ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: A general view of the dugout prior to game three of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The series shifts to Tampa with the Brewers up two games to none. But both games were close, it isn’t like the Brewers have been blowing the Rays out or anything. I’m still hoping for seven games.
The lineups:
Today’s Lineups
BREWERS
RAYS
Jackson Chourio – LF
Yandy Diaz – DH
Jake Bauers – 1B
Ryan Vilade – 1B
Christian Yelich – DH
Chandler Simpson – LF
William Contreras – C
Junior Caminero – 3B
Brice Turang – 2B
Ben Williamson – 2B
Garrett Mitchell – CF
Jonny DeLuca – CF
Cooper Pratt – SS
Victor Mesa – RF
Sal Frelick – RF
Nick Fortes – C
David Hamilton – 3B
Taylor Walls – SS
Robert Gasser – LHP
Freddy Peralta – RHP
And it was Joe Siddall’s birthday yesterday, he is 59. So get down into your tradition catcher’s stance (no one knee down stuff) and say Happy Birthday to him, a day late.
Today we have Frank Wills (who would be 68, but he passed away in 2012), Dominic Leone (35, who was part of the trade that brought us Randal Grichuk), and Francisco Liriano (43, who was part of the trade that brought us Teoscar Hernandez) all having birthdays.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 19: A general view of Tropicana Field as fans in the upper deck cheer during Game Six of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, October 19, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Tropicana Field with a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series. They will start Robert Gasser while the Tampa Bay Rays will counter with Freddy Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox.
Although the Atlanta Braves are no longer in the running, we have a fun World Series matchup that has yet to disappoint. Both games thus far have been controversial and close in the best way as a viewer. Tonight should be no different.
The Rays will be bringing Freddie Peralta to the mound. Since leaving the Mets, the Rays have clearly helped shape him into his former self as he will be facing his former team of eight seasons in the World Series. Peralta has pitched 16.2 innings so far this postseason and has held a sterling 1.08 ERA in that span.
The Brewers are bringing breakout pitcher Robert Gasser to the mound. Gasser pitched 109.1 innings of 3.87 ERA ball in the regular season. So far this postseason he has pitched 11.2 innings while limiting hitters a 2.31 ERA.
Follow along in the comments as we watch and see if the Rays can keep the Brewers from an almost unsurmountable lead of 3-0.
Oct 13, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning in game two of the ALCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After the Brewers relentlessly chipped away at the four-run lead the Rays staked themselves out to in the first inning of Game 2 on Saturday to take a commanding 2-0 lead, the World Series heads down to Florida, and this is the first time since 2023 that Milwaukee has played in the domed confines of Tropicana Field thanks to damages from Hurricane Milton forcing the Rays to play the 2025 season at George Steinbrenner Field. Funnily enough, the starting pitcher that day for the Brew Crew was Freddy Peralta, who will take the ball for Tampa Bay to kick off the ballgame. The Brewers will counter with rookie lefty Robert Gasser, marking the fifth time in history that a team will slot a rookie starting pitcher in consecutive games in the World Series, per the incomparable Sarah Langs.
Lineups:
Ben Williamson hitting fifth! In the World Series! What a time to be alive.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 24: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on from the dugout during Game Two of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game six of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field on October 19, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays have their back against the wall after dropping the first two games of the 2026 World Series in Milwaukee. They should have the advantage in this one with a resurgent Freddy Peralta on the mound,. However, with both bullpens a little more rested after an off day, this will be all hands on deck for the Brewers pen after a short outing from lefty Robert Gasser as they look to put the Rays into a hole from which no team has ever escaped in the World Series. Only the 2004 Boston Red Sox have been able to overcome a 3-0 deficit in any best-of seven playoff series.
The Rays should be helped by the move home to Tropicana Field, at least. The Brewers spent a lot of their time on Sunday engaged in pop-up practice to try and get used to dealing with a roof that is a really tough background to find a baseball against. The Trop certainly has its quirks, and that’s good for the Rays, but they have to stop running into outs on the basepaths. The two teams have been pretty equal in the hitting department, but the Rays have played too desperate from the start and failed to cash in their opportunities.
Time/Place: 8:00 p.m. ET, Tropicana Field, Tampa, Florida
SB Nation sites: DRaysBays/Brew Crew Ball
Broadcast: FOX
Pitching Matchup: RHP Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.08 ERA) vs. LHP Robert Gasser (0-0, 1.00 ERA)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 22: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts late in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In devastating news for Thunder fans and basketball aficionados everywhere, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace could both miss the rest of the season after being scheduled to undergo surgery for serious injuries, the team announced.
Williams suffered a gruesome injury during the Thunder’s matchup against the Clippers on Sunday, and while there was no official announcement at the time, it was clear for anyone watching that he would be sidelined for a long time. Now, General Manager Sam Presti has revealed that he suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula. It’s a similar injury to the one Gordon Hayward suffered back in 2017 (Hayward dislocated his ankle and broke his tibia), and the forward was sidelined for a year after that. It’s very likely Williams, who missed most of last year, won’t return this season.
In somewhat more surprising news, Cason Wallace also suffered a serious injury in the same game that will require surgery and could sideline him for several months. The up-and-coming guard has a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury similar to the one that sidelined Ja Morant for six months in 2024 (Morant’s tear was on his right shoulder). He could return at some point this season, but he’s out indefinitely.
The injuries represent a huge blow to Oklahoma City’s title chances, as they will now be out without two starters, including a former All-Star in Williams. They still have the reigning two-time MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to lead their offense and the pieces to have an elite defense, including Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Chet Holmgren, but they can’t be considered the favorite to come out of the West anymore. The front office could try to make an upgrade at the wing in the trade market by using young players and draft picks, but it could seriously complicate their cap situation going forward, since Williams is on a maximum salary and they just extended Wallace for $139 million over five years.
The news doesn’t only affect the Thunder. The Spurs have likely vaulted past them as the projected top team in the Western Conference, but they will probably stay put and not make any big transactions. Other teams, however, could see this as an opportunity to challenge for the top spot. The currently undefeated Rockets have the assets to make a trade. Other franchises that were projected to be on the second tier in the conference, like the Lakers and Nuggets, don’t have a lot of movable pieces but could try to go all in with whatever they have left if they consider this year, with the favorites wounded, to be their best chance at getting out of the West for a while.
While injuries to key players from a direct rival benefit the Spurs, it’s important to always keep in mind that players are people, and basketball is just a game. Hopefully, both Williams and Wallace will have quick and full recoveries.
The Spurs will face the Thunder for their second head-to-head matchup of the season on February 11.
He has the best true shooting percentage by a guard in NBA history at 63.2%, ahead of Steph Curry who’s in second place (62.6%).
Through the first three games of this season, Reaves has a stunning true shooting percentage of 82%.
Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Darryn Peterson of the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
He’s averaging career-highs in points (26.7), field goal percentage (63.9%), 3-point percentage (61.5%) and assists (6.3).
Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Lakers this offseason, the richest contract in NBA history for a player who went undrafted.
Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles after the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
He has helped the Lakers jump to a 3-0 start and is playing like an All-Star.
Said Lakers coach JJ Redick: “AR so far in these three games has just been Mr. Consistency.”
Added Luka Doncic, who made it clear to Lakers’ brass that he wanted to play alongside Reaves this season: “Obviously his efficiency, it’s off the roof. And just to have him next to me, leading this team, it’s awesome.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 24: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers prepares to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in game two of the 2026 World Series at American Family Field on October 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers took early punches from the Tampa Bay Rays at home in Game 2 of the World Series back on Saturday evening. Then, they fired right back – all the way to a 5-4 come from behind victory that saw them surge to a 2-0 lead in this Best of 7 affair.
Tampa’s in a bind. Lucky for them, though, they’re finally back at home in the friendly, remodeled confines of Tropicana Field.
Milwaukee will send lefty Robert Gasser to the mound to start, while the home squad will turn to former Brewer stud Freddy Peralta for the game’s first pitch – and, hopefully, another hundred or so after that. Peralta, who went 70-42 with a 3.59 ERA across 931.0 IP with the Brewers prior to being dealt to the New York Mets before the 2026 season – reinvented himself yet again after Tampa acquired him prior to the 2026 trade deadline, and now he’ll get to face his former club in what could be his final start of any sort prior to hitting free agency for the first time.
First pitch will be tossed shortly after 8:00 PM ET per usual, with FOX on the broadcast.
Stephen Curry was cooking Monday night, and the Warriors were feasting. He was making every shot, their leads growing to 10 and then 13 and even 15. They led 87-77 when Curry was subbed out with 3:42 remaining the third quarter.
Uh-oh. Time for the historically worrisome non-Steph minutes against the proud Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, where the Warriors had not won since 2022.
To the rescue came Yaxel Lendeborg. With Curry observing from the bench, the rookie was superb, engineering a response that pushed the lead to 16 at the end of the quarter and clearing the path to a 134-114 win that was Golden State’s first of the 2026-27 NBA season.
“Basically, in all the critical moments of the game, we just put the ball in his hands,” coach Steve Kerr told reporters in Denver. “And for a rookie to be that advanced already, it’s extremely rare.”
Playing in his fourth NBA game, Lendeborg’s performance allowed the Warriors to take flight against a team they struggle to beat, in a building where they rarely succeed.
From the time Curry and Draymond Green went to the bench late in the third quarter, Golden State outscored Denver 47-37. Lendeborg’s third quarter consisted of 12 points, six rebounds and one assist, and the floor generalship of a vet.
“He’s able to impose his will on the game,” Green said. “I don’t care what age you are, it’s the NBA. If you don’t know the NBA game, you’re already at a deficit. He don’t know the game. Not that he don’t know the game of basketball; he don’t know the NBA game. And to be able to have the ability to go out there and still do that, not knowing what the NBA brings on a nightly basis, is special.
“But it’s no different from what I’ve been saying for weeks now. I think he’s a special player.”
Lendeborg produced a career-high 31 points, on 9-of-19 shooting from the field despite being only 1 of 8 from beyond the arc. He added 12 rebounds and six assists, finishing plus-27 over 31 minutes and getting a procession of daps, high-fives and embraces upon being subbed out with the 2:34 left and Warriors leading by 21.
Four games into the season, Lendeborg has been so impressive on offense that the Warriors are living with his defensive lapses. He’s averaging 21.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His 83 points through four games is the most for any Warriors rookie since Wilt Chamberlain poured in 150 in his first four games.
The quick start is something of a surprise to Lendeborg. Behind his shiny veneer of confidence and fearlessness is a man who realizes he was playing college basketball at the University of Michigan only seven months ago.
“I definitely thought I was going to wet the bed first half of the season,” he told NBCSN. “I definitely didn’t have the best hopes for what I was going to do, but with the confidence that Steph and Draymond are providing me, I’ve been playing with a lot more energy and confidence and just going out and having fun.”
Yaxel Lendeborg gave a hilarious answer on how he envisioned his first NBA games to go! pic.twitter.com/TEcrHpaeqn
Lendeborg’s 12-of-13 shooting from the line left Kerr marveling over the now and comparing him to Jimmy Butler III while visualizing a fantastic future.
“When you get to the line consistently, you can control the game,” Kerr said. “If the other team goes on a run, you go to a guy like Yax or Jimmy, they get fouled, the game slows down and you set your defense. The game just gets a lot easier. Yax having that ability, combined with his passing skills, he’s going to be a guy who’s going to close games like he did tonight.”
To put a finer point on it, Lendeborg’s second-half takeover required only 15 minutes to score 16 points, grab seven rebounds and ring up four assists.
Though Lendeborg closed out the Nuggets, it was Curry who provided a runway for the Warriors during that pivotal third quarter, scoring 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field, including a pair of triples. He posted the second “immaculate” scoring game of his career, totaling 24 points on 8-of-8 shooting, including 3 of 3 from distance.
“I knew at a certain point I had to get some opportunity,” Curry told NBCSN. “I didn’t know it was going to be a perfect night like that, but I’m glad it all came together. “Yaxel played amazing and we were flying around on defense. That’s how we got the win.”
After losing their first three games of the season, including blowing a 12-point lead inside the final four minutes of their home opener last Friday, this was the kind of victory the Warriors needed. One that cleansed the souls of everyone on the payroll.
The Milwaukee Brewers exploded to a 3-0 World Series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, using a powerful fifth inning en route to a 10-1 result.
Milwaukee faced former pitcher Freddy Peralta and got the better of him beginning in the third inning. Christian Yelich drove in Jackson Chourio before William Contreras hit a single to bring home Jake Bauers.
Milwaukee started with Robert Gasser. The 27-year-old left-hander turned in an excellent performance, lasting six innings and allowing just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. The Brewers couldn’t have asked for much better use of a non-star.
With Gasser managing the Rays, Milwaukee completely broke open the game in the fifth inning.
Despite having two outs, Milwaukee pulled off the improbable and scored eight runs. Seven consecutive batters registered a hit, all leading to runs. It’s the first time in MLB postseason history that has happened.
It started with Brice Turang sneaking one in to bring home Chourio and Yelich. Peralta had just exited and Tampa Bay turned to top lefty Cam Booser to get out of the jam, but it turned into a nightmare inning regardless.
Chourio eventually returned for another at-bat and hit a deep double to bring David Hamilton home, rounding out the scoring in the lengthy inning.
Milwaukee cooled off from there but made sure to limit Tampa Bay in the process. Eventually, the Brewers brought in Brandon Woodruff to close out the action in the ninth.
The former two-time All-Star hadn’t pitched since July, but returned to the venue where he made his MLB debut to shed some rust.
He allowed two hits, including a double to Yandy Diaz on a full count that brought in Cedric Mullins for Tampa Bay’s lone score. Woodruff then grounded out Jonathan Aranda to seal it.
Milwaukee ended the game with 16 hits to Tampa Bay’s three, with two of those three coming in the ninth.
Chourio led Milwaukee by going 4-for-5 at the plate to improve his bid for World Series MVP. Turang, Yelich and William Contreras all had multiple hits for the Brewers.
Game 4 in Tampa Bay is set for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Tuesday. If the Rays’ offense cannot wake up, Milwaukee could secure its first ever World Series via a sweep.
Facing a 2-0 deficit in the World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays shook up their lineup for Game 3 at Tropicana Field, benching All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda and penciling catcher Nick Fortes into the lineup instead of Liam Hicks against Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser.
Aranda has started all 11 postseason games this year and recorded four hits in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. He committed a pair of misplays in the field in Game 2, allowing a grounder to go between his legs that enabled a run to score and failing to reel in a pop fly that was dropping near the screen in foul ground.
He was also doubled off second base on Junior Caminero's line drive to third base to end the first inning of Game 1. Aranda is generally considered among the Rays' "big three" bats that hit near the top of the lineup, along with slugging leadoff batter Yandy Díaz and Caminero.
Hicks started all but one of the Rays' playoff games, coming off the bench in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Cleveland, when ace Drew Rasmussen started. Hicks hit a two-run homer in Game 2 to cap the Rays' four-run first inning.
But he got hit on the right elbow by a DL Hall pitch leading off the sixth inning. With dominant lefty reliever Aaron Ashby on the mound in the eighth, manager Kevin Cash pinch-hit Ryan Vilade in his place; Vilade struck out, but is starting Game 2 at first over Aranda.
The Brewers stole four of their five bases in the game with Fortes behind the plate after Hicks was removed, although all the steals came with reliever Kevin Kelly on the mound.
Fortes flew to Jupiter, Florida, for the birth of his first child on Sunday before crossing the state from Palm Beach County to Pinellas County for Game 3.
While Aranda and Hicks are both left-handed hitters and the Brewers are starting lefty Robert Gasser, Aranda started all four playoff games in the Rays' previous matchups against lefties, including the Yankees' Max Fried, a pair of starts from Guardians rookie Parker Messick and another against Cleveland lefty Foster Griffin. Hicks started three of those games.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 26: The facade of Tropicana Field prior to Game Three of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s time for the third game of what so far has been a strong World Series between the Rays and the Brewers. And tonight, the crown jewell of the baseball world heads to… uh, the Trop.
As a child of the 90s, I am somewhat nostalgic for gross old domes. The first World Series I ever remember was won in the SkyDome, after all. But now that a 30-year ballpark building boon has transformed the aesthetics of big league baseball forever, it’s hard to stomach games played on plastic grass under a tarp. At least it’ll be loud maybe?
Anyway, while I’m rooting for the Brewers to win the whole thing, I care first and foremost about seeing a long series. Six games minimum, seven preferred, obviously. So let’s go Rays, who will be taking the field behind Freddy Peralta.
Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula from a horrific fall in Sunday's win over the Clippers, Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said Monday in a media briefing. While Presti wouldn't discuss a return timeline, Williams will miss most — and more likely all — of the remainder of this season.
"This is an injury that generally we see more in football players," Presti said, adding that the former All-Star was in good spirits. "I spent a lot of time speaking to different doctors and his agents, us, his family, and it's a surgical situation."
In that same game, starting guard Cason Wallace left with a shoulder injury which turns out to be a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Presti said. That also is going to require surgery and, while again Presti would not give a timeline, Wallace is likely out for the season.
"I think everybody knows he's a total warrior and probably would have gone back in the game if we let him," Presti said of Wallace. "So obviously tough night last night. There's no way to paint that differently."
Through three games, Williams has averaged 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. While he's struggled with his shot (38.5% so far this season), he's stepped up in clutch moments. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an off night against Denver, Williams stepped up with 21 points. Just having him out there as a secondary shot creator and threat took a lot of pressure off SGA.
Wallace took on a major defensive role for the Thunder to start the season, but his offense was still coming around, averaging 6.3 points per game and shooting 30% from 3-point range.
Both players were starters and played key roles in the Thunder's 3-0 start. When asked whether these injuries might push the Thunder to make a trade to help fill out the roster, Presti said he hasn't thought about it yet.
"For me, the last not even 24 hours, whatever it's been, it's all about people," Presti said. "I know you got to ask the question... but I really haven't given a lot of thought to that. Right now, it's about those two guys, their families."
Oklahoma City can and very likely will file for a disabled player exception for both Williams and Wallace, which would give them some financial flexibility to bring in another player (Williams' salary would let them bring in a player being paid up to $15 million). However, that does not open up a roster spot.
Presti also talked up Oklahoma City and the Thunder culture.
"I'm not going to sit up here and say this is exactly where we want to be, or this is how we'd like to have it. But at the same time, we're extremely optimistic about the recovery for both the players," Presti said. "Most importantly, you know, things could have been a lot worse. And I think in these types of situations, it's important to kind of take stock, take a step back, realize we're dealing with people, realize we're dealing with the greatest athletes in the world. They're going to be back out there. They'll be playing for our team. They'll be representing our city and our state in short order...
"We're, as an organization, and also as a city and a community, this is what we're built for. This is the kind of thing that gets thrown at you here, and you just plow right through it. You walk through punches, and you step over roadblocks. And I think our guys are ready to do that. But it's certainly disappointing. I don't want to sugarcoat that for anybody."
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles while talking to the media during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome and 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week for the opening week of the season.
The other nominees in the Western Conference included Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, as well as Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rockets’ Amen Thompson.
Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles while talking to the media during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic is coming off a thrilling 52-point performance on Sunday afternoon against the Utah Jazz. Interestingly though, he did not play particularly well in the season’s first two games.
Meanwhile, Reaves has looked incredibly steady to start the season. He is averaging 26.7 points, 6.3 assists, and is shooting a whopping 63% from the field over the Lakers’ first three games.
In the Eastern Conference, the nominees included Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, Hawks’ Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson and Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
Jerome, who’s in his second season with the Grizzlies, is leading the league in scoring with 34.7 points a game, ahead of Doncic who’s No. 2 with 34.3 points a game.
Both Jerome and Doncic have led their respective teams to 3-0 starts.
Maxey is averaging 28.8 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and two steals for the 76ers, who opened the season with a 3-1 record, including wins over the reigning champion Knicks, Cavaliers and Bucks. The 76ers fell to the Pistons on Sunday, 106-93.
