Posts

Posted on

Inside the Suns: Media Day questions, preseason games, back end of the roster decision

Welcome to Inside the Suns, a deep down analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team in which the Fantable — a round table of Bright Siders — give their takes on the Suns’ latest issues and news.

Fantable Questions of the Week

Q1: This Monday is Media Day. What are the top 3 questions you would ask IF you were guaranteed to get 100% honest answers to them?

zenzino: Oooh! 100% honesty? Who shot JR? Where’s the beef? The mind boggles. (Yeah, I’m an 80s kid)

This is actually pretty tough. 100% honesty doesn’t help if they honestly don’t know the answer. You can’t ask about how players will work out. Most things they’ll just try and see.

Here’s my try at it:

  1. Jordan Ott: What are the key things you learned from your first season as a head coach, and what are you changing this season based on that?
  2. Mark Williams: Why do you keep breaking? Jordan Ott: Do you think Maluach and Fleming are ready to make significant contributions this season? If not, what do they need to show you, and what is the projected timeline?
  3. Devin Booker: You’ve been dedicated to the Valley your whole career, and Mat Ishbia says he is ride or die with you. Is there any reasonable situation where you would consider asking to be traded?

Ashton: To start, I hope it is live-streamed on YouTube, as the comment section can be hilarious and stupid at the same time. Also, I hope that BSotS is well represented in this one and can get a question in or two. But Monday is going to be softball week for questions with long Mat Ishbia dialogues. I like the fact that this question asks for 100% honest answers and that could make me as ruthless as a reporter with a hypodermic syringe full of CIA-grade truth serum under the bright media lights. Ah, who am kidding? I would just need a bucket of water and a towel.

But I would not do that (I think), but I am sure the commentators might. Let’s get the softballs out of the way.

Coach Ott: Do you see a scenario where your starting line-up includes Collin Gillespie?

Coach Ott (again): Now that we know that Mark Williams will miss most of the season, what is the strategy for the front court? Will there be smaller lineups?

Devin Booker: The modern NBA has shifted to more of a three-point shooting offense. Where do you see yourself in this offense? As a 3pt shooter or a ball-moving facilitator?

The entire room: I actually want this one answered with a pre-and-post truth serum injection. You get the softball answer, and then after the truth serum, you give your real answer. Let’s include media in this as well.

How many games do you honestly expect the Suns to win this season?

BSoT writers, I hoped it helped, but you should just pull a Dave King-like article asking the board for questions.

Rod: First off, I’d like to state that I wouldn’t waste one of these questions on Mat Ishbia. A lot of the things he says sound like pure hype, but I’m not at all certain that he doesn’t actually believe them himself and, as with anyone, what people actually believe is true isn’t always factual. I believe Jordan Ott’s views of this team would be the most realistic.

  1. To Ott: What do you see as the most realistic goal for the Suns this season?
  2. Also to Ott: Do you think a Jalen Green/Devin Booker backcourt has a real chance of actually working out well?
  3. To Book: How does this team compare to the 2020-21 Suns team that went to the NBA Finals?

Q2: Preseason games start in just over a week. What are you most looking forward to seeing in the first game?

zenzino: SUNS BASKETBALL!! Next question.

Between NBA and NFL, I think preseason is getting increasingly pointless, with starters often being mostly or even completely held out. I would like the new-look starting lineup to get some minutes together in preseason rather than start to work it out as the season begins.

What I hope I see is the Suns play at least the first half of each preseason game as it matters. I’d like to see an old-school preseason so the Suns can hit the ground running when the regular season starts. I don’t think they (or any team in the West) can afford a slow start while they figure things out.

That being said, I’m looking forward to seeing the young guys getting minutes with full NBA players to see if they can continue what we saw in Summer League.

Oh, and no injuries!

I’m looking forward to seeing the new-look starting lineup and how they mesh together. And Oso making some free throws.

It would be interesting to see if he can take that year-two leap into being a starting center.

Ashton: After Mark Williams’ injury, my attention completely pivoted to the C position. I normally would have inserted Miles Bridges into the starters here (my Fantable peers will cover me), but now I am looking at the Big Men in Oso and KM. I would not mind a two-fer as an answer to this question with split minutes between them both, but I will take Khaman Mulauch as the one to watch.

It would be interesting to see if he can take that year-two leap into being a starting center.

Rod: I want to see how well Book. Green, Brooks, and Bridges mesh in the starting unit. Obviously, we still have no idea whether Oso or Khaman will be the 5th starter yet, and whichever one does start will have an impact on how well the starting unit plays together, but due to injuries, we never really got a good look at how well a Booker/Green backcourt would work together, and the addition of Bridges adds yet another new wrinkle.

And while the starting unit is weak in three-point shooting, I wouldn’t call it “bad”…but it is something to be concerned about. Seeing how they play as such will be something I’ll keep an eye on. They’ve got some guys who can get hot from three in the starting unit, but will they rely on the uncertainty of that happening and fire away from three or concentrate on getting to the basket more?

Q3: To keep Doup Reath on the regular season roster, the Suns would have to waive Bouyea or Highsmith OR one of the two-way contract players (Brea, Huntley & Spencer). If they decide to keep Reath, who would you waive to create a roster spot for him?

zenzino: This would be super easy to name a knee-jerk person.

It seems like most people think Bouyea would be the obvious choice. But I say, “Not so fast!” Bouyea got his chance on a roster loaded with guards because of injuries. The Suns are still loaded with guards, but not as much as it appears. We lost GA and gained Kennard. While the 3-point bump was improved, the rest of what GA brought will be mostly missing. I don’t see Kennard bringing the versatility GA brought.

Granted, Kennard filled in admirably for the Lakers in the playoffs, but that is a small sample size against a team missing their best facilitator and best scorer. And, as soon as they put Thompson on him, he was shut down.

While many are high on Spencer (I also think it was a good signing), I still think Bouyea is a proven asset within this system and with these players. Especially if we get the pre-concussion version.

Unless health is an issue, I am not swapping Highsmith for Reath. Nope. A healthy Highsmith is the 3-and-D this team needs off the bench.

That leaves the two-way spots. I’m sure we’ll see some Spencer in pre-season. I’m not sure about Brea and Huntley. Brea was so good shooting in college; I would love to see him find the range in the NBA. Especially since the Suns offloaded almost half of their 3-point shot-making and replaced them with one shooter who barely shoots 4 a game. I suspect there will be more than a few games this season where the Suns die by the 3.

Because of Huntly’s injury, we didn’t get to see him in SL. I have no idea where he’s at with his development or how much runway he’s going to get.

To sum up: No for Bouyea and Highsmith. If Reath does really well in camp (and preseason?), I’d like to see him on a 2-way. I’ll let the coaches decide whose spot he gets.

Ashton: I am really not sold on any of the names given and wouldn’t lose sleep if any of them were waived. I would say keep Highsmith for size, and Bouyea is just a fan favorite all around. I have not seen enough of Spencer to have any type of judgment, and maybe I should have made him the focus of Q2 as the Suns will need 3pt shooting, badly.

When it is all said and done, I guess Huntley is the odd-man out, as I hold out hope the Brea’s long-range shooting percentages increase.

Rod: Since Mark Williams will likely return about the time a two-way player’s eligibility would run out, I’d prefer that the Suns waive one of the two-way players and sign Reath to a two-way contract. If it was done that way, I’d waive Brea to open up a spot for him. Out of all the possibilities, Brea has just impressed me the least and would likely not be missed…even by the Valley Suns. It’s also possible that they could bring Brea back on a G League contract to play for the Valley Suns as they did with Huntley last season.

If they want to get him on a standard NBA contract, the decision becomes a little harder. I think Highsmith might be the more valuable player overall, but I’d hate to lose the PG depth by waiving Bouyea…but then the Suns also have Spencer on a two-way contract, so the need to hang on to Bouyea might not be as great as some might think. All things considered, I suppose I’d go with waiving Bouyea, unless Highsmith’s still not back to 100%.

As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra effort this week!

Suns Trivia/History

On September 27, 1972, Al McCoy called his first game for the Phoenix Suns, a 128-102 preseason win at the ABA’s Utah Stars to move to 3-0 following 2 wins vs NBA teams in Puerto Rico. The game was played under ABA rules, which included the three-point line __ years before the NBA adopted it. Utah was 0-10 from 3 with the Suns not even attempting a shot from downtown.

On September 27, 1983, the Suns signed Paul Westphal as a free agent to a 2-year contract. Three years earlier, Westphal had been traded by Phoenix to Seattle for Dennis Johnson. He would play only one more season with the Suns before being waived and subsequently retiring.

On September 28, 1993, Phoenix signed 30-year-old power forward A.C. Green as an unrestricted free agent. Green, who played his first 8 seasons for the Lakers, played 3.5 seasons for the Suns and averaged 10.6 ppg and 7.7 rpg while starting 162 of 273 games played.

On October 1, 1991, the Suns traded Xavier McDaniel to the New York Knicks for Jerrod Mustaf, Trent Tucker, a 1992 2nd-round draft pick, and a 1994 2nd-round draft pick. McDaniel had been acquired by Phoenix the previous season from the Seattle SuperSonics for Eddie Johnson, a 1991 1st round draft pick, and a 1994 1st round draft pick.

On October 1, 1997, as part of a 3-team trade, the Phoenix Suns traded a 1998 1st round draft pick, a 1999 1st round draft pick, a 2000 2nd round draft pick, a 2001 1st round draft pick and a 2002 2nd round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets and then sent Tony Dumas and Wesley Person to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers sent back a 2005 1st-round draft pick, and the Nuggets sent Antonio McDyess to Phoenix.

Important Future Dates

Sept. 28 – Media Day
Sept. 29 – Training Camp opens
Oct. 5 – Suns @ Pistons (preseason) 4:00 PM
Oct. 7 – Suns @ Bulls (preseason) 5:00 PM
Oct. 10 – Suns vs. Spurs (preseason) 7:00 PM (ESPN2)
Oct. 14 – Suns @ Spurs (preseason) 5:00 PM
Oct. 16 – Suns vs. Jazz (preseason) 7:00 PM
Oct. 20 – 2026-27 NBA Season Begins
Oct. 24 – NBA G League Draft
Oct. 26-Nov. 5 – NBA G League Training Camp
Nov. 6 – NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament begins
Dec. 15 – Most players signed to new contracts can be traded
Jan. 5 – 10-day contracts may now be signed
Jan. 10 – All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season
Jan. 15 – All players signed to new contracts can be traded
Feb. 11 – Trade Deadline
Feb. 19-21 – NBA All-Star 2027

Posted on

Red Sox News & Links: Sox-Yankees playoff series set… but arm injury will keep Mickey Gasper out of it

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 22: Mickey Gasper #30 of the Boston Red Sox runs after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians on September 22, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As sleuthed out by our own Jacob Roy prior to last night’s game, the Red Sox-Cubs series has officially been moved to Tampa. Despite the fact that the teams flew out last night, though, the final game of the season won’t take place until Sunday at 3 PM, maintaining MLB’s recent practice of all 30 teams playing the final game of the season at the same time. (Jordan Bastian, MLB.com)

While Sunday’s game will be played at the Trop, it will technically be a Red Sox home game. And the Rays stadium production crew is going to do it’s best to make it feel like one. “The Rays staff will handle the in-game production and present it like a game at Fenway Park, so expect to hear the odd-for-the-Trop sounds of “Sweet Caroline” playing during the game and “Dirty Water” and “Tessie” afterward if the Sox win. ‘We’ll have some fun with it,‘ Rays CEO Ken Babby said. (Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times)

But the more important scheduling news to come out of yesterday’s action was the fact that the Sox and Yankees officially locked themselves into a Wild Card Series battle. We’ve known this was coming for a while now, of course, and the players sound up for it. “You can definitely tell there’s just a different level of buzz with [Red Sox-Yankees], just with the atmosphere of the stadium and everything going on,” said Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman. “So definitely, it’s a little bit more elevated, and I’m sure in the playoffs, it’s going to be even more than that.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)

And while it might seem like a case of deja vu with the Sox and Yankees meeting each other in the first round two years in a row, there has been a lot of roster turnover in the last 12 months. (Daniel Chavkin, NESN.com)

Unfortunately, the Sox are going to have to take on the Yankees without one player who became one of the most surprising stories of the season. Mickey Gasper suffered a biceps injury on a swing during the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader and the subsequent MRI didn’t look good. It sounds like he’s done for the year. “At this point, it looks like a significant biceps injury,” said Chad Tracy. “He’s gonna still be seeing more doctors and stuff like that. “We’ll get a final conclusion, but it’s a pretty significant biceps injury. It’s probably gonna take him out.” (Kayley Brown, Boston.com)

Alex Bregman nearly missed this Red Sox series with a series injury of his own — a facial fracture. But he really wanted to make it back in time to play in Fenway again. “So many lifelong friends and just memories and friendships that are all cherished forever,” Bregman said. “And obviously, playing here is so special. Love playing here. Fans here are awesome. So, great experience.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)

Posted on

Guardians News: Gotta Keep Winning

CLEVELAND, OHIO SEPTEMBER 1: Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a fly ball to right center field for a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on September 1, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland leads 6-1. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Guardians came out on top in a back and forth high scoring thriller to maintain their one game lead in the Central.

After a 40 minute rain delay neither starter could settle in. Walks were being handed out left and right and it was an absolute battle for the first 4 innings. 

The Guardians would strike first on a 2 run single by Angel Martínez in the first inning with the bases loaded, but the Royals would answer right back after a walk to Bobby Witt Jr and an absolutely scalded RBI double from Jac Caglianone. The Big Rig would avoid giving up and further damage thanks to a baserunning blunder by Caglianone, and a clutch K by The Big Rig.

In the 2nd inning the Guardians wouldn’t wait long to respond as Austin Hedges would lead off the inning with a solo shot to left center field, making it a 3-1 Guardians lead! KC would not be kept down. Carter Jensen would do the damage for the Royals with a 2 run bomb tying the game at 3 in the bottom half of the inning.

After a quiet 3rd inning for both teams, the Guards would get something going in the 4th with a leadoff walk from Hedgey and a single lined up the middle from Brayan Rocchio. Steven Kwan would move both the runners up with a sac bunt, and it would be José Ramírez with the clutch fly ball to right field just deep enough to score Hedgey from 3rd. But the Royals would have a response again in the bottom half. A leadoff walk and a sac bunt would put a runner in scoring position, and that would be the end of the day for The Big Rig (Final line 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) as Stephen Vogt would go to Tim Herrin to try and finish off the inning. After a stolen base to get the runner to third base it would be Carter Jensen again getting the Royals a sac fly of their own to knot it back up at 4. But the Royals weren’t done yet. With 2 outs Bobby Witt Jr. would single then steal 2nd and score on an RBI single from Jac Caglianone. The Royals, now up 5-4, would go on to run themselves out of the inning on a soft grounder to José where Caglianone got caught a little too far off second after rounding the base.

The Guardians would once again have an answer. Jo Adell would lead off with a double, and then it would be David Fry’s turn to be a hero as he absolutely smashed a 2 run bomb to left field, putting the Guardians back on top 6-5. They weren’t done yet. After Bazzana ended up on 2nd on a botched attempt to catch a flyball in right field he got to third on a grounder by Hedgey, and scored on a RBI groundout by Brayan Rocchio.

Now armed with a 7-5 lead the Guardians bullpen would lock things down. Shawn Armstrong, Daniel Espino, and Erik Sabrowski would combine to pitch the next 3 innings and only give up 1 hit, walking none, and striking out a pair. 

The Royals would not go quietly. After a lead off single then a spectacular double play on a flyball to deep left field where Kwan and Rocchio combined to double up Michael Massey at first it looked like the Guards were ready to roll into the 9th. But a 2 out single by Kyle Isbel would pave the way for Carter Jensen to crush his second 2 run homer of the game, making it a 7-7 game.

The Guardians’ patience would come to their rescue in the 9th when the Royals bullpen lost the ability to throw strikes. The Royals would walk 6 of the first 8 hitters in the inning including 3 with the bases loaded. The Guardians now up 10-7 would get one more clutch 2 run double from Angel Martínez, before turning to Matt Festa to get the final 3 outs of the game.

Festa had a rocky 9th, but one that was good enough to get the job done. He gave up an ultimately inconsequential 2 out 2 run homer to Salvador Perez then got the final hitter of the game to weakly ground out to first giving us our final score of 12-9.

The Guards look to take the series and lower their Magic Number to clinch the division to 1 tomorrow at 7:10 Eastern. It’ll be Tanner Bibee on the mound for the Guards up against Michael Wacha with Kansas City.

Around MLB:

The White Sox handled the Rockies with ease, both the Astros and Rangers lost, and the Phillies are now only one game ahead of the Diamondbacks with two to play for the last wildcard.

Posted on

When it comes to Anthony Davis, the Doppelganger Machine sees legends

Can Anthony Davis stay healthy long enough to help the Wizards this season? | Getty Images

The big things that came to mind when I sat down to analyze Anthony Davis were negatives: he misses a lot of games, and he’s aging — he’ll turn 34 in March.

As Southern Utah University sports economist and author of Wages of Wins David Berri has written, NBA players age like milk.

A few other things stand out about Davis, though — mainly how frigging terrific he is when he does play. For example, Davis has six seasons with a PPA of 200 or higher. That’s six more than the Washington Wizards/Bullets franchise has posted since 1977-78.

Can Anthony Davis stay healthy long enough to help the Wizards this season? | Getty Images

Reminder: PPA is my all-around statistical production metric, which accounts for rule, pace, and defense. In PPA, average is 100 and higher is better. A score of 200+ for a full season in PPA would typically merit All-NBA honors and make the individual an MVP candidate. Davis, by the way, is five-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defense, and likely would have another of each if he’d been healthier in his final season with New Orleans.

Has Davis been great? You bet. Will he continue to be? That’s a tougher question. Athletes at Davis’ age tend to do two things reliably: get worse and get hurt. Davis got the jump on the whole “getting hurt” thing. And, he has been getting worse too — his last 200+ PPA season was 2019-20, though he did get close in 2022-23 (195) and 2023-24 (188).

Last season, his PPA was 157, which is very good. He managed just 20 games and 626 minutes, though he likely would have returned to the court if he’d been with a team that had any inclination to attempt winning. Which was not the Wizards, of course.

The Wizards want to compete this season, and their hope is that Davis will be able to show The Way to Alex Sarr. And it might work if Davis is healthy and motivated enough to practice, play in most of the games, and travel with the team regularly.

When I ran Davis’ 2025-26 season through the Statistical Doppelganger Machine, I confess that I hoped to get a few throwbacks. I wanted Robert Parish, who posted a 170 PPA at age 39 and didn’t play fewer than 72 games in a season until his age 43 season, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (184 PPA at age 38), but neither showed up high on Davis’ similar list. I do really like some of the comps Davis did get from The Machine.

Here’s the top five:

  1. Pau Gasol | 2013-14 | Los Angeles Lakers | Age: 33 — At this point in his career, it looked like Gasol — who was a great and criminally underrated player — was in the age-related decline portion of his career. He posted a 205 PPA at age 30, a 171 at 31, and then followed it with injury-riddled years — 126 (and just 49 games) at 32 and a 138 in this comp season (only 60 games). And then, 189, 179, 166, and 165 from ages 34-37. Not bad at all.
  2. LaMarcus Aldridge | 2018-19 | San Antonio Spurs | Age: 33 — This was effectively the end of the road for Aldridge, who’d been very good throughout his career (though a bit overrated, in my opinion). His health and production fell off a cliff after this season.
  3. Derrick Coleman | 1999-00 | Charlotte Hornets | Age: 32 — Talented power forward who had questionable attitude and commitment and never really achieved his full potential. This was one of his better seasons (151 PPA). His best had been 6-7 years previous when he was with the New Jersey Nets. He had a couple more better than average (though not by a lot) seasons at ages 34 and 35.
  4. Tim Duncan | 2009-10 | San Antonio Spurs | Age: 33 — I LOVE this comp for Davis, in part because Davis can have a similar defensive impact, and in part because what Duncan was able to do in his mid-to-late 30s. Duncan posted a 219 PPA in this season, which is one of five 200+ PPA seasons past 30 years old. He also posted a 199 PPA at age 32, at 197 at 34, and a 191 at 35. His last 200+ season was at 38. In full, Duncan produced 10 200+ PPA seasons, plus another six of 190 or better. He had three seasons below 190 — rookie year (187), age 37 (186), and age 39 (161). Davis isn’t of that stature, but he isn’t that far off.
  5. Kevin McHale | 1989-90 | Boston Celtics | Age: 32 — Well, I wanted a 1980s era throwback. For the kids out there, look for some highlights on YouTube. McHale was a postup wizard — he had exquisite footwork, superb moves, counters to what defenders would typically do, and then counters to the counters. He was also a great shot maker with a killer jump hook. He even exhibited some three-point shooting later in his career. McHale was a seven-time All-Star, six-time All-Defense, two-time Sixth Man of the Year winner, and joined Davis on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. This season was also near the end of the line for McHale — he posted a 158 PPA at 32 (playing in all 82 games), a 140 in 68 games the following season, and then a 106 and a 72 to round out his career.

The honorable mentions are a similar mix of good-to-great players at various stages of their age-related decline, and include 0ver-age-30 seasons from Al Jefferson, David West, Rik Smits, Dirk Nowitzki, Zach Randolph, and Kevin Garnett.

Media reports indicate the Wizards will wait to engage Davis in contract extension talks. That’s smart. Smarter would be to showcase a healthy Davis for half a season and trade him for player assets with a future rather than awarding him a major contract. His injury history suggests the next contract will be painful for the team. Plus, the Wizards have a young Davis type already on the roster (Sarr) who may be able to benefit from the example and then thrive in the role.

Posted on

Open Thread: Stephon Castle “rates” his fellow Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 12: Stephon Castle #5, Carter Bryant #11 and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round Two Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Found this post on Instagram. Hope you enjoy it:

Stephon Castle was asked in an NBA2K interview about which teammate he’d rate a “99” for various skills and personality traits. When asked who the best scorer on the team is, Castle immediately named Julian Champagnie agreeing that he should have made the NBA’s list of best three-point shooters.

He stated the biggest on court trash-talker was Dylan Harper adding that “he gets into a lot of altercations.” As for off-court trash-talking, Castle pointed to Kelly Olynyk.

The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year also praised Carter Bryant for his music diversity as well as for his sense of humor naming him the class clown on the Spurs roster.

The Silver & Black Scrimmage is just eight days away. The Gregg Popovich Coach the Coaches Clinic taking place earlier that days still has some available spaces for those who want to study with Spurs staff member. Registration is available HERE.

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

Posted on

Shaikin: Dodgers' three-peat hopes rest on their four aces — and bottom-of-order production

Teoscar Hernández celebrates after hitting a solo home run for the Dodgers against the Giants.
Teoscar Hernández celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the second inning of the Dodgers' 2-0 win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday night. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)

This is the 60th anniversary of the 1966 World Series, in which the losing team did not score for the final 33 innings of the series.

That losing team was the Dodgers. Over the final three games of the series, Jim Palmer, Wally Bunker and Dave McNally of the Baltimore Orioles each pitched a complete-game shutout.

That art of pitching is not in style today. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched two complete games last October, but he cannot pitch every game, even if he left that impression upon the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Dodgers’ clearest and cleanest route to a three-peat nonetheless rests upon the four shoulders of Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. If the four aces can do to October opponents what the 1966 Orioles did to the Dodgers, or some reasonable 21st century facsimile, we’ll see you at the parade.

Does Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believe his starting pitchers will have to carry the load in October?

“I hope not,” Roberts said.

Read more:Tarik Skubal dominates in final tuneup before playoffs in Dodgers' win over Giants

Friday’s 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants offered two encouraging swings. Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages each hit home runs, a reminder that a properly tuned Dodgers offense runs on more than Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.

Skubal scattered three hits and struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings, which would have gone for naught without the Hernández and Pages home runs. Given that the Dodgers were playing the Giants and the remains of their depleted roster, it was something of a warning sign: this could happen against a postseason team.

No team can plan to score a lot of runs against the Dodgers’ starters. The opposing game plan would be to neutralize them and keep the game close enough to where one or two big swings can make the difference. The Giants, who have the National League’s second-worst record, almost pulled it off.

“When you get to the postseason, they’re going to try to eliminate Shohei and try to make other guys beat you,” Roberts said. “So it always sort of comes to the middle to the bottom of the order, where you’ve either got to get guys on base or get hits, get big hits.”

In October, Hernández is who you want at bat. He has homered in six of the seven postseason series he has played for the Dodgers, including each of the last five. In 33 postseason games for the Dodgers, he has driven in 25 runs.

For most players, offensive production drops in October, when batters face the best pitchers from the best teams. For Hernández, his career OPS is .796 in the regular season and .792 in the postseason.

Andy Pages, right, is congratulated by Dodgers teammate Kiké Hernández after hitting a home run.
Andy Pages, right, is congratulated by Dodgers teammate Kiké Hernández after hitting a home run against the Giants in the second inning Friday. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

And, for all his summer struggles, he is batting .354 this month, with an OPS just shy of 1.000. He’ll be, as the league-issued hoodies used to say, October ready.

For Pages, however, last October was cruel.

This October was not looking particularly promising, either. Pages missed 27 games because of a broken hand, leaving him the final six games of the regular season to get his swing back into rhythm.

“You think that you take five weeks off,” Roberts said, “that your timing is going to be off a little bit.”

So far, so good: five hits in 12 at-bats, including the home run Friday.

Pages ended the regular season last year with four hits in his final 28 at-bats. That, Roberts said, tells him this October will be different for Pages.

“I think the one thing is the confidence, how he went into last October really scuffling, and it sort of bled into October,” Roberts said, “where I think right now he feels really confident, swinging the bat well, and the hope is that this one bleeds into October as well.

Read more:Shaikin: For the Dodgers, the varsity will take it from here

“So, I think it’s definitely a different result going into October, and then also his headspace. There’s a lot more confidence this year.”

In 2025, when the Dodgers won the World Series, they ranked second among the 30 major league clubs in runs scored, and in home runs. In 2024, when they won the World Series, they ranked third in runs scored, and in home runs.

The Dodgers rank fourth in runs scored this year, and seventh in home runs. The offense is down some, if not much. In all the national postseason hype, the Dodgers projections will boil down to one sentence: Can anyone stop those starters?

“I think at first glance that’s what you see in our ballclub,” Roberts said. “But we have a lot of talented, really good hitters and I hope they work hand in hand and not just our pitching and defense carry us.”

For the Dodgers, the postseason opens one week from Saturday. If the Dodgers roll out the 1966 playbook, their October stay will be short.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

Phillies news: Alec Bohm, Luis Arraez, Paul Skenes

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Cristopher Sánchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the second inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on September 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another streak of strikeouts by a Phillies starter was created last night by Cristopher Sanchez, this one a bit shorter than what Zack Wheeler had. Sanchez struck out the last seven hitters he faced, three short of the ten Wheeler started his start off this week with.

At least that’s something positive.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news:

Posted on

Today on Pinstripe Alley – 9/26/26

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: The scoreboard is seen with the message "Thanks for Coming" after the suspension of Game One of the American League Division Series due to weather between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The game was called due to rain. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A good chunk of the East Coast is getting slammed by a nor’easter this weekend, so if you’re in the area, we hope you stay safe! Since this current Yankees series against the Orioles is meaningless aside from the obvious goal of staying healthy, the game originally scheduled for today was played yesterday in a straight doubleheader. They’ll take a beat today and try to play tomorrow (rookie Elmer Rodríguez is announced as the probable starter for New York in a cameo), but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We may just have a 161-game regular season.

Anyway, the postseason looms on Tuesday! Monday’s league-wide offday is the calm before the storm, but we’ll have plenty of material coming up then so consider today our personal Pinstripe Alley calm before the storm. It’s not all quiet though, as I’m on the Rivalry Roundup, Nick is celebrating the 101st (!) birthday of the oldest living Yankee, and Michael is discussing how the Yankees’ low-minors teams fared in 2026.

Today’s Matchup:

Game preemptively moved up to yesterday for a twin bill, so it’s an offday with Game 162 tomorrow

Questions/Prompts:

1. Assuming Carlos Rodón is not in the Wild Card Series rotation, what do you think is the best spot to potentially deploy him out of the bullpen?

2. Think the Phillies continue their collapse and let the Diamondbacks steal the last NL Wild Card spot from them?

Posted on

Frank Warren believes Fury v Joshua fight will go ahead after threat of collapse

  • Tyson Fury says Anthony Joshua is ‘trying to pull out’

  • Promotional tension blamed for late jeopardy

Frank Warren believes the proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will still take place in Cardiff in December despite widespread concern on Saturday that the bout could be on the brink of collapse yet again. Warren, who has promoted Fury for years, told the Guardian: “It will still happen because the Saudis will sue the arses off them if it doesn’t. The Saudis are putting up the money. They’re the paymasters and so I think it will happen.”

On Saturday morning, Fury had suggested that the fight was in serious jeopardy: “Breaking news. Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn are trying to pull out of this fight. They’re saying they’re not gonna fight now. It’s mainly to do with Eddie Hearn’s ego. He’s making up a million different things and threatening ‘we’re not gonna fight, we’re not gonna fight, we’re not gonna fight’. He’s cost us the biggest fight in boxing history. Clown.”

Continue reading...
Posted on

There are 8 players better than Jayson Tatum? No chance.

Jayson Tatum dribbles the ball during a playoff game against the 76ers. | NBAE via Getty Images

When ESPN released its annual “NBA Rank” top 10 list Thursday morning, many of us in Celtics-centric circles immediately looked for Jayson Tatum.

OK, Nikola Jokic is No. 1. I’d go with Victor Wembanyama, but Jokic is certainly special. Then comes Wemby, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That’s pretty clearly the top three until further notice, at least from my perspective.

Tatum should be next, or at least close to it, right? Wait a minute, Luka Doncic is fourth with that kind of defense? Giannis Antetokounmpo is ahead of Tatum without a jump shot? Jalen Brunson had a magical run and is elite, but give me Tatum any day. Anthony Edwards can score in bunches, but seventh feels like a stretch. Cade Cunningham, at No. 8, is a bright star but still has room to grow.

Then comes Tatum, sitting at No. 9, right before Donovan Mitchell. Seriously? I know lists like this are designed to stir the pot and spark debate, but I genuinely disagree with putting Tatum that low.

My top 10 would personally look like this:

  1. Victor Wembanyama
  2. Nikola Jokic
  3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  4. Jayson Tatum
  5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  6. Jalen Brunson
  7. Luka Doncic
  8. Anthony Edwards
  9. Steph Curry
  10. Baylor Scheierman

Just seeing if you’re paying attention. Cunningham gets the final spot, barely ahead of Mitchell and Kawhi Leonard.

To be clear, this is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just happen to disagree with the opinion of those polled.

Here’s why: Out of every player in the top nine, Tatum is the second-most versatile behind Wemby. How many guys here have Tatum’s jump shot? Wembanyama, Jokic, SGA, Doncic, Brunson, Curry (way better, obviously) and Edwards. That’s a lot, and it’s probably why he’s No. 9.

But, how many guys in that group of nine can rebound at Tatum’s level? Wemby, Jokic and Giannis.

How many guys can pass at his level? Jokic, Doncic, Brunson, Curry and Cunningham.

How many guys can defend at his level? Wembanyama (better), Antetokounmpo (but he’s not getting any younger), then arguably Edwards and Cunningham but I’d put them a notch below.

The only guys who legitimately fit in all four of those categories, in my opinion, are Wemby and Tatum.

I’m not saying Tatum is at Wemby’s level, but he’s the only other guy who truly excels in every facet. In a weird way, Tatum’s superpower is that he doesn’t have a superpower – outside of being super and powerful, of course. He’s just an excellent all-around player who shapes the game in every way and maximizes the talents of those around him. Guys like Doncic and Edwards are tremendously skilled, but they don’t affect the action all over the floor like Tatum does.

ESPN even bolsters my case in its own article:

Signature stat: Tatum is one of three players to average at least 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game across the past two seasons, joining Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Pretty good, huh? Real ones who watch the Celtics regularly know just how incredible this guy is and what a treat it is to see him go to work every night.

I like to look at these lists through the lens of: “Which player would I pick in a draft to build a team to win a championship this year?” Not next year, not last year, not to build a dynasty. Right now.

There are three guys I’d take over Tatum, and that’s it. This is assuming he’ll be at full strength and look completely like himself, which I believe will be the case. If not, it’s obviously a different argument.

OK, so I’ve done my best to convince you guys that Tatum should be fourth. I hope it worked. But, what about the green-teamers out there who think he should be even higher? I’m sorry, but I can’t put him above Jokic or SGA.

Jokic is quite slow, and is a liability on defense at times, but his passing and triple-double wizardry is just bonkers. While SGA’s style of play can be a bit of an eyesore, and the flopping is frustrating aesthetically, he is basically a walking bucket. He just gets to his spots and scores at will. It’s close, but I would pick SGA third if I were drafting a team.

Tatum comes next. That’s my take, at least.

What’s your top 10? Feel free to comment below. It’s a fun topic to debate.

Posted on

Yankees news: Schlittler, Fried still both in play to start Game 1

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) pitches the ball during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium, Aug 13, 2025, Bronx, New York, USA. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Cam Schlittler put the finishing touches on his Cy Young season Thursday night against the Rays. It wasn’t his sharpest start, Schlittler needing 70 pitches to navigate three innings, but it put his ERA on the season at 1.95, the lowest mark by a Yankee starter since Ron Guidry posted a 1.74 ERA in his legendary 1978 season, and the third-lowest ERA in franchise history. It’s also the lowest ERA by an American League starer since Justin Verlander’s 1.75 ERA in 2022, which won the future Hall of Famer* his third Cy Young.

*Incidentally, Verlander is making his final career start today in Detroit.

New York Post | Dan Martin: Speaking of Schlittler, you’d expect a pitcher of his stature to be a shoe-in for Game 1 of a playoff series. However, the Yankees are considering saving him for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. Max Fried could start Game 1, on extra rest, and thus also give Schlittler an extra day of rest before the Yankees embark on what they hope will be a long postseason run. Schlittler would have enough rest to start Games 2 and 5 of a potential ALDS regardless of whether he pitches Game 1 or 2 of the Wild Card Series. Is it possible the Yankees are overthinking it? Yes, admits pitching coach Matt Blake, but these are precisely the things the club’s staff is paid to overthink.

Whichever way the Yankees line things up, the good news is that their excellent rotation means that they’ll have an ace-caliber talent going every night. As an aside, Andrés wrote up this debate for earlier in the week, and that’s worth a read if you haven’t checked it out yet.

The Athletic | Evan Drellich and Andrew Marchand: Drellich and Marchand report on the looming lockout, and one mark to look out for next year: 60 games. Apparently, if MLB misses 60 or more games in the 2027 season, the league’s national broadcast contracts would extend an extra year, into 2029. That introduces an interesting wrinkle into the owners’ calculus when it comes to this round of labor negotiations. On the one hand, the league would still receive their negotiated dues as part of their deals with their broadcast partners. On the other, extending those deals another year means the league can’t negotiate new national deals for another year; the league is likely seeking to earn a hefty raise on their next round of national contracts. The league also wouldn’t get paid in 2029 under this scenario. 

SNY | John Flanigan: Ryan Weathers threw a live bullpen session yesterday, facing hitters including Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham. Aaron Boone said Weathers was up to 96 mph on his fastball, though called his control a little “scattered.” According to Boone, Weathers is on track to be an option during the playoffs, but it’s unclear if the Yankees will put the left-hander on the Wild Card roster. Carlos Lagrange also threw to hitters at Yankee Stadium yesterday, though it’s unlikely he’ll be on the playoff roster soon. Boone said he isn’t in play for the Wild Card roster and Matt Blake threw cold water on the idea of him debuting in the playoffs, though it still remains a (remote) possibility that Lagrange could factor into the Yankees’ plans later in the postseason if the team advances and Lagrange’s rehab continues to go well. 

Posted on

Drew Timme Signs Training Camp Deal With Minnesota Timberwolves

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Drew Timme #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 10, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Drew Timme, one of the greatest Gonzaga Bulldogs to ever come through the program, is up for the challenge to try and make a loaded Minnesota Timberwolves roster this fall. The undersized, yet extremely skilled 6-9 post man has signed a training camp deal with the franchise, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

This addition of Timme gives Minnesota more depth in the frontcourt, adding competition at the three-through-five positions during the preseason. Two other forwards were signed to compete in training camp along with the legendary Zag, 6-6 KJ Martin and 6-7 Norchad Omier.

Martin, the son of Kenyon Martin, was the No. 52 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and most recently competed with the Chinese Basketball Association’s Ningbo Rockets. Omier, the first Nicaraguan player to ever play in the NBA, was on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers this past season. The Timberwolves currently have 13 guaranteed standard contracts on the books for a 15-man roster, plus all three two-way spots filled.

Throughout his three-year professional tenure since leaving college basketball back in 2023, Timme has mostly been viewed as a G League journeyman. During his big club stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers organizations over the last two seasons, he has averaged 5.6 points on a shooting split of 49.4 field goal percentage/33.3 three-point percentage/60.0 free throw percentage, to go alongside 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 13.6 minutes per 36 appearances.

Timme spent the 2025-26 campaign with Los Angeles on a two-way deal before ultimately being passed over by guard Nick Smith Jr. for the team’s final 2026 NBA Playoff roster spot. Smith Jr. was then converted to a two-year standard contract to make him playoff-eligible.

If Timme were to be listed on the upcoming opening day roster with Minnesota, that would add up to a total of 13 Gonzaga alums in the NBA at the start of the 2026-27 season. If Timme is waived, he will probably join the Timberwolves’ G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

Posted on

Tony Vitello shares realistic expectations for Matt Wilkinson's future potential

Tony Vitello shares realistic expectations for Matt Wilkinson's future potential originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

In the midst of a fifth straight MLB season at or under .500, few bright spots exist for the 65-94 Giants, but the emergence of rookie left-handed pitcher Matt Wilkinson certainly is one. 

Wilkinson was acquired in May from the Cleveland Guardians as part of the Patrick Bailey trade and made his major league debut against his former team on Aug. 19, tossing two scoreless innings. 

The Giants have exercised precaution with Wilkinson as he ramped up his arm. In five starts so far, Wilkinson has exceeded four innings just twice and has thrown under 80 pitches in six of his seven appearances. 

Despite the pitch limit, Wilkinson appeared increasingly comfortable as the season progressed. He has gone 10 consecutive shutout innings over his last three appearances, including his first win in relief against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sep. 9 and a five-inning, six-strikeout performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Sunday. 

“I think with Tugboat [Wilkinson], it’s silly to limit what he can do, but I do think he’s always going to kind of fit in that category if things are going to work out for him as a starter – he’s just a get-it-done guy,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said Thursday on KNBR’s “The Executive Show”. “He competes. He attacks the zone. He’s not afraid. He doesn’t get rattled when guys are on base. And if things don’t go well, he’s just going to get more determined to come back and be better the next time.”

Vitello has utilized Wilkinson as both a starting and relief pitcher over the past month, but did not want to put a ceiling on the 23-year-old’s future potential when asked about it.

“I think you know what you got if you’re looking for a guy to just get you three outs or to get you out of a jam and come in and get a lefty out,” Vitello said. “He’s equally good on lefties and righties, so I think he can be that one-inning guy. He’s already shown that he could be a long relief guy. So why not find out if he can start and push it to the brink?”

Vitello also confirmed that Wilkinson will start Saturday afternoon’s home matchup against the Dodgers in the Giants’ penultimate game of the season. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Posted on

Evenepoel targets history in Montreal as opportunity knocks without Pogacar

Britons Tom Pidcock and Oscar Onley are contenders but the Belgian is aiming for an unprecedented medal haul

In a world road championships marked by the absence of Tadej Pogacar, Tom Pidcock and Oscar Onley will lead British hopes in the men’s elite road race on Sunday. But for either to claim the rainbow jersey, they must beat a determined Remco Evenepoel, a man on a mission in Montreal.

Pogacar is recovering after a heavy crash in the Vuelta a España and Pidcock and Onley are among a large group of contenders, headed by Paul Seixas of France, the Belgian Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro of Mexico, all seeking to capitalise on the Slovenian’s absence. 

Continue reading...
Posted on

LeBron James sees elite defensive potential in ‘flat-out player' VJ Edgecombe

LeBron James sees elite defensive potential in ‘flat-out player' VJ Edgecombe originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

LeBron James isn’t underrating how valuable VJ Edgecombe can be for the new-look Sixers this season.

\n

On the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, James detailed his confidence in the second-year guard after his All-Rookie First Team season in 2025-26.

\n

“He’s a flat-out player, man,” James told Nash. 

\n

James noted that all the reports he’s heard out of the Sixers organization have been complimentary of Edgecombe. He specifically mentioned how Edgecombe is “beyond his years,” and was impressed by the fact that he often acted as a leader of the team as a rookie.

\n

“They say he speaks with an intelligent, [natural] confidence and works extremely hard.”

\n

Given the number of ball dominant players on this Sixers team, reasonable questions regarding Edgecombe’s usage have come up. What will his role look like on a team with four players who finished top-50 league-wide in usage rate last season?

\n

James rejected the premise that Edgecombe should have to wait his turn even with so much star power surrounding him. The most immediate area of impact he has in mind for Edgecombe? 

\n

The defensive side of the ball.

\n

“There’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to, if he really wants to be, contending for an All-Defensive team this year with his athleticism, with his length, with his speed,” James said. 

\n

“I think [Jaylen Brown] gonna set the tone with his ability to guard,” he added. “But I think VJ should be right there, just taking all the keys from JB, learning all the nuances, because he has all the tools.”

\n

The No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft was a disruptive defender as a rookie. He was 17th in the NBA in steals per game (1.3) and 18th among guards in blocks per game (0.5). 

\n
\n
\n
\n

VJ Edgecombe's defense on Jalen Brunson on Friday was quite possibly the most impressive feat of his NBA career so far.

\n

Brunson attempted 10 field goals against Edgecombe. He made the first one. Then he missed the last nine.

\n

Every Brunson FGA vs. Edgecombe in the Sixers' win: pic.twitter.com/NUhEhduCIr

\n

— Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) December 20, 2025

\n
\n
\n

He was also 43rd league-wide in transition points per game (4.3), an element of the game where the Sixers should thrive in 2026-27. 

\n

In fact, Tyrese Maxey (7.2), James (7.1) and Brown (6.7) were second, third and fourth in the NBA in transition points per game last year. James sees Edgecombe and Maxey as a two-headed monster that can create transition.

\n

“If we can get stops or create turnovers, then it’s gonna benefit VJ and Tyrese more than anybody on the team,” he said. “Those guys are so fast and so athletic. You’re not going to be able to catch up to ‘em.”

\n

James also noted his excitement to play in Nick Nurse’s defensive scheme given the opportunities it could create for the athletic Sixers starting lineup. He pointed to the 2019 NBA champion Raptors as a defense that he wants to emulate.

\n

“They got up into you. They got into the passing lane. If you got around one guy, there’s another guy helping you,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing if we can translate a little bit of that as well because we have the speed, we have the athleticism.”

\n

The Sixers have struggled defensively the past two seasons, finishing 19th in scoring defense in 2025-26 and 21st in 2024-25. The advanced numbers haven’t been better – they were 17th in defensive rating last year and 26th the season before. 

\n

Brown joining the fold gives Nurse a bonafide wing defender in the starting lineup. Dean Wade is a versatile, plus defensive piece. James, although no longer the generational athlete he was in his prime, is one of the smartest basketball players to ever play the game who adds size and length. Those new pieces alongside Edgecombe’s continued maturation into a backcourt stopper should give the Sixers a higher defensive floor in 2026-27. 

\n

“It’s a pride thing,” James said regarding their defensive mentality. “I’m not going to allow my guy to continue to exploit me or beat me or whatever the case may be. There has to be some type of pride in the sense of it.”

\n

James and the Sixers will hope to embrace that mindset next week with training camp kicking off on Tuesday after Monday’s media day.