Freddie Freeman backs up confidence as Dodgers rally in Tarik Skubal's home debut

LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman said there was "no concern" about the Los Angeles Dodgers despite their recent struggles.

One night later, the veteran first baseman helped prove it.

Freeman collected three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as the Dodgers rallied past the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Monday, snapping a stretch during which they had dropped eight of nine games.

The victory came after manager Dave Roberts acknowledged before the game that the Dodgers haven't played like contenders during the past month.

"We're a wild-card team right now," Roberts said before Monday's game. "We've gotta get going and play with urgency. … The 'We’re gonna be OK and we’re good,' – that’s not good enough. Clearly it’s not, given how we’ve played over the last month."

Freeman drove in two runs, including the eventual winner after Shohei Ohtani singled and stole second in the seventh inning. He also knocked in Ohtani earlier in the game as Los Angeles erased an early three-run deficit.

"It was nice," Freeman said after the victory. "Fifty thousand-plus on a Monday night, it felt like the fans were trying to will us to a win tonight."

While Freeman delivered the decisive hit, the Dodgers also flexed their depth on the mound, sending out the first of two Cy Young Award winners on the mound for back-to-back days. Roberts enlisted Tarik Skubal to pitch for the Dodgers in the opener against the Royals. Blake Snell is expected to start on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

When the team acquired Skubal from the Detroit Tigers earlier this month, the Dodgers became the 12th organization in league history to have multi-time Cy Young winners on the same team at the same time, according to MLB statistician Sarah Langs.

Skubal managed to stay on the mound for five innings on Monday, but it was not perfect. He struck out six in 95 pitches (66 strikes), allowing four hits and three earned runs that made his Dodger Stadium debut feel a bit underwhelming.

"I thought I competed well and gave our team a chance to win," Skubal said. “Our offense picked me up big time, defense picked me up big time, and the bullpen was outstanding tonight. All in all, a good team win, especially when I don’t feel like I performed up to my standard."

Roberts stated before the game that he planned to give Skubal a longer leash in terms of usage, but plans changed.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior came out to talk with Skubal and catcher Hunter Feduccia during the fifth inning. The left-handed pitcher did finish out the game but wouldn't return as he was replaced by reveliver Alex Vesia.

Both Skubal and Roberts attributed the pitcher’s lackluster performance to an issue with controlling his fastball.

Skubal also admitted that there was some level of nerves ahead of the home debut but clarified that it wasn’t anything he hadn’t experienced before.

"I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but nerves are a good thing," Skubal added. "The day I don’t get nervous is the day I’ll retire."

Blake Snell returning for Dodgers

Snell was around the team Monday afternoon and was seen throwing the ball around in the outfield.

Snell has made his way back from an elbow injury after participating in a minor league rehab assignment for the organization's Triple-A affiliate. He pitched 3⅔ innings in a game on Aug. 4.

He struck out three batters on 73 pitches (41 strikes) but also allowed five hits, two home runs and four walks during the outing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Freddie Freeman backs up confidence as Dodgers rally in Tarik Skubal's home debut

Anaheim Ducks Cutter Gauthier Ranked as NHL Network's 19th-Best Winger Right Now

On Sunday, Aug. 2, the NHL Network released their list of “Top 20 Wings in the League Right Now” as the first in a nine-part series ranking top NHL players at each position and overall. Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier cracked the list, coming in at #19, sandwiched between Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings at #20 and Brady Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers at #18.

NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp said of Gauthier, “He’s going to be in the ‘Rocket Richard’ conversation for years to come. He shoots the puck from absolutely everywhere.”

Could Cutter Gauthier Shift to Center for the 2026-27 Season?

Young Anaheim Ducks Players Who Could "Graduate" into Impactful NHL Roles in 2026-27

Atop the list were veteran names like Nikita Kucherov, David Pasternak, Kirill Kaprizov, and Mitch Marner at 1-4, respectively. Gauthier was the youngest player on NHL Network’s list. 

The 2025-26 season was Gauthier’s second full season in the NHL, one where he tallied 69 points (41-28=69) in 76 games, leading the Ducks in both points and goals en route to the franchise’s first playoff appearance in eight years and their first trip to the second round in nine. 

In the 2026 NHL Playoffs, Gauthier again led the Ducks in scoring with 12 points (4-8=12) in 12 games. They lost to the eventual Western Conference Champion Vegas Golden Knights in six games during their second-round series after defeating the reigning Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers in six games in the first round. 

Gauthier was originally a draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers (5th overall in 2022) and was acquired by Anaheim in Jan. 2024 in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale (6th in ’20) and a 2025 second-round pick (Jack Murtagh). He made his NHL debut in the Ducks’ last game of the 2023-24 season and scored 44 points (20-24=44) in 82 games in his rookie year (2024-25), before breaking out as a sophomore. 

Rupp was completely correct in his evaluation of Gauthier’s biggest strength: his shot and his ability to get his shot off. Last season, Gauthier led the NHL in shot attempts per 60 minutes (25.58) by a significant margin, eclipsing second-place Dylan Guenther (23.14) by over two shot attempts/60. Gauthier finished second in the league in SOG/60 (12.95) and goals/60 (1.88) while his 41 goals were good enough to tie for 11th.

One can’t help but believe Gauthier is just scratching the surface of his goal-scoring potential, as he accomplished what he did in just his second professional season with the least TOI/G (17:15) and the third-lowest shooting percentage (14.4%) among the NHL’s top-25 goal-scorers. 

It’s also expected he’ll play a more significant role for the Ducks moving forward, and as he continues to develop, both at 5v5 and on special teams. He played just the fifth-most minutes among Ducks forwards at even strength (14:08 TOI /G) and on the power play (2:48 TOI/G) in 2025-26. 

He’s established himself as the NHL’s best young scorer and a cornerstone core piece of the present and future of the Anaheim Ducks organization. He’s currently without a contract and is projected to receive a sizable payday, preferably before the start of Anaheim’s 2026 training camp in Sept.

The Ducks are in a predicament where they will be forced to rely on the entirety of their youthful core (Leo Carlsson, Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Beckett Sennecke, Lukas Dostal) to take another considerable step in their progressions as star players at their respective positions. Gauthier provides the Ducks with the most difficult attribute to attain in the NHL (goal-scoring) and will be continuously relied on to provide the lineup with game-changing, instant offense for the foreseeable future.

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Anaheim Ducks Sign First-Round Pick Nikita Klepov to ELC

Outlook for the Anaheim Ducks Blueline, Losing Three Veteran Right Shots

Guardians News: It’s Now or Never

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 09: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 09, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The opportunity for the Guardians to save their season starts tonight.

After these three games against the Tigers, the Guardians’ schedule gets pretty easy for a while. Managing to win this series would be potentially a huge kickstart to a chance for a run. Cleveland is 6-0 against Detroit this season so one more win clinched the season series.

There are somehow six teams worse than Cleveland at ABS this season. Tampa being the worst at it definitely makes me feel better about Stephen Vogt.

AROUND MLB:

The Twins won.

Jackson Merrill homers for third straight game to lead Padres over Brewers

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Freddy Fermin #54 and Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres celebrate on the field after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park on August 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The third home run in as many days for Jackson Merrill was the most important one yet. The center fielder stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with a runner on base and one out with the San Diego Padres trailing the Milwaukee Brewers, 2-1. When the at-bat was over, Merrill had collected his 19th home run of the season and put the Padres ahead, 3-2 en route to a series opening win over the Brewers at Petco Park on Monday night.

Merrill homered in each of the last two games in the previous series against the Houston Astros. He had been 0-for-2 on the day prior to his at-bat in the bottom of the seventh. Manny Machado popped out to start the inning and Ty France followed with a single to left field. Merrill hit a 1-1 pitch from Logan Henderson to straightaway center field that traveled 431 feet to give the Padres their first lead of the game.

Adrian Morejon, maybe the most dominant left-handed reliever in the game, came on for the top of the eighth inning. He allowed one hit but faced the minimum with a strikeout and a ground ball double play to finish a scoreless inning. Mason Miller came in for the top of the ninth inning and allowed a two-out walk, but pinch runner Brandon Lockridge was thrown out by catcher Freddy Fermin attempting to steal second base to end the game.

Casey Mize made his second start for San Diego and the first at Petco Park since being traded by the Detroit Tigers at the Trade Deadline. Mize had a much better second outing, completing six innings and allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. He was hurt by one pitch when Christian Yelich connected on a two-run home run in the top of the second inning that gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. The Padres answered in the bottom of the second when France hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to one run.

Yuki Matsui followed Mize with a scoreless seventh inning before Morejon and Miller came on to complete the game.

San Diego plays Milwaukee in the second game of the series today at 6:40 p.m.

Padres News:

Baseball News:

Spurs host Thunder on opening night, visit the Knicks on Christmas Day

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 24, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA has begun releasing the 2026-2027 schedule, beginning with the opening week and Christmas match-ups today. They’re wasting no time in getting the Spurs back against their opponents of the final two rounds of the playoffs, beginning with a Western Conference Finals rematch against Oklahoma City Thunder at home on opening night. Tip-off will be at 8:30 CT on NBC and Peacock.

It will follow the Knicks raising the banner and hosting the new-look 76ers (rumor has it the NBA was pushing LeBron James to make his Decision 4.0 so they could get on with this, so he purposefully delayed his announcement to join the 76ers by a week to spite them), although for some reason the true season opener is between Celtics and Pistons four hours earlier at 2:00 PM CT. (Won’t everyone be at work?)

If you’re like me and are still recovering from all the 8:30 (closer to 9) tipoff times from the playoffs, too bad! Because the Spurs will get another one three days later, as they will host the Houston Rockets in that timeslot on October 23, which will be streamed on Prime. (At least it’s on a Friday!) This will also be one of their four home games in the Moody Center in Austin and will be a homecoming of sorts for Kevin Durant, who went to the University of Texas for his lone college season. (To be honest, I’m not a fan of taking a rivalry game out of San Antonio, but maybe that’s just me.)

While we can finally say “at least the Spurs aren’t opening against the Mavs for the fourth year in a row,” one game that does feel a bit repetitive is Christmas in Madison Square Garden. And not just because the Spurs got more than enough of the Knicks in the Finals (which will add another level to this game), but it’s also a repeat of two years ago, when Victor Wembanyama made his Christmas debut in MSG. Despite him putting on a show with 42 points and 18 rebounds, the Spurs came up just short after blowing a late lead. (Sound familiar?) Tip-off will be at 11 AM CT on ABC and ESPN.

It will be followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat at Celtics, LeBron’s return to LA with the 76ers at Lakers, Thunder at Timberwolves, who surprisingly traded for LaMelo Ball, and what very well may be the bummer match-up of the day between two aging teams who did nothing to get better over the offseason with the Nuggets visiting the Warriors.

The NBA Cup groups and tournament schedules will be released tomorrow, and the complete regular season schedule for all 30 teams will be released on Thursday at 2:00 CT time. (If you feel the need to watch it, it will be on ESPN 2.) What do you think about these big-day match-ups, Pounders?

Rays Reacts Survey: Rotation Confidence

SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 10: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays prepares in the dugout prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, August 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rays fans and fans across the country.


Breaking T releases “Air Luis Lara” shirt

We’re back with a new Breaking T shirt, featuring Milwaukee’s young outfielder.

As you may have seen on Sunday, 21-year-old outfielder Luis Lara made two of the best catches we’ve seen all season, saving the day as the Brewers beat the Twins in extra innings.

The cherry on top? The second of those earned MLB’s Play of the Week.

That’s why our friends at Breaking T created a brand-new “Air Luis Lara” shirt.

Luis Lara has some serious ups in Milwaukee.

  • Officially licensed by MLB Players, Inc.
  • Super-soft, durable t-shirts and hoodies
  • Designed and printed in the USA
  • Free returns and exchanges

Click here to get an Air Luis Lara shirt, and be sure to check out their full line of Brewers’ merchandise here.

Brewers Reacts Survey: Building an outfield

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 7: Jackson Chourio #11, Garrett Mitchell #5, and Luis Lara #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after beating the St. Louis Cardinals during game two of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on July 7, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country.

Welcome back to another edition of our Reacts Survey! In this week’s poll, we’re asking fans to decide which outfielders they would like to see in the lineup upon the return of Sal Frelick in the coming weeks.

With Jackson Chourio locked into left field, the Brewers have two positions remaining for three viable outfield candidates — Frelick, Luis Lara, and Garrett Mitchell.

Frelick, 26, went on the IL right out of the All-Star break with an arm injury. Now on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville, he’s probably about one week away from returning to the team.

Frelick, who hasn’t been nearly as elite defensively this season as in years past, has also struggled at the plate, with career-worst numbers across the board. Over 90 games, he’s hitting .236/.301/.330 with four homers, 34 RBIs, 33 runs, and six steals.

Lara, 21, agreed to a contract extension before even appearing in the big leagues, and he’s already proven why he’s worth it. Across 25 games, he’s been fantastic defensively — just look at his two catches on Sunday — and while his numbers at the plate aren’t great (.235/.338/.338 with no homers, 11 RBIs, eight runs, and two steals), his value in the field is far more important, especially given Milwaukee’s defense-first philosophy.

Mitchell, 27, hasn’t been good in recent weeks, but his season numbers are still solid, and he’s held his own defensively. Across a career-high 108 games, the center fielder is hitting .253/.352/.410 with eight homers, 50 RBIs, 50 runs, and 11 steals.

So, which combo would you like to see upon Frelick’s return? Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!

Note: We’re specifically asking about a lineup to face right-handed pitching, as Frelick and Mitchell both bat lefty and Lara is a switch-hitter.


Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update

Aug 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) is greeted after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Angels during the tenth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Good morning.

Shawn McFarland writes that a big opportunity for the Texas Rangers began with an extra innings win in Anaheim last evening.

MLB dot com’s Jacob Gurvis writes that MacKenzie Gore pitched well to set the tone for Texas in the opener of their road trip.

McFarland writes that, despite the possibility for injury, the Rangers are once again utilizing Wyatt Langford in center field to give the lineup a shot against left-handers.

Evan Grant writes that Jordan Montgomery returned to the big leagues but now he has to work his way back to being good at being a big leaguer.

Look who has come crawling back to Cal Quantrill as Gurvis notes that Nathan Eovaldi hit the injured list yesterday with elbow inflammation.

And, Grant writes that long-time suit Neil Leibman leaves the Rangers as an ownership stake-haver whose decisions led us to BZZR.

Have a nice day!

Should the Phillies promote Alex McFarlane?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 22: Alex McFarlane #71 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in his Major League Baseball debut during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Denis Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Phillies fans and fans across the country.

Yet again, the bullpen needed an arm with Caleb Kilian going on the injured list and yet again, Alex McFarlane was passed over. Chase Shugart was brought back after being demoted mere days earlier and the bullpen suffers for it.

Why?

Has McFarlane done something outside of his shoddy-ish command to not deserve some time in the majors? His not coming up instead of Shugart is questionable at best. So what do you think?


Has selling ever actually helped the Orioles?

It’s been over a week since the most disheartening trade deadline sales job in Orioles history, and not much has changed for these Orioles. After last night’sloss in Minnesota, the O’s still find themselves just below .500, tantalizingly close to a Wild Card spot but with the foreboding sense that Baltimore will never actually reach that playoff berth. So not much has changed, if you can ignore the gaping hole left in the heart of Birdland by Adley Rutschman and others.

The most recent sell-off by Mike Elias and the front office was the sixth time in eight seasons that the Orioles have conceded being sellers at the trade deadline. In terms of overall talent leaving the organization, the 2026 sale probably ranks just behind the great purge of 2018.

The idea behind being sellers is clear; non-contending teams trade win-now assets at inflated prices in order to acquire younger, more controllable players who might better fit a future timeline for contention. Some of the rhetoric coming out of Elias’ office after this trade deadline threw around phrases like “improving overall organizational health” and “setting us our team up for the future.” And in a sport as fickle as baseball, there’s some sense in the idea that you can’t always play to win right now.

However, just because we can explain why a team like the 2026 would be sellers doesn’t mean that it actually works. Seriously think about all the times that the franchise trading away the established star actually got a player back who ended up being as good or better than the one they traded away. It’s not a long list. It’s an even shorter list for an Orioles franchise that has not typically come out a winner in their fire sales.

So with the recent disappointment of the 2026 trade deadline fresh in our minds, let’s look back at the recent sell-offs to see if any ended up benefitting the O’s in the long run.

The Great 2018 Fire Sale

Players traded away: 3B Manny Machado (LAD), RHP Brad Brach (CHC), RHP Darren O’Day (ATL), RHP Kevin Gausman (ATL), LHP Zach Britton (NYY), 2B Jonathan Schoop (MIL)

Notable players received: RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Dillon Tate, LHP Bruce Zimmermann, INF Jonathan Villar, RHP Evan Phillips.

After not selling in any of his first seven seasons with the franchise, previous GM Dan Duquette executed the biggest fire sale in franchise history, trading away the vast majority of the core players that led the O’s playoff appearances in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

The Machado trade was the biggest in terms of outgoing star power, but is also the most confusing to grade. The presumptive future Hall of Famer only stayed with the Dodgers for half a season, ultimately being most remembered for striking out for the final out of the World Series in a losing effort for the Red Sox. Of all these trades, Kremer was the player who featured the most for the Orioles. The right-hander made 130 starts and posted a 4.37 ERA and 6.1 bWAR across seven seasons for the O’s before being shipped to Minnesota last week. The fact that the presumptive centerpiece of the Machado trade, OF Yusniel Díaz, only ever had one AB for the Orioles is a useful illustration of how the prospects in these trades can often become nothing more than losing lottery tickets.

Tate (acquired in the Britton trade) and Villar (acquired in the Schoop trade) both made decent impacts in black and orange. The former served as a reliable member of the bullpen in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, while the latter had a career year for the Orioles in 2019 before being flipped to the Marlins in the 202o offseason.

The biggest L the Orioles took at the 2018 trade deadline was the move that saw Gausman (and O’Day) head to the Braves. Injuries prevented O’Day from being a real contributor after leaving Baltimore, but Gausman has since developed into a two-time All-Star and multi-time Cy Young vote-getter. The fact that the only future major leaguers the O’s got back for the eventual All-Star were replacement-level players in Zimmermann and Phillips is certainly disappointing in retrospect.

Trading away López and Mancini in 2022

Players traded away: RHP Jorge López (MIN) and 1B Trey Mancini (HOU)

Notable players received: RHP Yennier Cano, LHP Cade Povich

The Jorge López trade is perhaps the only definitive trade deadline win for the Mike Elias-led front office. After an All-Star first half in 2022, López was a dud in Minnesota and ended up being traded away less than a year later. Cano, on the other hand, went from trade filler to 2023 All-Star to bullpen staple that recently earned a two-year extension. Povich has given the Orioles 41 starts of replacement-level play, but with the potential to either develop into a reliable back-end rotation piece or the next Keegan Akin as a multi-inning lefty reliever.

It once looked like the Mancini trade would also land in the win column for Elias, but former top pitching prospect Chayce McDermott never established himself at the big league level. The other pitcher acquired in the trade—Seth Johnson—was later used to acquire reliever Gregory Soto.

The 2025 season fire sale

Playerstraded away: OF Ramón Laureano (SD), IF/OF Ryan O’Hearn (SD), RHP Bryan Baker (TB), LHP Gregory Soto (NYM), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (TOR), OF Cedric Mullins (NYM), RHP Andrew Kittredge (CHC), RHP Charlie Morton (DET), IF Ramón Urías (HOU)

Notable players acquired: LHP Boston Bateman, SS Wilfri De La Cruz, IF Brandon Butterworth, IF/OF Victor Figueroa

Only a year after last year’s sell-off that saw nine players from the major league traded elsewhere, it’s too early to really know what the Orioles got in return for fan favorites like Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins and a litany of pitchers. However, only Bateman and De La Cruz currently rank in the Orioles Top 30 prospects. The towering 20-year-old left-hander (acquired in the Laureano/O’Hearn trade) has a 4.09 ERA with 95 Ks in 70.1 IP for Frederick and is currently the O’s No. 10 prospect.

De La Cruz is 18 and in Rookie ball, so, despite his ranking, it’s nearly impossible to put a value on him. However, both Butterworth and Figueroa (also acquired from the Padres) have put up good numbers between Frederick and Chesapeake this season and feel like players who could one day make the majors.

The deal the O’s probably wish they could take back was the one that sent Baker to Tampa for a competitive balance pick. Baker has since blossomed into an All-Star closer for the Rays, while the O’s used that pick on high school OF Slater de Brun, who was in turn traded back to Tampa for Shane Baz.

There’s also a certain measure of disappointment in the fact that Elias hasn’t used more of these prospects to make improvements at the big league level. Of the glut of prospects acquired last year, only de Brun and Wellington Aracena (acquired from the Mets for Soto) have since been traded as part of deals for Baz and Blaze Alexander. The actual impact of the other minor leaguers acquired by the Orioles likely won’t be felt for years if ever.

The verdict

The Orioles’ history of selling players at the deadline is largely one that sees them trade stars for players who (at best) become mediocre major leaguers. In the last decade, every decision to sell has seemingly perpetuated a mindset of playing for the future that has kept the Orioles from sustaining success. The level of prospect the Orioles received in this most recent sale is higher than those of years past. However, history says that won’t matter because those prospects will arrive at a team always looking for their next opportunity to sell.

Will Jim Jarvis start a playoff game?

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 10: Jim Jarvis #74 of the Atlanta Braves fields in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jim Jarvis currently has a notable line, at least compared to earlier in the season. He started out massively outhitting his xwOBA, but that’s done now — he’s at a .274 wOBA (69 wRC+) and .271 xwOBA. His defense-plus-positional adjustment rounds to zero runs above average. Combine that with 0.1 runs of above-average baserunning (sadly it’s not 0.0), and he’s at 0.0 fWAR.

But, the Braves don’t have too many other options. Ha-Seong Kim, well, even the Braves won’t go that far. (And, the more Jarvis plays, the more time Kim is likely going to need to get back into the swing of things.) The other obvious option is just playing Mauricio Dubon at shortstop, but the Braves haven’t committed to that either.

So, when we get to the playoffs (barring an epic collapse, which lurks on the peripheries of probability), will the Braves still be of the inclination to give Jarvis a start? What do you think?

'The Power Gingers': Carson Benge and Nolan McLean's rise from college roommates to Mets cornerstones

At Oklahoma State, coaches used to joke that Nolan McLean and Carson Benge were "The Power Gingers," a pair of red-headed kids who, as two-way players, could do seemingly anything on a ballfield. Here’s a glimpse...

As a pitcher, Benge had more strikeouts at OSU than McLean, weird since McLean now sits among the National League’s strikeout leaders. And McLean, so strong that some folks in Stillwater were shy about shaking hands with him, slugged more home runs in college than Benge, who at 23 years old is one of the most impressive rookie position players in the majors. 

The stage is different now that the Power Gingers have gone from star college teammates to a crucial part of the future for the Mets, but their relationship is still as tight as when they built a strong bond as road roommates at OSU in 2023. 

"He hasn't changed much as we've gotten older, and it's super cool that we're now playing together at the big league level, and that we've been pretty close ever since he was on campus," said the 25-year-old McLean. "He's always been an outgoing, super-gifted and talented player, just kind of oozing with athleticism. And it's shown on a big league stage as well."

"It’s cool they were teammates here and it’s even cooler they’re teammates there," Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday said. "They were tight. Nolan’s good for Bengey and Bengey’s good for Nolan." 

These days, McLean and Benge drive together to Citi Field for games. They live in the same apartment building. In college, they bonded, in part, over video games – Rocket League was a favorite – and they still try to play every day, whether it’s before night games or following a day game. 

Who’s better at Rocket League? "I am, no question," Benge said. "He’ll say the same thing. He’s got me in Call of Duty, but I’m better in Rocket League."

"I mean, Carson, he’s almost just as good at Rocket League as he is at baseball," McLean said. "But I do have him beaten in all the other games."

How would each describe the other as a roommate? "Good," said Benge. "Clean. We just kind of chilled and played video games."

"Got up at similar times, went to bed at similar times," McLean said. "We got close pretty quick. Carson’s easy." 

Carson Benge hyped up with Oklahoma State rounding first base
Carson Benge hyped up with Oklahoma State rounding first base / Oklahoma State Athletics

As both players have been navigating the early days of their big league careers this season, it’s helped having a familiar face around. Major League Baseball is, obviously, a difficult job, and the Mets are enduring a disappointing season.

"Yeah, the game’s kind of built around failure and we’ve both had our struggles this year," McLean noted. Since McLean reached the majors in 2025, he had some intel for Benge when Benge started this season in Queens. 

"What little experience I had, being able to tell him what to expect, just like around the clubhouse, around the stadium, traveling," McLean said. "That's the hard stuff, you know? The baseball stuff's easy for us because that's what we're used to doing. It's the transition into the everyday life and the move."

McLean said he offered Benge insight on what he’d experience "when he got to the field. How guys act. What to wear is a big one. How to deal with the media. You’re going to be asked a million questions. But Carson is a super-chill dude and he’s capable of handling himself."

McLean is originally from North Carolina, so when he went west for college, he craved a certain culture as he tried to play both football and baseball initially.

"It’s 20-plus hours away from home, so the environment was important to me," McLean said. "As soon as I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home." 

There were plenty of former OSU greats around, from Josh’s brother, Matt, a seven-time MLB All-Star, to Robin Ventura, the former Met star and one of the best college baseball players ever. 

"Josh would have people over all the time and it was just like a family environment," McLean said. "It was definitely special for our team."

Nolan McLean in dugout cowboy hat on with Oklahoma State
Nolan McLean in dugout cowboy hat on with Oklahoma State / Oklahoma State Athletics

Cowboy coaches knew all about Benge long before he was a college prospect – Benge’s older brother, Garrett, played for Oklahoma State and was part of the Cowboys’ 2016 College World Series team. Garrett Benge later played three seasons in the minors.

"I knew (Carson) from the time he was 12," said Holliday. "His sophomore year of high school, playing summer baseball, I saw him swing and I said, 'Oooh, that’s different.' What a pretty swing – loose, flat, uncanny, line-drive hitting kid."

Benge was also a standout pitcher, which should come as no surprise to any Met fan who has seen him throw from the outfield. Last month, Benge threw out Freddie Freeman at the plate with a throw clocked at 100 miles per hour, the fastest outfield assist by a Met in the Statcast Era (since 2015), according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

Benge had Tommy John surgery as a freshman at OSU and started playing the outfield. He still pitched in college, too, but it became clear his future was as a position player.

"I think he could have pitched in the big leagues if that’s what he wanted to do," McLean said. "But I think he was too gifted a hitter to not stick with hitting."

And McLean was too gifted on the mound not to stick with pitching, even if he was once dubbed "Cowboy Ohtani" (as in Shohei Ohtani) for his prodigious power. He hit in the minors until 2024 and, somewhat famously, homered in his final at-bat as a pro at Double-A before focusing solely on pitching.

Folks at OSU still talk about McLean’s otherworldly grip strength, which is ideal for hitting, sure, but is also part of what makes McLean so good at generating spin on his breaking pitches.

May 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws water on left fielder Carson Benge (3) before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
May 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws water on left fielder Carson Benge (3) before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. / Rick Scuteri - Imagn Images

At OSU, McLean also got a reputation for a big-time work ethic. "Nolan is as mature as it comes," said OSU assistant coach Victor Romero. "He was here taking care of business. He showed an interest in nutrition and how to get lean. He’s invested in himself."

"My dad always told me, 'You got one shot at it, make the most of it,'" McLean said. "So from a pretty young age, I’ve always been super-fascinated, every day, in what’s going to make me better. I’ve got to thank my dad for instilling that hard work into me.

"But it's also helpful when you go to places like Oklahoma State and then get drafted by the Mets when the resources are just at an all-time high and you can kind of take it all in."

Both places feel like home to The Power Gingers. Who knows if they might get another familiar teammate on the Mets – Gabe Davis, who pitched at OSU from 2023-25, was acquired from the White Sox in the Huascar Brazobán deal.

Benge enjoys the feeling when he goes back to Stillwater. Last winter, he was on campus and texted Holliday: "Are you here? I’ve got something for you." Benge wanted to show Holliday his new puppy, a Newfoundland named Bear.

"Josh loves dogs, so I figured I’d pay him a visit with my new one," Benge said. "She’s getting big."

"I was down in the (batting) cage and his puppy is running around the cage," Holliday said. "He’s a loose, fun soul."

"It looks like they’ve both found their fit," Holliday added. "Super proud of them."

Thoughts on a 4-1 Rangers win

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Jake Burger #21 and Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers celebrate after the 4-1 win in ten innings against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 10, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rangers 4, Angels 1

  • Nothing like starting a road trip with a win.
  • MacKenzie Gore was good, if not terribly efficient, needing 103 pitches to get through 23 batters and 5.1 innings of work.
  • Gore’s command was not great, as he missed badly quite a bit, which helps explain the elevated pitch count. Still, he issued just two walks in the game, and we’ll take that.
  • Gore also generated 22 swings and misses in the game, tied for the 30th most in a game by any pitcher this season, and tied for fourth most by a Ranger pitcher this season.
  • The changeup was what particularly befuddled Angels hitters — Gore threw his change 22 times, generating 17 swings, 12 of which resulted in whiffs. That ties him for the 8th most swings and misses on a changeup in a game this season.
  • Fun fact…14 times this season, a major league pitcher has gotten 12 or more whiffs on his changeup. Cristopher Sanchez has done it six times, and Tarik Skubal has done it three times.
  • Another fun fact…three of those 14 instances, it was the Anaheim Angels who were the victims.
  • Gore continues his hot and cold, yes and no, in and out, up and down, wrong and right, black and white, fight and break up, kiss and make up season.
  • I know many of you angrily turned off the television when Mike Trout hit that first inning home run off of Gore, consigning the game to the ash bin of failure and watching Mr. Show reruns in a huff.
  • And note that I said television, not TV, because TV is a nickname and nicknames are for friends and television is no friend of mine.
  • There were a lot of baserunners in this game, given that the score ended up being 4-1.
  • The Angels were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Angels fans would probably be mad about that if they hadn’t had their souls sucked out of them by virtue of being Angels fans the past however many years.
  • The Rangers were an acceptable 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position. However, three of those hits came in the tenth inning, which feels like it hardly counts. They also left 10 men on base.
  • It didn’t have to go to extra innings. Corey Seager hit what appeared to be a go-ahead two out, three run home run in the top of the seventh off of the Tayler Saucedo, only for the immortal Wade Meckler to bring it back and steal it from the Seagbot.
  • You may recognize Tayler Saucedo as being the person who red-pilled Pete Crow-Armstrong about Babe Ruth not existing.
  • He deserves to give up a home run.
  • A cavalcade of bullpen arms did good work for the Rangers behind Gore. Peyton Gore is now 6-0, by virtue of being in the right place at the right time in regards to bullpen utilization and the timing of the Rangers taking the lead.
  • In MLB history, there have been 17 rookie pitchers to record at least 6 wins and have no losses in a season. And one of them was in 1899 — Charlie “Piano Legs” Hickman.
  • Now, you may be saying to yourself, I’m familiar with ol’ Piano Legs, and he was a position player.
  • And you’d be right! He spent his first three seasons with Boston, mostly as a pitcher, was purchased by the New York Giants before the 1900 season, and the Giants mostly had him stop pitching, mostly playing first base and the outfield instead.
  • Robbie Ross was 6-0 his rookie season with the Rangers in 2012, as well.
  • Both teams ended up using their bullpen heavily — the Rangers used five relievers, the Angels six — which means maybe taking the over for Tuesday’s game.
  • The Astros won, so the Rangers are still a half-game back in the West. They are 1.5 games up on Minnesota and Detroit in the Wild Card, though.
  • MacKenzie Gore touched 97.6 mph with his fastball, averaging 95.5 mph. Tyer Alexander hit 92.4 mph with his fastball. Chase Silseth reached 95.9 mph with his fastball. Robby Ahlstrom’s fastball topped out at 95.9 mph. Peyton Gray hit 94.0 mph with his fastball. Jacob Latz’s fastball maxed out at 94.8 mph.
  • Elias Diaz had a 109.2 mph single and a 101.7 mph groundout. Brandon Nimmo had a 105.8 mph single, a 103.9 mph groundout and a 100.9 mph single. Corey Seager had a 104.3 mph groundout, a 101.3 mph fly out and a 100.7 mph single. Joc Pederson had a 100.2 mph fly out.
  • Let’s maintain the momentum. Woo hoo!!!!

Knicks to host LeBron James and 76ers in opener of 2026-27 NBA season

In what will come as a surprise to no one, the Knicks will host LeBron James and the new-look 76ers to open the 2026-27 NBA season on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.

Before the game against Philadelphia, the Knicks will raise their 2025-26 NBA championship banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

Beyond signing James this offseason, the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown. Their starting lineup now features James, Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe.  

It was also revealed on Tuesday that the Knicks will host the Spurs on Christmas Day in an NBA Finals rematch, in a game that will tip off at 12 p.m.

As the Knicks look to repeat as champions, they will return the same starting lineup that toppled San Antonio in the Finals -- Jalen Brunson,Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges.