “Sorry, not going to answer that.”

Managerial searches generally are mysterious in nature anyway, and Posey has a particularly good reason to be tight-lipped this time around. More than a quarter of the organizations in Major League Baseball are looking for new managers, and the same candidates will show up in multiple places. It’s possible that Posey will be competing with the Atlanta Braves or Baltimore Orioles, or someone else for his top choice. 

For now, practically nothing is known about who that might be, although some close to Posey are convinced he already has a person in mind. The second-half collapse took long enough that Posey has had plenty of time to think about what’s next. 

Posey said this week that age is irrelevant in this search, and experience can be viewed different ways. He shot down questions about specific candidates, but the perception from some who have spoken to him over the past month is that he likely will hire someone he is familiar with. 

Posey is one year into his career as an executive, but because he played so long in the big leagues, that still is a long list. Here’s an early look at potential candidates and some of the new names you might hear over the next month … 

Nick Hundley

The 42-year-old is a fit in a lot of ways, and Posey is said to be intrigued. Hundley is a former catcher and former Giant, having served as Posey’s backup in 2017-18. In retirement, he first worked for MLB and now serves as a senior advisor for the Texas Rangers’ baseball operations department. In that role, Hundley won a World Series, and he got an up-close look at the work done by Bochy, his former manager with the Giants. 

While Hundley has no coaching experience, he certainly brings the type of personality that would be a breath of fresh air for a team that continues to go into second-half slides. A former Willie Mac Award winner, Hundley has plenty of fans within the organization, and he traveled to San Francisco last week to watch Willy Adames get the award. 

Mark DeRosa

Technically, DeRosa already has a managerial position. In addition to his work at MLB Network, he’s the manager for Team USA and currently is preparing for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. 

The former big league infielder played for the Giants in 2010-11, although it was a rough couple of years because of wrist injuries. DeRosa should be a popular name this month and seems like an easy fit in Atlanta, where he spent the first half of his career. 

Ron Wotus

If you’re looking for people with longtime ties to the organization, nobody beats Wotus, a team employee for four decades who has managerial experience at the minor league level and has been part of every staff since Dusty Baker was in charge. Wotus has interviewed elsewhere multiple times and also has interviewed to be Giants manager before, but he’s still waiting for that shot in the big chair. 

Wotus has the respect of the current players and even knows the next generation from his defensive help at affiliates. He has such a strong reputation in the dugout that Melvin quietly lured him back to the bench at the end of the 2023 season, hopeful that he could provide a boost. Gabe Kapler made him the only holdover on staff after taking over for Bochy. 

The 64-year-old currently serves in a bit of a hybrid role, working with Giants infielders and minor leaguers while supporting coaches and the front office. He won three titles with Posey when he was Bochy’s bench coach, and this past season, Wotus often watched games with Posey and Minasian in the front office’s suite.

Mark Hallberg

Nobody has more experience with Posey than Hallberg, who was on Kapler’s staff and then served as Melvin’s first base coach. The 39-year-old played with Posey at Florida State, and some around the industry view him as a frontrunner for the job. 

Hallberg managed in the Giants’ minor league system before getting promoted to Kapler’s staff and he would bring an attention to detail and commitment to accountability that has been missing at times in recent years. He had a more prominent role in the dugout this past season, and while he’s short on big league experience, some of that could be mitigated by hiring an experienced bench coach. 

Craig Albernaz

After letting Melvin go, Posey said he wanted someone who was “obsessive” about the details, the daily work that’s required, and getting the most out of players and staff. It sounded a bit like Kapler and his group of young coaches, who ultimately didn’t work out but still helped lead the Giants to a franchise-record 107 wins in Posey’s final season. 

There are multiple coaches from that team — Donnie Ecker, Kai Correa, Antoan Richardson, etc. — who might get an interview somewhere during this hiring cycle, but Albernaz would seem to be the best fit for the Giants. He was Posey’s catching coach in 2021 and is extremely close with Patrick Bailey. Albernaz has spent the past two seasons in Cleveland as Stephen Vogt’s associate manager. 

Rocco Baldelli

The former big league outfielder won the AL Central three times in Minnesota, but he was fired after a 70-92 season. Overall, he had a 527-505 record with the Twins, who went into a complete teardown at the trade deadline. The 44-year-old was named American League Manager of the Year in 2019.

Skip Schumaker

Schumaker is the heavy favorite to get the Rangers job. The 2023 NL Manager of the Year (with the Miami Marlins) spent this past season in Texas’ front office and has been viewed as next in line to Bochy. 

But, if Posey is interested, perhaps he can make a stronger case. The Rangers plan to decrease their payroll a bit, although like the Giants, they do have a core already in place, and they have some intriguing young talent. 

Brandon Hyde

The Santa Rosa native managed nearly 1,000 games in Baltimore, surviving a rebuild and leading the Orioles to 101 wins in 2023. Hyde was fired earlier this season after the Orioles got off to a rough start. He would bring plenty of experience, having previously served as a minor league manager and big league bench coach, as well. The 51-year-old was the AL Manager of the Year in 2023. 

Rodney Linares

There was a time not too long ago when the Giants were obsessed with following the Tampa Bay Way. Former Rays exec Chaim Bloom was the runner-up to Farhan Zaidi when he got hired, and Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro was a finalist for the job that ultimately went to Kapler. 

There was a good reason for all of that, too. While this was a down year for the organization, the Rays generally have done more with less than anyone in Major League Baseball. Their current bench coach, Linares, has spent years learning from Kevin Cash and should be the next to get a good opportunity elsewhere. 

Linares also managed the Dominican Republic at the 2023 WBC. That team included a couple of young infielders named Willy Adames and Rafael Devers.  

Tony Vitello

First mentioned as a possibility by The Athletic, Vitello has long been on the radar of some in the front office, per a source. The Giants also have loaded up on former Tennessee stars over the past year, trading for Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell and drafting Gavin Kilen.

The 46-year-old would be a surprising choice, but there’s no denying his credentials at the collegiate level. The Volunteers have made three College World Series appearances in the last five seasons and have won 72 percent of their games under Vitello, a Missouri native. 

Some of the most innovative coaches in the country are leading collegiate programs, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see MLB teams turn that way in the coming years. This would be a risk given Vitello’s lack of experience at the professional level, but Posey certainly has the leeway to take a huge swing here if he wants to. 

Really, that’s where this search is unique. The Giants have handed the keys to a franchise legend, and over 12 months, he has given out the largest contract in franchise history, stunningly traded for an even bigger one, signed a 42-year-old starter, and fired his manager just three months after picking up his option. Posey’s moves have been bold, and it wouldn’t be a shock if his next one is, too. 

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Boom or Bust: Toughest Players to Rank in 9-Category Fantasy Basketball

Deciding which players to target and which to avoid is the foundation of any winning draft strategy. This year, however, a few key players are causing serious debates among fantasy analysts. Are they breakout candidates or injury risks waiting to happen? We're looking at five of the hardest players to rank—the ultimate boom or bust list for your 9-category fantasy basketball league.

Most Difficult NBA Fantasy Players to Rank

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Leonard has been productive the last two seasons. In 2023-24, he averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers. Last season, he provided 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers per game. He played 68 games two seasons ago, but just 37 games last year.

Leonard's injury history is what makes him so difficult to rank. He has played in 57 or fewer games in four of the last five seasons. However, he has been productive when he is on the floor. Since joining the Clippers, he has averaged 24.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.1 three-pointers over five seasons. The Clippers improved their depth by adding John Collins, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Brook Lopez during the offseason, but Leonard is still expected to lead the team alongside James Harden. Leonard's current ADP on Yahoo is 45. If he plays in around 65 games, he will likely be worth it for managers who drafted him. However, if he plays fewer than 50 games, he can really bring down your fantasy squad.

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Markkanen was great in his first two seasons with the Jazz, averaging at least 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in both campaigns. He also shot at least 48.0% from the field in each season. His efficiency then plummeted last season, leaving him to shoot 42.3% from the field. That contributed to him averaging just 19.0 points per game. His production on the boards also took a hit with him providing just 5.9 rebounds per game. Injuries and the Jazz tanking down the stretch left him to play in only 47 games.

Markkanen has never played in more than 68 games in a season in his career. In five of his eight seasons, he has played fewer than 60 games. He has shot 45.5% from the field for his career, so were his first two seasons with the Jazz a fluke when it comes to his efficiency? The Jazz could be one of the worst teams in the league, so could we see Markkanen rested down the stretch again? When he's at his best, Markkanen is a great fantasy option. However, there are a lot of question marks that make him difficult to rank.

Kristaps Porzingis, Atlanta Hawks

Porzingis was plagued by a mysterious illness at times last season. It got so bad that he even lost his starting job with the Celtics during the playoffs. He played just 42 games during the regular season, averaging 19.5 points and a career-low 6.8 rebounds. It was the first time that he averaged fewer than 20.0 points in a season since his second season in the NBA.

With the Celtics looking to cut payroll this offseason, Porzingis was traded to the Hawks. He could see time at power forward playing alongside Onyeka Okongwu, or he could spend significant minutes playing center. The Hawks certainly have the depth to play smaller lineups with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard all projected to come off the bench. With his ability to rack up blocks and three-pointers, while also providing plenty of scoring, Porzingis can be an extremely valuable fantasy option. However, he has played fewer than 60 games in all but three of his seasons in the league. In what will be his 11th NBA season, it might not be realistic to expect him to remain healthy.

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter has spent his entire career with the Nuggets. He is coming off one of his most valuable fantasy campaigns, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 three-pointers last season, while shooting 50.4% from the field. Still, that didn't stop Denver from trading him to the Nets in a deal that landed them Cameron Johnson and some needed cap flexibility to improve their bench.

Porter will go from being a main running mate for Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to a Nets team that doesn't have many scoring options behind Cam Thomas. Porter has never finished a season with a usage rate higher than 22.7%. He could blow past that mark this year, which would seem to increase his fantasy value. However, it's not certain that he will remain on the Nets for the entire season. If he gets traded, he could assume a smaller role with a contender. If he isn't traded, there is the chance that he gets added rest days down the stretch if the Nets are out of the playoff hunt. With an ADP of 61 on Yahoo, Porter has the potential to be a significant value, or a colossal flop.

RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

From a counting stats standpoint, Barrett just had the best season of his career with averages of 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 three-pointers. However, he shot only 63.0% from the free-throw line and averaged a career-high 2.9 turnovers. He was also limited to 58 games for the second straight season.

The Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram last season, but he didn't play for his new squad because of an ankle injury. Immanuel Quickley was also limited to 33 games because of injuries. With both Ingram and Quickley on the floor this season, Barrett could see his usage rate and opportunities for assists decline. However, Ingram hasn't exactly been a pillar of health, playing 55 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons. If he is sidelined again, Barrett could be thrust right back into a fantasy-friendly role. Even with that in mind, he'll still need to improve his free throw shooting if he's going to live up to his Yahoo ADP of 77.

The five county cricketers of the year

A player can only make the list once. View the previous winners: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017

By 99.94 Cricket Blog

At 19, after that fairytale series in India when he became the youngest debutant ever to open for England, the teenage lad with the Bolton accent and winning smile faced two of the hardest jobs you can have. First, he had to grow up in public, a task almost too cruel to wish upon any kid. Second, he became the latest vessel for the hopes of English cricket.

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It must be October, because Super Kiké Hernández is here

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 1, 2025: Enrique Hernandez is congradulated by Mookie Betts.
Kiké Hernández, left, celebrates with Mookie Betts after scoring in the fourth inning of an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

For Kiké Hernández, the regular season is little more than a six-month warm-up. Real baseball is played when the evening air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change.

And when summer turns to fall few players have stepped up bigger than Hernández, who had two hits, scored two runs and drove in another Wednesday, spurring a Dodger comeback that ended in an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds and a sweep of their National League wild-card series.

That sends the team on to the best-of-five Division Series with the Phillies, which begins Saturday in Philadelphia.

“October Kiké is something pretty special,” Dodger manager Dave Roberts said. “And the track record speaks for itself. He's one of the best throughout the history of the postseason.”

It’s a reputation he’s earned.

A .236 career hitter in the regular season, Hernández has hit .286 in 88 postseason games. He slashed .203/.255/.366 in an injury-marred regular season this year, but two games into the playoffs he’s hitting .500, leads the Dodgers with three runs scored and ranks second to Mookie Betts with four hits. He also made a splendid over-the-shoulder catch while racing to the warning track in the first inning Wednesday.

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers dismantle Reds. Bring on the — gulp — Phillies!

“Some guys are built for this moment. He’s definitely one of them,” said third baseman Max Muncy, standing in the middle of the Dodgers’ batting cage during the team’s postgame celebration, his blue T-shirt soaked in champagne as a teammate poured beer over his head.

Hernández, wearing goggles but not a shirt, made a brief appearance at the victory party but departed to celebrate with family before the champagne and beer began to puddle on the plastic sheeting that covered the floor.

His teammates were all too happy to speak about him in his absence.

“He's a guy who is not shy from the from the moment,” infielder Miguel Rojas said. “I feel like the regular season for him is not enough.”

Rojas said he learned that first hand after rejoining the Dodgers in 2023. Although the team’s playoff run was brief, Hernández led the team with two RBIs and was second in hits and average.

“I saw it on TV before. But when I got here I saw that it was real,” he said. “He always wanted the moment and he showed it tonight with a big double to tie the game.”

That came with one out in the fourth, when his line drive to center field scored Muncy from first to tie the score, 2-2. Four pitches later he scored on Rojas’ single, putting the Dodgers ahead to stay.

Read more:Nine concerns the Dodgers should have about facing the Phillies in the NLDS

But Hernández wasn’t finished. Two innings later he led off with a squibber up the third-base line that was going foul before it hit the bag for a single, starting a four-run rally that put the game away. The bottom third of the Dodger lineup — Hernández, Rojas and catcher Ben Rortvedt — combined to go six for 12 with five runs and two RBIs.

“Kiké is Kiké,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández said above the din of the celebration. “That's the guy you get when October starts.”

Before that? Not so much. But for Hernández, the postseason has become redemption time.

“I know they brought me here for these types of moments,” he said before Wednesday’s game.

“The beautiful thing about the postseason is that once we get to the postseason, everything starts at zero. You can have a bad year and you flip the script and you start over in the postseason. You have a good postseason, help the team win, and nobody ever remembers what you did in the regular season.”

Read more:Dodgers showcase their mental resolve and beat Reds to advance to NLDS

Hernández, 34, owes much of his fall heroics simply to the opportunity to play on the sport’s biggest stage. In a dozen big-league seasons, he’s made the playoffs 10 times, playing in 21 postseason series with the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox and winning two World Series rings.

“I've been blessed to be on the right team at the right time,” he said. “Being a good postseason player is kind of an individual thing, but not really. You're on a team that doesn't make the playoffs, you can't be a postseason player.

“I just happen to be on a lot of really good teams, and I've been fortunate enough to get a lot of chances.”

With his performance Wednesday, he assured himself at least three more chances in the division series with the Phillies. And Rojas expects him to take full advantage.

“He always wants the moment and he wants to be out there,” he said. “I'm learning from him every single day. He's the most prepared guy that I've ever played with.”

Especially in October.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.