The Moments that Made the 2026 Red Sox: One lucky night in August was the fork in the road

Boston, MA - August 22: Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu is mobbed after hitting a walk-off single. The Boston Red Sox played the San Francisco Giants at Fenway Park on August 22, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

I didn’t know it when I was sitting in the bleachers at Fenway during that Saturday night in August, but the Red Sox’s wild 3-2 walk-off victory against the Giants on August 22 might’ve been the fork in the road for the 2026 season.

Maybe it’s arbitrary to say that one game out of 162 was the moment where this iteration of the club crossed the Rubicon, where the magic of the preceding summer weeks continued but the base line for what was to come was laid out without us even knowing it at the time. But with the benefit of hindsight, I think that’s what game 129 was for us.

The TL;DR recap of the game: Patrick Sandoval wasn’t good enough on the bump as Boston’s starter, but he was somehow able to limit the damage to just two runs. After sleepwalking for most of the game, the Red Sox bats eventually woke up and clawed back to tie the game in the ninth. With the bases then loaded, Wilyer Abreu hit a hard grounder to first. The throw home took the Giants’ catcher off the plate, Eli White slid in head first, and the Sox stormed the field in jubilation. The review from the umps then proceeded to go on for what felt like an hour, but the call—and in turn Boston’s victory—was confirmed.

What a night to be at the ballpark, man. I remember my head hurting from screaming so much following the walk-off, but I didn’t care. What a win in a summer filled with excellent wins. It’s been said before many-a-times at this point, but it’s worth repeating: I’m glad the Sox gave us our summer back after a horrid spring, even if they couldn’t give us much of a fall. That’s a win I’ll remember for a while.

I’ll especially remember it thanks to the bizarre ending as well. That review process, where we weren’t sure how the decision was going to pan out (or if it ever was going to be made, my goodness it took forever) was unlike something I had seen in person at Fenway. The walk-off celebration, followed by the prolonged review, followed by another walk-off celebration once the call was confirmed; that’s just a funny (well, at least for us Sox fans that night) and unique order of events. Just when you think you’ve seen everything at a baseball game…

And yet, that Saturday night in August ended up being one of the last times we were truly galvanized by the 2026 Boston Red Sox, no?

That win against San Francisco was the second victory en route to a sweep, and the Sox then immediately took the first two games in Miami, but the following weekend was where we dropped three games out of four in New York towards the end of August. After the walk-off to get the team up to 11 games over .500, the Sox finished the regular season on a 17-16 run (and we just established that three of those wins game before the Yankees series, so things really ended on a whimper).

It was the latest chapter of the magical run that was Summer 2K26 at Fenway, but it was one of the first examples of what would eventually be one of the major factors as to why there was no Fall 2K26 at Fenway: the offensive struggles. As our fearless leader Dan mentioned in his game summary for the win, Boston get just one guy into scoring position prior to the 8th inning. The lack of output at the dish wasn’t the only reason we got bounced from the playoffs a few weeks ago, but I think it was obviously the biggest reason. The woes with the bats did not come out of nowhere; that was a concerning trend for basically all of September. Pitching was able to keep the boys in a lot of games—much like it did during this game—but that alone would not be enough in the end.

I guess you could make the argument that this win sort of encapsulated the Red Sox’s entire post-Colorado-road-trip story. If you had to pick one game to be the microcosm of this club’s second half, I’d say this was the one. It featured the magic that got them back into the hunt and the Achilles heel that knocked them right back out of it.

The walk-off on August 22 was sensational, but summer effectively ended once Eli White slid across the plate. We just didn’t know it at the time.

What Knicks are saying about LeBron James, new-look Sixers before opener

What Knicks are saying about LeBron James, new-look Sixers before opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Knicks see the same thing everyone else sees when they look at the new Sixers — extraordinary talent and plenty still to figure out.

Philadelphia will unveil LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and its new starting five Tuesday night against a defending champion returning nearly its entire rotation.

From the Knicks’ perspective, that contrast between star power and continuity could shape the season opener after their championship banner reaches the Madison Square Garden rafters.

WHAT THE KNICKS ARE SAYING

Josh Hart anticipated this matchup as soon as James joined an Eastern Conference team.

“Wherever LeBron went in the East, I figured that’d probably be our opening night,” Hart told the New York Post.

Hart knows the Sixers’ talent will attract plenty of attention. He also expects their newness to show at times.

“I’m sure they’re gonna have some bumpy times in the beginning of the year because they gotta get used to playing with each other,” Hart said.

The Knicks do not have that concern. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns are back after starting throughout New York’s championship run.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown acknowledged that the attention surrounding James and Philadelphia’s revamped roster makes the opener feel bigger than an ordinary October game. Brown, who coached James for five seasons in Cleveland, said everything involving him tends to become “larger than life.”

Brown also believes the teams have the ingredients to develop a rivalry. They are separated by less than 100 miles, will meet four times on national television and already share recent playoff history.

Brunson has also been complimentary of Philadelphia. During an August appearance on NBC’s “Today,” the reigning Finals MVP said the Sixers had “reloaded” and would present a difficult opening test.

New York’s immediate priority, however, is moving past its championship celebration.

“Every year, it’s a new year to attack something,” Brunson said Monday through SNY.

Landry Shamet was more direct about what happens after the rings are distributed and the banner is raised.

“After the ceremony’s over, it’s 0-0,” Shamet said.

Anunoby is the only current Knick who had previously participated in an NBA ring ceremony. He received his first championship ring with the Raptors before their 2019 opener.

“You celebrate with the ring, take pictures, then the game started. It was kind of weird,” Anunoby told the New York Post.

Anunoby said the unusual feeling faded as that game progressed. The Knicks will try to make the same transition Tuesday.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Andre Drummond spent last season backing up Joel Embiid. He now fills that role behind Towns after Mitchell Robinson left New York for Boston.

Drummond averaged 8.4 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game for the Sixers. His greatest opportunity Tuesday could come when Embiid leaves the floor.

The Sixers enter the opener with questions behind their starting center. Ariel Hukporti, who backed up Towns and Robinson over the past two seasons, is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, while Adem Bona and Dean Wade were listed as questionable on the initial injury report.

Brown said the Knicks are not asking Drummond to duplicate Robinson.

“Andre’s going to be Andre,” Brown told the New York Post.

The Sixers’ ability to keep Drummond from controlling the glass during Embiid’s rest could quietly become one of the game’s most important variables.

WHAT VEGAS THINKS

The betting market is siding with New York’s continuity and home court.

The Knicks were favored by approximately 4.5 points as of midday Tuesday, with the total set around 231.5. Some sportsbooks had moved the line to New York by 5.5.

Philadelphia did win both of its regular-season games at Madison Square Garden last season. New York responded by sweeping the Sixers out of the playoffs.

The Sixers now return to the Garden with a considerably different team and an opportunity to make a much better first impression.

The opener tips off at 7 p.m. on NBC10 and Peacock.

Egor Demin ready, willing and able

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 06: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets plays against the Charlotte Hornets during their preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 06, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There will be competition this season for the proverbial “face of the franchise in Brooklyn, N.Y. There’s the most accomplished player on the roster: Julius Randle, he of the three All-Star appearances and two All-NBA selections; Mikel Brown Jr., the top draft pick since the team moved from Newark to Brooklyn; and when he’s not stirring controversy on Curious Mike, the prodigal Michael Porter Jr.

All that said, there’s a strong argument to be made for Egor Demin, the 6’9” point guard/point forward Egor Demin. Still only 20, Demin may most easily reprsent the franchise, carrying all the requsite responsibilities: the high character player of promise who can articulate where the team is in three languages: his native Russian, Spanish and English. He may not have all the accolades Randle posseses, may not be the shiny new object like Brown Jr. or have the big numbers MPJ put up last year. He is, however, the player whose combination of talent, leadership and confidence brings it all together.

And he knows what is expected of him and accepts it.

“I said it to the coaches the other day in the player development meeting; I want to win and I want to learn how to affect the game, whatever it takes for me to be able to win,” Demin told the media after Monday’s practice.

“As I always say, I want to be everywhere I can help. Whether it’s me on the ball, off the ball, whatever it is. I want to learn everything,” Demin added. “For me, I don’t put any expectations on myself because I know where I’m at and I know what I’m going to be trying to do. Obviously, I have my own goals and that’s what I’m trying to focus on if it’s not about the team. If we’re talking about me personally, I’m just trying to be better every single day.”

The eighth pick in the 2o25 Draft played well enough last season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.9% overall and 38.5% from beyond the arc. He also set an NBA rookie record for most consecutive games with a 3-pointer at 34 and was the second fastest NBA player to reach 100 3-pointers behind only Kon Knueppel of the Hornets (who won’t play in Wednesday’s opener at Barclays.)

And just as he proved to critics that he not only can shoot but at a high level, he showed in Summer League and preseason that he is not just a 3-point shooter. He surprised many by adding strength and a willingness to rush the lane and finish. He knew what he needed to do in the off-season and did it. averaging 21.3 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the floor.

Demin’s new found strength is hard to quantify, as his head coach quipped at practice Monday.

“Maybe ask the performance team about his weight and how much bigger his biceps is. Maybe that’s a way to quantify,” Fernández said. “I’m very happy with the way he’s played. …He sees the floor very well, and he’s done a great job getting into the [paint].”

Demin agreed.

“That’s true. There was a growth, a significant growth, in what dumbbells I’m picking up on the arm day, yeah,” Dëmin laughed.

While part of his growth is natural for someone going from age 19 to 2o, But the added strength is also part of a development process with improvement all around his game.

“Yeah, play off two feet and look for the spray or keep your options open. But don’t go in there without a plan,” Fernández said. “He’s done a great job. He’s worked at it, and shown he’s way more comfortable now getting there.

“When you’re 18, 19, the game goes so fast. Now it slows down, because you’re more confident, you’re stronger. We’ve seen it in preseason — he’s just got to continue to do it in the regular season.”

What will we see from the young man starting Wednesday night. He doesn’t talk numbers milestones, but certainly he has goals, starting with showing everyone that strength and its implications wasn’t just a summer fling.

“I haven’t done that for a while, getting to the rim like that actively, and sometimes when I get there it’s hard to believe, where I’m like, ‘I’m actually here,’ and I almost expect something to happen,” Dëmin admitted. “So for me, realize that I’m actually a big body, so… it’s harder to defend for people, especially now. So just having a state of mind that nobody can stop me, and just having that idea of getting there aggressively and finishing with quality and not just to show that I got to the paint.”

There are, of course, issues as there are with any young player. He missed 30 games last year and didn’t play after an early March bout with plantar fasciitis but he and the team say that’s in in the past. Bottom line though is he wants to be great and that matters.

Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 30: Jacob Johnson #27 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the 2026 Arizona Fall League media day at Scottsdale Stadium on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Good morning.

Shawn McFarland checks out the options for the Texas Rangers when it comes to addressing their pitching staff in free agency where, notably, they’ll have to nearly completely remake their bullpen again for a third consecutive winter.

MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco writes about the roster bind the Rangers find themselves in with expensive veterans and an owner itching to go cheap.

Kennedi Landry writes that, among Rangers farmhands, famed prospect Sebastian Walcott and pitcher Jacob Johnson have been standouts at the Arizona Fall League.

And, after vanquishing Nathaniel Lowe and Austin Hedges’ Cleveland Guardians, the Jon Daniels and Nick Martinez Tampa Bay Rays will attempt to earn their first World Series championship against the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2026 Fall Classic.

Have a nice day!

If the Braves couldn’t be in it, is this your preferred World Series matchup?

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 01: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Pretty much the title.

The current matchup is a matchup of the two teams with the best records in their respective leagues. This hasn’t been a recent rarity: 2024, 2020 I guess, and 2013 have all featured the same. (Also 1999, 1995, and 1992, all featuring the Braves.)

It’s also a matchup that guarantees a first-time title-holder.

For two teams that were relatively power-less (bottom six in ISO for both) in the regular season, both have gotten to the final round via outhomering the opposition (duh), but I guess it could be interesting to see what happens when they face off. (The Rays-Guardians series was kind of a preview of this already.)

By the way, the last time these two teams met was in the second series of the year. The Rays won the first game, 3-2, in Milwaukee, and then the Brewers smacked them around in the next two games, outscoring them 14-4.

Who’s your all Phillies alumni coaching staff?

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 21: Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates Raul Ibanez after Ibanez scored during Game Five of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 21, 2009. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 10-4. (Photo by Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images

Last week in the wake of the Phillies officially promoting Don Mattingly to manager, there was a very interesting/crazy report about some of the other candidates they considered. We already knew about their multiple attempts to attract Alex Cora, but now we also know that they reportedly approached former Phillies outfielder Raúl Ibañez and newest member of the Phillies Wall of Fame Chase Utley about their open managerial position.

Ibañez has been named as a candidate in multiple manager searches across baseball the last few years, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time until he finally steps back onto the field and out of the Dodgers front office where he is currently employed. To this point Ibañez has declined all overtures, but the aforementioned report from the Athletic’s Jayson Stark mentioned that he at least considered the Phillies coaching job for a few days before deciding to decline.

Utley on the other hand sounds as though it was something straight out of the mouth of a WIP caller. The report says that he quickly declined the opportunity and even includes quotes from Utley where he expresses that now is not the time for him to consider managing. Perhaps this was just a courtesy from the Phillies organization to get their former star’s name involved in the managerial carousel for future hiring cycles. Or maybe it was a way to placate the types of fans that call in to radio stations to suggest this type of thing.

Speaking of, let’s all let that part of us run wild for a second. Who’s your all Phillies alumni coaching staff? Here’s mine for example:

  • Manager- Chase Utley
  • Pitching coach- Cole Hamels
  • Hitting coach- John Kruk
  • Bench coach- Dave Hollins
  • First base coach- Jimmy Rollins
  • Third base coach- Shane Victorino
  • Infield coach- Larry Bowa
  • Bullpen coach- Brad Lidge

Arizona Fall League Update: October 13-19, 2026

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 11: Caleb Bonemer #27 of the Glendale Desert Dogs looks on from the dugout during the game between the Desert Dogs and the Saguaros at Surprise Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Surprise, AZ United States. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Desert heat: Caleb Bonemer brought his own firepower to Arizona, launching his first two AFL homers. | (Jill Weisleder/Getty Images)

The Arizona Fall League is underway, and Chicago has eight prospects in the Grand Canyon State, headlined by Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 27). Rounding out the crew are Mathias LaCombe, RHP (No. 17); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 23); Nick Altermatt, RHP; Jonathan Clark, RHP; Grant Magill, C; Tommy Vail, LHP and Garrett Wright, RHP.

The team added Vail after Pierce George, RHP (No. 18), suffered an olecranon fracture in his pitching elbow. While it sounds like an awful injury, he is expected to participate in 2027 Spring Training. Anthony DePino, INF (No. 21), was also originally on the Dogs roster, but instead underwent shoulder surgery. He should also be ready for spring.

The White Sox prospects are suiting up for the Glendale Desert Dogs, sharing the dugout with hopefuls from the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Chicago ties Los Angeles for sending the most Top 30 prospects (five) to the AFL.


Salt River Rafters 6, Glendale Desert Dogs 5 (10/13/26 — 10 innings)
The Dogs brought some early pop, but the Rafters had the last bark. Bonemer smacked his first AFL homer in the bottom of the first, sending a two-out, two-run shot 388 feet to left-center to give Glendale an early lead. It was his only hit of the contest, but he made it count.

Shelton joined the first-homer club in the fifth, leading off the frame with a solo shot to knot the game at 3-3. Magill also saw action behind the plate but went 0-for-4. The teams were tied at 5-5 after nine, but Salt River pushed its ghost runner across in the 10th to hand the Dogs the loss.


Surprise Saguaros 17, Glendale Desert Dogs 9 (10/15/26)
Fortunately, no South Siders saw action in this beatdown.


Glendale Desert Dogs 3, Scottsdale Scorpions 1 (10/16/26)
The Dogs finally picked up their second win, and Bonemer made sure they started with a bang. His first-inning solo shot traveled 431 feet to left at 111.9 mph off the bat, giving Glendale a 1-0 lead it never surrendered.

Bonemer finished 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout while patrolling center field. Shelton had a quieter day at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a free pass and a K.


Surprise Saguaros 10, Glendale Desert Dogs 0 (10/17/26 — 7 innings)
The Dogs managed just two hits as Surprise rolled to a shutout win. Bonemer supplied one of those knocks, a two-out double in the bottom of the first, and finished 1-for-3. Magill handled catching duties but went 0-for-2 with a pair of punchouts.

On the mound, LaCombe tossed a scoreless fifth before things got messy for his fellow Sox prospects. Wright inherited a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, allowing just one runner to score on a sac fly before ending the threat with a strikeout. The seventh was a different story, as a pair of errors by the shortstop helped saddle the righty with three unearned runs. Altermatt entered with runners on the corners, and the inning kept unraveling with a wild pitch, a single and a walk. Another unearned run crossed before he finally ended the frame, and the game, with a ground out.


Salt River Rafters 7, Desert Dogs 1 (10/19/26)
The Dogs’ bats were quiet again, mustering only four hits in another offensive struggle. Shelton supplied half of them, including a two-out RBI base hit in the fourth that plated Glendale’s only run. The 23-year-old finished 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk, while Bonemer went 0-for-4 with a K.

Clark made quick work of the Rafters in the bottom of the eighth, needing just eight pitches to complete a scoreless, hitless frame.


Hitters
Caleb Bonemer: .282/.349/.590, .939 OPS, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 BB, 9 RBI, 8 K, 39 ABs
Grant Magill: .250/.278/.313, .590 OPS, 2B, 1 BB, 4 RBI, 6 K, 16 ABs
Colby Shelton: .207/.314/.310, .624 OPS, HR, 4 BB, 4 RBI, 6 K, 29 ABs

Pitchers
Nick Altermatt: 2.45 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 3 2/3 IP, 3 BB, 5 Ks
Jonathan Clark: 1.80 ERA, 0.40 WHIP, 5 IP, 1 BB, 5 K
Matthias LaCombe: 7,20 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 5 IP, 5 BB, 3 K
Tommy Vail: did not pitch
Garrett Wright: 0.00 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 5 2/3 IP, 3 BB, 9 K

Leody Taveras was needed more than you want to need a backup

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Leody Taveras #30 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up before game one of a baseball doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 23, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

One of the real hallmarks of the 2026 Orioles is how many things happened where, if you were told in March that they were going to happen, you would know that meant the season went poorly. Not all of these things were bad. “Brandon Young is the team’s starting pitcher ERA leader” would have seemed apocalyptic, for example. That was good! Most that would have sounded bad in March did in fact turn out to be bad for a successful Orioles team, including this one: Leody Taveras led Orioles outfielders in innings played this season.

The Orioles signed Taveras very early on last offseason, inking him to a one-year contract worth about $2 million for the 2026 campaign. That was less than fourth outfielder money for a guy who is kind of a classic fourth outfielder, in that he’s hit badly but not so badly as to be unplayable, he’s decent enough as a defender that he should be able to play any of the outfield positions, and he’s modestly fast, such that you could even maybe deploy him as a pinch runner sometimes.

There was nothing exciting at all about that signing. That was especially true since Taveras was coming off of a 2025 season where he had been horrible, getting dumped by the Rangers – where Taveras was once a top 50 prospect who debuted for his age 21 season – after just a month and then getting dropped by the Mariners, who claimed him off waivers, after about six weeks. He ended up batting .205/.226/.304 for 58 games of the 2025 season; that’s why the Orioles could sign him for the price they did. Taveras was hitting badly enough to be unplayable in 2025. It wasn’t a bad cheap bet to guess he’d be better than that this year. Overall, he was better than that.

The path to more regular playing time for Taveras opened up a couple of weeks into the season, when Tyler O’Neill fell ill and ultimately landed on the concussion injured list due to passing out during an off day at home and hitting his head on the way down. The Orioles shifted Colton Cowser out of center field to a corner spot and had Taveras as their every day guy while O’Neill was out.

Taveras seized the opportunity. By the end of April, he was batting .288/.397/.455. Of the younger players who we might have expected to play over Taveras, Cowser had a .489 OPS and Dylan Beavers was better but still not good at a .645 OPS. The Orioles responded to who was actually playing well and this meant more playing time for Taveras. He played most games in center field through early June. The main problem is he stopped hitting; he had a .630 OPS from the end of April until he relinquished the every day center field job back to Cowser.

The chaos kept on continuing for Orioles outfielders. Beavers suffered an oblique strain. Cowser batted like a guy who needs to never take an at-bat against a lefty starting pitcher. Taylor Ward was traded at the deadline. O’Neill got hurt again toward the end of the season.

What all of this meant was that Taveras stayed in the lineup even after he started hitting more like the guy who was ditched by two teams in 2025; he posted a .591 OPS from May 1 to the end of the season. That is unplayable, except if you’re on the 2026 Orioles and the other outfielders either keep getting hurt, or keep proving to be terrible defenders, or can’t hit a changeup, or whatever other problems were going on.

Taveras is the only reason the Orioles didn’t start turning to Christian Franklin- or Rece Hinds-level players earlier than they did. Never mind that Taveras himself probably would have been shuffled out of any semi-functional team’s outfield mix. That’s just not what the Orioles were in 2026.

Even so, Taveras ended the season at exactly 0.0 bWAR, so he was the definition of a replacement-level player. There is a whole lot of blue on the Statcast page. Blue is bad. There were, unfortunately, multiple below-replacement Orioles outfielders as the season went along, including Beavers. I think if you had gone back a year ago and told Mike Elias that his fourth outfielder signing was going to start 115 games, he would have probably signed a better guy than Taveras.

Or at least, I hope he would have. I don’t know. Elias is a weird guy who galaxy brains himself into stupid decisions sometimes. This wouldn’t be the first time and if that’s what it was, it won’t be the last either. He might have still thought he nailed it with signing Taveras, believing he had the secret to get Taveras to hit like it was 2023 (.733 OPS in a 2.9 bWAR season) again. This did not turn out to be the case. His defense was worse than past years as well, at least as measured by Statcast’s Outs Above Average. Taveras was a 34th percentile range defender.

It’s not exactly Taveras’s fault that every other part of Mike Elias’s outfield plan went haywire. You can’t expect a guy to be something that he’s not. Though in baseball, sometimes for a month or two, a guy can be something that he’s not, which Taveras managed to pull off in April.

There is no contractual obligation to the Orioles for Taveras next year. The deal was for one season and at the end of the World Series, that season is done. Something is going to have to be done about the outfield situation that was a complete disaster for the 2026 O’s. Hopefully, part of that is signing a better bench outfielder than Taveras, so that even if he is needed as much as Taveras was, that won’t be as much of a downgrade for the Orioles.

With Dwight Powell’s departure, the Mavericks lose more than a player — they lose a poet

Monday morning, the Dallas Mavericks announced they were waiving veteran center Dwight Powell. It was a strange, emotional moment for Mavericks fans: with nearly 12 full seasons in Dallas, the Canadian big man was the team’s longest-tenured player, a stabilizing force that was present for the end of Dirk Nowitzki’s reign, the entirety of the Luka Dončić era, and the beginning of Cooper Flagg’s emergence. 

Powell ends his time in Dallas averaging 7/4 in 17 minutes, and with no shortage of franchise accolades—top 10 in rebounds, top 5 in bench scoring, and even top 5 in games played. His departure, though, represents much more than the loss of a steady on-court contributor. It also means the loss of one of the NBA’s only known poets. 

“Poetry and self-expression through the written word for me was around before the ball,” Powell said in a 2024 interview with WFAA. “It’s a great place for me to speak to myself and to learn about myself, and although I may be writing about different things, and exploring different ideas, and talking about different experiences—at the end of the day, it all comes back to me… it’s a place where I can find peace.”

Literature and the arts have seen renewed interest in the NBA in recent years. In 2022, Shareef O’Neal told The Ringer that Scoot Henderson “reads all the time.” Three years later, Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes made headlines with their science-fiction book club.

But Powell’s love of poetry is a bit more personal. More than just a hobby or passing interest, the Canadian big man has identified an important link between the words he writes and the points he scores. 

“Poetry, art, basketball—I honestly don’t see any separation,” said Powell in 2024. “Any time you have love for something, and you’re passionate about something, you’ll find a way to express yourself through it, and you’ll find yourself in it. So, through the written word, through poetry, and through my expression of myself through basketball—they’re all different translations of the same message. To me, they’re one and the same.”

Powell’s love of literature and the arts has previously informed his philanthropy and outreach in the Dallas area. In 2022, the veteran big man hosted the Mavs Reading Challenge at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, reading from Barbara Barber’s Allie’s Basketball Dream. 

“One of the coolest parts about reading for me is that you can teleport yourself to a different place, to be a different person and view the world in a different way,” Powell said at the event. “You can go on all sorts of adventures without ever leaving your house. So as a child, that was a way for me to really explore with my mind. With every turn of the page, I knew something super exciting awaited.”

Now, poetry may light the way as Powell’s time with the Mavericks comes to a close. At a 2024 Poetry in the Square event hosted by the Thanks-Giving Foundation, the veteran big man reminded listeners that artistic expression is proof that “you can be literally anything—you can be all things.” 

“No matter what your profession is, no matter what circumstances you’re in… the routine of life can kind of get you out of rhythm at times,” said Powell, before reading his work on the virtue of wisdom. “For me to be able to sit down and write, I step away from some of the responsibilities, and step away from some of the stress. I’m able to check in with myself, which I think is super important.”

The King of Cool: P&T’s interview with Walt “Clyde” Frazier

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Former New York Knicks player Walt Frazier poses prior to Game Three between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you were to look up the words cool, stylish, flair, and all-time great in the dictionary, you would find four distinct definitions, each describing a quality that few individuals can truly embody.

Cool: Very fashionable, impressive, or appealing in a way that is universally admired.

Stylish: Possessing a high degree of quality in appearance, design, or behavior.

Flair: A natural talent or ability to do things in an original, stylish, and captivating manner.

All-Time Great: An individual regarded among the very best to ever perform in a particular field, sport, or profession.

What’s missing alongside each of these definitions in the dictionary is a picture of Walt “Clyde” Frazier. Throughout the storied history of the NBA, countless legends have left their mark on the game, but few, if any, have embodied all four qualities quite like Frazier. From his legendary playing days with the New York Knicks in the 1970s to his continued presence as one of the most recognizable personalities in basketball more than five decades later, Frazier remains in a class of his own, both on and off the court.

A man whose legendary style extends far beyond his flamboyant wardrobe, Frazier helped define an era of New York basketball, captivating fans with his effortless cool, unparalleled court vision, tenacious defense, and undeniable flair.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in New York Knicks franchise history, Frazier’s place among basketball royalty is unquestionable. A two-time NBA champion, seven-time NBA All-Star, and member of both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, his legacy is as timeless as the city he helped bring to basketball prominence.

Simply put, there has never been another Walt “Clyde” Frazier. And chances are, there never will be.

Let’s start with his style. Clyde’s style was unlike anybody else’s in the NBA during the ‘70s, and to this day, there still hasn’t been a close second. As a young man in his twenties, Frazier became just as recognizable for driving around New York City in his custom Rolls-Royce while sporting a full-length mink coat and fedora as he was for his play on the court. Today, his fashion sense remains as distinctive as ever. Throughout a broadcasting career spanning nearly 40 years, including almost 30 as a television commentator for MSG and the Knicks, his wardrobe has remained unmistakable, from tiger-print suits to custom blazers reminiscent of Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat. There arguably hasn’t been a more fashionable icon in the NBA’s nearly 80-year history.

(Original Caption) NEW YORK: Apparently determined to match his flashy drives on the basketball court with some equally flashy driving, New York Knicks' star guard Walt Frazier gets set for a spin in his sleek Rolls Royce. For the fourth straight year, Frazier was named Jan. 9 as a starter on the East team in the NBA all-star game to be played in Chicago Jan. 23.

Frazier was a trendsetter, one of the first NBA players to truly express his personality through his wardrobe, at a time when players were largely known for what they did on the court rather than what they wore off it. His style became a part of his identity, both during his playing days and throughout his broadcasting career, setting him apart from his contemporaries and the generations of NBA stars who followed.

So, just how did Walt Frazier become Clyde?

“Coming to the Mecca. New York City. Fashion, passion,” Frazier explains. “When we played, we wore suits and ties to the game. We were always trying to outdress each other. Our idols were The Temptations, The Four Tops. So we emulated the way these guys performed.”

As Frazier recalls, the influence of Motown played a significant role in shaping his style, much like hip-hop has influenced today’s NBA players.

“Today you see the guys dressed like the rappers… our style was created from Motown. And I took it to another level with the Clyde. One day I bought this wide-brimmed hat and I wore it to the game and everybody go, hey, look at Clyde. And I used to steal the ball on the court.”

But the nickname would eventually become much more than just a reflection of his wardrobe.

“Then I was blessed enough to be the first guy to endorse a sneaker, the Puma Clyde in 1973. So that was the evolution of the mink coat, the Rolls Royce. So it was just my being around New York and observing people watching the Clyde persona personified.”

On the court, Clyde helped lead the Knicks to their first two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, with the greatest performance of his career coming in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. With the championship on the line, Frazier delivered one of the most memorable performances in NBA Finals history, scoring 36 points, dishing out a Game 7-record 19 assists, grabbing seven rebounds, and sinking all 12 of his free throws to help secure the Knicks’ first NBA title.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04, 1970: Walt Frazier #10 of the New York Knicks drives against Jerry West #44 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 1970 in New York, New York. (Photo by James Drake/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While Clyde’s performance in Game 7 ultimately helped lead the Knicks to their first-ever NBA championship, Clyde and his teammates also received some unexpected motivation from their captain, Willis Reed, who, despite battling a severe leg injury, famously limped onto the court just before tipoff.

“People thought it was premeditated, but we did not know he was coming. So when we came on the court, we were just as flabbergasted as everybody else when we saw him.”

Frazier recalls how Reed’s unexpected appearance immediately changed the team’s confidence.

“By seeing him, it gave us so much confidence. And obviously, he started the game. He made his first two shots. And I thought the Lakers were psyched out from that point, and I would have the game of my life.”

With two NBA championships, seven All-Star appearances, four All-NBA First Team selections, and numerous other accolades to his name, Frazier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. His No. 10 jersey also hangs in the rafters of Madison Square Garden, making him one of just eight Knicks players to have their numbers retired by the franchise.

But while Frazier’s playing days eventually came to an end, his connection to the Knicks and Madison Square Garden was far from over. In 1987, Clyde began a new chapter with the organization, trading his sneakers for a microphone as he transitioned into broadcasting, where his unmistakable personality and signature style would once again make him a fixture in New York basketball.

Clyde became famous for his iconic on-air rhymes, including “razzlin’ and dazzlin’” and “posting and toasting,” the latter of which inspired the name of our very own website. Frazier explained that his signature rhymes developed naturally as he gained experience in broadcasting and began to understand the nuances of being a color commentator.

“The play-by-play guy does most of the talking on radio. So in order to get into sometimes what I had to say, I had to use rhymes and, you know, that’s how I started doing it.”

With our website’s name paying tribute to one of Clyde’s most recognizable catchphrases, it was only fitting to ask him what he thought about Posting and Toasting.

“Yeah, I read you all the time. I enjoy it, man. It’s very good.”

With the Knicks winning their first championship since 1973, when Clyde hoisted his second trophy, Frazier reflected on the similarities between his championship teams and the current roster.

“It’s an uncanny comparison, man. We personify a team. You can’t mention Frazier without Bradley, without Reed, without Barnett. Same thing with this team. You can’t mention Brunson without Hart, without Bridges, without KAT, without OG. So they personify a team. They’re very unselfish. They like each other. And it’s manifested in the way they play the game.”

And when asked which player from the Knicks’ 2026 championship roster would have fit in best alongside his former teammates, Clyde didn’t hesitate to name the Heart of the City, Josh Hart, pointing to his versatility and physical style of play.

“(Hart) rebounds, he defends, he scores, he plays with reckless abandon. So he would be that type of guy that would fit in our era, which was more physical. You know, we could hand check, push guys around the court. So I think Hart would be perfect for that era.”

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 6: Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks congratulate Walt Frazier and Mike Breen on 25 years of broadcasting before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 6, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As the 2026-27 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 20, with the players receiving their championship rings and the Knicks raising their third championship banner to the Madison Square Garden rafters, Clyde is teaming up with Spike Lee and AT&T for a special celebration with Knicks fans. As part of AT&T’s Connectivity Partnership, the two New York icons will travel across Manhattan in a taxi, making surprise appearances and giving fans opportunities to win exclusive NBA merchandise, signed memorabilia, and tickets to opening night.

“I’m teaming up with Spike Lee, and we’re going to be going to different stores, giving out prizes for AT&T, commemorating the next championship season, and rewarding the fans as well. So I can’t believe that. It seems like we’re still in it, man. You know, everybody’s still excited about the team winning and perhaps maybe repeating, you know, running it back, which hasn’t been done in about eight years. We’ll be coming, celebrating this season throughout the season, the Knicks accomplishment. And after 53 years, the Knicks are finally back on top. Fans can walk in peace and celebrate a championship.”

And while the excitement surrounding the Knicks’ championship continues into the new season, perhaps no moment captured the city’s celebration quite like the championship parade itself. As the players celebrated atop their floats and Mitchell Robinson made his way through the streets in his truck, it was only fitting that Clyde, who helped bring New York its first two championships, would lead the celebration through the Canyon of Heroes.

But it wasn’t just Clyde’s presence that made the moment special. It was the car he was riding in.

Frazier led the parade in the very same 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton that carried the Apollo 11 astronauts through the streets of Manhattan following their historic moon landing in 1969. Now that’s cool!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: Walt "Clyde" Frazier celebrates during the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Not buying the Knicks’ KAT contract drama

TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks speaks to the media during New York Knicks Media Day at the Knicks Training Facility on September 28, 2026 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Covering the Knicks is difficult. MSG is a fortress with stingy gatekeepers who deny access to earnest bloggers. For a short period, a P&T staff writer used her legitimate newspaper credentials to access the media room and report back for us. When MSG learned of this, they barred her from future pressers.

My recent media day experience felt similar. In previous years, media day was live-streamed, and I blogged about it in real time. This year, a stream was unavailable. Hence, I scoured social media for updates and wrote a shameful amount of “Stef Bondy reports…” based on tweets that were already stiffening by the time I found them.

Making matters worse, everything—the clips from the mic and the interstitials in which the players answer trivia questions or name their top-5 whatever—seemed kind of . . . phony. Staged. The answers to questions about health, expectations, etcetera, all sounded as though read from cards.

This has sat funny with me. And when a friend asked about a recent news item, my opinion surprised him. Allow me to don my tin-foil hat and brace yourself: I believe KAT’s comments about not getting a contract extension, and the subsequent negotiating freeze, are all bogus.

With billions of dollars involved, nothing in the Knickerbocker world is random. Everything that comes out of MSG is managed. Shortly before my interviews with OG and Jose, which were arranged by PR firms and not the Knicks, I received a list of off-limit topics (religion, politics, injuries (his or anyone else’s), etc.). Similarly, most questions at team pressers seem obvious or prompted. Little is spoken into the mic without prior approval from the agent, front office, or coaching staff.

KAT is many things, including a terrible actor:

After the Knicks announced that contract negotiations would be suspended to focus on the impending season, Karl’s response smacked of mock-WWE surprise: “It was news to me. Very disappointed to say the least. Let’s state the obvious. It’s business, but there is business on the court for us to handle.”

Really? Caught completely off guard? Are we to believe that the front office is jerking around a blue-chip asset, the second (and occasionally first) most important player on a championship club? Leon’s crew, which attempts to orchestrate its machinations with shrewd precision, is surrendering to “Guess we’ll see what happens, champ?”

I suspect the freeze is a ruse. Decisions have been made already—contract extensions, trade partners have been engaged—but there’s reason to delay. Possibilities:

  • A trade partner must clear salary space or convince their owner.
  • NY expects better offers at the midseason deadline.
  • NY wants to see which young players take a leap for potential trade partners and loop them into the package.
  • NY needs time to convince us that a trade is good for the team despite just winning the championship.

Maybe that’s too much Ancient Aliens-type conspiracy conjecturing for you. Would you allow that there must be, at minimum, a document containing “If X, Then Y” scenarios? Those could be:

  • If KAT doesn’t piss off Jalen by December and plays well, offer more.
  • If KAT DOES piss off Jalen by December and plays well, execute Chicago trade.
  • If KAT gets injured, offer less.
  • If KAT underperforms, fake injury report and trade to Atlanta.

It can be true that James Dolan wants to avoid the second apron, and that crossing that dreaded threshold brings about punitive consequences to the team.

Also true? That it was STRANGE for the owner who famously lights money on fire (metaphorically, possibly literally) to go on talk radio RIGHT AFTER WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP and declare the second apron to be an unbreachable line. And ODD for a front office that has worked hand in glove with King Dolan, and seems to have total impunity of decision-making, to be allegedly caught off guard by his statements. Flummoxed, even!

News to any of them? Probably not.

The league is ripe with phony-baloney antics. Scott Foster refs a Game Four and even the media calls him ‘The Extender.’ LeBron James dangles his talents from coast to coast for weeks before officially joining a team he’d surely chosen long before. Has the league ever formally apologized to the Kings for 2002? That Luka Dončić trade sure was weird, but at least the Mavs got Cooper Flagg. Beyond being shameful, the apparent fixes are so transparent that they’re embarrassing. There’s even some scuttlebutt about a frozen envelope. Can you imagine?

OK, you got me. Karl-Anthony did not know that negotiations would be suspended. Gotcha—Leon Rose has no idea what he will do with the champion All-Star, but his fingers are crossed that they can iron out a deal before KAT declines his player option and hops a Brinks truck to Atlanta. As with any conspiracy, once the endgame is revealed, we can say, “Yes, that was the plan all along. Knew it!” Really, we don’t know what will happen. We can’t. My hunch, though, is that the great reboundin’ Towns is bound out of town, and before his contract expires. The season is about to begin. I suggest savoring all the time you get with the man, fans.

Go Knicks.

Today in Blue Jays History: The Catch

CANADA - NOVEMBER 06: Good as gold: Outfielder Devon White added another Gold Glove to his collection yesterday. This stunning catch in Game 3 of the World Series sparked the Blue Jays to victory over the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images

34 years ago:

Devon White made the most incredible catch I’ve ever witnessed.

The Jays pulled off a 3-2 victory, grabbing a 2-1 series lead. Without that catch, the outcome could have been very different—two runs would have scored, giving the Braves a runner in scoring position with no outs. This pivotal play happened in the fourth inning, with the game still scoreless. In the bottom half, Joe Carter launched a home run to put us ahead.

Juan Guzman surrendered the tying run in the sixth. Deion Sanders doubled, Terry Pendleton singled, and David Justice drove in Sanders with another single. Fortunately, Guzman managed to limit the damage. In the eighth, the Braves took the lead when Otis Nixon reached on a Kelly Gruber error, stole second, and scored on a Lonnie Smith single.

Gruber redeemed himself with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning, tying the game. In the ninth, Roberto Alomar singled and stole second. The Braves intentionally walked Carter, and Dave Winfield executed one of his rare sacrifice bunts (just 19 in 22 seasons). After another intentional walk loaded the bases, Candy Maldonado delivered a walk-off single.

That was easily the greatest catch I’ve ever seen. Devon quickly threw the ball back in to hold the runners. He was so smooth in the outfield—he rarely needed to make spectacular plays because he reached balls others couldn’t—but this one was truly special. Kevin Pillar has made some impressive catches as well, but I still think this tops them all.

It could have been a triple play if not for a missed call, but that’s baseball. I’d rather focus on the catch itself.

We went on to win the series in six games. I remember the final play vividly: Mike Timlin was pitching, with the tying run (John Smoltz, pinch-running) on third and Otis Nixon at the plate. Nixon laid down a well-placed drag bunt, but Timlin reacted quickly and made a perfect throw to Carter at first. As soon as the out was called, Joe started leaping in celebration—I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone jump higher (though he may have outdone himself a year later). I’ll admit, I was jumping up and down too.

I love re-watching this. Devon was such a smooth outfielder.

33 Years Ago Today:

The Jays triumphed in Game 5 of the 1993 World Series, edging out the Phillies 15-14 in an unforgettable slugfest.

Devon White was the hero once again, smashing a two-run triple in the eighth inning. That game set a World Series record for most runs scored.

I’m not going to recap it all, but here’s a snapshot:

  • Todd Stottlemyre wasn’t good, giving up 6 runs in 2 innings.
  • Al Leiter pitched next and wasn’t much better, giving up 6 runs in 2.2 innings.
  • Tony Castillo got the W, giving up just 2 runs in 2.1 innings.Timlin got 2 outs, and Duane Ward got the last 4 outs to get the save.
  • Rickey Henderson went 2 for 5 with a double, walk and steal, scoring 2 and driving in 2.
  • White went 3 for 5, with a double, triple, walk and steal, scoring 2 and driving in 4.
  • Carter was 3 for 6, with a double, scoring twice.
  • Tony Fernandez was 3 for 6 and drove in 5.
  • My favourite non-Jays reliever, Mitch Williams, got the blown save and loss. It was his third blown save of the playoffs that year. He would have one more, which you likely remember.
  • On the Phillies side, Lenny Dykstra scored and drove in 4 (Lenny has had an interesting life since, but that’s a story for another time), and Milt Thompson drove in 5.

14 Years Ago Today:

John Farrell left for the Red Sox, much to our frustration. Fortunately, Gibby returned to manage, and the Sox later fired Farrell from his so-called ‘dream job.’ In the end, things worked out for us. That day’s comment thread was one of the few occasions when the language rules were relaxed here.

As compensation, we got Mike Aviles, but quickly traded him and Yan Gomes for Esmil Rogers. Looking back, no compensation might have been better.

Columbus Blue Jackets (6 pts) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (10 pts) Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home to face the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7:00 PM.     

Toronto Maple Leafs - 4-4-2 - 10 Points - Won 1 - 6th in the Atlantic

Columbus Blue Jackets - 3-4-0 - 6 Points - Lost 1 - 7th in the Metro

Player Notes Per CBJ PR

  • Charlie Coyle has 4-21-25 in 33 career GP vs. Toronto, including a 0-4-4 effort last season on Oct. 29, 2025.
  • Luca Del Bel Belluz has 1-1-2 in two career matchups with Toronto and notched all points with his first career multi-point effort on Jan. 22, 2025.
  • Adam Fantilli has 6-2-8 in nine career GP vs. the Leafs, with multi-goal performances in each of the last two seasons (2-1-3 on Nov. 20, 2025 & 3-0-3 on Jan. 22, 2025).
  • Valeri Nichushkin has 8-5-13 in 14 career GP against Toronto, with a hat trick on Mar. 8, 2025 (3- 1-4), and has notched 6-3-9 in his last eight matchups as well as scoring in three of his six career home matchups against the Maple Leafs (6-2-8).
  • Mathieu Olivier has 3-5-8 in eight career GP and has all points in four of his last six matchups after notching his first career four-point game on Oct. 29, 2025 (1-3-4).
  • Zach Werenski has 2-19-21 with 6 multi-point efforts in 20 career GP, including having a 3-game overall point streak (2-4-6) as well as a 3-game home point streak (2-3-5), and has collected 2-7-9 in his last 6 overall.

Blue Jackets Stats 

  • Power Play - 11.8% - 29th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 68.0% - 29th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 17 - 30th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 23 - 12th in the NHL   

Maple Leafs Stats 

  • Power Play - 27.6% - 7th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 96.4% - 1st in the NHL
  • Goals For - 29 - 10th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 31 - 25th in the NHL

Series History vs. TheMaple Leafs     

  • The Blue Jackets are 23-20-1-1 overall, and 10-11-0-1 at home vs. Toronto.
  • The Jackets have earned points in seven of their last nine matchups against the Maple Leafs (6-2-1).
  • The Blue Jackets have won three of the last four matchups at Nationwide Arena in the series, out-scoring the Maple Leafs by six goals (19-12).
  • CBJ have scored five-plus goals in five of their past six victories over the past 3 campaigns, including four instances of six-plus goals.
  • CBJ has gone 100 percent on the penalty kill percentage in the last six games between clubs (13-of-13).
  • Columbus has won the past three season series, taking two wins in each season. 

Who To Watch For TheMaple Leafs     

  • Auston Matthews leads the team in goals(6), assists(7), and points(13) 
  • Kirill Marchenko has 4 goals and 9 points. 
  • Goalie Anthony Stolarz is 2-1-0 with a SV% of .875

Injured Reserve & Other Injuries

  • Dante Fabbro - Broken Hand - IR - 7 Games Missed
  • Isac Lundestrom - Achilles Surgery - LTIR - 7 Games Missed
  • Ivan Provorov - Lower Body - IR - 7 Games Missed

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 25

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be simulcast on The Blue Jackets Hockey Network and 97.1 The Fan, with Steve Mears behind the mic doing the play-by-play.

TV: CBJHN (Spectrum HD Ch. 320/1320; IP Ch. 349; Prime Video, Fubo)   

Next Up For Columbus: The CBJ take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7:00 PM.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.

Let us know what you think below.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive, and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. Share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

Mets Morning News: World Series set with Rays’ Game 6 Win

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 19: The Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after defeating 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Meet the Mets

Anthony DiComo discussed what the Mets have learned from Freddy Peralta’s disappointing tenure in New York and his resurgence with the Rays.

Kevin Long will meet with the Mets today about a coaching staff position, according to Mike Puma’s source. Long most recently served as the Phillies’ hitting coach and was the Mets’ hitting coach in 2015 when the team made it to the World Series.

Danny Abriano broke down the options for the Mets at second base.

Jay Horwitz provided a positive update on Ethan Wilson, the Senior Director in the Mets’ media relations department, who underwent surgery a few weeks ago.

Around the National League East

Mark Bowman offered a progress report on Atlanta’s farm system.

Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb teamed up to provide some offseason takeaways for the Phillies, touching on the outfield, bullpen, catching, and Philadelphia’s analytics group.

Around Major League Baseball

If I had told you back on Opening Day that Freddy Peralta would take the ball with a chance to send his team to the World Series, you would understandably be very excited. Alas, while Peralta did pick up the win in such a scenario, it was for the Rays, leading them to a 7-3 win over the Guardians in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Not only did Peralta pick up the win—his second of the series—he was named ALCS MVP.

The victory came on the 18th anniversary of Tampa Bay’s first World Series berth in 2008.

Yandy Díaz made good on his prediction that the series would end in six and delivered the knockout blow to lead his team to the World Series.

Junior Caminero savored his first career postseason home run.

The Hanshin Tigers will post Teruaki Sato soon, which will pave the way for him to be signed before the expected lockout on December 1. The Mets are among the teams expected to target the Japanese slugger.

Aaron Boone will return as the Yankees’ manager in 2027, but will do so without an extension as he prepares for the final year of his current c0ntract.

Sonja Chen outlined what the Dodgers could learn from Shohei Ohtani’s injury-plagued 2026 campaign.

Adam McCalvy shared some stories from Brewers fans that even the late, great Bob Uecker would get a kick out of.

The Athletics have hired Taylor Smith as President of Baseball Operations.

The Orioles have hired Jared Banner as their General Manager.

The Cubs have named Steve Miller their Director of International Scouting.

Yankees’ backstop Austin Wells said his season was sidetracked by multiple foul balls to the head.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Lukas Vlahos reviewed Huascar Brazobán’s 2026 season.

Steve Sypa reviewed Week Two of the Arizona Fall League.

This Date in Mets History

Happy 72nd birthday, Keith Hernandez. Have a nice day, Pretty Boy!

Atlanta Braves News: 2026 World Series Set, Walt Weiss, More

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 06: Manager Walt Weiss #22 of the Atlanta Braves looks on from the dugout prior to game three of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on October 06, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 World Series is set, and it looks to be quite intriguing and fun. The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Rays will face off to determine who will be the 2026 World Series champion. With similar approaches to the success, it will be fun to see the strategy involved in the matchups.

Braves News

Opinions may differ, but it certainly is an interesting conversation regarding Walt Weiss and wither he met or exceeded expectations in 2026.

A fun recap of the some of the best moments of the 2026 season is reliving the 10 longest home runs by the Braves this season.

Ha-Seong Kim, among the bigger disappointments on the Braves this season, leads off the player review series.

Mark Bowman looks at three of the biggest risers in the Braves farm system this season.

MLB News

Aaron Boone will return as the Yankees manager.