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Quentin Grimes, 76ers negotiating new contract but remain far apart on longer deal

Quentin Grimes and the Philadelphia 76ers would both love to work out a four-year contract that would lock in the 25-year-old guard who was one of the few bright spots for the team after the trade deadline. The problem is that the sides view the money side of the deal very differently.

Which means Grimes could end up taking the $8.7 million qualifying offer and becoming a free agent next summer. The sides are talking, but that doesn't mean they are close to a deal, reports Tony Jones of The Athletic.

Grimes has two offers on the table, according to sources. One is the qualifying offer, which is worth one year and $8.7 million. The other is a one-year balloon payment, which is designed for Grimes to waive the no-trade clause that would be attached to him accepting the qualifying offer.

The 76ers, league sources say, want to work out a long-term, four-year deal with Grimes, which is something that Grimes would actually be amenable to. The issue is what the money would be, and right now, the two sides are far apart on that.

Grimes reportedly was seeking something in the $20 million a season range from Philly, which wanted something less, considering it is currently just $1.7 million below the luxury tax line and may not want to cross that threshold without a sign this team can stay healthy and live up to its potential.

In 28 games with Philly last season, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a game. 76ers fans were dreaming of a guard rotation featuring Tyrese Maxey, Grimes, a healthy Jared McCain and just-drafted VJ Edgecombe. The problem is that you have to pay all those guys, and right now, the Sixers have Joel Embiid and Paul George making more than $50 million each, Maxey making $38 million, and in a couple of years, McCain and Edgecombe will be up for extensions.

Grimes has made a total of $11.1 million across four NBA seasons. This is a big opportunity to more than double his career earnings in one season. That is hard to walk away from, but it feels like this negotiation could go down to the Oct. 1 deadline when Grimes has to take the qualifying offer (as Cam Thomas has done in a similar situation), or sign something else.

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C's owner Bill Chisholm details on-brand first encounter with Mazzulla

C's owner Bill Chisholm details on-brand first encounter with Mazzulla originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It took Bill Chisholm less than a week to be introduced to the Joe Mazzulla Experience.

An investor group led by Chisholm first agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics on March 20. Four days later, Chisholm and his wife Kimberly paid a visit to Golden 1 Center in Sacramento to watch the Celtics take on the Kings.

That’s where Chisholm first met Mazzulla — who lived up to his reputation as being incredibly locked in at all times.

Chisholm detailed his first meeting with Chisholm during an exclusive interview with Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast.

“So, Joe is very intense, obviously — which I love, by the way,” Chisholm said. “The first time I met him was out in Sacramento. I was sitting courtside; the owner of the Kings had invited me to go, so I went, and I wasn’t wearing Celtics gear, and I wasn’t really cheering. I was trying to be polite; it’s their building and everything.

“And after the game, I see Joe across the court — I had never met him; we had never spoken — he makes eye contact with me and he comes straight, beeline to me. I’m like, ‘Oh gosh, here we go.’ And, he comes over, he puts his hand out, and he says, ‘Thirty freaking arenas and all you hear is, ‘Let’s go Celtics.’ I love it!’ And he shakes (my hand) one more time and walks away. And that was it.”

So, yeah. Mazzulla doesn’t change who he is for anybody — not even for the person who just purchased the team he coaches for $6.1 billion.

For his part, Chisholm loved his brief encounter with Mazzulla, who oversaw Boston’s 113-95 rout of the Kings that night.

“That kind of intensity — he was pumped up, it was a good game, and I just love that intensity he has,” Chisholm said.

Mazzulla is about to face his most difficult challenge yet with a Celtics roster that lost Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet this offseason and will be without superstar Jayson Tatum for most or all of the season as he recovers from Achilles surgery. But the C’s signed Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension in August, so it’s clear the entire franchise supports its head coach.

Check out Chisholm’s full interview with Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast:

  • Chisholm discusses how his dream of becoming the owner of the Celtics became a reality.
  • Who are some of Bill’s favorite Celtics players of all time?
  • How the investment group came together to buy the Celtics.
  • What are the goals of the new ownership group?
  • Will the Celtics look for their own arena?
  • What excited you most about this year’s team?
  • Best interaction with Joe Mazzulla so far.
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Ottawa Senators Cut 17 Players Before Heading To Quebec City

The Ottawa Senators continued to trim their roster on Thursday, making 17 cuts as their training camp moves into its next phase.

Eight players were assigned directly to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League: Matthew Andonovski, Tyler Boucher, Jake Chiasson, Jorian Donovan, Tomas Hamara, Jackson Parsons, Oskar Pettersson and Djibril Toure. All eight will now join Belleville’s camp as they look to take the next steps in their development.

Five additional players will require waivers before being sent down to Belleville. That group includes forwards Wyatt Bongiovanni, Xavier Bourgault and Garrett Pilon, along with defenceman Cameron Crotty and goaltender Hunter Shepard. They will be available to the other 31 NHL clubs before officially reporting to Ottawa’s AHL affiliate.

Four more players — Philippe Daoust, Landen Hookey, Jamieson Rees and Keean Washkurak — were also reassigned to Belleville. Each is on an AHL contract and attended Ottawa’s camp on a tryout basis.

With the latest moves, the Senators’ training camp roster has been reduced to 31 players. The group now consists of three goaltenders, ten defencemen and eighteen forwards still competing for opening-night spots.

The team will shift its focus to Quebec City over the next five days, where they will hold practices and play a pair of preseason games at the Videotron Centre. Ottawa is set to face the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, September 28, followed by a matchup with the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, September 30.

The Senators are 1-1 in preseason play so far after splitting a home-and-home series with the Toronto Maple Leafs to open their exhibition schedule earlier this week.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Will This Be Shane Pinto's Breakout Year With The Senators?
Drake Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns
Pinto Plays Hero In Senators Preseason Overtime Win Over Leafs
Senators Send Prospect Gabriel Eliasson And Two Others Back To Junior
After Two Broken Clavicles, Kaliyev Targets Capital Comeback
Senators Winger Fabian Zetterlund Ready To Prove Himself This Season

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Jared McCain suffers thumb injury on eve of Sixers media day

Jared McCain suffers thumb injury on eve of Sixers media day  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the eve of their 2025-26 season media day, injuries remain inescapable for the Sixers. 

The team announced that Jared McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout Thursday.

“McCain and the 76ers are consulting with specialists on next steps and further updates will be provided as appropriate,” the Sixers said in a statement. 

McCain, 21, had been ramping up to return from a left lateral meniscus tear he suffered in January. 

He packed in plenty of brilliant moments during 23 games his rookie year. The Duke product scored at least 18 points in nine consecutive games between Nov. 8 and Nov. 24. All told, McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. 

The Sixers had appeared quite well-stocked at guard entering the season, but McCain’s injury and the fact that restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is still unsigned changes the picture. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Grimes’ camp and the Sixers are “very far apart on a deal.” 

As far as healthy, under-contract guards, the Sixers have Tyrese Maxey, No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe, and veterans Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry. 

This story will be updated. 

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Jared McCain suffers thumb injury on eve of Sixers media day

Jared McCain suffers thumb injury on eve of Sixers media day  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

On the eve of their 2025-26 season media day, injuries remain inescapable for the Sixers. 

The team announced that Jared McCain suffered a UCL tear in his right thumb during a workout Thursday.

“McCain and the 76ers are consulting with specialists on next steps and further updates will be provided as appropriate,” the Sixers said in a statement. 

McCain, 21, had been ramping up to return from a left lateral meniscus tear he suffered in January.

He packed in plenty of brilliant moments during 23 games his rookie year. The Duke product scored at least 18 points in nine consecutive games between Nov. 8 and Nov. 24. All told, McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. 

McCain will now again turn to some of his standout qualities outside of basketball ability. He practices visualization and meditation, always strives for positivity and perspective, and tries not to dwell on factors beyond his control.

“Everything happens for a reason,” McCain said at his exit interview in April. “God doesn’t make mistakes and I know the universe has put me in this position to be injured to learn something. I know I’m destined for something great. I read the book ‘The Obstacle is the Way.’ … Just trying to create any advantage through all the adversity that you go through.

“There’s a saying … ‘Amor fati.’ Just love everything that comes. Even the negative, love everything that comes your way and you’ll find your way back in the positive. So I just try to take that every single day and live with gratitude. … I know I’ll be fine. I know I’ll get back to where I was, even better. Just got to be patient and be present.”

The Sixers had appeared quite well-stocked at guard entering the season — one source of optimism following an injury-ruined, 24-58 season — but McCain’s injury and the fact that restricted free agent Quentin Grimes is still unsigned changes the picture. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Grimes’ camp and the Sixers are “very far apart on a deal.” 

As far as healthy, under-contract guards, the Sixers have Tyrese Maxey, No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe, and veterans Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry. 

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Canadiens Prospect Is Big Player To Watch

Joshua Roy (© Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens have multiple young players to keep an eye on as the preseason continues. Among the most intriguing is forward Joshua Roy, as the 22-year-old forward is looking to prove that he deserves a spot on the Canadiens' opening night roster.

Roy played in 12 games this past season with the Canadiens, where he scored two goals. He also played in 23 games for the Canadiens during the 2023-24 campaign, where he posted four goals and nine points. Overall, the 2021 fifth-round pick has shown signs of promise when given the chance to play for Montreal, but now he will be looking to have a breakout season in 2025-26 for them.

Where Are The Canadiens In The Power Rankings?

Canadiens: Florian Xhekaj Deserves A Big Audition

Canadiens: Demidov Shuts Down Michkov Comparisons

Roy will be in the lineup for the Canadiens in their Sep. 25 preseason matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is a big game for Roy, as this will allow him the opportunity to try to stand out. If he puts together a strong performance for the Habs, it could very well help his odds of making the NHL roster.

Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see what happens with Roy from here. The young forward has the potential to become a solid NHL player, and time will tell if he takes that next step this season. 

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Islanders top pick Matthew Schaefer headlines the NHL rookies to watch

Matthew Schaefer being the first NHL No. 1 pick out of the Ontario Hockey League since Connor McDavid in 2015 is pressure enough. Then there’s following Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini into the league.

Bedard with Chicago and Celebrini with San Jose immediately were put into prominent roles. Bedard won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, and Celebrini finished third in the voting.

Taken atop the draft by the New York Islanders, Schaefer may not be in that conversation this season, through little fault of his own. He is a defenseman, a position that traditionally requires a longer, steeper learning curve, and the team is not going to rush a potential franchise cornerstone of the future.

“We’re going to give him time,” said coach Patrick Roy, who made the all-rookie team as a goaltender on the way to the Hall of Fame. “We’re going to be extremely patient with him. He’s a phenomenal kid, has great values. He’s very humble. It was fun in that first conversation to see him. He looks you in the eyes, and you could tell he wants to learn and he wants to be the best he can be.”

Schaefer, who just turned 18 on Sept. 5, is not alone, as most of the top picks in this year’s draft need more experience. A look at the top of the NHL’s rookie class:

Matthew Schaefer, Islanders

Roy was Colorado’s coach in 2013 when Nathan MacKinnon was the top pick with big expectations. Roy said he plans to follow a similar approach, starting Schaefer lower in the lineup and getting the chance to earn more ice time.

Schaefer opened training camp on the third defensive pair alongside veteran Scott Mayfield.

“My ears are wide open for him to let me know what I need to do better,” Schaefer said.

The Islanders consider it a collective effort to help Schaefer acclimate to life in the pros and the hype of going first in the draft.

“Obviously, there’s going to be some sort of pressure on him,” center Bo Horvat said. “If anybody’s going to handle it, it’s going to be him. ... He’s a very likable kid and easy to get along with right away, so he’s going to fit into our group really well.”

Ivan Demidov, Canadiens

How much did hockey-mad Montreal care bout Demidov signing an NHL contract and arriving from Russia late last season? There was a livestream dedicated to his international flight landing in Toronto on the way to join the team.

“I was like, ‘Oh man, this is crazy,’” captain Nick Suzuki said.

Demidov, the fifth pick in the 2024 draft, got a head start by playing in two regular-season and five playoff games last spring. He is the prohibitive Calder favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“It’s super impressive to see someone have that much talent at that age, and he obviously had a great start with us and had some nice moments in the playoffs, as well,” Suzuki said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the roster this year.”

Michael Misa, Sharks

The second pick behind Schaefer joins a talented young core in San Jose headlined by Celebrini and Will Smith.

“He’s an awesome kid,” Celebrini said. “There’s a reason he went second overall. He’s a special player.”

Misa upon getting drafted said he intended to play in the NHL right away. General manager Mike Grier expects Misa’s play to dictate that..

“He wants to be the best,” Grier said. “He wants to play against the best. I’m sure this is what he wants to do, but we’re not gonna hand him anything. He’s got to come into training camp and try and take a job and earn a spot.”

Ryan Leonard, Capitals

Like Demidov, Leonard broke into the NHL late last season, playing a total of 17 games as Alex Ovechkin broke the career goals record and Washington reached the second round of the playoffs.

Leonard had just two assists, but he’s now counted on to be a regular contributor for the Capitals, even if his mindset was just to earn a roster spot.

“Nothing’s guaranteed, so just going out there and try to prove that I can make the team and play at the level,” Leonard said.

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Miami updates: Terry Rozier expected in Heat training camp; sign Precious Achiuwa to one-year contract

Miami made a couple of expected moves this week, with the team's training camp set to open next Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Let's break them down.

Terry Rozier to be in Heat camp

Miami spent the offseason looking to trade away Terry Rozier, primarily because he is owed $26.6 million — $24.9 million of that is guaranteed. However, that contract and his lack of efficiency last season scared off other teams as well, and buyout talks went nowhere.

Now expect Rozier to be in the team's training camp, reports Anthony Chiang at the Miami Herald. This is not a surprise, especially after the news that All-Star guard Tyler Herro would miss the start of the season following foot surgery. With that, new addition Norman Powell slides into the starting backcourt spot next to Davion Mitchell, and Rozier will have a key role in the rotation. Last season, Rozier averaged 10.6 points a game but was not efficient with his shot, hitting 29.5% from 3 and with a true shooting percentage of just 49.7. As Chiang notes at the Herald, Rozier was one of "only four players in the NBA who shot worse than 40% from the field and worse than 30% on threes while playing in at least 60 games last regular season."

The Heat will still be open to trading Rozier during the season, but he will have to show that he can contribute somewhere to have serious suitors.

Precious Achiuwa signs One-Year Deal

Miami was looking thin at the center position. There is Olympian and team icon Bam Adebayo, but he requested to play more four over the course of the regular season to lessen the physical wear and tear. Then there is promising sophomore Kel'el Ware and... that's about it, unless you want to count two-way player Vlad Goldin.

Enter veteran big man Precious Achiuwa, who has signed a one-year deal with the Heat, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. This signing was expected.

Achiuwa was a solid rotation big for the Knicks last season — averaging 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds a game while shooting 50.2% — until Mitchell Robinson got healthy and returned, then Achiuwa saw his minutes drop off fast. For the role the Heat need filled, and for the veteran minimum, this is a solid signing.

With the Achiuwa signing, look for the Heat to do something to save a little money before the trade deadline. Miami was only $1.8 million below the luxury tax line and doesn't want to cross that line, so they will shed some salary somewhere.

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18 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #18

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 18 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #18. 

Let's take a look.

Robert Kron - 2001-2002 - Drafted by Vancouver in 1985.

Played 118 games for the Jackets from 2000 to 2002. He never played another NHL game after Columbus. In March 2001, Kron broke his ankle when he fell over awkwardly after taking a puck to the face. It was truly one of the oddest moments in CBJ history.

Nowadays, Kron is the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Seattle Kraken. 

Zenith Komarniski - 2004 - Drafted by Vancouver in 1996

Komarniski played in two games for Columbus in 03-04 and had zero points. He would never play another NHL after his time in Columbus and would retire in 2007. 

Komarniski is now a youth coach in Canada.

Geoff Platt - 2006 - Undrafted out of Toronto, Ontario.

Platt played 41 games as a Jacket and had a total of 14 points. After playing five games for Anaheim in 07-08, he left for Europe where he played until he retired in 2023.

Platt is now a Development Coach for the Tappara U20 team in Finland. 

R.J. Umberger - 2009-2014 - Drafted by Vancouver in 2001. 

The former Ohio State Buckeye played 445 games after coming to Columbus via trade with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008. He scored 120 goals and totaled 250 points during his time in Columbus. He was traded back to Philly in 2014 and would retire in 2017 after signing a PTO with the Dallas Stars and being subsequently released. 

Umberger is now the Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach for the Columbus Chill 18U AA.

David Clarkson - 2015 - Undrafted out of Etobicoke, Ontario.

Clarkson only played 26 games in Columbus before a serious back injury derailed his career. His contract was then traded twice before he officially retired. Clarkson stayed in the Columbus area after retiring, coaching the Upper Arlington High School Hockey Team for a season.

These days, he owns the NAHL's Colorado Grit. The Grit is a Tier II junior team based in Greeley, Colorado. The Grit will not participate in league competition during the upcoming season, as per the NAHL, but could return next season. For 25-26, Clarkson will be the head coach for the Okanagan HA Colorado 13U AAA.

Rene Bourque - 2016 - He was undrafted out of Lac La Biche, Alberta.

Bourque played 57 games for Columbus over two seasons. He totaled 7 goals and 12 points. He signed in Colorado for the 16-17 season, and then after one year, left for Sweden, where he would retire after one season.

Pierre-Luc Dubois - 2018-2020 - Drafted by Columbus in 2016. 

The former number 3 overall pick for Columbus played 239 and amassed 159 points wearing #18 for the Jackets. He was traded to the Washington Capitals in 2024 from the LA Kings and will attempt to get his career back on the right track. Washington is his fourth team since 2021. 

Last year with the Caps, Dubois set career highs in assists (46) and points (66). 

Our Ken Campbell said of Dubois: "To say that Dubois, the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, had something of a deer-in-the-headlights complex during his first training camp would not be an overstatement. Tortorella saw a young player who was overwhelmed, so much so that he had to check with team management to make sure that was the kid they had just picked third overall. But in everything to his physique to his body language to his swagger, so much was different this year. Tortorella said that at the beginning of the season he was concerned about putting Dubois in a situation he wasn’t prepared to accept and contemplated playing Dubois at the wing. But that has kind of gone out the window with Alexander Wennberg unproductive and injured. Brandon Dubinsky was never going to fill that No. 1 center role, but he was also hurt, and the depth at center took a hit. So it’s a good thing Dubois stayed in the middle and started to produce. “We think we’re so smart, the coaches, the managers,” Tortorella said. “We have all these ideas about developing players, and we worry too much. He has blown us away with how he has handled the situation. He’s grabbed ahold of it and wants more.”

Lane Pederson - 2023 - Undrafted out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Pederson played 16 games as a Jacket after being picked up on waivers in 2022-23 and had three points. He didn't play any NHL games in the last two seasons, and he signed with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

There are 18 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. 

The pre-season schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET

Tuesday, Sept. 30 vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, Oct. 4 at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

* Games in bold are home games * 

After that, the Blue Jackets will open the regular season on the road against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

Let us know what you think below.

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Mariners win AL West for 1st time in 24 years as Cal Raleigh reaches 60 homers in 9-2 win over Rockies

SEATTLE — Only fitting it was Cal Raleigh who catapulted the Seattle Mariners to their first AL West championship in 24 years.

The switch-hitting catcher launched two more homers to give him a major league-best 60 this season, and the streaking Mariners clinched the fourth division crown in the franchise’s 49-year history with a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

“To do it in this fashion, on this night, in front of these fans, mom and dad, obviously, was really cool,” Raleigh said.

The lone big league team that’s never been to a World Series, Seattle last won the AL West in 2001 when it set an American League record with 116 wins — thanks in large part to a prolific rookie season from new Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki.

But similar to that team, winning the division this year required more than a record-setting performance from one player. In addition to Raleigh, the 2025 Mariners had four other All-Stars: outfielders Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez, as well as right-hander Bryan Woo and closer Andrés Muñoz.

“Really proud of the guys here,” said Raleigh, the seventh big league player to reach 60 homers in a season. “It’s 20-plus years since we’ve done something like this, and it’s special. It’s special to this group, to this organization, to the city.”

Even with that All-Star quintet, the Mariners entered the mid-summer break just six games over. 500, a mark that held prior to the July 31 trade deadline. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto felt compelled to add to a team that entered August 4 1/2 games back of the division lead, and did so in a meaningful way.

The Mariners acquired slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez and multi-talented first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and getting ahold of both has proven to be quite the shrewd move. Since the deadline, the Mariners have gone 31-17, won 16 of their last 17 and clinched a playoff spot thanks to some late-game heroics from Naylor.

It hasn’t just been a potent Mariners lineup — one which entered the game with the third-most homers in the majors — that has powered the club back to the postseason for the first time since 2022.

Despite injuries to the likes of right-handed starters George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Logan Evans and Logan Gilbert, the Mariners’ rotation has held together. Veteran right-hander Luis Castillo has been steady and available all season, while Woo broke out in a big way during his first All-Star campaign.

“When you look at this team, the depth of our lineup, the depth of our pitching, the bullpen,” manager Dan Wilson said, “we’ve got incredible guys here.”

Woo leads all Seattle pitchers in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and Wins Above Replacement. However, he won’t take his next turn in the rotation, as his scheduled start against the Rockies is being skipped due to pectoral tightness, Seattle general manager Justin Hollander said.

Having a healthy Woo for the postseason would go a long way for the Mariners, who are closing in on a first-round bye.

Of course, it won’t be easy for the Mariners in October. Still looking for its first pennant, the franchise has never made it further than the AL Championship Series in five postseason appearances.

But as Seattle has proven all season, it is hardly a one-dimensional club, even if Raleigh has drawn ample headlines with his propensity for the longball. Instead, it’s a deep team with plenty of camaraderie and a handful of starting pitchers who would be aces on other teams.

“We care about each other, truly,” Rodríguez said. “We would die for each other every single day. It means a lot for a team to be able to be like that.”

Only time will tell if this Seattle squad has what it takes to write a new chapter, and go further in the postseason than any previous Mariners team.

“I think we’re playing our best baseball right now, and that’s the teams you see win it all,” Gilbert said. “So, I think we’ve got a chance.”

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Dodgers close on another NL West title, hurting Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes with 5-4 win in 11 innings

PHOENIX — Tommy Edman singled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the 11th inning, Justin Wrobleski got the final three outs to stabilize a shaky bullpen and the Los Angeles Dodgers moved closer to another NL West title by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4.

Edman’s line-drive single off Brandyn Garcia (0-2) scored Freddie Freeman, and Wrobleski retired three straight batters for his third career save and second this season.

Los Angeles’ magic number is down to one, meaning any win by the playoff-bound Dodgers or any loss by second-place San Diego will clinch the division crown. The Dodgers are trying to win the NL West for the 12th time in 13 years.

It was a costly loss for the Diamondbacks, who remain tied with Cincinnati one game behind the New York Mets for the final National League wild card. The Mets and Reds also lost, but the D-backs couldn’t take advantage.

Arizona loaded the bases with one out in the 10th, but couldn’t push across the winning run. Jack Dreyer retired Jake McCarthy on a popup and then Blake Treinen (2-7) coaxed James McCann’s shallow fly to end the threat.

The D-backs trailed 4-1 heading into the eighth but responded with a three-run rally. Corbin Carroll’s RBI double made it 4-2, Gabriel Moreno’s infield single cut the margin to 4-3 and pinch-hitter Adrian Del Castillo tied the game with a sacrifice fly off reliever Edgardo Henriquez.

Dodgers lefty Blake Snell had his third straight excellent outing, throwing six innings of one-run ball while striking out five.

Los Angeles rookie Roki Sasaki had a successful return to the big leagues, striking out two batters in relief during a scoreless seventh in his first outing since May 9.

Andy Pages gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead in the fourth with a two-run homer.

Key moment

Dreyer and Treinen made good pitches to get the final outs of the 10th.

Key stat

Carroll has 32 stolen bases and 31 homers this season. He’s the first D-backs player to join the 30-30 club.

Up next

The Diamondbacks throw RHP Zac Gallen (13-14, 4.70 ERA) against Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-8, 2.58).

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Phillies wrap up a 1st-round bye, hitting a team-record 8 homers to rout the Marlins

PHILADELPHIA — Edmundo Sosa hit three of Philadelphia’s team-record eight home runs, Kyle Schwarber had two to pad his National League lead and the Phillies wrapped up a first-round bye with an 11-1 victory over the Miami Marlins.

Assured one of the top two seeds in the NL, the East champion Phillies (93-65) will open the postseason at home Oct. 4 in a best-of-five Division Series.

Schwarber hit Nos. 55 and 56 and also doubled and singled. He trails Seattle’s Cal Raleigh by four for the major league homer lead after Raleigh hit his 59th and 60th in the Mariners’ game against Colorado.

Philadelphia hit seven homers against Atlanta on Aug. 28, with Schwarber getting four of them.

Sosa was activated before the game after being out since Sept. 16 because of a groin injury. Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm and Otto Kemp also homered.

Jesus Luzardo (15-7) struck out 10 in seven innings against his former team. He allowed three hits and one run.

Marlins starter Ryan Weathers (2-2) lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits — three of them homers. Valente Bellozo allowed four homers in the seventh.

Key moment

Sosa came off the IL before the game and promptly hit home runs in three consecutive at bats. His three-run shot in the fifth inning off newly entered reliever Lake Bachar gave the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

Key stat

Schwarber’s third-inning home run was his 23rd off a left-hander this season, the most in major league history.

Up next

Phillies RHP Walker Buehler (9-7, 5.13 ERA) was set to face RHP Janson Junk (6-3, 4.27) in the series finale.

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Three NHL Players Who Could Surprise You In 2025-26

Stuart Skinner has received a lot of attention with the Edmonton Oilers over the last couple of years. His play has been under a microscope, specifically in the playoffs, where Edmonton made back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances.

The Oilers goaltender has been inconsistent in between the pipes, especially last season, when he recorded a .896 save percentage and a 2.81 goals-against average. It was statistically his worst campaign of the three full seasons he’s played in the NHL.

Three NHL Players Who Could Surprise You In 2025-26Three NHL Players Who Could Surprise You In 2025-26As much as the hockey world tries to predict how well a player performs in any given season, NHLers continue to cause double takes with incredible campaigns.

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