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SB Nation Reacts: Pete Crow-Armstrong will have his 40/40 season

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong enters the weekend series against the Pirates with 41 home runs and 36 stolen bases, perhaps on pace for the seventh 40/40 season ever and first by an Cub.

Earlier this week I asked you how many steals you thought PCA would wind up with.

Here’s what you said:

This seems about right, from 4-8 more steals in the Cubs’ final 15 games.

In addition, if he hits two more home runs he’ll have more than any Cubs left-handed hitter ever. Hall of Famer Billy Williams hit 42 in 1970.

Here are the answers to the two national questions asked this week, both were about predicting this year’s league pennant winners.

A close call between the Brewers and Dodgers among voters, with the Cubs third.

To me, the American League is a closer call. Really, only the Rays and Yankees are good teams in that league; the rest is a toss-up. Things could get interesting if either the Rays or Yankees get upset before the ALCS.

Thanks for participating in this week’s survey!

This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.

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MLB Lineup Report: Henry Bolte catches fire, Leo Bernal impresses

We're coming up on the last couple of weeks of the 2026 fantasy baseball season. Enjoy it while it lasts, and make sure to stay locked in until your league titles are decided.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte has only sat once since coming off the injured list on August 31, so he's back to being an everyday player. Corbin Carroll underwent an MRI on his back, but he's expected to return to the lineup on Friday. Jordan Lawlar has been starting against all lefties but only some right-handers since he rejoined the club in mid-August.

Athletics

Henry Bolte has been on fire while batting leadoff in every game since August 18. He has dominated center field playing time even with Denzel Clarke back. Bolte's skill set is very fantasy friendly, and while there's no guarantee that he'll keep leading off in 2027 with the team's core hitters back healthy, it would be quite the role combined with such a favorable home park.

Atlanta Braves

Drake Baldwin came off the IL on June 16. He has sat just once since then while primarily batting first or second. The playing time is extraordinary for a catcher-eligible player. Shortstop remains an unsettled position here, with Ha-Seong Kim and Mauricio Dubón splitting reps in September.

Baltimore Orioles

Coby Mayo has been red hot lately while absolutely crushing lefties. It would be great to see him used as a true everyday player next season, but this team has heavily platooned in recent years. Samuel Basallo's age-21 campaign was a letdown, but he has battled nagging injuries for much of the year. Here's to hoping for a healthy offseason for him.

Boston Red Sox

Roman Anthony has hit leadoff in every game since coming off the IL on August 30. He has mostly been used as the DH while Jarren Duran gets priority in left field. Trevor Story has only missed one game since returning on the same date as Anthony, fully reclaiming shortstop duties despite Franklin Arias waiting in the wings.

Chicago Cubs

Ian Happ is sitting against lefties, platooning with Tyrone Taylor, which is the sort of thing that's easy to miss if you aren't rostering Happ. Dansby Swanson's eventual return to the lineup will take away all playing time from Pedro Ramírez.

Chicago White Sox

Munetaka Murakami has been bumped from second to third in the order while striking out over 50% of the time in September. Kyle Teel has started four of six behind the plate since coming off the IL. Colson Montgomery will retain SS/3B dual eligibility in 2027.

Cincinnati Reds

Héctor Rodriguez started against just one of the first seven lefties he had the opportunity to face, but he's been in the lineup for each of the past five while starting every game since August 25. It'll be interesting to see how this front office approaches the offseason. Eugenio Suárez will be a free agent, assuming the Reds decline their share of his mutual option.

Cleveland Guardians

Travis Bazzana is heating back up, but he has sat against four straight southpaws. Angel Genao has been at 2B for each of those games, while also starting at third base when José Ramírez is at DH. Jo Adell has hit third or fourth in every game he's been healthy for since August 15. Nathaniel Lowe remains in his strong-side platoon role.

Colorado Rockies

Zac Veen has yet to start against a lefty since he was recalled on August 11, and he isn't starting every game against righties. Cole Carrigg is up to 15 games (eight starts) at shortstop for those tracking his eligibility. Adael Amador has started seven of eight since he was called up.

Detroit Tigers

Dillon Dingler received one day off from May 4 through June 26. He has sat five times since August 18 as his second-half slump has worsened. Max Clark has started all but two games since debuting on July 31. Spencer Torkelson has been losing playing time against righties down the stretch, which is worrisome for where he's at in his career.

Houston Astros

Carlos Correa might not return until the team's final six games of the season, but he continues to work his way back. This will put them right back in the same playing time crunch that was identified before the season. Yordan Alvarez has already set a career high in plate appearances, and there are still two and a half weeks left in the season. He has missed just two games after being limited to 48 in 2025.

Kansas City Royals

Carter Jensen's recent hot streak has quieted my outcry at him leading off, but it's still a weird lineup spot for a hitter with his OBP. Salvador Perez hasn't started behind the plate since August 12, and it'll be interesting to see how much catching he does in 2027.

Los Angeles Angels

Christian Moore has started every game since he was recalled on August 22. Josh Lowe remains in the majors in a strong-side platoon role. This lineup badly needs to add depth in the offseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani is headed to the IL, and Josue De Paula is expected to fill in at DH. Tommy Edman has been leading off in the recent games Ohtani has missed. Meanwhile, Teoscar Hernández has been white hot at the plate, so make sure he's rostered.

Miami Marlins

Javier Sanoja has started every game since August 22 and offers plenty of positional flexibility. Heriberto Hernández is finishing the season on a tear. Even Jakob Marsee has heated up lately. Kyle Stowers leads off vs. RHP while Hernández does so against left-handers.

Milwaukee Brewers

Christian Yelich continues to start against all righties, but his playing time against southpaws has been declining. He'll enter 2027 as UTIL only. David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz platoon at third base, while Ortiz also takes a start here and there from Cooper Pratt at shortstop. Luis Lara isn't playing regularly enough to be counted on in most fantasy formats.

Minnesota Twins

Luke Keaschall has hit leadoff in every game since August 17. Walker Jenkins has hit ninth and started in center field in all but one game since debuting. He's 1-for-2 in drawing starts against lefties. Royce Lewis remains stuck on 14 games (nine starts) at second base, and he hasn't started there since August 10. He's a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts this year, and 32-for-35 in his career.

New York Mets

Carson Benge is finishing the year locked into the heart of this order. A.J. Ewing has heated up. This lineup is a funny mix of exciting youngsters plus aging veterans, like Marcus Semien, and platoon hitters.

New York Yankees

Aaron Judge is back and will be working his way into game shape, having started two of three thus far. Ben Rice has started in the field once since August 3. Heliot Ramos is a small-side platoon hitter. Anthony Volpe started at second base Thursday with Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting the IL.

Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Schwarber has six starts at first base, which matters in leagues with a five-start minimum for the following season. It's unlikely he'll reach 10 by the end of the regular season. Aidan Miller won't play in the majors this year, but he's on a rehab assignment and is someone to keep in mind this offseason with Alec Bohm a free agent.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Konnor Griffin hit sixth in his first game back last Friday, but he has been at leadoff in each of the five games since. Oneil Cruz sat against two of the first three lefties when he came off the IL in mid-August, but he's been in the lineup for each of the past five. Rafael Flores Jr. is receiving the bulk of catching duties down the stretch while mixing in starts at first base.

San Diego Padres

Jackson Merrill has had a phenomenal second half while starting all but one game since May 23. Ethan Salas has only started three of eight games since debuting on September 1, but he's a high-upside name to keep in mind this offseason.

San Francisco Giants

Drew Gilbert isn't playing every day, but he's hitting leadoff against righties when he starts. Bryce Eldridge slumped for a stretch this summer but has heated back up and hasn't hit lower than cleanup since the All-Star break. Christian Koss has been the everyday shortstop since Willy Adames hit the IL.

Seattle Mariners

Cal Raleigh was hitting in the lower third of the order over the past couple of months, but he has since heated up and has only hit cleanup in September. Lazaro Montes is starting against all righties, platooning with Taylor Ward, whose value has been crushed since the trade deadline.

St. Louis Cardinals

Leo Bernal has started every game since debuting on September 1, catching in six of nine while Ivan Herrera mostly serves as the team's DH. It's an interesting situation to monitor this offseason, with top catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez waiting in the wings. Thomas Saggese has been an everyday player with JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn both sidelined, but Winn has since returned and Wetherholt could be back soon. Keep an eye on the situation if you've been streaming Saggese's hot bat.

Tampa Bay Rays

Nothing new to report. They play their main guys and otherwise platoon in the bottom half of the lineup. Chandler Simpson has only sat three times in the second half. Yandy Díaz still hasn't played the field this season.

Texas Rangers

Ezequiel Duran is tied for sixth in MLB in fWAR among position players. He has started everywhere other than catcher this year. Corey Seager came off the IL on July 31 and has only sat twice since then.

Toronto Blue Jays

Brett Bateman has been their primary leadoff hitter for a month now. Time is running out for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to leave the yard in a home game this season.

Washington Nationals

CJ Abrams is up to six games (five starts) at second base, so it'll be a close call for leagues with a 10-start minimum for the following season. James Wood immediately reclaimed the leadoff spot since coming off the IL, shifting Abrams back to cleanup.

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Former Golden Knights Goaltender Gets One More Chance To Revive NHL Career

The Vegas Golden Knights moved on from Ilya Samsonov after one season, and now the former Vegas goaltender is getting another chance to make his way back to the NHL.

The San Jose Sharks announced Friday that they have signed Samsonov to a one-year, two-way contract, bringing the 29-year-old back into the NHL picture after he spent the 2025-26 season playing in Russia.

Samsonov’s most recent NHL season came with Vegas in 2024-25, when he took on a significant role in the crease. He started 29 games and finished with a 16-9-4 record, along with a 2.82 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.

The record was solid. The save percentage was not.

That .891 mark continued a recent stretch in which Samsonov has struggled to consistently produce at the level expected of an NHL starter. He has posted a save percentage below .900 in three of his last four NHL seasons.

That makes his return to the league something of a reclamation project for San Jose.

Samsonov spent last season with HK Sochi in the KHL, appearing in just 14 games. He finished with a 3.27 GAA, a .903 save percentage and one shutout, leaving the Sharks with a goaltender who has plenty of NHL experience but is coming off two consecutive seasons in which his numbers have slipped.

There is, however, a much more accomplished goaltender somewhere in Samsonov’s history.

Across 200 NHL regular-season appearances, Samsonov has compiled a 118-48-25 record with a 2.77 GAA, a .902 SV% and 15 shutouts. His best season came in Toronto in 2022-23, when he established career highs with 27 wins, a 2.33 GAA and a .919 SV%, adding four shutouts along the way.

That season helped reinforce the belief that Samsonov could develop into a legitimate long-term starter.

His career has never quite followed that trajectory.

After beginning his NHL career with Washington, Samsonov spent two seasons with the Maple Leafs before landing in Vegas. He now joins San Jose following a year away from North American hockey, with the Sharks giving him an opportunity to compete for another NHL job.

The move also brings Samsonov back to the league after a difficult stretch in the postseason. He has appeared in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his career, recording a 3.05 GAA and .901 SV%.

There is still plenty of experience for San Jose to work with.

Samsonov originally arrived in North America as a highly regarded prospect after Washington selected him 22nd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. Before that, he had already established himself in Russia, winning the Gagarin Cup with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in 2016.

Over five KHL seasons, Samsonov went 36-24-9 with a 2.37 GAA and .924 SV% across 87 games.

Now, after a season away from the NHL, Samsonov gets another opportunity.

The Sharks are hoping the move can help them uncover the version of Samsonov who once looked capable of becoming a dependable NHL starter. Samsonov, meanwhile, has a chance to show that his recent numbers were a detour rather than the final chapter of his NHL career.

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George Furbank on his latest injury woe: ‘I was hoping I would get to the hospital, just fart and leave’

Full-back missed out for England when he had appendix out but could be key for Steve Borthwick if his luck changes

George Furbank must have cracked a few mirrors in his time. A second Prem winners’ medal was some way to bring the curtain down on his Northampton career but when it comes to England, he cannot catch a break. Indeed, it is staggering to consider the 29-year-old full-back has just 14 caps to his name, only one more than his former Saints teammate Henry Pollock, who is only 21.

It was supposed to be No 15 against South Africa in July – more than 18 months since his previous England appearance – but Furbank woke up feeling off colour the day before the match and was sent for a scan by the team doctor. The results arrived at 7pm on the Friday night – Furbank would need to stay in hospital and have his appendix out on the Saturday. The wait would go on.

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The Phillies are always chasing

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies breaks his bat on a ground out to end the game against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on September 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Astros defeated the Phillies 2-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

In Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Astros at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies offense put together perhaps the most undisciplined displays of hitting MLB has ever seen.

They faced Christian Javier, Houston’s right-handed starter who is a shell of the pitcher that famously threw six no-hit innings against them in Houston’s combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series. He entered Thursday’s finale with a 5.98 ERA in 14 starts, and yet, the Phils were once again stymied by him, tallying just three hits.

But even worse was the method in which they failed.

The Phillies saw 65 pitches thrown out of the strike zone against the Astros on Thursday and they swung at more of those pitches out of the zone than not. That 52.3% chase rate is the highest number ever recorded since it became a trackable number in 2009.

So yes, the Phillies are chasing at the plate, but it goes beyond just what we see on the field.

They’re also chasing their ultimate goal of a World Series title.

Are the two related?

Following the arrival of Luis Arraez from the Giants at the beginning of August, the offense underwent a much-publicized transformation.

Suddenly, a team that had for years been among the worst offenders in chasing pitches out of the strike zone was resisting their primal urges. A team that, for the first five months of the 2026 season, had the lowest on-base percentage in the sport, was getting on base more than any other. A team that had one of the highest strikeout rates had the lowest, and a team that had one of the lowest walk rates, had the highest.

  • Through July: .303 OBP (30th), 7.8 BB% (28), 23.7 K% (25)
  • 8/1 through 8/23: .367 OBP (2nd), 11.6 BB% (1), 14.5 K% (1)

It was a remarkable turnaround, one that was really difficult to comprehend. How could a team that had, for so many years, displayed such an aggressive approach at the plate suddenly change their stripes as a collective unit? Some credit was being heaped on Arraez, at least on the reduction of strikeouts, although Arraez is not known to be one of the most patient hitters at the plate, either.

We all wondered, could it last?

It did not. Beginning with their west coast road trip in Seattle, the Phils left their patience on the plane. Since the start of their three-game series against the Mariners, they have a .293 OBP (4th-worst), 7.6 BB% (22nd), and 21.5 K% (19th).

Their 34.9% chase rate over that stretch is tied for 8th-highest. From August 1 through 24, it was 31.5%, 21st.

After Thursday’s game, Bryce Harper acknowledged the Phils essentially handed Javier an easy day, and noted these kinds of efforts cannot happen.

Once the calendar flips to October, it’s not suddenly going to become easier not to chase. Learn the habits now and they’ll become habits when it matters most.

As the team chases their elusive World Series title, the pressure will only mount. And in recent seasons, when pressure has mounted on the Phils, particularly in the postseason, their chasing leads to more chasing.

And that’s the point. When the Phillies had their magical ride to the World Series in 2022, the only thing they were chasing was ending their 11-year postseason drought. And make no mistake, they did not play well in the season’s final month, almost choking that away. But after finally earning the final wild card spot, they were done chasing. They were in the moment, with no pressure on them, and played the best baseball we’ve seen from them during this five-year run of success.

Things are different now. The weight of postseason failures are heavy and this team presses as a result. They’re constantly chasing that moment, chasing that home run in a big spot, chasing that 2022 and ‘23 feeling again.

For a few weeks, they stopped doing that. They let pitchers come to them. They took their walks. They passed the baton. As a result, they scored a lot of runs and won a ton of games.

It’s hard to imagine the Phillies playing with patience in a pennant race and in October, but Harper is right.

If they don’t get back at least a little of what they did for the first three weeks of August, it’s likely going to be another short run of postseason baseball in October for them.

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Hockey Returns: Islanders' Rookie Camp Opens, Kicking Off New Season

Hockey is back on Long Island. The New York Islanders Rookie Camp officially opens Friday, marking the official beginning of hockey season for the Islanders.

Wednesday, the Islanders released the roster for camp, which contains 25 players, including 15 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goaltenders:

The headliners are first-time rookie camp participants Victor Eklund, Cole Eiserman, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Quinn Finley.

All four could be massive standouts at camp, with Eklund expected to be one, with his goal and target being the NHL roster.

The camp will be run by Hamilton Hammers' Head Coach, Jay McKee, his first year running camp as he enters his first year as the AHL Head Coach of the Islanders' organization.

There are also a few rookie camp invitees: Lane Gallacher, Samuel Beachemin, Ryan Bottrill, Kadon McCann, Luke Puchner, Luke Antonacci, Julian Brown, and Aaron Trotter. 

Gallacher, took part in Islanders' development camp and played the 2024-25 and 2025-season for McKee, when both were with the Brantford Bulldogs. 

Samuel Beauchemin is a 20-year-old left-shot center who has spent the last four seasons with the QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He recorded 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 64 regular-season games, along with 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 playoff games. 

Samuel is also the son of longtime NHL defenseman Francois Beauchemin, who played 903 NHL games and won the 2007 Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks.

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Former Oilers' Defenseman Announces Retirement And New Role With SVT

According to a statement by the NHLPA, defenseman John Klingberg is officially announcing his retirement from professional hockey. Following a career that spanned 700 games played, and time with the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks, Klingberg is hanging up his skates to become the new hockey expert at SVT.

Klingberg was an unrestricted free agent this summer, one of many who still didn't have a contract as training camps started to approach. That likely led to his decision to start a new career path. 

"It feels very inspiring, actually. It's something that I've thought I could do well moving forward in life when I'm done with hockey. So I'm very excited to get this chance," he said.

Klingberg, 34, saw his career plagued by ongoing hip problems. The Swedish defenseman underwent three hip surgeries and says his body ultimately could no longer keep up with the demands of the game. He also revealed he frequently relied on injections, anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers to manage the pain and continue playing. After hoping his latest surgery would restore him to full health, he realized his body wasn't responding and his motivation had eventually run out.

He'll be remembered as one of the most elite offensive defensemen in the NHL, showcasing his skills as a member of the Dallas Stars in the mid-2010s. But, his success got to his head and he turned down an eight-year, $7M AAV contract extension in 2021-22. He struggled to find consistent work after, especially given his injury troubles. 

Klingberg wound up being a bit of a journeyman defenseman, which included a short stint with the Edmonton Oilers. He signed late as a free agent in 2024-25, played 11 regular-season games and was a big part of their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final. However, that playoff success led to him jumping ship when the San Jose Sharks offered him a deal in free agency. 

Now, as a retired NHL player, he'll take on a new role, analyzing hockey on television. "I think I can come in and see hockey from a different perspective..."

Klingberg will work with SVT's national team broadcasts, including the Junior World Cup and the Euro Hockey Tour.

See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Elly De La Cruz is acing the 2026 MLB season

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 7: Elly de la Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds sit 8 games under the .500 mark, mired in last place in the National League Central for yet another year. That, mind you, all comes after they surged to nearly 10 games over .500 during the season’s first month.

Only the hapless Colorado Rockies and homeless Athletics have a worse run differential than Cincinnati, who at -122 sit a full 100 runs worse than the Pittsburgh Pirates – the occupants of 4th place in the division. Shall we say, it has not been a good year in the Queen City.

For one Elly De La Cruz, though, things are all seemingly falling into place.

He figured out how to master left-handed pitching, hitting a league best .350 against southpaws as part of an overall .350/.417/.657 mashing of them (who’s 188 wRC+ ranks as 2nd best in all of Major League Baseball). Just this week he unleashed a 102 mph relay throw that’s the fastest by an infielder in the statcast era. He set a career high with 26 homers while bashing homers in five straight games, in the process setting the mark for the most homers in a single season by a switch-hitter.

On the whole, he’s hitting .283/.362/.511 with 26 homers and 25 steals in 567 PA, and that’s despite missing time earlier in the year with a hamstring problem. He’s been a 5.0 bWAR per Baseball Reference, while FanGraphs has him at 5.6 fWAR – the fourth best position player in the game this year (despite, ahem, missing that time).

All told, it seemed as good a time as any to ask you how he’s done so far in 2026 earlier this week, and all he did since I opened that poll was continue on his epic dinger streak while facing the two best teams in the sport (Milwaukee and the Dodgers). Unsurprisingly, I guess, you all think he’s been doing A-OK.

If anything, what’s notable here is that 44% of respondents think he’s somehow not been an A-grade player this season. Perhaps that’s them voting on a curve knowing that there’s still so much that Elly has yet to tap into in this, just his age-24 season, and only after he reaches those higher heights will we truly be able to give him an ‘A’ on his own standards.

Regardless, Cincinnati’s superstar shortstop is just that – a bona fide superstar in today’s game, and it seems he’s only now just busting out of his shell.

MLB Reacts is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The Dodgers promotion of Josue De Paula has Red Sox fans dreaming about Franklin Arias again

TULSA, OK - SEPTEMBER 02: Josue De Paula #55 of the Tulsa Drillers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Wichita Wind Surge at ONEOK Field on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Sara Crosley/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Good morning! Yesterday, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up their top prospect, Josue De Paula, as a replacement for Shohei Ohtani, who was placed on the IL due to injuries in both his knee and bicep and who is in danger of missing the playoffs.

De Paula’s promotion has Red Sox fans once again wondering whether Franklin Arias might make his debut before the end of the season, and, moreover, whether he might crack the postseason roster. De Paula, a Brooklyn native who is cousins with Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair, is about 6 months older than Arias. But he had not yet progressed to AAA and arguably did not perform as well at AA as Arias did, slashing .293/.390/.528 to Arias’s .318/.407/.587 (2026 stats).

But while it’s easy to look at the two situations and applaud the Dodgers for appearing to be more aggressive with a lesser talent, we’re not dealing with an apples-to-apples comparison here. First, in order for Arias to be eligible for the postseason roster at this point he would have to be serving as an injury replacement for someone currently on the roster, as De Paula is. Second, De Paula is a defensively limited outfielder, and he is likely only going to be used as a DH/bench bat by the Dodgers.

In other words: the Dodgers had a hole and De Paula fills it, regardless of whether he’s actually ready to perform in the big leagues. That’s not necessarily the case with Arias. The Sox have plenty of middle infield options at the moment, and Curtis Mead may join those ranks soon. And while it may very well be true that Arias would already perform better than all of them, it’s impossible to say that for sure. No Red Sox fan who lived through the Kristian Campbell experience should blindly assume that Arias is going to take the big leagues by storm. And, of course, the impending lockout and the impact that would have on his development hangs over all of this.

And yet… man, Trevor Story can barely throw the ball across the diamond right now. I’m a baseball romantic, and the romantic move is to call up Arias. Argue for pragmatism all you want, but you’re a liar if you say a part of you doesn’t want to see Arias debut this month and then shine on into October.

Use this space to talk about De Paula, Arias, and whatever else you want and, as always, be good to one another.

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Astros Prospect Report: September 10th

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - JULY 26: Jackson Nezuh #35 of the Corpus Christi Hooks pitches during the game between the Amarillo Sod Poodles and the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Photo by Vanessa Buentello/Minor League Baseball via 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 (71-69) lost 8-0 (BOX SCORE)

McPherson started for Sugar Land and allowed 4 runs over 1.2 innings. He was relieved by Nezuh who tossed 3.1 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. The bullpen allowed four runs late and the offense had a rough game as Sugar Land was shutout in the 8-0 loss.

Note: Ferreras is hitting .325 in Triple-A.

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (61-74) lost 5-3 (BOX SCORE)

Mancini started for the Hooks and allowed one run over 3 innings. The offense got on the board in the 5th on a Nunez groundout. Leach relieved Mancini but allowed 4 runs as the RockHounds took the lead. The offense got 2 runs back in the 6th on a Moss 2 run double but that was it as the Hooks fell 5-3.

Note: Moss is hitting .400 in Double-A.

A+: Asheville Tourists (43-87) SEASON OVER
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2-0) won 8-1 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a Durnin RBI single and Alvarez sac fly. They got another run in the second inning on a Flores RBI single. Beck got the start and went 4.2 innings allowing one run while striking out 5. The offense got another run in the 5th with an Alvarez walk. In the 6th the offense scored 3 runs on a Ramirez RBI triple, a steal of home and a Durnin RBI single. Tryon added an RBI double in the 7th. Verdugo was fantastic closing it out as he struck out 6 over 4.1 scoreless innings as the Woodpeckers swept the series 2-0.

Note: The Woodpeckers are moving on to the Championship Series!

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Bryce Mayer – 7:05 CT

CC: Nolan DeVos – 7:00 CT

AV: SEASON OVER

FV: OFF

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Fremantle keep AFL premiership dream alive with win against Geelong in finals classic

There’s been some pandemonic nights at Optus Stadium, but nothing that could match this. Fremantle is through to a preliminary final after a semi of the highest quality and the utmost tension. It was simultaneously free-wheeling and nerve-jangling – both high scoring and high pressure. It activated Wharfie Time for just the second time this year, but it wasn’t really needed. The noise was cacophonous, the tension excruciating and the result ultimately just.

There was a period midway through the third term where it looked like Geelong might skip away with this game, just like they did against Carlton a week earlier, just as they have so many times in big games over the years. The spring-heeled Ollie Henry was marking everything, Dangerfield looked menacing, and their fleet of runners were finding space and carving the Dockers up. But if this Fremantle side is truly the one to re-write history, the time-on period in the third quarter will be one of the defining reference points. In particular, Luke Jackson and Andrew Brayshaw were pivotal in this period, blunting the Cats at centre square stoppages and surging the ball forward. They kicked four goals in seven minutes and from that point the game was on their terms.

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Series Preview: Guardians at Twins

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 23: Second baseman Travis Bazzana #37 of the Cleveland Guardians waits for the throw as Royce Lewis #23 of the Minnesota Twins steals second during the eighth inning at Progressive Field on July 23, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another day, another “Most Important Series of the Year So Far” as the Guardians arrive in Minneapolis.

The Guardians are 74-73 with a -16 run differential, since the trade deadline 14th in team wRC+ at 100, 23rd in baserunning runs above average at -0.9, sixth in Defense at 1.9, 22nd in starting pitcher ERA at 4.82 (4.30 FIP), and third in bullpen ERA at 2.86 (3.41 FIP).

The Twins are 69-77 with a -54 run differential, seventh in team wRC+ since the the trade deadline at 104, 11th in baserunning runs above average at 0.8, 25th in Defense at -9.8, 26th in starting pitcher ERA at 5.11 (4.38 FIP), and 24th in bullpen ERA at 4.37 (3.63 FIP).

What a disappointing year for the Twins as they actually bought at the deadline and didn’t trade Joe Ryan… only to fall apart again. Jerry-Seinfeld-That’s-A-Shame-Popcorn.GIF.

Matchups:
Game One, Friday, 8:10PM ET: Messick, LHP 2.53 ERA vs. Bradley, RHP, 3.93 ERA
Game Two is Saturday at 4:10PM ET and Game Three is Sunday at 2:10PM ET – Both teams have their starters listed as TBD at the moment. If usual plans proceed, it would be Gavin Williams vs. Bailey Ober on Saturday and Joey Cantillo vs. Joe Ryan on Sunday, but the Guardians have discussed getting an opener for Cantillo. The Twins are likely starting Ryan after an IL stint so he will be on a pitch limit, and may be considering a bullpen game on Saturday.

Since August 4th, the Twins are led by Luke Keaschall 150 wRC+, Josh Bell 138 wRC+, Austin Martin 137 wRC+, Alan Roden 130 wRC+, Ryan Jeffers 121 wRC+, Kody Clemens 118 wRC+, Kaelen Culpepper 112 wRC+ and Brooks Lee 108 wRC+.

Since the trade deadline, the Guardians have been led by Chase DeLauter 177 wRC+, Angel Martinez 132 wRC+, Steven Kwan 127 wRC+, Patrick Bailey 120 wRC+, and Jo Adell 104 wRC+. It would be great if Travis Bazzana continues his recent plate awakening.

The Twins are Murphy’s Lawed a bit lately, but this offense still has plenty of spunk. The Guardians need to come locked in and dedicated to get at least a series win and, preferably, a sweep to compensate for that disappoining finale in Baltimore. It’s been now or never time for a while, and it continues starting tonight,

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Record Watch: Five Knicks benchmarks in jeopardy this season

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Defending a championship changes the vibe during regular-season play. When the goal is to repeat a championship in June, Tuesday night games in February can feel like a formality. Nobody wants to overexert a key player in a meaningless game on the off chance that he’ll blow a hammy. However, Mike Brown’s offense, built for another deep playoff run, can’t help but generate eye-popping stats all season long.

Between the exploding scoreboards, higher possession counts, and New York’s elite playmakers and scorers, several Knicks records are suddenly at risk. Some of these benchmarks have survived nearly 40 years, while the ink for others is still wet in the books. A closer look at the roster and statistics suggests five specific franchise records could realistically fall this season. Let’s dive in.

Single-Season 30-Point Games

  • Current Record: 36 games – Richie Guerin (1961-1962), Patrick Ewing (1989-90), Jalen Brunson (2023-24)
  • 2026-27 Season Target: 37 games

The current franchise mark for the most 30-point contest in a regular season is a three-way tie spanning three distinct eras of Knicks basketball. Richie Guerin established the benchmark during the fast-break pace of the early 1960s. Patrick Ewing matched it during his prime, dominating the post game-in and game-out while carrying the team on his broad shoulders and aching knees. Captain Jalen Brunson joined the two Hall of Famers two seasons ago during his rise to All-NBA status.

Of every record on this list, this one is the most wobbly. Brunson remains the undisputed engine of New York’s half-court offense, combining incredible footwork with elite basketball smarts.

In Mike Brown’s five-out system, defenses can no longer load up in the paint without leaving deadly perimeter shooters uncovered. Having Karl-Anthony Towns at center pulls defensive anchors 25 feet away from the basket, giving Brunson wider driving lanes, fewer double-teams, and access to his mid-range spots. Assuming he’ll be healthy all season (knock on wood and cross yourself), Brunson claiming sole possession of this record with 37-plus 30-point games feels more like a matter of when, not if.

Single-Game Scoring Record

  • Current Record: 62 points – Carmelo Anthony (January 24, 2014 vs. Charlotte Bobcats)
  • 2026-27 Season Target: 63 points

First, a moment of silence for the Charlotte Bobcats. . . . Okay, we’re good to go.

Carmelo Anthony’s 62-point masterclass against Charlotte has stood untouched for 13 years. In a legendary isolation clinic, Melo shot 23-of-35 from the floor without recording a single assist or turnover. Surpassing a single-game point total like that requires the blend of crazy shot volume, incredible efficiency, (no small degree of selfishness,) and a game that’s competitive enough to keep starters on the floor late into the fourth quarter.

New York’s current roster is different because it features two distinct creators who can completely go off in a single game. Brunson already came within a single point of the record, dropping 61 points on 47 shot attempts against the Spurs in March 2024. Meanwhile, Towns brings a personal career-high of 62 points from his time in Minnesota, with an outside stroke that can cause box score chaos. If Towns hits six or seven early threes while dominating the glass, or if Brunson takes over a high-paced track meet, Carmelo’s iconic record could melt like a stick of butter on a sunny afternoon.

Single Season Team 3-Pointers

  • Current Record: 1,168 made three-pointers (2025-26)
  • 2026-27 Season Target: 1,169 made three-pointers

New York set a new record last season, draining 1,168 three-pointers. And Mike Brown’s Knicks are just getting started.

Brown’s scheme relies heavily on five-out principles that are designed to distort perimeter coverage. With movement shooters on the bench (Shamet, McBride, and occasionally Alvarado and Clarkson), the sheer volume of perimeter attempts is bound to increase. Averaging roughly 14 made threes a game across a full schedule, and thereby breaking their own team record for a second straight season, seems like the natural trajectory for this squad.

Individual Single Season 3-Pointers

  • Current Record: 283 made three-pointers – Donte DiVincenzo (2023-24 season)
  • 2026-27 Season Target: 284 made three-pointers

When Donte DiVincenzo poured in 283 three-pointers during his lone full season with the Knicks, he shattered Evan Fournier’s previous mark of 241, setting an incredible bar for perimeter volume. Reaching that total requires a player to average roughly 3.5 made threes per game while appearing in almost every matchup.

DiVincenzo and Fournier are long gone, but the team has redistributed the heavy perimeter workload across its primary offensive tools. Both Towns and Brunson shoot near 40% from beyond the arc and often get the green light in Brown’s system. If KAT maintains a high-volume, trailing-center role in transition, or if Cap takes even more off-dribble pull-up jumpers, DiVo’s record could easily be squashed before the season’s end.

Single Season Point Total

  • Current Record: 2,347 points – Patrick Ewing (1989-90 season)
  • 2026-27 Season Target: 2,348 points

Ewing’s 1989-90 campaign remains the ultimate test of single-season scoring in franchise history. Piling up 2,347 total points, Ewing averaged 28.6 points per contest and played all 82 games. Obviously, the big fella served as the team’s primary generator and carried most of the load that year.

Surpassing Ewing’s record is hands-down the most grueling challenge on this list of beatable benchmarks. Per-game averages mean little if a player misses games due to load management or minor injury, so any absence from the floor will interrupt the scoring pace needed to top Patrick.

Across 77 appearances in 2023-24, Brunson recorded 2,212 points, which put him within spitting distance of the record. To beat out Ewing, Jalen would need to maintain a scoring average north of 28 points per game, while playing in at least 80 contests. Requiring a combination of elite offensive production and availability, the 2,348 points in a season is the hardest to crack, and as Jalen enters his thirties, Coach Brown is likely to play Jalen for shorter stints in unimportant games, to preserve him for the offseason. Still, it is mathematically within reach.

Some franchise records are so incredible that they’re unlikely to be toppled, given the changes in play-style, rules, and rosters over time. However, Mike Brown’s team, based on a high-volume, high-efficiency attack, is not your father’s Knicks. In the 1995-96 season, the ‘Bockers averaged 97.2 points per game and attempted 1,285 three-pointers; thirty years later, they averaged 116.5 PPG and took 3,133 threes. And that’s not even top-five in the league! (The Warriors tried 3,616.) With the firepower currently employed at MSG, some of these historical benchmarks are truly at risk.

Which records do you think will fall this year? Talk about it below!

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Friday morning Rangers things

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 10: Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers reacts during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello.

The Rangers lost what had to be a top 3 worst loss of the season yesterday, falling 4-3 to the Mariners.

Evan Grant says it stings that much more now that there’s hardly any time left in the season.

Josh Jung will be back soon, if it isn’t too late already.

Ditto Nathan Eovaldi, who’s likely still looking at a bullpen role when he returns from injury.

Elsewhere MLB Pipeline takes a guess at every team’s top prospect in 2028.

And Prince Fielder is the latest guest on Grant’s podcast.

That’s all for this morning. Happy Friday or whatever.

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Elephant Rumblings: Mariners In Sacramento This Weekend

Sep 5, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) reacts following a double play against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Welcome to Thursday A’s fans!

We got a brand new series on tap as the A’s welcome division rival Seattle Mariners to town for three games. Seattle is falling in the standings fast and has to be in panic and desperation mode right now. They can’t afford to drop a single game to the Athletics this weekend. That means they’ll be all tense and tight with the pressure of the playoffs bearing on them. The A’s meanwhile don’t have that expectation of a much-needed win. We can play care free and mess with the Mariners all we want. We’re playing with house money and any wins are gravy, especially against a division foe.

The pitching matchups this weekend are set beginning with tonight’s rematch between lefty Jeffrey Springs and righty George Kirby. Springs is in the final stretch of his A’s tenure as the flyball pitcher has made it known he doesn’t think his style of play is conducive to the Athletics’ current home ballpark. He’s not wrong as his ERA on the road is 4.76 compared to the 7.18 mark at Sutter Health. The 33-year-old just saw these guys last time out, firing seven shutout innings with just a pair of hits and walks allowed. That was in Seattle however and this’ll be in his home ballpark. Which Springs will show up tonight? If his season is any indication the A’s bats will have to show up tonight.

Kirby is going to be a tough task for them. The right-hander is in the midst of a solid if unspectacular campaign, sporting a 4.18 ERA through 27 starts. He hasn’t reached the peaks that the M’s envisioned for him when they made him a first round pick seven years ago but he’s settled into a reliable arm for them nonetheless. His most recent start, against our A’s, was the epitome of Kirby as he provided Seattle with nearly seven full frames and three earned runs allowed in a loss. It’s the reverse for Kirby compared to Springs: he’s pitched very well at home but struggles a bit on the road. Oh yea, expect a high scoring game tonight.

Saturday will be another righty-versus-lefty matchup as the Athletics have young southpaw Gage Jump getting the ball for the 20th time this year. The rookie has seen the highs and lows that come with pitching at the big league level and he’s being given runway to work through those issues, which he’s having plenty of recently. The experience he’s getting right now, in these exact type of games, is going to be the building blocks of the future success he’s going to have helping get this squad back to October baseball.

Jump will be opposed by right-hander Bryan Woo. Now wrapping up his fourth season, Woo has been a lot like Kirby in that he’s been reliable to pitch every five days. But like Kirby he’s been more of a mid to backend type of pitcher this season. The 26-year-old has a solid 4.03 ERA but again, those home/road splits are crazy to look at. When pitching in Seattle he’s almost an ace with a 2.36 ERA, but on the road his 5.63 ERA makes him look more like a quadruple-A pitcher. He’s probably not looking forward to pitching in Sacramento.

Then we wrap the series and homestand on Sunday with a Jacob Lopez versus Bryce Miller matchup. Lopez has come all the way back from the lows he experience this summer to be one of the best pitchers over the past couple of months. The lefty has pitched himself back into the A’s plans for the offseason. Whether it’s been enough to guarantee him a rotation job or be more of a depth piece is something the front office will have to decide but for now he’s doing all he can to be a rotation front-runner next spring. He had his first hiccup since rejoining the rotation in his last start where he allowed four runs to the Blue Jays. Hopefully teams aren’t beginning to figure him out with winter around the corner.

Miller meanwhile missed the first month of the year due to injury and that might have thrown him off all year. He started strong enough but has faded back here down the stretch, part of why Seattle has too. He’s 0-4 over his past seven starts with a sky-high 7.22 ERA during that span. It’s going to be a long day at the ballpark all weekend and don’t expect that to change for Miller on Sunday.

And while most of the focus on tonight will be on the A’s versus Mariners, today also marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks in New York. While the people that perpetrated that disaster sought to tear us apart baseball was one of the things that helped Americans come together during a difficult time. Today we should all remember those feelings of unity to remember those lost on that day.

First pitch is at 6:40. Who’s ready for a win to start our weekend?

A’s Coverage:

MLB News and Interest:

Best of X:

Another pitching prospect that could make it to the big leagues next year:

Not shocking with LV around the corner:

Some of the names:

Former 8th rounder promoted to Las Vegas:

Playing spoiler is fun too!