New York Islanders' Pierre Engvall pursues New York Rangers' Alberts Smits during the second period at UBS Arena, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y.
When the Rangers routed the Islanders 6-1 on Friday in their preseason finale, it served as “the closest thing to a full lineup that we’ve had of any of the exhibition games to this point,” head coach Mike Sullivan.
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And that means that fourth-line winger Matt Rempe and rookie defenseman Alberts Smits are seemingly in the driver’s seat for the final two spots for the Blueshirts’ opening-night group. Nothing will become official until the Rangers make their final cuts by Monday, but the scene at UBS Arena that essentially served as a dress rehearsal was telling. Rempe was with the fourth line and picked up an assist on Tye Kartye’s goal in the second period.
Smits skated with Braden Schneider and logged 18:18 of ice time.
While Sullivan didn’t provide many hints about the final calls, he said that Smits — drafted No. 5 overall in June — has “certainly made a compelling argument through his play that he’s capable of playing in the NHL.” Smits impressed Sullivan with his physicality and sharp passing as an 18-year-old, but similar to the Rangers’ call with Gabe Perreault last training camp, when they sent him to AHL Hartford, they want to ensure that Smits can be an impactful player on their roster.
New York Islanders’ Pierre Engvall pursues New York Rangers’ Alberts Smits during the second period at UBS Arena, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“It’d mean a lot,” Smits said postgame when asked what it’d mean to make the roster, while leaving the decision as to whether he’s done enough up to the coaches and saying that he has to show daily that he’s ready to make the jump.
The presence of Rempe alongside Tye Kartye and Joe Veleno continued the trend throughout training camp of the 6-foot-9 forward settling back in after being limited to just 26 games last year. He underwent two procedures on his left thumb, limiting what he could contribute with his stick. Rempe would need to clear waivers too, while Jaroslav Chmelar can get assigned without the risk of being picked up by another team.
New York Rangers’ Alberts Smits pursues New York Islanders’ Mitchell Chaffee (26) during the second period at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Rempe knew entering training camp that he had a lot to prove, said he “wants to be here bad” and then collected eight hits during the Rangers’ preseason game against the Devils on Thursday. And Sullivan, who reiterated that Rempe simply needs to play games, said Friday that the 24-year-old can be more than someone capable of fights and a few hits.
“I think he has to be,” Sullivan said. “When you look at the nature of how the game’s being played today, if a player, if their value is only in their ability to fight, how many fights does the average NHL fighter get in the course of a season? Half a dozen?
“So if he’s only gonna make an impact five or six times a year … you would all say that there needs to be other elements to a player’s game. And I think Remps brings other elements.”
Igor Shesterkin made 15 saves and nearly delivered a preseason shutout against an Islanders team of mostly AHL players before Pierre Engvall’s shot beat him with just over eight minutes left. … Perreault, Oliver Bjorkstrand, J.T. Miller, Will Cuylle and Mika Zibanejad scored the Rangers’ other five goals. … Nathan Aspinall, Liam Greentree, Drew Fortescue, Cole Beaudoin, Jackson Dorrington and Carey Terrance were all assigned to the Wolf Pack. Anton Blidh, Marc Del Gaizo, Glenn Gawdin and William Trudeau were placed on waivers, according to multiple reports.
With just one preseason game left to play, the Philadelphia Flyers have all but decided on their final 23-player roster ahead of the start of the regular season.
On Friday, the Flyers announced four more cuts to their training camp roster, sending surging prospects Jett Luchanko and Cole Knuble back to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, alongside power forward Jacob Gaucher and top defense prospect Oliver Bonk.
The Flyers' current roster now stands at 26 players, and they need only make three more cuts to finalize their roster ahead of opening night.
For Knuble and Luchanko, it is a bit of a shame, as Knuble had two goals and an assist in his three preseason games with the Flyers, while Luchanko recorded an assist in each of his three preseason games, too.
This is the unfortunate result of a numbers game for both players, though this was a decision largely made in the best interest of Luchanko's development ahead of time, too.
In an offseason Q&A with The Hockey News, Danny Briere had already strongly indicated that Luchanko would spent the season in the AHL with the Phantoms unless he had clearly established himself as one of the Flyers' 12 best forwards.
With Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates, and Sean Couturier all still ahead of him in the pecking order at the center position, Luchanko will spend the season in the AHL until if and when the injury bug strikes.
Jett Luchanko recorded an assist in all three of his preseason appearances for the Flyers. (Photo: Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
At the same time, Bonk was not especially impressive in the preseason and made a few uncharacteristic mistakes that undermined his standout hockey IQ, his top trait as a pro player.
That's fine, though, as Bonk hasn't even played a full professional season yet after missing the start of last year due to injury. The Flyers will be happy to let him marinate for another year.
Projecting Flyers' final cuts
So, the Flyers have three more cuts to make, and they are all fairly obvious moves, depending on the health of the rest of the team.
Prospect Aleksei Kolosov, the Flyers' de facto No. 3 goalie, remains on the roster with Dan Vladar temporarily on the shelf with an upper-body injury.
If and when Vladar is healthy, Kolosov will return to the Phantoms and reprise his role as their starting goalie, working with Carson Bjarnason as his backup.
On defense, Helge Grans remains on the roster for now after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday night's 2-0 preseason win over the Boston Bruins.
Grans played his best game of the preseason in the brief 1:29 he skated for before exiting with a dubious injury, and he will require waivers to be assigned to the AHL. Perhaps the Flyers are waiting until other teams all make their cuts at the same time to reduce the chance Grans is claimed.
Veteran tough guy Garrett Wilson remains as the one notable AHL player yet to be cut by the Flyers; Wilson fought Dylan McIlrath in the Flyers' first preseason game against the Capitals, and that's been about it for him since then.
And, in the event the Flyers need roster flexibility, Carl Grundstrom already cleared waivers earlier this week, which protects him for the next 10 games he plays or for the next 30 days on the roster, whichever comes first. Then, he'll need to clear waivers again.
Knuble and Luchanko were the two toughest remaining cuts for the Flyers, and now that the decision has been made, the Flyers' NHL roster ahead of opening night is virtually set in place.
The end of the line for a future Major League Baseball Hall of Famer comes on Saturday afternoon in Detroit.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander will make his final career start for the Tigers in a celebratory day against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 43-year-old righty pitched only one game in March this season due to left hip inflammation and a left hamstring strain, hampering an emotional return to Detroit.
Verlander was one of the most dominant pitchers baseball has seen over the last 50 years, totaling a career 81.8 WAR, 266 wins, and a 3.33 ERA.
He’s a member of the 3,000-strikeout club and ranks eighth all time with 3,554 punchouts in 21 seasons.
Verlander won the Cy Young in 2011, 2019, and 2022, the latter two with the Houston Astros.
A two-time World Series champion with Houston in 2017 and 2022, Verlander still consistently threw upper-90s with his fastball and was the Astros’ ace during two historic runs in the playoffs
The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year also won the ERA title twice, won the pitcher Triple Crown in 2011, and was a 10-time All-Star selection. Rob Manfred named Verlander an honorary All-Star for the game in Philadelphia this past summer.
Pirates manager Don Kelly told me he will not take it easy on his former team mate Justin Verlander when he pitches for the final time tomorrow. Hear the full interview in the comments! pic.twitter.com/apvqAjvOFg
The 2011 AL MVP pitched one of the most incredible seasons of all time, leading the AL in WAR (8.6), starts (34), wins (24), innings (251), ERA (2.40), ERA+ (172), WHIP (0.92), and strikeouts (250).
Verlander told AJ Pierzynski of Foul Territory that he’s going to throw “until my arm falls off” in his final appearance. The Tigers are honoring Verlander on Friday and giving away Verlander bobbleheads to fans coming to watch the Detroit great.
First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. as baseball says goodbye to one of the game’s all-time great pitchers.
While LeBron’s Lakers tenure didn’t end in the way fans had imagined, he still brought the franchise a championship.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of a basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Noah K. Murray-NY Post
But Los Angeles didn’t get to celebrate that championship in the way teams and cities get to every other season. James revealed he’s still upset about this during an episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast that was released on Friday.
“I still think about like not being able to do the parade. That bothers me,” James said when reflecting on the championship he won in 2020. Los Angeles wasn’t able to have a championship parade due to the COVID pandemic.
“Like, [on a scale of] 1 to 10 [on how much it bothers me]: 20… It would have been super duper dope, man,” James added.
LeBron James, owner of Team AlUla, looks on during the E1 Series Luanda GP in Luanda, Angola, Sept. 13, 2026. Getty Images
James spoke glowingly of his time with the Lakers and the franchise during the podcast. At one point, he said, “When I came to the Lakers, [a lot of people said] I was just coming to be in Hollywood and do movies. But I’ve always loved a huge challenge, and to come to a historical franchise that has some of the greatest basketball players that we’ve ever seen in the history of sports. To be a part of that one was like a super duper big thing to me. It was super cool and humbling at the same time.”
He later added, “The expectations around here in Los Angeles when it comes to the Lakers is like, ‘Let’s win championships.’ And I heard that, and I understood that. And for us to be able to win one, that was something I would never forget. [To win] with that group, with that team, for this city.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is on the court during the third quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Regardless of how fans feel about James taking his talents to Philadelphia, he did more than enough to earn a standing ovation from his former franchise and fan base when the 76ers come to Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided some updates ahead of the team’s doubleheader against the Orioles…
No Lagrange
Consider any talk of Carlos Lagrange joining the Yanks shut down.
Boone said that the righty could potentially be an option down the road, but he isn't on their radar at the moment.
“It’s not real,” the skipper emphasized. “He had an injury and he’s just starting to throw lives again, he threw one just two days ago, so he’s not in play right now.”
Lagrange was expected to get a shot in the Yankees’ bullpen during the second half, before being diagnosed with a capsular sprain of the right shoulder in late-June.
After a six-week shutdown he returned to throw an inning down in Triple-A last week.
The 23-year-old has put together a bit of an up-and-down season when healthy, pitching to a 4.48 ERA while striking out 85 batters across just 64.1 Triple-A innings.
Weathers on the mend
While the Yanks won’t be adding Lagrange, they appear to be close to getting another big piece back from injury.
Boone said that Ryan Weathers looked healthy, touching up to 96 mph on his fastball while throwing a one-inning simulated game in the Bronx on Friday afternoon.
Boone wasn’t ready to fully commit to the left-hander being ready for the Wild Card round, but it’s certainly another encouraging step in the right direction.
“He looked like Ryan stuff-wise,” he said. “He was a little scattered there in his inning, but from my vantage-point on the side his stuff looked good, look forward to flushing it out a bit.”
Weathers has been sidelined since late-August due to a left forearm flexor strain.
Though there was big concern at the time, the Yanks have always expected him to be back contributing in some capacity before the season comes to a close.
Rodon in the pen?
It appears Carlos Rodon could potentially be joining Weathers in the Yankees' bullpen.
With the team only needed three starting pitching for the Wild Card series, we should expect to see some mixing-and-matching with the pitching staff.
Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, and Max Fried will obviously be their three starters.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With that in mind, Boone said that Rodon is "very much in the conversation" to work out of the bullpen if needed during the three-game series with the Red Sox.
The left-hander has been tremendous for the Yanks since returning from another injury, allowing two runs or less in each of his last seven outings of the season.
He’s made just five relief appearances over his 12-year big-league career.
Stanton making the cut?
Giancarlo Stanton was one of the batters who dug into the box to face Weathers during his sim game.
Stanton has been sidelined since late April due to continued calf trouble, but Boone recently told reporters that he’s knocking on the door at a return.
So, what exactly would it take for him to be an option in the WC round?
“A lot of that comes down to how many position players we decide to go with,” Boone explained. “Those are the conversations we'll be having over the next couple of days -- we’ll talk to G and see where he’s at physically and mentally, and then we’ll do the best we can to make the right decision.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates winning the National League East title after a game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Joe Buvid/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve reached the final weekend of the season and the 2026 NL East champion Atlanta Braves have officially locked themselves into the three-seed and will be starting their Postseason journey at home in the Wild Card Series.
What we already know
We do know what day these games are going to be played but we still don’t know the time. Game 1 will take place on Tuesday, September 29, Game 2 will be on Wednesday, September 30 and if it comes down to it, Game 3 will be on Thursday, October 1. If the Braves can get through the Wild Card Series then they’ll have at least one day of rest before jetting off to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers for another Postseason series.
We know that all of the games during the Wild Card Series will be airing on NBC/Peacock, so keep that in mind once we get closer to the event. We also know that since the Braves are in the three-seed, they’ll be hosting the series and hopefully that’ll turn into a serious advantage for the Braves during this particular Postseason run. If you’d rather hear the home slant on things, then you can mute the TV and turn on 680 The Fan so you can listen to Ben Ingram do play-by-play on the Braves Radio Network. Again, if you can’t stand the National broadcasts then I highly recommend going down that route during the Postseason run.
We know that the pitching will be a bit of a mystery after the first two games of the Wild Card Series. Chris Sale is very likely going to get the ball for Game 1 and I’d imagine that Tyler Mahle has pitched his way into being the Game 2 starter. After that, it’s anybody’s guess. It likely would’ve been Martín Pérez but unfortunately he’s been sidelined with a back injury. Bryce Elder would’ve been the next candidate, but he’s down while recovering from a procedure being done on his knee. It could be Grant Holmes or it could very well be a bullpen game — and we’ll have to see what the state of the bullpen is in after the first two games of the Wild Card Series.
So based off of that, we know that the Braves are very likely going to want to get this Wild Card Series done as soon as possible, as a third game could potentially throw everything into flux as far as Game 1 of the NLDS goes.
What we don’t know yet
We still don’t know when the Braves are going to be playing these games during their dates and we likely won’t know until the season ends. When it comes to the timing of these games, I’d have to imagine that maybe geography would play a role and that the Padres would get the “late” game if they host a Wild Card Series. I’d also guess that the Cubs would get a primetime slot no matter what, so I’m going to speculate that the Braves could be looking at a late afternoon/early evening slot for their Wild Card games. I have no clue how that’s going to shake out, so don’t hold me on that one.
We don’t know who the Braves will be facing during the Wild Card Series. We do know that it’ll likely be one of the Padres, Cubs, Phillies or Diamondbacks — and yes, the Diamondbacks are still alive after they’ve won five-straight games and there is a scenario where Arizona gets in and Philadelphia misses out. It’s a long-shot for the D-Backs but it’s still possible.
We don’t know the official rosters just yet but it’s pretty safe to assume that the usual suspects will be there. It’s only a matter of them staying healthy from now until the series begins and also filling out the edges of the roster. Will JR Ritchie make it onto the roster? Is DaShawn Keirsey Jr. going to play the Terrance Gore-type role as a crucial pinch-running option? Will the Braves load up on piggyback options to supplement their bullpen? It will be very fascinating to figure out how the rest of the roster gets filled out.
There are still a few questions to be answered but overall, the Postseason picture is starting to come into full focus. I’d imagine it’ll get clearer and clearer as the weekend progresses but for now, the Braves are in a pleasant holding pattern as they wait for their Postseason journey to begin. Let’s see what happens, folks.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: The San Diego Padres mascot Swinging Friar and the mother version of swinging Friar pose on the field for Mother's Day before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Petco Park on May 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the third season out of four, the Diamondbacks playoff hopes hinge on the final weekend of the series. Of the two other final weekends, one worked out, one didn’t. Tiebreaker time, I guess. This season, like in 2024, they come in without any control over their own destiny, this time needing the Phillies to lose at least twice, while they need to win two.
Neither side has it easy this weekend. The Phillies are going home to face the AL West winning Tampa Bay Rays, while the Diamondbacks have to go on the road to face the hottest team in baseball, the San Diego Padres. No pressure boys. On the other hand, the Padres locked up their Wild Card spot last night with a win against the Dodgers and now only have positioning left to play for.
Because of that, you’ll find that the Padres have not announced any of their pitchers yet. They get the luxury of moving their pitchers around and putting their best foot forward going into the playoffs. The Diamondbacks get no such luxury. They’ll play the cards they’ve been given and hope for the best.
Game 1 — 9/25, 6:40 PM: Brandon Pfaadt (1.7 bWAR, 7-3, 3.72 ERA/112 ERA+, 1.16 WHIP) vs TBD
Pfaadt is coming off a 4 1/3 inning outing against the Yankees where he only gave up one run. It was his shortest outing since returning to the rotation, but also his most successful since he went four starts and only gave up one run between them. You’ll see a similarly short leash in this outing, as Lovullo will be more than willing to get into the bullpen to avoid the One Big Inning.
Game 2 — 9/26, 5:40 PM: Corbin Burnes (-0.3 bWAR, 0-0, 7.84 ERA/55 ERA+, 9.00) vs TBD
Expect Corbin Burnes to be on the same short leash, if not even shorter. He hasn’t been stellar since returning from the injured list, nor does he seem to be getting stretched out. After throwing three scoreless in his initial return, he gave up five in 4 2/3 and then 4 in 2 2/3. The most startling number out of that is the five home runs he gave up in those two starts. It all comes down to him not having the feel for the control of his pitches. Evey analyst and former pitcher says that’s the last thing to come back after Tommy John Surgery and Burnes’ recovery is making that very clear.
Game 3 — 9/27, 12:10 PM: Michael Soroka (2.2 bWAR, 9-5, 3.31 ERA/126 ERA+, 1.08 WHIP) vs TBD
If you had told me at the start of the season that it would all rest on the final series of the season, and the final game of that final series would be started by Michael Soroka and I’d be okay with that, I don’t think I would have believed you. It’s almost like the people that are paid to put together baseball teams know more than me… No that can’t be it. Anyway, Soroka has had a great season, one of the very best in his career, and if it comes down to the final game, the starting pitcher will not be my concern.
Conclusion
Well, sorry, I spoiled the conclusion at the start of the article. It all comes down to this. Not a whole lot more to add, other than a reminder. After Sunday, we don’t know when the next Diamondbacks game will be. Make sure to take some time this weekend to enjoy it, even if it doesn’t go the way we’re all hoping it does. It’s going to be an especially long, cold offseason.
I think they’ve got a chance to win this series. We won’t face the top of the Padres rotation, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see hitters and relievers get days off that they wouldn’t normally get. But the team has to execute. They’ve been playing solid baseball this week, and it’s paid off in the form of a five game winning streak. To have the very best chance of success, they have to see that winning streak go to eight games. It’s going to be a tall order, but… I think they can do it. Give ‘em hell, men. Go Dbacks!
San Diego Padres SP Casey Mize (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have only three games remaining in what has been an unbelievable season. Rookie manager Craig Stammen has plenty of work ahead after securing a Wild Card berth.
Several players are fighting for postseason roster security. They all have a legitimate opportunity to make a strong impression in the last series of 2026.
Which Padres have the most to gain? Because cuts are coming.
Casey Mize
Since the trade deadline, the Friars have given Casey Mize every opportunity to secure the No. 3 position in the starting rotation. But his brief time in San Diego has been disappointing.
In nine starts, Mize has a 6.64 ERA and a 1.623 WHIP over 40.2 innings pitched. Yes, we have seen glimpses of greatness, most notably when Mize threw six shutout innings against the Cleveland Guardians in August. His struggles with the long ball have been a problem, as Mize has given up 10 home runs in the Brown & Gold.
The organization will discuss how many starting pitchers are needed on the Wild Card roster. In his final start, Mize must prove he can back up Michael King, Robbie Ray, and Walker Buehler if a postseason emergency arises.
He must let his pitching repertoire be his best defense. If Mize finishes the season with a strong outing, he has made a case for postseason roster consideration.
Samad Taylor
In June, the Padres needed a boost to their lethargic offense. The team promoted minor-league journeyman Samad Taylor, and he made an immediate impact with speed and timely hitting.
Taylor is not a liability at the plate. He is hitting .324 with a .821 OPS over 168 plate appearances. The one concern is his strikeout rate (25.0%), which is higher than the major league average (22.4%). However, he puts the ball in play, and if Taylor continues to produce, the Corona native has a strong chance of making the Wild Card roster.
His legs will be a major weapon in the postseason. With game-changing speed, Taylor will exploit pitchers who forget about him at first base. He has 10 stolen bases in 13 attempts. Taylor will be called upon as a pinch-runner to steal a base in close playoff games.
Let’s not forget that he is an above-average fielder at multiple positions. Taylor can play all three outfield positions and has spent some time at both middle infield positions. In fact, he has made several outstanding defensive plays in his limited time with San Diego.
Whenever he is in the lineup, Taylor showcases his talents by getting on base and stealing a base.
Speed is a valuable weapon in October.
David Morgan
David Morgan is not exactly having a stellar 2026 season. He has a 4.11 ERA in 29 appearances. However, Morgan has been lights-out since Sept. 9.
The Good Captain has allowed one earned run over 6.0 innings, striking out seven. The right-hander’s four-seam fastball has been devastating of late; Morgan has regained velocity (97 MPH) since his recent call-up. And let’s not forget that his curveball has added more than two inches of vertical movement heading to the plate.
Morgan is under consideration to work out of the bullpen in the Wild Card round. He may need a strong finish to the season. If Morgan can show that he is a multi-inning reliever, it gives Stammen another option out of the pen.
Jase Bowen
The Friars have an abundance of outfielders on the 40-man roster. The everyday lineup is set: Fernando Tatis Jr. patrols right field, Jackson Merril in center field, and Dustin Harris roams left field. Unfortunately, Jase Bowen’s postseason status remains up in the air.
His .152 batting average does not make him an ideal pinch-hitter off the bench. But Bowen’s ability to steal a base and his versatility to play anywhere in the field offer Stammen another option late in games.
The Padres may have room on the Wild Card round roster for another positional player if a starting pitcher is left off.
No decisions will be made until their opponent is set.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 21: Yohandy Morales #28 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his eighth inning two run home run against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In what has been a tumultuous season with plenty of exciting highs and crushing lows, the last series of 2026 is finally here. With just two games separating these two clubs for the 4th and 5th spots in the National League East, the battle for the basement of the division has taken us all the way to games 159-162. It once looked like Washington could be in the mix for a playoff spot, but those dreams have been dashed in recent months. The Nats have won or tied their last 4 series (3-0-1 series record) and are looking to salvage a rough second half with one last positive mark before an offseason of uncertainty begins.
The Mets, once again sitting near the top of the league in payroll, will conclude the 2026 season without a playoff appearance. Their second half was more impressive than Washington’s, but their disastrous start to the year and myriad of injuries made October baseball impossible. They too have won each of their last 2 series, and are also in the market for moral victories as the season comes to a close.
Game One – Friday, 6:45 PM ET
WSH: LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.16 ERA) NYM: TBA
Alvarez’s season has been far beyond any expectations placed on him, and he has a chance to end it off with a fantastic exclamation point. The Mets are likely to throw multiple long relievers at the Nats’ lineup, giving Washington a chance to start the series off hot.
New York’s funky young righty has 1 super outing sandwiched by 2 4-run appearances since being called up in September, and is still working through the growing pains of being a rookie arm. With experience on their side, the Nats’ lefty hitters could jump on Tong and hopefully get backed up by some long-awaited stabilization from the veteran Irvin.
Game Three – Sunday, 3:05 PM ET
WSH: LHP DJ Herz (0-1, 9.00 ERA) NYM: LHP Sean Manaea (6-7, 4.67 ERA)
Essentially a full reversal of the middle game, the matchup of righties going into Game 162 gives New York the veteran edge, although, once again, both pitchers haven’t seen much success this season. Herz could be an MLB option in the future for Washington, and it would be quite favorable for him to end his brief 2026 campaign on a high note.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns on the court during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I felt it for the first time when I went outside last night to play with the dog. For the first time in months, I could walk outside without getting blasted in the face by the oven-like air that the Phoenix metropolitan area has to offer. Yes, for the first time, it felt like fall. And that means Phoenix Suns basketball is right around the corner.
With Media Day this upcoming Monday and training camp starting Tuesday, we’re about to rev up the engine and start getting answers to the questions we’ve been asking ourselves all summer long about this team.
Which brings me to another Bright Side Roundtable opportunity for our writers to answer a simple question: What is the biggest question you need answered during the first 10 games of the Suns’ season?
Of course, we’re not going to get answers to everything. The season is 82 games long, and thinking that the first 10 games will tell us everything we need to know about this team is somewhat obtuse. Still, those first 10 games will provide insight into what we can expect, whether that’s schematically, how the rotations take shape, or how the new pieces fit into the puzzle.
And for me, that’s what I primarily want to see. How does this puzzle fit together from a rotational standpoint? Rotations will continue to evolve throughout the season. Injuries will present themselves, players will exceed expectations, others will fall short, and adjustments will be made based on opponents and production.
But those first 10 games should begin answering one question I desperately want answered: How does this organization perceive the progress Rasheer Fleming made this offseason?
Sure, he was a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he’s somebody the Suns moved up to acquire. They spent assets to get him because they believed in what he could become. And in his limited opportunities last season, Fleming flashed the potential to provide size, athleticism, defense, and three-point shooting off the bench. For a team that has desperately needed a quality power forward since Amar’e Stoudemire played for the organization, Fleming could begin filling that role this season. That’s why I want to see how and when he’s utilized throughout the first 10 games.
In Year 1, he was a rookie learning to adjust to the speed of the NBA while developing his basketball IQ. Year 2 should be about building upon that foundation and demonstrating whether he’s made the developmental leaps we all hope he has. How much does the coaching staff trust him? Where does he fit into the rotation? And how much opportunity will he receive to showcase that growth? We should know quite a bit more after those first 10 games.
So what does the rest of our Bright Side Roundtable panel have to say about it? Let’s get into their answers.
Kevin Humphreys: Will we get to see the Suns’ core four players play together to begin the season?
Last season, we only got to see the Big 3 play 10 regular-season games together, and now Miles Bridges is getting thrown into the mix. If we can just get all four of those guys healthy through 10 games, that will be a huge win. If that happens, then what kind of hierarchy, if any at all, is developing between Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges?
Bruce Veliz: The biggest question I need answered in the first ten games is how Jordan Ott’s play style will evolve into year two?
Last season, they were a scrappy and physical team that never gave up on the defensive end, and on offense, it was mainly three-point centered, focused on the drive and kick. Without Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, the team has lost part of that identity, so how will he adjust and benefit that to fit this team? Will there be any changes, or will they stick with what worked last season?
Holden Sherman: At least two wins against one of the Thunder, Nuggets, Spurs, or Rockets. Phoenix went 4-12 against these teams last year, including going 0-7 against Houston and Denver. These teams were four of the five top seeds in the West and are ones the Suns will have to compete with if they are serious about being top-six in the Conference. The team needs to finish games against these teams stronger; it’s not just about playing them close. All of these teams Phoenix suffered close losses to, and Denver should be worse this year, considering they traded Peyton Watson, a main contributor from a season ago, and only received draft compensation in return. The Suns need to play their best against the best.
SoSaysJ: How much are the Suns going to take the kid gloves off Khaman Maluach? During the first five months of last season, Maluach averaged 5.5 MPG. That ticked up to 13.9 MPG over the last two months of the season. During NBA Summer League, he (not surprisingly) played 27.4 MPG – and thrived, averaging 19.5 PPG, 12.8 RPG, and 2.0 BPG, while shooting 40.0% from three and 53.2% overall.
Considering his production during Summer League, the fact that he has one year in the NBA under his belt, and the injury to Mark Williams, extended minutes certainly seem warranted during the regular season, but to what degree? Will he start? Will he play 20+ minutes? 25+ minutes? Regardless of whether Khaman or Oso is the starting center when the regular season begins, I will be particularly interested in Maluach’s playing time during those first 10 games and the game situations in which he is on the floor.
For the Suns to enjoy any near-term success beyond what we saw last season, Maluach will have to develop and play a significant role on both sides of the ball. I think the first 10 games of the season should give us an idea as to how ready the coaching staff thinks he is to step into that role.
Brandon Duenas: The first 10 games are all about experimentation and seeing what you have as a group. That being said, I am looking forward to seeing how each individual player, especially those in the starting lineup, adjusts their game to this group. The potential glaring issue with this team is the lack of playmaking/floor spacing in the starting unit. I will be paying very close attention to the shot distribution and the roles that Green, Brooks, and Bridges naturally take.
I excluded Booker because I believe he can fit in any environment, so I’m more curious as to how those other three play off each other (and Book) and if there’s more “team ball” than “me ball.” Will Brooks and Bridges sacrifice shot attempts and make quick reads? Does Jalen Green take on more of a downhill playmaking threat this year? There are plenty of solutions to mix and match the right units on the Suns’ bench, so it will be an interesting dynamic to follow. Green and Brooks didn’t share the court a ton last year, and Bridges is the newcomer. This is why they pay Jordan Ott the big bucks.
Mark Bowser: I agree with Brandon’s specific dynamics above and how that results in the flow of the overall offense. My main question is in the intangibles category. Last year, the Suns were gritty more often than not. They dove for loose balls, scrapped on defense, and crashed the offensive glass. With new parts added and several high-effort players signing new contracts, will the effort dip? Or will it go up a notch? The extended players (Brooks, Goodwin, Gillespie) all have this in their DNA. The new acquisition, Miles Bridges, is the wildcard. Reviews of his effort fluctuate, generally positive when his team is doing well. Can he enhance the Suns’ reputation in this regard, or will his addition disrupt the chemistry?
Tom Mildenberger: In the 2024-25 season, the Suns started 8-2 before Budenholtzering their way to a 36-win season, so I’m not getting caught up in wins and losses. The Suns will bring the same coach back for a (gasp) second year in a row, so despite swapping Allen and Royce for Bridges, I think we mostly know how the team will look, stylistically and culturally.
What I’m going to be watching for in the first ten games is which Devin Booker we get. Are we going to get the make-the-right-play, Devin Booker? Or are we going to get the flame-throwing Booker who sets arena points records? There are reasons to think that the former version of the Book might be better suited for the Suns’ current roster than the latter, but if I’m being honest, I don’t want to see Devin Booker pile up hockey assists or get to the free-throw line thirty times a game this season. I want to see the Booker that the defense knows is going to shoot, but still can’t do anything to stop. Can he still be that Booker? I’m not sure, but I think we’ll know in the first ten games.
There’s no shortage of things to watch when the Suns finally take the floor, which is exactly what makes those first 10 games so valuable. We won’t have the answers yet, but we should have enough evidence to start forming better questions. How much has the roster evolved? Who has earned trust? Which combinations work? And perhaps most importantly, what does this team look like when the experimentation begins to give way to an identity? After spending the summer imagining the possibilities, we’ll finally get to see which ones survive contact with actual basketball.
The Senators have lost Leevi Meriläinen to the Vancouver Canucks, who claimed the 24-year-old goaltender off waivers on Friday.
Meriläinen was in goal Wednesday night for Ottawa’s road split squad game against Toronto. The Senators sent an undermanned lineup into a matchup with a Maple Leafs team loaded with NHL regulars, and the result was a 6-1 loss.
Meriläinen stopped 21 shots before being replaced by Jackson Parsons after Toronto’s sixth goal early in the third period. The Senators were under siege for much of the night, and the scoreboard reflected the team’s play rather than Meriläinen’s performance.
That said, Wednesday’s game came after a difficult season for a goalie who had looked like a major part of Ottawa’s future a year and a half ago.
When injuries sidelined Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg during the 2024–25 season, Meriläinen gave the Senators far more than just emergency support. He went 8-3-1 in 12 appearances, with a 1.99 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and three shutouts. He even had a fourth shutout if you just count regulation play.
The Sens ended their seven-season playoff drought that spring, and it is hard to imagine the team getting there without the points Meriläinen helped secure while its veteran goalies were out.
He looked every bit like the goalie of the future.
But he couldn’t sustain that level last season. In 20 NHL appearances in 2025–26, Meriläinen went 8-10-1 with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .860 save percentage.
Eventually, the Sens signed free agent James Reimer, and when Linus Ullmark returned from his leave of absence, Meriläinen was sent to Belleville and didn't return.
There had been some discussion about the Senators opening the season with three goaltenders. Meriläinen signed a one-year, one-way contract worth $1.1 million this summer, but he was no longer exempt from waivers.
With Ullmark in place and newcomer Samuel Ersson making a strong first impression in the preseason opener against Montreal, the Senators chose to try to sneak Meriläinen through waivers so they could send him to Belleville to keep developing. They were probably hoping the 6-1 loss on Wednesday might scare everyone off.
Vancouver, desperate for help in goal, took the opportunity to claim him.
Thatcher Demko is still working his way back from hip surgery, while Kevin Lankinen and Nikita Tolopilo are the other goaltenders in the club’s projected lineup. Former Senator Chris Driedger is also at camp on a professional tryout after spending last season in the KHL.
The Canucks obviously feel like Meriläinen has a chance to help them at the NHL level. They would not be allowed to send him to their AHL team without putting him on waivers again.
In Ottawa, the claim changes the picture behind Ullmark and Ersson. Parsons and Kevin Reidler are promising options, but both have limited professional experience.
The Senators also brought Vadim Zherenko to camp on a tryout after four seasons with AHL Springfield. If Ottawa wants a more experienced goalie available for a call-up,
Zherenko could become an important option. First, though, the Senators would have to sign him to a contract.
Friday’s verdict against Manchester City will change everything we understood about their Premier League title triumphs
Welcome, then, to the age of asterisk. Whatever punishment Manchester City and their owners receive at the end of this process, the fact remains, everything is tainted now.
Overturn the tables, scatter the gold coins. Throw your medals in the bin. You cheated to win them. Whatever that thing was, it’s done. Stolen glory, stolen income, stolen joy. Every chant, every “we won the lot”, every awkward documentary scene about the deep, throbbing heart of this empire of love. It all looks odd, sinister, cold, sloppy, but also, and this is always the best response, utterly absurd.
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- With a drumroll ... it looks like Zach Dean and Dillon Dube have won out the battle for the two extra forward slots for the St. Louis Blues to begin the 2026-27 season.
The Blues cut four players early Friday morning, including forwards Otto Stenberg, Dylan Peterson and Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, along with defenseman Adam Jiricek, leaving five spots needing to be cut in total to get down to Monday's 23-man opening night roster.
The Blues will be putting goalie Georgii Romanov on waivers for the purpose of getting him to Springfield of the American Hockey League, and that left Oskar Sundqvist, Nathan Walker and Jack Finley, who were put on waivers on Friday, on the outside looking in. If any of the veterans are able to clear, they will join Steve Ott and the Thunderbirds in the AHL to begin the season.
"I wouldn't say certainly (that's the 23-man team that was on the ice Friday), but it's certainly been a good camp," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said prior to Friday afternoon's transactions. "We wanted it to be competitive, it's been competitive. There's a lot of young guys, the veterans have shown really well. We're excited about where our group's at."
Dean, who will play in all four games this preseason when the Blues end their exhibition schedule Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, and Dube, signed to a one-year, one-way, $850,000 contract this summer, in the end won out the jobs as the 13th and 14th forwards when the Blues submit their 23-man roster by Monday's 4 p.m. (CT) deadline.
What stood out for those two?
"I think their speed, their energy, their tenacity on pucks, coming up with pucks," Montgomery said. "That's been primarily (it). Those things, those attributes.
"They both are fast, they both are tenacious. I would say that Dean probably has more game-breaking speed and I would say that Dube has a little more savvy. He's really savvy out there. He always comes up with pucks, he's going to the right places."
Dean skated on the Blues' top line Thursday between Pavel Buchnevich and Connor McMichael in a 1-0 win over the Blackhawks on home ice and had a couple really high-end scoring chances and played another solid game.
"He played really well," Montgomery said. "He supported those guys really well. I thought that line was effective. Yeah, played well."
With Jiricek going to Springfield to likely play top-heavy minutes, that left Calle Rosen as the seventh defenseman, with the veteran winning out that battle in the end.
Tyler Tucker, who tweaked his right knee in practice this past Sunday and hasn't skated since, is all but likely to begin the season on injured-reserve but for how long, nobody knows.
"I don't want to talk too much because I would say that I think so, but there's a chance not," Montgomery said. "I'd just rather not say because I don't definitively know."
The 32-year-old Rosen, who scored the lone goal Thursday, provides the experience and insurance needed in an extra defenseman that Jiricek would not benefit from being here and not playing.
"He's a really good hockey player," Montgomery said of Rosen. "Smart, veteran, great feet. What a shot last night. Supports people really well."
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Ahead of the AHL pre-season opening on Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins made another small wave of roster cuts.
And there was one name on it that came as a bit of a surprise.
The Penguins announced that the re-assigned Liam and Markus Ruck to the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. They also re-assigned forwards Atley Calvert, Tanner Howe, Mikhail Ilyin, and Avery Hayes to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.
In addition, goaltender Colin Delia was released from his paid tryout (PTO), and forward Oliver Okuliar - injured in practice on Sunday - was designated as injured non-roster and sent to WBS to continue his rehabilitation process.
The biggest surprise on the list was Hayes, who put together a strong training camp. He scored a next-effort goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the 4-1 pre-season opening win, and he had five goals in 14 games with the NHL club last season.
"He's a good young player. I think there are other guys that, right now, are ahead," head coach Dan Muse said. "Sometimes it is about what you've done, and sometimes, it's also that you've got to get it down to numbers and other guys that have played better or we feel like, right now, are going to be a better fit. Those are all part of the decisions."
The Penguins have assigned the following players to @WBSPenguins (AHL):
F Atley Calvert F Avery Hayes F Tanner Howe F Mikhail Ilyin
Forward Oliver Okuliar has been designated as injured non-roster and will continue his rehabilitation process in WBS.
The Penguins are down to their final pre-season game, which will take place in Buffalo on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET. There are still a group of prospects that remain with the NHL club and took the ice with the main squad for practice Friday, including forwards Bill Zonnon and Ville Koivunen as well as defenseman Harrison Brunicke and goaltender Sergei Murashov.
Of note, forwards Rutger McGroarty and Tristan Broz, defensemen Owen Pickering, Ryan Graves, Caleb Jones, Jake Livanavage, and Chase Pietila and goaltender Joel Blomqvist skated earlier in the day and remain on the training camp roster as of now.
The Buffalo Sabres encountering early-season injuries to projected top-four blueliners Olen Zellweger and Mattias Samuelsson has made GM Jarmo Kekalainen hit the open market for some veteran insurance, as the club signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 deal.
The 32-year-old spent last season as a teammate of new Sabres blueliner Louis Crevier with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he posted 12 points (0 goals, 12 assists) in 69 games. Grzelcyk was a 2012 draft pick of the Boston Bruins, and the Charlestown, MA native spent his first eight seasons with his hometown club. He has become a journeyman the last two seasons, signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in 2024 and posting a career-high 40 points (1 goal, 39 assists) in 82 games, before signing with the Hawks last season.
" I'm super excited to have (Matt) on the team. I've played against him many times, and I think he's an exceptional player. He's very smart. He can play in all situations. It's going to be fun to get to know him too. I heard a lot of great things about him." Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said after practice on Friday. "(The signing) just shows that we're here to win. We're not satisfied, so (management will) do everything they can, and we do everything we can, so I'm happy with the situation."
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
The signing could have a two-fold meaning. Without adding Grzelcyk, the Sabres would likely have to open the season using two of Dennis Gilbert, Ryan Johnson, and Radim Mrtka for the start of the season, but Gilbert played sparingly for the Sabres two years ago and for Ottawa last season, while Mrtka, 19, may not be ready to play in the NHL.
“I think where we're at, we still like our defense, it's still next man up, but I'd rather have a young player step in and play big minutes in the Rochester role. Just better for hi m, than coming out and playing 8-10, minutes, or 10-12 minutes. So in the role we need them, Grzelcyk would be a good fit."
The other possible meaning is that the injuries to Zellweger and Samuelsson are more serious, something that Ruff indicated the opposite of on Friday. Zellweger is in the league’s concussion protocol, but the Sabres head coach believes that he could be ready by the start of the season next week. He also believes that Samuelsson could be back earlier than the week-to-week timeline would reflect.
Grzelcyk was not present at practice on Friday, but it is not impossible that the veteran will be in town by Saturday to participate in the club's morning skate before their preseason finale against Pittsburgh.
