Taking into account what happened in the first two games of this series against the Cardinals, carrying a certain pessimism into the final game of this series would be reasonable. Depending on the outcome of this matchup, this could qualify as the most frustrating series of the year—once being blown out and a second time seeing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tanner Scott surrender a three-run lead with the Dodgers on their way to the first loss in extras this season. Then again, you look at the pitching matchup of Tarik Skubal against Quinn Matthews—a rookie making his fifth start—and that pessimism doesn’t feel as justifiable.
That’s the thing about the 2026 Dodgers, which defines this next game and plenty of other specific matchups amidst their worst moments—it doesn’t matter what the recent outlook is; once you get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon, most concerns naturally drift away. Skubal knew he was joining a powerhouse when he was traded to the Dodgers, but in actuality—at least up to this point—he has needed every ounce of his dominance to avoid a losing record in his first month at a new club. With the offense far from the height of its powers, Skubal has received a mere three runs of support per game across his five starts. And the Dodgers’ three wins in Skubal’s starts have all come in one-run games.
Beyond the excruciating losses, a theme of this series is the massive production both teams are getting from their shortstops. Who would have guessed that Mookie Betts would have four extra-base hits in this series and still be outslugged by the Cards’ ninth-hole hitter, Thomas Saggesse? Saggese is responsible for three of the Cardinals’ seven home runs this series—two more than he had in the entire 2026 season prior to visiting Dodger Stadium. Long-term, though, for the Dodgers, there are few more impactful developments than Betts kicking it up a notch or two.
The Mets are making an addition, claiming RHP Cameron Weston off waivers from the Orioles.
Weston has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
The right-hander joined Baltimore as a 2022 eighth-round pick out of Michigan.
He's been climbing his way through the system, and made his big-league debut at the end of May.
Weston was DFA'd by the O's this week to make room on the 40 Man roster, and now he lands in the Big Apple with hopes of receiving an opportunity out of their bullpen.
The 26-year-old has had an up-and-down Triple-A season, striking out a career-high 11.57 batters per nine innings while also walking a career-worst 5.44 batters per nine.
He's pitched to a 4.37 ERA with 387 strikeouts across 105 minor league appearances.
In a corresponding roster move, C Shawn Ross has been DFA'd.
Tarik Skubal takes the mound for Los Angeles tonight, and we're riding with him as part of my Dodgers vs. Cardinals prediction.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again massive 73-cent favorites at Polymarket, so we'll look for the Dodgers to win this one going away.
Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Thursday, Sept. 3.
Who will win Cardinals vs Dodgers tonight: Dodgers -1.5 (56%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Our win probability is elevated here due to the Tarik Skubal effect, but we're not going to go against the grain after the Los Angeles Dodgers watched two three-run leads slip away last night. They have a plus-matchup against the No. 8 prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals, Quinn Matthews, too.
The Dodgers own a .745 OPS against lefties this season, and shouldn't have an issue pulling away with Skubal on the mound. They'll get their licks back tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Look for Skubal to have his way with the Cardinals tonight, owning a 37% K rate and 36% whiff rate in this spot. If he stays away from Jordan Walker (.920 OPS vs. lefties) we'll be fine.
Cardinals vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 runs (49%)
We're seeing a couple of the best Under teams in baseball this year, both hitting at a 54% clip, and with Skubal on the mound, runs for the Cardinals will be few and far between. The Dodgers ace owns a 7.6 barrel percentage, one of the lowest marks of his career, so I'm expecting some weak contact tonight.
While I believe the Dodgers will get to Matthews, his 3.32 xERA suggests he's been unlucky this year. Let's see a pitcher's duel.
I'd play this to 53 cents.
Cardinals vs Dodgers home run prediction: Teoscar Hernandez (21%)
Hernandez has been eating against lefties this season, owning a .822 OPS and hitting five of his 12 homers off southpaws. He's seeing the ball great right now, too, with six hits in his last three games. Although he missed all of June, Hernandez has lost some of his power this year, but he's in a great spot tonight against a young lefty. At this price, you almost have to hit the button.
Let's watch Teoscar go yard tonight.
Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 8-10, -1.00 units
Over/Under bets: 8-9, -1.32 units
Cardinals vs Dodgers weather
It's a perfect night for baseball in Los Angeles, with sunny skies and temperatures sitting at 77 degrees Fahrenheit prior to first pitch.
Cardinals vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Cardinals 28% | Dodgers 73%
Run line: Cardinals 45% | Dodgers 56%
Over/Under: Over 7.5 52% | Under 49%
Cardinals vs Dodgers trend
The Under is 7-0 in the Dodgers' last seven during game three of a series. Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Cardinals vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Cardinals.TV, SportsNet LA
Cardinals starting pitcher
Quinn Matthews (1-2, 5.03 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (8-7, 2.84 ERA)
Cardinals vs Dodgers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Tampa Tarpons right-handed pitcher Travis MacGregor (21) delivers a pitch during the second inning of the game against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, on July 28, 2026. (Photo by Carl Rizzo/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Travis MacGregor came within one pitch of an immaculate inning in the top of the first Aug. 23 at PNC Field in northeastern Pennsylvania against the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Forced to make a spot start for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the 28-year-old right-hander struck out Rikuu Nishida on three pitches leading off the game. Then, he fanned Junior Perez on three pitches. He threw two strikes to Edgar Quero before Quero spoiled the bid by flying out to center field.
It was part of a perfect three-inning performance with four strikeouts and helped send the RailRiders on their way to a 9-5 victory.
MacGregor is pitching after starting the season on the 60-day injured list due to a shoulder injury suffered early in spring training. Since being activated Aug. 13, he has appeared in five games for the RailRiders. He allowed a run in his first game Aug. 13 at Lehigh Valley, but has not given up a run in the other four outings. He has 13 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Signed by the Yankees to a minor-league contract in December as a free agent, the injury prevented MacGregor from showing his new team what he can do. He is trying to make up for lost time.
The New York Yankees have signed Travis MacGregor to a minor league contract. The pitcher has 534 strikeouts in 526.1 innings pitched throughout his minor league career. pic.twitter.com/4krBczmYCI
“Any time you come to a new organization, you want to be able to showcase what you’re able to do,” MacGregor said. “Having to sit out for this long a time certainly was a little frustrating. But I’ve got a month left in the season pretty much to try to showcase my abilities. We’ll see what happens for the rest of the year.”
At the same time, he has to be careful not to do too much lest he reinjure himself.
“When I say showcase my abilities, I mean going out there and playing the way I play,” he said. “They liked something. They brought me in for a reason. I just have to go out there and play my game and showcase me for the amount of time I have. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself to try to make anything happen. That’s out of your control. I just have to make sure I’m prepared for each game that comes.”
This is MacGregor’s ninth minor-league season and he has a career record of 20-37 with eight saves and a 4.62 ERA in 238 games with 552 strikeouts in 541.2 innings. He was selected out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round (68th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft. He was with the Pirates organization from 2016-18 and 2021-23, missing all of the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery and the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pirates sign 2nd-round pick Travis MacGregor & more from the 2016 draft class.
He signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent for 2024 and spent one season in their system. In 2025, he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers and pitched at Double-A before being released at the end of July. He was picked up by the Milwaukee Brewers in August and finished the season in Double-A. He again became a free agent and was signed by the Yankees.
“It’s been a fantastic experience,” MacGregor said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all the players and staff members, the coaches. Everyone’s been great. It’s the New York Yankees. They’re talked of highly and certainly met the standards they set for themselves. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far.”
Unfortunately, his time with the Yankees got off to a rough start due to the injury in spring training. Beginning at the end of July, he made three rehab appearances with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons and one with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades before joining the RailRiders.
“Anytime anybody comes off an injury, you’re wanting to try it out or feel it out for the first couple of pitches or outings,” MacGregor said. “But you’ve done so much preparation beforehand that you have to have confidence that you’re good to go. I’ve been throwing bullpens, throwing lives, stuff like that beforehand. I knew I was in good shape.”
This is not MacGregor’s first time in Triple-A. He made it to the highest level of the minors with the Pirates organization, as well as with the Angels. He has yet to make that next step to the major leagues, however.
“I wouldn’t say anything preventing me. Maybe just some unfortunate timing on things,” MacGregor said. “I’m just grateful to be playing any chance that I get. I’m confident my day will come. Until then, I’ll just be where my feet are and take care of business every day.”
Alexander Cornielle became the latest member of the RailRiders to earn an International League weekly award when the righthander was named Pitcher of the Week for the period of Aug. 24-30. He was honored for his shutout performance Aug. 28 at Worcester, going eight innings — a season-high for a RailRiders pitcher — and allowing just two hits with two walks and six strikeouts in a 2-0 win. It was the team’s ninth shutout of the season.
Cornielle Cooked. 👨🍳
After shoving a career-high eight shutout innings, Alexander Cornielle earned his first @MilB IL Pitcher of the Week honor.
Since coming off the 60-day injured list and joining the RailRiders in June, Cornielle is 5-3 in 14 games (13 starts) with a 2.70 earned-run average and 59 strikeouts in 60 innings. However, in August, he was 2-1 in five starts with a 1.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Cornielle joins Brendan Beck as RailRiders to be named IL Pitcher of the Week this season; Beck won the award three times (May 11-17, June 1-8, July 20-26) and also was chosen IL Pitcher of the Month for June. Yanquiel Fernandez (May 18-24) and Tyler Hardman (July 6-12) were selected IL Player of the Week this season.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets wrapped up the final game of their season series on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Grifin Jax made his return to the mound after missing sometime with elbow issues. Unfortunately for him and the Rays, it was a rocky reentry to the rotation.
Early on, it appeared that the Mets would be leaving with a series win. Then, for a brief moment, the game was exciting, and it felt as though the Rays might erase a six-run deficit and defy the odds once again on this homestand. Then, in the seventh, this one was all but over again.
Jax, looking a bit rusty in his first start back, was tagged for three two-out runs in the first inning. Again, he was tagged for three two-out runs in the third. Both innings it looked like he might wiggle off the hook, but he was unable to do so and quickly, the Rays were down by six. Baty’s three run double in the third that cleared the bases was the final nail Jax’s coffin and he was replaced by Steven Matz after recording only eight outs on the day.
Jax finished with 2.2 innings of work and allowed six runs on seven hits. He struck out one and walked a pair.
Matz was able to toss 2.1 scoreless innings and keep the Rays in it long enough for them to claw their way back to within striking distance. They scored a run in the bottom of the third when Aranda single home Walls.
Then, in the bottom of the fourth Simpson scored on a Mullins RBI single to make it a 6-2 game. Palacios then left the yard on a line drive homer that just cleared the right field wall. In the blink of an eye, it was a two run game.
The Rays had all the momentum, but the game remained locked at 6-4 until the top of the seventh when the Mets tagged Cam Booser and Manuel Rodriguez for another three-spot. Booser left with one out and two men on. Rodriguez came on to face Simien and quickly hit him to load the bases. A.J. Ewing struck out and again the Rays were just a pitch away from escaping the jam. Instead, Nick Morabito hit a bases clearing double and gave the Mets a 9-4 lead. The next inning Juan Soto clobbered his 23rd homer of the season and extended the lead to six runs once again.
The 10-4 score would hold with the loss, the Rays dropped the series. With the Yankees extra innings win in Los Angeles, the Rays division lead is down to just 3.5 games.
They will look to rebound in the house of horrors that is Globe Life Field where they seemingly haven’t won a game since the 2020 World Series. Mac will be on the bump facing a desperate Rangers team hunting for a playoff spot.
The Los Angeles Angels moved into Dodger Stadium in 1962, their second season, after playing their inaugural season in a since-demolished minor league ballpark near the Coliseum.
The Dodgers billed the Angels for cleaning windows of offices that had no windows. The Dodgers charged the Angels half the cost of toilet paper even though the Dodgers attracted far more than half the fans.
The Dodgers called it enforcing the stadium lease. The Angels called it petty, and they searched for a home they could call their own.
Angels fans hold up signs thanking Kroenke Sports and Entertainment for buying the team from Arte Moreno during a game against the Yankees on Tuesday. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
They first looked to Long Beach, and the city said it would welcome the team under one condition: The team would be called the Long Beach Angels.
Gene Autry, the owner, said no. He turned to Anaheim, where city officials invited him to come on down and call his team whatever he wanted.
In 1966, the California Angels made their debut at the brand-new Anaheim Stadium.
In 2026, the Los Angeles Angels play at Angel Stadium: same team, same ballpark, different names for both.
“For 60 years, our community has filled Angel Stadium, raised a World Series banner as the Anaheim Angels, and shown up through every season,” Assemblyman Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) said.
For 60 years, the city of Anaheim has failed its taxpayers.
Angel Stadium is surrounded by 130 acres of parking lots. The city owns the stadium and the lots. Every winter, and every other week during the summer, the lots sit empty.
The last time a team owner pitched a development plan for those parking lots — current owner Arte Moreno, in 2019 — the city estimated all the shops and restaurants and hotel rooms and offices and homes would generate $10 million per year in tax revenue. As part of that plan, the Angels would commit to stay in Anaheim through 2050.
More parks. More libraries. More police officers. More firefighters.
Over the years, Anaheim had considered a variety of opportunities for the site: An NFL stadium, but the NFL wasn’t interested. A Disney-run retail and entertainment center, but Disney wasn’t interested. The indoor surf and snowboard park could have been wild, but who wants to surf and snowboard inside a giant refrigerator when Huntington Beach and Mt. Baldy are a short drive away?
From this perspective, Kroenke could be a godsend for the city.
Cars filled the parking lot at Angel Stadium for the team's home opener against the Chicago White Sox on April 1, 2021. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
What Anaheim needs is what Kroenke already does: Anchor a new sports facility within a new community: in Inglewood, around SoFi Stadium; in Woodland Hills, around the Rams’ practice facility; in San Diego, around a planned arena.
With the Angels, Plan A for Kroenke is almost certainly building a new ballpark and community on the Angel Stadium site, the kind of large urban parcel that is rarely available, and better yet close to freeways and public transit.
That does not mean Kroenke would not consider a Plan B. On Wednesday, an industry official familiar with franchise sales, texting on condition of anonymity, said Kroenke had put himself in a “brilliant” spot: “Option to do small intimate ballpark at Sofi is really huge leverage.”
The Angels’ sale won’t be finalized until early next year, and Kroenke and his people aren’t likely to talk until then.
In Anaheim, however, the priorities set out in that proposed deal with Moreno should be the same today: Get the city out of the stadium business; anchor the Angels in town for decades to come; get the team to pay for a new ballpark; generate taxes from development on the stadium parking lots.
The Angels’ stadium lease — that would be Kroenke’s lease now — expires in six years. This might be Anaheim’s last, best chance at satisfying those objectives.
That would mean selling the site to Kroenke at a fair price — and with a publicly released assessment showing the market rate, rather than appearing to fit a predetermined sale price. And, thanks to a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the city can help Kroenke make more money from the development, if he is willing to call the team the Anaheim Angels.
But what if he says no, just as Autry said no to Long Beach all those years ago?
If Kroenke is looking for immediate goodwill in Anaheim, pulling on an Anaheim Angels cap and announcing the return of that team name would do it. (Actually, please don’t pull on that cap. It was hideous.)
In the long term, perhaps Kroenke prefers the Los Angeles name the Angels have worn for 27 seasons, rather than the Anaheim name they wore for eight seasons.
The Rams played at Anaheim Stadium as the Los Angeles Rams. They now play in Inglewood under a Los Angeles name, just as the Chargers and Clippers do.
The Angel Stadium lease that Kroenke inherits requires the team name to “include the name Anaheim therein.” Under Moreno, the city bristled, the “of Anaheim” part of “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” had disappeared. The city could make that an issue anew. Or the city could sell the entire stadium site to the highest bidder, with no requirement that the winner keep a ballpark on the property.
Over the next year, we’ll see the directions Kroenke and Anaheim take in negotiations. For the city, the Anaheim Angels are Plan A. But Kroenke will have a Plan B, and Anaheim should, too.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers begin a four-game set at Globe Life Field on Thursday, Sept. 3, with tonight’s opening pitch set for 8:05 p.m. ET.
While Tampa Bay is a short road favorite, my top Rays vs. Rangers prediction and MLB picks call for Cal Quantrill to lead the way in a low-scoring Texas win.
Who will win Rays vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (46.5%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Texas also ranks second in wRC+ and fifth in wOBA against lefties, so I’m expecting the Rangers to have early success at the dish before Tampa has to turn to a bullpen that was leaned on for 12 innings and posted a confidence-shattering 5.19 xFIP in its latest series.
Turning to Rangers starter Cal Quantrill, he’s spun a tidy 2.96 xERA and 3.32 xFIP through his past six outings, so I’m happy to back Texas to 50% tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Quantrill has held opposing hitters to a minuscule .223 wOBA and .510 OPS across his past seven starts.
Rays vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (47.8%)
While I do expect Texas to put runs on the board, the Rangers are in a bit of an offensive funk with a 22nd-ranked xwOBA and an average of just 3.9 runs per game over the past 30 days. Fortunately, Tampa Bay hasn’t been notably better and ranks 20th in the metric with 4.9 runs per game during the same stretch, and the Rays have played to the Under in 25 of their last 40 away games (+8.70 Units / 20% ROI).
So, with Quantrill’s highlighted run, Tampa isn’t positioned to put up many crooked numbers on the scoreboard, either.
Rays vs Rangers home run prediction: Justin Foscue (11.1%)
In addition to the highlighted struggles McClanahan has had over his past six starts, he’s also allowed a healthy 44.8% hard-hit rate to right-handed hitters, so Justin Foscue is a prime candidate to go deep for the Rangers. Foscue boasts a monster .304 ISO against lefties, and he’s sporting an .800 slugging percentage across his past 22 plate appearances.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 50-22, +30.08 units
Over/Under bets: 23-21, +0.54 units
Rays vs Rangers weather
The retractable roof will be closed at Globe Life Field tonight.
Rays vs Rangers odds
Moneyline: Rays 56.5% | Rangers 47.6%
Run line: Rays -1.5 (43.5%) | Rangers +1.5 (60%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (53.5%) | Under 7.5 (51.2%)
Rays vs Rangers trend
The Texas Rangers have won 13 of their last 19 games at home (+4.70 Units / 16% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Rangers.
How to watch Rays vs Rangers and game info
Location
Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
Rays.TV, RSN
Rays starting pitcher
Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.19 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcher
Cal Quantrill (6-5, 3.01 ERA)
Rays vs Rangers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
There are contrasting opinions on how the Lakers will perform without the 41-year-old superstar, who spent eight consecutive seasons with LA.
But former Lakers star Derek Fisher doesn’t believe the team is doomed without James.
Derek Fisher won five championships with the Lakers. AP
“You think about the few organizations where LeBron has been, you tell me where their record has gotten dramatically better after he left. So it’s not going to fall off that much because Luka is there,” Fisher said on 97.1 The Fan LA.
“I think Luka and Austin Reaves are basically an All-Star backcourt that you can roll out every night, and then Walker Kessler is a young developing almost All-Star-ish type of big in terms of his elite defense and rebounding. So I think you have a chance…45 to 50 wins, a lot of things are going to have to go right, but it feels fair to me.”
General manager Rob Pelinka revamped the roster this offseason, headlined by the four-year, $130 million deal for center Walker Kessler. There have been several questions pertaining to the roster, specifically whether Luka Doncic can lead his teammates on a deep playoff run.
LeBron James signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason. Getty ImagesDerek Fisher had two coaching stints, one with the Knicks and the second with the Sparks. Getty Images
He’s already proven he can do just that with the Dallas Mavericks, but the city of LA demands winning sports teams. Doncic will have to show he can pull the full weight of the Lakers without James this season.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 31: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after defeating the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on August 31, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox have had a discouraging run of late, dropping back-to-back series and six of their last games. Boston still has a solid hold on the second American League Wild Card entering a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles, who have managed to hang around in the postseason conversation.
Losing three of four to the Yankees seemed to all but book a trip back to New York for the Wild Card series in a rematch of last year’s three-game set between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the AL. That still feels like the most likely outcome again, but if the Red Sox continue to falter while veterans get a breather and the pitching staff tires, could Boston get passed by, for example, the Cleveland Guardians (4.5 GB) and find itself as the No. 6 seed?
To be honest, it actually may not be the worst thing to happen.
If the Red Sox stay set as the No. 5 seed, they’d battle the Yankees in another war of a Wild Card series. Should they advance, they’d meet another demon in the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS. Boston did conquer that path en route to an ALCS appearance in 2021, though this clash with one or both of those division rivals would be draining again in 2026.
Consider the alternative if the Red Sox hold on for a playoff berth (which would be their first consecutive berths since 2016-2018, by the way) as the No. 6 seed, the path is undoubtedly less daunting based on competition. Boston would get the winner of the American League West. Entering Thursday, that would be the Houston Astros, who sit just two games above .500 at 71-69. Take the bat out of Yordan Alvarez’s hands when possible and Boston should take care of business in that series.
From there, the Red Sox would face the AL Central champion Chicago White Sox. Chicago is a young team that performed above expectations this year with some familiar friends who would be extra motivated to eliminate Boston, the franchise that flipped multiple prospects in the Garrett Crochet trade two winters ago. In this ALDS hypothetical, the Red Sox are the better team again and should take care of business again.
The Red Sox shouldn’t be looking to back into the playoffs simply for seeding’s sake. To be honest, that’s a bit of a loser mentality. With that said, that’s clearly not what they’re doing at the moment, at least during the Seattle series. Giving Willson Contreras a breather on the IL and pushing back Sonny Gray’s start was the right call. Those guys need to be fresh for a playoff run and the decent cushion is great to take advantage of.
There’s something to say about real reinforcements for the Red Sox as well. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story are in rhythm at the plate since they reform while Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck are nearing closer and should factor into the playoff bullpen.
Not to say September is irrelevant, because there’s still games to be won to clinch a spot, but a trip back to The Bronx still feels relevant. If things go slightly wrong, have no fear for the path ahead for the Red Sox.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Darius Garland #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers brings the ball up court during the second half of an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome on April 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. 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 Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What is a Clipper? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Well, my unnautically aware friend, it’s a ship. More specifically, a 19th-century merchant ship. And seeing as the Los Angeles Clippers originated in San Diego after moving from Buffalo in 1978, it makes sense that a team in one of the greatest port cities on Earth would be named after one.
Following the circumvention death sentence the Clippers received as a result of the Kawhi Leonard acquisition in 2019, that ship is doing more than taking on water. It’s sinking. They lost five first-round draft picks in the process, and those penalties don’t even begin until 2029 because they didn’t own their 2027 or 2028 picks to begin with. Their ability to build through the draft or utilize those picks in trades is essentially null and void.
I know plenty of people are concerned that the Phoenix Suns don’t control their own first-round pick until 2032. That’s a long time away. But that isn’t the same as not having first-round picks. The Suns still have them; they’re simply heavily swapped and will likely find themselves outside of the lottery. For the Clippers, those assets no longer exist.
Imagine being a member of that team. Imagine waking up this morning and thinking about your future as a basketball player. If winning matters to you, that ship may have sailed. Pun intended.
So as the Clippers try to figure out how to move forward and salvage something from the wreckage, there could be an opportunity for the Phoenix Suns to make a run at an asset or two if they deem one worth pursuing. And one asset worth exploring, the subject of today’s thought exercise, is Darius Garland.
It’s perceived as the primary concern for the Suns as they prepare for the 2026–27 season: the lack of a traditional point guard. The plan appears to be a backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green, which on the surface looks like a pair of duplicative players. They’re both shooting guards, although they operate in much different spaces. Booker is a midrange assassin, while Green uses his athleticism to get downhill and put pressure on the rim. Both are below-average three-point shooters, and from a distribution standpoint, neither possesses elite passing as a primary skill. Booker probably doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to make those around him better, while that is something Green has struggled to do consistently throughout his career.
Add to that the fact that this is a full evaluation year for Green. The Suns appear ready to hand him the keys to the facilitation role and see what he does with it. He’ll make $36.3 million this season and has a $36 million player option for next year. With extensions beginning to kick in elsewhere on the roster, his production needs to match the expectations attached to that contract.
So the question becomes, do the Suns bypass all of that uncertainty and make a run at Darius Garland from a decimated Clippers organization?
Garland, a 6’1” combo guard who is 26 years old, carries some similarities to what Jalen Green brings. He’s quick, can get to the rim, and finishes with creative shot-making. He’s a smaller guard than Green, but he also brings something Phoenix could use more of. Shooting. Garland is a career 38.9% three point shooter on 6.1 attempts per game, and he can facilitate as well, averaging 6.7 assists across his seven-year career. He’s tough, tenacious, and someone who could potentially blend into the identity and culture the Suns established last season. He is also a more polished and consistent NBA player, someone who could elevate the offense immediately.
Defensively, the size is a concern. At 6’1”, there are going to be matchups where he can be targeted. But given the Suns’ current construction, with Dillon Brooks available to handle point of attack responsibilities and Khaman Maluach potentially providing rim protection behind him, Garland is someone Phoenix could hide when needed. He graded out as a C- in Perimeter Isolation Defense last season, according to BBall Index, landing in the 43rd percentile. For context, Green graded as a B- and finished in the 60th percentile.
When you look at Garland’s contract, that’s where the crux of the conversation really exists. He’s owed $42.6 million this season and $44.9 million next year before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2028–29. So essentially, he’s on the same availability timeline as Jalen Green, only he costs roughly $6 million more per year. That means a straight-up swap for Green doesn’t work. Phoenix would have to add more salary, and with so many players re-signed this offseason, most of those contracts can’t be moved until January 15, 2027.
That doesn’t mean the idea isn’t worth exploring. So, like an admiral aboard a clipper, let’s explore it.
Any deal with Los Angeles would start with Jalen Green going out for Darius Garland, but Phoenix would still need to add roughly $6 million in salary to make the numbers work. The most logical piece is Luke Kennard. If the Suns sent Green, Kennard, and their 2027 first-round pick to the Clippers, that could get the framework moving. If Los Angeles wanted another first, Phoenix could also include its 2028 first-round pick. Both of those picks are heavily swapped.
Kennard is a newly signed free agent, so any possibility of pulling the trigger on a trade like this wouldn’t become plausible until at least December 15. That timeline could actually align with Phoenix’s plans. The Suns want to give Jalen Green some runway at the point guard position and see what he looks like in that role. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, a deal like this could become a potential out for the team.
One thing is clear. Any transaction involving the Clippers moving forward has to include draft assets. This is an organization that was stripped of half a decade of picks, so replenishing that draft cupboard is going to matter. In this scenario, the Clippers would get two players and at least one first-round pick, potentially two.
Adding Garland would also help define roles across the roster rather than asking Jalen Green to suddenly become a quality, consistent facilitator. It would give the Suns a player whose archetype better fits their needs and remove some of the uncertainty that comes with another year of Devin Booker’s prime.
Because one thing is certain. Booker’s prime has already been squandered to some degree by poor decisions and roster construction over the previous four years. Last season, the ship finally started moving in the right direction. If the Suns want to keep pushing that way, Booker should be allowed to play his natural position as a shooting guard rather than continually hoping that someone like Bradley Beal or Jalen Green can take over the facilitation role. Too often, that responsibility falls back on Booker as the season progresses, ultimately taking away from what makes him most effective.
In this hypothetical, I don’t know if the Clippers would bite. If they’re serious about moving Garland, there are probably teams that can offer more attractive draft assets. The Suns simply don’t have anything particularly sexy when compared to what other teams could put on the table. But given the situation the Clippers now find themselves in, it would still be worth picking up the phone and seeing whether there’s any interest.
The Clippers are sinking, and the Suns should be checking the water for anything valuable that floats their way. Garland would give Phoenix something it has been searching for since Chris Paul left: a legitimate point guard who can organize the offense while allowing Booker to be Booker. The price matters, especially with Phoenix’s limited assets, but the opportunity is worth exploring. If the Clippers are selling pieces to rebuild their ship, the Suns should at least see what it costs to bring Garland aboard.
With the Cubs now nine games behind the Brewers in the NL Central — Milwaukee’s magic number to clinch the division title is 14 — let’s turn our upcoming schedule attention to the team’s competitors in the Wild Card race.
As you know, the Cubs hold the tiebreaker over the three teams closest to them in the Wild Card race, the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Padres. What makes all of this more interesting is that the Marlins are sneaking up behind the latter two teams. Arizona now holds the third wild card spot, half a game ahead of the Padres. But the Marlins stand just two games behind San Diego.
The Cubs and Marlins have not yet met this year. They will play six times later this month, first with a three-game series in Miami that begins Friday. So the Cubs will have a big say in whether the Marlins can make the postseason or not.
Tankathon has the Phillies with the toughest strength of schedule (second). The Marlins are fourth, Cubs are fifth, Padres 20th and Diamondbacks 21st.
Here are the remaining schedules for all five teams. Home games in boldface.
Cubs, 22 games (10 home, 12 road)
Brewers (1), at Marlins (3), at Brewers (3), Pirates (3), Braves (3), at Reds (3), Marlins (3), at Red Sox (3)
That last grouping of games involves a lot of travel, a three-game trip, then a three-game homestand, then another three-game trip. Those last three games could be important for both the Cubs and Red Sox.
Phillies, 22 games (13 home, 9 road)
Braves (4), Astros (3), at Braves (3), at Nationals (3), at Mets (3), Brewers (3), Rays (3)
That’s 16 of 22 games against teams currently in first place. The Phillies are currently under .500 (32-33) against teams with winning records. That could help out the Cubs.
Also, while the remaining Phillies schedule begins with a homestand, Philadelphia has a slightly better road winning percentage (.569) than at home (.559).
Diamondbacks, 21 games (9 home, 12 road)
at Astros (3), at Royals (3), Rangers (3), Marlins (3), Yankees (3), at Rockies (3), at Padres (3)
A combination of teams fighting for postseason spots and teams way out of it.
The D-backs are under .500 (33-36) away from Chase Field so this might hurt them down the stretch.
Padres, 22 games (12 home, 10 road)
Yankees (3), Nationals (3), at Giants (3), at Rockies (4), Marlins (3), at Dodgers (3), Diamondbacks (3)
Those last three Diamondbacks/Padres games could help decide one of the wild card spots.
Marlins, 22 games (12 home, 10 road)
at Royals (1), Cubs (3), Mets (3), Dodgers (3), at Diamondbacks (3), at Padres (3), at Cubs (3), Braves (3)
The Marlins have a tough schedule, even with a nine-game homestand. Then they have a nine-game trip, including two out west. Miami is 29-42 on the road, so their postseason hopes are probably a longshot.
It should be a fun final three weeks. Fasten your seat belts!
Slovenian wins stage 12 as Mas strengthens position
Tim Merlier claims stage two in Tour of Britain
Spain’s Enric Mas extended his overall lead in the Vuelta a España with a late attack on his rivals as Slovenia’s Jakob Omrzel won stage 12 to Calar Alto on Thursday.
Movistar rider Mas burst out of a chasing group including red jersey contenders Primoz Roglic and Felix Gall with around 13km of the mountainous 166.6km ride left and powered away. Roglic and Gall, who began the day second and third on general classification, could not respond as Mas finished 27 seconds clear of Roglic to strengthen his hold on the race.
With training camp now fast approaching, the Philadelphia Flyers revealed their rookie camp roster for their upcoming rookie camp, which will kick off with the 2026 Rookie Series against the New York Rangers prospects on Sept. 12.
Fans making the trip to the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., for the Rookie Series or Flyers Training Center for camp will be in for a treat, as quite a few talented prospects and fan-favorites will be participating this year.
Included on the rookie camp roster are top Flyers prospects Porter Martone, Jett Luchanko, and Maksim Sokolovskii, as well as wingers Alex Bump and Denver Barkey, who starred down the stretch for the Flyers last season.
Right wing Devin Kaplan is the only other forward on the roster with NHL experience, and he will be joined by Riley Thompson, Alex Ciernik, invitee Sawyer Dingman, Noah Powell, Cole Knuble, invitee Brady Berard, Nathan Quinn, KJ Sauer, free agent Owen McLaughlin, Matthew Gard, and Ilya Pautov.
Having not agreed on an entry-level contract, the Flyers lost the signing rights to McLaughlin last month, but the 23-year-old former seventh-round pick will be back looking to fight for a future in the Flyers organization throughout rookie camp and training camp.
On defense, Sokolovskii, the Flyers' first-round pick in 2026, and Oliver Bonk are the crown jewels, and the latter will likely be pushing for an NHL roster spot throughout camp and the preseason.
Completing the group of defensemen are Spencer Gill, Brek Liske, Luke Vlooswyk, invitee Riley Steen, Jackson Edward, and Ty Murchison.
A suddenly deep goalie pool will feature Carson Bjarnason, Marek Sklenicka, and Martin Psohlavec, who returns from an adductor strain suffered at the end of development camp on July 3.
As they get ready for their respective pro and college seasons, the Flyers won't have prospects like Jack Nesbitt, Jack Berglund, Carter Amico, Shane Vansaghi, Jack Murtagh, Heikki Ruohonen, and Max Westergard available for rookie camp.
An aerial view shows Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, in Los Angeles. The stadium, stands and surrounding parking lots are empty.
A dead man was found hanging from a bridge outside Dodger Stadium as the team played, an LAPD spokesperson told The California Post.
The unidentified male was found just off of Bernard Street and Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium at around 8:48 p.m. Wednesday night, the LAPD rep said. The location is just a few hundred yards away from where the Los Angeles Dodgers were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Dodgers vs. Cardinals game began at 7:10 p.m. and concluded at around 10:10 p.m.
The location is just a few hundred yards away from where the Dodgers were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals. Getty ImagesA dead man was found hanging from a bridge outside LA’s Dodger Stadium as the team played nearby. Getty ImagesSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ramón Urías (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (right) react after Urías hit a home run in the second inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Cops were initially called out to the scene after 911 callers said they saw a dead body “in plain sight,” according to police audio reviewed by The Post.
No foul play was suspected following an investigation, the LAPD spokesperson said.
The matter is still “pending identification and legal next of kin,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner added.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
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Documents have been released and bombshell text messages have been revealed in the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention scandal involving billionaire Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
According to documents released by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, notes from Clippers president Lawrence Frank dated April 2020 reveal that Leonard’s then-manager, the infamous “Uncle Dennis” Robertson, expressed frustration with the team for what he perceived as a lack of effort by the Clippers to make good on promised off-court business opportunities.
Steve Ballmer was smashed by the NBA on Wednesday in a bombshell report about alleged salary cap circumvention. AP Photo/Ryan Sun
Robertson reportedly complained to Ballmer about president of business operations Gillian Zucker making “introductions” for “bulls-t deals.”
“I can’t wait on [Ms. Zucker],” Robertson said, according to notes from Frank included in the documents published by the law firm. “I have to get paid.”
Balmer allegedly responded by telling Robertson that Clippers personnel were all “collective workers to try to help Leonard achieve his financial goals.”
Leonard entered free agency nine months before those conversations, so Robertson was presumably getting frustrated by the lack of movement after he signed.
Leonard inked a three-year deal with a player option for the third year in 2021.
The documents also reveal that Aspiration, the sustainability tree-planting company indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges in October 2025, agreed to pay Leonard $48 million in cash and stock ($12 million per year for four years) as part of his Clippers contract.
In return, Aspiration allegedly dangled business contract opportunities with the Clippers’ arena, The Forum.
Ballmer bought the Forum in 2020, and Aspiration was expecting a deal with the Arena.
Kawhi Leonard was given a relaitvely light punsihment all things considered. MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Aspiration founder Joe Sanberg sent an ultimatum to an unnamed business agent under retainer with the Clippers who appears to be one of the whistleblowers in the scheme.
“Kawhi deal is not happening without this Forum deal,” Sanberg said in texts to the unknown business agent. “ZERO CHANCE there is a Kawhi deal if this isn’t fixed. You know that right? I told Scott Sonnenberg [Clippers Chief Commercial Officer] that I’ll need to break the deal with Kawhi and explain why, which is that we got f–ked by the Clippers. Scott asked me not to do that.”
The closest that the documents come to implicating Balmer’s direct knowledge is Leonard’s willingness to stay with the Clippers, which comes from former CFO Eric Chan in an email on March 31, 2022.
“Steve knows that when this deal blows up, Joe is calling Kawhi and telling him his $12M deal is no longer because of Clippers management, right? I think so, but just double-checking,” Chan said.
Ballmer told investigators he was aware of Sanderg’s ongoing threats to blow up the endorsement deal with Leonard if the Forum Agreement was not executed in a timely manner.
The Clippers formally approved the execution of the Forum Agreement in April 2022, which investigators called an act of facilitation that violates the NBA’s circumvention rules.
The Forum Agreement was worth at least $28 million, and it was estimated that this sum was needed to offset the team’s carbon emissions, though the documents make it unclear whether that was the contract’s true value.
Ballmer previously said in a statement that the initial reports of the illegal tactics, reported by Pablo Torre on his podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” were “provably false.”
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer hands Kawhi Leonard his jersey as he and Paul George are introduced at Green Meadows Recreation Center in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Getty Images
This latest bombshell report hasn’t stopped the former Microsoft CEO from pleading innocence despite the evidence presented.
“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence,” Ballmer said in a statement.
“We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”
“A credible witness with direct knowledge told investigators that the consulting agreement one company signed with the Clippers was in fact a ruse,” the law firm’s document stated, “designed and intended to be a vehicle for the team to provide the company with funds to be paid to Mr. Leonard.”
COVERS INTEL: Look for Skubal to have his way with the Cardinals tonight, owning a 37% K rate and 36% whiff rate in this spot. If he stays away from 
