NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a solo home run in the seventh inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 25, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
In case you’ve forgotten, Pete Alonso is really, really good. and O’s fans are lucky to get to watch him. Last night, the Orioles’ best player continued to rake in the honors, finishing an impressive fifth place in the AL Most Valuable Player vote.
Alonso didn’t receive any first-place votes — and neither did anyone aside from the unanimous winner, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez — but the O’s first baseman was well represented in the final tally. Alonso appeared on 28 of the 30 ballots, which run 10 players deep. Alonso got a pair of third-place votes, and 13 votes as a top-five finisher. The only voters to leave him out of their top 10 entirely were Dave Skretta of the Associated Press and The Athletic’s Dan Hayes. Prepare the angry emails!
Additionally, Alonso was named as the first baseman for the All-MLB First Team. To be clear, it’s not an actual team — they’re not setting out on a barnstorming tour of America or anything like that — but it’s the league’s recognition of the best regular-season player at every position this year. Alonso was a slam-dunk selection as the MLB leader among first basemen in home runs (40), RBIs (113), runs (100), and fWAR (5.0).
Alonso’s latest honors are just another reminder that, as Stacey wrote, the Polar Bear was the best thing about the 2026 Orioles. Not only did he provide superb on-field production — arguably the best since his rookie season in 2019 — but he was a respected clubhouse leader and an immediate fan favorite. Alonso has jelled so perfectly with the Baltimore community that it’s like he’s been here all his life.
The O’s made a huge splash last offseason when they signed Alonso to a team-record five-year, $155 million contract, and Year 1 was a resounding success. I only wish the Orioles had built a better team around him.
Bonus Banner content (the publication, not the new GM). Jon Meoli wants the Orioles to be aggressive and start making moves right now. I would appreciate that, too, if for no other reason than to give us some O’s content to chew on while we’re waiting out a months-long lockout.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 29th birthday to Trevor Rogers. The left-hander transformed from an iffy 2024 trade acquisition into a bright spot in the Birds’ rotation the past two years, winning Most Valuable Oriole honors for his sensational 2025 campaign. Rogers is set to get a big payday in free agency this offseason, and I hope it comes from the Orioles.
Other players in O’s history born on Nov. 13 include lefty Wade Miley (40), third baseman Josh Bell (40), righty Pat Hentgen (58), and outfielder Larry Harlow (75).
On this day in 2023, Gunnar Henderson was unanimously voted AL Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Oriole to win the award in 34 years. Henderson batted .255/.325/.489 with 28 homers, 82 RBIs, and 100 runs, posting a 6.1 WAR. And I’m sure Gunnar has only gotten better since then, right? …Right?
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 15: Dante Nori #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies stands in the batter's box during a game between the Surprise Saguaros and Glendale Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch on October 15, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sep 10, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; General view of the helmet used by the Milwaukee Brewers before the start of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Greetings, Brew Crew Ball community. The offseason has been quiet thus far, with only a few under-the-radar signings across the league, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that things will pick up in the next couple of weeks leading into the lockout on December 1. As requested, these weekly threads will now begin with a question to get the conversation rolling. This week’s question: Which player(s) would you most like to see the Brewers add in free agency? Feel free to also weigh in on our MVBrewers #3 voting at The Feed post below.
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-baseball sports, the Brewers, you name it. As long as it’s appropriate and is allowed by our moderators, it’s fair game here.
Happy birthday to Arodys Vizcaino*, and a mighty host of others.
Today in baseball history, in 1984 – Ryne Sandberg wins the National League MVP Award, becoming the first Chicago Cubs player to do so since Ernie Banks in 1959. Sandberg hit .314 with 19 home runs and 32 stolen bases and led the NL in runs (114) and triples (19), and other stories as well.
1989 – After 16 years with the same team, outfielder Jim Rice is released by the Boston Red Sox. Rice retires from the game with 382 home runs and a .298 average. He will eventually be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009.
2000 – Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox becomes the first pitcher to win the American League Cy Young Award unanimously in consecutive years. Martinez, who posted an 18-6 mark with a 1.74 ERA, has copped the “top pitcher” honor three of the last four seasons.
2001 – Pitcher Randy Johnson, who posted a 21-6 record with a 2.49 ERA and 372 strikeouts, wins his fourth Cy Young Award, his third straight as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Previously, Johnson also won the honor in 1995 with Seattle, and is the second pitcher to win three consecutive Cy Young awards, joining Greg Maddux who won four in a row from 1992–1995.
1789 – In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin writes “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
1980 – US spacecraft Voyager 1 sends back first close-up pictures of Saturn during its fly-by.
1982 – Vietnam Veterans Memorial opens in Washington, D.C., featuring the names of over 58,000 US soldiers killed or missing in the Vietnam War.
1992 – Riddick Bowe wins the undisputed world heavyweight boxing crown with a unanimous points decision over Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas; first of their three meetings.
2001 – Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira‘s fifth studio album and first English language album, “Laundry Service”, is released.
2002 – Eminem releases the single ‘Lose Yourself’ from the soundtrack of “8 Mile,” the first rap song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
2015 – Terror attacks in Paris at bars, restaurants, the national football stadium and Bataclan music venue leave 130 dead. Isis claim responsibility.
2020 – Kylie Minogue becomes the first woman to top the UK album chart over five consecutive decades with “Disco”
After a disappointing overtime loss on Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens hoped to bounce back in a rivalry meeting with the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Despite missing some practices this week, Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans were in the lineup as Mike Matheson returned, sending Adam Engstrom to the press box. As if the Habs needed any more motivation against the Bruins, the game felt like a homecoming of sorts for many members of the Tricolore, who played college hockey in Boston: Jacob Fowler, Lane Hutson, Matheson, Chris Kreider, and Alex Newhook.
Despite Tuesday’s loss, Fowler got the start after a strong performance, and for those who like stats, before Thursday night’s game, he was the only Montreal netminder to win a road game in Boston in the last 11 duels between the two sides at TD Garden.
Once upon a time, teams only had to counter the Canadiens’ first line to have a good chance of winning, but that’s no longer true against this iteration of the Habs. Martin St-Louis’ men came to play, and it wasn’t the usual suspects who gave the Habs a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes; Kirby Dach and Josh Anderson did.
Although this is only Dach’s second game of the season, it’s hard not to admit that he’s been doing well so far. Now that he’s not getting any more top-six opportunities and can feel younger players breathing down his neck for his roster spot, the big Albertan is a changed man.
As for Anderson, he’s not got eight goals in 18 games; last year, he finished with fourteen goals in 72 contests. So far this year, he’s on pace for 37 lamplighters. Granted, it would be surprising if he kept it up; after all, his career best is 27 goals in a season, but it’s useful while it lasts, and the man won’t complain about a productive season in a contract year.
In the season frame, Jake Evans, Caufield (one of the usual suspects), and Phillip Danault score to make it 5-0, at least momentarily, but the Bruins found the back of the net before the end of the frame. Still, Montreal was up 5-1 after 40 minutes, and only one member of the top line had a point.
It’s worth mentioning that the depth scoring did much of the heavy lifting in the playoffs last season; it’s almost as if they got a taste of it and enjoyed it.
Fowler Once Again
On his former home turf (city-wise at least), Fowler was once again solid and got a ninth win in a row on the road, the second-highest number by a rookie netminder. Brent Johnson, who didn’t last long in the NHL, currently holds the record with 11 straight.
While the Canadiens came out strong in the first and were dominating shot-wise, the Bruins woke up in the second, and by the end of the game, they had the upper hand in shots 32-30. The rookie netminder once again made a difference, with several big saves and at the end of the day, he outperformed Jeremy Swayman, who was pulled at 4-0; not that the loss was his fault, but he just couldn’t make the big, momentum-building saves.
Fowler did, and when the Bruins managed to score a couple, his safe play built his team’s confidence and helped them shut the door. That’s the kind of situation where a confident goaltender can make a world of difference.
Bad News Bears
It wasn’t a great game, or at least not a great outcome for Kreider. In the third frame, Michael Eyssimont fell in his legs, and it looked like his left leg bent in a way it wasn’t meant to. Kreider fell to the ice and looked distressed. When the play was blown dead, he immediately got up and made his way down the tunnel on one leg.
Chris Kreider heads to the dressing room after Michael Eyssimont collides with Kreider. pic.twitter.com/9Y44lY1LeD
Of course, the Canadiens had no update on his health by the end of the game, but it certainly didn’t look good. If Kreider has to miss significant time, it could give Florian Xhekaj another opportunity to prove himself. Until Ivan Demidov comes back, of course.
The Canadiens picked up both points with a 5-2 win and leapfrogged them in the Atlantic Division. Montreal isn’t first, though; the Tampa Bay Lightning is, thanks to having more regulation wins. Stop me if you’ve heard that one before.
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 18: St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom talks with Kansas City Royals Manager Matt Quartraro before a MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals on June 18, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Soon enough, if it hasn’t started by the time you read this, individual transactions for teams should have started up, perhaps even skyrocketed. I started writing this the day after the World Series ended, and I see even that first day that a few transactions have occurred. No time to like now to get started! I will try to keep up with Cardinal transactions as they occur, before this article posts.
As the Cardinals get involved in those transactions, the focus of discussion will inevitably narrow to the characteristics and potential of the player(s) involved, so very detailed. I wanted to take advantage of this interlude to take a high-level look at the pipeline, without getting into the merits of any individual player. The way I’m going to do this is to bucket players into various position groups and into various timeline brackets. The focus will be on the position groups and time brackets, not so much in trying to differentiate potential among individual prospects. My intent is to get a high level look at where the overall system (and roster) is stronger and where it is weaker, both now and into the future. Likewise, I didn’t spend copious amounts of time on the current iteration of the MLB roster. We know the weaknesses (and strengths). But which ones have solutions coming?
I had a little bit of a methodology here, which I will describe, and then talk through the groupings I formed up.
First, I separated players into position and pitching groups. I subdivided the MLB roster into position players, bench, starters and bullpen. I sub-divided MiLB players into just position players and pitcher. For the most part, only regulars in MiLB progress to MLB and almost all MLB pitchers come from the starter group. There are exceptions (Gastelum, for one), but few enough where a separate group doesn’t seem necessary.
Then I added in some timeline elements that hopefully mostly self-explanatory. I did try and avoid specific time forecasts, but one could look at each column and roughly estimate a season where a player in that column might begin to impact the MLB roster. Timing is so inexact, I took a different route in labelling the columns. They are as follows,
MLB – these are the players that by and large finished the season on the active 26-man roster (with some expected pruning yet to be announced).
MLB ready – these are the players that are not on the MLB active roster but have a realistic potential for doing so as soon as Opening Day and will more than likely see MLB time in 2027. To try and be consistent, my first screen for this was a player has to be on the 40-man roster and not on the 26-man, with one exception (Cijntje). The player has to be at AAA as well. Let’s face it, the Cardinals don’t call up players from AA, and don’t view AA players as MLB ready. Not every org thinks this of every player, but it is a good screen to apply here.
Near-ready – these are the players that appear near MLB readiness, but realistically won’t make the Opening Day roster because they have more boxes to check at AAA. Right now, the main composition of this group are the many players likely to move up to AAA from AA that are not on the 40-man roster.
Distant – this next group of players are guys who are identifiable as potential impact players, but are not near-ready. As you might suspect, these would be the guys expected to open at High-A or make it up to AA next season. This group has no chance of joining the MLB roster in 2027 and we can hope that they are at least near-ready by 2028. Some are further away, but their star burns bright enough to see.
I also had a Hospital ward – this group of players are the ones that would be in one of the upper groups if not for injury. I removed this grouping to reduce the size of the graphic. So as not to forget players like Henderson or Dobbins, who may (or may not) re-enter this pipeline at some future date.
I included only upper-tier prospects in the groups. Players not ranked on a prospect list or players below 40 FV on Fangraphs didn’t get grouped. There will certainly be an MLB-caliber player in there, but not many and likely not super impactful, and not enough to really change the overall picture. Some will want to argue this. But, but, what about Ortiz? He looks like a hitter and could fit in the 1B/DH group! Well, Deniel Ortiz has finally made it onto someone’s prospect list (BA has him at 27), but he carries a 35 FV. The potential of this one player impacting the major league roster is quite low. This isn’t a projection on Ortiz himself. I don’t know enough him individually. But right now, he doesn’t appear to make that group of incoming players materially stronger in a way that can be counted on. I left guys like this off. From 30,000 feet, we can’t see them until their star burns brighter. It may.
So, I plunked each chosen player into a position group and a timeline and came up with this distribution:
The groupings allow me to look at the system at a higher level without getting into frenzied debates about whether player X has more potential than player Y or what position the player should end up in. Here, we will look at the depth of the group, not the individual components so much.
I embellished the original groupings a bit, adding arrows to show the general flow of talent through the pipeline, which is roughly right-to-left. Once in MLB, bench players usually come from the stock of position players who can’t quite make the everyday circuit. Think about it. How often do teams promote from MiLB to the bench to improve the talent level of the team?
I added some color. MLB roster players are red if I view this as a roster spot that really just needs an upgrade. Yellow colored names are guys we don’t quite yet know what they are. These are the runway guys. On the non-MLB side, I color coded the groups based on perceived strength (and quantity). I also added prospect counts in each group, to keep the focus on the group, not the individuals.
Notice the position player side of the pipeline. It narrows from right to left. I’d kind of generally expect this. 10 Low-A prospects might be 4 by the time they get 2-3 years down the road. Peculiarly, the pitching pipeline has a more uniform shape, with pitching prospects pretty equally distributed. Just at a high level, I’d think this side of the pipeline is healthier because of that.
Some things that jump out immediately:
Notice the shortage of MLB-ready position players. I colored coded this grouping red, indicating this is (at a high level) probably the biggest area of deficit in the Cardinals system. If the MLB roster had no immediate needs, this wouldn’t be a huge problem, but the MLB roster has obvious deficits (3b, CF) and some potential deficits if the more unknowns struggle (Baez, Bernal). Jimmy Crooks isn’t going to fill all of these deficits (or perhaps any of them). With the known problems and the potential for injury or under-performance lurking, this gap is … concerning.
Worsening this look is the Near Ready group has but 4 players. An unusual amount of good fortune will have to pass over this group if they, as a group, are going to impact the MLB roster positively at some future date. The math tells us the likelihood is more like that only 1 or 2 will ascend in an impactful way.
When you look at the position players in the Distant comets group, the group itself starts to look stronger and more foundationally sound. We do have to remember that the attrition rate in this group is higher, though. And a ways away.
On the pitching side, the Cardinals come in with a solid if unspectacular rotation and a very weak bullpen. When you look at the MLB-ready pitching group, you see another 8 names (assuming Fitts is healthy). This group is colored code green as more of a strength.
We can see 5 more names in the Near Ready pitcher group. Not all of these guys will contribute in 2027, but it sure looks like the Cardinals could go ten deep in starters without going outside the organization. While I can see where they might want to bring in a veteran from the outside, this looks like a deep group.
As you look at the reliever group, the MLB talent level leaves a bit to be desired. Over time, it is pretty easy to imagine that a number of the MLB ready or Near Ready starters will either 1) push an existing starter to the bullpen or 2) end up a reliever themselves. When one thinks about the average MLB team in the average season rolls out 30 arms on MLB mounds, 12 (MLB) + 8 (MLB ready and near ready) doesn’t seem like quite enough quantity. While there is strength in the depth of the MLB Ready and Near Ready pitchers, there probably isn’t the numbers needed to both improve the rotation and improve the bullpen, unless everyone remains healthy and everyone progresses. Even with guys this close, I would call that unlikely. Some of this math probably helps inform the acquisition of Lopez and potentially others to come.
The challenge
If the MLB-ready position group is the biggest challenge, even more perplexing is how to fix it. Waiting doesn’t seem like a grand strategy. Inaction usually isn’t. Money to fill the MLB positional gaps with free agents would alleviate pressure on the AAA team, but non-performance or injury could strike at any time and expose this gap even with heavy spending.
As discussed widely, there are some potential redundancies at starting pitcher and catcher that could be dealt to fill some of these holes with trades. The match-ups don’t seem that great in the market, but it only takes one.
The longer-term option would be to take the MLB players closest to free agency (Burleson, Pallante) and deal them to acquire near-ready MLB talent. This would be unpopular with the fanbase, who are growing restive and perhaps a bit tired of the perceived slow pace of the rebuild. Plus, acquiring near-MLB ready talent is no guarantee they become impactful, which would submarine the whole affair. High risk, for sure. Even with the keen talent evaluation skills of this management group.
This bifurcated off-season should be fascinating to watch unfold.
May 9, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a double against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
For the first time since November 2023, someone other than Aaron Judge won the AL MVP award last night, with Yordan Alvarez taking home his first MVP. The last full-season AL MVP to go to someone other than Judge or Shohei Ohtani was Mike Trout in 2019. The junior circuit has been to an extent defined for the last decade by the exploits of those three greats, Judge, Ohtani, and Trout, though Alvarez’s breakthrough probably represents more of a career peak for the DH than it does a passing of the torch.
It’ll be a relatively quiet day on the site as we ease into another offseason weekend. In the morning, you can catch Josh’s discussion of Luis Garcia’s Jr.‘s fine, if lackluster, debut with the Yankees, as well as Matt’s appreciation of Mel Stottlemyre, who would’ve turned 85 today.
Questions/Prompts:
1. If the Yankees were to deal from their starting pitching surplus this winter, who would you most expect them to shop, and who would you be most OK with them shopping?
2. Which of last night’s MVP award winners has the best shot at going back-to-back next year? And which of the Cy Young Award winners?
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: General Manager Jim Rutherford of the Pittsburgh Penguins hugs goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 after Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Penguins defeated the Predators 2-0. The Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup Final series against the Nashville Predators 4-2. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…
Rookie netminder Sergei Murashov finding his confidence and continuing an upward trajectory would be one of the biggest developments in what increasingly looks like a downhill season for these Penguins. [PensBurgh]
Penguins defensive prospect Jake Livanavage is making a strong impression in his first full professional season, leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ defensemen in scoring with three goals and 11 points through his first 12 AHL games. [Trib Live]
The Penguins will honor their 2026 Hall of Fame class during a pregame ceremony on Saturday when they host the Ottawa Senators. This year’s inductees are former goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Larry Murphy, former general manager Jim Rutherford and former franchise president Jack McGregor. [Penguins]
News and notes from around the NHL…
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere says the team has no plans to trade Matvei Michkov and has not received a trade request from the 21-year-old winger, disputing a report that Michkov wanted a fresh start elsewhere. [Sportsnet]
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, meanwhile, declined to confirm whether his team has offered forward Danila Yurov to the Detroit Red Wings as part of a potential trade for Dylan Larkin, saying only Detroit knows what has been proposed. [NHL]
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev missed Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Wild for load management reasons, a strategy he is not thrilled with. [TSN]
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 11: Marcus Smart #36 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter of the game against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center on November 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Marcus Smart of the Houston Rockets was suspended yesterday for three games without pay for throwing a punch at Charles Bassey in Wednesday night’s victory over the the Golden State Warriors. The incident happened in the third quarter of the Rockets’ win, and Smart was ejected and given a flagrant 2.
Smart and Bassey begun arguing after an Amen Thompson drive, and then a Smart right hand connected with Bassey. Houston’s head coach Ime Udoka blamed Bassey for running his mouth, however, Bassey claims it was Smart who initiated the incident by “playing dirty the whole game.”
He said:
“I remember the first half, I was trying to set a screen. He grabbed my knee. He was playing dirty. I think I was trying to get a rebound. He was grabbing my hand, and I was trying to run back on defense. Then, he got up on me and just swung. Obviously, that was weak. I just think that was, honestly, fake toughness.
“It didn’t surprise me. I knew he was going to do something. I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game. I think he was trying to chill. He wasn’t trying to hoop. That was fake toughness.”
Smart will miss tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz, Sunday’s game against the Washington Wizards, and Monday’s game against the Miami Heat. Reed Sheppard likely picks up extra minutes in Smart’s place. He responded on Wednesday with the some clutch play down the stretch. Let’s see if that continues.
Smart is averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game for the Rockets while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. Houston is currently at 9-3 and in third place in the Western Conference.
The Rockets will miss Smart, who has somewhat taken on the old Dillon Brooks agitator role, but if any team has the depth to suck it up, it’s the Rockets.
England prevail 50-38 over France in Wollongong final
Joe Coyd scores four tries to set successful title defence
England men’s wheelchair rugby league team completed an historic defence of their World Cup title, defeating their great rivals France in a thrilling final in Wollongong which underlined the overwhelming positives of the sport.
The English and the French have been the two dominant nations in the wheelchair game, sharing the previous four World Cup titles between them. On the field, they have produced thunderous and often controversial encounters but off it, there is great respect in a sport that allows disabled and able-bodied athletes to compete alongside one another.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat after the game at Rocket Arena on March 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 149-128. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to advance out of the group stage of the NBA Cup for the first time. For them to do so, they’ll likely need to take advantage of a Miami Heat team that still hasn’t found its stride.
Miami has struggled to create any kind of positive momentum since trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their offense hasn’t found a correct balance, as they’ve struggled to get consistent contributions from players outside of Giannis.
Things are worse defensively. They’re giving up the fifth-most threes in the league, and opponents are hitting 40% of their outside looks against them (28th). You’re just not going to have a good defense if you’re struggling to contain the outside shot to that degree.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Cavs injury report: Evan Mobley – OUT (toe), Sam Merrill – OUT (elbow), Nae’Qwan Tomlin – OUT (back), Khalifa Diop – OUT (G League), Ernest Udeh, Jr. – OUT (G League)
Ottawa Senators (12-6-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7-10-2, in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Ottawa Senators visit the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Senators took down the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime.
Pittsburgh has a 4-3-1 record at home and a 7-10-2 record overall. The Penguins are 1-1-1 when they commit more penalties than their opponent.
Ottawa has a 12-6-2 record overall and a 5-4-1 record in road games. The Senators are fourth in NHL play serving 12.2 penalty minutes per game.
The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evgeni Malkin has scored six goals with 11 assists for the Penguins. Rickard Rakell has six goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Drake Batherson has 10 goals and nine assists for the Senators. Jake Sanderson has one goal and seven assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-5-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.7 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
Senators: 5-3-2, averaging 3.5 goals, six assists, four penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: Bryan Rust: out (lower-body), Trevor van Riemsdyk: out (lower body), Ryan Graves: out (lower-body), Elmer Soderblom: out (upper-body).
Senators: Warren Foegele: out (knee), Nick Cousins: out (upper body), William Eklund: out (ankle), Andre Burakovsky: out (lower body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Florida Panthers (11-7-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (9-8-2, in the Central Division)
St. Louis; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers visit the St. Louis Blues after Anton Lundell scored two goals in the Panthers' 5-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings.
St. Louis is 9-8-2 overall and 5-2-1 in home games. The Blues have a 7-1-1 record in games they score at least three goals.
Florida has a 6-5-2 record in road games and an 11-7-2 record overall. The Panthers lead league play with 111 total penalties (averaging 5.6 per game).
The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Pius Suter has scored five goals with four assists for the Blues. Jimmy Snuggerud has five goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Seth Jones has three goals and 19 assists for the Panthers. Matthew Tkachuk has one goal and 12 assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blues: 5-4-1, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.4 assists, 2.5 penalties and 5.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Panthers: 6-4-0, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.8 assists, 5.1 penalties and 15.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Blues: Adam Jecho: out (personal), Torey Krug: out for season (ankle), Tyler Tucker: out (knee), Dillon Dube: out (neck).
Panthers: Jonah Gadjovich: out (upper-body), Brad Marchand: out (leg), Aleksander Barkov: out (lower body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
For those curious about where the Warriors will stand once Stephen Curry hangs up his sneakers, the preview has arrived.
With Curry out for several weeks, the only two players already identified as members of the post-Steph era will be front and center. The extended auditions of Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski begin Friday night in San Antonio against the imposing Spurs.
Lendeborg, 24, and Podziemski, 23, have done well with Curry looking over their respective shoulders, but they’re now on their own. If the Warriors are to avoid a disastrous slide, they will need sufficient contributions across the roster, beginning with veterans Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton, assuming he replaces Curry in the starting lineup.
But the main characters are Lendeborg and Podziemski. They will have the ball in their hands as much or more than Green, but they produce much more scoring. Lendeborg is second on the team in scoring behind Curry, and Podziemski is third. Podziemski is second in assists behind Green, and Lendeborg is fourth. Lendeborg is first in rebounding, and Podziemski is third.
The most telling statistical category is minutes per game, because it implies an inherent trust from the coaching staff and value within the franchise. Podziemski leads all Warriors, averaging 33.4 per game, and Lendeborg is second at 32.3.
Podziemski’s $110 million contract extension suggests the franchise considers him a keeper. This lavish commitment is no guarantee – see Poole, Jordan – that Podziemski will be a Warrior in 2028, much less 2031. Yet his is only the second large long-term rookie extension from Golden State since Klay Thompson received a four-year commitment in 2014.
So, yes, the Warriors believe Podziemski is as a keeper. At least for now.
“We think Brandin is a hell of a young player, a big part of our future, and he secures his future financially,” coach Steve Kerr said last month after the extension was official. “And it’s a deal that makes a lot of sense based on our numbers.”
Those numbers relate mostly to Podziemski’s positive impact on the court. He led the team with a plus-264 plus/minus as a rookie in 2023-24, ranked third on the team in his second season, dipped to eighth last season but this season ranks behind only Curry.
When Curry was sidelined for two months last season, Podziemski’s scoring ticked up 2.2 points per game, but his efficiency tumbled, as he posted splits of 44.8/34.8 percent. He’s at 48.1/39.7 percent this season.
The question before Podziemski now is whether he is better equipped to maintain similar scoring efficiency without the space afforded by Curry’s famous gravity. And can the fourth-year guard improve his 69-percent free-throw shooting?
The question before Lendeborg is whether he can handle the burden that comes with rising from No. 2 on the scouting report to No. 1. It’s a lot for anyone unaccustomed to it, perhaps even more for a rookie. The spotlight now is much brighter than any he has seen. He felt it after Curry left the game Wednesday night in Houston and responded with a game-high 25 points and team-high 10 rebounds.
“He really took a lot of the offense on his shoulders, and he’s obviously very capable,” Kerr told reporters at Toyota Center.
Lendeborg in his first 12 NBA games has passed, if not aced, every offensive test thrown his way so far. It’s a thin resumé, but it already is delighting the Warriors and their fans, who are falling in love with his potential.
Kerr was quick to place the ultimate faith in Lendeborg’s ability, elevating him to primary offensive engine when Curry is off the floor. Lendeborg’s response has been 21.7 points per game on 51.8/42.6 shooting splits, while adding 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His Rookie of the Year candidacy is strong.
A lot must happen for the Warriors to win at least half their games without Curry. Green must take and make more shots. Melton, shooting 42.9 percent from deep, must stay close to that level. Georges Niang and Al Horford must produce off the bench. Charles Bassey must remain a force in the paint. Brandon Williams must return soon.
“We have to keep working on our offensive execution,” Kerr said in Houston. “… Without Steph, we have to be organized in our concepts and with our spacing so that we can attack and create shots for each other.”
Much of that task will fall on Lendeborg and Podziemski. If they handle it well, the Warriors can be respectable without their superstar.
For those curious about where the Warriors will stand once Stephen Curry hangs up his sneakers, the preview has arrived.
With Curry out for several weeks, the only two players already identified as members of the post-Steph era will be front and center. The extended auditions of Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski begin Friday night in San Antonio against the imposing Spurs.
Lendeborg, 24, and Podziemski, 23, have done well with Curry looking over their respective shoulders, but they’re now on their own. If the Warriors are to avoid a disastrous slide, they will need sufficient contributions across the roster, beginning with veterans Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton, assuming he replaces Curry in the starting lineup.
But the main characters are Lendeborg and Podziemski. They will have the ball in their hands as much or more than Green, but they produce much more scoring. Lendeborg is second on the team in scoring behind Curry, and Podziemski is third. Podziemski is second in assists behind Green, and Lendeborg is fourth. Lendeborg is first in rebounding, and Podziemski is third.
The most telling statistical category is minutes per game, because it implies an inherent trust from the coaching staff and value within the franchise. Podziemski leads all Warriors, averaging 33.4 per game, and Lendeborg is second at 32.3.
Podziemski’s $110 million contract extension suggests the franchise considers him a keeper. This lavish commitment is no guarantee – see Poole, Jordan – that Podziemski will be a Warrior in 2028, much less 2031. Yet his is only the second large long-term rookie extension from Golden State since Klay Thompson received a four-year commitment in 2014.
So, yes, the Warriors believe Podziemski is as a keeper. At least for now.
“We think Brandin is a hell of a young player, a big part of our future, and he secures his future financially,” coach Steve Kerr said last month after the extension was official. “And it’s a deal that makes a lot of sense based on our numbers.”
Those numbers relate mostly to Podziemski’s positive impact on the court. He led the team with a plus-264 plus/minus as a rookie in 2023-24, ranked third on the team in his second season, dipped to eighth last season but this season ranks behind only Curry.
When Curry was sidelined for two months last season, Podziemski’s scoring ticked up 2.2 points per game, but his efficiency tumbled, as he posted splits of 44.8/34.8 percent. He’s at 48.1/39.7 percent this season.
The question before Podziemski now is whether he is better equipped to maintain similar scoring efficiency without the space afforded by Curry’s famous gravity. And can the fourth-year guard improve his 69-percent free-throw shooting?
The question before Lendeborg is whether he can handle the burden that comes with rising from No. 2 on the scouting report to No. 1. It’s a lot for anyone unaccustomed to it, perhaps even more for a rookie. The spotlight now is much brighter than any he has seen. He felt it after Curry left the game Wednesday night in Houston and responded with a game-high 25 points and team-high 10 rebounds.
“He really took a lot of the offense on his shoulders, and he’s obviously very capable,” Kerr told reporters at Toyota Center.
Lendeborg in his first 12 NBA games has passed, if not aced, every offensive test thrown his way so far. It’s a thin resumé, but it already is delighting the Warriors and their fans, who are falling in love with his potential.
Kerr was quick to place the ultimate faith in Lendeborg’s ability, elevating him to primary offensive engine when Curry is off the floor. Lendeborg’s response has been 21.7 points per game on 51.8/42.6 shooting splits, while adding 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His Rookie of the Year candidacy is strong.
A lot must happen for the Warriors to win at least half their games without Curry. Green must take and make more shots. Melton, shooting 42.9 percent from deep, must stay close to that level. Georges Niang and Al Horford must produce off the bench. Charles Bassey must remain a force in the paint. Brandon Williams must return soon.
“We have to keep working on our offensive execution,” Kerr said in Houston. “… Without Steph, we have to be organized in our concepts and with our spacing so that we can attack and create shots for each other.”
Much of that task will fall on Lendeborg and Podziemski. If they handle it well, the Warriors can be respectable without their superstar.
