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Alek Thomas sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 23: Alek Thomas #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a catch during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Alek Thomas was the odd man out in the Dodgers outfield last week, when he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on September 1, then was designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for Bobby Miller’s return to the 40-man roster.

Now both are back with Oklahoma City, as Miller was optioned to Triple-A on Monday and Thomas on Tuesday was sent outright to the Comets after clearing waivers.

Acquired by trade after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment in May, Thomas was called up to the Dodgers on August 22 to fill in after Andy Pages broke his left hand. Thomas started in center field in five of the seven games for which he was active, and had an RBI hit in each of his first three games, totaling four hits in 19 at-bats with a double and a walk, hitting .211/.250/.263 in limited duty.

The 26-year-old Thomas homered three times in his first two games back with the Comets and on the season is hitting .294/.359/.517 with a 119 wRC+ and 10 home runs in 58 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.

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Lakers announce statue for Phil Jackson, to be unveiled April 2027

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 and Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeating the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Los Angeles Lakers won 99-86 against the Orlando Magic. 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 Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Another Lakers coaching legend will be given high honors by the Lakers.

On Tuesday, the franchise announced that Phil Jackson would be the newest to be cast in proverbial bronze as he would receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. The unveiling ceremony will be on Friday, April 9, 2027 ahead of the team’s game against the Wolves.

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement released by the team. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”

Jackson led the Lakers to seven Finals appearances and five titles across two stints with the purple and gold. He was the coach who finally took the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant Lakers over the top, guiding them to their three-peat. He then returned after a brief hiatus away from the team, mended fences with Kobe and eventually helped the purple and gold to two more titles in 2009 and 2010.

Jackson holds the franchise record for wins with 610 and added 118 wins in the postseason as well. In fact, the Lakers made the playoffs every year Jackson was in charge.

He’s generally regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the league’s history and was recognized as such in the NBA’s 75th anniversary celebration, where he was named one of the 15 greatest coaches. Joining him on that list was Pat Riley, who had his own statue unveiled by the Lakers earlier this year.

Jackson is the ninth member of the franchise to receive a statue. Joining him, along with Riley, are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Could Bolduc’s Contract Be Influenced By Minten’s Extension

In less than a week, the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp will officially open, but there are a couple of players who have yet to sign a new contract with the team. Arber Xhekaj and Zach Bolduc are still RFAs at the time of writing, and Bolduc’s agent was probably pleased to hear about the seven-year contract the Boston Bruins gave Fraser Minten.

Minten is a 22-year-old forward who can play center or wing and was a Toronto Maple Leafs second-round pick, 38th overall, at the 2022 draft. However, in March 2025, the Leafs, who were keen to acquire Brandon Carlo, decided to send Minten and a top-five-protected first-round pick to Boston to add the experienced right-shot blueliner.

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The 6-foot-2, 204-pound forward has played a total of 107 games in the NHL and has picked up a total of 40 points, 20 goals and 20 assists. That averages 0.37 points per game. He was held off the scoresheet in the six games he played in the playoffs, but his first full season in Boston still impressed the Bruins’ front office, judging by the long-term contract he obtained from GM Don Sweeney. The seven-year deal carries a $7.2 M AAV, which could be a home run if Minten’s development goes according to plan, but if it doesn’t, it could backfire in spectacular fashion.

This isn’t the first interesting long-term contract that’s been awarded to an unproven youngster this offseason. Just over a month ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Ville Koivunen to an eight-year deal with a $4 million AAV. The 23-year-old has played 47 NHL games so far, putting up 14 points, or 0.33 points per game.

Meanwhile, Bolduc, also 23, has played 175 NHL games and picked up 75 points, averaging 0.42 points per game and making him the most productive of the three. Unlike Minten, Bolduc doesn't play at center.

Kent Hughes and the Canadiens aren't in the habit of giving long-term contracts to players who haven't yet shown what they can bring consistently in the NHL. Logic dictates that the Habs would likely want to sign Bolduc to a bridge deal, a prove-yourself contract much like the one that was first signed with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.

At this stage, however, one has to wonder if they’ll be able to stay the course. The salary cap is rising, and the NHL's contractual landscape is shifting as a result. With all due respect, Bolduc is no Ivan Demidov, but if he looks outside of the Canadiens’ dressing room, he can find instances of players who didn’t have Demidov-like seasons in the NHL but are signing for sizeable deals. Juraj Slafkovsky’s contract out of his ELC also had a sizeable cap hit of $7.6 million, but he signed it after a 50-point season in which he established himself as a mainstay on the Habs’ first line. 

Bolduc’s first and only season in Montreal saw him move up and down the lineup, and his most frequent linemates were Kirby Dach and Jake Evans. In 78 games, he could only manage to put up 30 points (12 goals and 18 assists), and in the Habs’ playoff run, he showed that he could play a gritty and physical game, but still ended the Canadiens’ 19-game run playing on the wing of the fourth line.

Since being hired as the Habs’ GM, Hughes has done wonders when it comes to contract negotiations, but the Bolduc case might force him to venture down the path less taken, which clearly wouldn’t be his first choice.

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Former Pittsburgh Penguins Forward Announces Retirement

A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward is calling it a career. 

Former Penguins forward Jean-Sebastien Dea announced through his personal Instagram account that he has officially retired. 

Dea calling it a career comes after he spent the 2025-26 season split between the KHL and the German DEL. In 16 games with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL last season, he recorded one goal and three points. In 26 games with Eisbären Berlin this past season, he posted two goals, four assists, and six points. 

Dea kicked off his professional career with the Penguins organization. He spent the majority of his time with the organization down in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, as he played six seasons with them. 

In nine NHL games with Pittsburgh over three seasons from 2016-17 to 2018-19, Dea posted two goals, 14 hits, and a plus-2 rating. Dea also made appearances with the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Arizona Coyotes during his NHL career.

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Joe Glassey might be the steal of the deadline for the Washington Nationals

HARRISBURG, PA - AUGUST 30: Joe Glassey #37 of the Harrisburg Senators signs autographs prior to the game between the Chesapeake Baysox and the Harrisburg Senators at FNB Field on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Casey Saussaman/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

The Nats made several moves at the deadline that I have talked about quite a bit. However, there is one deal that did not get a lot of press but it has been aging well for the Nats. Just before the deadline, the Nats made a seemingly minor move with the O’s. They sent outfielder Christian Franklin to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Joe Glassey.

Franklin was the bigger name of the two and has already made his MLB debut in Baltimore. However, I think the Nats will get the upper hand in this exchange. Since joining the Nats organization, Glassey has been slicing through hitters like butter. He dominated in AA, which earned him a late season promotion to Rochester.

Glassey played five years of college baseball and was an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. That means Glassey is an older prospect having turned 25 in July. While Glassey put up very impressive numbers in the lower minors, the age stuck out like a sore thumb. Before joining the Nats, Glassey only made 2 appearances in AA.

However, he has proven that his dominance can translate to the upper levels. In 10 outings at Harrisburg, Glassey did not allow a single run in 11 innings while striking out 12 batters. More impressively, he only gave up 1 hit and 1 walk. He was just mowing guys down and he forced his way to AAA.

Throughout his professional career, Glassey’s strikeout to walk numbers have been extraordinary. In 27 innings last year, Glassey struck out 37 and walked just 2 hitters. This year it has been more of the same with 70 strikeouts to 9 walks in 44.1 innings. 

So how does Glassey produce these jaw dropping results? Well, his biggest weapon is his changeup/splitter that is absolutely filthy. The pitch gets so much movement and he kills spin on it so effectively. His changeup averages below 1,000 RPM, which is an outlier number. That stat is why I think the pitch is actually more of a splitter.

Once he gets to the big leagues, I think he will be throwing that pitch even more than he already does. It looks like a true plus-plus pitch that will help him carve out a big league role. To go with that changeup, Glassey has a solid fastball. It sits around 94-95 MPH with solid ride and run. He commands the pitch very well which helps make up for its average traits. Finally, Glassey will mix in a slider to keep hitters honest.

This arsenal reminds me of Tommy Kahnle who carved out a long big league career with his nasty changeup. In his prime, Kahnle had more velocity than Glassey does, but I think Glassey’s command is better.

He has only made two appearances so far in Rochester, but at the moment it looks like more of the same. Glassey has not allowed a run in his two outings and has struck out 5 hitters in the process. Even at the highest level of the minors, nobody has figured out that changeup yet.

Heading into next season, I think we will see Glassey at some point. Honestly, he might break camp with the team if he has a good spring. With how dominant he has been, Glassey will get chances to prove himself.

It was an on the margins move, but this deal is aging well for Paul Toboni so far. Some of his less than stellar trades have been talked about lately, but this one looks good. Franklin was not someone the Nats needed given their outfield depth.

 Meanwhile, Glassey has a chance to be a long term piece of a Nats bullpen that desperately needs help. The lack of a plus fastball might limit his ceiling, but Joe Glassey has a very clear path to being a 7th inning guy for a long time.

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Former Lakers coach Phil Jackson will get statue outside of Crypto.com Arena in 2027

Kobe Bryant, in purple uniform, holds his hand out as he talks with a suited Phil Jackson courtside
Lakers' Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson share a few words during Game 4 of the 2010 NBA Western Conference semifinals in Dallas. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Phil Jackson will be the next member of the Lakers to receive a statue outside Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers announced on Tuesday that they have commissioned a statue of the coach who led them to five NBA championships — with help from Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol and others — that will be unveiled April 9 when the Minnesota Timberwolves are in Los Angeles for the next-to-last game of the 2026-27 season.

The statue will be designed and created by Omri Amrany of Rotblatt Amrany Studio.

Jackson had already led Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles during the 1990s when then-Lakers owner Jerry Buss hired him before the 1999-00 season. He ended up coaching the team in two stints — winning three championships with Bryant and O’Neal as his stars from 1999 to 2004 and two more with Bryant and Gasol leading the way from 2005 to 2011.

Jackson’s 11 championships are the most for any NBA coach, a record he claimed from former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach (nine).

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“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement released by the team. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game.

“After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”

Jackson will join Bryant, O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley and Jerry West as former Laker players and coaches, along with Chick Hearn, with statues at Star Plaza.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Bud Norris Says Altuve Changed the Game as Astros Legend Nears 2500 Hits

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 06: Fans hold signs for Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros showing his career hit total in the eighth inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Daikin Park on September 06, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

You never know what the baseball gods have in store. It can literally be hit or miss. The Cincinnati faithful packed Riverfront Stadium to witness Pete Rose’s magical night as he surpassed Ty Cobb’s record. Who could possibly forget the 22-minute victory lap that Cal Ripken Jr took around Camden? For every one of those, there’s the flip side. Tony Gwynn’s 3000th hit came in front of scattered patrons inside a decrepit Olympic Stadium in Montreal.     

Jose Altuve sits at the doorstep of 2,500 hits, needing only 1 hit to join that exclusive club. The first single came against Tyler Clippard of the Nationals on July 20th, 2011. 5,529 days later here we are. Inevitably the boos will come reigning down tonight in South Philly, the same fan base that booed Santa Claus, and they will be relentless. Of course, there’s also the little matter of the 2022 World Series the Astros took in 6 games over the Phillies to add insult to injury. That’s the backdrop for #27 to author another hallmark moment in his amazing career.     

Former teammate Bud Norris fondly remembers their first meeting:

“When I first learned he was our top prospect in 2011, I walked down to minor league camp and waited until he came through the cage. I heard the ball coming off his bat and was immediately impressed. It was three days later and he’s in a big-league spring training game and he went 3-3 with a pair of doubles. All doubters stopped talking that day.”

When asked what truly sets Jose apart from others, Bud didn’t hesitate:

“He never gives up on AB’s. He will take his swings. He can barrel any pitch in any location, and he knows how to backspin balls for lift and then also line drive powers them out to all fields.”

In a nutshell, the 5’6” maestro has set the standard for the Astros franchise. Norris concurs.        

“Altuve changed the game. He’s the embodiment of what makes the game so great. Size doesn’t show up on a trackman. He’s just a special guy and a great talent.”

Get ready to witness history.

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Former Penguins Defenseman Signs With Division Rival

A former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is heading to another Metropolitan Division team. 

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year, $850,000 contract for the 2026-27 season.

Joseph signing with the Hurricanes comes after he spent the 2025-26 season with the Vancouver Canucks. In 31 games with Vancouver last season, the former Penguins defenseman posted one goal, six points, 18 hits, and a minus-16 rating.

Joseph will now likely serve as a depth defenseman for the Hurricanes. This is a low-risk move for Carolina, and it will be interesting to see how the former Penguins defenseman performs with the reigning Stanley Cup champions from here. 

Joseph spent five seasons over two stints with the Penguins. In 171 games as a member of the Penguins, the 6-foot-2 defenseman recorded eight goals, 30 assists, 38 points, 88 penalty minutes, 114 blocks, and 186 hits. 

Joseph's second stint with the Penguins ended after the 2024-25 season when he signed with the Canucks during the 2025 NHL off-season. 

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Hurricanes Sign UFA Defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

The 27-year-old defenseman appeared in 31 games this past season with the Vancouver Canucks and has a total of 225 career NHL games across parts of six seasons with the Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues.

For his career, the 2017 first-round pick has nine goals and 46 points, 1155 blocks and 217 hits.

Despite playing for the league worst Canucks and dealing with a bit of injury trouble, Joseph had strong underlying numbers in a third-pairing role, which is perhaps the reason why Carolina brought him in.

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The league minimum contract carries little risk for the Hurricanes and with the status of Alexander Nikishin still up in the air as training camp approaches, it doesn't hurt to have additional options in the organization.

Joseph is also the team's first and only UFA signing so far this offseason.

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What we learned from how the Reds used Chase Burns against the Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, September 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tom Wilson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Chase Burns got the start for the Cincinnati Reds against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in southern California, and he did not allow a hit.

Their ace. The starter. Did not allow a hit. Front-page news almost every time you see those components combined, right?

For 44 brilliant pitches, Burns tore through the Dodgers lineup once, and swooshed right by superstar Shohei Ohtani twice. That, though, was it – Cincinnati began to deploy their plan to keep him healthy for 2027 while still building innings and endurance by starting every fifth day through the end of the season, and lefty Brandon Williamson took over to throw 86 innings beginning with the Bottom of the 4th.

This appears to be the plan. It’s not going to be easing him back to 70 pitches, then 60, then 50 and 40 and so on. Rather, he’s going to go out and face a lineup for a turn and hopefully do so as efficiently and effectively as possible, likely for at least three more turns through the rotation as there are 18 games remaining in this 2026 season.

Doing so will keep him from adding to the 15 wins he’s accrued already this year, if that’s the kind of thing you’re still into despite all the dissection of the stat over the last 35 years. It might also keep his velocity up around 99 mph, as he knows he’s not going to need to pace himself so much while letting it rip.

With 148.1 IP under his belt, another trio of 3.0 IP outings would push him to 157.1 for the year. That would be nearly a 50 IP jump over the 109.1 IP he logged across all levels during the 2025 season, a significant but not outlandish progression. Beyond that, it would – in theory – build him up to the point where going a full season with zero throttling in 2027 would be firmly on the table, something that sounds increasingly juicy with Hunter Greene sidelined and the rest of the Reds rotation options looking anything but rock-solid dependable over the course of this particular season.

It obviously reduces the Reds chances of winning more games than they lose this season, something that’s already going to be nearly impossible for all the reasons mentioned in the above sentence. They’re also 69-75 with a brutal schedule remaining, but maybe this will help them sink down the depth chart of win leaders across the league and, therefore, give them a better chance at a top draft pick next summer.

Most importantly, it’s them being proactive about keeping their resident ace in the best position to succeed next year when the Reds, presumably, will try to make more of an effort to win games than they have so far in 2026.

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England seek calm end to chaotic Test summer against penitent Pakistan

Late-night drinking incidents and a post-Bazball reboot have given the hosts plenty to think about, while the tourists have their own problems to sort out

There are some chilly white-ball games still to come this month and with it the sight of Kevin Pietersen back in England training kit for the first time in 12 years. KP is down with the kids these days, 6/7 memes and the like, and starts a new life as the “specialist mentor” to Harry Brook’s young thrusters.

But the final Test of the summer that starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday does feel like an end of sorts, or at least one last push before a breather for the side that has undergone the more significant recalibration. And that is before we get on to Pakistan and a tour that has descended into a bonfire of players and a phone-snatching investigation into “discipline and conduct”.

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Lakers unveiling Phil Jackson statue outside Crypto.com Arena

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Shaquille O'Neal receiving the NBA playoffs Most Valuable Player trophy from David Stern, with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant in the background, Image 2 shows Kobe Bryant pointing while talking to Phil Jackson during a game, Image 3 shows Lakers coach Phil Jackson waves three fingers, signifying three consecutive NBA championships, at a victory parade

The Lakers will unveil a statue of another legendary coach late in the 2026-27 season. 

The franchise announced Tuesday that it’ll unveil a statue of Phil Jackson, who won five NBA championships in 11 seasons with the Lakers, on April 9, 2027 outside Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson waves three fingers signifying the team’s three consecutive NBA championships in 2002. REUTERS

The team is set to host the Timberwolves that night in a nationally-televised game on ESPN. 

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to mark that achievement with the statue he so richly deserves.”

After guiding the Bulls to six NBA titles from 1991-98, Jackson took over the Lakers coaching reins ahead of the 1999-2000 season, leading the franchise in one of its best eras: Five NBA titles (seven NBA Finals appearances), including three consecutive championships from 2000-02 and back-to-back titles in 2009 and ‘10, while he was head coach from 1999-2004 and 2005-2011.

Jackson is the Lakers’ all-time leader for the most regular-season games coached (902), most playoff games coached (181), most regular-season game wins (610) and most playoff wins (118). 

Kobe Bryant (left) won all five of his NBA titles with Phil Jackson as his coach. AP

The Lakers reached the postseason every year under Jackson, including nine 50-plus-win seasons and two 60-plus-win seasons.

Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history as part of the league’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2022.

He’ll become the ninth person the franchise honors with a statue, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley and Jerry West.

Shaquille O’Neal (right) won his first three NBA titles with coach Phil Jackson (left). REUTERS
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The Suns finally have legitimate optionality at center

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Oso Ighodaro #11 of the Phoenix Suns and Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

You may look at the Suns re-signing Mark Williams to a three-year, $38 million contract as unnecessary. He hasn’t exactly been the picture of health throughout his career. And while he played 60 games last season, 15 more than his previous career high, that still left him 22 games short of a full 82-game season.

So why pay him $11.7 million for 2026–27? You have second-year center Khaman Maluach waiting in the wings, along with third-year big Oso Ighodaro providing versatility behind him. On the surface, you could make the argument that Phoenix didn’t need to spend that money on Williams.

I’ve talked ad nauseam about the optionality his contract provides in both the short and long term. If he plays well, you have a quality center on a team that isn’t going to be center-centric. If he struggles, or if Maluach exceeds expectations early, you have a highly tradable contract.

But I’m not worried about any of that today. What stands out right now is how versatile the Suns suddenly are at center. Between Williams, Maluach, and Oso, Phoenix has options depending on what a matchup calls for, and that is one area of the roster that doesn’t feel like it should create much anxiety entering the season.

Phoenix is not a city, or a franchise, that has known much stability at center. Three seasons ago, it was Jusuf Nurkic and Drew Eubanks. Two seasons ago, it was Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. And before that, you had a player with all of the promise but none of the mental toughness to allow it to come to fruition. Too often, the Suns have been stuck with lumbering, limited bigs who check only a couple of the boxes you want from a productive center.

Those boxes? Rim protection. Rebounding. Finishing. Screening. Athleticism. And if you want to add a bonus skill, the ability to stretch the floor. Throughout the organization’s history, Phoenix has gotten two of those six attributes and had to make do.

The beauty of this year’s roster is that Williams, Khaman Maluach, and Oso Ighodaro each check multiple boxes, which gives Jordan Ott the ability to play chess rather than checkers.

Williams graded in the 91st percentile with an A in rim protection, according to BBall Index. He also earned an A in defensive rebounds per 75 possessions, an A- in offensive rebounding talent, an A in offensive rebounds per 75 possessions, and an A in finishing talent, where he ranked in the 93rd percentile.

There is still room for improvement as a screener. His screening talent graded out at a C+, although he earned an A in both screen assists per 75 possessions and roll man possessions per 75.

What Williams did last season was play within the confines of the offense and complement what was happening around him. At times, it felt like he was underutilized, especially when certain mismatches presented themselves, and Phoenix continued to lean heavily into perimeter play.

Still, there’s a reason the Suns paid him. Mark Williams is a quality NBA center. Is he top 15 at the position? Probably not. But when you look at his contract within the context of the league, the value becomes much easier to understand. At an average annual value of $12.7 million, Williams ranks 34th among NBA centers. When you start talking about production relative to price, that is where Mark Williams can provide real value.

Maluach is your wild card, the kid who will be 20 years old when the season starts and showcased plenty of potential this summer in Las Vegas. He still has a lot of work to do, but he already possesses the rim protection, rebounding, finishing, and athleticism you want from a lottery pick. And screening? Stretching the floor? He might eventually be able to do both of those effectively as well. Heck, he shot 40% from deep in Las Vegas this past Summer League, and did so on 20 attempts.

If the progression continues and the opportunity follows, Maluach could become something special, not only as a prospect, but potentially as a franchise cornerstone. We don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but the skill set he brings gives Jordan Ott another piece he can weave in and out of games to disrupt opposing teams.

I think back to last season against the Denver Nuggets, when Ott put Maluach on Nikola Jokic after Jokic had been dissecting Phoenix from the high post all game. Maluach didn’t stop him, but he slowed him down. He forced Jokić to look at different angles and work harder to complete passes because of the length, tenacity, and disruption Maluach brought. That matters because disruption was a major part of what made the Suns successful last season. Maluach fits directly into that identity.

And then you have the advanced metrics darling, Oso Ighodaro.

When you look at the six attributes of a quality big, he doesn’t check every box. His rim protection graded as an A, according to BBall Index, while his defensive rebounding came in at a B plus. His offensive rebounding talent, however, ranked in the 12th percentile and earned an F. As for stretching the floor? That probably isn’t entering his repertoire anytime soon.

What Oso does possess is athleticism, finishing ability, elite screening for the position, and the versatility to switch onto the perimeter. That last part makes him an especially useful defensive option for Jordan Ott. In the modern NBA, having a big who can survive away from the rim and defend multiple types of players is incredibly valuable. Oso gives Phoenix exactly that.

When you put those three players together, you get a level of optionality at center that Phoenix hasn’t had in quite some time. I guess technically since last season, although the hope is that we see much more of Maluach this year.

When all three are healthy, the Suns can dictate pace, adjust to matchups, or respond to whatever an opponent throws at them. And if they aren’t all healthy, there is still viable depth behind whoever is available. You don’t have to sprinkle in starts for Chimezie Metu simply to survive the NBA calendar.

That versatility could end up being one of the unsung strengths of this roster because center is not the featured position in Phoenix. This isn’t Denver or Philadelphia. It’s a complementary position, one that needs to be occupied by capable players who understand their role, embrace it, and thrive within it. Williams, Maluach, and Ighodaro all have the ability to do exactly that.

Phoenix doesn’t need one center to do everything. It needs the position as a whole to provide enough answers over the course of 82 games. Williams gives you proven production. Maluach gives you upside and disruption. Oso gives you versatility and mobility. None of them is perfect, but together they cover a hell of a lot of ground. For a team built around Booker, Green, Bridges, and Brooks, that may be exactly what the position is supposed to look like.

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Astros vs. Phillies prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for September 8

The Houston Astros (73-71) visit the City of Brotherly Love tonight as they open a crucial three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (81-63). Houston holds a precarious two-game lead in the AL West while the Phillies are four back in the NL East but with a tight grasp on a Wild Card spot.

 

Houston arrives in town after dropping two of three over the weekend to Arizona. The Astros scored five runs in the final two games of the series (both losses). They could not get the clutch hit in either game going 2-7 with Runners in Scoring Position Sunday after going a woeful 2-12 Saturday. Philadelphia also had issues at the plate over the weekend in their series at Citizen’s Bank Park against the Braves. Philly scored a mere 11 runs over the four-game set, but they did manage a split of the four games with Atlanta.

 

Hayden Wesneski (4-1, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for Houston in the series opener. The righthander has allowed one run across his last three starts (17 innings). The Astros have won six of his seven starts this season. Andrew Painter (3-8, 5.55 ERA) gets the ball for Philadelphia. Consistency had been a problem for the 23-year-old until recently. Last Wedensday, he shut out the Diamondbacks over seven innings and has allowed just four runs over his last 20 innings. Philadelphia has won four of his last five starts and the one loss was by the score of 1-0.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Astros vs. Phillies

  • Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, SCHN, NBC Sports Philadelphia

 

Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.

 

The Latest Odds: Astros vs. Phillies

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Houston Astros (+119), Philadelphia Phillies (-143)
  • Spread: Astros +1.5 (-171), Phillies -1.5 (+141)
  • Total: 8.5 runs

 

Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Astros vs. Phillies for September 8

  • Phillies: Andrew Painter
    Season Totals: 105.1 IP, 3-8, 5.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 91K, 37 BB
  • Astros: Hayden Wesneski
    Season Totals: 39.2 IP, 4-1, 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 33K, 14 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Astros vs. Phillies

  • Bryce Harper was 2-14 against the Braves this past weekend
  • Alec Bohm was 3-13 against the Braves including 2 2Bs and 1 HR
  • Yordan Alvarez is just 5-20 with 1 HR in September
  • Jose Altuve was 4-12 in the 3-game series against Arizona over the weekend
  • Trea Turner is 2-6 including 2 HRs in his career against Hayden Wesneski
  • Kyle Schwarber (1-5) has also homered against Wesneski in his career
  • The Astros have won each of Wesneski’s last 3 starts
  • Hayden Wesneski has averaged 5Ks over his last 5 starts
  • Andrew Painter has struck out 6+ hitters in 4 of his last 5 starts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

 

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Astros vs. Phillies

 

  • The Astors are 75-65 on the Run Line this season
  • The Phillies are 58-82 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 71 times in Houston’s 144 games this season (71-65-8)
  • The OVER has cashed 64 times in the Phillies’ 144 games this season (64-71-9)

 

Expert picks & predictions: Astros vs. Phillies

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

 

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s game between the Phillies and the Astros:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 8.5.

 

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MLB Power Rankings: Aaron Judge returns for stretch run, Braves and Phillies on collision course

Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Dodgers attempt to get Shohei Ohtani right, Aaron Judge and Corbin Burnes are back, the Guardians and Blue Jays jockey for playoff position, and umpire Doug Eddings creates an entirely avoidable controversy.

As a reminder, this article is a combination of current performance and long-term outlook.

Let’s get into it!

Note: Rankings are from the morning of Tuesday, September 8

1) Milwaukee Brewers

Last week: 1

The Brewers have been taking care of business against the Cubs over the past week, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about here. The starting rotation owns an 8.01 ERA over their last nine games and Kyle Harrison looks to have hit a wall.

2) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️

Last week: 4

Shohei Ohtani returned to the Dodgers’ lineup on Monday after missing four games with knee and biceps issues. The Dodgers won all four of those games, but of course they need Ohtani’s bat if they are going to win it all again. With that plan in mind, it now appears that Ohtani won’t pitch again this season.

3) Tampa Bay Rays ⬇️

Last week: 2

Freddy Peralta had his best start as a member of the Rays as he squared off against the Mets last week. Imagine that? Getting the best version of him — or close to it — takes on more importance now that Shane McClanahan is on the IL with a forearm issue.

4) Atlanta Braves ⬇️

Last week: 3

In a fun potential playoff preview, the Braves and Phillies split their four-game series over the weekend. Ronald Acuña Jr., who hit his 200th career homer earlier in the week, also delivered a clutch three-run homer in Sunday’s victory. He enjoys the role of the heel.

5) New York Yankees

Last week: 5

It’s weirdly appropriate that Aaron Judge ended up missing 99 days with his right rib stress fracture. The Yankees went 45-39 during his absence and sit four games behind the Rays in the AL East. Will there be any rust for Judge? Can the Yankees close the gap with 19 games to play?

6) Philadelphia Phillies

Last week: 6

The series against the Braves also included a gem from Jesus Luzardo, who delivered a two-hit shutout in a tidy one hour and 51 minutes on Saturday. It was the first time Luzardo’s career (165 starts) that he threw a pitch in the ninth inning. Maybe the Phillies won’t be able to chase down the Braves for the NL East crown, but they should feel really good about where they’re at going into the postseason.

7) Chicago Cubs

Last week: 7

Clay Holmes was the headliner of the trade with the Mets at the deadline, but Tyrone Taylor has been anything but a throw-in. He’s hitting .407 (22-for-54) with a homer and six doubles through 22 games with Chicago.

8) Boston Red Sox

Last week: 8

The Red Sox are hot again, winning five in a row while effectively snuffing out the Orioles’ playoff hopes along the way. The big highlight from the week was Adley Rutschman’s emotional and memorable return to Camden Yards.

9) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬆️

Last week: 10

As the D-Backs cling to that third Wild Card spot in the NL, Corbin Burnes is set to make his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched in a major league game since June 1 of last year. He’ll likely have some abbreviated outings out of the gate, but what a lift he could provide for these playoff hopefuls.

10) Chicago White Sox ⬇️

Last week: 9

Colson Montgomery launched his 31st homer on Saturday, but the guy who caught this ball was the real star of the show.

11) San Diego Padres

Last week: 11

The Padres took two out of three from the Yankees over the weekend, highlighted by going back-to-back-to-back off Gerrit Cole on Sunday.

12) Houston Astros

Last week: 12

Yordan Alvarez has just two homers since August 14 and just three since July 28. He might win the Triple Crown yet, but he’s lucky he’s not in the National League. So are the Astros, for that matter.

13) Cleveland Guardians

Last week: 13

Gavin Williams registered a career-high 13 strikeouts against the Blue Jays last Monday and followed that up with 11 strikeouts in a win over the Tigers on Sunday. That gives him three starts (three!) of at least 11 strikeouts in his last four.

14) Toronto Blue Jays ⬆️

Last week: 15

Tough loss against the A’s on Monday aside, the Blue Jays have won seven out of nine to put themselves right back into playoff contention. Alejandro Kirk has played a key role in the turnaround, hitting .318 with five homers and 17 RBI over his last 22 games.

15) Texas Rangers ⬆️

Last week: 17

The Rangers are running out of time to show that they are more than a fringe .500 team, which has basically been their identity all season. Cal Quantrill has stepped up for their battered rotation with three scoreless outings in his last four.

16) St. Louis Cardinals ⬆️

Last week: 18

On Friday, we saw the ultimate ump show, as home plate umpire Doug Eddings stopped play to instruct Hancel Rincon to straighten his hat. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with tilting your cap. Countless players have done it over the years, with Dontrelle Willis and Fernando Rodney serving as prominent examples. Yet, Rincon, who was major his major league debut at the time, was the target. It was heartening to see Cardinals players and even some Rockies players where their hats tilted on Saturday in a show of support for the rookie.

17) Miami Marlins ⬇️

Last week: 16

Eury Pérez isn’t exactly finishing his season on a high note. After Monday’s loss to the Mets, he now owns an ugly 12.34 ERA with 10 walks and four homers allowed in 11 2/3 innings over his last three starts.

18) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️

Last week: 19

So, Luke Weaver has mostly struggled since coming over from the Mets, posting a 5.79 ERA over 10 appearances. Now we have the context. Ouch.

19) Baltimore Orioles ⬇️

Last week: 14

The Orioles finally snapped their six-game losing streak on Monday, but they’ve effectively put themselves out of playoff contention. And the good vibes with Luis Robert Jr. didn’t last long, as he’s already on the IL.

20) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️

Last week: 21

The Reds have begun ramping down Chase Burns after a ridiculously successful first full season in the majors. He was pulled after three no-hit innings against the Dodgers on Monday, which places him at 148 1/3 innings for the year. The 23-year-old threw 107 1/3 innings between the majors and minors combined last season, so it's time to protect him and look ahead to next year.

21) Minnesota Twins ⬇️

Last week: 20

If you’re wondering why the Twins haven’t been able to bridge the gap in the Wild Card race, consider that the starting rotation has a 5.16 ERA dating back to the All-Star break. It would take an unlikely run to make it happen, but Joe Ryan’s return was welcome on Monday.

22) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 23

Losing three out of four to the A’s is not what a playoff team does. The writing is on the wall at this point, but at least we can see a bunch of Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo to finish out the season.

23) Washington Nationals ⬇️

Last week: 22

CJ Abrams reached the 30-homer mark for the first time in his career on Sunday. Still, it’s been a struggle for him of late. He’s slashing .172/.246/.279 over his last 30 games dating back to the start of August.

24) New York Mets ⬆️

Last week: 26

If you look at Bo Bichette’s season on the whole, it’s been a disappointment. However, including this dramatic go-ahead three-run homer on Saturday, he’s hitting .306/.348/.479 with 11 homers over his last 81 games. In other words, very Bo Bichette-like. Assuming he sticks around next year, the Mets' lineup has a bunch of nice pieces.

25) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 24

The Tigers lost three out of four to the Guardians — all of the losses coming in walkoff fashion — so it’s all but over here. It’s still shocking to see that Detroit owns a +51 run differential. The Guardians, who occupy the third Wild Card spot at the moment, hold a -16 run differential. Wild.

26) Kansas City Royals ⬇️

Last week: 25

Carter Jensen hasn’t received much attention nationally, but the rookie backstop is red-hot to begin September (.391 with three homers and a 1.505 OPS) and leads all AL rookies with 53 extra-base hits.

27) San Francisco Giants

Last week: 27

After a slow start, Rafael Devers has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past four months. With two doubles in Monday’s extra-inning win over the Cardinals, Devers became the first Giants player to reach at least 35 homers and 35 doubles in a season since Hall of Famer Jeff Kent did it in 2002. There’s a lot that’s wrong with the Giants right now, but Devers is an exception.

28) Athletics

Last week: 28

Jeff McNeil was hitting .226 going into the All-Star break, but he’s dramatically turned his season around by hitting .338 over his last 43 games.

29) Colorado Rockies ⬆️

Last week: 30

Yes, the center fielder fell down, but I will choose to ignore that. Inside-the-park homers never get old.

30) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️

Last week: 29

The Angels have been eliminated from postseason contention, extending their MLB-worst streak to 12 seasons. With new ownership coming, you have to wonder about Mike Trout’s future with this team.