Agreement allows 51-year-old to return to F1 next season
Christian Horner has formally left the Red Bull Formula One team with what is understood to be an £80m settlement after his dismissal in July as team principal.
Horner was relieved of “operational duties” by the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, shortly after the British Grand Prix, concluding more than 18 months of turmoil.
SNY's Joe DeMayo answers your Mets prospect questions...
Have the Mets ever had a season with this much organizational team success? - @JacobMunch1 on X
The short answer is no. But you aren’t here for short answers.
It is a credit to the players, the amateur scouting department -- both domestically and internationally -- as well as the player development staff at every level putting together an excellent minor league season.
Here is a breakdown of what each affiliate accomplished this season:
Double-A Binghamton: Set a franchise record with 90 wins and as of this writing are down 1-0 in a three-game series against Erie for the Eastern League Championship. They reaped the benefit of having most of the top prospects listed above, who ended the season with Syracuse. The Rumble Ponies also had breakout players in No. 8 prospect, third baseman Jacob Reimer and No. 9 prospect, outfielder A.J. Ewing.
On the pitching side, they had the next wave of starters after the graduation of McLean, Sproat and Tong, with No. 10 prospect Jonathan Santucci, No. 11 prospect Jack Wenninger, No. 14 prospect Will Watson, and R.J. Gordon. On the relief side, they have No. 21 prospect Ryan Lambert,whom I can envision making his big-league debut in 2026.
St. Lucie Mets pitcher Will Watson / St. Lucie Mets
High-A Brooklyn: 72-59 record and won the South Atlantic League Championship for the first time since being moved to full-season ball in 2021. Their season was largely carried by a lot of the names you have already read, as well as players who were included in trades at the deadline like Jesus Baez and Raimon Gomez. In the stretch run and into the postseason they got contributions from pitchers like Noah Hall, Joel Dîaz and Brett Banks, among others.
Offensively, names like outfielder Eli Serrano and infielders Boston Baro and Marco Vargas contributed late.
Low-A St. Lucie: 78-52 record and was eliminated in three games in the Florida State League Divisional Series by Daytona. Ewing was the highest regarded prospect who played for St. Lucie this year. They received contributions from top 30 prospects in No. 20 prospect (infielder Trey Snyder), No. 25 prospect (catcher Daiverson Gutierrez), No. 26 prospect (infielder Jeremy Rodriguez) and No. 30 prospect (right-hander Jace Hampson).
This is also the team that had the professional debuts of exciting 2025 draft picks Mitch Voit, Antonio Jimenez, and Truman Pauley. A name to keep an eye on for 2026 is outfielder Randy Guzman, who posted a .985 OPS in 26 games.
ESPN recently ranked the Mets' system as the best system in baseball. That ranking naturally will take a dip at some point next year when McLean, Sproat, and Tong graduate. But this organizational success is an example of the Mets' improved player development system under senior vice president of player development Andy Green.
In order to have sustained success, player development needs to be constantly churning out prospects who either come to the big league team themselves and help or are valuable in trades to get veterans to help the big league team. The Mets are on their way to being that type of organization.
How soon next year could we see Carson Benge? Or do you feel the Mets should sign someone else for center field? - @thecmoney21 on X
The Mets were impressed with Benge’s growth as a center fielder defensively throughout this year. It is a new position for him, as he played right field in college. While he is not an elite athlete, he is a good one who showed improved jumps and reads as he got more reps in center field. He still has more to prove defensively, but there is optimism that he could stick there.
As far as how quickly he could be in the big leagues, a lot of that will depend on how Benge performs and what the true need ends up being at the big league level.
I envision the Mets being sure they are covered from a veteran standpoint, ideally on a short-term deal to not block young players like Benge or Williams or Ewing, who could potentially hold down center field before long.
Benge reached Triple-A in his first professional season after he beat up High-A and Double-A pitching to the tune of a .308/.413/.513 slash line with 24 doubles, six triples and 12 home runs in 92 games.
The results in Triple-A weren’t quite there consistently, but it was just a 24-game sample size, and he missed nearly two weeks after being hit in the wrist area by a pitch.
He closed out the year strong, hitting .320 with a 1.132 OPS in his last seven games with two home runs.
Benge has emerged as a consensus top 35 prospect in baseball in the latest rankings from major outlets like MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and The Athletic.
I expect him to receive a big league spring training invite and if he continues his offensive trajectory and takes that next step defensively, I think it is realistic to see Benge in Queens by Memorial Day 2026.
There are several questions that need to be answered as NHL training camps get underway ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Whether it's youngsters on the outside trying to crack roster spots, players looking to establish themselves on a new team, or players being shifted up and down the lineup, the pre-season creates a ton of interesting storylines to follow across the league.
Let's take a look at four of the biggest questions that could be answered at training camp over the next few weeks.
Who will emerge as the Montreal Canadiens' second-line center?
The Montreal Canadiens put together an impressive off-season that has the potential to be looked back on as the pivotal moment that pointed them in the direction of contention for years to come.
However, the biggest question heading into the 2025-26 season is one that has been asked about the Canadiens in years past: Who will play center behind Nick Suzuki? GM Kent Hughes has given opportunities to young players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook while also giving Jake Evans a shot. However, all three have been underwhelming when playing in that elevated role.
Bolduc has primarily played on the wing throughout his professional career, but he played center in his junior hockey days. He put up back-to-back 50-goal seasons in the QMJHL as a member of the Quebec Remparts, leading his team to a Memorial Cup championship in 2022-23.
While it’s unclear if that question will be answered this season, the Canadiens must find the right fit for their second line to unlock the full potential of Ivan Demidov, help Patrik Laine return to form, and become a legitimate threat in the Atlantic Division.
What can Jonathan Toews bring to the Winnipeg Jets?
It’s difficult to pin down what a reasonable expectation is for Jonathan Toews as he makes his return to the NHL this season with the Winnipeg Jets. The 37-year-old hasn’t played an NHL game since the final contest of the 2022-23 regular season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He finished that campaign season with 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games.
With the extended absence of Adam Lowry due to hip surgery in May, Toews’ signing has quickly gone from being a feel-good story for a hometown player to someone they may need to rely on pretty heavily entering the regular season.
The Jets’ second-line center spot is going to be a clear battle between Toews and 32-year-old journeyman Valdislav Namestnikov, who has proven to be an impactful middle-six forward over the past few seasons. Even at his age, Toews still has the higher offensive upside, but it might not be in the team’s best interest to hand him that role right away.
Considering the Jets have that security blanket in Namestnikov, it might be better for coach Scott Arniel to play Toews lower in the lineup to start, allowing him to re-adjust to the NHL level and ramp up as the season progresses.
Can Victor Olofsson be a top-six forward for the Colorado Avalanche?
Victor Olofsson spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He recorded 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games, proving that he has the potential to be a productive top-six winger on a competitive roster.
That output was good enough to earn him a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this summer, carrying a modest $1.575-million cap hit. The 30-year-old didn’t look out of place on the Golden Knights’ top unit when his role was elevated due to injuries, and there’s a chance he could compete for a similar opportunity in Colorado at training camp this season.
With a crowded crop of high-end forwards on the roster, Olofsson’s chances will likely rely on a drop off from either Artturi Lehkonen or Gabriel Landeskog, who, when healthy, have both been staples on the team’s top six over the years.
Nonetheless, the Avalanche should be excited to have a cost-effective scoring threat with some really high upside heading into the regular season, regardless of where he slots in.
How will the Carolina Hurricanes deploy their defensemen?
The Carolina Hurricanes’ blueline saw some serious turnover this summer. With the departures of Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, the acquisition of K’Andre Miller, and the arrival of Alexander Nikishin, coach Rod Brind’Amour will have his work cut out for him in organizing the team’s pairings effectively.
While the strength of the team’s depth on the back end is undeniable with Jaccob Slavin, Mike Reilly, and Shayne Gostisbehere inked in, the Hurricanes have five left-shot defensemen under contract and potentially a sixth on the way with Oliver Kylington in the midst of a PTO.
It could make things a little more uncomfortable for at least one or two of the D-men who end up playing on their weak side, but considering the talent they have in their lineup, it shouldn’t be a long-term issue.
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The Hillsin affair demonstrates that conspiring to stop a runner is one thing, but getting away with it is another
A little over two years after one of the most bizarre and downright suspicious riding performances on a British racecourse in recent decades, the British Horseracing Authority’s independent disciplinary panel confirmed last week that Dylan Kitts had deliberately stopped Hillsin from winning a handicap hurdle at Worcester on 5 July 2023, in a conspiracy with John Higgins, an associate of Hillsin’s owner, to profit from “lay” bets on the gelding.
A few days earlier, meanwhile, a 42-year-old man from Bury was arrested by Greater Manchester Police, following an investigation by the Gambling Commission “in connection with allegations of fixing horse races”.
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces Brady Martin is selected as the fifth overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Following a sweep of the Florida Panthers in their annual pre-season split-squad doubleheader on Sunday, the Nashville Predators have made six roster cuts.
General manager Barry Trotz announced on Monday that the team has assigned forwards Hiroki Gojsic (Kelowna/WHL) and Viktor Norringer (Muskegon/USHL), defenseman Alex Huang (Chicoutimi/QMJHL) and goaltender Jakub Milota (Blainville-Boisbriand/QMJHL) to their respective junior clubs.
Additionally, the Predators have released forward Alex Kostov and defenseman Hayden Barch from their amateur tryout agreements.
In 61 games with Kelowna last season, the 19-year-old Gojsic tallied 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points.
Norringer played for Frolunda HC J20 (Sweden), recording 57 points (24-33-57) in 39 games.
Huang totaled 40 points (7-33-40) in 64 games with Chicoutimi.
In 38 regular-season games with the Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL), Milota posted an 18-13-5 mark with a 3.22 goals-against average and .903 save percentage, and went 2-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .940 SP in four post-season outings. The Predators drafted him in the fourth round (99th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Kostov collected 45 points (16-29-45) for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds in 2024-25. Barch had seven points (4-3-7) for the GOJHL’s St. Marys Lincolns.
Nashville’s training camp roster is now at 54 players – 29 forwards, 19 defensemen and six goaltenders.
The Predators’ pre-season continues Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena for a 7 Pm CT meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game will be streamed on NashvillePredators.com (geo-restricted to in-market viewers only) and broadcast on 102.5 The Game.
Nashville will also host the third annual Gold Star Showcase, an intrasquad game between Predators players benefiting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tenn., on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 Pm CT. The military-themed contest will recognize the facility’s close proximity to Fort Campbell and incorporate members of the military in the team’s game presentation.
A portion of all ticket sales from the game will be donated to the SOWF, a nonprofit organization that empowers families of fallen Special Operations Personnel and service members awarded the Medal of Honor.
It’s the final week of September, and Boston Red Sox fans are officially on Standings Watch.
That’s a welcome change from the past three seasons, when the Red Sox didn’t play any meaningful baseball past Labor Day. But October baseball in 2025 is far from guaranteed for Alex Cora’s club, which sits precariously in the second American League Wild Card spot after dropping its series finale to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
FanGraphs pegs Boston’s postseason chances at 90.3 percent as of Monday afternoon. But a lot can change between now and Sunday, a six-game stretch that features two series against current division leaders — the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers — to finish the regular season.
So, what exactly does Standings Watch entail for the Red Sox? First, we’ll take a look at the Wild Card standings as of Monday. Then we’ll highlight five teams that Sox fans should monitor this week as a tight AL playoff picture shakes out.
AL Wild Card standings
The New York Yankees own a three-game lead over Boston for the top Wild Card spot. If the season ended Monday, the Yankees would host a three-game Wild Card series vs. the Red Sox, with every game at Yankee Stadium.
The Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros are both just one game back of Boston, however. Only three Wild Card teams make the playoffs, so assuming the Yankees keep the top spot, either Cleveland, Houston or Boston will be eliminated.
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Here’s a more in-depth look at the Red Sox’ top competitors in the AL Wild Card race, sorted from best to worst record:
New York Yankees
Record: 88-68
Games ahead of Red Sox: +3.0
Remaining schedule: vs. Chicago White Sox, vs. Baltimore Orioles
The schedule gods clearly favor the Yankees, who close out the regular season with three-game series against two of the worst teams in the AL. So, barring a complete collapse, New York should have the top Wild Card spot wrapped up by the weekend. (But a complete collapse would be fun, wouldn’t it?)
Seattle Mariners
Record: 87-69
Games ahead of Red Sox: +2.0
Remaining schedule: vs. Colorado Rockies, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Mariners took control of the AL West with a weekend sweep of the Astros and now lead Houston by three games.
Assuming they take care of business vs. the Rockies and take at least one game from the Dodgers, they should win the AL West crown. But they’d slide into the Wild Card race if Houston overtakes them, so keep one eye on Seattle this week.
Detroit Tigers
Record: 85-71
Games ahead of Red Sox: 0
Remaining schedule: at Cleveland Guardians, at Red Sox
The Tigers are a sneaky team to watch. The Guardians are on an absolute tear (10-1 in their last 11 games), and if they win this upcoming series with their AL Central rivals, the Tigers will bump down to the Wild Card race.
That could set up a weekend showdown vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park (Friday to Sunday) with massive implications for Wild Card seeding on the line.
Cleveland Guardians
Record: 84-72
Games behind Red Sox: -1.0
Remaining schedule: vs. Detroit Tigers, vs. Texas Rangers
As mentioned above, the Guardians are coming in HOT. So if you’re a Red Sox fan, you may want to root for Cleveland winning its series vs. Detroit to bump the Tigers — who are 1-9 in their last 10 games — into the Wild Card mix.
If the Tigers win their upcoming series vs. the Guardians, the Red Sox will need to take advantage with at least one or two wins in Toronto to maintain their narrow lead over Cleveland.
Houston Astros
Record: 84-72
Games behind Red Sox: -1.0
Remaining schedule: at Athletics, at Los Angeles Angels
The Astros had a brutal weekend, but they shouldn’t be completely ruled out, especially with two series against the AL West’s cellar dwellers to finish their season. It’s worth noting, however, that Houston is just 4-5 versus the A’s this season and 6-4 versus the Angels.
The good news for Boston: The Red Sox own head-to-head tiebreakers over both the Astros and Guardians.
The Seattle Kraken kicked off the beginning of pre-season with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, dressing several NHL players and top prospects.
Among those NHL players were Matty Beniers, Kaapo Kakko, Shane Wright, Jaden Schwartz, Vince Dunn, Ryker Evans, Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak.
The top-rated prospects featured Berkly Catton, Jani Nyman, Jake O'Brien, Eduard Sale, Jagger Firkus, Oscar Fisker Molgaard, and Blake Fiddler.
The Kraken took a 1-0 lead after Sale capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity. The 20-year-old took his chance with confidence, beating the Canucks goaltender over his shoulder after looking off Catton. Prior to Sale's marker, Wright and O'Brien had breakaway opportunities to open the scoring but were denied by Nikita Tolopio.
The Canucks answered back with a power play goal before the Kraken scored three unanswered in the middle frame, two of which came off the stick of Nyman. Nyman's first tally came off a neat pass by Kakko. Nyman quietly found his way to the far post on an odd-man rush and tapped in the go-ahead goal.
The 21-year-old's second goal was more indicative of what Nyman provides. Nyman loaded up for a one-timer and picked the far top corner for his second of the game.
“His second one was a good shot, his first one was going to the net hard and a great play by Kakko,” coach Lane Lambert said. “The thing that really excited me about that (first Nyman) goal was that it started in the defensive zone. We killed the play (by Vancouver) and then it wound up in the back of their net. From my perspective, that’s what I’m talking about when we’re talking about defense, and it translates into offense. So, Jani (Nyman) played well.”
In between Nyman's goals was a Schwartz marker, assisted by Wright and Dunn. Fisker Molgaard also picked up an assist on John Hayden's goal, jumping on a loose puck after an offensive zone faceoff.
“This summer was very long for me – I spent four months training hard,” Nyman said of meeting what he knows is a huge training camp opportunity. “I tried doing everything (needed) so that one day, I can play in the NHL.”
There may not be a player on the Kraken roster who shoots a puck like Nyman can. His release is quick and his shot is heavy, and in limited opportunities, he's shown that it is more than capable of beating NHL goaltenders.
To make the team, Nyman will have to do more than score goals. A level of attentiveness to the defensive side of the game is vital.
Another young forward looking to make the Kraken's opening night roster is Catton. The 19-year-old didn't record with any points, but in 14:24 of ice time, Catton finished as a plus-2, with a Corsi for percentage of 62.50 and an expected goal percentage of 59.73, according to Natural Stat Trick.
He'll be given another chance to create more offense, but it was a positive start for Catton.
It is an exciting time for hockey fans with the new season approaching. Soon, NHL teams will be back to playing regular-season hockey, as it officially begins Oct. 7.
With the 2025-26 season getting close, let's take a look at five prime NHL trade candidates who could be moved during the campaign, or even before it begins.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
It is not a secret that Rasmus Andersson is a prime trade candidate.
Andersson is a pending UFA, so the expectation is that the Flames will flip him before the 2026 NHL trade deadline, unless a surprising contract extension occurs. Teams who could use a top-four right-shot defenseman could be in the mix for the 28-year-old. In 81 games last season, Andersson recorded 11 goals, 31 points, and a minus-38 rating.
Connor Ingram, G, Utah Mammoth
Connor Ingram is certainly a trade candidate to watch as we get closer to the season. According to Cole Bagley of KSL Sports, the Utah Mammoth are looking to give the goaltender a change of scenery. In addition, Bagley reported that Utah GM Bill Armstrong said Ingram will be placed on waivers, but a trade could occur before then.
Ingram, who was cleared by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in August, could be a solid goalie for a team that needs help between the pipes. While he had a tough 2024-25 with Utah, where he posted a .882 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average in 22 games, he is a clear bounce-back candidate.
In each of his two previous seasons with the Arizona Coyotes in 2022-23 and 2023-24, he posted a .907 SP. That is solid play, especially on a Coyotes team that didn't contend for playoff contention.
With this, Ingram could be a good buy-low goaltender for an NHL club to take a chance on.
Bryan Rust, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bryan Rust was a popular name in the rumor mill all off-season, and that will continue in the regular season if he ends up starting the year with the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Penguins in the middle of a serious retool, Rust is exactly the kind of player who could land them a big return.
Teams looking for a proven top-six winger should be interested in Rust. The 5-foot-11 right winger is coming off an excellent season with the Penguins, posting new career highs with 31 goals and 65 points. This was after he scored 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24, so he can certainly still make an impact.
Due to this, Rust should be a very popular trade target this season if Pittsburgh find themselves near the bottom of the NHL standings again.
Rickard Rakell, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Rickard Rakell is another Penguins winger to watch for in the trade market. Like Rust, Rakell was the subject of plenty of trade speculation this summer. This will likely continue if the Penguins do not move him before the start of the season.
Following his strong 2024-25 campaign, Rakell's trade value is very high. The 32-year-old just put together the best season of his 14-year career, recording new career highs with 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games. Therefore, if the Penguins want to move Rakell, now would be a good time.
Nick Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Questions about Nick Robertson's future with the Toronto Maple Leafs have come up for years now, and they have not stopped with the 2025-26 season nearing. When looking at the Maple Leafs' current roster, there is no question that they have a surplus of NHL-caliber forwards. Thus, it is fair to wonder if this could be the year the Leafs trade Robertson.
If Robertson is made available by the Maple Leafs, there could be considerable interest in him. The skilled left winger is still 24 years old and could hit a new level if he's given more opportunity in another market. Thus, he could be a solid addition for a rebuilding team, in particular.
In 69 games last season with Toronto, Robertson scored a career-high 15 goals and recorded 22 points, while averaging 12 minutes of ice time per game, also a career-high.
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THN.com.
For a while it looked as if the kid pitchers might save the season and even make a deep October run more feasible. But now, with a Wild Card berth slipping away from the Mets, the instant success of their three rookies in recent weeks is beginning to look more like a consolation prize of sorts for what suddenly looms as a disappointing finish.
Albeit an important one, to be sure.
That is, if the Mets’ collapse leaves them out of the postseason, at least they would go into the offseason feeling as if they have the makings of a dominant starting rotation next year and beyond.
Such is the sense of hope the trio of Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong provide for Mets fans in what otherwise could be a long winter of demanding answers from David Stearns as to what went wrong this season.
"If they don’t get there, there’s no way to sugarcoat it," an MLB scout said on Monday. "With their payroll and the high expectations, missing a six-team postseason would be a major failure. But those young pitchers would give them something to hang their hat on as far as changing the conversation.
"They’ve been impressive, to different degrees. You need to see more but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that potentially they give you a high-ceiling nucleus for a starting rotation."
That’s the consensus opinion from scouts and evaluators I spoke to in recent days, as well as former pitchers Ron Darling and Dan Plesac, for this story after McLean, Sproat, and Tong have lived up to the hype as highly-touted prospects in recent weeks.
Without them, especially McLean, the Mets almost certainly would be out of the Wild Card race, as the rest of the rotation has fallen apart, due to injury and underperformance.
For that matter, if the Mets do still find a way into that third Wild Card spot, Darling didn’t hesitate when I asked him on Sunday at Citi Field about who the starters should be in a Wild Card series.
"McLean is the best option and Sproat is right behind him," Darling said. "Maybe (David) Peterson would get the nod just because of the experience, but the question you have to ask, if you’re being honest and not trying to do some tactical BS, is who gives you the best chance to win. Right now it’s the young guys.
Sep 20, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) pitches in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
"With McLean it’s obvious, but Sproat has impressed me too. I thought he was going to be Spencer Strider, 100 percent on every pitch, gripping it and ripping it. There’s a lot more nuance as far as the art of pitching, that I’m really happy to see."
Darling referred to McLean’s impact as "obvious," and indeed his performance to this point, with his 1.27 ERA in seven starts speaks for itself. But it’s the way he pitches, combining mound presence with his ability to create movement with various pitches, that has so many observers falling hard for him.
Plesac, for example, pitched in the big leagues for 18 years. And he’s been an analyst at MLB Network for 17 years, breaking down success and failure on a nightly basis, so he’s pretty much seen it all. Yet he’s so captivated by McLean that he gets some ribbing for it from his colleagues.
"From the first time I saw him pitch I was ultra-impressed," Plesac said by phone recently. "One time on our show I was going on about him to the point where (host) Greg Amsinger says, 'Geez, you’ve got a man-crush on this guy.'
"I just love everything about the way he pitches, his poise, his ability to throw breaking balls behind in the count, his slow heartbeat that keeps the game from speeding up on him. He is so advanced for a guy who just got to the big leagues. As a former pitcher, he’s the guy I want on the mound in a big game."
To that end, Darling makes note of McLean’s background as an all-around athlete good enough to be recruited as a quarterback by Oklahoma State, where he red-shirted at the position for one year before deciding to play only baseball – as both a position player and pitcher.
"His maturity on the field stands out," Darling said. "There’s something to be said for a kid who played big-time football as a quarterback, a leadership position. He has a presence about him that you don’t see often for a guy who just reached the big leagues."
Scouts I spoke to echoed such sentiments.
"He’s a scout’s dream," was the way one put it. "You don’t need a radar gun to evaluate him. He throws hard but he doesn’t chase velocity. His ability to spin the ball separates him but he also gets great movement on his two-seamer. He knows what he’s doing out there, setting up hitters, pitching to spots. He’s fun to watch."
As such, the Mets might just have a true No. 1 starter for years to come. Sproat doesn’t generate quite as much excitement from observers, but he too has elite stuff, and as Darling noted, has shown nuance, demonstrating an ability to change speeds and throw his breaking stuff for strikes, in addition to his upper-90s fastball velocity.
Sep 19, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Brandon Sproat (40) follows through on a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Speaking of both Sproat and McLean, Darling said, "At their level of experience, these guys can spin it as well as I’ve ever seen. David Cone was the best guy I ever saw at being able to spin the ball, and I’m hesitant to put them in that category already but they remind me of him."
And then there’s Tong, the youngest of the three rookies, at age 22, with only two starts at Triple-A before being called up. His inexperience has shown at times, to the point where he had that rough start against the Texas Rangers, failing to get out of the first inning, but in that regard his strong bounce back start last week against the San Diego Padres was an important sign.
"He showed some backbone," said Plesac. "I know what that’s like, being out there as a young pitcher and nothing is working for you. The speed of the game at the big league level is so different than the minor leagues, and when you compound that with coming up late in the season in a pennant race, it’s hard.
"That’s why I was so happy to see him bounce back. I think he’s got a gigantic ceiling. It just might take him a little longer to get there than the other two guys. He has to attack the strike zone. When he does that, and he’s using all his pitches, you see the swings and misses he gets with his fastball."
Adds a scout:
"Tong has real deception with that delivery, the Tim Lincecum delivery. He’s got that big induced vertical break that everyone talks about now that gives his fastball the extra ride at the top the zone. He found out big league hitters can hit that pitch, though, if they’re sitting on it, so he needs to be able to throw his curve ball and changeup for strikes. When he does that he may be able to dominate the way he did in the minors."
All in all, then, there is plenty of reason to believe the young trio can have long-term success.
For one thing, as Plesac noted, "You watch all three of them and one thing I notice is when they miss their location, for the most part they don’t miss over the plate. They miss off the plate, to the side of the (catcher’s) glove. They’re not just spraying the ball all over the place, relying on velocity.
Sep 18, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonah Tong (21) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
"Whoever has worked with them coming up through the Mets’ system, especially McLean and Sproat, they deserve a pat on the back, because those guys certainly learned how to pitch in the minor leagues. And the experience they’re getting in these high-pressure games right now, it will be invaluable for them going into next year."
So even if this season ends in failure, emergence of this young pitching may be remembered for launching a new era for the Mets. It doesn’t always work out, of course, for anyone who remembers the much-hyped Generation K of the early ‘90s, or even the 2015 staff that seemed to offer so much promise beyond the 2015 World Series.
But Darling was quick to point to the success of the 1980s, when he was part of the young pitching group that included Doc Gooden, Sid Fernandez, and Rick Aguilera, that helped usher in a championship era.
"I think the Mets are in a good spot going forward with these young pitchers," Darling said. "This organization has always had waves of good pitchers. I think that’s how people felt in ’84, and that turned into something special.
"It’s not often that they all pan out, but I wish that for these guys. They have the ability. Everybody talks about the need to make adjustments as hitters see you more, but I never felt like I had to make adjustments. I felt like if I took care of my own house, my stuff was good enough, and these guys should feel the same way. The hitter should be inconsequential to these guys if they execute pitches -- that’s how good their stuff is.
"I mean, right now, you’d have to see all three of them in the rotation next year."
That’s an enticing thought. It’s also worth remembering that Christian Scott showed similar promise as a rookie in 2024 before needing Tommy John surgery, and could be part of that high-ceiling future as well.
With that in mind, an executive from an AL team made perhaps the most salient point about the big-picture state of the Mets, regardless of what happens in this final week of the season.
"More than ever," the exec said, "the most precious commodity in the game is young, home-grown starting pitching, and to have three young guys come up at the same time and get results in high-leverage games and show the potential for long-term success. ... that’s at the top of every organization’s wish list."
Nothing goes together like sports fans and saying “this is the year” when it almost certainly is not -- a tradition the Knicks’ faithful haven't genuinely participated in for decades.
However, coming off their first Conference Finals trip of the millennium with a new coach and bolstered depth, New York is giving its fans a real chance to capture this timeless delusion.
While usually safer to lower expectations, the Knicks are in a real place to compete and believe they can win their first championship in over 50 years.
Here are the reasons fans should think this is the year...
The talent is there and ready to be maximized
Let’s not forget these Knicks came an unlucky bounce and one win away from making the Finals last year, while going through the ringer in the physical Pistons, champion Celtics and eventual runner-up Pacers. They’ve returned largely the same roster, with a coaching change and some depth additions that should assure the roster is reaching its potential.
It didn’t feel that way last year and the numbers reflected it. No Jalen Brunson-led, Karl-Anthony Towns-spaced offense should finish 16th in offensive rating post Jan. 1 -- or seventh in the playoffs. And Mike Brown was brought in to help turn that around.
Assuming he adds the necessary offensive zest without jeopardizing the defense, it’s hard to find better rosters on paper. New York has two top players at its respective positions and multiple borderline All-Star level guys to support them, with some of the best bench pieces in the league when productive.
Add onto that Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele and you have the total package. These two not only bring strong individual production, but address specific needs that should keep the returning rotation in their ideal roles and fresher overall.
The East is vulnerable
This isn’t just about how ready the Knicks are to win it all, but how unprepared the rest of their conference is. Make no mistake, anybody is susceptible in a seven-game series, but not having to seriously worry about the usual major threats inspires confidence.
The Pacers and Celtics, arguably the two biggest obstacles in the Knicks' way, will be going into this season without their best players -- Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum -- who both suffered Achilles tears during the postseason.
Without them, these two teams aren’t title contenders, and their front offices appeared to operate from that mindset this offseason, so don’t expect these guys to get rushed back, either.
May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the last seconds of the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. / David Butler II - Imagn Images
Cleveland has been lurking as a top seed and high-talent threat for years, but can’t seem to win a pivotal playoff series to take them over the hump. They’ve doubled down this season and look to be New York’s biggest foe, but they’ll have to prove it first.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are still in the conference, but their teams are loaded with question marks coming off disappointing seasons.
Milwaukee may fall victim to a Giannis trade request once he gets a feel of Myles Turner as his second best player, and the 76ers need to prove they can stay relatively healthy for more than a couple of weeks.
Chips will be on shoulders
For the reasons above, the Knicks are going to be expected to compete for a championship -- both internally and externally.
This makes 2025-26 an especially pivotal one for a franchise that’s really been in a rebuilding phase until maybe last season.
Now is the time to actually win, everybody knows it, and they’ve all got a ton to prove in that pursuit.
Despite All-NBA honors and postseason domination, Brunson is constantly dismissed in top player conversations and is still having to cement his eliteness like a plucky underdog.
Like every Towns year of the past five seasons, he looked shaky defensively in the postseason and some still questioned whether a team could win with him. Mikal Bridges is tied to the pick price it took to acquire him, a value only deemed fair once he’s helped deliver a championship.
OG Anunoby signed the biggest contract in Knicks history after they traded two homegrown, fan favorite pieces to get him. Leon Rose, the man who brought all these guys together, fired the coach who helped get them here to prove this team can win it all, and the entire legacy of his era now rests on that bet.
And don’t think Brown isn’t looking to prove his championship mettle. After falling short with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, he wants to show it was the fault of his stars and not his coaching.
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Cubs play a three-game series at Wrigley Field starting on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Mets no longer control their playoff destiny
Entering play on Saturday, the Mets had a 2.0 game lead over the Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. That lead is now gone.
By losing back-to-back games to the woeful Nationals on Saturday and Sunday, the Mets are tied with Cincinnati -- but it's the Reds who hold the tiebreaker after winning the season series.
The Mets would not make the playoffs if the season ended today, and now need help to get in.
The Reds play three games at home against the Pirates starting on Tuesday before traveling to face the Brewers for three. The Pirates have the third-worst record in the National League, and have scored just 561 runs this season -- worst in MLB. Meanwhile, the Brewers -- who have clinched the NL Central and are on pace to finish with the top seed in the NL -- could have literally nothing to play for this coming weekend.
After facing the Cubs, the Mets travel to Miami to face a Marlins team that is 9-1 over its last 10 games and still mathematically alive for a playoff spot.
Sproat, who toes the rubber on Thursday had a hiccup in the third inning of his start on Friday. But New York's outfield defense cost him two runs in the frame. He rebounded from it with a strong fourth inning to cap his start.
While Nolan McLean has stolen the show while being both dominant and ultra reliable, Tong and Sproat have performed admirably while showing flashes of excellence.
Center field, especially on the defensive side of things, has been an issue for the Mets down the stretch.
On Friday night, it was Jose Siri who had what should've been the third out of the third inning bounce out of his glove and took a poor route on a hit later in the frame, allowing it to get by him.
On Saturday, it was Cedric Mullins who misplayed the carom of an 11th-inning hit off the wall, leading to an inside the park home run in New York's loss.
Is help on the way?
May 28, 2024; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder Tyrone Taylor (15) makes a catch for an out during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images
Taylor, who is truly elite in center field, could be activated ahead of Tuesday's game.
Cubs have nothing to play for, and they've been playing like it
Chicago has been eliminated from contention for the NL Central title, and they're basically locked into the top Wild Card spot.
There's a chance they drop to the second Wild Card, but it's unlikely -- they have a three-game lead over the Padres with six games to go.
And the Cubs have been recently playing like a team with nothing at stake, getting swept in a four-game series by the Reds that helped land the Mets in their current predicament.
This is not to say that the Cubs won't be a tough opponent. They will be.
But it's hard to see a scenario where their starting pitchers are pushed or where their key relievers are asked to shoulder a ton of the load.
Cade Horton has been elite
The 24-year-old Horton starts the series-opener, and the Mets will have their work cut out for them.
Horton has been phenomenal over the last three months.
He had a 1.52 ERA in July and a 1.20 ERA in August, and has a 1.10 ERA in three starts in September.
Horton has allowed zero or one runs in 10 of his last 11 starts.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Pete Alonso
Alonso's power surge should continue at the friendly confines.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Jonah Tong
Tong found the best version of himself against the Padres.
Which Cubs player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Seiya Suzuki
It hasn't been a huge season for Suzuki, but the power threat is real.
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