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Astros at Yankees Game Discussion: 8/26/2026

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)

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Diamondbacks 2, Cubs 0: Matthew Boyd shines, but the offense vanishes

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).

In the sixth, Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a double [VIDEO].

PCA advanced to third on a ground out and one out later, an odd play happened.

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.

And here’s more on Boyd’s afternoon [VIDEO].

PCA’s double was the Cubs’ last hit of the game. The only baserunner they had after that was with two out in the eighth, when Seiya Suzuki walked.

Ryan Zeferjahn gave up a run in the eighth after allowing two singles. That run scored as the Cubs completed this neat double play [VIDEO].

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.

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Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies Game Thread

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.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

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!

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Wednesday Jays Notes

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

ROYALSBLUE JAYS
Carter Jensen – CBrett Bateman – CF
Bobby Witt – SSVladimir Guerrero – 1B
Jac Caglianone – RFAlejandro Kirk – C
Salvador Perez – DHGeorge Springer – DH
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1BJesus Sanchez – LF
Nick Loftin – 3BKazuma Okamoto – 3B
John Rave – LFNathan Lukes – RF
Tyler Tolbert – 2BErnie Clement – 2B
Kyle Isbel – CFAndres Gimenez – SS
Randy Dobnak – RHPS. Woods Richardson – RHP

I’d be ok with a win. Let’s play a, more or less, mistake free game.

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Royals vs. Blue Jays August 26th game discussion

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.

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Mets vs. Brewers: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 8/26/26

Robert Stock #89 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on August 19, 2026 in New York City.
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

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Metta Sandiford-Artest opens up on trying to buy Lakers’ minority ownership stake under Mark Walter

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.”

Less than a year after Walter bought the Lakers for what was then the highest valuation ever for a U.S. professional sports franchise, he agreed to sell his stake to former Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner for a record $12.5 billion valuation on Aug. 12. The deal is pending approval from the NBA Board of Governors. 

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.

Sandiford-Artest was especially grateful for his time under the Buss family, which is embroiled in a battle over its remaining 17.8% minority stake in the Lakers. Five of the Buss siblings voted to sell their share in the team on Aug. 17, while Jeanie Buss is contesting the sale and wants to remain the team’s governor. 

“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. 

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Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals game discussion: Tanner Gordon vs. Matt Waldron

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 21: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Friday, August 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Last night the Rockies ended their longest losing streak of the season at seven with their 3-1 win over the Washington Nationals. A short but effective Major League debut from starter Mason Adams (No. 17 PuRP), a Hunter Goodman home run in his return from the injured list, and a string of effective relief appearances were enough to stop the Rockies week-long streak.

Tonight they will look to fully put that losing streak to bed by starting a winning streak with a second consecutive win against the Nationals.

On the mound for the Nationals will be knuckleballer Matt Waldron. In time split between the Nationals and the San Diego Padres this year, Waldron has thrown only 37 innings at the Major League level. His ugly 7.54 ERA in that limited sample is possibly due for some regression as his .361 BABIP is much higher than league average and his expected ERA is only 3.75.

His best season came as a member of the Padres in 2024 when he accrued 1.8 fWAR over 146.2 innings pitched. He’ll look to get back to those sorts of results at home against the Rockies tonight.

Taking the ball for the Rockies will be Tanner Gordon in his second start since earning a spot in the rotation when Michael Lorenzen was designated for assignment last week.

In his previous start Gordon pitched through five and a third innings against the Cleveland Guardians and allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks. On the season the 28 year-old sports a 5.75 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP despite a stellar 1.76 BB/9. Gordon will be asked to give the team as much length as possible as they are in the middle of a 13-day stretch with no off days and needed to use five bullpen arms last night.

First Pitch: 4:45 pm MDT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

SB Nation site:Federal Baseball

Lineups:

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Buss brothers join Padres' new ownershp group amid Lakers saga

Members of the Buss family, synonymous with the Los Angeles Lakers, will be joining the new ownership group of the San Diego Padres.

But that won’t include Jeanie Buss.

It’s Joey and Jesse, the youngest Buss brothers, whose stake in the baseball team will be about 5%, according to ESPN.

The new Padres owners, José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, purchased the team for a league-record $3.9 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

ESPN reported that Joey and Jesse will be on the Padres’ ownership group's advisory board.

Then there’s the ongoing struggle with their sister Jeanie. She’s trying to maintain her role as governor and controlling owner of the Lakers while her five siblings are pushing for the family to sell its 17.8% in the Lakers.

The Lakers were sold this month to businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion. Mark Walter bought the team about a year earlier and that sale impacted the youngest of four Buss brothers.

ESPN’s Sham Charania reported in November that Joey and Jesse had been terminated from their front office positions as the Lakers reorganized their basketball operations department.

Their father, the late Jerry Buss, owned the Lakers from 1979 until his death in 2013.

It’s unclear what role Jesse and Joey Buss had with the Lakers. But ESPN reported that as members of the advisory committee they would draw on their experience with “player development, payroll management and roster construction.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Buss brothers join Padres' new ownershp group amid Lakers saga

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Texas Rangers lineup for August 26, 2026

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers looks on after the final out of the top of the eighth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for August 26, 2026 against the Chicago White Sox: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Sean Burke for the White Sox.

It is Game 3 between the White Sox and the Rangers, and Texas needs to win this game in order to 1) win this series, 2) get back to .500, and 3) split the season series against the White Sox, and thus not immediately lose the first tiebreaker if the teams are tied for a Wild Card spot.

The lineup:

Pederson — 1B

Seager — DH

Langford — LF

Nimmo — RF

Duran — SS

Carter — CF

Foscue — 2B

Diaz — C

Freeman — 3B

6:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +107 underdogs.

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Warriors will wear “NELLIE” patch to honor their late coach

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 2: Stephen Curry #30 listens to head coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 2, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 105-85. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Don Nelson is one of the most important figures in Golden State Warriors franchise history. That’s why the team will be honoring him with a jersey patch all next summer — even putting it above their data center patch!

The Warriors will sport a “NELLIE” patch on the left shoulder of their uniforms, honoring the coach who won 422 games over 11 seasons running the team. Nelson, who passed away earlier this month at age 86, won five titles as an NBA player and led the Warriors to some improbable playoff victories. The Warriors swept the Utah Jazz and Defensive Player of the Year Mark Eaton in 1989 while playing 6-foot-7 Rod Higgins at center and upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in 2007 by frustrating Dirk Nowitzki with a high-paced, small-ball lineup.

Nelson once said, “The more scotch I drink, the better the game plan gets,” and in 2007, the NBA actually had to bar him from bringing cans into postgame news conferences. What a legend.

The patch joins the “IREN” patch on the Warriors jerseys, which is an Australian company that makes data centers. To truly honor Nelson, the Warriors might also want to add an “IRIE” patch, considering he began farming marijuana in Hawaii, to go along with his bed-and-breakfast and his legendary poker room, popularized by the likes of Woody Nelson and Woody Harrelson, though not Woody Allen.

It’s a common way of memorializing franchise legends for the Warriors. In the 2024-25 season, they honored longtime guard, coach, and executive Al Attles with a No. 16 patch. In 2016, they wore a No. 42 patch for Hall of Famer and barbecue legend Nate Thurmond. In the 2010-11 season, the jerseys sported a patch of Franklin Mieuli’s signature deerstalker cap after their former owner passed away.

The Warriors will also honor Nelson this season by playing small lineups, because they don’t have tall players on their roster, and having seven-foot centers launch three-pointers. As another tribute, they’ll likely be driving their fans to reach for scotch or a bag of Nellie Kush. Just as Nellie would have wanted.

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Golden Knights Set For Major National TV Spotlight In 10th Season

The Vegas Golden Knights will make their 10th NHL season a nationally televised one.

Vegas is scheduled to appear in 15 nationally televised games during the 2026-27 regular season, with ESPN and Turner Sports splitting exclusive U.S. coverage. The Golden Knights will also have 69 games available regionally through Scripps Sports and KnightTime+, giving local fans access to the majority of the team's schedule.

The season marks another year of the Golden Knights' partnership with Scripps Sports, which will enter its fourth season providing free over-the-air, cable and satellite coverage of games that are not nationally exclusive. Scripps Sports will also make all 69 regional broadcasts available to stream live through KnightTime+.

All four preseason games will be carried on The Spot - Vegas 34 in Southern Nevada and streamed on KnightTime+.

Vegas' 10th season begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, when the Golden Knights host the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena. The matchup will also serve as the first of the team's 15 national broadcasts, with ESPN carrying the game exclusively.

The national schedule includes several marquee matchups throughout the season, including three games against the Dallas Stars, two against the San Jose Sharks and two against the Edmonton Oilers. Vegas will also take part in the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, facing Dallas outdoors on Feb. 20.

Golden Knights' 2026-27 National TV Schedule

  • Sept. 29: vs. Chicago — ESPN
  • Oct. 20: vs. Tampa Bay — ESPN
  • Nov. 11: vs. Utah — TNT
  • Nov. 17: vs. Dallas — TNT
  • Nov. 19: vs. Dallas — ESPN+
  • Nov. 24: at Edmonton — TNT
  • Dec. 16: vs. San Jose — TNT
  • Dec. 22: at Anaheim — TNT
  • Jan. 7: vs. Minnesota — ESPN
  • Jan. 20: vs. Edmonton — TNT
  • Feb. 20: at Dallas — ABC — 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series
  • Feb. 24: vs. Florida — TNT
  • March 7: at N.Y. Rangers — ESPN
  • March 9: vs. San Jose — ESPN+
  • April 6: vs. St. Louis — ESPN

The NHL also announced updated start times for six Golden Knights games. The changes include three nationally televised contests, with the March 7 matchup against the Rangers now scheduled for a 4 p.m. PT start.

Updated Golden Knights Start Times

  • Nov. 11 vs. Utah: 6:30 p.m. PT
  • Dec. 22 at Anaheim: 6:30 p.m. PT
  • Feb. 18 vs. Columbus: 7 p.m. PT
  • March 7 at N.Y. Rangers: 4 p.m. PT
  • March 9 vs. San Jose: 7:30 p.m. PT
  • April 6 vs. St. Louis: 7:30 p.m. PT

For fans outside the Golden Knights' television territory, Scripps Sports' regional broadcasts will also be available through an ESPN Select subscription.

The 2026-27 season will mark 10 years since the Golden Knights entered the NHL in 2017. A lot has changed since then, and Vegas will enter its milestone season with 15 games on the national schedule, giving the team plenty of exposure beyond its local market.

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Sonny Gray chases 17th win, series sweep for Boston

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 21: Sonny Gray #54 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park on August 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TV: NESN

First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET

While it would probably be better to have Sonny Gray facing the Yankees in a pivotal series for playoff implications this weekend, Boston’s Cy Young candidate takes the ball in Miami in hopes of completing a second sweep in a row for the Red Sox. The veteran right-hander is a remarkable 16-3 on the year in a resurgent season in the rotation. 

Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate behind him Wednesday evening at loanDepot Park. 

The Marlins will counter with Ryan Gusto, holding a 4.32 ERA in 17 appearances. Miami is clinging on for dear life in the National League Wild Card race, sitting four games back of the final spot and one game over .500. 

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Mark Vientos’ role with Mets won’t be a ‘perfectly laid path’ when he returns from IL

As Mark Vientos nears a return from his rehab assignment, the question of how the slugging right-hander fits into this version of the Mets was raised to interim manager Andy Green, and the skipper did not mince words.

"I don't know," Green said prior to Wednesday's game with the Brewers. "I was very forthright with him when he started the rehab assignment that a lot of that will be dictated by how others perform and also by how he performs. Still think there’s a very bright future for him out there if he wants to grab a hold of it. That’s on him."

The current construction of the Mets roster doesn't lend itself to a lot of at-bats for Vientos to start with. Even with the added roster spot on Sept. 1, the team has to use the DH spot to give time to other players, including Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez and Luis Robert Jr., as well as the eventual return of Juan Soto, who could see time as DH.

Vientos, who was placed on the IL back on July 10 with a fractured hand, has played three minor league games between Double-A and Triple-A. In that span, he's 0-for-9 with a walk and five strikeouts. 

With no remaining options, Vientos will rejoin the team, but as Green put it Wednesday, it'll be a proving ground for the young slugger.

"When he gets back in the box, take advantage of the at-bats you do get. Prove you deserve more at-bats," Green continued. "I think people get into different phases in their career at different points in time. He has all the talent that he possessed in ‘24 when he was hitting close to 30 home runs and didn’t start the season with the big league club. It’s all right there. It’s on him for that to come out.

"We certainly want to see it come out. It’s not going to be a perfectly laid path for him, though, when he does come back."

Vientos had a breakout season in 2024, smashing 27 homers and driving in 71 runs across 111 games. The following season, Vientos played 121  games but only hit 17 homers and 61 RBI.

In 73 games this year, Vientos is slashing .211/.256/.388 with an OPS of .644 to go along with his 11 home runs and 35 RBI.