2026 Brewers Week in Review: Week 20

Aug 9, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last Week’s Results

  • Monday: Pirates 4, Brewers 3
  • Tuesday: Brewers 4, Pirates 2
  • Wednesday: Brewers 4, Pirates 2
  • Thursday: Brewers 5, Pirates 2
  • Friday: Twins 8, Brewers 6
  • Saturday: Brewers 4, Twins 3
  • Sunday: Brewers 4, Twins 3

Division Standings

  • Brewers 74-44
  • Cubs 69-50 (5.5 GB)
  • Cardinals 59-59 (15 GB)
  • Pirates 58-62 (17 GB)
  • Reds 56-61 (17.5 GB)

Last Week

  • Brewers: 5-2
  • Cubs: 6-1
  • Cardinals: 4-2
  • Pirates: 2-5
  • Reds: 3-3

Top Pitching Performance of the Week

Let’s give a little bit of love to The Vulture, Aaron Ashby. It hasn’t been a particularly easy season, but Ashby had the goods this week, tossing five shutout innings across four appearances while striking out 11 batters. He picked up his 13th win of the season in Saturday’s come-from-behind victory.

An honorable mention to Kyle Harrison, who threw five excellent innings in his first game back with the Brewers since going on the injured list in early July. Harrison struck out 10 batters in that game, and may have threatened his season- (and career-) high of 12 had he not had to exit with cramping.

Top Hitting Performance of the Week

This is an easy one: Jackson Chourio hit just .250 on the week, but four of his six hits were home runs. He also walked as many times as he struck out (seven), giving him an OBP of .419 to go along with his .750 slugging percentage. The kid was a needed source of punch for an offense that’s going through it.

Jake Bauers was also a big source of clutch offense this week (including Sunday’s game-winning hit) and had an OPS near 1.000 in 13 plate appearances. Gary Sánchez, in limited playing time, went 3-for-6 with a homer and a double.

Injury Notes & Roster Moves

  • The combination of the trade deadline, a few injuries, and being in the midst of a 17-day stretch without an off day led to a busy week on the transaction front.
  • The headlines came from the deadline. In the biggest deal the Brewers were involved in, they acquired right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero from the Cardinals. May pitched for the Brewers on Thursday, while Romero is on the injured list after an emergency appendectomy but is expected back this month. The trade came with a high cost in the form of well-regarded prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.
  • In a smaller deadline-day deal, the Brewers sent two minor leaguers from deeper in the system (Mark Manfredi and Juan Martinez) for Rockies reliever Antonio Senzatela, who pitched three times for the Brewers this week.
  • To accommodate the moves, the Brewers needed to open some roster spots. One was freed up when Codi Heuer, acquired in last week’s Bo Naylor/Craig Yoho trade, was sent to the Orioles for cash.
  • To free up another spot on the 40-man roster, Carlos Rodriguez was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville. Thomas Pannone, who’d been DFA’d last week, also cleared waivers and was outrighted to Nashville.
  • To make spots on the active roster for May and Senzatela, Garrett Stallings and Brandon Sproat were optioned to Nashville.
  • In order to keep some fresh arms on the team, Bryse Wilson was a somewhat harsh recipient of a designation for assignment on Saturday. He was replaced on the 40-man roster by Lyon Richardson.
  • Cooper Pratt was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a hamstring injury. To replace him on the roster, the Brewers signed free-agent infielder Jihwan Bae, who bunted for a hit and laid down a successful sacrifice in Sunday’s game. To make room for Bae on the 40-man roster, Drew Rom was designated for assignment.
  • Also on the injury front, Kyle Harrison returned to active duty on Wednesday. To make room on the roster, Grant Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Nashville, at least temporarily setting up a six-man rotation.
  • Looking forward, Sal Frelick joined the Sounds for a rehab assignment, though it sounds like he isn’t yet able to throw and will just be getting at-bats for now. It’s unclear when exactly he’s expected to rejoin the Brewers, especially given that he doesn’t have much value if he can’t play the field.

On Deck

  • Monday: @ Padres (8:40 p.m.)
  • Tuesday: @ Padres (8:40 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: @ Padres (3:10 p.m.)
  • Thursday: @ Dodgers (9:10 p.m.)
  • Friday: @ Dodgers (9:10 p.m.)
  • Saturday: @ Dodgers (6:15 p.m.)
  • Sunday: @ Dodgers (3:10 p.m.)

Phillies News: Caleb Kilian, Aaron Nola, Jonathan Bowlan

Aug 9, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Derek Hill (49) celebrates his walk-off RBI single during the twelfth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

What a doozy of a ballgame yesterday. It was pretty normal for 7.2 innings before fully going off the rails and delving into performance art. Regardless, it was a win and hopefully once the Phillies can build off of as they enter the week of the Field of Dreams game.

On to the links.

Phillies News:

MLB News:

Chicago Cubs history unpacked — August 10

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to Larry Corcoran and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 1930 – Before 45,000 fans, the Cubs sweep two from the Boston Braves at Wrigley Field to move a game back of BrooklynHack Wilson drives home seven runs on three homers, the last his 39th, to back up Charlie Root‘s three-hit shutout in the opener. The Cubs win, 6-0, beating Bob SmithPat Malone completes the sweep. twirling a five-hitter to beat Bruce Cunningham, 11-1, in the nightcap, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1915 – In WashingtonDetroit 3B Ossie Vitt is hit by a Walter Johnson fastball and, after being knocked out for five minutes, leaves the game with a concussion. A rattled Johnson then allows four runs in the 1st inning, two on a homer by George Burns, and another four through the sixth inning to lose (he will be 17-2 at home this year). Ty Cobb, observing Johnson’s fear of hitting a batter, will begin to crowd the plate on the Washington ace from here on. Cobb will average .435 for the rest of his career against Walter, after topping .222 only once in the previous eight years.
  • 1917Babe Ruth beats the Tigers, 5 – 4, giving up just four hits. The Babe’s drive into the CF bleachers, said to be the longest hit at Fenway Park, is the difference. The homer is Babe’s first of the year.
  • 1929 – Pitching for the visiting CardsGrover Alexander beats the Phils, 7-1, for his 373rd and last National League victory. It is noted at the time that he ties Christy Mathewson for NL wins
  • 1934 – Babe Ruth announces this is his final season as a full-time player.
  • 1957 – Mickey Mantle blasts a 460-foot homer to become the first player to clear the center-field hedge at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore as the Yankees beat the Orioles, 6-3.
  • 1960 – Ted Williams hits a pair of homers and a double to pace the Red Sox to a 6-1 win over the Indians. Ted has 21 homers for the season. The first of the two today, No. 512, moves Ted past Mel Ott into fourth place on the all-time list. After the game, Williams announces that he will retire at the end of the season.
  • 1971 – Twins’ Harmon Killebrew becomes the 10th player to amass 500 home runs and adds his 501st.
  • 1981 – The Phillies’ Pete Rose passes Stan Musial as the all-time National League hit leader when he collects his 3,631st off Cardinal hurler Mark Littell.
  • 1996Eddie Murray blasts his 18th career grand slam, highlighting an eight-run 9th inning, as Baltimore beats the White Sox, 13-4. Murray’s slam ties him for second place with Willie McCovey.
  • 2019 – Another hot-hitting rookie, Yordan Alvarez, also has a three-homer game, scoring five runs and driving in seven as the Astros demolish the Orioles, 23-2. Alvarez now has 51 RBIs in 45 games, beating the previous record of 47 set by Ted Williams in his rookie year. 

Today in Cubs history:

Cubs Birthdays:Jimmy McMath, Bob Porterfield, Elmer Jacobs, Larry Corcoran*. Also related: Willie Wells HOF.

Today in history:

  • 1776 – News of the United States Declaration of Independence reaches London during the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1893 – Rudolf Diesel‘s prototype internal combustion engine, a single 10-foot iron cylinder with a flywheel at its base, runs on its own power for the first time in Augsburg, Germany.
  • 1897 – German chemist Felix Hoffmann first synthesizes acetylsalicylic acid, which is later patented by his company Bayer under the name “aspirin”.
  • 1943 – US General George S. Patton slaps a battle-fatigued soldier at an evacuation hospital, calling him “cowardly,” and threatens him with a pistol.
  • 1949 – Ezzard Charles TKO’s Gus Lesnevich in the 8th round for the heavyweight boxing title.
  • 1969 – Members of the Manson Family cult, including leader Charles Manson, kill Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their Los Angeles, California home, completing the crime known as the Tate-LaBianca murders.
  • 1977 – Postal employee David Berkowitz is arrested in Yonkers, NY, accused of being the “Son of Sam” .44 caliber killer.
  • 1984 – The US beats Spain 96-65 to win the men’s basketball gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics; future ‘dream team’ members Michael JordanPatrick Ewing and Chris Mullin feature.

Today in music history:

  • 1920 – Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds record “Crazy Blues” for Okeh Records, the first significant blues hit by an African American artist.
  • 1963 – “Little” Stevie Wonder‘s single “Fingertips (Part 2)” begins a three-week run, making him the youngest singer to top the charts at age 13.
  • 1970 – Jim Morrison‘s trial for “lewd and lascivious behavior” begins in Miami, Florida.
  • 1972 – Paul and Linda McCartney and their band Wings are arrested in Gothenburg, Sweden, on drug possession charges when customs officials discover a package of hashish.
  • 1976 – Elton John performs the first of seven sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden, NYC, to conclude his North American tour.
  • 1979 – “Off the Wall,” the fifth studio album by Michael Jackson, is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1980).
  • 1993 – Columbia Records releases “River of Dreams,” singer-songwriter Billy Joel‘s twelfth and final studio album (unless he changes his mind).

*pictured.

Orioles news: The O’s offense finally woke up

Aug 9, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser (17) hits a home run during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

Miracles do occur: the Orioles actually can score some runs every once in a while. Yesterday they released more than a week’s worth of offensive frustration by putting up a 10-spot on the Rangers, clubbing 15 hits, tied for their third most of the season. Pete Alonso erupted for his first multi-homer game as an Oriole, eight O’s batters had at least one hit, and the Birds averted a three-game sweep with a rare stress-free, blowout victory. Check out Mark Brown’s recap of the decisive win.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Orioles’ overall series in Arlington sunk them further out of the playoff picture. They entered the series on Friday just one game back of the Rangers for the third wild card spot, but the Orioles’ no-show offensive efforts in the first two games cost them valuable ground. Because of their flailing, not only are they now two games back of Texas, but they also trail three other teams — the Twins, Guardians, and the Tigers, who leapfrogged the Birds this weekend. Even the Mariners and Blue Jays are closer to catching the Orioles than the Orioles are to catching the Rangers. One team will eventually rise above all the rest in this battle for mediocrity, but it’s increasingly unlikely to be the O’s.

The Orioles are now off to face another one of that crowded field of wild-card candidates, the Twins, in a three-game series in Minnesota starting tonight. Normally this is where I would write, “This is a hugely important series!!!1!1!!” but…honestly, I’m not feeling it anymore. I think we’re at the point where the Orioles’ season is too far gone to save.

Their offensive woes have become the norm rather than the exception. Before yesterday, the O’s had scored only 11 total runs in their seven games in August. A lineup that is missing Samuel Basallo and Blaze Alexander, and that inexplicably continues to employ Gunnar Henderson’s .294 OBP in the top third of the order, is going to continue to struggle to score runs. We can all pretty much agree that a Dean Kremer Revenge Game is coming tonight, right?

Anything less than sweeping the Twins is going to continue to close the door on the Orioles’ 2026 playoff hopes. And even if the O’s do manage to keep their heads above water in Minnesota, their next 10 games are against the two best teams in the American League, the Rays and Yankees. That brutal stretch is almost certain to bury the Orioles if their goose isn’t cooked already.

The postseason math is looking pretty bleak. But I suppose nothing’s over until it’s over. If the O’s can carry the momentum of yesterday’s 10-run outburst into the Land of 10,000 Lakes, maybe they’ve still got a fighting chance. But it’s going to require a stretch of red-hot, winning baseball that we’ve rarely seen from this team.

Links

Something was missing for Grayson Rodriguez when he faced Orioles – BaltimoreBaseball.com

Speaking of Revenge Games, Grayson had a pretty good one at Oriole Park for the Angels last week, though the Birds managed to win. I’m surprised how few of the current Orioles hitters were ever teammates with him.

Pete Alonso answers his own rallying call with his best Orioles game in win vs. Rangers – The Baltimore Banner

Pete Alonso continues to be awesome. I wish I could say the same about most of the other guys in this lineup.

McDonald: “This is the strongest I’ve seen the minor league system from a pitching standpoint with the Orioles” – School of Roch

Great! Can they hit?

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three former Orioles were born on Aug. 10: first baseman Dan Johnson (47), catcher Sal Fasano (55), and the late right-hander Bob Chakales (b. 1927, d. 2010) of the inaugural 1954 Orioles.

On this date in 1963, Boog Powell crushed three home runs against the Washington Senators, but the O’s still lost, 6-5. All three blasts were solo shots. The other two Orioles runs were driven in by utility man Bob Johnson, who was starting at third base, snapping Brooks Robinson’s streak of 463 consecutive starts at the hot corner for the Orioles.

On this day in 1981, a newly promoted 20-year-old O’s prospect by the name of Cal Ripken Jr. made his major league debut, pinch-running for Ken Singleton in the bottom of the 12th inning against the Royals. Fittingly enough, the future Hall of Famer scored the game-winning run in his debut, scoring on John Lowenstein’s walkoff single.

In 1996, Eddie Murray hit his 18th career grand slam, which at the time tied him with Willie McCovey for second most in MLB history. (He now ranks fourth, behind Alex Rodriguez, Lou Gehrig, and Manny Ramirez.) Murray’s salami was part of an eight-run ninth inning for the Orioles, turning a slim 5-4 lead into a 13-4 blowout of the White Sox.

In 1999, the Orioles routed the Rays, 17-1, and they did it without hitting any home runs. The O’s racked up an eye-popping 20 hits, and every batter in the lineup had at least one hit and scored at least once. Six different Orioles had multi-hit games, including Mike Bordick, who went 4-for-6 with two doubles and five RBIs. The game got so out of hand that Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs made a pitching appearance for the Rays, the second (and final) of his 18-year career.

But on this date in back-to-back seasons, the Orioles embarrassed themselves. In 2018, they were mathematically eliminated in the AL East with a gruesome 19-12 loss to the Red Sox that dropped them 46.5 games behind with 46 games to play. It marked the earliest date in baseball history that a team had been mathematically eliminated. The Orioles gave up 16 hits and 10 walks in the game. Starter Dylan Bundy was tagged for eight runs, and three relievers — Miguel Castro, Donnie Hart, and Evan Phillips — each surrendered three or more.

And in 2019, the Orioles were obliterated by the Astros, 23-2. Houston set franchise bests for runs scored (23) and extra-base hits (13) in a game. Yordan Alvarez hit three homers and drove in seven on his way to winning AL Rookie of the Year, and five other Astros also had three or more hits. Orioles pitchers Aaron Brooks (nine runs), Branden Kline (five), and Tayler Scott (six) were hit hard, as was utility man Stevie Wilkerson, who gave up three runs in a mop-up pitching appearance. Woof. That 2019 Orioles team was unwatchable.

Mets Daily Prospect Report, 8/10/26: Amick, again

BINGHAMTON, NY - AUGUST 08: The Binghamton Rumble Ponies mascot greets fans prior to the game between the Hartford Yard Goats and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Mirabito Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2026 in Binghamton, New York. (Photo by Nate Stickney/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (38-37/17-21)

COLUMBUS 5, SYRACUSE 4 (BOX)

Syracuse got on the board first thanks to a Nick Lorusso two-run homer in the bottom of the second, but their lead did not last long, as Ofreidy Gomez allowed a run in the top of the third, right-hander Matt Seelinger allowed two in the fourth and then two more in the fifth. Syracuse appeared poised to make something happen in the bottom of the fifth, loading up the bases with one out, but the best they were able to do was score a run via HBP when Ryan Clifford got grazed by a curveball.

·  CF Nick Morabito: 1-5, 3 K

·  RF Ryan Clifford: 0-4, RBI, 4 K, HBP

·  DH MJ Melendez: 0-4

·  SS Ronny Mauricio: 0-4, K

·  2B Christopher Morel: 1-4, R, K

·  3B Andy Ibáñez: 3-4, 2 R, 2B, K

·  1B Nick Lorusso: 3-4, R, HR (3), 3 RBI

·  PR D’Andre Smith: 0-0

·  LF Jose Ramos: 0-3, BB

·  C Shawn Ross: 0-2, BB, K

·  PH Vidal Bruján: 0-0, BB

·  RHP Ofreidy Gómez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

·  RHP Dan Hammer: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

·  RHP Matt Seelinger: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, L (2-2), BS (2)

·  RHP Zach Franklin: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

·  RHP Ben Simon: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

·  RHP Dylan Ross: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

·  LHP Joe Jacques: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

ROSTER ALERT: New York Mets optioned RHP Xzavion Curry to Syracuse Mets.

ROSTER ALERT:RHP Dakota Hawkins assigned to Syracuse Mets from Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

ROSTER ALERT: New York Mets selected the contract of RHP Jack Weisenburger from Syracuse Mets.

ROSTER ALERT: Syracuse Mets activated 1B Ryan Clifford from the 7-day injured list.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (27-42/17-22)

BINGHAMTON 4, HARTFORD 3 (BOX)

Binghamton logged nine hits in the ballgame but all of their runs came on the longball. Kevin Parada blasted a homer in the bottom of the fifth to put the Rumble Ponies on the board and tie the game at 1-1, and Billy Amick blasted his fourth of the series and his third in as many days in the sixth to make it a 4-1 ballgame. The Yard Goats scored two runs in the seventh on a two-run homer off of reliever Carlos Guzman, but Saul Garcia and Garrett Stratton locked in in the eighth and ninth, each tossing a scoreless inning to lock down the win- Binghamton’s sixth in a row- sweeping Hartford.

·  SS Mitch Voit: 1-3, BB, CS (1)

·  2B Marco Vargas: 1-4, 2 K

·  DH Émilien Pitre: 2-4, R

·  3B Jefferson Rojas: 0-3, R

·  CF Chris Suero: 0-3, BB, K, SB (29)

·  1B Billy Amick: 1-3, R, HR (5), 3 RBI, BB, SB (1)

·  RF John Bay: 1-4, K

·  LF Corey Collins: 1-3, BB, K

·  PR-LF JT Benson: 0-0

·  C Kevin Parada: 2-4, R, 2B, HR (2), RBI, E (1), PB (6)

·  RHP Channing Austin: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

·  RHP Cristofer Gomez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, WP, HBP

·  RHP Bryce Jenkins: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, W (1-0)

·  RHP Carlos Guzman: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HBP, H (4)

·  RHP Saul Garcia: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, H (7)

·  RHP Garrett Stratton: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, S (2)

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (25-40/21-20)

BROOKLYN 8, WILMINGTON 6 (BOX)

Brooklyn rallied late, digging out of an early hole they found themselves in. Trailing 6-4 going into the seventh inning, the Cyclones scored two runs in the seventh to tie things up and then another two in the top of the ninth to take the lead. Juan Arnaud walked a tightrope in the bottom of the inning, allowing consecutive singles and a walk to load up the bases with no outs, but he proceeded to strike out the next three batters in a gutsy showing, locking down the save and the series victory.

·  SS Sammy Stafura: 1-5, R, 2B, K

·  CF Aidan Smith: 2-5, R, 2B, HR (14), 2 RBI, 2 K

·  DH John Spikerman: 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K, SB (21)

·  1B Ronald Hernandez: 1-5, K

·  RF Trey Snyder: 1-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB

·  LF Yonatan Henriquez: 3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, HBP, SB (19)

·  3B Jamari Baylor: 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI, K, E (3)

·  C Daiverson Gutierrez: 0-5, K, E (12)

·  2B Antonio Jimenez: 2-4, 2B, RBI, K, E (4)

·  LHP Daviel Hurtado: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HBP

·  LHP Luis R. Rodriguez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

·  RHP Hunter Hodges: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HBP

·  RHP Elwis Mijares: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

·  RHP Rafi Vazquez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, W (1-0)

·  RHP Juan Arnaud: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, S (3)

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (33-33/16-25)

DAYTONA 5, ST. LUCIE 4 (BOX)

Early on, St. Lucie and Daytona found themselves evenly matched, but Joel Lara finally cracked in the fourth, allowing three runs. The right-hander allowed another run in the fifth, and reliever Jean Brito allowed an additional run, giving the Tortugas a big 5-0 lead. The offense would put up a three spot in the sixth and would plate another run in the eighth, but the rally fell just short.

·  SS Elian Peña: 1-4, R, 2B, BB, 2 K

·  CF Aiden Robbins: 1-3, BB

·  C Julio Zayas: 1-3, R, BB

·  DH Reed Stallman: 2-4, R, K

·  1B Kuhio Aloy: 1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI

·  LF Simon Juan: 1-3, 2 RBI, K

·  2B Vladi Gomez: 1-4

·  RF Wyatt Vincent: 0-3, BB, K, SB (1)

·  3B Dylan Carey: 0-4, 2 K

·  RHP Joel Lara: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K, 2 WP, L (0-4)

·  RHP Jean Brito: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

·  RHP Austin Brown: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

·  RHP Zack Mack: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

ROSTER ALERT: RHP Austin Brown assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.

ROSTER ALERT: St. Lucie Mets transferred LHP Luis Sotillo to the Development List.

ROSTER ALERT: St. Lucie Mets activated RHP Joel Lara from the Development List.

Rookie: FCL Mets (24-33)

NO GAME (SEASON OVER)

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Billy Amick

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Matt Seelinger

Canadiens’ Hutson Makes Big Jump On NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now Rankings

Last season, after a tremendous rookie season which saw him put up 66 points, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson landed in 19th place on the NHL Network Top 20 Defensemen Right Now Rankings. After having an even better sophomore season, the Habs blueliner jumped 13 spots to land in sixth place on the same ranking this season. That was the biggest jump on the rankings for players who were included last season, which is hardly surprising. After his first season, many wondered if Hutson could keep it up or if the league was going to adapt with video scouting and solve him, so to speak. He’s now shown that he wasn’t a flash in the pan with a 78-point sophomore season and co-leading the Canadiens in the playoffs with 16 points in 19 games.

The NHL Network ranking also acknowledges that Hutson is more than just a one-way player, since he posted a plus-36 rating in 23:46 of average ice time, led the Habs in takeaways with 43, and was fourth in blocked shots with 137. While many naysayers believed he could never be efficient defensively in the NHL because of his size, Hutson has made it clear that he cares about playing on the other side of the puck. Nobody in the NHL backchecks with as much energy, and he never gives up on getting the puck back.

Expect a Bounce-Back Year From Canadiens’ Guhle
What To Expect From Canadiens’ Big Winger
Canadiens Fans May Need A Bit More Patience

Another aspect of his game that progressed last season was his shot; he scored 12 goals in his second season after scoring just six in his first year. That’s no surprise given how much he has worked on that before and after practice, often being set up by his partner in crime Ivan Demidov for one-timers and getting plenty of advice from Adam Nicholas. With his work ethic, you can expect that shot to get even better, and that should have a big impact on the Canadiens’ power play. Once he becomes a more respected shooter, opposing sides will have to respect his shot, and they won’t be able to play him like he’ll pass every time, as is the case now.

Interestingly, New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer makes his first appearance in the rankings at number seven, taking the rankings by storm. As mentioned earlier, Hutson only started in 19th place after his rookie season. The top of the rankings hasn’t changed in a year; Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Zach Werenski still rule the roost. You can see the complete rankings here.


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Atlanta Braves News: Chris Sale Ejected On Sunday, Atlanta Avoids Sweep, More

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 09: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 09, 2026 in New York City. The Braves defeated the Yankees 2-1. in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With Monday here, the headlines from this weekend’s series between the Braves and Yankees should be focused on excellent pitching and the playoff-like feel each game had. And also on the fact that the series ended in a good note with the Braves avoiding a sweep on Sunday.

However, the headlines will instead focus on the bizarre occurrences around Chris Sale, who was ejected on Sunday from the dugout for continuing to argue against the reasons he was called for a balk on Saturday. It seems quite odd that an umpiring crew would go to this extent against one of the game’s true stars, especially when Sale did not appear to do anything out of his normal routine on Saturday. Regardless of whether or not the balk was warranted, it does feel that the involvement of the umpires unnecessarily will overshadow one of the better series of baseball we have seen this season.

Braves News

Another big development from Sunday’s win was the continued span of excellent pitching from Grant Holmes.

Owen Carey had a productive weekend in the minors.

MLB News

Jacob Misiorowski became the second fastest player to 200 career K’s in MLB history. Spencer Strider is on the only player to do it faster.

Jacob Wilson of the Athletics set a new record for consecutive games without an error by a shortstop.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed veteran pitcher Zach Littell.

MLB playoff picture: Who's currently in and who's out?

The trade deadline dust has settled and the stretch drive for the MLB playoffs is now in full swing.

There are a few elite teams at the top of the heap who are primarily playing for first-round byes and home-field advantage, but for the rest of the clubs with postseason aspirations, every game could potentially be the difference between having a chance to win a World Series or watching the postseason on television.

With that in mind, we offer up a quick snapshot of where things stand in the American and National League playoff races as the new week gets underway.

Current MLB playoff picture

All records and stats are as of the start of play on Monday, Aug. 10.

Division leaders

Wild-card standings

Three teams in each league qualify for wild-card playoff spots. Here are the wild-card standings through games of Sunday, Aug. 9:

American League

National League

Postseason format

The division winners with the two best records in each league earn byes into the division series. Currently, the top seeds are the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox in the AL, and the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves in the NL.

The third division winner in each league will have home field advantage in their division series and will host the wild-card team with the worst record. Three teams in each league qualify for wild-card playoff berths.

Note: If two or more teams tie for a division title or a wild-card spot. Ties are broken by head-to-head record first, followed by intradivision record. Beyond that, things can get complicated.

The playoffs follow this format:

  • Wild-card series: Best of 3
  • Division series: Best of 5
  • League championship series: Best of 7
  • World Series: Best of 7

Key MLB postseason dates

The official 2026 MLB postseason schedule has not yet been released. However, no major changes from last year's schedule have been announced or are expected.

Sunday, Sept. 27: Final day of 2026 regular season

Tuesday, Sept. 29: Wild-card playoff round begins

Saturday, Oct. 3: Division series begin

Sunday, Oct. 11: League championship series begin

Friday, Oct. 23: World Series begins

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoff picture: Who's currently in and who's out?

Banner Years: 1963, Celts greet Hondo, bid Cooz adieu

Celtic coach Red Auerbach gives Bob Cousy a bear hug as Cousy finished off a 13-year pro basketball career by leading the Boston Celtics to a 112-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and an unprecedented fifth straight National Basketball Association championship.

NBA history spans 80 seasons, and as CelticsBlog readers well know, the Boston Celtics have won a league-high 18 championships. This month, we are recapping each of those title years.

The 1962-63 season would be Bob Cousy’s 13th in a Boston uniform – and his last, as he had announced his retirement. The Celtics without Cooz was almost unthinkable. He was their first superstar, coming from Holy Cross as an NCAA champion. He would end his career as the Celtics captain, a six-time NBA champ, 12-time All-NBA, 13-time All-Star, 1957 league MVP, eight-time league assists leader, and a Hall of Famer.

Boston Celtics team photo
The 1963 NBA champion Boston Celtics. | Photo by NBAP/ NBAE/ Getty Images

That same season was John Havlicek’s first in a Boston uniform, the ninth overall pick from Ohio State, where he also won an NCAA title. Havlicek would play 16 seasons, becoming Celtics captain, an eight-time NBA champ (notably, 8-0 in the Finals), 11-time All-NBA, 13-time All-Star, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time All-Defense, the franchise’s career scoring leader (26,395 points) and a Hall of Famer. And his nickname, Hondo, came from the title of a John Wayne movie, because he was said to resemble the actor.

<p>Coach Red Auerbach bear hugs Bob Cousy after the All-Star finished his career by leading the Celtics to a 112-109 victory over the Lakers and an unprecedented fifth straight title.</p>

Stringing their careers together, Cousy and Havlicek gave the Celtics nearly three decades of greatness. And during this one season as teammates, they would help the Celtics win their fifth straight NBA championship, and the sixth overall, making Boston the league’s top franchise, passing the Lakers’ five titles.

The regular season

As they had done every year since Bill Russell’s arrival, the Celtics posted the league’s best record at 58-22.

Russell was voted the league MVP for the third straight year and fourth overall. (Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird are the only players to win three consecutive MVPs). Russell also was named All-NBA first team, as voters cast ballots logically this year and dropped Chamberlain to second team behind the MVP. Cousy and Tommy Heinsohn joined Russell as All-NBA choices.

Red Auerbach’s veteran acquisition this season was trading a second-round pick for 6-foot-9 center Clyde Lovellette. Entering his 10th NBA season, Lovellette was a double-double scorer and rebounder who won a title with the Minneapolis Lakers as a rookie, and was a four-time All-Star who also played for Cincinnati and St. Louis. He would finish his career with two rings as a Celtic.

The highlight of the regular season occurred on St. Patrick’s Day, when Cousy was honored before his retirement. Surrounded by family and teammates, an emotional Cousy couldn’t speak through his tears. In a now-famous Boston sports moment, the arena fell silent until a loud fan boomed out, “We love ya, Cooz!” Ever since, fans at similar sports ceremonies have tried to match that moment with their own shouts. No one has succeeded.

Eastern playoffs

Following their customary bye in the first round, the Celtics were matched up with the Cincinnati Royals — not Chamberlain’s Warriors, who missed the playoffs. But no Wilt did not mean breezing to the Finals. In addition to superstar point guard Oscar “Big O” Robertson, the Royals had All-Stars in center Wayne Embry and forward Jack Twyman.

They immediately showed what they could do, winning the opener, 135-132. Robertson hit Boston with a triple double of 43 points, 10 assists, 14 rebounds. Embry and Twyman combined for 42 points as the Royals overcame a 10-point halftime deficit. Oddly, each of the first four games of the series went to the visitors, so it was 2-2 going to Game 5 in Boston. Robertson scored 36, but Heinsohn offset that with 34 and Boston won, 125-120. Game 6 in Cincinnati was another Big O show: 36/15/14 for his third triple double of the series.

In yet another Game 7 on the parquet floor, it seemed that the only way to stop Robertson was for someone to match his scoring. And Robertson made that tough, delivering his second 43-point night of the series. On this night, however, Sam Jones was just better. Coming through in the clutch as usual, Jones scored 19 points in the second quarter alone. For the full game, he made 18 of 27 shots plus 11 of 12 free throws for 47 points, a new personal best and a record for an individual in a Game 7. (That record stood for nearly six decades until broken by Luka Doncic. Jayson Tatum holds it now with 51 versus the Sixers in 2023.) Heinsohn added 31 points and Cousy 21 points and 16 assists.

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NBA Finals

With their seventh straight trip to the Finals, Bob Cousy now had a golden opportunity to retire as a champion. The opponent would once again be the Lakers, and this time Boston took care of business, winning the first two at home, then prevailing in a close Game 4 in Los Angeles for a 3-1 lead.

In Game 5, the packed Boston Garden wanted to see Cooz celebrate one more time on the parquet. Except Elgin Baylor and Jerry West combined for 75 points and forced the Celtics to fly back to California one more time. Even going for their fifth straight title, the Celtics were not infallible.

After outscoring the Lakers 33-17 in the second quarter, Boston held a 14-point lead at halftime of Game 6. They remained up 12 going to the fourth. The lead was nine with 10:57 to play (an eternity, for sure) when Cousy had to be helped off the floor with a serious foot injury. The LA fans gave him a standing ovation. The timing could not have been worse. After the injury, the Lakers dug deeper and Boston’s lead became thinner.

Turning point

With 4:43 to play, Cousy surprised everyone by coming back on the court. The Lakers continued to apply pressure and got to within one point of Boston, 108-107. Even so, the Celtics having their captain back to stabilize the team was crucial.

The Hollywood ending

The captain being injured in what could be his final game, but making a valiant return and leading the team to victory. Cheesy movie script? Not this time.

The hero we needed

Tommy Heinsohn made several key plays in crunch time. With the Celtics protecting a two-point lead, he stole a pass and went all the way for a layup. Celtics by 4. Moments later, when the margin was down to one and the Lakers had to foul to stop the clock, Heinsohn swished four straight from the line to boost the lead to five.

It wasn’t over until…

Seconds before the final buzzer, Cousy heaved the ball toward the rafters. When it came down, the rebound was grabbed by…Bill Russell. Of course.

Notable facts and stats

  • It’s possible Boston’s defense finally slowed down the Baylor/West combo. In the 1962 Finals they averaged 71 points combined. This time they combined for 60 in the closeout game and 63 on average combined for the series. That dropoff may have cost the Lakers because Boston’s winning margins were 3, 7, 3 and 3.
  • Over the six Finals games, the Celtics were led in points per game by Jones, 24.7; Heinsohn, 23.3; and Russell, 20.0. Russell was the rebound leader with 26 per game.
  • The rookie, Havlicek, appeared in four of the six games, scoring a total of 34 points – but 18 of them came in Game 6. A sign of where he was headed.
  • Third-year forward Tom Sanders also scored 18 points. Heinsohn led Boston with 22.
  • In his final line, Bob Cousy played 30 minutes, shot 8 for 16 and 2 of 2 from the line, with 7 assists.

Banner Years continues tomorrow with a review of the 1964 season and the road to winning Banner #7.

PensBurgh Top-25 Under 25: No. 15 Owen Pickering

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering (38) skates with the puck during the third period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 27, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After an extended NHL spell during his first professional season, Owen Pickering only saw four NHL contests in 2025-26, dropping his down the rankings and leaving many questions to be answered for the former first round pick as the new season approaches.

Catch up on the previous entries for this year:

Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25: Graduates and Departed players in 2025
Top 25 Under 25: The best of the rest
#25: Chase Pietila, D
#24: Ryan Miller, F
#23: Finn Harding, D
#22: Peyton Kettles, D
#21: Zam Plante, F

#21: Brady Peddle, D
#20: Melvin Fernstrom
#19: Tanner Howe
#18: Tomas Galvas
#17: Pierce Mbuyi
#16: Jake Livanavage

#20: Owen Pickering, D


2025 Ranking: #8


Age: 22 (January 27, 2004)


Acquired Via: 2022 NHL Draft, 1st round, 21st overall


Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 201 pounds

Elite Prospects resume:

Selected in the first round back in 2022, Owen Pickering figured to be an important piece of the Penguins blue line in the future, but now, over four years on from being drafted, that potential has not come to fruition for the young defenseman who spent most of 2025-26 in the minors with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Pickering made his long anticipated NHL debut during the 2024-25 season, staying with the club for over a quarter of the season, appearing in 25 games for the Penguins, scoring his first career NHL goal in the process and adding a pair of assists. There were times during this stretch where he looked the part of an NHL defenseman, but it was clear he still needed more time in the AHL and was sent back down.

After getting a taste of the NHL, it was expected that Pickering was going to battle for a full time roster spot in 2025-26, but with a crowded depth chart entering camp and questions on his NHL readiness coming from the front office, Pickering was going to need to turn in something truly special to make the opening night roster.

Ultimately, Pickering was not on the NHL roster for opening night and began the season back in the AHL, but he figured to be on the short list for a call up when injuries inevitably hit and they needed reinforcements in the NHL. That call came for Pickering pretty early in 2025-26, getting recalled to the NHL at the end of October, making his season debut for the Penguins on October 28th in Philadelphia.

His recall was brief, playing in just four games for the Penguins before being returned to Wilkes-Barre. That was the first and only call up of the season for Pickering, adding more questions than answers to where exactly his development is at this point in his career.

While Pickering saw limited time in the NHL this season, he put together a solid AHL campaign with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, playing in 68 of the team’s 72 games, scoring seven goals with 21 assists, setting career highs across the board. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Pickering played an additional 11 games, scoring once to help the Penguins beat the Hershey Bears, but saw his season come to an untimely end due to a broken foot.

With his second pro season now in the rearview, focus turns to the future for Pickering and the Penguins where there are still many questions left to be answered about where exactly Pickering fits in with this Penguins team and where exactly his development stands.

Pickering is a left handed defenseman who played on the left side of the blue line for Wilkes-Barre Scranton last season, a position where the Penguins are currently very thin. Glancing at the NHL roster, the Penguins only have three left handed defenseman under contract for the 2026-27 season, seemingly opening the door for the former first round pick heading into the new season.

Per Trib Live:

Is Pickering able to finally stake a claim for that spot? It’s a good question. By most accounts, he had a satisfactory season toward his development, largely offering a safe, reliable defensive game.

While he is a large human, Pickering isn’t overly physical. And his offensive contributions will always be limited.

But Dubas, in his season-ending media availability on May 12, declared Pickering “found his role.”

Now, it’s time for him to find a role in the NHL.

When the Penguins convene for training camp next month, Pickering will arrive hoping to lock down a full time NHL roster spot. With a lack of left handed defenseman currently on the Penguins roster, there will be a golden opportunity for Pickering to step up and show he belongs. It seems the Penguins still believe in him as a player, so the onus is on him to make this opportunity count.

Development is not linear for prospects and there are expected to be ups and downs along the way. Some fans may have found last season disappointing for Pickering, and he may likely feel the same after getting a long NHL look the season prior, followed by just a cup of tea the next time around.

This season is the final year of Pickering’s entry level deal with the Penguins and there is no better way to earn a second contract than showing up to training camp and claiming ownership to one of the available roster spots on that left side of the Penguins blue line. Pickering will be given every chance to earn that role, but it’s up to him to play like the first round pick every one thought he was four years ago.

Today on Pinstripe Alley – 8/10/26

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: George Lombard Jr. #96 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on August 8, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees came oh-so-close to a scintillating sweep of the Braves, but the offense sputtered once again in another extra-innings loss yesterday. Even so, the series victory over Atlanta did serve as proof of concept. Thanks to their stellar pitching, this offensively limited version of the Yankees very much can beat the best teams in baseball. It may not always look pretty, but the Yankees have a chance to win every night because of their staff, and it does beg the question: how good can this team be once (if?) the offensive cavalry arrives?

It’ll be a relatively quiet day on the site, matching up with the team’s offday. In the morning, Kevin recaps Sunday afternoon’s American League action, and Matt profiles Gerald Williams, an outfielder and World Series champion with the Yankees. Later, Peter discusses how Paul Blackburn’s sinker has unlocked the rest of his game, and Madison puts out the call for this week’s mailbag.

Today’s Matchup:

Offday

Questions/Prompts:

1. Has Cam Schlittler re-established himself as the AL Cy Young favorite?

2. The Mariners are in town this week. Where does Seattle rank among the most disappointing teams in baseball this season?

YouTube Gold: Don Nelson’s Biggest Moment As An NBA Player

Don Nelson, who died Sunday, was an unlikely candidate for a historical basketball figure.

He was not particularly gifted. He didn’t run fast or jump high. At 6-6, in his day, he was kind of too tall for a guard and verging on too small for a forward.

Nonetheless, he built a remarkable career, first as a player, then as a coach and an executive who constantly challenged convention.

He was one of the first, if not the first, to use the idea of a stretch-four or stretch-five. He had versions of small ball with Golden State, but he also let 7-7 Manute Bol rain threes. No Nellie, No Durant, No Nowitzki, no Karl-Anthony Towns.

Current Golden State coach Steve Kerr said this about him:

“Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today. He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game.”

Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach said this about Nelson: “He has great knowledge of the game. Someday he’s going to be a coach, and a very good one. He knows the game, and he plays it hard.”

Before he was a coach, Nelson played with the Chicago Zephyrs, then the Los Angeles Lakers, before signing with the Boston Celtics in 1965. He helped Boston win five NBA championships, and in Game 7 of the 1969 Finals, he had a moment most players would kill for.

John Havlicek dribbled the ball down the right side of the lane, then turned, and Keith Erickson of the Lakers made a brilliant defensive play from behind, swiping the ball loose from Havlicek.

Unfortunately, he knocked the ball straight to Nelson, who caught it almost exactly where you would want to start a shot.

Elgin Baylor was close but was slow to react as Nelson rose up. His shot hit the rim, then took a dramatically high bounce before dropping through to put Boston up 105-102, with just 1:33 left.

You might not notice this right away, but as soon as Nelson took the shot, he bolted for the defensive end, suggesting one of two things: coach Bill Russell had instructed him to do so, or Nelson was sure the shot was going in.

As it turned out, Boston won 108-106, for their 11th championship in 13 years.

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MLB power rankings: Brewers return to No. 1 spot without Tarik Skubal

Perhaps some time in October, the Milwaukee Brewers will regret not trading for Tarik Skubal. For the moment, they're the best team in the major leagues, and have one would-be Skubal pawn to partially thank for it.

The Brewers ascended to No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings thanks to two one-run victories over the Minnesota Twins in a taut battle of Upper Midwest playoff contenders. Their series-clinching victory came in 10 innings on a Jake Bauers walk-off single, but it was a catch by right fielder Luis Lara in the top of the inning - his second fantastic grab of the day - that prevented a huge inning and put Milwaukee in position to win.

Lara, 21, was among the players the Brewers roped off from Skubal talks, having signed him to a team-friendly extension and identifying him as a key part of their future. Ranked by Baseball America as the game's No. 35 prospect, he boosted Milwaukee on a day Jacob Misiorowski made history but couldn't close the deal.

No matter. Milwaukee's 74-44 record gives it a three-game edge over Atlanta for best in the NL as the Brewers maintain a 5 ½-game lead over the relentless Chicago Cubs.

A look at our updated rankings:

Luis Lara saved a pair of extra-base hits with outstanding catches against the Twins, as the Brewers maintained the best record in the major leagues.

1. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)

  • Four games at Dodger Stadium may evoke bad memories of last October - or a boost toward the next one.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)

  • 9-15 over last 24 games. Still no reason for concern?

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)

  • Now 25 games over .500, but Griffin Jax's elbow discomfort a pop-up concern.

4. Atlanta Braves (-1)

  • Nearly swept in Yankee Stadium.

5. Chicago Cubs (+1)

  • Craig Counsell slots PCA in at DH for two games, the better to save his legs for the stretch.

6. New York Yankees (-1)

  • Cody Bellinger performing baseball activities, Aaron Judge receives semi-positive news. Sky, not yet falling.

7. Boston Red Sox (-)

  • Lose consecutive games for the first time since June 30-July 1 - against the Athletics, no less.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

  • Starters held Dodgers to three earned runs in 19 2/3 innings of series victory.

9. Chicago White Sox (-1)

  • Hagen Smith, fifth overall pick in 2024, pitches two scoreless relief innings in major league debut.

10. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

  • Jesus Luzardo with a 2.25 ERA over his last 100 innings pitched.

11. San Diego Padres (-)

  • An odd setback for Nick Pivetta on rehab start road.

12. Miami Marlins (+1)

  • No one wants to play them at loanDepot Park. Really - they're an NL-best 36-24 at home.

13. Houston Astros (+1)

  • Yordan Alvarez leads all Triple Crown categories and only Junior Caminero (33 homers to Alvarez's 35) can likely prevent it.

14. Cleveland Guardians (-2)

  • Lost five of six after nifty trade deadline additions.

15. Texas Rangers (+2)

  • Jordan Montgomery, their 2023 World Series hero, appears in major league game for first time since 2024.

16. Minnesota Twins (-1)

  • Kaelan Culpepper arrives, homers in second career at-bat.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)

  • Jettison Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Lars Nootbaar at deadline, then win series against Yankees, Rockies.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (-2)

  • Have not won a series since July 19.

19. Washington Nationals (-1)

  • Andrés Chaparro starting to excel in pinch-hitting/platoon role.

20. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

  • Begin a Rangers-Twins-Rays-Yankees-Rays gauntlet by losing two in Texas.

21. Detroit Tigers (+1)

  • Jackson Jobe completes Tommy John surgery comeback with five scoreless innings.

22. Cincinnati Reds (+1)

23. Seattle Mariners (-3)

  • This incredibly disappointing year should probably produce consequences.

24. Toronto Blue Jays (-)

  • Daulton Varsho trade gives Brett Bateman a shot to turn heads in centre field.

25. New York Mets (+1)

  • Their season long since ruined, they're now spoiling it for others (Guardians, Pirates).

26. San Francisco Giants (-1)

  • Matt Chapman out for rest of year after sports hernia surgery.

27. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • Luinder Avila and Stephen Kolek both succumb to Tommy John surgery.

28. Athletics (-)

  • GM David Forst learns a lesson as old as time: Few get out of Yolo County alive.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Zac Veen with a three-homer, 5-for-5 eruption at Class AAA.

30. Los Angeles Angels (-)

  • Trade deadline prize shortstop Arjun Nimmala starts with Class AA Trash Pandas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Brewers return to No. 1 spot without Tarik Skubal

SB Nation Reacts results: Do you consider Jabari Smith Jr. a Rockets draft bust?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 29: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 29, 2026 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country.

This week’s question asked you about Jabari Smith Jr. Many had him pegged as the best pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He was slated to go number one overall to the Orlando Magic, who actually ended up taking Paolo Banchero, allowing Smith to fall all the way to the Rockets at three.

He’s been a mixed bag since, but he is coming off of the best season of his career. That being said, he hasn’t quite lived up to his draft status. Does that make him a Rockets bust?

Here is what you said:

Only 13 percent of Rockets fans think Smith is bust, and I do think that’s fair. Many of you know that I’ve always been high on Smith, and while he hasn’t quite lived up to my expectations either, he appears to be on his way up, averaging the most points and best three-point percentage of his career.

Smith is also still just 23, meaning he still has plenty of time to keep growing. When he hits 27 or 28, I do think he can be a force, particularly defensively. I still see the potential.

Don’t forget to check out or sponsor FanDuel for the basektball odds. The Rockets are +165 to win 50 games, meaning but $100 to win $165, and they are +3300 for the NBA Finals if you’re feeling really positive.

Thanks for voting, Be back soon!

SB Nation Reacts results: Has Mitch Keller pitched his last game as a Pirate?

CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 02: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 02, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country.

This week’s question asked you about Mitch Keller. The Bucs pitcher is down for the rest of the year with an injury, and before getting hurt, he was having a terrible season with a 6-8 record, 5.26 ERA, and a 1.37 WHIP. We asked you of you thought Mitch had tossed his last game as a Bucco. Here is what you said:

Only one quarter of Bucs fans think that Mitch has pitched his last game as a Pirate. In all likelihood, teams are going to want to see him in action if the Bucs are going to shop him, but stranger things have happened.

Don’t forget to head over to FanDuel for the MLB Playoff odds. As of this morning, the Bucs are +1260, so if you feel they can somehow still pull this thing off, there’s a hefty payout in it for you.

Thanks for voting. Be back soon!