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So the Mariners’ 50th anniversary celebratory weekend hasn’t gone as planned on the field. Are any of that that surprised? Thankfully, both the alumni home run derby on Friday and the pregame ceremony last night reminded us that yes, there can still be joy in baseball. The M’s will look to salvage the series against the Rays this afternoon in their last home game for a bit before starting the long-dreaded mid-August road trip of facing the Yankees, Astros, and Brewers.

Lineups:

The Rays have not yet put out a fancy lineup graphic, so an MLB dot com screenshot for them it is. Lefty Ian Seymour will get the start for them today, which means we’re treated to Weston Wilson manning the hot corner and hitting eighth as Brendan Donovan continues to work back to full strength after coming off the IL last week. Despite it being a day game after a night game, Cal Raleigh is once again behind the plate to catch Emerson Hancock while hitting seventh. The rest of the lineup remains unchanged, and hey, maybe ten total bases last night was just what Josh Naylor needed to catch a spark down the stretch.

Game Info:

First Pitch: 1:10pm PDT

TV: Mariners TV

Radio: Old Reliable

August 9, 2026

D-backs vs. Dodgers Discussion

TEMPE, AZ. - MAY 16, 2022. Boaters navigate Tempe Town Lake, an artificial lake that contains Colorado River water conveyed through the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct. The lake is a popular place for waterside recreational activities. It holds about 977 million gallons of water and loses about 1.7 million gallons a day to evaporation in the hot and dry climate. Growth in the greater Phoenix area is fast outpacing the supply of water. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Today’s Lineups

DODGERS	DIAMONDBACKS
Shohei Ohtani – DH	Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Andy Pages – CF	Corbin Carroll – RF
Freddie Freeman – 1B	Gabriel Moreno – C
Tommy Edman – 2B	Ketel Marte – DH
Mookie Betts – SS	Nolan Arenado – 3B
Kyle Tucker – RF	Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Teoscar Hernandez – LF	Tim Tawa – CF
Enrique Hernandez – 3B	Tyler Locklear – 1B
Ben Rortvedt – C	Ryan Waldschmidt – LF

Justin Wrobleski – LHP	E. Rodriguez – LHP

We came into this weekend with the season series tied 5-5. The first two contests have been split, each being won by the narrowest of margins, and could have gone either way. And, so, we reach Sunday for the rubber game, both in this set and of the entire 2026 campaign. The good news is, if we see the Dodgers again this year, it’s going to be in the playoffs. I’m fine with that. Eduardo Rodriguez had a rough outing last time out, against the Padres, allowing 11 hits over five innings. However, he was victimized by a .440 BABIP, and it’s hard to blame him for that kind of thing. His FIP actually dropped in that start. Here’s to better this afternoon.

I’m kinda amused that, after last night, the number of “Why is Torey bunting?” complaints this year is probably about the same as the number of “Why isn’t Torey bunting?” complaints this year. Yes, bunting a runner from second to third is normally a waste of an out, now we don’t have to worry about pitchers coming to the plate. But it does increase your odds of scoring something – albeit at a decline in the chances of a big inning. When you’re down by one and must score or the game is over, it makes sense to maximize those odds. Now, Tawa failed to execute on his two attempts. But if it had worked, the tying run might well have scored on McCann’s infield single.

All told, this year there have been 39 actual sacrifice bunt attempts by Arizona (as classified by BR, which is only ones resulting in a ball in play, so Tawa’s last night would not count). Those have resulted in 27 successes, eight hits and four failures (where the lead runner was out). All told, they have contributed +50% to Win Probability, so you’d be hard pushed to call it a failed tactic. I’ve a feeling we all suffer from confirmation bias in this area, with people remembering the times their preferred tactic was not followed by Torey Lovullo, and in particular the occasions when things didn’t work out.

CorbinCarrollEnthusiast on the guest recap this afternoon. I believe he is unbeaten in that role this season, so I hope the streak continues!

August 9, 2026

8/9 Gamethread: Giants vs. Tigers

Logan Webb reaching back to throw a pitch. — ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 03: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Courtney Kramer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It’s rubber match time. The San Francisco Giants won on Friday, and the Detroit Tigers won on Saturday. Now we find out who wins the series!

Righty Logan Webb takes the mound for the Giants, and makes his 21st start. The three-time All-Star is 7-7 on the year, with a 3.74 ERA, a 3.30 FIP, and 101 strikeouts to 31 walks in 125 innings. He’s coming off an excellent start in which he struck out eight Texas Rangers batters over six shutout innings.

For the Tigers, it’s right-hander Troy Melton, a 25-year old in his second season. Melton has been excellent in 12 starts, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.58 ERA, a 3.78 FIP, and 64 strikeouts to 23 walks in 74 innings. He’s pitched seven scoreless innings in each of his last two starts.

Enjoy the game, everyone!

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Game #118

Who: San Francisco Giants (49-68) vs. Detroit Tigers (57-60)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

When: 1:05 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

August 9, 2026

Why Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected from Sunday's game

Chris Sale slept on it. It obviously did not help.

The Braves left-hander got ejected before the first pitch Sunday, Aug. 9, which takes some doing when he's not even playing in the game. Sale just could not resist when umpire Dan Merzel and the rest of the crew walked by the visitor's dugout at Yankee Stadium.

Sale started barking at Merzel as the umpires came out onto the field for Sunday's series finale. Mezel didn't waste much time, ejecting the Cy Young Award winner quickly. Before exiting the dugout, however, Sale had a few more words for crew chief Dan Bellino.

Chris Sale was ejected before today's game. pic.twitter.com/8sw2Nxqe8d https://t.co/TdjdFdluPo
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 9, 2026

Clearly, Sale had not finished his argument from pitching on Saturday night.

In the fifth inning, Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones had just tripled home the tying run. Sale started his first pitch to Austin Wells and Merzel called him for a balk over a slight hitch in his right leg. It was the third balk of Sale's 16-year career. Jones jogged home. Sale and Walt Weiss argued it for several minutes before Weiss got run with the Yankees up 3-2. It was the first ejection of his managerial career.

Sale is what the league calls a hybrid pitcher, meaning he works from both the windup and the stretch and you can't tell which by looking at his feet. So he has to say which one is coming out loud to the umpire.

Bellino reiterated that rule after the game and pointed out that Sale had announced it before he struck out Jose Caballero. He did not before pitching to Wells.

Sale, 37, gave up three runs on five hits in six innings Saturday and took his first loss since June 28. He's 12-7 with a 2.20 ERA in 21 starts. Sunday was his fourth career ejection and his first in almost seven years. The last one came Aug.3, 2019, when Mike Estabrook ran him for arguing balls and strikes in a 9-2 Boston loss - also at Yankee Stadium.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected from Sunday's game

August 9, 2026

Ortiz hits 2nd career homer, Dion leads strong bullpen outing as Nationals beat Reds 7-1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Abimelec Ortiz hit his second career home run, Will Dion led a bullpen outing that allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings and the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Sunday to sweep the series.

Dion (1-0), who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Guardians, earned his first win of the year after retiring the first nine batters he faced. He allowed one hit in three innings. Trevor Williams tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings and maintained his 0.00 ERA since returning from elbow surgery on July 29.

Brad Lord surrendered the only run during his start, and Jake Bird worked a hitless ninth.

Jacob Young and Andrés Chaparro each drove in two runs for the Nationals, who have won four of their last five games.

The 24-year-old Ortiz opened the third inning with an opposite-field fly ball off Reds pitcher Brady Singer (5-11) that put the Nationals up 3-1. Chaparro capped the scoring with a two-run double.

Keibert Ruiz’s single in the second inning tied the game at 1, before Young gave Washington the lead for good with a sacrifice fly. Daylen Lile added a single to right field that plated CJ Abrams in the seventh.

Singer gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings.

Dane Myers hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning that gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead, but that was it and the Reds were outscored 20-6 in the series.

Up next

Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (3-2, 4.60 ERA) starts game one against the White Sox on Tuesday.

Nationals: Yet to announce a starter for a series opener with the Cubs on Tuesday.

August 9, 2026

Dodgers on Deck: Monday, August 10 vs. Royals

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 02: Tarik Skubal of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the eigth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 02, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a dreadful road trip the Dodgers return home for seven games at Dodger Stadium. First up are the Kansas City Royals, beginning Monday night in Los Angeles.

Tarik Skubal makes his first Dodger Stadium start since joining the Dodgers, after allowing two runs in six innings last Tuesday in a tough-luck loss at Wrigley Field in his debut with the team.

Left-hander Noah Cameron starts for the Royals in the opener.

Monday game info

Teams: Dodgers vs. Royals
Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
Start time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: SportsNet LA
Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

August 9, 2026

Don Nelson, second-winningest NBA coach who won 5 titles as a Celtics player, dies at 86

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday. He was 86.

Nelson’s death was announced by the Golden State Warriors, one of the teams he coached.

Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.

Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.

Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons in Boston and was on five Celtics championship teams under four different coaches. He became an assistant coach in Milwaukee after retiring as a player, then took over after coach Larry Costello resigned 18 games into the 1976-77 season. Nelson coached the Bucks for 11 seasons starting in 1976 and won seven straight division titles.

His fast-paced offenses were probably best on display with Golden State in the “Run TMC” era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted them on the court at the same time.

Nelson spent 11 seasons over two stints with Golden State. The first one was punctuated by a rift with rookie star Chris Webber, who was traded away a month into his second season. Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995.

In between, Nelson was fired after less than one season in New York in 1995-96, then coached in Dallas for eight seasons, missing 21 games with the Mavericks starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery.

Nelson’s son, Donnie, joined his father as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 1998, later became general manager and remained with the organization until 2021. Together they persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Don Nelson also developed Steve Nash into one of the NBA’s top point guards before Nash went on to win back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.

At Golden State, Nelson’s “We Believe” Warriors led by Baron Davis upset Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs in one of the biggest shockers in NBA history. In his final season as a coach, Nelson mentored rookie Stephen Curry in 2009-10.

Nelson retired as the NBA’s career coaching wins leader with 1,335, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before close friend and now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022.

August 9, 2026

Braves ace Chris Sale ejected by umpire Dan Merzel before start of game against Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was ejected by umpire Dan Merzel before a pitch was thrown in Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees, a day after being called for a balk that scored a run.

As umpires took the field and walked by the Braves’ dugout on the third base side, Sale began barking. Merzel tossed him and Sale said something to crew chief Dan Bellino as the two talked near the dugout rail.

Sale was called for his third career balk by Merzel during the fifth inning of Saturday’s 5-4 loss. Rookie Spencer Jones scored on the balk after getting an RBI triple and Sale began fiercely yelling at Merzel before manager Walt Weiss continued the argument and was ejected.

Bellino told a pool reporter afterward that Sale was called for the balk because he did not declare he was going to pitch from the windup. Bellino said Sale declared he was pitching from the windup when he struck out José Caballero but did not do so ahead of the at-bat to Austin Wells.

It was Sale’s fourth career ejection. It was his first since Aug. 3, 2019, when he pitched for Boston and was tossed by Mike Estabrook for arguing balls and strikes during the fourth inning of a 9-2 loss at Yankee Stadium.

Sale allowed three runs and five hits in six innings Saturday for his first loss since June 28. In his third season with the Braves, the veteran left-hander is 12-7 with a 2.20 ERA in 21 starts.

August 9, 2026

Sabres Top 40 Prospects – #30

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games.

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30. Riley Fiddler-Schultz – F (Rochester - AHL)

With Buffalo’s organization littered with their own drafted prospects, the chances of an undrafted free agent making it to the NHL are slim, but the Sabres gave forward Riley Fiddler-Schultz a chance he has been making the most of his opportunity.

The 24-year-old has NHL bloodlines (his uncle Vern Fiddler played 877 games with Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas, and New Jersey), and Riley grew into a leadership role in junior with the WHL’s Calgary Hitman, becoming team captain in 2022 and leading the club with 75 points (31 goals, 44 assists).

The Sabres signed Fiddler-Schultz to a two-year AHL deal in 2023, and in his first professional season, he finished second in goals (23) for the ECHL’s Jacksonville Iceman and played six games for the Rochester Americans. In 2024-25, he played exclusively for the Amerks and posted 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 51 games, which earned him a two-year, entry-level NHL contract. With more responsibility came more production, as last season, the Alberta native finished tied for second behind Isak Rosen with 21 goals in 62 games.

With Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund likely graduating to the Sabres, and Anton Wahlberg dealt to Anaheim in the Olen Zellweger deal, players like Fiddler-Schultz will be relied on even more, and that could lead to an NHL opportunity if he continues to show progress.

Follow Michael on X, and Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

August 9, 2026

Basketball world pays tribute to Hall of Famer Don Nelson

The NBA community is mourning the death of Hall of Fame player and coach Don Nelson.

Nelson, who won five championships as a member of the Boston Celtics and then became one of the sport's winningest coaches, died Sunday, Aug. 9, at the age of 86.

He served as an NBA head coach for 31 seasons with four teams: the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors issued a statement on their official Instagram account calling Nelson "an iconic figure in Warriors history" for his 11 seasons with Golden State.

"He was a true basketball visionary who saw the game differently and was never afraid to challenge conventional thinking," the post read, in part. "His approach helped shape the game and paved the way for generations of players and coaches who followed."

Steph Curry on Nelson

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry only played for Nelson for one season, but said he was "one of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors."

“The story is he never liked rookies," Curry said in a statement, "but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court ...

"He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game. He’s a true icon and will be missed by the countless number of people he touched, including myself, during a legendary career.”

Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson signals to his team in Game 3 of a 2001 first-round NBA playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

Dirk Nowitzki flourished under Nelson

As general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, Nelson was the driving force behind the draft-day trade in 1998 that brought Dirk Nowitzki to the Mavs.

He went on to a Hall of Fame career, spending every one of his 21 seasons in a Mavericks uniform.

"Nellie… You didn't just draft me. You believed in me," Nowitzki posted on X. "You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them. I've said it a million times and I will always say it: I don't think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me the freedom to play my game."

Nellie… You didn't just draft me. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them. I've said it a million times and I will always say it: I don't think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me…
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) August 9, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Basketball world pays tribute to Hall of Famer Don Nelson

August 9, 2026

Orioles vs. Rangers game discussion

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 04: Cade Povich #37 pf the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 04, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Orioles can pretty much either win today to avoid a sweep by the Rangers or else they can give up on even pretending that they might have a chance at a wild card spot. The offense has scored 11 runs in seven games so far in August. These two things are connected.

Orioles lineup

Gunnar Henderson – SS
Pete Alonso – 1B
Jackson Holliday – 2B
Tyler O’Neill – DH
Dylan Beavers – LF
Leody Taveras – RF
Coby Mayo – 3B
Colton Cowser – CF
Carlos Narváez – C

Cade Povich will have the challenge of facing a tougher lineup than the Angels in this start. We’ll see how he responds.

Rangers lineup

Wyatt Langford – LF
Corey Seager – DH
Ezequiel Duran – SS
Brandon Nimmo – RF
Jake Burger – 1B
Justin Foscue – 2B
Elias Díaz – C
Jonah Bride – 3B
Cam Cauley – CF

Kumar Rocker makes the start for Texas.

August 9, 2026

Hellebuyck Trade Still Possible, But Destinations Other Than Buffalo Are Just As Plausible

The Buffalo Sabres have not been able to pull off a move to upgrade their club this summer after winning the Atlantic Division, making the playoffs for the first time since 2011, and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. GM Jarmo Kekalainen was able to get a good future return for defenseman Bowen Byram, but did not replace the offense and leadership of Alex Tuch after he was dealt to Washington.

Rumors of a deal for Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck percolated around the NHL Draft in late June, but Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff did not pull the trigger and now a trade involving the Hart Trophy and multi-Vezina Trophy winner seems to be in a state of limbo.

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The 33–year-old is entering the fourth year of an eight-year, $68 million deal ($8.5 million AAV), and has a full no-movement clause until next July. After that, he has a 10-team trade list. Chatter around the draft indicated that the Sabres were willing to send a package that included goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, forward Jack Quinn and the fourth overall pick, later used to select Daxon Rudolph.

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That deal seems less likely now, since Luukkonen has gained some control over his destination with a limited no-trade list, and because other potential suitors may have entered the fray. The New Jersey Devils, who like the Sabres are projecting a three-headed monster of Jake Allen, David Rittich, and Nico Daws is goal, potentially have the pieces that Cheveldayoff might be looking for in a Hellebuyck deal.

Another possibility is the Stanley Cup winning Carolina Hurricanes, who lost veteran Frederik Andersen in free agency, and has a duo of Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov between the pipes. The Hurricanes have enough cap space to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million salary, but could be a bit light on the return they could offer the Jets.

Kekalainen could be playing a game of chicken with the Jets, hoping they will lower their pricetag as training camp nears, but that is a dangerous game that could result in the veteran goalie ending up with another Eastern Conference foe.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo