San Diego Padres SP Walker Buehler (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Timely hitting and quality starting pitching have defined the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks’ four-game series. The teams are in a fierce battle for the final National League Wild-Card berth. Tonight, the Padres are seeking a series split in the final game.
Starting pitching has dominated the four-game set
At the trade deadline, the Friar Faithful hoped the club would acquire at least one starting pitcher to bolster the rotation. But Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager AJ Preller did one better; he acquired two serviceable starters.
Not surprisingly, pitching has dominated the four-game set in the desert this week. Each night’s winner threw a gem, as the games could not have played out any better for each fan base.
The series opener was highlighted by Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt’s pitching outing. The young pitcher earned his sixth win of the season by tossing 6.1 innings and giving up only five hits. The Friars could only muster one unearned run off of him. His pitching performance has set the standard for the series.
On Tuesday night, Padres starter Randy Vasquez turned in a much-needed dominant performance in the second game of the series. He fired six scoreless innings of two-hit ball for his seventh win of the season.
The D-Backs relied on rookie pitcher Mitch Bratt to secure the third game of the set. He struggled with his control in prior starts, but Bratt set the tone last night. The young left-hander threw strikes that earned him the victory and extended the Snakes’ Wild-Card lead over San Diego to two games.
Taking the mound: Walker Buehler (SD) vs Kole Drake (ARIZ)
Tonight’s game will be the 10th meeting between the Friars and the Diamondbacks in the season series. San Diego is looking to gain a split in the four-game set and will send out Walker Buehler (6-5, 5.18 ERA) to the mound. The right-hander hopes to remain consistent, especially after his rough stretch before the All-Star break. Over a brutal 11-inning span, Buehler was tagged for 20 runs.
He settled down in the second half, giving the Padres a chance to win each start. One pitching issue that has lingered all season is his control. Buehler’s command of the strike zone has been missing in 2026. It has allowed opponents to put the ball in play and increased his runners stranded on base rate for the season.
The Snakes will counter with rookie Kole Drake (0-0, 4.85 ERA), who is making his fourth career start in the majors. Injuries to the starting rotation have forced the D-Backs to call up their promising young starters. Drake has been very solid in each outing, but he must maintain consistency to remain in the majors.
The left-hander is vulnerable to giving up the long ball, as he averages over two home runs per start. The Friars’ middle of the order (Manny Machado, Ty France, and Jackson Merrill) will provide a challenge this evening.
Drake has pitched only 13 innings, so it is tough to decide if he is a swing-and-miss pitcher. But his strikeout numbers (12 Ks) are impressive.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 06: Kevin McGonigle #7 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tigers’ offense was on fire in their 11-0 win against the Seattle Mariners.
The Tigers were looking to come away with a series win after a strange and difficult game two of their series against the Mariners. They were hoping to avoid more antics and ejections this time around and just come up with a nice win. To get the job done, they had Framber Valdez on the mound, up against Bryce Miller for the Mariners.
The Tigers wasted no time getting a man on base as Kevin McGonigle got a leadoff walk. Then, with one out, Dillon Dingler hit a two-run homer to center.
Spencer Torkelson walked, but he was followed by two outs to leave him stranded. However, the Tigers were up 3-0 after one. In the bottom of the inning with one out, Randy Arozarena walked. But Dominic Canzone hit into a force out to eliminate the baserunner. A third out then followed to leave a runner on base and end the inning.
With one out in the second, McGonigle singled. A Gleyber Torres groundout pushed McGonigle to second, then a Dingler singled brought McGonigle home to extend Detroit’s lead.
Cole Young took a leadoff walk in the third (that’s at least one walk per inning so far between the teams). Weston Wilson then hit into a double play to eliminate the baserunner, and a strikeout made short order of the side.
In the top of the third the Tigers went 1-2-3 for the first time in the game. In the home half the Mariners got a two-out single from Taylor Ward, but that was followed by a groundout to leave their baserunner stranded.
It was another 1-2-3 for the Tigers in the top of the fourth. Julio Rodriguez got a one-out single, with a well-placed line drive to center. But he was swiftly eliminated in a double play off the bat of Young.
After starting out hot, it was another three-up, three-down inning for the Tigers in the fifth. Valdez returned the favor, though, getting the Mariners out in order in the home half. Dare I say Valdez has been looking very efficient today? Don’t make me regret it, Framber!
Michael Rucker replaced Miller in the top of the sixth and he got the Tigers out in order. In the home half, Colt Emerson got things started with a single. Then, with one out, Arozarena singled. The Tigers were able to get out of the jam, though, getting the next two outs to leave two on and no runs scored.
In the seventh, Cole Wilcox was the new pitcher for the Mariners. With one out, Zach McKinstry walked. Then McGonigle hit a two-run homer, adding on some insurance runs.
Gleyber Torres singled, then Dingler singled behind him. Thanks to a fielding error from Taylor Ward and some heads-up baserunning from Torres, another run scored and Dingler ended up at second.
With two outs, Josh Simpson had to replace Wilcox as Wilcox appeared to have pulled something in his ribs while delivering a pitch to Greene. Keith singled, bringing Dingler in for another run.
In the bottom of the seventh with one out Wilson snuck a single into left. Valdez then did exactly what he does best and induced a ground ball to turn a double play to end the inning. His final line for the game was 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K on 95 pitches. A really nice outing for him even though he started to show signs of struggle in the seventh; he was able to course-correct.
Javier Baez hit a beautifully placed single into left field. Then McKinstry was hit by a pitch in the leg, though it did look unintentional and there was no reaction from the benches. Ben Malgeri came in for McGonigle, and singled. Rodriguez completely lost the ball in the sun and it dropped on him. The play probably should have been ruled an error, but at the time was called a single. Hao-Yu Lee came up with bases loaded and got hit in the ankle with a pitch in the dirt. Rivas almost made the same error as Rodriguez catching Lee’s final foul. Dingler struck out, leaving the bases loaded. Kyle Finnegan was the new Tigers pitcher for the eighth. Leo Rivas singled, but was then eliminated thanks to a double play off the bat of Emerson, then a final out wrapped up the inning in short order.
Position player pitching alert as Victor Robles came in for the Mariners. A pinch-hitting James Outman got a leadoff single. Then Colt Keith singled. Robles should have studied at the Jake Rogers school of position player Eephus pitching. Spencer Torkelson singled to load the bases. Max Clark singled, bringing Outman home. Baez singled right down the left base line, scoring two more runs. With one out, Malgeri walked, re-loading the bases. Robles actually managed to get out of this jam, inducing two outs to end the inning.
Brenan Hanifee came out of the Tigers’ bullpen for the bottom of the ninth. Canzone got a one-out single into right. They were able to wrap up the inning and maintain the shutout, sealing the series win.
The misdemeanor unlawful carrying of weapons charge that the Cleveland Cavaliers guard had been hit with stemming from his June arrest was dropped Thursday, according to court records viewed by The California Post.
The mugshot of NBA star James Harden released following his arrest. The Houston Police Dept.Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden’s gun case was dismissed in Houston today. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Harris County, Texas prosecutors wrote in a motion to dismiss the case that they were seeking to dispose of the matter after Harden had completed an “alternative resolution agreement.”
A judge formally signed off on the motion just before 4 p.m. CT, the records show.
Harden was taken into custody on June 13 by the Houston Police Department after he allegedly had an unholstered firearm in plain view in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop. AP Photo/Adam Hunger
Messages seeking comment from Harden’s attorney as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office were not returned.
Harden was taken into custody on June 13 by the Houston Police Department after the 11-time All-Star allegedly had an unholstered firearm in plain view in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop.
Harden never publicly commented on the arrest, though the Cavaliers said in a statement on the day of the incident that they were “aware” of the situation and were “in the process of gathering additional information.”
“We are in contact with James and his representation,” the team said, “and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
Harden spent nine seasons of his NBA career in Houston. He had played for the Los Angeles Clippers for over two years before joining Cleveland this past season.
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This game was lost, over, done, the Cubs totally dominated by Blue Jays pitching. And then Alex Bregman banged one off the ad sign in left field just over the basket for a game-tying homer and Pete Crow-Armstrong made the winning run happen by stealing third and drawing a bad throw in the 11th inning.
Wow. Just wow. Yes, I have more words, but those are pretty good, let me say it again: Wow!
This game did not start well. David Peterson struggled in the first inning, issuing a one-out walk and giving up a single. Then George Springer hit into a force play, pushing Kazuma Okamoto to third.
Now, you have to remember that Springer is nearly 37 years old. It’s the first inning. He’s not a base-stealing threat, yet Peterson kept throwing over. Once, twice, three times — well, you can’t do that if you don’t get the runner, and he didn’t, thus it’s what’s termed a “disengagement violation,” officially scored a balk, and a run scored. If you didn’t see it, watch [VIDEO].
I don’t know how often that happens across MLB but I don’t think I can recall a Cubs pitcher doing it, and it cost Peterson a run. About the balk, from BCB’s JohnW53:
The run-scoring first-inning balk by David Peterson was the Cubs’ second balk of the season. Colin Rea had one July 1 at Wrigley in the 23-3 demolition of the Padres. The Guardians, Orioles and Rangers also had one. The White Sox had the most, eight. The Athletics and Diamondbacks had seven, and three teams had six, including the Blue Jays.
Peterson had a lot of traffic on the bases through his five innings, but got helped by inducing a couple of double plays. Overall the line doesn’t look too bad — five innings, one run, three strikeouts — but it was a slog. Of his 15 outs, he did get the ground balls he’s known for, nine of them were on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Cubs could not do anything with Dylan Cease, and he’s done this before — two years ago he threw seven one-hit innings against the Cubs while with the Padres, striking out 12. That was pretty much what he did in this one, allowing just a walk to Miguel Amaya in the third, a fourth-inning single to Alex Bregman and a sixth-inning single by Amaya. Only Amaya, on the sixth-inning single, got past second base. He reached third with two out but Michael Busch struck out to end the inning.
The game went 1-0 into the seventh, thanks to a scoreless sixth by Ryan Rolison, and then Aaron Civale gave the Jays a second run in the top of that inning. Toronto executed a successful sacrifice bunt in that rally, something we don’t see around Wrigley much, as the Cubs are dead last in MLB in sac bunts this year with just five.
Civale then threw a scoreless eighth and ninth. The Cubs went down 1-2-3 in the eighth, so the last of the ninth was their last chance.
PCA led off with a single and one out later, went to second on a ground out by Busch.
You can hear the ball loudly bang off the metal advertising sign, land in the basket and then fall to the field. As was said on that video clip, what a moment for Bregman, who’s struggled much of this year. That was his 12th home run and as dramatic as they come. And it’s very rare — details from John:
Alex Bregman’s home run was just the Cubs’ 11th since 1910 that tied the score with the Cubs behind by two runs and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The previous one was nearly 13 years ago, on Aug. 22, 2013, by Donnie Murphy off Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals.
The others were by Vic Saier in 1913, Woody English in 1930, Zeke Bonura in 1940, Ernie Banks in 1954, Keith Moreland in 1986, Andre Dawson in 1987, Aramis Ramirez in 2005, Bryan LaHair in 2011 and Darwin Barney in 2012.
They have had six such homers on the road.
Beyond all that, Jays closer Louis Varland has been one of the best closers in MLB all year. That was just the second home run he’s allowed this year of 230 batters faced — and his first blown save.
So the game went to extras. Caleb Thielbar, who had a rough go of things Wednesday, entered to throw the 10th and he got out of it 1-2-3 — in part thanks to this fantastic catch by Bregman [VIDEO].
In the bottom of the 10th, Tyrone Taylor was sent in to run for Ian Happ as the placed runner. Nico Hoerner popped to short right, then Michael Conforto was intentionally walked. A wild pitch moved the runners up, but Dansby Swanson struck out.
Props to Clement, that was an absolutely outstanding play.
So, on to the 11th, with Trent Thornton pitching. He retired the first two Jays, with placed runner Clement taking third on the second out, a ground out. Andres Gimenez was intentionally passed, and he stole second uncontested.
Thornton then got a ground ball to short to end the inning.
Kelly was the placed runner in the bottom of the 11th. The Cubs had to do that because Amaya had been removed and no one else could catch. This proved to be important, for a moment, anyway.
PCA took second on that throw, and that proved to be very important. Suzuki was intentionally passed as the Jays tried to set up a double play situation. Then PCA took off for third on Brendon Little’s first pitch to Busch and… well, you know what happened, now watch [VIDEO].
This is the sort of thing that makes PCA such a strong MVP candidate. Beyond the homers, beyond the defense, beyond just the steals, he can create havoc on the basepaths and today, it gave the Cubs a crazy walk-off win. That completed the homestand with five wins in seven games and should set them up well for the upcoming road trip to Kansas City and Washington.
About winning a game in this fashion, from John:
The last time the Cubs earned a walk-off win on an error was on a nearly similar play, almost 30 years ago, on Sept. 27, 1996, vs. the Pirates. With the score 9-9 and two out in the ninth, Jose Hernandez walked on a 3-2 pitch and advanced to second on an infield hit by Luis Gonzalez. When pitcher Joe Boever threw a wild pitch on an 0-1 count to Mark Grace, Hernandez headed for third. Catcher Jason Kendall threw the ball past the base and Hernandez raced home.
If you were at Wrigley Thursday afternoon, you know the excitement felt by everyone at the ol’ ballyard. This was one of the best wins, if not the best win, of the entire season to date. The Cubs kept pace with the Brewers, who also won Thursday, and remain 5.5 games out of first place in the NL Central.
One more historic fact about this game from John:
With today’s win, the Cubs’ are 600 games above .500 in their 22,533 regular-season games since 1876, first year of the National League: 11,486 wins and 10,886 losses. They have tied 161 games.
This is the first time they have been +600 in more than 27 years, since June 16, 1999, when they were 9,324-8,724-160 following an 11-4 loss at Milwaukee.
Beginning the next day, they lost four straight games at San Francisco, to drop to .500 for the season and they never were above .500 the rest of the year.
The Cubs’ all-time peak was 1,179 games above .500 after a 6-3 win at home over the Phillies on June 14, 1947.
The Cubs open a six-game road trip Friday evening in Kansas City. As of now pitchers are not officially listed for either the Cubs or Royals, but it’s been generally known that Kevin Gausman should make his Cubs debut in this game. Hopefully I’ll have more info on Friday’s starters by the time Heroes and Goats posts tomorrow morning. Game time Friday is 7:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
Now go enjoy this win and watch that winning play as much as you want!
Jaylen Brown revealed he was in sheer disbelief when he was traded to the 76ers. So much so that he chucked his phone.
The five-time All-Star was introduced to the Philadelphia media on Thursday and discussed how he found out he was being traded.
“When I first got traded I just threw my phone across the room,” Brown told reporters of his reaction to the July deal that sent him from Boston to Philly.
“Who [reached out] first? It might have been [Tyrese] Maxxey. … He reached out and was like, ‘I know there’s a lot of stuff going on right now, but we [are] excited to have you.'”
Jaylen Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Brown was acquired by the 76ers after much speculation about where he’d play in 2026-27. In return, the Celtics got Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks.
Brown added that he’s still processing the news. He said the excitement of being in a new city with new expectations hasn’t worn off.
He also pointed out that he was in Boston for 10 years, over a third of the 29-year-old’s life to this point, and has to get used to his new normal.
A large part of his Celtics experience was shared with Jayson Tatum, and their relationship was rumored to have deteriorated throughout the past few seasons.
Brown, however, said Thursday that he leaves Tatum with nothing but respect.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown poses for a photo during his introductory press conference. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“We won a championship together,” Brown said. “Anybody that you win a championship with, you think that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail.
“Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any type of relationship, for sure. On my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays for the Sixers, I hope he does well.”
Another relationship brought into the limelight after the trade was Brown and 76ers star Joel Embiid.
“It’s been good,” Brown said about his relationship with Embiid. “Me and Joel been friends throughout the years, have mutual respect. I know he loves soccer, I love soccer, so we talk about that a lot.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 4: Leo Jiménez #19 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every single time I clone the game coverage posts and for the game thread I don’t even have to erase Martin Perez’ name. Sigh.
One of the more contentious rivalries in the NHL in recent years has been between the two Stanley Cup contenders in Florida.
After coming into the league a year apart back in the early 1990s, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have seen plenty of each other over the past three-plus decades.
It wasn’t until both teams were playoff-worthy and started locking horns during the postseason that the rivalry between the interstate rivals really kicked into high gear.
Two of the players who have been at the forefront of the rivalry in recent years has been Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk and Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel.
Both are considered top players for their respective clubs, making the animosity shared between them that much more fun to behold.
"I don't know him personally at all, to be honest,” Hagel said. “We kind of just went at it, and I'm sure he goes at it with a lot of guys.”
In addition to the combative contests played between the Cats and Bolts, Tkachuk and Hagel have seen their conflict go beyond the NHL, as both are also among the first players selected to represent their countries – Tkachuk with the United States and Hagel with Canada – when the time comes for international play.
Most recently, that has been at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, which famously featured a fight-filled opening matchup between the U.S. and Canada in which Tkahcuk and Hagel went toe-to-toe just seconds after the opening faceoff.
“I thought he was tough, to be honest,” Hagel said. “When he asked me at the 4 Nations, I was like, 'Oh boy, I've never squared up in my life, like ever, and now I'm doing it on the biggest stage.’ My heart was just like, 'All right, here we go.’ When you're in the thick of things, and obviously fighting him then and fighting him again, it's kind of one of those things that I'll do it whenever.”
Hagel admitted that dropping the gloves with Tkachuk on a massive stage that had tons of eyeballs on it was one of the cooler things he’s been involved with during his career.
“You couldn’t really make it up,” he said. “Obviously he’s really good at what he does, his job and doing what he has to do. (My phone) was definitely blowing up.”
One of the plays that has helped endear Hagel to the Panthers and the rivalry was a massive hit on Florida captain Sasha Barkov during the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hagel was given a five-minute major for interference on the play and was subsequently suspended for the following game while Barkov initially went to the locker room but ultimately was no worse for the wear.
“I saw him coming and (the puck) got chipped past (Lightning defenseman Ryan) McDonagh, so in my head I’m just going to line (Barkov) up because he’s going to hit the puck,” Hagel said. “I thought he hit it but McDonagh hit it, so I blew him up. From that standpoint, it is what it is.”
Ultimately, Hagel feels the way that most players and hockey fans do.
As long as nobody is getting hurt, its all a majorly entertaining part of playing hockey and something that makes the sport so unique and interesting.
“Everything that goes on, I think its so good for the game,” said Hagel. “It’s bringing back that rivalry type of thing. You get in a fight, you get punched in the head, you get a broken nose or a black eye, whoop-de-doo, you’re good and you can still play in the game type of thing. I think it’s so good for hockey. I think they’re an unbelievable team, I think they have that winning mentality, and we have that winning mentality too, and those are probably two of the best teams going at it three of four times a year and potentially in the playoffs. Obviously, no one wants to get injured, but I think whatever is going on there and everyone (knows) going into the game, its actually fun to be a part of and I think its so good for the game.”
Photo caption: Feb 28, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wingMatthewTkachuk(19) and Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel (38)fightfor the puck in the first period at Amalie Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 17: Bailey Ober #17 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) | Getty Images
FIRST PITCH: 640p Central TELEVISION: Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), ESPN Application (why?) RADIO: WCCO 830 AM “News/Talk”, KMNB 102.9 FM “The Wolf”, Pablo López Baseball Network, Audacy Application KNOW THE FOE:Royals Review
The Minnesota Twins look to salvage something… anything… from this series with the Kansas City Royals. The series is lost, but they have one more chance to achieve a lot: leave K. C. with a win in their pocket, leave K. C. with the first win of the month, and, well, just leave Kansas City. Luckily, the American League Central teams the Twins are chasing are also hitting a rough patch: both the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Spiders have lost their last two going into today; the Sox are 5-5 in their last ten games while the Spiders are 3-7, but the Twins can’t take advantage. Unluckily, the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners – who just took a series against Minnesota this past weekend – are now lock-step with Twins in the A. L. Wild Card race. Lastly, while the Twins may have had the Detroit Tigers by the tail (it was plain to see), the Tigers have Minnie and Paul by the tail as they’re a half-game behind them.
The Twins offense have a slightly better chance at getting to a Royals starter as Kansas City will call upon Michael Wacha. Minnesota touched him up in early June to the tune of eight hits, five runs (four earned), no walks, and only two strikeouts. Wacha had a bit of a struggle in July as well, putting up a 4.25 ERA/4.81 FIP in 29.2 innings of work during five starts; the Royals went 2-3 during his starts in that timeframe.
On the flip side, Bailey Ober will answer the call for Minnesota. He faced the Royals a week ago today and went six strong innings, allowing only four hits, a couple of walks, and three runs (two earned) while striking out three. The Twins offense were nowhere to be found until Kody Clemens’ super-cool grand salami put things to rest. Historically, Ober has been notoriously “Not Good” against the Royals in his career. He’s started against them 15 times and has a 4.60 ERA against them. The ERA jumps to 5.02 when it’s narrowed down to Kauffman Stadium.
It's now been 10 years since the Detroit Red Wings last played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a far cry from the days when they were one of the NHL's model franchises. During their run of 25 straight postseason appearances, they reached six Stanley Cup Finals and won four championships.
Things have gone downhill since Detroit was last viewed as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender around 2012. Although the Red Wings made the playoffs from 2013 through 2016, they managed to win just one series during that stretch.
Now, the franchise finds itself in even more uncertainty. The Red Wings are without a general manager following Steve Yzerman's departure last month, and they could soon lose captain Dylan Larkin as well after he requested a trade shortly after the end of the season.
While Yzerman made his share of mistakes during his time as Detroit's general manager, there's no denying that the club's fortunes could have been different had it not been for multiple notable Draft blunders before his return in 2019.
After missing the postseason for the first time in 25 years in 2017, the Red Wings entered that year's Draft with the ninth overall pick, which was used on forward Michael Rasmussen.
While hindsight is 20/20, that selection proved to be another notch in a series of complete misses by former GM Ken Holland and Amateur Scouting Director Tyler Wright, and continues to haunt the Red Wings nearly a decade later, considering what the players they passed on have accomplished.
At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Michael Rasmussen has the physical profile of a prototypical power forward, but he has rarely played that way. Although he scored a combined 63 goals in 97 games over his final two seasons with the WHL's Tri-City Americans, that offensive production has never translated to the NHL.
His best goal-scoring season with the Red Wings came in 2021-22, when he recorded 15 goals in 80 games. He followed that with a career-high 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 2023-24, but his production has declined since, totaling just 21 and 14 points over the past two respective seasons.
Making that harder to swallow is the fact that players like Owen Tippett, Martin Necas, Nick Suzuki, Robert Thomas, Jason Robertson, and Josh Norris were all selected after Rasmussen. All of them have made significant contributions since entering the NHL, leaps and bounds ahead of what Rasmussen has provided for Detroit.
The Red Wings also missed a major opportunity in the 2018 NHL Draft, opting to select Filip Zadina over hometown product Quinn Hughes from the nearby University of Michigan. Zadina has become one of the most notable draft busts of the past decade, while Hughes has developed into one of the NHL's premier players.
There were other notable misses in prior drafts. In 2015, the Red Wings selected Evgeny Svechnikov with the 19th overall pick over names like Brock Boeser, Timo Meier, and Travis Konecny. The following season, Detroit selected defenseman Dennis Cholowski over names such as Alex DeBrincat and Tage Thompson.
Those multiple misses set the Red Wings back years, and made the situation that Yzerman inherited all the more difficult.
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Now in a new uniform, Luis Castillo gets his first start for the White Sox. | (MLB Photos/Getty Images)
As someone who has been to Boston and Fenway, I can say both are lovely. When I was there, the White Sox won, so I was able to leave happy. Unfortunately, this series has me so excited about the White Sox getting the hell out of there because it’s been nothing short of a disaster. The Red Sox managed to get red-hot in July, and they’re continuing the domination into August. (Thank goodness for the Mets right now, because they’re keeping Cleveland off our tails.)
Tonight, we’ll see our final trade deadline acquisition, Luis Castillo, on the mound. Also in the lineup are our newest catcher, Joey Bart, behind the plate and Brenton Doyle in center field. Despite Andrew Benintendi’s success this series, Randal Grichuk will DH instead. Maybe the change will actually help.
Ranger Suárez (4-3) will get the start for Boston. Their lineup stays consistent, with batters who can launch a ball over the Green Monster with ease.
First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CT. You can watch the game on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000.
Triston Casas’ bumpy path back to the majors has hit another setback.
The slugging first baseman, who has not appeared in an MLB game since he was carted off the field at Fenway Park last May after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee, went under the knife once again. Boston announced Thursday that the 26-year-old underwent a successful left wrist arthroscopy.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas walks off the field before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Baltimore. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
While the Red Sox did not provide a timeline for his return to baseball activities, the procedure likely means he will miss the entire 2026 campaign.
As he recovered from knee surgery, Casas went down with an intercostal strain on the left side of his ribs in April, which shut him down indefinitely.
Interim manager Chad Tracy announced in late June that Casas had begun taking light swings and doing soft toss, but a wrist injury shut him down again just two weeks later.
“Those things are better,” Tracy told the Boston Herald in late July of Casas’ knee and intercostal strain recoveries. “Those things kind of got better, he started swinging again and the wrist thing is what popped up after that, so he’s still dealing with that.”
Casas is carted off after suffering a major knee injury in the second inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Friday, May 2, 2025. Boston Globe via Getty Images
After undergoing wrist surgery, Casas’ future with the Boston — after appearing to be a possible fixture for years to come — now remains uncertain.
He debuted with the Red Sox in 2022 and enjoyed a breakout the following season, slashing .263/.367/.490 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs in 132 games.
Casas had a strong start in 2024, but a series of rib injuries derailed his season.
After his scary knee injury last season, Boston acquired Willson Contreras to man first base with Casas’ health uncertain.
Carson Benge kept it short and sweet when asked about his approach at the plate of late.
“See ball, hit ball.”
That simple-swinging approach certainly seems to be working for the youngster.
Benge has been enjoying himself a spectacular rookie campaign, and he kept that rolling to help the Mets secure a sweep-clinching victory over the Guardians on Thursday.
He was retired his first time up but then picked up an extra-base hit for the third consecutive game, lacing an RBI triple 411 feet high off the center-field fence.
Marcus Semien brought him home with a sacrifice fly two batters later.
Benge was retired two more times but also singled twice on the afternoon, reaching base three times while also scoring a pair of runs across six plate appearances.
He finished the series 5-for-15, with three of those hits going for extra-bases.
“It’s just about being on time and getting a pitch I can handle,” Benge said.
While he’s battled through some tough stretches like any rookie would, the 23-year-old seems to just keep getting better and better as the season progresses.
Benge is now hitting .294 with six homers, 18 RBI, and a .809 OPS over his last 40 games.
“He’s doing a good job,” interim manager Andy Green said. “Shooting the ball to all parts of the park, putting together professional AB's -- it looks like he’s been around for a while instead of just four months, it’s a good start to a career.”
Legendary San Francisco Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow announced on Thursday, April 6, that he's calling it a career after 36 years in the booth. The voice of Giants baseball alongside his commentary partner Duane Kuiper, Krukow, 74, will retire at the end of the season.
The duo known as "Kruk and Kuip" have been a mainstay in the Bay Area over the past three decades that spanned some of the most memorable eras in the club's history. They called three World Series runs and Barry Bonds' road to surpassing Hank Aaron as MLB's all-time home run king, and they did so in their own unique way.
The pair coined so many terms that The Athletic published an in-depth glossary with all of their iconic sayings, from "Bettina Bunge backhand" to "Yarrraaaarraaarrrarrrahhhaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh" (the sound someone makes when they get caught yawning on camera).
Krukow and Kuiper are so legendary together, that Ken Rosenthal openly advocated on Thursday for the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame to make an exception to its longstanding policy of only allowing broadcasters to be inducted into Cooperstown one at a time.
Kuiper told The Athletic he plans on continuing next season.
"I just want to let everyone know that I will be retiring at the end of the season. I want to take this time to thank you for your incredible support," Krukow said in a statement released by the Giants. "Jennifer and I have been so blessed to be able to stay in the game for as long as we have and it’s really made it impossible to feel sorry for myself that my career is coming to an end.
"We are bracing for the emotional hits we know we are going to feel in the next few weeks. Jennifer and I are wondering if it is even possible to let everyone know how deeply we love and respect our Giants family. Our time together has been a gift. When Green Day asked, 'I hope you’ve had the time of your lives,' we certainly have."
In honor of one of baseball's biggest voices, here's a look back at some of Krukow's (and Kuiper's) most memorable calls:
'We are the Giants, we are San Francisco, and we are World Champions'
Ok, technically this one isn't a call, but it's just as iconic as any other moment Krukow has had in the booth. At the Giants World Series parade on Oct. 31, 2012, Krukow took the mic and gave an unforgettable speech to the thousands of fans in front of City Hall to celebrate their team's second title in three years.
Barry Bonds' 756th career home run to break Hank Aaron's record
On Aug. 7, 2007, Bonds swung on a payoff pitch from Mike Bacsik, sending it sailing into the San Francisco summer night. Kuiper and Krukow perfectly captured the intense fervor of Oracle Park (then known as AT&T Park) crowd as they witnessed history:
"Bonds hits one high! Hits it deeeeeeeep! It is... outta here! 756. Bonds stands alone."
'Time to drop trou, hog out'
Back in June this season when the "tarps off" trend of fans taking off their shirts was at its peak, Giants rookie Bryce Eldridge came to the plate with the bases loaded and San Francisco trailing the Washington Nationals 10-7 in the bottom of the ninth.
"It may be more than 'tarps off' if Eldridge knocks one out of here," Kuip quipped.
Krukow responded, "I'm gonna hold you to it. Time to drop trou, hog out."
Eldridge indeed walked it off with a grand slam that cleared the wall in right field to complete a comeback from a 9-1 deficit.
Kuip: "It may be more than 'tarps off' if Eldridge knocks one out of here."
Kruk: "I'm gonna hold you to it. Time to drop trou, hog out."
Two days later, Krukow explained the origin behind that phrase in an interview with Brian Murphy and Markus Boucher on KNBR.
"Most of what I’ve ever used on the show, during the game, is just vernacular that's in the clubhouse, something that you heard along the way and all of a sudden, it just seems like it was appropriate," Krukow told Murphy and Boucher. "Now, I don’t know if that was appropriate.
"Back in the day, when we had 'kangaroo court,' that was one of the fines. Games over and you have a big [food] spread in the middle of the clubhouse and everybody has a bite to eat. That’s when you have your meal. And guys are going in and out of the shower. Well, if you go from your locker and you’re heading to the shower and you’ve got nothing on and you walk by the spread and you reach over and grab a piece of salami or something, that’s a fine. The fine is 'drop trou, hog out,' that’s 50 bucks. Some guys would go to the shower and they’d get fined, well, at least they’d get written down. Then they’d come back and do it again.
"So, dropping trou and hogging out had to do with how you approached the spread after a game, but it kind of found its way into the game on Wednesday and it just felt appropriate. That’s all I can say."
One silver lining about the Giants’ brutal record is that they can afford to give other players an opportunity to contribute on the big league club for the rest of the year, who otherwise might not have gotten a chance if San Francisco was in the pennant race.
One such player got his opportunity to shine on Wednesday and made the most of it.
Eddys Leonard of the San Francisco Giants hits a double against the Texas Rangers. Getty Images
25-year-old infielder Eddys Leonard made his MLB debut on Tuesday after spending nine years and over 3,000 plate appearances in the minor leagues. He recorded his first MLB hit with a double in the second inning and was grinning from ear to ear when reaching second base.
The game’s broadcast cameras panned to Leonard’s family, who was out of their seats and celebrating in hysteria after the hit. Leonard also pointed to his family afterwards.
After more than 3,000 plate appearances in the Minor Leagues, Eddys Leonard has his first MLB hit! pic.twitter.com/LyjRhwRsrM
“A long time ago, I was waiting for that moment, and it happened today. I give all the glory to God,” Leonard added. “I’m not going to lie, I was crying because I was waiting for this moment for a long time.”
The family of San Francisco Giants batter Eddys Leonard celebrates after his first MLB hit. MLB
Leonard also said that he planned to give the ball to his parents, because “They deserve it. This wouldn’t be possible without them because of all the things that they did when I was a little kid.”
Perhaps Leonard can give Giants fans more reasons to smile as this season continues.
San Francisco Giants left fielder Eddys Leonard (49) celebrates his first MLB hit. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Aug 6, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Blue Jays 2 Cubs 3 (11 innings)
Two outs in the ninth and two strikes, I figured it was time to open the computer and get on the recap. Boom. Alex Bregman homers to tie the game.
It was hardly fair to Dylan Cease who threw seven innings of two hit ball with one walk and ten strikeouts. He was amazing. Couldn’t gave been any better.
And Braydon Fisher threw a quick and efficient eighth.
Louis Varland gave up a single to start the ninth, then got a fly out (fairly deep to center) and a ground out. Then got to 1-2 on Bregman, threw a pitch right at the bottom of the zone (but dead center) and it ended up over the left field wall. Varland’s first blown save of the season.
We didn’t score in the top of the ninth.
Chase Lee got the tenth. With the runner on second he got a fly out. They opted to intentionally walk the next batter, to set up the double play. But wild pitch ended that hope. Runners on second and third, but Lee (with a five-man infield) got a strike out. Then Carson Kelly lined one up the middle, which looked like it was going to be the game, but Ernie Clement made an amazing jumping catch.
So, we got to the 11th. Our old friend Trent Thornton on the mound and Clement on second. The Jays strikeout (Josh Smith), ground out (Jesús Sánchez), intentional walk and a Straw ground out.
Brendon Little got the bottom of the inning. The first batter singled up the middle, but Straw made a great throw to get the runner at the plate. We were back to a runner on second, Pete Crow-Armstrong, now with one out. He went to steal throw, Brandon Valenzuala’s throw was a little off line, and it got past Josh Smith at third. Game over.
We scored one in:
The first: Kazuma Okamonto walked with one out. Alejandro Kirk singled, George Springer hit into a force at second, putting runners on second. And we scored on everyone’s favourite play, a ‘disengagement violation’. David Peterson threw to first three times.
The seventh: Andrés Giménez started it with a single. Myles Straw bunted him to second. After an Okamoto fly out, Kirk singled bringing in our second (and last run).
We had 11 hits and 4 walks, we should have scored more than two runs. Kirk had four hits. Giménez three. Clement two. Straw (2 k), Springer and Nathan Lukes (1 k). Well, Davis Schneider was 0 for 1, but had two walks.
We were 1 for 19 (yes, 19) with RISP. David Peterson was terrible and we couldn’t score against him. If you can’t score, you can’t win.
Jays of the Day: Cease (0.47), Lee (0.31), Kirk (0.22) and Fisher (0.09)
Other Award: Varland (-0.41), Straw (-0.28, but the throw from center should subtract some from that), Springer (-0.29), Lukes (-0.20), Smith (-0.15) and Clement (-0.11). I’m also giving on to Valenzula for the bad throw. Little had the number too, but all of that was from the throwing error.
Tomorrow the Jays will be in Philadelphia and we get our first look at José Soriano. Scott Wheeler starts for the Phillies.
