SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 09: Ian Seymour #61 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome back to Rays Reacts. We asked, you voted. This time, we inquired on your confidence in the Rays starting rotation, which as a question conjures playoff considerations.
Practically, many teams skate by with just three plus starting pitchers, so personally I’m not too worried about how the rotation shakes out down the stretch. Despite losing Griffin Jax to injury — he recently got an injection in his elbow, and has resumed throwing at 120 feet — Rasmussen and Martinez are solid, Sugar Shane just pitched three clean innings in Durham on a rehab start, the Rays are settling Peralta into the Rays way, and Seymour is over-achieving expectations for a pitcher with 14 career starts at the MLB level.
I’m confident, but more importantly, how did y’all feel?
Minor concerns is fair!
Jax and McClanahan are indeed injured, Seymour was recently in the bullpen, and Peralta is new. It’s reasonable to be concerned at least a little bit.
If you are feeling confident, you are welcomed to place some responsible bets on the strength of that confidence through FanDuel, who sponsors this series.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The day before Mike D’Antoni was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Bright Side sat down with the former Phoenix Suns head coach about his time with the Suns, building the iconic Seven Seconds or Less offense, and what he’s feeling before his big day.
(The following answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.)
Now that it’s Hall of Fame Weekend, what are you feeling?
Mike D’Antoni: It’s a great honor. I mean, I’m sure if you asked all people getting into the Hall of Fame, they would say: “Oh my gosh, this is the best.” It kind of validates all the stuff that went on all the years, and it’s a great cap off to a good career. I’m happy with the way it went. I got to be doing something I love for a long time, and it’s the best.
Who were some of the influential factors in your life to tell you to be yourself? You were an untraditional coach.
MD: Well, you know, besides being from a family that does that, and my brother who was coaching with me that had a similar philosophy, the main two guys were Jerry Colangelo and Brian Colangelo.
They put the team together, and then we’re talking about how to play and whatever, and I’m saying, you know, my gut says we should do this, but the traditional way is that. And they say, “go with your gut, do what you think’s best”. And so that’s when I decided to move Amar’e Stoudemire to the five and Shawn Marion to the four. It comes from years and years of playing, years and years of coaching, and past experiences from when I was a player, and what would feel good, and then as a coach and how it went with my team at Olympia Milano when I really started that.
How did you find people to buy into your unconventional coaching strategies?
MD: The players adapt easily because most of the time when you spread the floor, and you run and you give them confidence, then their talents come out. I always try to coach where I didn’t put a ceiling on the players. I trusted them; they knew I trusted them. I didn’t second-guess them. At my level, at the NBA level, you can do that because you have great players that, if they’re not selfish, then they will do what’s right for the team. And I was just blessed with having so many players that put the team first. And it’s easy also to put the team first when your stats are strong because everybody wants to earn money, and you got to earn money by having stats in a career year.
You went for volume?
MD: Yeah, we went where everybody can eat. Instead of that guy posting up this guy all the time, or going to a specific spot with the ball every time, we let everybody feed, and boy, they just bought in and went with it.
How did Amar’e Stoudemire adapt to your offense, and how did your relationship early in his career help when Steve Nash came back and the Seven Seconds or Less offense began?
MD: I think it helped. It didn’t hurt. Amar’e was just a raw talent. I could convince the players when I talked to them, and that’s like two hours a day, and we’re going to play a certain way.
But then they go home and they got to listen to their family members, their uncle who knows better than anybody, and the barber who tells them you can’t play that way that it’s going to kill you, or you listen to talk radio or old talking heads, the old players that play a certain way, and so I knew that doubt would creep in, and we just got really lucky that we went 31-4 right off the bat in the 2004-2005 season. Then the players were buying more in, and we’re up 20 at every time at halftime. So they’re buying in, and then it was easy.
When people say that the Seven Seconds or Less offense changed the NBA, what does that mean to Mike D’Antoni, the person?
MD: It’s obviously a little exaggerated. I think we influenced it. Basketball is always evolving, so it was going to happen. Then Steve Kerr and Steph Curry and those guys took it and validated what we tried to do in Phoenix. They’re playing the way that we played because we did it kind of without analytics, and we didn’t have that knowledge yet, and so now they do it with analytics telling them that’s the way to go, and so it’s obviously satisfying.
I’m more of a fan now and guess what? It’s fun to watch, it’s fun to see people’s talents, and so it is very satisfying. I’m very proud of the fact, and happy to have players and management that bought in, and we went with it.
Do you see any budding Mike D’Antoni-style coaches in the NBA?
They’ll do it better. Coaches keep getting better, and I don’t follow that close. I obviously follow guys like Kenny Atkinson, who was with me in New York. But everybody has their style and their demeanor, and it works all kinds of different ways. There’s not one way to play, and you got to do what’s best for your personnel, and that could be all kinds of different venues. And when that happens, you’re a good coach. Whether it’s my style or somebody else’s style, it doesn’t matter.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees celebratres his eighth inning grand slam home run against the Minnesota Twins with teammates Aaron Judge #99, Gleyber Torres #25 and Giancarlo Stanton #27 at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While he’s been better of late, Trent Grisham slumped in much of the early going of the season. That became a bit more problematic than it would be as he’s spent much of this season as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter. Through Wednesday, Grisham was posting a .678 OPS while hitting first in the Yankees’ order,
The thing is, those struggles haven’t been as prevalent in pretty much any other spot in the lineup. In all other plate appearances besides the ones in the one hole, Grisham had a .854 OPS going into Thursday. This got me thinking about the randomness that often come within season splits. However, I was intrigued by the opposite of what’s happening to Grisham this year. I wanted to know what seasons Yankees’ players had where they absolutely went off while hitting in one particular spot in the batting order.
To try and figure this out, we’ll mainly be using two statistics available via Baseball Reference: tOPS+ and sOPS+. What tOPS+ does is measure how you did in a certain split compared to your overall numbers for the season. For example, a 120 tOPS+ means you were 20 percent better than in a given split than your overall numbers. Meanwhile, sOPS+ compares numbers in a certain split to the major league average. A 120 there means your numbers in that split were 20 percent better than the league average within that same split. We’re also going to put a minimum of 100 plate appearances on this to get a look at players who legitimately played there a bunch, and not just ones who had like one at-bat in a spot and happened to homer.
Hall of Fame shortstop Phil Rizzuto had the highest tOPS+ in this spot with 154 in 1954, but he didn’t actually hit all that great there (sub .700 OPS), he just did better there than anywhere else in one of the final years of his career. Instead, we’ll go with Bauer, who might have not have had the typical description of a traditional leadoff hitter and put up a .776 OPS overall for the season. However, he hit 16 of his 18 homers when Casey Stengel put him first in the order.
Batting 2nd: 1920 Bob Meusel (167 tOPS+, 228 sOPS+)
When I saw Meusel was especially dominant hitting second in 1920, my initial thought that he probably got a boost from hitting directly in front of Babe Ruth. However most of the time, Ruth was fourth in the lineup with Wally Pipp batting third. Pipp was very much respected in his day, but Meusel just happened to go off whenever he was second in the order, hitting .414/.436/.739.
While 2022 was a few years after his juiced-ball peak, he was still an above-average hitter that year. He did especially well hitting third, which often came with the benefit of hitting after one of Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, or Giancarlo Stanton. In 119 plate appearances there, he had a 1.050 OPS, including a third of all his walks on the year.
Batting 4th: 2018 Didi Gregorius (173 tOPS+, 187 sOPS+)
The 2018 campaign was the first one with Stanton on the team, and the Yankees often elected to hit him third with Judge in the two spot. That left Gregorius as an unconventional cleanup hitter, although you might not have known that he was if you just looked at his stats there. Hitting behind the two large boys helped Didi to a career year, as he had a .748 slugging percentage in the cleanup spot.
Batting 5th: 2023 Harrison Bader (163 tOPS+, 120 sOPS+)
With that 120 sOPS+, Bader was genuinely better hitting fifth than most other hitting there. He was also just so much better there than when he hit anywhere else. His .826 OPS in the five hole in 2023 isn’t awe-inspiring, but it’s funny how much better it is than his overall .643 with the Yankees that year, which ultimately got him waived in late August. This might be the purest form of what I was trying to find in making this lineup.
Batting 6th: 1987 Gary Ward (189 tOPS+, 159 sOPS+)
However, we have now immediately found someone that may be an even purer form. Gary Ward’s 1987 with the Yankees wasn’t especially great either, as his .675 OPS graded out to a 78 OPS+. However, hit him sixth and he turned into a legit slugger. He had 131 hits and 16 home runs in total that year, but if prorate what he did in the six hole and map out what he would’ve done over the whole season, he would’ve had 174 hits and 36 homers.
If Mapes was specifically hitting seventh in 1950, he became an absolutely on-base machine. He drew 17 walks there in 124 plate appearances, posting a .402 OBP. That’s almost as high as his slugging for the entire 1950 season: .421.
Posada’s big breakout would come in the 2000 season, as he was still a below average hitter on the whole in the 1999. However, he showed signs of what was to come in the future, specifically hitting eighth in 1999. Sixteen of his 33 extra-base hits came there, as his 1.004 OPS was nearly 300 points higher than his overall season one.
Batting 9th: 2019 Mike Tauchman (157 tOPS+, 272 sOPS+)
Mike Tauchman was one of the embodiments of the 2019 “Next Man Up” Yankees where it seemed like everyone who got playing time ended up contributing in a positive way. Acquired in a then-quiet deal with the Rockies for reliever Phillip Diehl at the end of spring training, the Sock Man’s overall season numbers that year were very good, but in the nine hole especially, he hit .356/.440/.683.
Aug 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Eduardo Valencia (32) runs the bases after he hits a home run in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (60-62) vs. Chicago White Sox (63-58)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:South Side Sox Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Troy Melton (7-1, 1.46 ERA) vs. LHP Anthony Kay (9-5, 3.96 ERA)
James announced the launch of his YouTube channel, which centers around golf. The 41-year-old and his crew will play rounds at some of the greatest courses in the world, dine at local restaurants and more throughout each episode.
LeBron James announced he would be signing with the 76ers near the end of July. Getty Images for Fanatics
The first of which is an hour and a half long. It centers around his European golf trip with teammates from the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their NBA championship. The former teammates played at Castle Stuart Golf Links at Cabot Highlands.
James shared the news on social media.
You all loved the 2016 reunion trip so much I thought I'd give ya'll a little more. Welcome to my YouTube channel! My life on and around the course. Let’s go!!! https://t.co/JKA9egPBEi
“You all loved the 2016 reunion trip so much I thought I’d give ya’ll a little more. Welcome to my YouTube channel! My life on and around the course. Let’s go!!!” James wrote in a post on X.
James’ reunion with his Cavaliers teammates was at the forefront of the NBA summer, given the four-time NBA champion’s impending free agency decision. Soon after the trip, the veteran informed the Los Angeles Lakers he would not be returning for the upcoming season, officially ending his eight-year tenure with the organization.
James leaving the Lakers kickstarted the month-long free agency sweepstakes, which included the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Cavaliers.
Half of the first episode of LeBron James’ new golf YouTube channel centers around a European golf trip.
Beyond basketball, James has taken an interest in golf and it appears the new hobby has spurned a new business venture for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Miguel Vargas received a papal blessing after two home runs in Detroit last night. | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This is a story about how the Detroit Tigers, after concretely selling at the deadline by trading their top available pitcher as well as several other pieces, go on a massive, improbable heater to grab the division title on the last day of the season.
Take a deep breath: That’s the story of the 2024 Detroit Tigers. That team was still led by and impending two-time Cy Young winner. The two best hitters from that squad — Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter — are currently injured. The back half of their rotation now includes prospect Jackson Jobe (who’s allowed six runs in 8 2/3 innings so far in his return from Tommy John surgery), and Drew Anderson (who had a 4.24 ERA in 39 appearances out of the bullpen before being shifted to the rotation). While Chicago’s inconsistent play since the All-Star break has been concerning, the Tigers are not the AL Central team I’m worried about.
A large part of Detroit’s recent run has been Troy Melton, who has a 1.86 ERA in 13 starts and hasn’t given up a run over 20 innings in the last three of them. But with just 69 strikeouts and a league-average ground ball rate, good for a solid but unspectacular 3.63 FIP, we’re at the point where the other shoe can drop at any moment. See: Davis Martin.
The Sox have a chance to start turning the tables today. Opposite Melton, they’ll roll with Anthony Kay, who is himself working at a probably-unsustainable 3.36 ERA since the start of May. His battery mate is recently-claimed catcher Jake Rogers, making his debut for the team after Edgar Quero was optioned to Charlotte this morning. Rogers hit 21 home runs in 2023 but has just a 70 OPS+ since then, and unfortunately, he’s been a concretely subpar defensive catcher this year despite grading out mostly positively in the past. This will be Rogers’ fourth organization in three weeks, as he was traded from Detroit to Baltimore in July before being sent to Boston in the Adley Rustchman deal several days later. The Sox claimed Rogers this week after he was designated for assignment by the Red Sox. Andrew Benintendi also works his way back into the lineup for a second straight game after appearing as a pinch hitter in three of his previous four appearances.
Tigers outfielder Ben Malgeri and catcher Eduardo Valencia are making their 25th and 18th appearances in the big leagues, respectively. Old friend Corey Julks makes his second appearance for the Tigers after 72 for the White Sox in 2024-25.
Melton comes at hitters with an arsenal led by glove-side spin, attacking the inner part of the plate with four-seamers, cutters, and sliders. The outcome of this game may depend on whether the Sox hitters who thrive primarily by turning on inner-half pitches — Benintendi, Colson Montgomery, and Peters, with other lefties Murakami and Braden Montgomery working more to all fields — can make the righthander pay for any mistakes he may make in that vicinity
It’s another matinee matchup this weekend, with first pitch at 12:10 p.m. CT from Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. Standard broadcasts will be available on CHSN (TV) and ESPN 1000 AM (radio). We’ll see you there!
Jesus Luzardo has quietly pitched like an ace all season, and he headlines the Philadelphia Phillies in a favorable matchup with the Minnesota Twins tonight.
Philadelphia sits as a -131 favorite, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. ET at Target Field.
That pitching edge shapes my Phillies vs. Twins predictions, which back Philadelphia on the moneyline, lean Under the total, and target a Phillies slugger to go deep.
Who will win Phillies vs Twins today: Phillies moneyline (-131)
Jesus Luzardo gives the Philadelphia Phillies the clearest advantage in this matchup, and the price is reasonable enough to back the Phillies straight up.
Luzardo has been excellent lately, going 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA over his last 10 starts while allowing one earned run or fewer in four of his last six.
The Minnesota Twins counter with rookie Connor Prielipp and his 4.79 ERA. He has real swing-and-miss stuff, but Philadelphia should generate more against him than the Twins manage against Luzardo, especially with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper anchoring the middle of the order.
I’d rather take the Phillies straight-up than lay the run line, and Luzardo’s form and clear edge over Prielipp make Philadelphia the side I trust.
At -131, I’m comfortable paying the moneyline price. I’d play Philadelphia to -145.
COVERS INTEL: Luzardo’s peripherals are even better than his strong 3.32 ERA, with a 2.85 xERA and a 2.82 FIP.
Phillies vs Twins Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-116)
Luzardo is pitching well enough to lean toward a lower-scoring game and take the Under at 8.5.
The Phillies left-hander struck out 12 over seven innings in his most recent start and carries an excellent 22.3% K-BB rate for the season. His strikeout-and-control profile will make it hard for Minnesota to post crooked numbers.
Prielipp is less trustworthy, but Philadelphia has produced just a .690 OPS over its last 10 games against left-handed starters, giving the rookie a path to keeping the Phillies from breaking the game open early.
I’d rather bet on Luzardo controlling his side of the scoring. If Prielipp gives the Twins five competitive innings, this profiles closer to a 5-3 or 4-3 final than a shootout.
I’d play the Under to -120.
Phillies vs Twins home run prediction: Kyle Schwarber (+307)
Schwarber has been one of baseball’s premier power hitters all season, and the left-on-left matchup with Prielipp is far more appealing than it looks.
Schwarber has homered four times over his last 10 games, including a two-homer game against Minnesota on Thursday, He's crushed lefties this year, hitting .283 with 12 home runs in 190 plate appearances.
Prielipp’s four-seam fastball is the clear angle. Opponents slug .561 against it, the pitch carries a -6 Statcast run value, and it makes up nearly 29% of his arsenal. Schwarber, meanwhile, owns a .558 SLG and a +10 run value against four-seamers with a massive 63.5% hard-hit rate.
I’d play this to +275 for a quarter-unit.
Ethan Diamandas 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 0-2, -2.00 units
Over/Under bets: 1-1, +0.05 units
Phillies vs Twins weather
Target Field is an open-air ballpark, so the wind is the swing factor for scoring on a mid-August night in Minneapolis. Air blowing out toward right-center would add carry for the Kyle Schwarber home run bet, so the forecast is worth a final look before first pitch.
Phillies vs Twins odds
Moneyline: Phillies -137 | Twins +124
Run line: Phillies -1.5 | Twins +1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Phillies vs Twins trend
The Phillies are 8-0 in Luzardo's last eight road starts vs. a team with a losing record. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Twins.
How to watch Phillies vs Twins and game info
Location
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
First pitch
7:10 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Philadelphia, Twins.TV
Phillies starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo (10-5, 3.32 ERA)
Twins starting pitcher
Connor Prielipp (3-5, 4.79 ERA)
Phillies vs Twins latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Millwall start with 2-0 win over 10-man Bristol City
Will Lankshear scored a second-half double on his debut as Middlesbrough fought back to kick off their Championship campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, ending promoted Lincoln’s remarkable nine-month unbeaten run.
The Imps – playing their first second-tier match in 65 years – made a strong start and opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Adam Reach. But the former Tottenham forward Lankshear marked his first league appearance since his move to the Riverside by equalising just after the hour and then stabbing in a stoppage-time winner.
UNITED STATES - APRIL 27: Baseball: Houston Astros Phil Garner (R) and Alan Ashby (L) victorious with Nolan Ryan after breaking Walter Johnson record for all-time strikeouts during game vs Montreal Expos, Montreal, CAN 4/27/1983 (Photo by Jerry Wachter/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X28391)
Former Astros catcher and broadcaster Alan Ashby and former player and manager Phil Garner are set to be inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame tonight at Daikin Park, prior to the 6:10 p.m. game vs. the Seattle Mariners.
Ashby and Garner were elected by the Astros Hall of Fame committee, which consists of former Astros players, current front office staff, current media members and Houston-area baseball historians. Notably, Garner was aware of his election prior to his passing in April of this year. Members of the Garner family will be at tonight’s ceremony.
The official ceremony for the two new inductees will be held on the field tonight at Daikin Park, beginning at 5:35 p.m. Each inductee receives an Astros Hall of Fame sports coat, a customized Hall of Fame plaque and a display case in the Hall of Fame alley.
The Astros Hall of Fame was established in 2019 and resides in Hall of Fame Alley on the main concourse of Daikin Park in left-center field. The Class of 2026 will join the 28 members previously inducted.
THE 2026 ASTROS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
ALAN ASHBY (1979-89 as Player; 1998-2006 & 2013-16 as Broadcaster)
During his 11 seasons in an Astros uniform (1979-89), Alan Ashby was a mainstay behind the plate for the Houston Astros. The switch-hitting Ashby still currently ranks first or second in franchise history in several key categories for catchers, including games, home runs, RBI, hits and runs scored. Ashby was also solid defensively while guiding one of the best pitching staffs in the Majors during the 1980s.
After no postseason appearances in the first 18 years of the franchise (1962-79), the Astros made the playoffs three times (1980-81, 1986) in a seven-year span, with Ashby being a key figure in that time frame. One of his most memorable highlights came in the postseason of 1981 when he hit a walkoff home run vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. It was the first postseason home run ever by an Astros player. Ashby also hit a game-winning home run in Game 4 of the 1986 National League Championship Series vs. Mets southpaw Sid Fernandez, making him the first player in NL history to hit game-winning home runs in the postseason from both sides of the plate.
Ashby also holds the distinction of being the first player in Astros history to homer from each side of the plate in the same game, which he did on Sept. 27, 1982 at San Diego.
Ashby also had some great moments in his career while behind the plate, including tying an NL record by catching three no-hitters. In 1981, Ashby caught Nolan Ryan’s record-setting, fifth career no-hitter, which is a record that still stands. In 1986, he was behind the plate for Mike Scott’s no-hitter vs. the Giants, which clinched the NL West title for the Astros.
Ashby was acquired by the Astros as part of a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays on November 27, 1978. Prior to joining the Astros, he spent four seasons with Cleveland (1973-76) and two seasons with Toronto (1977-78).
Following his playing career, Ashby spent 13 seasons as an Astros broadcaster, calling games on both radio and television. From 1998-2006, he was the Astros color commentator on radio, working alongside Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton. From 2013-16, he called Astros games on television, handling both color and play-by-play duties alongside Astros Hall of Famer Bill Brown and former player Geoff Blum. Ashby also spent five seasons broadcasting Toronto Blue Jays games on TV and radio (2007-12).
Ashby was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, and was named starting catcher on the Astros 50th Anniversary All-Time team in 2012.
PHIL GARNER (1981-87 as Player; 2004-07 as Manager)
Phil Garner, who was affectionately known as “Scrap Iron”, had a significant impact on the Astros franchise as both a player and manager.
As a player, Garner spent seven seasons in an Astros uniform (1981-87), appearing in 753 games, mostly at third base and second base. When he was acquired by the Astros from the Pirates during the 1981 season, he brought postseason experience and veteran leadership to the team. In 1979, Garner shined for the World Champion Pirates team, hitting a combined .472 in 10 postseason games to play a key role in Pittsburgh’s title run.
During his playing career in Houston, the Astros enjoyed success, appearing in the postseason twice (1981, 1986) while contending in other seasons. In 1986, the Astros won a club-record 96 games en route to the NL West Division crown.
As a manager for the Astros, Garner displayed a great ability to rally his team through adversity, which led to historic postseason runs. When he was named Astros manager at the All-Star Break in 2004, the Astros were just 44-44. However, the Astros would post a 48-26 record in their final 74 games to earn a Wild Card berth. The Astros would next earn the first postseason series victory in franchise history when they defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. The Astros would end up one win shy of reaching the World Series, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in what was a thrilling NLCS.
In 2005, the Astros struggled out of the gate, going just 15-30 in their first 45 games. However, Garner was able to rally his club once again, this time leading them to a 74-43 finish to earn another Wild Card Berth, marking the largest turnaround in NL history. In the postseason, the Astros defeated the Braves in the NLDS and the Cardinals in the NLCS to reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
During his tenure as Astros manager (2004-07), Garner led the Astros to a 277-224 (.524) record in the regular season, while winning three postseason series and 13 postseason games overall.
SCORING IN THE SIXTH: The Cubs’ only three runs yesterday came in the sixth inning. They have scored 93 runs in the sixth this season, 17 more than their second-most 76 in the seventh. They are +31 in runs scored/allowed in the sixth, +32 in the seventh and +47 in all other innings combined. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
A WIN WITH ONLY THREE: The Cubs’ win yesterday was their 10th in which they have scored no more than three runs. They have lost 38 such games. With at least four runs, they are 62-13. They are 11-26 with no more than the six hits they made yesterday; 61-25 with at least seven. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SCORING FIRST: The Cubs are 42-15 when they have scored first, as they did yesterday, including 20-5 at home. Last year, they were 66-18 when scoring first at all sites and 33-8 at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Matt Murton’s home run ties the game with the Astros in Houston in the top of the ninth and then the teams play eight scoreless innings before Murton’s two-run single in the 18th wins the game 8-6. It happened 20 years ago today, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006.
I’ll just keep posting these numbers because they sound ace-like: Since his return from his knee injury, in nine starts Matthew Boyd has posted a 2.43 ERA and 1.186 WHIP and the Cubs have won eight of those nine games.
One of the games was against the Cardinals July 29 in St. Louis. Boyd threw seven shutout innings and allowed four hits and two walks. Something like that again today would work.
The last time the Cubs faced Michael McGreevy was July 28 in St. Louis. He did not last two innings, and the Cubs scored seven runs off him, without the benefit of a home run.
I’d take another one like that. In two starts since then McGreevy has a 4.50 ERA and allowed two home runs in 10 innings.
Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The New York Mets will look to get deep into the Washington Nationals bullpen as these teams square off at Citi Field on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams should find offense, but I'm backing New York to get the better of the Washington pitching staff in my Nationals vs. Mets predictions.
Read on to get my free MLB picks for Saturday, Aug. 15.
Who will win Nationals vs Mets today: Mets moneyline (-137)
Brad Lord (5-2, 3.79 ERA) serves more as an opener when he starts, never having made it through the third inning this year. That puts the game in the hands of the struggling Washington Nationals bullpen, which has a 4.91 ERA this season.
Nationals vs Mets Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-116)
The Nationals bullpen is going to need to throw six or seven innings this afternoon, and this Mets lineup has feasted on weak pitching even while struggling overall.
On the other side, Washington will make solid contact against the soft-tossing Manaea, who throws his average fastball at just 90.8 mph. The Nats average an MLB-best 5.35 runs per game and won't be completely shut down by New York.
I love the Over at 8.5 or less.
Nationals vs Mets home run prediction: Bo Bichette (+880)
Bo Bichette has hit better for the Mets as the season has worn on, but his lack of power remains a massive concern for New York. However, Bichette is hitting .313 with a .500 slugging percentage in 12 games in August, including hitting a couple of homers.
Bichette is squaring up balls at a 27.2% rate, has positive launch angle metrics, and yet has gone through extended power outages. Still, his underlying metrics suggest there's still pop in the bat, which has shown in his 12 homers this season.
I'm taking Bichette to homer today at +800 or better.
Ed Scimia's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 13-23, -10.84 units
Over/Under bets: 13-21, -8.96 units
Nationals vs Mets weather
Warm temperatures and light winds mean the weather should have minimal impact on today's matchup.
Nationals vs Mets odds
Moneyline: Nationals +127 | Mets -133
Run line: Nationals +1.5 (-170) | Mets -1.5 (+156)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-113) | Under 7.5 (+108)
Nationals vs Mets trend
The Over is 5-0-1 in the Mets' last six games vs. a right-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Nationals vs. Mets.
How to watch Nationals vs Mets and game info
Location
Citi Field, Queens, NY
Date
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
FS1
Nationals starting pitcher
Brad Lord (5-2, 3.79 ERA)
Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea (4-5, 4.13 ERA)
Nationals vs Mets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
FULL TIME: Notts County 1-1 Leicester City. No flying start for Russell Martin and his League One Foxes.
GOAL! Reading 3-4 Luton Town (Kodua 90+6). Gideon Kodua completes the comeback for Luton! He comes in from the left and crashes a shot off the crossbar. The ball rebounds and bagatelles awhile, before Kodua has a second go, and slots from six yards! Luton were 3-1 down at the break!
The Cleveland Guardians sit at a -113 moneyline favorite tonight as they welcome the San Diego Padres to Progressive Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.
However, my Padres vs. Guardians predictions are backing San Diego's hot offense to jump on Joey Cantillo, who's been prone to hard contact lately.
Who will win Padres vs Guardians today: Padres moneyline (+105)
Randy Vasquez takes the ball for the San Diego Padres, and he continues to be reliable. The right-hander has posted a 2.44 xERA across his last six outings while allowing just 0.41 HR/9.
He is also consistently inducing weak contact, with a 50.4% ground-ball rate during that span.
The Cleveland Guardians send Joey Cantillo to the hill, and he's had real issues lately, posting a 5.75 FIP over his previous two appearanceswhile giving up 3.00 HR/9.
The Padres are raking with a 139 wRC+ and .230 ISO over the last week, while Cantillo owns a 53.4% hard-hit rate and 12.1% barrel rate in the last month.
San Diego’s offense has the edge. Play this pick down to +100.
COVERS INTEL: The Padres' bullpen has been lights out lately, sporting a 2.25 FIP over its last 23 frames, compared to their season mark of 3.69.
Padres vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-103)
This total sits at 8.5, and I’m liking the Over. San Diego’s bullpen is in excellent form behind Vasquez, which keeps this from being a slam-dunk angle, but the Padres’ offense has enough upside to carry most of the scoring.
Cantillo is shaky right now, and he’ll face a lineup that's flourishing. Cleveland’s pen isn’t in great shape either, posting a 5.15 xERA over the last two weeks while allowing 1.19 HR/9.
Even if the Padres' pitching holds up, the Guardians should contribute some offense with a 111 wRC+ over their previous 12 games.
The Padres may need to do most of the heavy lifting, but the matchup points Over.
I’ll play this pick up to -130.
Padres vs Guardians home run prediction: Jackson Merrill (+596)
Jackson Merrill has been a big reason behind the Padres’ recent power surge. The youngster has smacked three home runs in his last six games while carrying a .500 ISO.
His .950 xSLG and 26.3% barrel rate only strengthen the case, and he's also put 52.6% of his contact in the air over the last week. That is notable against Cantillo, who's seen 22.2% of his fly balls leave the yard across his last two starts.
With the Guardians’ relief corps also showing some vulnerability to the long ball, Merrill has multiple paths to another bomb here.
Play this pick down to +500.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 50-61, -18.47 units
Over/Under bets: 62-46, +8.93 units
Padres vs Guardians weather
Weather at Progressive Field looks warm and humid tonight, with temperatures falling from 82°F at first pitch to 76°F by 10 p.m. ET. Winds are light around 3-5 mph, so there's not much carry impact. Rain chances rise later, topping out around 35%, so a delay risk is possible but not overwhelming.
Padres vs Guardians odds
Moneyline: Padres +108 | Guardians -113
Run line: Padres -1.5 (+178) | Guardians +1.5 (-186)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-100) | Under 8.5 (-104)
Padres vs Guardians trend
The Padres have hit the moneyline in 12 of their last 16 games (+7.00 Units / 35% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Guardians.
How to watch Padres vs Guardians and game info
Location
Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Date
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
First pitch
7:10 p.m. ET
TV
Padres.TV, Guardians.TV
Padres starting pitcher
Randy Vasquez (8-6, 4.16 ERA)
Guardians starting pitcher
Joey Cantillo (8-7, 3.91 ERA)
Padres vs Guardians latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge sided with Madison Square Garden in its lengthy legal battle with Charles Oakley on Friday, saying that the former New York Knicks All-Star had not proven he was assaulted when he was removed from a game he attended in 2017.
Oakley was handcuffed and arrested after an altercation with security while sitting near owner James Dolan during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Oakley initially brought a number of claims against MSG that were dismissed in February 2020. After appeal, Oakley's assault-and-battery claim remained.
But Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Southern District of New York ruled that Oakley "has produced no evidence to support his claim that he was assaulted by MSG security guards." MSG had pointed to video evidence and previous testimony that Oakley was not assaulted.
"For more than nine years, Mr. Oakley's lawyers have pursued claims they knew were false. Those claims have now been dismissed by the Court in their entirety — for the third time," MSG said in a statement. "We are pursuing legal action against Douglas Wigdor, and his unscrupulous law firm, to hold them accountable for years of frivolous litigation and their blatant abuse of the judicial system."
Oakley was a beloved Knicks forward in the 1990s, and he remains one of the few former players who has remained absent from MSG during the team's recent playoff runs, culminating with this year's NBA championship.
His removal from the game was a jarring scene, but Sullivan ruled that Oakley hadn't proven it was done with excessive force.
"Ample evidence — including videos from multiple angles and the unanimous testimony of every witness (even, to some extent, Oakley himself) — shows that Oakley had a reasonable opportunity to depart the Garden, that he instead resorted to physical violence, and that he was never pushed to the ground," Sullivan wrote.
The judge added that "no rational jury could conclude that Oakley reasonably feared himself at risk of wrongful physical contact — let alone that MSG intended to stir such an apprehension." Wigdor still hopes a jury will get a chance to rule.
"We are disappointed with the Court's rulings," he wrote in an email. "We believe there are conflicting accounts and only a jury can decide what exactly happened. We are hopeful that the Second Circuit will agree for a third time and remand the case for an immediate jury trial."
BRONX, NY - OCTOBER 1977: Reggie Smith #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the New York Yankee during the World Series at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY in October of 1977. (Photo by Focus On Sport/Getty Images) | Focus on Sport via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have been around since 1884, and in their nearly century and a half as a franchise Reggie Smith is one of the best hitters they’ve ever had. The switch-hitter will be honored on the field on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium as the newest inductee into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, an honor that’s been a long time coming.
Smith was already a four-time All-Star when the Dodgers acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1976 for catcher Joe Ferguson, outfielder Bob Detherage, and minor league infielder/outfielder Freddie Tisdale. Smith was the middle trade in a 14-month span during which the Dodgers added stud outfielders Dusty Baker, Smith, and Rick Monday to their already-established Infield. In each of the first two seasons with the three new outfielders the Dodgers made it to the World Series, snapping a decade-long drought.
There was intended venom in Sutton’s rant, but there was also substance behind it. Smith in 1977-78 hit .302/.406/.568 with 54 doubles and 61 home runs, and led the majors with a 165 wRC+. Smith finished fourth in National League MVP voting in both seasons.
Smith played six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers, and 1976-81 was extra special for Smith, who went to Centennial High School in Compton and idolized Jackie Robinson.
“I was humbled, almost to the point of being a little emotional, to receive that kind of recognition, knowing all of the — let alone great players, but great men who have worn that Dodger uniform,” Smith told David Vassegh on AM 570 in February upon receiving news of joining the Legends of Dodger Baseball. “To be selected, it’s quite a humbling experience, and I’m sure it will be on August 15. Having grown up in the Los Angeles area here, it’s special. It’s a special feeling.”
Smith played in four World Series — 1967 with the Boston Red Sox, then 1977, 1978, and 1981 with the Dodgers — and hit .247/.321/.521 with six home runs in 21 Fall Classic games.
After his playing days, Smith coached in the Dodgers organization from 1989-98, first as the minor league coordinator when he worked with Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, Raúl Mondesi, and many others. He also was on the Dodgers major league staff as hitting coach and first base coach from 1994-98.
“Being off the field actually means more to me there, my accomplishments, than what I accomplished on the field,” Smith told Vassegh in February. “Because to give individuals hope and instill confidence in the things in them that they need to hopefully lead a productive life — whether it’s through the things they attain in education or having baseball as a vehicle to be able to attain those things — I feel that that has been my purpose and my goal in life, is to help others, especially in baseball, to play this little boys’ game, and have fun doing it.”
Smith has been more of a presence around Dodger Stadium in recent years, helped in recent years by manager Dave Roberts, who has called Smith a friend and mentor.
“We have a group of friends who we call The Outlaws and we take a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming every MLK weekend,” Roberts said of Smith on Friday. “He’s a part of that, and he’s the elder statesman.”
“I lean on him for just counsel and thoughts. Not a weekly thing, and I adore him. One of the things I was really proud of was getting him back,” Roberts said. “Selfishly I wanted to get him back to loving the Dodgers, and getting that sour taste, from Major League Baseball, getting him back to invested in the Dodgers. I think we’re on our way. Tomorrow’s going to be a special day for him, and for Rose, his wife.
“Going to the All-Star Game. He had the opportunity to speak to the All-Stars that year in Colorado, I think that meant a lot to him. With people like Reggie, they just wanted to be seen, appreciated for what they did. For me it was important to me to make that happen. Not that he needed it, but I felt like he needed it. I think the organization has done a great job in inviting him to games and welcoming him back to Dodger Stadium. It’s fantastic.”
The timing is also important. The Legends of Dodger Baseball started in 2019 as a way to permanently honor Dodgers who weren’t Hall of Famers. And five of the 10 inductees — Garvey in 2019, Manny Mota in 2023, Baker in 2024, Ron Cey in 2025, and now Smith — were integral to the team that won three pennants from 1976-81, culminating in winning the World Series in 1981. Smith completes the quartet of all four hitters who hit 30 home runs in 1977, the first time four teammates did so in the same season, all now Legends of Dodger Baseball.
If you want to honor players from those teams, the sooner the better. Smith is 81 years old, and it’s great that he will receive his accolades while he’s still alive.
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COVERS INTEL: Luzardo’s peripherals are even better than his strong 3.32 ERA, with a 
