San Diego Padres SP Walker Buehler (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Walker Buehler played spoiler to the Milwaukee Brewers’ hopes of evening the series at a game apiece. He allowed one run and three hits over six innings in a 11-2 victory.
The San Diego Padres continue their hot streak with a 17-hit attack. Luis Rengifo’s grand slam set the tone of the evening. Luis Campusano added a two-run home run, and Fernando Tatis Jr. blasted a solo shot.
Today’s daytime affair is the final game of the three-game set. The Padres are looking to sweep and climb in the competitive National League Wild-Card standings. Currently, they’re tied with the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks for the final two playoff berths.
Taking the mound: Dustin May (MIL) vs Robbie Ray (SD)
This afternoon’s starting pitching matchup features two trade-deadline acquisitions that are expected to bolster each team’s rotation. Dustin May (6-7, 4.30 ERA) is facing off against Robbie Ray (10-7, 3.24 ERA).
May is having a rebound season after a disastrous 2025 campaign; he posted a 4.96 ERA, splitting time between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. His troubles were allowing 138 base runners.
This season, the right-hander has been impressive with attacking the strike zone. He regained his elite velocity after enduring several arm injuries. His four-seam fastball, slider, and cutter have registered over 96 MPH on the gun this summer. May should surpass his career strikeout total of 123 before Labor Day.
Today, he is put in a tough situation, but May has past success against the Friars. The right-hander threw an impressive one-hit shutout for the St. Louis Cardinals in June. Some believe it was the best start of his seven-year major league career.
The Padres have razor-thin starting rotation depth and desperately needed to add another arm at the trade deadline. Ray was the Friar Faithful’s desired choice because they love his confidence whenever he faced San Diego.
Few starters were as dominant as Ray over the last two months. Before his debut with the Brown & Gold, the left-hander was 7-0 with a 1.09 ERA in 12 starts. Ray allowed one run or less in nine of those outings.
His anticipated debut was disappointing, but could it have lived up to expectations? Ray’s command betrayed him, as he issued five walks over five innings. The only good news was that his velocity was still clocking in at 93 MPH for the four-seam fastball and 86 MPH for the slider.
Ray has the pedigree to out-duel his pitching counterpart in today’s contest.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 11: Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies walks off the field with a team trainer and manager Warren Schaeffer #4 after a collision with Ezequiel Tovar (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon prior to their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks that third baseman Kyle Karros has been placed on the 7-day concussion injured list.
Karros, who has largely been the Rockies’ everyday starting third baseman this season, suffered a head injury during Tuesday night’s game against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. In the bottom of the sixth inning he collided with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar while attempting to field a ground ball of the bat of Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte.
The 24-year-old has been enjoying a breakout season during his second year in Major League Baseball. In 112 games, Karros is hitting .265/.361/.424 with 20 doubles, two triples, ten home runs, and 44 RBIs while being worth 1.6 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference. He also leads the Rockies in walks with 47.
In a corresponding roster move, infielder Adael Amador has been recalled from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
Amador, 23, was once a top prospect in the Rockies organization but has experienced limited success over multiple call-ups in 2024 and 2025. In 164 big league plate appearances, he has hit .176/.242/.250 with eight doubles and a home run.
In 86 games with the Isotopes this year, he is hitting .261/.370/.432 with 19 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 58 RBIs while drawing more walks than he has struck out. Amador has largely been the starting second baseman in Albuquerque, but has recently begun expanding his skill set to left field. He is also capable of playing shortstop.
In addition, right-handed reliever Jeff Criswell (right shoulder strain) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Criswell, 27, returned from Tommy John surgery this season and has appeared in three games for the Rockies and has given up two earned runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. He has struck out three batters.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: A detailed view of the Jordan cleats and socks of Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on third base against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers arrived back home on fumes, having lost eight of their previous nine games. They’ve eked out two one-run wins over a last-place Kansas City Royals team, and on Wednesday have a chance to do something that’s been a long time coming: sweep a team.
Last time the Dodgers swept a team was June 22-24 against the Twins in Minnesota, and are just 20-19 since. Their last sweep of a team at home was June 15-17 against the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Dodgers are just 10-11 at Dodger Stadium since, and have been swept twice themselves.
Last season was a more sweep-heavy season at home, with 10 sweeps in 26 series at Dodger Stadium — eight for the good, two times getting swept — en route to a 52-29 home record.
So far in 2026, the Dodgers played 18 home series before this week, and swept four teams. They were swept twice at Dodger Stadium — by the Arizona Diamondbacks from July 10-12 and by the Boston Red Sox from July 31-August 2.
That all adds up to a 35-23 home record, a perfectly fine mark that’s sixth-best in baseball. That .603 winning percentage translates to 49 wins in 81 games. This is going to sound like someone complaining about the brand of caviar at a fancy party, but the Dodgers haven’t been this “bad” at home in eight years.
Dodgers recent home records
2018: 45-37 (.549)
2019: 59-22 (.728)
2020: 21-9 (.700)
2021: 58-23 (.716)
2022: 57-24 (.704)
2023: 53-28 (.654)
2024: 52-29 (.642)
2025: 52-29 (.642)
2026: 35-23 (.603)
Three previous times this year the Dodgers had a chance to sweep at home but lost the final game — against the Texas Rangers (April 10-12), Angels (June 5-7), and Padres (July 2-5). On the road the Dodgers left unfinished sweeps in Toronto (April 8), West Sacramento (July 1), at Yankee Stadium (July 19), and at Citi Field (July 26).
Dodgers have a chance to finish the job against the Royals on Wednesday night.
AMES, IA - MARCH 1: Former Iowa State guard and Olympic Gold Medalist Tyrese Haliburton, who plays for the NBA Indiana Pacers speaks to the media on March 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. Haliburton was honored with a halftime ceremony that included his banner being dropped as an Olympic Gold Medalist. He is the eighth Cyclone to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics and the first in men's basketball. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Two-time NBA All-Star and former Iowa State standout Tyrese Haliburton is set to return to his collegiate roots as the Indiana Pacers face the Minnesota Timberwolves in an exhibition game at Hilton Coliseum. Scheduled for Oct. 7 at 6 p.m., the contest marks the fourth time an NBA exhibition has been held at the venue and the first such event since 2018.
Haliburton, who is entering his seventh NBA season and fifth with the Pacers, has quickly ascended to the elite tier of professional guards. After finishing third in the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year voting, he earned All-NBA Third Team honors in both 2024 and 2025. During the 2023-24 campaign, he led the league with 10.9 assists per game, eventually guiding Indiana to the NBA Finals in 2025 for just the second time in franchise history.
“It’s special that I’m able to go back there and play for a preseason game,” Haliburton said during a press availability Wednesday. “I’m very appreciate to our organization for making that happen.”
His recent success extends to the international stage, where he became the first former Iowa State basketball player to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. While he is the eighth Cyclone overall to earn gold, his achievement remains a historic milestone for the university’s basketball program.
Before his professional rise, Haliburton was a dominant force for the Cyclones. During the 2019-20 season, he led the Big 12 in both assists (6.5) and steals (2.5) while averaging 15.2 points per game. Despite a season-ending injury after 22 games, he was named a Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award finalist and an All-Big 12 Second Team selection.
Previous exhibitions at Hilton have featured Cyclone legends such as Jeff Grayer, Jeff Hornacek and Fred Hoiberg.
Tickets for the Pacers-Timberwolves matchup will be available for purchase starting Sept. 9.
When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, there may be no one more in tune with the historic franchise than Magic Johnson.
As a player, Johnson led the franchise to five NBA championships, and he has also been a coach, executive, and minority owner with the franchise.
The Naismith Hall of Famer took to social media Aug. 12 to sign off on the sale of the team to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney chief executive Robert Iger. The reported price tag for the sale is a record $12.5 billion, the highest price paid for a North American sports franchise.
Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years - he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA.
"I want to congratulate my good friend Bob Iger and Josh Kushner on their purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers!" Johnson said on X."
Johnson previously praised Mark Walter, the Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner who bought the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion and was only approved as an owner in October 2025. Walter's tenure as owner will last less than a year.
Johnson said he has known Iger for more than four decades and made a bold prediction about the new ownership group getting the Lakers back to the top of the league.
"Laker fans, you couldn't have two better owners. I've known Bob personally for over 40 years – he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA," Johnson said.
Tarik Skubal was supposed to put the Dodgers rotation over the top, but the southpaw has yet to flash his ace form with his new team.
Through two starts (11 innings pitched), the former Tiger has allowed five earned runs, walked four and struck out 12, leaving Hall of Famer CC Sabathia to assess his early returns in Los Angeles on the latest episode of MLB According to CC.
For [Skubal] to have four walks in two starts is something that tells me he’s pressing a little bit and trying to impress a little too much. He just needs to relax and be himself.
Sabathia believes a "big relief" awaits Skubal if the lefty ace can focus on doing "his part" with the Dodgers, where he's no longer forced to carry a bigger responsibility with the Tigers.
"The Dodgers traded for him because of who he is," Sabathia said. "You don't have to go out and try to be anything extra. You're already on a great team, you don't need to throw shutouts. This team is going to score runs."
CC Sabathia lays out why the Dodgers will ultimately be “fine” despite their recent struggles, with back-to-back years of playing through the World Series potentially catching up to them as August rolls on.
Sabathia also explored Skubal's comments on leaving the Tigers and his desire to eventually return to Detroit. While Sabathia fully understands the complex emotions of being traded, he reiterated that it's time for Skubal to "move on" to what's in front of him right now.
You’re in Dodger blue. You’re on a mission right now to try to get them their third championship and your first. You’re trying to get yourself paid. Let’s not look back ... They low-balled you in arbitration and then they traded you. Let it go.
Veteran star Freddie Freeman sits down with Jason Benetti ahead of Sunday Night Baseball, where he reflects on the Dodgers landing ace Tarik Skubal via trade, why the team’s “selfless” nature fuels them and much more.
New episodes with CC and Ahmed Fareed drop every Wednesday on Peacock, NBC Sports NOW, NBCSN, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 07: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, August 7, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Athletics enter this afternoon’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, facing the threat of being swept once again at home. After gaining momentum from Monday night’s crazy comeback victory, the Rays crushed six home runs on Tuesday night in a blowout series-clinching victory. Now, it is up to the A’s to salvage the series finale and avoid potentially falling to last place in the American League, capping the team’s swift fall from grace.
Roster Move
Before today’s game, the team shook up its bullpen as it continues tinkering to find the best possible group of relievers.
Hayden Juenger returns to the majors four days after he was optioned to Triple-A in the wake of a bad relief appearance. Left-hander Drew Rom, whom the A’s claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday, joins him. Rom, the team’s latest scrap-heap acquisition, will look to carve out a role in the A’s bullpen over the rest of the season.
Rom replaces Josè Suarez, who landed on the injured list with a right hip strain. Juenger takes the spot previously held by right-hander Yunior Tur, who allowed a three-run home run over two innings of relief yesterday before being optioned back to Triple-A.
Game Preview
Taking the ball for the home team will be right-hander Jack Perkins, who will face the Rays for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old enters his 29th appearance and 11th start of the season with a 2-8 record, a 7.04 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, three saves and 92 strikeouts across 76 2/3 innings pitched.
Last night, Athletics right-hander Mason Barnett turned in a poor start, allowing six runs on five hits, three of which were home runs, over just four innings. If the A’s want to have a chance at salvaging this series finale and avoiding another embarrassing defeat, they will need Perkins to step up and post a quality start, giving his team a chance to win.
Perkins enters this start in the midst of a rough stretch, as his last two outings did not go well. In his last start against the Boston Red Sox, Perkins allowed five runs on five hits over just three innings. He has not won any of his last seven games, compiling an 0-5 record with an 8.22 ERA.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup stacks up tonight for the series finale against the AL East foe:
Last night, Tyler Soderstrom rested to protect his ailing hip. Today, it’s banged-up Jacob Wilson’s turn to get the day off, with Donovan Walton starting at shortstop in his place. Zack Gelof starts at second base, his third position in three games since returning from the injured list. Right fielder Lawrence Butler, who hit a two-run home run yesterday, seeks to have another productive day offensively this afternoon.
The bottom third of this lineup stick out, which means the A’s need offensive contributions from one or more of them to have a shot at ending this series with a win. Wilson’s hitting approach has rubbed off on Tommy White, who has gone from a power-hitting slugger in college to a swing-at-everything singles hitter in the majors.
Tampa Bay meanwhile has Drew Rasmussen getting the start for them. The longtime leader of the Rays’ rotation earned a well-deserved second AL All-Star nod last month. The 31-year-old right-hander is having another excellent season, as he enters his 23rd start with an 11-5 record, a 2.75 ERA, an exceptional 0.91 WHIP and 130 strikeouts across 124 1/3 innings pitched.
Unlike Perkins, Rasmussen comes into his start today in unhittable form. He has not allowed a run in any of his past three starts, pitching at least six innings in all three games. Most recently, he tossed seven shutout innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing only two hits while striking out eight.
Taking into account his dominance and the fact that the A’s lineup is missing several injured starters, this will be a difficult test for the A’s offense, which will have to capitalize on any mistake pitches Rasmussen leaves over the plate and any errors the Rays’ defense makes behind him.
The Rays lineup has certainly enjoyed the hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, scoring double-digit runs in both games of this series so far. Third baseman Junior Caminero has shown why he is one of the best power hitters in the league, blasting huge home runs in each game.
The strategy for Perkins is simple: He must throw strikes while avoiding middle-middle fastballs and hanging breaking balls. If he struggles for a third straight start, A’s manager Mark Kotsay will be forced to go to his bullpen earlier than expected for a second consecutive game.
Let’s get back to our winning ways and play some spoiler. Let’s go A’s!
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros finish up their six-game West Coast road trip this afternoon as LHP Bryan King will make his first career start in the rubber match at Oracle Park.
The Giants will sending out former Astro RHP Adrian Houser (3-7) to start the series finale.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 41-29 since May 22, which is the second best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in SLG (.412), while ranking second in OPS (.732), home runs (162) and hits (996).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (174) and Yankees (167).
OPENING FESTIVITIES: LHP Bryan King will work as an opener for the Astros this afternoon, marking his first career Major League start.
Today marks the second use of an opener by the Astros this season, as LHP Steven Okert started and tossed 0.2 of an inning on May 4 vs. LAD.
King last pitched on Sunday at SD and ranks third on the Astros with 47 appearances this season.
Today’s start will also be King’s first professional start, as all 86 of his career minor league games have also been in relief.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros close out their six-game road trip this afternoon needing a victory to go 3-3 on their visit to the West Coast, which also included a stop in San Diego.
Houston has gone 24-16 (.600) on their last five road trips and are 30-22 (.577) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season Houstonis 31-31 overall on the road in 2026.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 119 different lineups in their 121 games, repeating a lineup just twice on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 108 times.
LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Astros had their three-game series in San Francisco evened last night with a 4-1 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park.
DH Yordan Alvarez (0x1, RBI, BB, HBP) drove in the Astros’ run with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning.
3B Isaac Paredes (2×4) logged his third multi-hit game through five games this road trip…RHP Hunter Brown (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) made his 12th start of the season and was dealt just his second losing decision of the year.
VS. THE GIANTS: The Astros have a long history with the Giants, having played them 743 times, their second-most against a single opponent, trailing only the Reds (860g).
This series marks the Astros’ first trip to Oracle Park since June 10-12, 2024 (Giants went 2-1).
The Astros have a pair of players who spent portions of their Major League careers with the Giants in LHP Steven Okert (2016-18) and OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (2021-25).
CAM JAM: RF Cam Smith has homered three times and logged two three-hit games through his first four appearances of this current road trip, including his fourth career multi-homer game last Friday at SD.
So far this road trip, Smith has batted .467 (7×15) with six runs, three homers and four RBI…he has also hit safely in nine of his last 11 games (since July 29 at LAA), batting .425 (17×41) with 11 runs, two doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBI and a 1.174 OPS over that stretch.
In the AL since July 29, he ranks first in OPS and third in batting average (min. 40 AB).
YESTERDAY’S MOVES: OF Nelson Velázquez (No. 30) reported to the Major League team yesterday and made his Astros debut with a start in LF.
To make room for Velázquez on the active roster, the Astros optioned OF Jake Meyers to Triple A Sugar Land following Monday’s game.
Velázquez, 27, has played in 229 career games at the Major League level, appearing with the Cubs (2022-23), Royals (2023-24) and Cardinals (2026), along with the Astros.
Velázquez owns a career .731 OPS vs. left-handed pitching in the Majors.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds a share of the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.322), T-1st in HR (35), and RBI (87).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.058), OBP (.435), SLG (.623), and TB (269).
In the AL, he ranks first in hits (139), extra-base hits (60) and runs (80), and is tied for second in walks (83).
HADERADE: LHP Josh Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in early June, going 4-1 with a 1.00 ERA (3ER/27IP), 38 strikeouts, a .110 opponent batting average (10×91) and a 0.74 WHIP, while also converting all 16 of his save opportunities.
Since being reinstated from the IL on June 3, he ranks second in opponent batting average (.110), third in SO/9 (12.67) and fifth in ERA among AL relievers (min. 25 IP).
THREES COMPANY: 2B Jose Altuve enters today’s game with 224 career games of 3+ hits, which is just one game of 3+ hits from tying Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (225) for the most in Astros franchise history.
Altuve has multiple hits in six of his last 13 games (since July 28 at LAA), batting .319 (15×47) with a .781 OPS in that span.
BEET RED HOT: OF Taylor Trammell has posted a .965 OPS (.404 OBP/.561 SLG) with 10 runs, one double, four home runs, eight RBI and nine walks in his last 13 games (since July 26 at CWS).
His .965 OPS since July 26 ranks eighth among AL players in that span (min. 50 PA).
BIG WES: RHP Hayden Wesneski parroted the first two successful outings of his season by matching his career high of 7.0 innings in Monday’s win, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Wesneski has gone 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA (8ER/18.2IP) through his first three starts of the season after missing 14 months due to Tommy John surgery.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2:45 p.m. CT
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
With the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to billionaire businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Robert Iger for a reported $12.5 billion, the question remains about the status of team governor Jeanie Buss.
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As Lakers governor, Buss serves as the main decision-maker in all business matters and represents the team at the NBA's Board of Governors meetings. Team governors must maintain at least a 15% ownership of a franchise to continue in the governor's role.
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Buss remained a team governor despite the 2025 sale of the team to Mark Walter, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea soccer team owner, for $10 million.
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Buss, 64, has been governor of the team since 2013, when her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, died, leaving the franchise in the hands of his six children. Buss was then named controlling owner of the team in March 2017.
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Jeanie Buss status with Lakers
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According to the terms of the sale of the team to Walter, it stipulated that Buss would remain the team's governor for at least the next five years. This continues the family's involvement with the team since Dr. Buss first bought the team in 1979.
The sale to businessman Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Robert Iger would mark the highest amount ever paid for a North American sports franchise, surpassing the $10 billion that Walter paid for the Lakers.
The Buss family had provided a level of stability for just over four and a half decades before selling the team to Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and TWG Global CEO Mark Walter.
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Lakers star guard Luka Doncic has witnessed some changes in his short stint in L.A. He was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in 2025 in a deal that also involved Anthony Davis.
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Doncic shared his thoughts regarding the sale with a statement on X.
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"Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA," Doncic said. "I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together."
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It was reported by The Athletic earlier this year that Doncic had been "impressed with the level of communication" with Walter.
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It remains unclear whether Doncic had any prior knowledge of the sale this week.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: The NBA Cup logo is seen on a basketball before the Sacramento Kings play the Phoenix Suns for an NBA Cup game at Golden 1 Center on November 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. 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 Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s schedule release week in the NBA, as the league is releasing bits and pieces of the schedule before revealing it in full on Thursday. Yesterday was the Christmas schedule. Today? The NBA Cup. The NBA has officially announced the dates for the Suns’ 2026 Emirates NBA Cup games.
The Suns open the cup on Friday, October 30, at home against the Denver Nuggets, followed by road games against the Jazz on November 20, the Rockets on November 25, and the Mavericks at home on November 27.
The Quarterfinals (Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5) and Semifinals (Tuesday, Dec. 8 and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9) will take place in NBA team markets before the tournament concludes with the Championship on Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
On days during the Knockout Rounds when Emirates NBA Cup games are not scheduled (Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 10), the 22 teams that do not qualify for the Knockout Rounds will each play two regular-season games. The losing teams from the Quarterfinals in each conference will play each other in a regular-season game on Dec. 10.
However, in the first round of the knockout rounds, Phoenix suffered its worst loss in franchise history, falling 138-89 to the Oklahoma City Thunder without Devin Booker in the lineup.
In the three years of the Cup, Phoenix has a 9-5 record and has made the knockout round twice, but lost both times in the first round.
Unlike the first three seasons, if Phoenix advances to the championship, they’ll play in Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, instead of Las Vegas.
Yesterday we took a closer look at the Clay Holmes part of this transaction that brought a sinkerball throwing, extreme ground ball pitcher to the Cubs rotation in return for one of their top prospects, Jefferson Rojas. You can read about the Rojas part of the trade in the link above, however today I want to focus on the second piece the Cubs got in this deal: outfielder Tyrone Taylor. Here is his first hit as a Cub [VIDEO].
The bat
Taylor is a 32-year-old righthanded outfielder whose overall slash line doesn’t really jump off the page. In 174 plate appearances this season he’s hit .241/.294/.481 with ten home runs and zero stolen bases. He has an above league average strikeout rate of 19.5 percent and a below league average walk rate of 5.7 percent. His wRC+ of 113 indicates he’s about 13 percent better at run creation than the league and park adjusted average.
However, digging into the stats a bit reveal the reason Taylor is a Cub. He has a much better .295/.304/.564 slashline with five home runs and a wRC+ of 137 in 82 plate appearances against lefties. Below you can see the Cubs hitters with at least 20 plate appearances against lefties sorted by wRC+ with some additional key stats:
Name
PA
BB%
K%
BB/K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
ISO
BABIP
wOBA
wRC+
Carson Kelly
109
13.76%
16.51%
0.83
.340
.431
.564
.995
.223
.380
.431
177
Seiya Suzuki
120
14.17%
19.17%
0.74
.320
.417
.590
1.007
.270
.347
.421
170
Pete Crow-Armstrong
171
12.87%
27.49%
0.47
.308
.421
.517
.939
.210
.416
.411
163
Pedro Ramírez
21
0.00%
9.52%
0.00
.333
.333
.571
.905
.238
.333
.387
147
Matt Shaw
68
7.35%
19.12%
0.38
.279
.353
.492
.845
.213
.326
.367
134
Alex Bregman
136
14.71%
14.71%
1.00
.270
.390
.396
.786
.126
.300
.349
122
Nico Hoerner
134
5.97%
10.45%
0.57
.298
.343
.419
.763
.121
.321
.335
113
Michael Busch
158
12.03%
20.25%
0.59
.241
.348
.391
.739
.150
.283
.330
110
Miguel Amaya
61
14.75%
19.67%
0.75
.260
.383
.300
.683
.040
.342
.322
104
Dansby Swanson
126
6.35%
30.16%
0.21
.237
.280
.465
.745
.228
.288
.316
100
Ian Happ
128
7.03%
34.38%
0.20
.154
.227
.291
.517
.137
.203
.233
45
Select stats, sorted by wRC+
To be clear, hitting against southpaws is a strength of the Chicago Cubs. Their team wRC+ of 124 is seven points higher than the next best team, their wOBA of .353 is nine points higher than the second place team (in both cases it’s the Washington Nationals). But there is a glaring outlier at the bottom of that table in left fielder Ian Happ. Happ has really struggled against lefties this year and it seems pretty clear that Taylor was brought to the Cubs at least in part as a short-side platoon partner for Happ.
Interestingly, that isn’t how the Cubs have played it so far. Taylor has started three games in centerfield to allow Pete Crow-Armstrong to DH on those days while Happ is still starting against left- and right-handed pitching. Admittedly, one of those lefty starters was an opener, but it’s worth keeping an eye on how Counsell deploys Taylor.
The glove
It’s a bit difficult to measure a part-time outfielder based on counting stats like Outs Above Average or Defensive Runs Saved. Taylor doesn’t really jump off the page by either metric this season. He’s got zero OAA this season and one DRS this season in 393.2 innings played in the outfield so far this season. He’s committed two errors this season and they were both fielding errors for a fielding percentage of .979. Again, not really a stat that screams excellent defender.
However, in looking at the rate at which he makes plays by difficulty Taylor compares favorable to Ian Happ in left field:
Obviously we’re looking at pretty small sample sizes here given Taylor’s part-time role. But I did glance back at these leaderboards for each of the last few seasons and the slight edge Taylor has over Happ also existed in 2024 and 2025 as well. Taylor consistently makes slightly more difficult plays than Happ. He’s also just a smidge better in terms of total percentage of plays made. It’s less clear who has the stronger arm as both have a handful of assists each season. The bottom line is Taylor makes the outfield a lot deeper and since he can play center field he upgrades the Cubs’ bench options considerably.
One of the items on Craig Counsell’s wish list heading into the trade deadline was a better right-handed bat off the bench who could play the outfield. Taylor certainly fits that bill. He’s been solid defensively so far with the Cubs and has a track record that backs that up. His familiarity with Wrigley Field is a bonus given his time with the Brewers. This is the type of move that makes a contender deeper down the stretch and while the cost of Rojas for two rentals is incredibly steep, I imagine we’ll all be fine with it if Taylor saves a run with his glove or delivers a key hit off a lefty in October.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 17: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 17, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinal wrap up their homestand before heading off to Chicago with a game Wednesday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies. Kyle Leahy gets the nod from the Cardinals while Zack Wheeler will start for the Phillies. First pitch scheduled for 1:15pm central time at Busch Stadium and game TV broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 11: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves smiles after the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves losing the season series to this iteration of the New York Metropolitans is some pure and unadulterated NL East silliness.
This hilariously frustrating run between division rivals comes to a close this evening. The Braves and Mets will face off for the final time this season at 7:15 pm ET.
Bryce Elder and Martin Perez had some diametrically opposed starts in Games 1 and 2 – so what will Tyler Mahle bring to Game 3 in his first start in front of the home crowd?
Mahle (3-9, 4.83 ERA) went toe-to-toe with old friend Max Fried in the Yankees series opener. In a battle of #54s, Mahle spun six scoreless innings of three-hit ball. He tossed 92 pitches, walked two batters, and struck out nine. Other than receiving a no-decision in the extra-innings loss, there was a lot to like about Mahle’s first start in a Braves uniform. Sean Murphy turning Mahle into an ace? Sign me up.
The Mets have little history against Mahle – Francisco Lindor leads the team with 10 ABs (.200 AVG, .473 OPS). Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. are tied with 6 ABs and matching .167 averages. Second baseman Marcus Semien and catcher Francisco Alvarez have a homer apiece.
The Braves have even less experience against Mets lefty Zac Thornton (3-2, 2.52 ERA). The rookie last faced Atlanta on July 27 and was the winning pitcher in the Connor Thomas sacrifice game. Thornton only needed 81 pitches to get through 6.1 innings. He was tagged for six hits and all three Braves runs of the game, including an Ozzie Albies two-run homer. Ozzie was also responsible for driving in the other run, which accounts for his .667 AVG in team-leading 3 ABs. Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin, and Michael Harris II also have singles against him.
Thornton’s outings since have been against Miami (4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 earned), 3 BB) and Pittsburgh (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB).
Series finale, rubber match, final matchup with the Mets – it’d be a sweet one to win before the off day tomorrow.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: BravesVision
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
From a young age, Cole Knuble was taught about max effort.
As the son of Mike Knuble, a hard-working former Flyer who played over 1,000 NHL games, competing was a must growing up.
“He used to say, ‘If you have 12 eggs in your pockets, they should all be broken,'” Knuble said of his dad’s influence. “That’s what he would always tell me.
“You’re a hockey player, that’s just how it is — you battle. He preached that more than anything; it wasn’t about points, ever.”
Well, Knuble has heeded his father’s advice. He has competed and developed, putting himself in the Flyers’ pro picture. If he keeps it up, an NHL debut could be in his future.
“I thought he was one of our higher-end players and was not taking a backward step to anybody at that professional level,” Patrick Sharp, a special advisor to the Flyers’ hockey operations department, said in July. “That’s kind of impressive coming from college. We’ve got high expectations for him. The best part about Cole is he’s a great kid, comes from a great family, loves the game, he’s a good leader, he fits in well with his teammates. We can’t have enough of those guys around.”
This summer, the 22-year-old forward was one of the better players at Flyers development camp. He looked like a prospect with three years of seasoning at Notre Dame. Knuble moved well, saw the ice and was a constant threat to score.
“He’s a player, I can remember three years ago, right away, that had excellent hockey sense,” Sharp said. “He has certainly rounded out his game over the years and looks like he has improved every time we get eyes on him.”
When Knuble was drafted, his skating was a knock. He even went undrafted the year before because of it.
“I think you can really see his maturity from when he first got here,” Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said in July. “We talked in the past about his skating, his skating is why he went through the draft. He was always a good player, but I don’t see his skating as an issue at all anymore. It’s actually a strength.”
Cole Knuble with some patience and vision here to set up Alex Bump.
If Knuble can prove to be effective at center, his odds with the Flyers would only increase. He can play on the wing and down the middle. Center is a premium position and the Flyers have needed more talent there.
“You have that versatility, you just give yourself a better chance,” Knuble said. “I played center in college for probably most of it.”
The Phantoms gave Knuble some looks at center. We’ll see if he can stick there this season as he enters his first full year with Lehigh Valley.
“That was definitely an adjustment, especially faceoffs,” Knuble said. “I was playing wing at the end of my season in college, so I was kind of thrown into a new league and a different position. But I’ve always been a guy that can play both and I want to have that in my toolbox.”
