The next wave of Los Angeles Kings prospects is about to get its first opportunity to make an impression.
The Kings announced their 27-player roster for 2026 Rookie Camp on Tuesday, with a group that includes two players who already reached the NHL last season, five members of the team’s 2026 draft class and a collection of prospects who spent time developing with the Ontario Reign.
Rookie Camp will run from Sept. 11-15 at Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, Calif., while the Kings will also participate in the 2026 Rookie Faceoff in San Jose during the same five-day window.
The roster features 14 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders, giving Los Angeles an early look at several of the young players who could eventually form part of the organization’s next NHL core.
Among the most recognizable names are forwards Jared Wright and Kenny Connors, both of whom made their NHL debuts with the Kings during the 2025-26 season.
Fourteen players from last year’s Rookie Camp group are returning, including defensemen Henry Brzustewicz and Jared Woolley.
Woolley enters his third Rookie Camp with some impressive junior numbers behind him. The defenseman posted a plus-32 rating across 66 games split between the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League last season, ranking eighth among OHL defensemen and 17th among all skaters.
Brzustewicz, meanwhile, followed up a strong sophomore season by emerging as one of the OHL’s more productive offensive defensemen. He recorded 54 points on 19 goals and 35 assists in 59 games, tying for third among league defensemen in goals while finishing seventh in points.
Los Angeles will also get an early look at five players selected by the organization at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, New York.
That group includes second-round defenseman Adam Goljer, selected 49th overall, and forward Liam Lefebvre, who went 46th overall. Defenseman Giorgos Pantelas was selected 153rd, Lucas Ambrosio went 223rd and goaltender Yegor Rybkin was taken 89th overall.
The Kings’ prospect pool will have plenty of professional experience in the room as well.
Eleven players on the Rookie Camp roster appeared in the AHL with the Ontario Reign last season, including Wright, Connors, Kenta Isogai, Jack Hughes, Kaleb Lawrence, Koehn Ziemmer and Brendan Gorman among the forwards.
Defensemen Jakub Dvořák, Kirill Kirsanov and Brzustewicz also saw time with the Reign.
Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky is another player to watch after beginning his professional career with a perfect 2-0-0 record, a 1.00 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.
He will have a familiar face alongside him in camp. Slukynsky will be joined by his brother, Grant, marking the first Rookie Camp appearance for the two brothers with Los Angeles. The pair previously played together at Western Michigan University.
Kings Set For Six-Team Rookie Showcase
Los Angeles will then take its prospects to San Jose for the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, where the Kings will compete against five other Western Conference organizations: the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights.
The tournament begins Sept. 12, with all six teams in action that day and again on Sept. 13. After a day without games on Sept. 14, the tournament concludes Sept. 15 with Utah facing Los Angeles.
The Kings will open the tournament against San Jose on Sept. 12 before facing Anaheim the following afternoon. Their final game comes against Utah on Sept. 15.
The complete schedule is:
Saturday, Sept. 12
Colorado vs. Anaheim — 1 p.m. PT
Utah vs. Vegas — 3 p.m. PT
Los Angeles vs. San Jose — 5 p.m. PT
Sunday, Sept. 13
Vegas vs. Colorado — 1 p.m. PT
Anaheim vs. Los Angeles — 3 p.m. PT
San Jose vs. Utah — 5 p.m. PT
Monday, Sept. 14
No games scheduled
Tuesday, Sept. 15
Utah vs. Los Angeles — 1 p.m. PT
Rink assignments for the individual games have not yet been announced.
Before the tournament begins, Kings fans will have an opportunity to see the prospects on the ice in El Segundo. Los Angeles will hold one Rookie Camp practice open to the public on Friday, Sept. 11, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the NHL sheet at Toyota Sports Performance Center.
For the Kings, the week represents more than the traditional opening of prospect camp. With NHL debuts already under their belts, a handful of recent draft picks entering the organization and several players coming off professional seasons, Los Angeles will have a deeper look at the young talent that could shape the franchise’s future.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aaron Judge is considering skipping a rehab assignment and rejoining the Yankees in their next homestand.
Will he instantly provide a morale boost for the whole roster? Probably. Will Boone back his decision? Almost definitely. However, is it a smart decision by Judge? That remains to be seen. It isn’t guaranteed that he’ll be 100% as soon as he returns from the injured list, which is exactly the opposite of what this team needs heading into the stretch.
Before the series opener against the Angels on Monday night, Aaron Boone met with the media to discuss Judge’s return timeline and the possibility of his return when the Yankees get back to the Bronx.
“I think it’s possible. I’m not going to put a date on it, but I think those things are in play now. It’s again about getting the durability and workload built up on him, which is the biggest thing now.”
"I think those things are in play now."
Aaron Boone on the possibility of Aaron Judge returning as early as the next homestand. pic.twitter.com/DAaxYJ2wFN
Judge rejoined the lineup instantly after recovering from a torn ligament in his right big toe in 2023 and seems confident that he can repeat history. However, this injury impacts his abilities differently and has kept him sidelined for more than three months.
Boone relayed that physicians are still evaluating Judge to determine the best timeline for his return. The Yankees captain joined the IL in June after suffering from a right rib fracture and hasn’t played in a game since May 31. He’s currently with the team in Los Angeles participating in batting practice and is expected to work his way up to more high-velocity reps in pregame workouts.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of Judge returning to the lineup without a rehab assignment?
Stan Kroenke reached an agreement to buy a control interest in MLB’s Los Angeles Angels from Arte Moreno. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, per a release from Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
The deal still requires approval by MLB. No financial terms were released, but MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports the price is $4 billion, eclipsing the record $3.9 billion the San Diego Padres recently sold for.
The move further expands Kroenke’s sports empire, which was already the biggest in sports. His major sports team assets include the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, Premier League’s Arsenal and MLS’ Colorado Rapids. KSE also owns the Rams’ home, SoFi Stadium, and the surrounding 300-acre Hollywood Park district in Inglewood.
Kroenke is worth $26.8 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Kroenke’s teams have been on a major roll in recent years. Arsenal just won the EPL title after three straight runner-up finishes. The Rams, Avalanche and Nuggets also won their league titles during the last five years. Kroenke’s pro lacrosse team, the Colorado Mammoth, has won two of the last five National Lacrosse League championships.
The success stands in sharp contrast to the Angels, which will miss the playoffs this year for the 16th time in 17 seasons. The lone appearance was a three-game sweep in 2014 at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.
Moreno bought the Angels in 2003 for $183.5 million, as the team was coming off its first World Series title. The Angels made the playoffs in five out of six seasons before the current drought started.
The losses piled up despite the franchise employing two of the greatest players in recent MLB history. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani won a combined five American League MVP awards for the Angels between 2014 and 2023, and Ohtani added two more MVPs since he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers under a 10-year, $700 million deal. The Angels drew at least 3 million fans every year through 2019 but have not topped 2.7 million since then.
Moreno hired Galatioto Sports Partners in 2022 to explore a sale of the franchise, but no deal was reached. The Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins also failed to find control buyers after hiring bankers to facilitate deals.
The Angels were hampered by their venue and TV deal. Angel Stadium, which opened in 1966 and is the fourth oldest in baseball, needs major renovations or replacement. The Angels’ 20-year, $3 billion TV deal with Fox Sports kicked off in 2011, but ahead of his season, the Angels and eight other MLB teams terminated their deals that were now with FanDuel Sports Network.
Sportico valued the Angels at $2.78 billion in its most recent MLB team valuations. It ranked No. 13 in baseball.
(This story has been updated with more information on the Angels and their sale, and with Heyman’s report on the price.)
The New York Yankees continue a series with the Los Angeles Angels tonight at Angel Stadium, with New York favored at 64%.
Gerrit Cole draws a favorable matchup against a strikeout-heavy Angels lineup, while Grayson Rodriguez’s fastball gives New York a clear offensive advantage.
My Yankees vs. Angels predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, Sept. 1 are below.
Who will win Yankees vs Angels today: Yankees moneyline (66%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Gerrit Cole has returned from Tommy John surgery with a 3.19 ERA and 3.26 xERA while maintaining a 26.1% strikeout rate against just a 5.2% walk rate. That profile fits particularly well against a Los Angeles Angels offense with MLB’s highest strikeout rate at 25%.
In addition, the Halos have just a .680 OPS against right-handed pitching, and their recent 10-run outburst came after posting a .585 OPS across the previous six games.
Meanwhile, Grayson Rodriguez owns a 5.46 xERA, .461 xSLG, and 45.0% hard-hit rate, ranking near the bottom of MLB in expected results and contact suppression.
His August results improved, but the underlying matchup remains difficult against a Yankees lineup with the third-most home runs in baseball.
COVERS INTEL:Rodriguez throws his four-seamer 54.3% of the time, and opponents have produced a.484 xSLG and 51.5% hard-hit rate against it this season.
Yankees vs Angels Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (51%)
I’m taking the Over and would play it to 52%.
The Yankees have the clearest scoring path. Rodriguez’s primary pitch has been hit hard all season, and New York has 10 home runs and a .453 SLG over its last seven games.
Rodriguez’s 2.93 ERA across five August starts looks encouraging, but it came despite a season-long profile that still sits in the fifth percentile in xERA and sixth percentile in hard-hit suppression. New York should force him to prove that improvement is sustainable.
Cole should control a strikeout-prone Angels lineup, but his 42.3% hard-hit rate leaves enough room for Los Angeles to contribute two or three runs.
Yankees vs Angels home run prediction: Ben Rice (22%)
Rodriguez throws his four-seamer more than half the time and has allowed a 51.5% hard-hit rate and .484 xSLG with the pitch.
Ben Rice has demolished four-seamers, producing a .778 xSLG and 65.8% hard-hit rate against them this season. He also leads New York with 35 home runs and carries a 15% barrel rate. I think he's the most likely of any Yankee to go yard and, luckily enough, fits the best value as well.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 48-45, +4.28 units
Over/Under bets: 54-39, +17.44 units
Yankees vs Angels weather
Conditions in Anaheim should be favorable with no significant weather concerns expected.
Yankees vs Angels odds
Moneyline: Yankees 64% | Angels 37%
Run line: Yankees -1.5 | Angels +1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Yankees vs Angels trend
The Yankees have won four of Cole's last six starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Angels.
How to watch Yankees vs Angels and game info
Location
Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Date
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026
First pitch
9:38 p.m. ET
TV
YES, ABTV
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (7-7, 3.19 ERA)
Angels starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez (4-5, 6.03 ERA)
Yankees vs Angels latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
If there was any doubt about Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck's intentions heading into next season, the Hart and Vezina Trophy winner made it clear late last week when he confirmed through his agent that he has requested a trade. The 33-year-old had knee surgery, and a career-worst .895 save % with the Jets last season, but still played 57 games (23-23-11) and was the key to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
The Buffalo Sabres were connected to Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft in late June, but Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could not find common ground on a deal. The conventional wisdom is that now that Hellebuyck has made his trade request public, that Cheveldayoff is not in as strong a negotiating position to get the best deal for the netminder, but he reportedly is open to going to a wide swath of teams.
Unless Hellebuyck is prepared to hold out, Winnipeg could wait into the season for the right return for such a valuable commodity.
The Sabres could be in the mix for Hellebuyck, but deals that had previously been offered that included goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might be off the table, since he has a five-team no-trade clause that could block a trade to Winnipeg. It is expected that any deal involving Buffalo would include one of their young centers (Noah Ostlund or Konsta Helenius), one of their top prospect defenseman (Daxon Rudolph or Radim Mrtka) and/or an established NHL forward (Jack Quinn or Ryan McLeod).
Other teams could be in the mix for the veteran netminder, either to get them into the playoff mix, or to elevate them from a consistent postseason entrant to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
Utah Mammoth
Team Status: The Mammoth made the postseason in their second year after the move from Arizona, and possess one of the best group of young talent in the NHL, but GM Bill Armstrong still has some critical areas to fill to make them a contender in the Western Conference. The club added defenseman MacKenzie Weegar at the trade deadline to shore up their blueline, and added some much-needed experience up front by acquiring center Vincent Trocheck from the NY Rangers, and signing forward Anders Lee in free agency.
Current Goalie Situation: Utah has leaned heavily on workhorse Karel Vejmelka, playing the Czech netminder 122 games over the last two seasons, but last season, in spite of a sub .900 save %, the 30-year-old went 38-20-3. The club made an investment in a goalie of the future in Sebastian Cossa, trading a 2026 first round pick to Detroit to get the 23-year-old in hopes of him taking some of the burden off of Vejmelka.
Assets To Trade: Utah has boatloads of young prospects that Cheveldayoff would crave in a deal for Hellebuyck. Vejmelka is entering year two of a five-year extension making $4.75 million, but he has a 10-team no-trade list that could make including him in a trade troublesome. Cossa has no protection. Prospects such as 2024 first rounder Tij Iginla, or 2025 top pick Caleb Desnoyers would likely be on Winnipeg’s wish list, but Armstrong’s willingness to swap such valuable prospects would depend on whether he believes that Hellebuyck would be a considerably upgrade on his current status in net, and whether he would be someone who could elevate the Mammoth to the level of Dallas, Colorado, Minnesota, Edmonton and Vegas.
It is hardly a secret that the Philadelphia Flyers took a huge step forward last season on the back of newcomer Trevor Zegras, but we may not be giving Zegras enough credit for his contributions and impact.
Zegras, 25, was the premier addition for the Flyers heading into the 2025-26 season, coming over from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for bottom-six center Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick (Eric Nilson), and a fourth-round pick (Brayden Klimpke).
All he did after that was rank third on the Flyers in goals with 26, trailing Travis Konecny by one and Owen Tippett by two, and second in points, with his 67 just barely behind Konecny's 68.
But, despite a career resurgence and establishing a new career-high in points, Zegras isn't quite considered one of the top 20 centers in the NHL just yet.
The NHL Network recently released its list of the 20 best centers in the NHL, and the Flyers, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Utah Mammoth, and Minnesota Wild were the only playoff teams without a center making the cut.
Players like Dylan Larkin (20th), Tage Thompson (19th), Connor Bedard (16th), and Leo Carlsson (14th) are among those whose places on the list could be contested the most, and to be clear, it is absolutely a tough conversation with any of these players.
While he didn't make the list, Zegras should at least be in the conversation, however, and the upcoming 2026-27 season will only cement that further.
Zegras made a massive early impact with the Flyers
(Photo: Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
It is indisputable that the Flyers were much better last season with Zegras on the ice compared to when they were without him.
According to MoneyPuck, Zegras led the team in relative expected goals percentage (6.6%) at 5-on-5, meaning the Flyers owned 6.6% more of the expected goals with Zegras compared to without him.
Diving in further, we can look to Natural Stat Trick to see that, with Zegras on the ice, the Flyers had a 49.65% Corsi at 5-on-5 as well as a 53.57% expected goals percentage, a 51.54% share of the scoring chances, a 56.65% of the high-danger scoring chances, and scored 32 high-danger goals compared to opponents' 21 (60.38% share).
Without Zegras on the ice, the Flyers had a 46.87% Corsi, a 49.29% expected goals percentage, a 47.89% share of the scoring chances, a 51.02% share of high-danger chances, and were out-scored 46-45 in high-danger goals (49.45% share).
To earn the national recognition he deserves, the former No. 9 overall pick will likely need to cross the 30-goal and 70-point thresholds, which the Flyers can achieve by footing a better offense in general, and especially a power play that doesn't rank 32nd in the NHL out of 32 teams--last.
Zegras is a part of that power play and offense, yes, but further development and improved contributions from the likes of Matvei Michkov, Porter Martone, Tyson Foerster, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey will go a long way, too.
And maybe defenseman David Jiricek can provide the spark the power play needs from the point.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Members of the National League team look on prior to the 96th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Paul Skenes was in the running for best pitcher on the planet after his 1.97 ERA in 187.2 IP last season which netted him the NL Cy Young Award. But here in his age-24 season, his 3.79 ERA on the season has raised questions about just how great he is and will continue to be. Now, he still has a sub-3.00 FIP (2.96), but even I’ll admit that after a 1.96 ERA and 2.40 FIP through the first two seasons of his career (55 GS 320.2 IP) even I’m wondering who he’s going to be going forward. Still, obviously, a great pitcher, but still on track to be one of the best ever?
Well, the way baseball works is that it usually doesn’t work out that way. And pitcher identities shift all the time.
Take, for example, Skenes’ opponent in the game 1 matchup: Logan Webb. Still the Giants’ ace, but maybe he’s no longer one of the top 5 pitchers in the sport as he has been the past few years. Now, admittedly, some of my Giants fandom is informing that (maybe he’s more accurately a top-10 since 2022), but all I’m really trying to do is point out that Logan Webb might be entering a new phase of his career just as Skenes might be.
So, is this a matchup of two pitchers heading in opposite career directions or figuring out what’s the next adjustment they need to make in order to continue their success? Both are being hit harder than they had previously, and this could all be a matter of ABS. Webb has lost some stolen strikes and now the challenge system allows some called pitches to be reclassified. Skenes is probably experiencing a similar squeeze. His walk rate is up from 2.08 BB/9 in years 1 & 2 to 2.54 this season. But, y’know, he’s still a 4-WAR pitcher at the moment. Logan Webb, despite missing a bunch of starts with injury is a 3-WAR pitcher. They’re both still good, but mid-phase.
In another phase shift, the Pirates, perennial non-contenders, raised hopes for a decent chunk of this season that they might be Wild Card contenders (32-28 through May 31). The Giants, of course, erased all hope that Buster Posey would bring them out of the doldrums to be a competitive franchise again. The Pirates might not be a Wild Card team in 2026, but they appear setup to finish strong and be in the conversation again next year. If the San Francisco Giants went away tomorrow, nothing would be lost and no future plans ruined. (In this scenario, all the players resurface in other organizations.)
22-year old Esmerlyn Valdez has 16 homers in 65 games, a 14.7% walk rate and… ahem… 37.5% strikeout rate. But also, a .290 ISO / .535 slug. That’s fun, right? Konorro Griffin has been out since July (and will miss this series), but a 20-year old up the middle defender with a .276/.332/.404 line in 247 PA is a promising early return. They’ve gotten good performances from free agents (Ryan O’Hearn, reliever Gregory Soto) and trade pieces (Brandon Lowe) and, offensively, they’ve scored the fifth-most runs in the sport (669; though, just a 101 wRC+). They’re also the #6 pitching staff by fWAR (17.0). They don’t allow home runs and they strikeout a lot of batters (#4 in K/9 in MLB).
Pittsburgh is 6 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League and are definitely longshots. The Giants have been dreadful on the road (24-45), but now that they project to lose fewer than 100 games, maybe they’ll be more relaxed and, therefore, competitive? Hard to say.
Series Overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (57-81) at Pittsburgh Pirates (67-71) Where: PNC Park | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania When: Tuesday & Wednesday at 3:40pm PT, Thursday at 9:35am PT National broadcasts: None.
Projected starters Tuesday: Logan Webb (RHP 8-8, 3.72 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (RHP 9-11, 3.79 ERA) Wednesday: Landen Roupp (RHP 8-13, 4.25 ERA) vs. Jared Jones (RHP 2-6, 4.83 ERA) Thursday: Blade Tidwell (RHP 0-1, 4.54 ERA) vs. TBD
Prediction time
Bryan Reynolds is having his best overall season (2.5 fWAR) since maybe 2022 (2.9)? His power numbers are way down (a .159 ISO in 2026 compared to .184 for his career) but he’s walking like crazy (13.1%) and just getting on base (.369 — 18th in MLB). However, he had a terrible August (.238/.322/.295 in 27 games, 118 PA) and in the last 5 seasons, he hasn’t been all that great against the Giants (21-for-100, 4 HR, 20 RBI since the start of 2022). But if the Pirates are to make one last push for a playoff spot, he’s going to have to be a part of that. So, my prediction will be that he heats up against the Giants, helping the Pirates win at least one game in this series.
Logan Webb has started just 2 games at PNC Park in his career and he has a 2.25 ERA in 12 IP with 16 K just 1 walk allowed and 0 home runs allowed. Both of those starts came in 6:40pm local start times as this game 1 start will be tonight. I bring that up because, this season especially, his day/night ERA split is stark: 2.31 ERA in the day, 4.98 ERA at night. I predict that the time of day won’t be an issue and he’ll have a 6-inning, 2-run game.
A full slate of baseball games means a complete selection of MLB expert picks.
Our five best baseball brains have pored over the odds to come up with a slew of MLB picks and predictions for Tuesday, Sept. 1, including the Chicago Cubs moneyline and the Over at Wrigley Field.
Probabilities courtesy of Polymarket. For help understanding Polymarket probabilities, see our odds calculator.
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: White Sox moneyline
Price: 53¢ at Polymarket
There's a lot to unpack here, and a lot of it comes down to having no interest in the Houston Astros today.
First, the starting pitching matchup is much further apart than this line suggests. Ronel Blanco is not an MLB-caliber starter and just gave up 10 runs while recording only seven outs in his last Triple-A start. He currently owns the fourth-worst ERA in baseball among pitchers with at least 20 innings, along with the fifth-worst HR/9.
Making matters worse for Blanco, the Houston bullpen is taxed. The Astros are down four arms today, including high-leverage relievers Bryan Abreu and Steven Okert.
The Chicago White Sox, meanwhile, had a Top-7 bullpen last month and have all but one arm available.
Finally, per Kevin Roth, a tropical storm is heading toward Houston today. I would think that situation could weigh more heavily on the home team, with roots and families in the area, than the visiting club. I have Chicago as a 57% favorite today.
Jesus Luzardo is one of the toughest starting pitchers in the National League, and his sweeper has been one of his biggest weapons this season, carrying a +20 run value and a 47.9% whiff rate. The pitch is especially effective against left-handed hitters, but it loses some of its effectiveness against righties.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Brewers at Cubs Over 10.5
Price: 46¢ at Polymarket
Both pitching staffs will have their hands full, with two red-hot offenses and a little bit of wind blowing out at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs and Brewers rank first and third in OPS over the past week, with the Cubbies scoring a ridiculous 47 runs in their last four games, including 17 last night!
Gasser has a 5.10 road ERA and faces MLB’s top lineup against lefties over the past month. Boyd owns a 5.44 home ERA, and Brewers hitters have had his number, combining for a .825 OPS against him in 86 at-bats.
On the surface, both bullpens have been decent, but a deeper dive has them ranked 22nd and 26th in FIP over the past two weeks. Over 10.5 runs is the play.
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: TBS
Dustin Saracini's expert pick: Phillies at Diamondbacks Under 7.5
Price: 49¢ at Polymarket
We have a pair of aces coming off their best starts of the season against two offenses in the Bottom 10 for wRC+. Smells like an Under to me.
While Luzardo is coming off a seven-inning shutout, E-Rod has thrown 12 2/3 straight scoreless innings. Both thrive in this specific matchup, too, with Luzardo limiting this D-backs offense to a .293 xwOBA, and the Phillies owning just a .230 xBA against Rodriguez.
Worried about Schwarber here? He's hitless in eight at-bats against Rodriguez, striking out four times.
Don't overthink this one. I'd play it up to 55 cents.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Diamondbacks.TV
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 5: Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno in attendance for an opening day game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 5, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Anaheim Angels owner Arte Moreno is selling the team to Stan Kroenke, per multiple reports. Kroenke, a 79 year old billionaire, also owns the Los Angeles Rams, the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal F.C., Arsenal W.F.C., the Colorado Rapids, and the Colorado Mammoth.
This would be the end of the tenure of an individual widely viewed as one of the worst owners in MLB. Moreno bought the Angels in early 2003, when they were coming off their first World Series title in 2002. The Angels have not returned to the World Series since, have made it as far as the ALCS on twice in that time, and haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. The team is currently 53-85, and has clinched the franchise’s 11th straight season with a losing record.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Luis De Leon #81 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
September 1 means roster expansion in Major League Baseball. Gone are the days where teams could call up as many players as they could fit onto the roster and into the dugout and bullpen. The Orioles and every other team now gets one extra position player and one extra pitcher to create a 28-man roster for September. The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka reported separately on the two additions coming on Tuesday: Outfielder Heston Kjerstad and lefty pitching prospect Luis De León.
There will be additional roster movement on Tuesday. The Orioles optioned last night’s pitcher, Cade Povich, back to Triple-A Norfolk after that game was finished. They are expected to bring repeated DFA-and-back guy Albert Suárez back again. Also, waiver claim outfielder Luis Robert Jr. will likely be reporting to the team for Tuesday’s game, which will necessitate another move. I’d expect outfielder Christian Franklin to be optioned back to the minors.
I think the Orioles are looking at this as the final opportunity for Kjerstad to prove that he can do something at the major league level. If he does, maybe he’s in next year’s plans in some way. If he doesn’t, then he’s probably not. In 79 games for Norfolk this year, he’s batted .289/.337/.462 with 11 home runs. That’s fine. It’s nothing close to what he did two years ago, when he had 16 home runs and a .998 OPS in 56 games before getting called up to the Orioles. He’s 27. Whatever he is now is probably the best he will ever be again.
De León is the most exciting addition since he’s actually a prospect – #7 on the team’s most recent MLB Pipeline list and the highest-ranked on that list who has been playing at Norfolk. The 23-year-old is a hard-throwing lefty who’s been racking up lots of strikeouts while ascending the minor league levels. That includes 121 strikeouts across 99 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season. He’s also battled command problems, to the order of 53 walks in the same amount of time.
That’s not a good K/BB ratio. De León has not exactly demonstrated that he’s adjusted to Triple-A yet either; he had a 6.50 ERA in a few starts and a few relief stints at the level. The team had moved him to the bullpen with an eye on having him reinforce the unit in September. He only has to be better than Grant Wolfram to improve the group. Your guess is as good as mine.
Robert Jr. was a waiver claim in recent days, having been dumped by the Mets. The 29-year-old Cuban was pretty good in his first four seasons on the Chicago White Sox. That took him up to 2023. A lot has happened since 2023 and Robert has hit a combined .223/.291/.377 in 268 games over those seasons. It’s not good. However, he missed a lot of this season and over the last month he has an .841 OPS.
The Orioles have made a $5 million bet – $3 million remaining in his 2026 salary plus a $2 million buyout on a 2027 option – that Robert will help them with the wild card push. That’s not chump change to lay out at this point in the season. Hopefully it turns out better than when their late-season addition was a former White Sox teammate of Robert’s, Eloy Jiménez. He only has to hit better than Franklin and play better defense than Dylan Beavers.
The Philadelphia Phillies are short road favorites for the second tilt in their three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
First pitch is set for 9:40 p.m. ET, and my top Phillies vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks call for Philly to secure a second consecutive low-scoring win tonight.
Who will win Phillies vs Diamondbacks today: Phillies (55.2%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
As a result, I’m simplifying my handicap to back the starter with the better underlying numbers, plus the Phillies' better offensive form and superior bullpen.
Luzardo ranks second among all pitchers with at least 50 innings with a 2.30 xERA across his past 14 starts, while Rodriguez ranks 66th with a 4.10 mark during the same stretch.
Similarly, the Phillies pace the majors in xwOBA over the past 30 days, while the Diamondbacks check in 15th.
I would play this to 58%.
COVERS INTEL: The Philadelphia Phillies rank fifth in bullpen xERA and sixth in xFIP over the past 30 days, while the Arizona Diamondbacks rank 29th and 27th.
Phillies vs Diamondbacks Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (52.4%)
Even with a healthy gap in Rodriguez’s surface 2.50 ERA and underlying 4.43 xERA and 4.34 xFIP, he’s still held opponents to two runs or fewer in 12 of his past 14 starts while spinning a 2.48 ERA.
As a result, I anticipate him largely keeping the Phillies off balance deep enough into tonight’s game to help pave the way to the Under.
Finally, both teams have also trended to the Under. The Phillies have hit the Under in 30 of their last 50 away games (+10.45 Units / 19% ROI), while the Diamondbacks have gone Under the number in 27 of their last 50 games at home (+5.05 Units / 9% ROI).
Phillies vs Diamondbacks home run prediction: Alec Bohm (10%)
Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm sports a solid .184 ISO against lefties this season, and he’s put up a 1.750 OPS against Rodriguez across a small sample.
So, considering Rodriguez allowed a healthy .195 ISO to right-handed hitters over the previous two seasons, there’s regression ahead of this year’s .146 mark, which lands Bohm in flier territory to cash in and go yard tonight.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 46-20, +28.58 units
Over/Under bets: 21-17, +2.79 units
Phillies vs Diamondbacks weather
The retractable roof at Chase Field will be closed for tonight's game.
Phillies vs Diamondbacks odds
Moneyline: Phillies 58.3% | Diamondbacks 45.5%
Run line: Phillies -1.5 (44.4%) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (60%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (52.4%) | Under 7.5 (52.4%)
Phillies vs Diamondbacks trend
The Philadelphia Phillies have won 14 of their last 16 games (+11.75 Units / 45% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Phillies vs Diamondbacks and game info
Location
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSP, DBacks.TV
Phillies starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo (12-5, 3.09 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Eduardo Rodriguez (14-4, 2.50 ERA)
Phillies vs Diamondbacks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a sixth inning strike out against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 28, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fun fact: there are only 25 regular-season games left in 2026. Accordingly, we can finally start writing the obituary for the campaign. Note that I did not say “title defense,” as, barring a statistically improbable series of events, the Los Angeles Dodgers will make the 2026 tournament.
How many? Eight or more, at bare minimum.
I may have criticisms about the work of Dr. Brent Walker, PhD, Major League Mental Skills Coach for the Dodgers, but I am 99.99% sure no one will have to refer him to the American Hypnotical Association, even if Kyle Tucker somehow starts acting like a chicken.
Finally calling it for 2026: I was wrong…*
I can finally call it, barring tragedy that might arise from my tempting fate: I was (likely) wrong. I have good company. In the grand scheme of things, the Dodgers managed to do something that no one could have predicted for the 2026 regular season: make just about everybody wrong.
Most, if not all, prognosticators picked this year’s version of the team to win at least 100 games. I infamously didn’t, while predicting 92 regular-season wins.
This team could go 116-46 and romp to 11-0 in the postseason as the top seed. But that outcome would require both everything going right and the naysayers being right about the competitive balance of the sport. When this team coasted last year, it was rough to watch – until October. Assuming good health, I expect more of the same…
[Emphasis added.]
Everyone and their mother predicted the 2025 Dodgers to win at least 100 games. I sure did.
But I came to a sobering conclusion last year while watching the Dodgers sleepwalk their way through Pittsburgh and Baltimore. While witnessing a collection of offensive firepower on paper that would be out of place anywhere but in fever dreams and MLB: The Show (with the budget turned off), I was watching the literal personification of “less than the sum of its parts,” as the team shuffled from disinterested game to disinterested game in some of the most beautiful ballparks in the world.
It should be a crime against baseball to play that badly in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. To be fair, the home team often commits that sin more often than not. Back then, I realized that if the Dodgers could not be bothered to take care of business against lesser opponents (even the working overtime part), then I would react accordingly.
Yes, the Dodgers prevailed in 2025, and there are different years and different teams. I was there. It was neat. Looking ahead to 2026, I realized that it’s largely the same cake mix as last year, just a year older.
Surely, some extra frosting can compensate, right? Surely, the Dodgers’ cake mix wouldn’t have gone stale yet?
Something stands out when you closely watch the Dodgers this year. They look slower. They look duller. They don’t take the extra base. They don’t prevent the extra base. They don’t run very much. They have turned the fewest double plays in baseball. They have hit into the most double plays in baseball, which is odd for a team that generally does not hit the ball on the ground.
Generally, other teams have an edge that this team once had. It’s not as if the Dodgers stood pat last winter, resting on their laurels.
Yes, Michael Conforto was swapped out for Kyle Tucker (and lo, what an absolute disaster that swap has been, which is a topic for a later day). Yes, Tanner Scott was swapped out for Edwin Diaz only to be swapped back (and lo, no one is crowing about that decision and its aftermath, which is also a topic for a later day).
At the start of play on September 1, the Dodgers sit at 82-55 after 137 games.
For my original prediction about the regular season to be correct, something terrible (and unlikely) would have to happen, requiring a comedic 10-15 finish, which would bode poorly for the postseason tournament at the bare minimum.
I would not be that concerned about that doomsday scenario. There are other doomsday scenarios involving Kalshi and federal investigations that are far more concerning, which are also topics for another day.
*Unless “The Price is Right” Rules are in place
[Author’s Note: Closest to the mark, without going over – if you somehow are unfamiliar.]
Why am I unconcerned about this scenario? Because the Dodgers would have to play against the type for the first time all year. I will give the 2026 Dodgers a measure of credit: last year’s model played down to weaker competition with hysterical results, saving their best games for their best opponents.
This year’s model has been the polar opposite to an almost absurd degree. As of the start of play on September 1, 2026, the Dodgers are an eye-popping 49-19 against opponents with a record below .500, which is almost a 72.5% win rate.
72% of 25 is 18, which would get the Dodgers to 100 regular-season wins, making Stacie Wheeler the person who would come closest to the actual mark (99 wins) without going over.
Teams are supposed to beat their sub-500 opponents. This year’s division leaders follow that script with one glaring exception.
AL West: Houston Astros – 44-54
AL Central: Chicago White Sox – 47-30
AL East: Tampa Bay Rays – 50-31
NL West: Dodgers – 49-19
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers – 48-31
NL East: Atlanta Braves – 45-32
How far the American League has fallen, and the likely train wreck that the 3 (Astros) vs. 6 (who cares, but either Cleveland / Baltimore / Texas / Toronto / Minnesota for those keeping track) Wild Card matchup will be, will serve as an indictment of this playoff format. Especially when Houston somehow waltzes into the ALCS with a puncher’s chance for another Fall Classic berth.
Have the Dodgers grown indolent, fattening up their record against underachieving teams? Probably. But before explaining why next time, let us observe an eye-popping statistic for context.
As for the Dodgers, I’m getting 2023-vibes in the worst possible way, and half expecting Bobby Miller or Lance Lynn to walk back through the door because this current team is a living embodiment of the following meme about punching down as the 2023 team reached 100 regular-season wins, aided in no small part by bullying the hapless San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
Drawn and quartered
Over the past few years, the Dodgers have been beasts at home and have brought out their best game against the best opponents, but that has not been the case in 2026. The team just completed another ho-hum summer, which piqued my curiosity. How are the other division leaders handling their over .500 opponents?
The short answer is “better than the Dodgers,” with one notable exception.
AL West: Houston Astros – 25-14
AL Central: Chicago White Sox – 25-34
AL East: Tampa Bay Rays – 32-23
NL West: Dodgers – 33-36
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers – 37-21
NL East: Atlanta Braves – 37-23
Having a performance issue in common with the White Sox in 2026 is likely a sign that presages some sort of baseball disaster. The kicker is that the recent slump against decent teams started without much warning.
After besting the Yankees and Phillies to start the second half, the Dodgers faced the toughest part of their schedule, with games against plausible or possibly playoff opponents starting at the end of July against the Boston Red Sox at home and continuing on throughout most of August with series against the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves.
To say that the Dodgers failed this test would be a gross understatement.
The Dodgers won single games against the Brewers and Diamondbacks and lost every other game to go 2-14 during this stretch. Dave Roberts was unconcerned when learning about this fact for the first time:
“Honestly, I’m not too concerned about it. I know we’ve got a good ball club. Baseball is one of those things where how you’re playing, who you’re playing, and how they’re playing at a point in time,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday in Atlanta. “I didn’t know that statistic, but I’ll still take our team against any of those winning teams. I think it just comes down to us, we’ve just got to play good, winning baseball.”
[Emphasis added.]
First, while I am familiar with the expression, no more gambling talk, please. Second, if the 2025 Brewers taught us anything, it is that regular-season success does not automatically translate to October success. But it’s not as if last year’s team rolled over again and again to teams it might actually face with likely consequences.
The Dodgers now have to climb uphill for the top seed and are locked in a dogfight to secure the other first-round bye after surrendering both tiebreakers to Milwaukee and Atlanta through the recent patch of hideous play.
Last year, the Dodgers faced the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Round with barely an inconvenience. I am dubious that the Padres or Diamondbacks will pose as little of a threat in a hypothetical Wild Card Round.
Cakewalk for the win
Oddly enough, where the 2023 team was caught off guard by the Diamondbacks, this year’s team could earn themselves a bye by continuing to bully lesser teams in September.
As Eric Stephen recently pointed out, the Dodgers only have games against one team with a winning record as of the start of play on September 1: the 72-65 San Diego Padres for the final home series of the year. Ironically enough, the Padres have gone 1-5 since the introductory press conference with their new owners.
It’s not indicative of anything; I just find the factoid amusing.
The St. Louis Cardinals could rise to .500 if they beat the Dodgers in games 1 and 2 of their upcoming series. The Miami Marlins are currently at .500 and may remain there or improve over the next week.
As of July 1, the Dodgers have gone a tepid 25-25, and now have 25 games remaining. The primary culprit of this year’s swoon: a lukewarm offense that was designed on paper to have the muscle of a six-figure supercar with the actual output of a Honda Accord with a sputtering transmission.
Kroenke also owns the NFL's Rams, the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, the MLS's Colorado Rapids, and Arsenal of the Premier League.
The purchase price for the latest transaction was not announced. (Via Bill Shaikin of the Times, it's a record price — north of the $3.9 billion recently paid for the Padres.)
“The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market,” Kroenke said in a statement. “We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization.”
Kroenke has acquired the Angels from Arte Moreno, who owned the team for more than 20 years. The Angels are in the midst of an 11-year playoff drought, which likely will extend to 12 in 2026.
August in Chicago generally kicks off with Lollapalooza, a music festival in Grant Park that takes over the city for a few days each summer. This year the Cubs decided to close out August with Home Run Palooza at Wrigley Field, capping off a historic month that saw them grab the National League record for home runs in a month as they hit a franchise high nine home runs against the Brewers at Wrigley Field on Monday night [VIDEO].
There were back-to-back jacks, Alex Bregman had a three-home run night. And as soon as the Brewers had a chance to put a position player in the game Andrew Vaughn was on the mound, hitting Miguel Amaya with a pitch Statcast categorized as a knuckleball and mixing in an eephus for good measure. In fact, three of the Cubs’ nine long balls came off the Brewers first baseman which has me wondering, are home run records really what they used to be?
Cubs fans have seen a movie like this before, and not all that long ago. On July 1 they welcomed the Padres to Wrigley with an eight-run barrage that tied the previous franchise record they’d set just a year earlier. And yes, the Cubs hit a number of their homers to open July against a Padres position player [VIDEO].
No shade to Dansby Swanson or Alex Bregman, who went to the plate swinging with three-home run games on the line in the July and August affairs. That competitive fire whether they were facing a major league starting pitcher or a backup 1B/C in Vaughn or Rodolfo Durán is the stance you want from players setting the tone in the Cubs clubhouse everyday. When contract negotiations come up, no one cares whether your 20th home run was off a pitcher or a position player. The Cubs poured it on and posted scores against the Padres and Brewers that would have made the Chicago Bears proud, and I didn’t realize it until last night but this meme was made for the Cubs setting a franchise home run record:
But it does seem worth reflecting on the fact that the Cubs repeated assault on their franchise home run mark coincides with an increase in mangers opting for position players throwing batting practice rather than burning their bullpen in a blowout. They originally tied the seven home runs in a game mark on August 1, 2023 against the Cincinnati Reds and, you guessed it, the last two home runs came off backup catcher Luke Maile [VIDEO].
I get it. Managers are reticent to use their bullpen pitchers in a pointless effort. But it does seem worth reflecting on the fact that home runs feel a bit more special when they are being hit off a guy who isn’t throwing batting practice. Last year Jay Jaffe of FanGraphs took a look at the rise in position players pitching, which really peaked in 2022 but has been back on the rise:
From 2016 to ’18, the rate of PPP appearances more than doubled, and it continued to rise, with a localized peak during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. That peak happened as Major League Baseball and the Players Association agreed to waive a couple of rules that had been introduced in February, one that limited teams to carrying 13 pitchers on their 26-man rosters and another that limited them to using position players to pitch only in extra innings, or in games where the score margin is more than six runs. Somewhere between MLB’s announcement of the rule and the publication of that year’s official rulebook, the language was revised to include score margins “equal to or more than” six runs. The waiver continued through 2021 and into the start of the ’22 season, which was delayed due to the owners’ lockout. Teams were allowed to carry 28 players through May 1, after which rosters were reduced to 26; at that point the six-or-more-runs requirement finally went into effect, but not until May 30 were teams limited to 13 pitchers on the 26-player roster.
Given the expanded rosters, just seven position players pitched between Opening Day and May 1, 2022, but once rosters were trimmed from 28 to 26, even with the six-or-more-runs rule, the floodgates opened, with 124 more PPP appearances through the rest of the season. The record-high seasonal rate of 0.82% of relief appearances made by position players was more than double what it had been in 2018 and more than five times what it had been in ’16. The rules were revised for 2023, limiting PPP appearances in the ninth inning or earlier to those where a team trailed by eight or more runs, or, for the ninth, leading by 10 or more runs; even then, the rate of PPP appearances was higher than it had been in any year prior to 2022.
Position players are playing more in blowouts, but they aren’t necessarily causing the homerun barrage in some of those blowouts. MLB published a list of the teams who have hit nine or more home runs in a game in big league history. Yes, three out of five of those games occurred since 2025, however, the only team that faced a position player during one of those games was last night’s Cubs team. It’s just as likely that these games are more frequent simply due to teams selecting for home runs as they make roster decisions.
Regardless of the cause, the Cubs made history last night. And if you’re one of the people who’s worried these feats are cheapened when they occur against a first baseman with a 45 MPH knuckleball, at least we’ll always have last year’s game on the Fourth of July that set the franchise record at eight. Those fireworks came against the St. Louis Cardinals and three bona fide pitchers in Miles Mikolas, John King and Matt Svanson [VIDEO].
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 29: Chase Meidroth #10 and Braden Montgomery #24 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate after the White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the final month of the season just ahead, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.
Note: All records and stats are for games played as of Monday morning.
First Place: Chicago White Sox (72-64)
Top Position Player: Miguel Vargas (4.4 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Sean Burke (2.7 fWAR)
This time last month, the baseball world was wondering if the summer fun happening on Chicago’s South Side would eventually be too good to last. The answer as we wrap up the dog days and start to turn the season over to fall is the good times are rolling. The young White Sox team still sits in first place with the same three-game lead they had entering the month.
The White Sox have a trio of sluggers who are leading the charge. Vargas, Munetaka Murakami, and Colson Montgomery all end the month on the cusp of 30 home runs. Former Savannah Banana Tristan Peters is playing great—posting a .811 OPS and a .280 average on the season—and was on a recent heater with homers in five consecutive games. As wild as it is to say this, even Randal Gruchuk is even getting in on the fun in the Windy City slashing .341/.341/.659 across 44 at-bats this past month.
While the offense has been humming, the pitching staff is a different story. The team ranks 17th in ERA and 16th in strikeouts. Burke has been solid but had his toughest month of the season in August and Luis Castillo has struggled since coming over from Seattle at the Trade Deadline. The bullpen has been pretty solid and one bright spot is rookie Hagen Smith. The rookie out of Arkansas was the fifth overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, and he made his debut out of the ’pen on the 9th. Since then Smith has worked 11 innings and only given up a single earned run. Other relievers Sean Newcomb and Grant Taylor make this team one to watch in a short series as they have the bats and pen to give people fits.
Second Place: Cleveland Guardians (69-68)
Top Position Player: Brayan Rocchio (2.9 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Parker Messick (4.1 fWAR)
Cleveland has done what they do: pitch well and hang around. Sitting a few games back but ever-lurking the Guardians end August sitting right around .500 and needing to make up a few games to take the division while also clinging to the last Wild Card slot in the American League.
As has been the case all season and most of recent memory, the Guardians are struggling to score runs. The team ranks 28th in runs, 26th in batting average, and 30th in slugging. Chase DeLauter is the only hitter currently supporting an OPS above .800 and the team does not have a single hitter with more than 13 home runs on the season. Just to top it off, the team is also near the bottom in challenging balls and strikes as well. Sticking around .500 with this offense is something that is hard to fully understand or know how to appreciate.
The reason the Guardians are .500 is their pitching. Highlighted by Messick, the lefty has a 2.46 ERA and 11-8 record. To further highlight how bad the offense is, on 8 separate occasions this year the team has lost a game with Messick giving up 2 or less runs. Gavin Williams leads the team with 204 strikeouts and 12 wins. In what can only be called luck the Guardians have only had to hand the ball to seven different starting pitchers this season. Messick, Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Joey Cantillo should all clear 30 starts. The pitching staff looks primed to give the city that rocks another run at the postseason.
Third Place: Minnesota Twins (65-72)
Top Position Player: Byron Buxton (2.6 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Joe Ryan (2.6 fWAR)
They say it’s not over until it’s over; it’s about over for the Twins. After not selling the Twins appeared to be attempting to make a run this year. However, since the deadline the team has struggled and cemented themselves in the middle of the central and slipping behind several slightly more average teams than themselves in the Wild Card standings.
Minnesota got stuck in neutral in August at the plate. Byron Buxton went down and missed most of the month due to injury. Kody Clemens’ hot streak from July dried up over August. The team tried to get something going calling up prospects Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper here at the end of the month but it might not be enough to get the needle moving back in their favor.
While the hitting has been a let down one Twins pitcher had a month to remember. Zebby Matthews went 5–0 in August, with a tidy 2.90 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 31 innings. He capped off the month by carrying a perfect game into the 6th inning during a career-high 8.1 innings against the White Sox.
Fourth Place: Detroit Tigers (63-73)
Top Position Player: Dillon Dingler (5.0 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Casey Mize (3.0 fWAR) — traded to San Diego
Oh Detroit, the true definition of a bad, good baseball team. Despite having a +65 run differential the Tigers sit 10 games under .500 entering the final month of the season. The Tigers waved the white flag at the deadline and have been treading water trying to make it to the end of the season.
Detroit has the best run differential in the division at +65. The offense has been truly slightly below average. When you cruise up and down the stat lines it is easy to see that trend sprinkled throughout. Gleyber Torres and Kevin McGonigle were the team’s two best hitters in August who had a relative sample size.
Pitching in Detroit was really fun for a few weeks after the Trade Deadline as Troy Melton allowed a single run in 13 innings of work, Framber Valdez allowed just two runs in 14 innings, and Jackson Jobe threw five shutout innings in his season debut. However, since the deadline shock to the system, the staff has largely come back down to earth.
Last Place: Kansas City Royals (62-76)
Top Position Player: Bobby Witt Jr. (6.5 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Noah Cameron (2.7 fWAR)
The only thing keeping the Tigers from rock bottom is the Royals. After coming into the season with playoff aspirations, Kansas City has suffered through a long hot summer. However, in true KC fashion the team has not quit on the season. The team had their first winning month in August going 16-11.
Jac Caglianone hit six home runs and posted an OPS of 1.155 in August. Witt came back from injury and has continued being Bobby Witt. For a team that does not have a lot to play for the performances from the young Royals shows you why the team was so optimistic coming into the season.
On the bump Michael Wacha has been the top arm for the Royals. Over the month he went 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA. Those brought his season numbers to 8-8 with a 3.32 ERA. In what quickly became a lost season you have to give it to the Royals for not packing it in and continuing to try and figure it out over the long season.
COVERS INTEL: 
