Mike Hesson had only been in the UK to meet the king
Interim picks up the pieces after seven players sent home
Mike Hesson was only in the UK this week to meet King Charles. But now the New Zealander finds himself interim head coach of a Pakistan Test side that have sent seven players and his predecessor home. As Hesson put it after his first net session: “The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am.”
Even by Pakistan’s standards, this past week has been more than a little chaotic, with their somewhat nuclear response to going 2-0 down to England the talk of the sport. Hesson, previously Pakistan’s white-ball coach, has been parachuted in to restore some pride in the third Test at Edgbaston that starts next week.
Sacramento was looking for a veteran point guard to back up and mentor rookie Darius Acuff. They have their guy, and it's an eyebrow-raising choice:
Ben Simmons.
Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings, which is the veteran minimum, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. It's not yet clear whether this contract is fully guaranteed.
Simmons, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and a three-time All-Star, did not play in the NBA last season — he was focused more on deep sea fishing, even buying a controlling stake in the South Florida Sails of the Sport Fishing Championship. He went through a mini-camp with the Austrailian national team this summer, and while he looked good in social media workouts that is almost an annual tradition with him that has had little bearing on the regular season.
Simmons last played in the NBA in the 2024-25 season, splitting time between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. In 18 games with the Clippers, he played solid defense and showed he could run the offense for a stretch, even if he didn't put up counting stats of note (2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game) or score much from outside the paint. He was not part of Tyronn Lue's playoff rotation, but he looked like he might be a decent veteran backup point guard.
Which is what the Kings were looking for. Sacramento also is betting on Simmons staying healthy. Simmons has dealt with back issues since the 2021-22 season, missed considerable time because of it, and has undergone a couple of surgeries to help relieve the issue. He was largely healthy with the Nets and Clippers a couple of seasons ago.
Sacramento had talked to Russell Westbrook about returning in a backup role, but he chose to retire instead. The Kings also had conversations with Victor Oladipo, and there are veteran point guards available, such as Gabe Vincent and Cameron Payne.
The Kings have decided to go with Simmons. It's an interesting choice, and not necessarily a bad one.
Keider Montero has absolutely dominated the Cleveland Guardians over the course of his career, so I'm rocking with him as part of my Tigers vs. Guardians predictions.
The Detroit Tigers are a live underdog today at Polymarket, trading at 45 cents - we can't pass up that type of value.
Across 73 plate appearances (we love to see this type of sample size), he's limited Cleveland to a .169 xBA and .223 xwOBA. That'll play.
On the other side, the Tigers have beat up on Logan Allen, owning a .355 average in 38 plate appearances. This includes a 5-for-8 mark from Spencer Torkelson. If Detroit is scoring, he's probably at the center of it today.
COVERS INTEL: Keider Montero is generating weak contact at the highest rate of his career (5.8%), which should put us in a good spot to cash this underdog play against a contact-first team like the Guardians.
Tigers vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (55%)
Not only is Montero having one of the best years of his career and is in a great matchup against Cleveland, but the trends are on our side, too. The Under is 7-0 in Montero's last seven starts as a road underdog, and you shouldn't expect Cleveland to smudge that perfect mark, either.
It helps us here that the Guardians are the worst-hitting team with runners in scoring position in the big leagues, owning just a .682 OPS in that situation this season.
All the numbers point toward the Under here - I'd play this up to 58 cents.
Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 8-11, -1.75 units
Over/Under bets: 9-10, -1.32 units
Tigers vs Guardians weather
We do have a risk of thunderstorms tonight in Cleveland, with temperatures at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Watch out for a potential delay before first pitch.
Tigers vs Guardians odds
Moneyline: Tigers 45% | Guardians 56%
Run line: Tigers +1.5 (62%) | Guardians -1.5 (39%)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (48%) | Under 8.5 (52%)
Tigers vs Guardians trend
The Under is 5-0 in Allen's last five starts vs. the American League Central. Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Guardians.
How to watch Tigers vs Guardians and game info
Location
Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Date
Friday, September 4, 2026
First pitch
2:10 p.m. ET
TV
MLB.tv
Tigers starting pitcher
Keider Montero (3.24 ERA)
Guardians starting pitcher
Logan Allen (3.77 ERA)
Tigers 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.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Zach Cole #16 of the Houston Astros scores on a wild pitch in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park on June 03, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (69-65) won 11-4 (BOX SCORE)
Sugar Land got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Salazar RBI double. Alexander got the start and went 5 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, with 7 strikeouts. The offense rallied for 5 runs in the bottom of the third inning on a Cole 2 run home run, Dezenzo walk and Salazar 2 run single. The offense added 4 more runs in the 7th to extend the lead. The pen allowed a couple of runs but held on as Sugar Land won 11-4.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (59-70) lost 14-1 (BOX SCORE)
Tredwell started for the Hooks but struggled allowing 8 runs on 7 walks while retiring just three batters, despite not allowing a hit. The Hooks got a run in the 6th on a Janek sac fly but the pen allowed a few more runs and they eventually went to position players pitching. The Hooks ended up dropping this one 14-1.
A+: Asheville Tourists (42-86) lost 6-5 (BOX SCORE)
Asheville got on the board in the first inning scoring 2 runs on a Powell 2 run single. Shoemaker got the start for Asheville and went 5 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned. The offense got a run back in the third on a Vasquez sac fly. They picked up another run in the 5th on a Monistere sac fly. Saunier pitched in relief but allowed 3 runs in the 8th as the Grasshoppers took the lead. Asheville got one back in the bottom of the inning on a Fielder groundout. The offense was unable to rally in the 9th as Asheville fell 6-5.
Brandon Nigh, RHP: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (71-56) lost 3-2 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the 5th inning on a Ramirez RBI single. Verdugo got the start and was pitching well but with 2 outs in the 5th, he allowed 3 runs. He finished allowing those 3 runs over 4.2 innings. The offense got a run back in the 8th inning on a Hughes solo home run. The offense was unable to rally in the 9th as the Woodpeckers fell 3-2.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants tosses his bat back to the dugout during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, August 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn May/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The New York Mets (63-77) welcome the San Francisco Giants (58-83) for a three-game series at Citi Field. The Mets, coming off a 2-1 roadtrip to Tampa Bay, won their first series in the last three, getting walked off twice in Chicago, and being relatively manhandled by both the Brewers and Astros.
That said, the Mets have not looked terrible over this stretch, and continue to figure out how to win games after selling off most of their bullpen and two of their outfielders. The most recent departure is of Luis Robert Jr., claimed off waivers by the Orioles a few days ago.
But as has been the way things have gone, the Mets seemingly aren’t missing Robert too much, and that’s not just because of Nick Morabito’s excellent game on Wednesday night. Morabito collected his first two big league hits, driving in three runs on a double and making a fantastic catch in left field.
As for that remade bullpen, a few of the newbies have struggled here and there, but overall, folks like Daniel Duarte, Nate Lavender, Austin Warren, and Dedniel Nuñez have all been stepping up. It will be very interesting to see which of these players will be a part of the Mets’ bullpen next season.
But the story has really been the three young starters, all of whom will start against the Giants. While Sean Manaea has wilted as of late and Robert Stock is pitching like a 36-year old journeyman, the trio of Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton look like rotation mainstays for the foreseeable future. With Jonah Tong’s last few starts looking far, far better than most of his 2026, he will likely be joining the rotation shortly.
While the Mets’ season has been a disappointment, the Giants season has been fairly close to disaster. They’d be in the basement of the NL West if not for the truly astoundingly bad Rockies. While Mets fans like my good friend Chris McShane will be looking forward to watching Drew Gilbert, there really aren’t too many bright spots for the Giants right now. Their best player by bWAR, Luis Arraez, no longer plays for them. Their second best player by bWAR, Rafael Devers, is reportedly miserable.
While the Mets have their problems, the Giants make the Mets look like a respectable, functioning ball club. Thanks?
Friday, September 4: Nolan McLean vs Matt Wilkinson, 7:10pm EDT on SNY
Nolan McLean is garnering some Rookie of the Year discussion, and while he has had a few rough patches over the season, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t belong there. Since his shaky start on August 6th, McLean has been phenomenal. In four starts, he’s tossed 25 innings, allowing just three earned runs, ten hits, 13 walks and 16 strikeouts. The walks have been a little more of an issue later in the season and his strikeouts are down, but the results haven’t suffered at all.
The 23-year old rookie only has three stars under his belt, and for the first start he was acting as an opener. In his most recent appearance, he notched a quality start, allowing just two runs over six innings.
Saturday, September 5: Zac Thornton vs Anthony Molina, 4:10pm EDT on SNY
Thornton’s starts tend to look a little more like a tightrope walk than the other young pitchers on the staff, but he’s settling into a really impressive rookie campaign. The biggest highlight might be his walk rate; he’s only walked 14 in 11 starts, while only walking one or fewer batters over his last four starts.
The 24 year old Molina is the veteran of this trio of Giants starters. He came over from the Braves mid-season, and has made two appearances thus far for San Francisco. In his only start, he went five, giving up three run and striking out six.
Sunday, September 6: Christian Scott vs TBA, 1:40m EDT on SNY
Scott’s August wasn’t pretty at times, though in every appearance there have been moments of transcendence. In his last start against the Astros, walks were an issue, with five free passes to only two strikeouts. But in his first year back from Tommy John, Scott is doing a lot to establish himself as piece of this rotation after a lost season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 18: Miles McBride speaks onstage during "Knicks Film School" podcast the Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images for Fanatics) | Getty Images for Fanatics
Miles “Deuce” McBride arrived in New York as the 36th pick in the 2021 draft, a short-ish, square-jawed defender with a shaky jump shot. The inconsistent three-ball never worried Tom Thibodeau. The grizzled skipper loved watching a 6’2” guard stalk ballhandlers the length of the court, the basketball equivalent of a German shepherd harassing a cockapoo.
Eventually, the offense came around. Deuce put in plenty of reps with Westchester, waited behind veteran guards on the MSG depth chart and spent marathon hours in the gym rebuilding his jumper. His three-point shooting went from his greatest liability to one of his greatest strengths, rising from 25% on 1.7 attempts per game as a rookie to 41% on 6.6 attempts during the championship season. His playing time increased accordingly. Although still primarily a reserve, he went from nine minutes per game to 26.
When RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were traded to the Raptors, Leon Rose’s next order of business was locking down the promising McBride, who had so far been buried on the bench. On the day of the trade, December 30, 2023, the former West Virginia Mountaineer, then 23, agreed to a three-year, $13 million fully guaranteed contract extension. The front-loaded deal began the following season and runs through 2026–27, with his salary decreasing each year.
Deuce significantly outperformed it. He stepped into a larger rotation role, improved his efficiency, contributed as a two-way guard and posted career highs in points, minutes and assists. He became a reliable sparkplug off the bench and an occasional starter (43 so far). Better still, his contract provided the Knicks with roster flexibility under the league’s salary-cap and apron restrictions. Recent estimates have placed his market value at $10 million to $12 million per year, if not higher, while his actual cap hits remained remarkably low: approximately $4.7 million in 2024–25, $4.3 million in 2025–26 and less than $4 million in 2026–27.
McBride further proved his value during the championship run, playing through lingering pain after February hernia surgery sidelined him for roughly two months. He described the sensation as “like someone stabbing your groin, hip and ab at the same time,” yet still played anyway.
Now all that wonderful success may carry Deuce out of New York. Stefan Bondy reports in the New York Post that McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are eligible for extensions and remain unsigned. McBride’s situation is the most eyebrow-raising of the three. He did not sign before the August 11 soft deadline, after which an extension would prevent the Knicks from trading him during the season. Bondy considers a new deal unlikely and highlights McBride as perhaps the Knicks’ best expendable trade asset.
McBride has a favorable expiring contract, and the Knicks have more guards than available minutes. They also have needs that may become more urgent as the season unfolds. New York acquired Andre Drummond to back up Towns, but Drummond is on the other side of 30, with considerable mileage after a career spent wrestling NBA bigs. If Rose & Co. decide they need another center or a different kind of rotation player, they have limited ways to make a meaningful midseason move. Trading Deuce may provide the cleanest path.
With Mitchell Robinson gone, McBride is the longest-tenured Knick. He is also among the few remaining players whom the organization drafted and developed. When done well, player development creates value, and the best proof of that value is when another team craves what you produced. Which teams might be interested? Off the top of the dome: the Hornets, Grizzlies, Clippers, Nets, and Suns. If none of them has a big man the Knicks want, we already know Leon is capable of roping in a third team that does.
Nobody in the P&T bullpen wants to see Deuce go. He fits the exact profile of a player we love: gritty, team-first, defensively minded, willing to play through pain, and committed to improving year after year. Ideally, that kind of player remains a Knick for life, followed by a chair at MSG Network or a front-office position. But who knows what the Knicks’ situation at center will be around the midseason trade deadline? If this is Deuce’s last ride, let’s appreciate it.
For nearly two years, Semyon Varlamov's NHL career looked like it might be over.
Two knee surgeries and a long recovery kept the former Colorado Avalanche goaltender away from the game, with each passing month making a return seem less likely.
Now, at 38 years old, Varlamov is getting ready to come back.
And for Avalanche fans, his story may sound familiar.
Varlamov is about to have his own Gabe Landeskog moment.
The veteran goaltender is expected to be a full participant when the New York Islanders open training camp later this month. He last played in an NHL game on Nov. 29, 2024.
Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche described Varlamov's return as "almost a miracle," while making it clear the goaltender has earned the opportunity through months of hard work.
"He's doing great, actually. It's almost a miracle," Darche told NHL.com. "Well, it's not a miracle because he's really put in the work."
Varlamov has been skating four or five times a week and is doing so without pain or medication. The Islanders expect him to play in preseason games as he works his way back.
For someone who hasn't played an NHL game in nearly two years, that's a remarkable development.
Varlamov spent eight seasons with the Avalanche from 2011-12 through 2018-19, serving as their starting goaltender through a difficult stretch in franchise history. He played 389 games in Colorado, posting a 2.79 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
He’s been with the Islanders since, but injuries have continued to plague the veteran, limiting him to just 10 games during the 2024-25 season.
At that point, it was reasonable to wonder whether Varlamov had played his final NHL game.
Landeskog knows that feeling all too well.
The Avalanche captain missed nearly three full seasons because of a serious knee injury, leaving plenty of doubt about whether he would ever return. He eventually did, making his long-awaited comeback during the 2025-26 season.
Now Varlamov is trying to write a similar comeback story.
The circumstances are different, but the uncertainty is familiar. A veteran player with a long history of knee problems appeared to be nearing the end of his career, only to find a way back onto the ice.
Varlamov has already played 621 NHL games, recording a .916 save percentage and 41 shutouts during his career.
He doesn't have anything left to prove.
But nearly two years after his last NHL appearance, Varlamov is getting another chance to add to his career.
For the Avalanche fans who watched him guard Colorado's net for eight seasons, that's pretty special.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 29: Dylan Crews #3 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after driving in the game winning run with a single in the tenth inning against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on August 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we enter September, the Nationals are out of the playoff hunt. However, that does not mean these games are meaningless. There are three players whose future could be shaped by what they do this month. Dylan Crews, Harry Ford and Abimelec Ortiz all need strong finishes to the season to secure a spot on the team in 2027 and beyond.
Dylan Crews is the highest profile example of a player who needs a strong final chapter to the season. So far, Crews’ career has been defined by taking one step forward before taking two steps back. He has had some big moments, but has never been able to follow those up with consistent play.
His walk-off against the Marlins is the perfect example of this. That could have been a real turning point for Crews where he gathered momentum. However, in the three games since that walk-off, Crews is hitless. Honestly, that is the story of his Nationals career.
You can see flashes of the talent that made him the number 2 overall pick. However, they are not consistent enough and the end result is not good enough. For the season, Crews is hitting just .216 with a .643 OPS. That is pretty much the hitter he has been his whole MLB career now. In 741 career at bats, Crews is a .213 hitter with a .638 OPS.
Unless he has a strong finish to the season, Crews should not be given the sort of everyday playing time he has gotten this season. James Wood, Daylen Lile and Jacob Young have all proven to be better than him so far. This month is a chance for Crews to finish strong and prove to the club that he belongs.
In July, Crews posted an OPS over .800. If he can do that again in September, it would go a long way for him. However, time is running out for the former LSU star. I could see him being a potential trade chip this offseason as a change of scenery candidate. It could be the best thing for all parties if things don’t get better quickly.
Harry Ford has not had as much time to prove himself in the big leagues as Crews, but he has also had a tough year. When the Nats traded for Ford in the offseason, many people including myself assumed he would quickly establish himself as the Nats starting catcher. However, that has not been the case as Keibert Ruiz has re-established himself while Ford has not shown the power he did last year.
The 23 year old started the year in Rochester and got off to a brutal start. He posted a .531 OPS in April and it was an uphill battle from there. To his credit, Ford got better every month. His OPS was over .800 in both June and July. That earned him a big league call up.
So far in the big leagues, it has been a mixed bag. On the positive side of things, his defense has been about average, which is better than expected. He has also shown off his trademark plate discipline, with a chase rate of just 18.7%. That number is in Juan Soto territory and it is why he is walking over 12% of the time.
Harry Ford has maybe the second best plate discipline I’ve ever seen. He has absolutely no power, but he’ll always have a job in the big leagues as long as he continues to play good defense. I put Soto’s 2021 season for reference of the plate discipline. pic.twitter.com/WeBXiYxefH
The plate discipline is the only thing propping up his offensive profile right now though. His .697 OPS is not terrible for a rookie, but the lack of slugging is a concern. Ford was seen as having average power before this year, but his quality of contact has fallen off a cliff.
In the big leagues, his average exit velocity is just 83.5 MPH. That is problematic for a player whose contact skills are just average. Right now, there is a lot of blue on his Baseball Savant page. He will need a strong finish to the season in order to establish himself as a full time big leaguer. At the moment, he is closer to Drew Millas than Keibert Ruiz.
I also think this offseason is very important for Ford. He needs to find a way to hit the ball harder and improve his bat speed. The plate discipline is great, but he needs to show more thump to keep pitchers from just pounding the zone.
For Abimelec Ortiz, thump is not the issue. The 24 year old first baseman has big power and bat speed. Those qualities, along with a solid hit tool helped him get off to a fantastic start in the big leagues. He burst onto the scene, hitting 5 homers and batting over .300 in his first 14 games.
However, Ortiz’s flaws have been brutally exposed lately. Right now he is chasing way too much and not working quality at bats. In the big leagues, Ortiz’s chase rate is 37.4%. That is way too high for a hitter of his profile. It leads to quick outs and causes him to do less damage than he should.
Ortiz will never be a guy who takes a ton of walks, but he needs to walk more than 5% of the time. In AAA, Ortiz’s swing rate was just 45.6% but that has jumped to 51.4% in the show. This month, Big Abi needs to show an ability to make the proper adjustments if he wants to stick around long term.
After the way he started his career, the 1B job seemed like his to lose. However, he seems to be losing it right now. Ortiz can reclaim that spot if he can bounce back. The talent is there, he just needs to stop swinging so much.
Overall, there are a lot of players who have points to prove this month. Dylan Crews, Harry Ford and Abimelec Ortiz are on the top of the list though. All three are talented, but they need to show that talent more consistently down the stretch.
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2026/01/03: Ilya Nabokov (30) of Metallurg Hockey Club seen in action during the Hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2025/2026 between Shanghai Dragons China and Metallurg Magnitogorsk at the SKA Arena. (Final score; Shanghai Dragons 3:7 Metallurg Magnitogorsk). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by Mile High Hockey staff members. Seven writers have ranked players under the age of 25 in the Colorado Avalancheorganization as of September 1, 2026. Now, we’ll count down each of the 25 players ranked.
We have finally arrived at the #1 Colorado Avalanche prospect under 25 years of age; returning to defend his #1 status in 2025 is goaltender Ilya Nabokov.
It’s been an interesting journey and case study getting to know the players in the Avalanche system. Along the way, we’ve discussed players with a clear path to the NHL, some whose path could materialize down the road, and others who will need a miracle to earn a debut.
Make no mistake, Ilya Nabokov will play in the NHL, as he’s been promised. These promises have been enough to get him to North America for a debut season with the Colorado Eagles, for now.
I’m anxious to get an up-close look at Ilya Nabokov this year
Now the question is, are the promises enough to immediately slot Nabokov over Trent Miner as the starter in Loveland? Miner has already proven to be among the better AHL netminders and has had appearances in the NHL, including an NHL shutout.
It’s likely the two split time, but I’d imagine that wouldn’t sit well with Nabokov, who left behind legitimate success (KHL MVP, KHL ROY, Gagarin Cup Champion, KHL Playoff MVP) when he left the KHL.
The key to success and winning the gig, I think, will come at training camp and in the early stages of the regular season. If Ilya can showcase his aggressive and athletic talents at camp against the best of the best, it will be hard to keep him out of the starter’s crease in Loveland.
As far as Nabokov playing NHL hockey, after Scott Wedgewood’s deal comes to an end, he appears to be the natural fill-in to back up MacKenzie Blackwood and a potential starter in Colorado one day.
Nabokov has the tools and the mindset of a proven champion netminder. The question remains: will his game translate to the North American game? I’m optimistic.
Let us know what you think of this prospect in the comments!
If you’d like to hear more of our thoughts on each prospect, head to the Mile High Hockey Lab catalogHERE!
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 13: Kevin McGonigle #7 of the Detroit Tigers scores a run past Patrick Bailey #16 of the Cleveland Guardians in the eighth inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians are 6-1 against the Tigers this season. To have a good shot at the playoffs, they’ll need to make that 9-2 or 10-1 by Monday (weather-permitting).
Since August 4th, the Tigers are 29th in MLB in team wRC+ at 85, 19th in baserunning runs above average at -0.7, tenth in Defense at -0.9, ninth in starting pitcher ERA at 3.64 (4.67 FIP), and 26th in bullpen ERA at 4.88 (4.99 FIP).
Since August 4th, the Guardians are 12th in MLB in team wRC+ at 100, 19th in baserunning runs above average at -0.7, eighth in Defense at 1.2, 12th in starting pitcher ERA at 3.92 (4.25 FIP), and eighth in bullpen ERA at 3.28 (3.74 FIP).
Need to get into the Tigers’ pen early and take advantage.
Matchups:
Game One, Friday, 2:10PM ET: Montero RHP 3.24 ERA (3.86 FIP) vs. Allen LHP 3.77 ERA (4.98 FIP)
Game Two, Friday, 7:15PM ET: Sears 6.75 ERA (4.30 FIP) vs. Griffin LHP 3.96 ERA (4.42 FIP)
Game Three, Saturday, 6:10PM ET: Valdez LHP 4.36 ERA (4.24 FIP) vs. Messick LHP 2.46 ERA (3.06 FIP)
Game Four, Sunday, 1:40PM ET: Jobe RHP 4.63 ERA (5.37 FIP) vs. Williams RHP 3.81 ERA (3.58 FIP)
The Tigers have been playing lifeless baseball for a while but don’t be surprised to see them get fired up for this series. They have hit LHP much better than RHP as well lately (though still not particularly well), so Allen, Griffin and Messick will need to be careful.
Over the past month, the Tigers have been led by Hao-Yu Lee at 121 wRC+ and Brett Callahan 107 wRC+. Yep, it’s been bleak. Meanwhile, during that time period, the Guardians have been led by Chase DeLauter 166 wRC+, Angel Martinez 148 wRC+, Steven Kwan 133 wRC+, Patrick Bailey 129 wRC+, Jo Adell 118 wRC+ and Jose Ramirez 101 wRC+.
Today is the day the Guardians have to figure this thing out. This weekend is the series they have to win or sweep to start a run to the playoffs. If they do not, then we will definitively know what kind of team this is.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes prepares to throw to the Chicago Cubs in the first inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on March 3, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Burnes pitched two 1-2-3 innings for the Reno Aces on Aug. 23 and in a bridge camp game on Thursday. There was discussion of Burnes potentially returning from the injured list for the Diamondbacks’ weekend series against the Houston Astros, but manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday the organization opted to build him up for one more rehab start to increase his pitch count.
The right-hander was previously slated to return to the rotation earlier this season, but a right teres major (shoulder) strain delayed his expected mid-summer return. Now, it appears Burnes is finally ready to rejoin the team at a critical point in Arizona’s season as the Diamondbacks continue to fight for a spot in the postseason.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in Houston this weekend to face the Astros for a three-game interleague series at Daikin Park.
The D-backs (74-67) will enter play on Friday, September 4 with a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.
Arizona narrowly avoided a sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory in which they used seven pitchers in a shutout bullpen game.
Despite falling behind early, the Royals fought back thanks to the arm of Michael Wacha and timely hits by Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone to win the third and final game of their series against the Miami Marlins, 7-3. The win improves the Royals record to 63-78.
A month after the Orioles traded the three-time All-Star catcher to Boston, Rutschman went deep in the first and sixth innings. He received a standing ovation from the Baltimore crowd before his first-inning drive to right gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Alonso tied it with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half.
With the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline exactly one month behind us, it’s time to look back at some of the more notable deals and highlight which headliners have thus far been major successes … or major disappointments. There’s still the month of September left to correct or reinforce these performances thus far, but here’s where things stand one month out. Bad news first, in keeping with therapeutic best practices …
Apr 26, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Connor Joe (9) celebrates after hitting a double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Good morning everyone and happy Friday!
The Mariners dropped the first game of the Athletics series last night by a 7-4 score as the M’s pitching staff couldn’t quite stem the flow of A’s runs. They’ll get another opportunity to notch a win today with first pitch scheduled for 7:10pm PT.
Andy McCullough at The Athletic checked in on several managers who are on the hot seat as the season draws to a close — including our own Dan Wilson. ($)
The Tigers have been one of the unluckiest teams in recent memory. Jay Jaffe at Fangraphs marveled at the difference between their actual record and Pythagorean record.
In case you missed it, the Los Angeles Clippers were handed down several punishments for circumventing the salary cap to sign star Kawhi Leonard — an investigation initially launched by podcaster Pablo Torre. Matt Yoder wrote about the importance of unbiased journalism in an era where basically everyone is bought and paid for.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 03: Adley Rutschman #31 of the Boston Red Sox rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With a mostly successful series against the Angels behind them, the Yankees had the benefit of a day off on Thursday, before heading down the coast to San Diego. As the American League playoff picture remains clustered, New York was able to make up some free ground in the division, while several other playoff hopefuls duked it out on a busy night of baseball.
Let’s take a look at what went down around the Junior Circuit.
Texas Rangers (70-71) 6, Tampa Bay Rays (83-57) 0
In case the title didn’t spoil anything, the Tampa Bay bats went cold in Texas on Thursday. They managed just three hits in their scoreless effort, as the Rangers earned a good all-around win to crawl closer to .500.
Things were scoreless through three innings in this one, before singles from Justin Foscue and Ezequiel Duran in the fourth and fifth respectively put the Rangers up 2-0. Later on in the fifth, Corey Seager delivered the big blow when he mashed a two-run shot for his 14th homer of the season.
While the bats had built a 4-0 lead, Cal Quantrill was giving it his all on the mound. The veteran right-hander ultimately tossed seven scoreless frames, allowing just a pair of hits while striking out five Tampa Bay hitters.
Quantrill’s efforts, along with a pair of scoreless innings from Jakob Junis and Chase Silseth, kept the Rays out of the run column all night, as they dropped one on the road. For good measure, a triple from Evan Carter and a sacrifice fly from Jake Burger plated the final runs of the night, as Texas cruised to a 6-0 victory. Despite sitting a game under .500, they are still just a half-game out of the final AL wild card spot.
Other Games
Houston Astros (72-69) 6, Chicago White Sox (73-67) 2
It was a busy night in the West, as the Astros maintained their lead with a win as well. After a Jose Altuve two-run homer had them up early, a pair of RBI knocks from the Sox had things squared up after two innings. In the bottom half of the fourth, extra-base hits from Isaac Paredes and Daulton Varsho scored three runs, before a Christian Walker single plated the fourth run of the inning. From that point, both squads were done scoring on the night, as Hunter Brown settled in to his solid six-inning outing, before the Houston ‘pen secured things in the latter portion of this one. With the win, the Astros maintain their two-game lead out west.
Boston Red Sox (76-65) 6, Seattle Mariners (66-75) 5
In an AL East battle, the Red Sox held on for a big win over the O’s in a close affair. Both squads plated a run in the first, before Baltimore jumped ahead in the third inning, with solo home runs coming from Luis Robert Jr. and Pete Alonso. From there, however, the Sox began to chip away. Adley Rutschman swatted his second homer of the game in the sixth (in his return to Baltimore), before Isiah Kiner-Falefa tied the game with a single an inning later. Finally, it was homers from Nick Sogard and Roman Anthony that decided this one, which put Boston up 6-3. The O’s fought hard, including another homer in the ninth that got them to within one run again, but it wouldn’t be enough.
Toronto Blue Jays (70-71) 6, Cleveland Guardians (70-70) 3
A four-run fifth inning was the difference-maker for the Jays on Thursday. A two-run double from Nathan Lukes was the big hit in the inning, and was part of his solid night that saw him tally a pair of hits. It was a shaky outing for relative newcomer José Soriano, who gave up three runs in 4.2 innings, but the Jays bullpen kept the game scoreless over the final 4.1 innings. The Guardians stay at three games back in the Central, while Toronto is fully entrenched in the hectic AL wild card picture.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 02: Henry Bolte #33 of the Athletics is congratulated by teammates following a two run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on September 02, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Friday A’s fans!
Last night, the Athletics kicked off a four-game series against their division-rival the Seattle Mariners with a 7-4 victory.
With 21 games remaining, the team’s focus should be on building for next season while trying to avoid the dreaded 100-loss mark. The Athletics have a golden opportunity to play spoiler in upcoming matchups against the Mariners, Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros, three teams vying for playoff berths. Given how tightly contested the American League West is, how the Mariners and Astros fare against the A’s could help decide who represents the division in the postseason.
When assessing what went wrong, individuals will justifiably single out the pitching staff, which for a second straight season failed to pitch effectively during home games at Sutter Health Park. That resulted in the dismissals of pitching coach Scott Emerson and general manager David Forst, while manager Mark Kotsay remains employed for now.
However, the A’s have enjoyed some positives. Top prospects Henry Bolte, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Tommy White and Gage Jump have made their MLB debuts, with Bolte and Jump particularly proving they have the ability to be pivotal pieces of the team’s roster moving forward. Right-hander J.T. Ginn emerged as the most consistent member of the club’s starting rotation, while Hogan Harris and Luis Medina became the most reliable members of the below-average bullpen.
Down on the farm, the Athletics’ top two picks of the 2025 MLB Draft, left-handed pitcher Jamie Arnold and outfielder Devin Taylor, showcased their vast potential in their first professional season. Additionally, fellow left-hander Wei-En-Lin’s Double-A dominance earned him a spot among MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 prospects before he suffered season-ending Tommy-John surgery.
Finally, in the low minors, recent international signing Breyson Guedez put his name on the map with a standout first season in the U.S., while this year’s first-round pick, Drew Burress, began his professional journey with a flourish at Single-A Stockton.
Despite all the losing, there remains hope that improved roster construction and better injury luck could help the Green and Gold return to prominence next season. That is, of course, if there is a season. How many games do you think will be missed because of the looming lockout?
What do you think of this person’s take? If there is a season next year, which pitcher should the A’s target in free agency this offseason to strengthen their rotation?
Next years rotation out of spring training in my eyes going into the offseason:
Guaranteed spot:
Severino Ginn
Not a guaranteed spot, but almost a guaranteed spot
Quite the Triple-A introduction for Devin Taylor. His rapid ascent through the minor leagues puts him firmly on the A’s radar as a potential impact call-up next season. Taylor could replace Brent Rooker as the team’s designated hitter, take over one of its corner-outfield spots or even be used as trade bait to acquire a talented pitcher for the Green and Gold.
COVERS INTEL: Keider Montero is generating weak contact at the 
