ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 26: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on February 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The long, long wait is over as Jonathan Kuminga has finally made a decision this offseason.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, he will not be coming to Los Angeles. Despite it seemingly being one of the best options available, Kuminga opted not to join the purple and gold, instead signing with Wolves, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers — bypassing a similar starting role and $12M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control of his future, sources said. https://t.co/Nq9byvxkII
After a flurry of signings early in free agency, things downshifted quickly and drastically as everyone waited on Kuminga. Initially, the blame was put on LeBron James and the wait for his own decision. But weeks passed after LeBron went to Philly, and Kuminga still didn’t make a move.
The Cavaliers, often mentioned as interested in Kuminga, trading for Peyton Watson closed that door, leaving few remaining. As reported by Charania, along with the Lakers and Wolves, the Bulls and Blazers also were suitors.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points per game while playing for both Golden State and Atlanta. His production was roughly equivalent between the two sides, though he was a bit more efficient with the Hawks.
For his career, he averages 12.5 points per game while shooting 33.2% from deep and 50.2% from the field. He also grabs 4.2 rebounds and hands out 1.8 assists per contest.
This leaves the Lakers with work to be done. Kuminga was the best wing option available on the free agent market and filled the need for an athletic forward. At the very least, LA will have to make a trade to shed at least one salary as they have 16 guaranteed contracts.
Most likely, they will look to consolidate multiple players with draft picks to try to fill the hole on the perimeter. They’ve also been searching the trade market for centers as well, so there’s still work to be done.
But there’s no getting around the fact that the Lakers wanted Kuminga and missed out on him. Whether it was his role on the team, the Lakers being unable to work out a trade or Kuminga wanting another crack at free agency next summer — something he would not have been able to do with a sign-and-trade with the Lakers — this is a miss. With relatively little time remaining before training camp opens, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka will have to make some moves.
Colorado's next goaltending battle won't be taking place at Ball Arena. It could be decided a few miles away in Loveland, where two very different paths to the NHL are about to collide.
Ilya Nabokov arrives as one of the organization's most intriguing prospects, having openly talked about his goal of becoming the best goalie in the world. Trent Miner, meanwhile, has spent years working his way through the Avalanche system and finally got his opportunity in the NHL last season. Now, the two will share the crease with the Colorado Eagles, and both will have plenty to prove.
Nabokov has already started making his presence felt.
Optional skates are, by definition, optional. But the 23-year-old has been showing up to plenty of them at Family Sports Center lately, and he hasn't exactly been treating them like a casual morning workout.
On Wednesday, Sean Behrens, Alex Gagne and Matthew DiMarsico each got their fair share of chances against him. Nabokov turned away most of them, repeatedly flashing the athleticism and quick glove that made him such an intriguing prospect for the Avalanche.
It was only an optional skate in August, but Nabokov is clearly taking the work seriously.
The 2026-27 season will be his first full campaign in North America, giving Colorado its first real opportunity to see how his game translates to the smaller ice and faster pace.
Nabokov isn't your typical prospect.
Colorado selected him 38th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, making him the first goaltender taken that year. Before coming to North America, he had already won a Gagarin Cup and been named KHL playoff MVP with Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
His résumé is impressive, but his game still has something to prove.
At 6-foot-1, Nabokov is smaller than most modern NHL goaltenders. His low stance makes him even more unconventional, but it also allows him to move quickly around the crease. His athleticism, lateral movement and ability to recover have been major reasons for his success.
The question is whether those strengths will hold up against NHL-caliber shooters.
Nabokov spent his final season in Russia trying to prepare for that transition, and his numbers weren't nearly as strong as they had been the year before. His save percentage fell from .923 to .901, while his goals-against average climbed from 2.22 to 2.74.
On the surface, it looked like a step backward. There was more going on than the numbers suggested, though, as Nabokov was also working to change parts of his game before making the move to North America.
Now he'll have a full season with the Eagles to see whether those changes were worth it.
And he'll have to do it while competing with a goaltender who has plenty to prove himself.
Miner has been part of Colorado's system for several years and has spent much of that time waiting for his opportunity. He finally got one last season, and he made it count.
In January, Miner recorded a shutout in his first NHL victory, stopping all 22 shots in a 4-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. That made him just the 17th goaltender in NHL history to record a shutout in his first NHL win.
Trent Miner is congratulated by Nathan MacKinnon and now former Av Jack Drury after collecting his first NHL win. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing
Miner also made the most of his limited NHL action. He appeared in four games for Colorado, going 1-0-3 with a 2.03 GAA and .933 save percentage.
His work with the Eagles was just as encouraging. Miner went 17-8-8 during the regular season before taking his game up another level in the playoffs, posting an 11-6 record with a 1.87 GAA and .925 save percentage as Colorado reached the Western Conference Final.
Nabokov has already made it clear how high he wants to climb. In May, he said he wants to be the best goalie in the world. That's an ambitious goal, but it also sends a pretty clear message to everyone competing with him for an opportunity.
Miner is going to have to work for it.
The two goaltenders will be teammates with the Eagles, but there won't be much room for either to coast. Nabokov is trying to prove he's ready for the next step, while Miner is coming off a season that showed he may already be closer to an NHL opportunity than previously thought.
That makes the Eagles' crease more than a simple prospect development situation. It's a competition between two goaltenders with legitimate reasons to believe they belong in Colorado's future plans.
For Nabokov, a strong season would show the Avalanche that the adjustments he made in Russia are translating and that he's moving closer to an NHL opportunity.
For Miner, it's another chance to prove that what he showed last season was just the beginning.
Neither can afford to assume the job will simply be handed to him.
And the competition could have consequences well beyond the AHL.
Colorado enters the season with Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood expected to handle the NHL crease. Blackwood is under contract for four more seasons, while Wedgewood is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
That makes this season particularly important for Nabokov.
If he takes over the Eagles' crease and thrives, Colorado could have an internal option ready to challenge for an NHL job when the next opportunity opens. If Miner continues to perform at the level he showed last season, he could make that decision considerably more difficult.
That's a good problem for the Avalanche to have.
The organization would much rather have two goaltenders pushing each other than wonder where its next NHL option is coming from.
But for Nabokov and Miner, this isn't simply about helping the Eagles win games.
It's about positioning themselves for what's next.
Nabokov wants to be the best goalie in the world. Miner wants to prove he belongs in the NHL. They'll be teammates in Colorado this season, but every start will carry some weight in a competition that could shape both of their futures.
The first battle will take place with the Eagles.
And when two goaltenders are fighting for the same opportunity, there may not be room for both to come out on top.
Aug 26, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The game got started early today— much to the relief of us East Coasters— and so did the Phillies—much to the relief of all of us. Kyle Schwarber doubled to begin the game, and Bryce Harper ensured he wouldn’t have to wait around on base for long, scoring the both of them with a gopher ball over the fence in left-center. Not content to simply have a homer, Harper decided to take one away, too, leaping to snatch a Julio Rodríguez ball out of the air to end the Seattle 1st. The seas remained treacherous in the second for Seattle and their starter, Bryan Woo, as the Phillies once more led off an inning with a double, this one courtesy of Bryson Stott; he was soon joined by Brandon Marsh via walk. Justin Crawford bedeviled Woo across nine pitches, four of them with two strikes, then singled to right to score Stott. Woo made the mistake of offering a fastball right down the middle to Schwarber, an event that can only have one conclusion; the only question was which fan would take home the souvenir. The score was 6-0, and Schwarber had become the first player to hit 40 homers in the 2026 campaign.
While Woo wondered if someone in the Seattle lineup might’ve shot an albatross (bad luck for sailors), Jesús Luzardo had sunny skies and fair winds, navigating the first four innings without allowing a hit. He walked Randy Arozarena to open the fourth, then struck out the next two Mariners and induced a fly out from the third. It looked, for a moment, like his first surrendered hit would come on an infield single in the 5th, as J.P. Crawford chopped one to Trea Turner such that only a heroic throw would beat him. But Turner did indeed make such a throw. Alec Bohm was pulled far enough off the bag that the Mariners thought they might be able to get it overturned; review upheld the call. In the end, the ball that finally beat Luzardo wasn’t a homer or an infield single, but just an ordinary line drive hit, in this case at the hands of Jhonny Pereda.
The Phillies put their first two batters of the sixth aboard (Bohm and Stott, both via single). The inning ought to have ended on a double play, but a high throw from keystone man Brock Rodden on the relay instead put the Phillies in a two-out, runners at the corners situation. Seattle didn’t pay a price for the mistake, ending the inning on a ground out soon after.
Luzardo’s day ended after the 7th, with his final line being one hit, three walks, nine Ks, and no runs. Tim Mayza took the 8th, and the Mariners fared no better against him than they did against Luzardo. They fared slightly better against Jhoan Duran in the 9th, in that they did get a hit against him. But they didn’t get anything else.
The Phillies are 74-60. They’ll return to action Friday night against the Angels.
Tristan Peters has gone deep in four straight. Can he make it five? | (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After a much-needed offensive outburst on Tuesday, the White Sox are back at it, looking to capture their second straight series with another victory tonight.
Last night’s win kept the South Siders clinging to a 2 1/2-game edge in the AL Central, with the Guardians refusing to go away after stealing one in extra innings out in Anaheim. Cleveland is on a roll, going 8-2 over its last 10 and riding a six-game heater, while the South Siders have been stuck in neutral at 5-5. It’s time for the Good Guys to string together a streak of their own, and after dropping 11 runs yesterday, there’s no better time to start.
The White Sox will send Sean Burke to the bump. After an outstanding July in which he went 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA and 0.76 WHIP in five appearances, Burke has come back to Earth a bit in August. The righthander is 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over four outings this month, and he has failed to make it through the fifth inning twice. With the Guardians refusing to cool off, the Sox could use both length and a return to July form from Burke tonight.
Burke’s Baseball Savant profile provides a fairly clear blueprint for how he can succeed. His four-seam fastball has been his greatest weapon, ranking in the 97th percentile in run value, while his cutter sits in the 87th percentile. Those two pitches have helped his overall fastball run value reach the 97th percentile. Burke also ranks well in chase rate, strikeout rate and walk rate, so his best path against Texas will be to establish the fastball, get ahead and use the cutter to keep hitters from sitting on the four-seamer. His breaking pitches have been much less effective — including a curveball in the 21st percentile in run value — and his low ground-ball rate makes mistakes particularly dangerous. Against a Rangers lineup with several potent bats, Burke cannot afford to fall behind and leave hittable pitches over the heart of the plate.
Texas will counter with lefthander MacKenzie Gore, who joined the Rangers in a January trade with the Washington Nationals and has settled into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Jacob deGrom. Unlike Burke, Gore has been at his best lately, compiling a 1.57 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across four August starts. His Savant numbers largely support that success: His four-seamer ranks in the 98th percentile in run value, while his changeup sits in the 83rd percentile and his slider in the 74th. Gore can miss bats and collect strikeouts, but the contact he allows gives the Sox a possible opening. He ranks in only the 23rd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 25th percentile in barrel rate, while his cutter and curveball sit in the 17th and 10th percentiles, respectively, in run value. The Sox will need to avoid chasing his best secondary pitches, force him into the zone and be ready to punish the cutter or curveball when either catches too much of the plate.
Miguel Vargas and Tristan Peters have led the regulars offensively over the last seven days, with Peters entering tonight after homering in four consecutive games. Meanwhile, Colson Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami continue to struggle, and with the southpaw on the mound, Colson will get the night off. Gore’s four-seamer and changeup can both produce excellent results, so Chicago’s hitters cannot simply hunt fastballs and expect another output like Tuesday. Patient at-bats and damage against his weaker offerings will be essential if they want to keep the offense rolling.
The Rangers present a much different challenge at the plate, with four players batting better than .300 over the last seven days. Ezequiel Duran leads the way, hitting the cover off the ball with a .476/.577/.810 slash line and 1.387 OPS over that span. Burke has the weapons to slow down this lineup, but his fastball command will need to be sharp from the opening pitch.
Another win would secure the series and, more importantly, allow the White Sox to begin building some momentum of their own while the Guardians remain directly on their heels.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised on CHSN and can be heard on ESPN 1000.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 24: Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers makes a catch at the wall during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 21: Elmer Rodriguez #71 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium on June 21, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees lost in gut-punch fashion last night, the offense continuing to claw their way out of the summer swoon by putting up seven runs, only to see the bullpen blow multiple leads en route to a loss to the Astros, 9-7. The bats face a tougher test today relative to yesterday’s replacement level starter Ethan Pecko, Peter Lambert leading all Astros pitchers with 2.1 fWAR.
Elmer Rodríguez got the call up back to the big leagues as the Yankees weather the injury absences of Max Fried and Ryan Weathers. He last pitched in the majors on June 21st, giving up three runs in four innings against the Reds. He has pitched well in the intervening nine starts at Triple-A, with a 2.13 ERA across 46.1 innings thanks to an uptick in sinker velocity and curveball usage rate. In four starts with the big league club, Rodríguez is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA, 5.14 FIP, and ten strikeouts in 17 innings.
After four seasons with the Rockies and a year with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of NPB, Peter Lambert is finally finding a lane in the majors in his age-29 season. Signed from Japan on a minor league deal over the winter, Lambert manufactures success with the uncertainty generate from his expansive seven-pitch arsenal rather than possessing any one good pitch. He leads with a four-seamer that averages 94 mph before throwing a kitchen sink of changeups, sliders, cutters, sinkers, sweepers, and slurves. In 22 starts, Lambert is 8-7 with a 3.68 ERA (113 ERA+), 3.80 FIP, and 120 strikeouts in 122.1 innings.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Yankees roll out the exact same lineup that broke out for seven runs last night. Luis García Jr. and Cody Bellinger each homered and drove in three, the former as part of a four-hit night. Every member of the starting lineup reached base last night, only Trent Grisham and Austin Wells failing to register a hit.
The Astros meanwhile make a pair of changes to their lineup from last night. Catcher Yainer Diaz went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs, so it’s a relief to see him on the bench with Christian Vázquez taking his place behind the plate. Cam Smith collected a triple last night after entering as a pinch-hitter and he gets the start tonight over the man he replaced, LaMonte Wade Jr.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: Amazon Prime Video, Space City Home Network
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM (HOU)
Draymond Green bashes early "naysayers" if Klay Thompson doesn't perform up to expectations.
The expectation for Klay Thompson is to be an impactful piece for the Miami Heat this year, but it also comes with the question of, “Has father time truly caught up with the former Splash Brother?”
With the possibility of Thompson not performing as well as he did with the Golden State Warriors during the first 11 years of his career, his former teammate, Draymond Green, sounded off on any perceived expectations.
“I don’t like how everybody is trying to act like ‘It’s Klay Thompson,” Green said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “… The reason I don’t like it is because I feel like everybody is trying to set Klay up for failure.”
Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra introducing Klay Thompson as a member of the Heat. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
“I’m going to say it here right now. Let’s stop acting like it’s 2017 Klay going to Miami.”
Green went on to say he wishes that Thompson’s move to Miami was viewed like Ray Allen’s, when he joined the Heat in 2012.
“That’s the role I’d expect of Klay,” Green said. “Don’t try to set my brother up. Like you’re about to get the 2017 Klay, so the moment you don’t, y’all can bash him.”
Thompson returned to the basketball court in January 2022, but has never looked like his old self, as he’s struggled to be the dominant scorer he once was.
In 2024, his inability to shoot behind the three-point line resulted in him being benched by the Warriors, which would later result in his departure from the team when the season concluded.
Draymond Green and Klay Thompson as teammates with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Thompson appeared in 69 games for the Mavericks, but only started in eight games, and shot a career low of 38.3% from the three-point line.
“He’s going into year 16 of his career; we obviously know the injuries he’s faced,” Green said. “Yes he is going to provide shooting, because he shoots the lights out of the ball, and when he’s 60, he’ll be able to shoot the lights out of the ball.”
But the four-time NBA champion wanted to ensure realistic expectations are being set for his former teammate.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Dustin May #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at Petco Park on August 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
May has made three starts since joining the Brewers, with last Wednesday’s outing against the Mariners representing his first real stumble. After allowing just three earned runs with 11 strikeouts over 13 innings in his first two starts, May was tagged for seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out one over just two innings in Milwaukee’s 7-5 loss. For the season, he’s 6-8 with a 4.57 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 118 strikeouts across 124 innings.
Stock, 36, is a former second-round pick who spent time in the Brewers organization in 2023. He debuted with the Padres in 2018 and later had brief stints with the Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets through 2021 before pitching overseas. Stock returned to the majors with two appearances for Boston last season before rejoining the Mets this year. He has made four starts in 2026, posting a 5.40 ERA and 4.10 FIP with 19 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. Those numbers are skewed by one particularly rough outing, when he surrendered eight of his 10 earned runs in a 9-0 loss to the Pirates in early August. The Mets have won in both of his last two starts, as he’s totaled 8 2/3 innings with two runs allowed (one earned) and 11 strikeouts against the Nationals and Padres.
Sal Frelick makes his return to the lineup after being activated from his IL stint yesterday, as he’ll start in left field and bat leadoff. Garrett Mitchell follows, with Brice Turang, Christian Yelich, and William Contreras in the 3-4-5 spots. Luis Lara moves up to bat sixth, with Andrew Vaughn, David Hamilton, and Cooper Pratt rounding things out, meaning Joey Ortiz and Jackson Chourio will start this one on the bench.
First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 20: Peter Lambert #38 of the Houston Astros pitches in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on August 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (66-66) and New York Yankees (74-57) play the 2nd game of this 3-game series tonight.
RHP Peter Lambert (8-7, 3.68 ERA) starts for the Astros vs. Yankees RHP Elmer Rodríguez (0-2, 4.76 ERA).
ASTROS-YANKEES: The Astros are 2-2 vs. NYY this season, with the Yankees taking 2 of 3 at Daikin Park, April 24-26. In their last visit to the Bronx, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees, Aug. 8-10 of 2025.
All-Time: In the regular season, the Astros are 38-54 vs. NYY.
Postseason: The Astros have won all 4 postseason series that they have played vs. the Yankees (2015, ‘17, ‘19, ‘22) and have a combined record of 13-5 (.722) in those games.
NY STATE OF MIND: Tonight is the 2nd game of a 6-game road trip for the Astros, with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. After this 3-game series vs. the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues.-Thur.), the Astros will take on the Mets for a 3-game series at Citi Field in Queens over the weekend (Fri.-Sun).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road series in NYC, June 2329 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
LAMBO: RHP Peter Lambert, who will make his 1st career start/app. vs. the Yankees tonight, has been the Astros most consistent starter in 2026. He leads the club in wins (8), starts (22), innings (122.1) and strikeouts (120). Lambert is looking to rebound from his last start on Aug. 20 vs. LAA (3.2 IP, 9 ER). Prior to that start, he had allowed 2 ER or less in 8 consecutive starts. He posted a 1.88 ERA (6ER/28.2IP) in his 5 starts in July with 32 K’s in 28.2 IP.
Road Success: Lambert has pitched well on the road, going 3-2 in 8 road starts with a 2.98 ERA (14ER/42.1IP). A minor league signing by Houston this offseason, Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 starts.
Note: The Yankees, Rockies and Royals are the only clubs Lambert has not faced in his career.
RECENT STROS: The Astros are 3-3 in their last 6 games and 5-6 in their last 11 games.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in SLG (.412), T-2nd in HR and 3rd in runs scored (605) and OPS (.730).
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 24-13 (.649) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), TB (2-1), TEX (9-4).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.323), HR (36) and RBI (91). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.055), SLG (.618), OBP (.438) and TB (289).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 46-35 (.568) in their last 81 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (51-32)
ROAD WARRIORS: Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 32-22 (.593) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 16-10 (.615) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 33-31 on the road.
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game needing just 11 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 2,489 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,576.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
WALK OF FAME: Yordan Alvarez’s ML-high 28 intentional walks this season are a franchise record. Jeff Bagwell had held the club record with 27 IBB in 1997. Alvarez was intentionally walked 3 times on Sunday vs. ATH (has drawn no walks vs. the Yankees in 4 games this season).
ONE OF THE BEST: LHP Josh Hader reached his 500th career app. recently, making him one of 12 active pitchers to reach that milestone. Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in June, going 4-1 with a 0.81 ERA (3ER/33.1IP), 44 strikeouts, a .115 opponent average (13×113) and a 0.72 WHIP, while converting all 19 of his save chances in 34 appearances.
REHAB START: RHP Mike Burrows is scheduled to make his 3rd rehab start for Triple A Sugar Land tonight…in his 2 previous starts: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 SO.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:2007 – In a pregame ceremony, the Astros retire Jeff Bagwell’s #5 jersey in recognition of his stellar career, all spent in Houston. Bagwell would later be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Astros Hall of Fame when it was established in 2019.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 26, 6:05 p.m. CT
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
The Cubs outscored the Diamondbacks 11-7 in this three-game series.
Unfortunately, they don’t grant series wins that way. Arizona simply spread their runs out better than the Cubs did. and in Wednesday’s game, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo held the Cubs scoreless on just two hits, and the Cubs dropped the series finale 2-0, losing the series and finishing their road trip at 2-4.
It’s even more frustrating because the Cubs got excellent work out of all three of their starting pitchers in this series. Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd held the Diamondbacks to eight hits and one run in 20 total innings of work. That’s just outstanding. Unfortunately, one blown save and one excellent pitching performance by Rodriguez made this a Cubs series loss.
The Cubs were held hitless by Rodriguez for the first four innings until Tyrone Taylor singled leading off the fifth. Taylor eventually stole second, but was stranded.
More on that from BCB’s JohnW53:
The Cubs went four innings before Tyrone Taylor made their first hit leading off the fifth. They had gone longer without a hit just once this season: 4.1 innings, on Aug. 14 at home vs. the Cardinals. Nico Hoerner delivered a single.
They had gone 4.0 innings twice before, both vs. the Brewers: May 18, at home (Carson Kelly singled), and June 26, at Milwaukee (Seiya Suzuki homered).
PCA advanced to third on a ground out and one out later, an odd play happened.
Bit of confusion in the 6th w/ #PCA on 3rd and 2 outs. All #Cubs involved thought a balk was incurred as Pete started towards home. Looked like Eduardo Rodriguez stepped off the rubber, however briefly, before the pitch.@Cubs#GoCubsGo#Dbackspic.twitter.com/EtdpVzf30m
That’s what the Cubs argued to the umpires, and as the social media post says, it does look like Rodriguez took a step off before he made the pitch, which would have been a run-scoring balk. The umpires conferred and basically said, “Well, we didn’t see it,” and that’s not reviewable. PCA was livid, and third base coach Quintin Berry had to physically restrain him from going at one of the umpires — good thing, contact would have resulted in an ejection and possible suspension.
Anyway, PCA was stranded, and in the bottom of the inning Jordan Lawlar homered off Boyd, the only run Boyd allowed. Homers have been a bit of an issue for Boyd; that makes 13 in 73 innings since his return from his knee injury. But overall this was a very good outing. More from John:
Today’s start was the fifth by a Cub this season of at least 6.0 innings with one run allowed on a homer and no more than three total hits. All have been exactly three hits.
Shōta Imanaga went 6.0 on April 15 at Philadelphia and 7.0 on April 21 at home vs. the Phillies. Ben Brown went 7.0 at St. Louis on May 30 and Matthew Boyd went 6.0 at home vs. the Twins on July 18.
The Cubs won all four of those games by scores, respectively, of 11-, 7-4, 6-1 and 6-2.
Imanaga lost in 6.1 with three hits at home vs. the Reds on Aug. 5 of last year. That was the Cubs’ only loss in their previous 24 games.
So I suppose it would have been better if Zeferjahn hadn’t allowed that run, but in the end it didn’t matter because the Cubs offense got completely shut down by Diamondbacks pitching.
A couple more game notes from John:
This was the Cubs’ 13th shutout loss of the season. They had 10 all of last year, after having had 16 in 2024. Their record is 22, set in 1915 and matched in 1968. … The Cubs finished two previous games this year with two or fewer hits and at least three walks, as they did today: a 5-2 loss at Atlanta on May 12 and their 3-0 loss at home to the White Sox last Wednesday.
This was their 56th consecutive loss with those totals, spanning more than half a century. since they beat the Mets at New York, 3-1, on May 8, 1966.
They had two hits and four walks in that game, the same as today. They won two other games with two and four, in 1909 at home vs. the Dodgers and 1964 at home vs. the Mets. They have lost 20.
At this writing it looks like the Phillies are going to defeat the Mariners in Seattle, so that would reduce the Cubs’ lead for the first wild card spot to two games. The Brewers, currently six games ahead of the Cubs, will face the Mets in New York again this evening. The only good news from this series in Arizona is that by winning Monday, the Cubs took the season series from the D-backs. Thus they own the tiebreaker against all three of the teams immediately behind them in the wild card race.
The Cubs have Thursday off and will hope to regroup after what has to have been a frustrating road trip. They will open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. David Peterson will start for the Cubs and Rhett Lowder goes for the Reds. Game time Friday is 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: Jordan Beck #27 of the Colorado Rockies scores a run in the fifth inning during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Olivia Vega/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
After the Nats scored 13 runs on Monday, there was hope that the offense was getting back on track. However, they came thudding back down to earth yesterday with Daylen Lile’s solo homer being the only offense. Now they will look to bounce back and start scoring more frequently again.
This lineup is interesting to say the least. CJ Abrams was supposed to be back at shortstop but after pre-game warmups, it was determined he could only DH. That means the struggling Nasim Nunez is at shortstop. Andres Chaparro will make his first start of the season at third base, which I will be watching closely. Jose Tena will be at second. Knuckleballer Matt Waldron will be making his Nats debut on the mound.
The Rockies have a similar lineup to last night. Ezequiel Tovar is back at shortstop and is in the 9 hole. Troy Johnston is also in at DH which means Mickey Moniak is back in right field. Besides that it is the same personnel. Tanner Gordon gets the start for the Rockies.
Hopefully the Nats look more like the team we saw Monday because they need to take care of business at home against the Rockies. They have not been playing great baseball this month, but a strong last month can help bring back some optimism. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
Aug 25, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel (28) hits a RBI bunt single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
29 games to go. I was thinking that going 18-11 would, likely, get the Jays into the playoffs. That’s a pretty high bar to clear. It does mean there can be more losses than we’d like.
The Jays say that Spencer Miles will open tonight’s game. They also say he won’t throw more than 30 pitches. I was surprised that they would go with Miles, since he’s thrown a lot of innings this year. He’s at 80.1 innings now. I didn’t figure they would let him go much past 90. But we are short of pitchers. My mother-in-law used to say ‘needs must’.
SWR is likely to be the bulk guy. He, Miles and Louis Varland are the only relievers who didn’t pitch yesterday. I guess there is Chad Dallas too (unless there is a last minute roster move). It really isn’t a grouping (other than Varland) that warms the cockles of my heart.
Then, no one has thrown two days in a row, since Monday was an off-day.
The team is giving Sean Keys some playing time in the outfield. He’s hitting .375/.475/.679 in August for the Bisons. We could use someone hitting like that.
Tonight’s lineup. We haven’t seen Charles McAdoo for a few days. Well, I guess since the 23rd, not all that long ago.
Today’s Lineups
ROYALS
BLUE JAYS
Carter Jensen – C
Brett Bateman – CF
Bobby Witt – SS
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Jac Caglianone – RF
Alejandro Kirk – C
Salvador Perez – DH
George Springer – DH
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
Jesus Sanchez – LF
Nick Loftin – 3B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
John Rave – LF
Nathan Lukes – RF
Tyler Tolbert – 2B
Ernie Clement – 2B
Kyle Isbel – CF
Andres Gimenez – SS
Randy Dobnak – RHP
S. Woods Richardson – RHP
I’d be ok with a win. Let’s play a, more or less, mistake free game.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 01: Randy Dobnak #62 of the Kansas City Royals warms up prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Game two in Toronto has the lineups set. The Royals will be going for their 10th win in a row while the Blue Jays continue clinging to hope of sneaking into the wildcard. It will be Randy Dobnak on the mound for the Royals. He has thus far put up a sparkling ERA despite mediocre underlying numbers. Can he continue to defy the math? For Toronto, Spencer Miles will open the game. He has gone as many as 4 innings at times this year, but has worked mostly as a bullpen arm.
The lineup has Jac Caglianone back in it after getting scratched on Tuesday. Matthew Lugo is still not in the lineup as he continues to be in the majors without ever debuting.
Robert Stock | (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – CF Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Jared Young – 1B Luis Robert – DH Brett Baty – LF Marcus Semien – 2B Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Robert Stock (RHP)
Brewers lineup
Sal Frelick – LF Garrett Mitchell – CF Brice Turang – 2B Christian Yelich – DH William Contreras – C Luis Lara – RF Andrew Vaughn – 1B David Hamilton – 3B Cooper Pratt – SS
SP: Dustin May (RHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:10 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Metta Sandiford-Artest said he tried to buy a 1% minority ownership stake in the Lakers under Mark Walter, but his bid was declined.
Sandiford-Artest said he reached out to Walter after the businessman bought the Buss family’s majority stake in the Lakers for a $10 billion valuation in 2025.
The City Council celebrates “Metta World Peace Day” honoring the former Lakers star and mental health advocate, born Ronald Artest, at Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles on Friday, May 15, 2026. (David Buchan for Ca Post) David Buchan for Ca Post
“I sent the email the next day, I tried to get in at $100 [million], and they didn’t let me in,” Sandiford-Artest told the California Post. “But I wish he had let me in. That would’ve been great to have a former Laker as an owner, especially with the Buss family gone. It would’ve been great to have a Laker, a champion like Metta World Peace.”
Walter is being investigated by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding potential loan fraud.
Sandiford-Artest, who played for the Lakers for six seasons over two separate stints and won a championship alongside Kobe Bryant in 2010, said he had a feeling that the Lakers’ eye-popping valuation was going to skyrocket.
“Once it sold, the next day I tried to buy in for 1%,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I knew it was going to [go up in value]. I knew it. I said the Lakers are going to be valued at $14 [billion]. I thought it was going to be a $14 billion value within like 18 months.”
Sandiford-Artest said he wasn’t sure why Walter declined his offer.
“They didn’t respond, and then they were like no,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “The reason why I tried to is I knew the value was going to go up, so I missed out. I was kind of bummed about it. You have a former player who wants to put in $100 [million].”
Under the Lakers’ new ownership, Sandiford-Artest believes the valuation of the 17-time championship franchise is going to soar even more.
“The Lakers are going to be just as big as Disney, honestly,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner and chairman Mark Walter speaks during a ceremony to unveil a statue of former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images) Getty Images
Sandiford-Artest said he similarly tried to buy a stake in the BIG3, a 3-on-3 half-court professional basketball league founded in 2017 by rapper and actor Ice Cube and businessman Jeff Kwatinetz.
Sandiford-Artest, who played in the BIG3 in 2018, said his offer was declined. The league is expecting a $290 million valuation when it plans to go public later this year.
“I would’ve seven-exed my money,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I was a little bit bummed, But it goes to show you the foresight that I had.”
Sandiford-Artest retired from the NBA in 2017. He was an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He was a four-time All Defensive Team selectee over his 17-season career.
As for the Lakers, Sandiford-Artest has nothing but gratitude for his two stints with the franchise from 2009-2013 and 2015-2017.
They transformed him into a champion after he feared he would be out of the league following the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl in November 2004, which led to him being suspended for 86 games when he was with the Pistons.
“I was surprised to be a Laker, honestly,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I didn’t think that was going to happen. They helped me out by letting me play on their team and helping me get a ring. That was something I always wanted.”
President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss attends the Dr. Drew 60th birthday and podcast roast benefiting The Prostate Cancer Foundation at STK on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Getty Images) Getty Images
Sandiford-Artest famously made a game-sealing 3-pointer for the Lakers with 1:01 left in Game 7 of the Finals against the Celtics in 2010.
“Just the way they involved me in the organization,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “That stands out a lot. It was like a family.”
Sandiford-Artest praised Jeanie Buss and the Lakers’ executives for supporting his advocacy for mental health awareness among athletes.
“They created a platform as they got involved with UCLA Health, adding a psychologist, all of the stuff like that,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I think that was a great compliment. I was already bringing that stuff to the forefront, and I think Jeanie had an interest in it.”
Jerry Buss initially bought the Lakers as part of a larger financial deal for $67.5 million in 1979 before leaving his stake in the franchise to his children after he died in 2013.
Under the Buss family, Sandiford-Artest said the Lakers felt like a “mom and pop” organization.
“They just always made it feel like home,” he said.
