Posts

Posted on

Blues Open Training Camp With In-Season Mode Drills Due to Shortened, More Compacted Schedule

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- It’s very uncommon for the opening of training camp to showcase so many of the NHL players in one group and so many of the prospects in the other.

Normally, players are split up, mixed and matched until camp gets whittled down to the end and those that are going to make the opening night roster.

But with training camp this year lasting less than two weeks, and as St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery said, “four preseason games and we have five practices,” there is no time for formalities with the regular season opener just 15 days away and the first preseason game on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.

The Blues opened camp Thursday at Centene Community Ice Center with two groups, and it was clear which was more established than the other:

The Blues (37-33-12 last season) are not opening camp on this day looking to get in a month’s worth of work. They’re banking that players are all in shape, they’re all in hockey sense and that they’re all beyond the pond hockey days.

Thursday’s opening drills were more designed for things they would be doing a couple weeks into camp, or even on the cusp of the season opening.

“By the end of our fourth exhibition game, all we have is four games and we have five practices. The feeling-out process that you used to have in camp is gone,” Montgomery said. “Guys have to be on their toes, they’ve got to be ready, they have to push each other, and we’re trying to put the lines that we think might have a chance to start game one together right away.

“Our objective today was working on being a much harder team offensively getting to the blue paint. We scored seven goals in the scrimmage. That I thought was very successful. I thought we were creating more chaos. I thought the energy and the pace was pretty good. I thought guys (had) second and third effort. We started with 1-on-1 battles and right away, guys were digging in and they were into it and they were pushing each other to be better. I thought it was a very productive Day 1.”

And that’s why Group A pretty much resembled what a lineup will look like on opening night against the Stars in Dallas on Oct. 2.

“Well with my thinking, the Thomas line speaks for itself the way they finished and they scored two goals out there today, so they picked up kind of where they left off; they looked really good,” Montgomery said. “The second line, McTavish for us is a top-six player, McMichael has played in the middle six his entire career and Buchy has played pretty much. So let’s put those three together, see what kind of chemistry we have today. I thought they did some good things offensively. Defensively, we haven’t touched a thing yet. They got scored against, but we still haven’t worked on our D-zone coverage yet because just first day of camp. Third line that we had with the Dvorsky line, I didn’t really notice, I wasn’t coaching that team. I didn’t see an impact in the game. Fourth line looked really good. ‘Torpo’ was flying, ‘Sutes’ is always supporting and this Johnston, you can see how smart a player he is and very vocal on the bench.

“A couple of the D-pair that stood out for me. Fowler and the Carlo pair were excellent, poise, gaps were really good and I thought Lindstein and Parayko did a really good job on my bench as well.”

This wasn’t an off-season where Montgomery and the coaching staff could plan out this longer, drawn-out training camp. It was more compacted and challenging to fit many things into a smaller window.

“There’s a combination of things that influence the way it was. It was shoring up what we didn’t think were strengths that should be strengths, being hard at the offensive blue paint, being hard at the defensive blue paint,” Montgomery said. “You’ll see that tomorrow. Committing battles in practices and competition in those areas was important for us to get to those areas and create the habits that we need. You saw a lot of driving back posts today, you saw a lot of speed trying to get at the net. That’s why we were doing all those 3-on-1s, 3-on-2s. And then the other thing is the shortened … like I said, we’ve got four games, five practices. That’s nine times on the ice together before we have our team meeting before we have three practices before we play our first game at Dallas. So there’s no time to waste. Once we get past this CBA three-hour rule, we’re going to start having double video sessions. It’s going to be more like NFL training. Those are things that we’ve worked on so that we can be prepared in a three-week camp and a 13-day camp.”

One noticeable omission: the VO2 fitness testing that, well, nobody cares to do but know it was always a must.

“The coaches were really happy,” Montgomery said laughing. “Thank God I didn’t have to do the VO2 max this year. You would like to have fitness testing just because … these athletes are so well-conditioned now. It’s not an issue now like it was in the 70s where camp was six weeks long so you can get in shape to start the season. Now they have their own nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, they have speed and acceleration coaches, so they’re well-prepared. The thing is mentally, what you like about having testing is the guys know they’ve got to come and they take great pride in it, so they want to do well on the test to show everyone I’m ready to go. We don’t have that option, but the ice speaks for itself. Didn’t see a lot of guys hovering over sticks. That was not an easy practice. First day of camp, there’s nerves that are going because everybody wants to show well. So you usually can tell just by skating, and you’ll see a bag skate at the end of practice tomorrow that will kind of try and look for that.”

'I Want To Be Here ... I Love This City' -- Jimmy Snuggerud Wants To Be Part Of Long-Term Future With St. Louis Blues'I Want To Be Here ... I Love This City' -- Jimmy Snuggerud Wants To Be Part Of Long-Term Future With St. Louis Blues2022 first-round pick didn't sign maximum eight-year extension by Tuesday's CBA deadline before new one kicked in that allows max contracts to be seven years, feels process will work itself out when time is rightRyan Reaves, A St. Louis Blues 2005 Draft Pick, Announces Retirement From The NHLRyan Reaves, A St. Louis Blues 2005 Draft Pick, Announces Retirement From The NHLFifth-round pick in the 2005 NHL Draft was one of top enforcers in game during his 16-year career, of which first seven years was spent with BluesTen St. Louis Blues Players To Keep An Eye On As 2026-27 Training Camp Opens ThursdayTen St. Louis Blues Players To Keep An Eye On As 2026-27 Training Camp Opens ThursdayFrom Mason McTavish to Connor McMichael to Robert Thomas to Jordan Binnington to Adam Jiricek, plenty of storylines to unfold with the Blues looking to get back into the Western Conference playoff mix
Image

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. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Forward Versatility Will Be Critical For Sabres Success This Season

The Buffalo Sabres face a number of challenges as they open their 2026-27 training camp on Thursday, with the most challenging being whether they can recover from the offensive deficit created by the departure of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram. 

After not making any additions to their forward group over the summer, the Sabres are relying heavily on a trio of first-round selected youngsters in Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich to show some growth. One of the advantages they all possess is their ability to play both center and on the wing effectively. Something that head coach Lindy Ruff may have determined before the start of camp.

Other Sabres Stories

Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Sabres sign Ostlund to eight-year contract extension

"You always plot it out. Does it change during camp? It's possible, I would like to start (Tage) at center, but knowing that even in the playoffs, he ended up on the wing, and had a couple great nights," Ruff said. "You go back to that four-month run; he was in the middle of the ice for us that whole time. I mean, inside some games, there were games where, Ostlund and (Ryan)McLeod stepped in and played center. He played a little bit of wing, which will again happen for sure."

With a shorter exhibition schedule, many NHL clubs are putting together line combinations that they plan to use during the regular season. If Thursday’s practice is any indication, the Sabres plan to start the season with Thompson at center, as he played the middle with Peyton Krebs and Josh Doan. Helenius played the right side and McLeod on the left on a line with center Josh Norris, Östlund played pivot on a line with Zach Benson and Jack Quinn, while Kulich skated on left wing with Sam Carrick and Beck Malenstyn.   

The club will practice on Friday and hold the Blue and Gold Scrimmage on Saturday morning at Key Bank Center. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffaloTHN.

THN.com/Free
THN.com/Free
Posted on

Dodgers exec sets definitive expectation for Shohei Ohtani’s return

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating a win next to Dalton Rushing, Image 2 shows Andrew Friedman, President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, shouts as he is doused in champagne

CINCINNATI — Amid a champagne-spraying, speaker-blaring, beer-soaked clubhouse scene on Thursday afternoon, there was one matter of on-field business for Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to address.

How was Shohei Ohtani doing in his recovery from right arm and left knee injuries?

“He’s doing well,” Friedman said, as the team celebrated another National League West title around him at Great American Ball Park. “He’s progressing well.”

Well enough for the two-way star — who was rehabbing back in Los Angeles during the club’s division-clinching road trip — to return before the beginning of the playoffs?

“I expect him back in the regular season,” Friedman declared.

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a 14-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds next to Dalton Rushing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. Getty Images
Andrew Friedman, President of the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Cincinnati Reds to clinch the NL West Division title at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Getty Images

Indeed, by all accounts from team officials over the last couple days, Ohtani has been taking encouraging steps forward as he aims to return from the injured list when eligible next Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Ohtani took his first swings since being removed from the active roster, beginning a hitting ramp-up with reps off a batting tee.

And after a day off from activities Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday’s game that the four-time MVP will advance to coach-pitch batting practice later this week.

“There’s no pain. He’s doing everything he needs to do,” Roberts said. “I still don’t know when [the] time to return to play is. But everything that I hear is really positive.”

Roberts described Ohtani as feeling “normal-ish” so far in his recovery work. He noted that the slugger has reported no recurrence of discomfort in his arm as he has begun building back up to a return to the field.

Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers smile after a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Getty Images

That doesn’t mean Ohtani will get back to 100% in time for October.

The ship on that likely sailed after he tried playing through his injuries, at least as a hitter, during the second half of the season — until it reached the point where he was showing visible signs of pain in multiple games earlier this month.

The Dodgers already know Ohtani won’t be able to pitch in the playoffs, after he endured repeated setbacks in his pitching progression despite not making an actual start since July 3.

They know he might still have to battle through his ailments at the plate in the playoffs, as the team attempts to complete a World Series three-peat.

Still, even having a relatively healthy version of Ohtani could weigh heavily in the team’s championship ambitions.

Not until he returns to action will they know exactly where he is at healthwise, after he suffered a 6-for-52 slump leading up to his IL placement.

But for now, they remain hopeful — of not only having Ohtani back by the start of the playoffs but increasingly likely even before then.

Posted on

Dodgers win another division title, even if it didn’t follow the script

Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Cincinnati Reds 8-2, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

The Dodgers were overwhelming favorites to win the National League West, and they did so in convincing fashion, clinching the division with a week and a half still remaining in the season, the second MLB team this season to already clinch a division. But it didn’t always go as planned.

On Thursday in Cincinnati, the Dodgers had something old (Max Muncy two hits, including a two-run double; Freddie Freeman with two hits, a walk, and two runs scored), something new (Josue De Paula RBI single in his seventh game in the majors), and something borrowed (Seth Halvorsen, acquired by trade from the Rockies in July, getting the final three outs), which meant the NL West turned blue for the fifth year in a row and 13th time in the last 14 years.

Coming off consecutive World Series titles — the first MLB team to do so in a quarter-century — the Dodgers made big splashes in free agency, signing both the best closer on the market (Edwin Díaz) and best hitter on the market (Kyle Tucker) to record-setting contracts. Neither have worked out much at all in the first year. Díaz has been both terribleandinjured, with the latter certainly fueling the former. Tucker has been severely underwhelming, especially at home, and is having the worst full season of his career.

Tucker was not alone among struggling Dodgers corner outfielders, as Teoscar Hernández was under threat of getting platooned, and coupled with poor defense from both players, both Tucker and Hernández were hovering only slightly above replacement level for most of the season.

Both have found something in September. Hernández, fueled by good health allowing him to find and execute his old swing, in his last 16 games is hitting a robust .375/.485/.679 with eight extra-base hits and 18 RBI, including a two-run home run in Monday’s win which clinched a playoff berth. Tucker had a two-run home run and two doubles in Thursday’s division clincher, fueling a red-hot .375/.467/.917 road trip with six extra-base hits, nine runs scored, and nine RBI in seven games.

It’s also been a second straight rough year offensively for Mookie Betts, but he has also turned things around by hitting .327/.431/.618 with a 187 wRC+ thus far in September.

Andy Pages hasn’t played in four weeks after a fastball broke his left hand, though he could be activated at some point on the upcoming homestand.

Will Smith didn’t play in the division clincher, but is back after missing three months with a neck injury. The All-Star catcher is slowly rounding into form, with hits in six of his last seven starts, including doubles in each of his last two of his last three games.

Shohei Ohtani is the Dodgers’ best player and they’ve gotten almost nothing from him since mid-August. His last home run was August 18, and in his 13 games played since had six hits in 49 at-bats with 21 strikeouts and 10 walks. He’s now on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, but could return as early as Tuesday, with five regular season games left to find his groove again.

Pitching for Ohtani is done for 2026, with a left knee ailment preventing him from pitching in a game past July 3. So the Dodgers are without a starter who had a 1.79 ERA and 2.73 xERA in 14 starts this season. But even without Ohtani the Dodgers traded for Tarik Skubal, who has been great and pairs well with steady star Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop the rotation.

Justin Wrobleski made the All-Star team this season as a starting pitcher in a breakout year for the left-hander, and will likely pitch in bulk relief in October. He started and pitched three innings in Thursday’s division clincher, and retired all nine batters he faced.

Just like in 2025, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow missed over half the season on the injured list but returned for the stretch run, seemingly setting the Dodgers up to have another formidable October rotation quartet like last year. But Snell left his start on Wednesday after only one inning with left groin tightness, adding another question the Dodgers must answer in the next two weeks.

Edgardo Henríquez pitched himself into higher and higher leverage situations this year, but succumbed to lower back discomfort this week, leaving his postseason status in doubt.

There are several problems the Dodgers will need to solve to maneuver their way through October. But they will start from a familiar place, as division champions, even if it didn’t go exactly as they might have envisioned.

Posted on

Pino kickstarts Crystal Palace’s Europa League rout of Lech Poznan to ease Sage’s worries

It was worth the wait for Crystal Palace. After being denied their rightful place in the Europa League last season, Pierre Sage’s side made the perfect debut by brushing aside Lech Poznan with a victory that will take some of the heat off their new manager.

The Frenchman has big shoes to fill in replacing Oliver Glasner after his predecessor won three trophies in 12 months and there had been some talk of disquiet behind the scenes following his decision to drop the teenager Jaydee Canvot at the weekend. But while Palace face a testing trip to face in-form Leeds on Sunday having conceded 11 goals from their opening four Premier League matches, they were given a big helping hand by their opponents here well before Radoslaw Murawski was sent off late on for a reckless foul on Canvot.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Blackhawks Training Camp: AJ Spellacy With Non-NHL Group, Top Line Without Connor Bedard, & More

The Chicago Blackhawks held their first practice of 2026 Training Camp on Thursday at Blackhawks Ice Arena. Most of the players have been skating there for a couple of days now, but Thursday was the first official skate. 

There are some new names, including Ian Cole, Bowen Byram, Cole Smith, Jordan Greenway, and Roman Kantserov. Of course, Patrick Kane is back as well. Connor Bedard is still out as he continues his comeback from shoulder surgery, which will leave a hole in the lineup for a little while longer. 

Right off the bat, there were some line combinations forming. Jeff Blashill had them skating like this: 

Kantserov-Nazar-Kane

Bertuzzi-Frondell-Lardis

Donato-Moore-Teravainen/Mangiapane

Smith-Greene-Greenway/Slaggert

Vlasic-Byram

Kaiser-Levshunov

Cole-Rinzel

Korchinski-Del Mastro

Knight

Soderblom

With Bedard out, Frank Nazar skated as the top-line center. Playing with Patrick Kane, a franchise icon, and Roman Kantserov, a superstar KHL goal scorer, is a great opportunity for Nazar while they wait for the captain to return. 

Anton Frondell skated as the second-line center. Even before Bedard hurt his shoulder, the plan was for both Nazar and Frondell to operate as centers coming into camp. So far, the Blackhawks are sticking to that plan. If it works, they will be much deeper in the long-run than if they were forced to become wingers. 

Skating with Frondell were Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Lardis. For Frondell, that's two goal-scoring wingers to help him with that transition to the middle of the ice. 

The bottom-six forward group is where things get interesting. Andrew Mangiapane and Landon Slaggert each rotated in and out with Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Greenway, respectively. Ryan Donato, Oliver Moore, Cole Smith, and Ryan Greene were part of that bottom-six group as well. 

When Bedard comes back, that will push a third player from this group out of the top-12. There are injuries and inconsistencies that will play a factor in these decisions throughout the year, but it is going to be a revolving door. 

It should be noted that AJ Spellacy, who was incredibly noticeable at the Prospect Showcase and appears to be NHL-ready, did not skate with the NHL group on day 1 of training camp. Although he is a candidate to make his NHL debut at some point in 2026-27, it is not likely to come out of camp. 

Sacha Boisvert, who played in the NHL a little bit at the end of last season but was less noticeable at the Prospect Showcase, is also likely to be in the AHL. 

For Spellacy, this is a chance to dominate in the AHL and force the team to have no choice but to call him up. For guys like Boisvert and Marek Vanacker, playing in the AHL will be a great opportunity to advance their skills. 

On defense, Alex Vlasic was paired with Bowen Byram to form the new top pair. If Byram's offensive game continues to improve, this could be an outstanding two-way pair that the Blackhawks can use against anyone. 

Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov, who skated together a lot last season, were back together while Ian Cole was paired with Sam Rinzel. The extra pair consisted of Kevin Korchinski and Ethan Del Mastro. The Blackhawks are likely to carry a 7th defenseman, which should be Korchinski, while Del Mastro may be destined for waivers/AHL time. 

In goal, it is Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom. Some are expecting Drew Commesso to get his chance, but he is with the non-NHL group for now. Due to the two-way contract that he has, becoming a one-way contract at the same time that Soderblom becomes a free agent, expect this to be the mold for the 2026-27 season. Adam Gajan is projected to back up Commesso in the AHL. 

Both Jeff Blashill and Kyle Davidson admitted after practice that the NHL group that skated today is likely where the opening day lineup is coming from.

With training camp being so short, it will take a lot longer than that for someone from the non-NHL group to earn their way up. Spellacy, Boisvert, and Vanacker may not like hearing that, but they will get some good work in with the Rockford IceHogs to boost their confidence and prepare for when their name is called. 

For Spellacy specifically, he can go to Rockford and play so well that the decision makers decide it is finally time to play him over an NHL forward who isn't as impactful as him. 

On Friday, each group will practice again. On Saturday, the non-game group will have a practice at Blackhawks Ice Arena, followed by the game group having a morning skate. Then, the game group will make their way up north for that night's preseason tilt against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena. 

Image

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

'It's New For All Of Us': Penguins Presented With New Challenges In Shortened Training Camp

NHL training camps are officially back in session.

But, for the Pittsburgh Penguins and everyone else, everything looks quite a bit different.

Per the NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement - which took effect on Sept. 16 - there are several changes to how training camps operate with the new 84-game season. For one, camps are much shorter, as more than a week has been eliminated from the drop of the first puck at the open of camp to the drop of the puck on opening night.

Within those 12 or so days, players cannot access camp practices and meetings for more than three hours per day, there are only a small handful of actual camp practices for players to make themselves stand out, and the team cannot exceed four pre-season games, which - for most clubs - are all condensed into a week's time. 

In addition, NHL players with more than 100 games of experience can only play in up to two pre-season games. 

So, in a nutshell, the three initial practice days during training camp and the first two pre-season games - the first on Sept. 21 against the Buffalo Sabres and the second a day later against the Detroit Red Wings - will hold much more weight than they have in previous years, and not everyone is going to earn an opportunity to appear in a game.

"The practice days probably carry more significance for guys," Penguins' assistant general manager Jason Spezza said. "I think you see a little extra level of urgency, [and] we saw it with guys reporting to Pittsburgh earlier. They're used to having a longer camp. They want a shorter camp, and then, they want to make sure they're up and running as well.

"So, for us, we're going to try to have some intersquad mixed in. There's only four pre-season games. There's not going to be opportunity for everybody in the pre-season like we normally would have, so it's a matter of rewarding the guys that have kind of shown that they are getting closer by giving them games and seeing where they are. But, also, [with the] understanding that it is a short camp."

5 Predictions For 2026 Penguins' Training Camp5 Predictions For 2026 Penguins' Training CampThe Penguins have a lot of questions and intrigue heading into camp this year.

But it's not just the player side of things where adjustments must take shape: There is also a whole lot to digest for NHL coaches and front offices, and from an evaluation standpoint, it presents a whole new set of challenges.

"There's not going to be massive decisions made based on a couple days of how you play," Spezza said. "We've talked through these things, sat with [head coach Dan Muse] and talked as a management group... But, really, it's new for all of us. Dan's been very intentional with his practices and how he's planned the pre-season games."

And while Muse himself understands the challenges and demands a shorter camp brings, he tries not to emphasize that difference when it comes to trying different combinations and giving players opportunity.

Penguins Release Full Training Camp Roster: Injuries, Surprises, What To ExpectPenguins Release Full Training Camp Roster: Injuries, Surprises, What To ExpectWith training camp one day away, Pittsburgh's roster is set for the pre-season.

"Over the summer, we talked about things that we want to see," Muse said. "And I say 'we' in terms of all of us - coaching staff, management - and conversations we've had, things that we've discussed. Different things that could be a fit. But, right now, it's a "could be." ... It's going to be fluid, especially early on."

He added: "It's an opportunity for people to make an impression. They have a little bit of a shorter window to make it, to do those things, and it's the same for everybody. I'm not, honestly, going to get too hung up on it or think about it at all. It's the first time for everybody having the camp in this format, and it's the same for everyody throughout the league.

"I think, for us, we wanted to outline things that we wanted to make sure we accomplished over the course of camp. Going into it, [I'm] feeling strongly that we will be able to do that. So, for us, it's just going to be taking it each day looking to execute that plan, looking to provide that opportunity for players to go out there and make the impression that they want to make." 

Penguins Announce Series Of Roster Moves Ahead Of Training CampPenguins Announce Series Of Roster Moves Ahead Of Training CampPittsburgh is working to finalize its roster for training camp later this week.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

  

Posted on

Dodgers’ NL West title celebrations get crazy as Kiké Hernandez pulls off hilarious stunt

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows The Dodgers baseball team poses for a photo after clinching the playoffs, Image 2 shows The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in blue championship shirts and white hats pose for a photo on the field

The Dodgers clinched the NL West with a dominant win over the Reds Thursday.

For the 13th time in the last 14 years, the Dodgers are division champs. The team was evidently ready to celebrate in the visiting clubhouse at Great American Ball Park as champagne showers and loud music ensued.

Kiké Hernandez pulled off one of the funniest stunts when he shoved a bottle of champagne down Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s shorts. Hernandez caught Yamamoto by surprise with latter unable to stop the prank from transpiring.

The Dodgers pose for a team photo after they clinched the playoffs after a win against the Reds. AP Photo/Tanner Pearson

The Dodgers have the most division titles out of any MLB team with a total of 24. The Braves and Yankees trail the Dodgers with 23 and 21 division titles, respectively.

While LA is taking Thursday to celebrate, a roster full of veterans understands clinching the division is only part of the ultimate goal.

“It’s a big deal. It’s not easy,” Roberts said pregame. “I think a lot of people think it’s easy, it’s a rite of passage. But it’s not easy to win a division when everyone is gunning for you, to keep everyone motivated to play over the course of 162. It’s something we’re all really proud of. But that’s not the end goal.”

The Dodgers have their eyes set on a third consecutive World Series with postseason baseball quickly approaching. Though the juggernaut is considered the favorite to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy, everyone is waiting to see if the Dodgers will actually pull it off.

Clinching the division is a step in the right direction and hopefully Thursday isn’t the final champagne shower of the season.

The Dodgers clinched the division for the 13th time in the last 14 years. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Miguel Rojas hit a home run in the Dodgers’ 8-2 win over the Reds. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Posted on

Steph Curry dishes cold hard truth on LeBron James free agency path with ‘lifer’ comment

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Stephen Curry in a white and blue Golden State Warriors jersey celebrating a play in a basketball game, Image 2 shows Stephen Curry speaking into a microphone, Image 3 shows NBA players Stephen Curry and an opposing player compete for the ball during a game
Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry.

Any concerns about Steph Curry leaving the Warriors can be put to rest.

During an interview with CNBC, Curry was asked if seeing LeBron James leave the Lakers during free agency was “appealing” to him, to which the future Hall of Famer immediately shut down.

“Not at all. I’ve always stated that I want to be a lifer with Golden State,” Curry said. “What we’ve built there. The fact that I get to run it back this year with Draymond [Green] and Coach [Steve] Kerr.”

Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Anadolu via Getty Images

Since James departed from the Lakers in July after an eight-season run, rumors started to emerge that Curry could be entering his final season in a Golden State uniform.

Curry, 38, is entering the final year of his four-year, $215.4 million deal he signed with the team in 2022 and is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career.

“All the contract stuff, this NBA thing from year-to-year is crazy. Things change really fast,” Curry said. “But I do know my interest and mission is to stay in Golden State and be competitive is there, and the contract stuff will take care of itself.”

Curry is eligible to receive a two-year, $136.7 million contract extension that would keep him with the Warriors through the 2028-2029 season.

Part of the reason why rumors have emerged of a potential Curry departure has been because of the Warriors’ inability to land a superstar during the offseason.

Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Getty Images

The moves the organization made during the offseason were focused on acquiring depth and building around young talent, such as Yaxel Lendeborg, who was selected by the team with the No.11 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft.

On Tuesday, Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic said he wouldn’t be shocked if the team decides to break up its foundation by trading Green and Jimmy Butler if the team isn’t performing up to expectations by the season’s midway point.

Thompson II added that he doesn’t think the team would trade Curry and called him a “lifer.”

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry calls himself a Warriors “lifer.” Robert Sabo for NY Post

Aside from being considered one of the greatest shooters of all time, Curry is the most iconic Warriors player. He’s led them to four NBA championships, including being Finals MVP in 2022.

Curry was crowned NBA MVP in back-to-back seasons in 2015 and 2016. He also was the league’s scoring champion in 2016 and 2021.

Posted on

Astros vs. Royals Game Discussion: 9/17/2026

TONIGHT’S GAME: With just 10 games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Astros will continue their final homestand of the season tonight as they host the Royals for a rubber game of their three-game series in Houston, TX.

Rookie RHP Miguel Ullola (0-0) will serve as an opener for the Astros tonight opposite the veteran RHP Seth Lugo (7-8) and the Royals.

THE POSTSEASON CHASE: The Astros and Rangers are locked in a tight race down the stretch for the AL West with the two teams entering play today with identical 76-76 records the Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers with a season series victory (9-4 record).

TONIGHT’S OPENER: RHP Miguel Ullola served as an opener his last time out on Sept. 11 at TB, tossing 1.0 scoreless inning in his outing.

Ullola has been great in his limited Major League action this season, posting a 3.38 ERA (3ER/8IP) with a .172 opponent average (5×29) and a 0.75 WHIP in six games.

A longtime minor league starter, Ullola transitioned to a relief role this season and excelled to a 1.57 ERA (5ER28.2IP) in 29 relief appearances at the Triple A level.

TONIGHT’S BROADCASTS: Tonight’s game will be televised by FOX with Adam Amin and A.J. Pierzynski on the call.

The Astros English radio broadcast can be heard on SportsTalk 790 with Robert Ford and Steve Sparks behind the mic.

Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño will call the Astros Spanish broadcast on TUDN 102.9 FM.

GIVEAWAY MADNESS: The Astros will have giveaways for their remaining four home games, including all fans receiving a Jeremy Peña Telenovela Bobblehead tonight, presented by H-E-B.

The Astros will also give away a Jeremy Peña Retro Los Astros Jersey on Friday, an Orbit Sugar Skull Bobblehead on Saturday, and a Viva Los Astros Rally Towel on Sunday.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Astros dropped the middle game of their series with the Royals last night by a score of 5-2.

SS Jeremy Peña (3×4) led the offense with his second consecutive three-hit game.

RHP Cristian Javier (2ER/5.1IP) started for Houston and was handed the loss.

STARTING STRONG: In their last 12 home games, Astros starting pitchers have combined for a 2.29 ERA (16ER/63IP), while allowing two-or-fewer runs in 10 of those contests.

Additionally, Astros starters have posted a 3.22 ERA (42ER/117.1IP) in their last 24 games dating back to Aug. 21.

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have reinstated OF Taylor Trammell from the Paternity List and have optioned OF Joey Loperfido to Triple A Sugar Land.

TRIPLE THREAT: DH Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently ranks first or second in the AL in all three Triple Crown categories.

He enters today leading the AL in batting avg. (.310), while ranking second in HR (39) and RBI (98).

Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.022), SLG (.594) and OBP (.428).

Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL):

NOTHING FINER THAN YAINER: C Yainer Diaz is hitting .372 (16×43) in the month of September with two homers, five RBI and a .971 OPS.

Diaz has multiple hits in seven if his 11 starts this month.

STALKING 200: 1B Christian Walker is currently sitting on 199 career home runs and needs just one homer to become the 35th active Major League player to reach 200 career long balls.

Walker has hit 25 homers this year for his fifth consecutive 25-plus homer season (2022-26).

THE FIREMAN: LHP Josh Hader converted his 26th consecutive save opportunity to open his season on Tuesday night, which sets the Astros club record.

Should Hader finish the season without a blown save, he would become just the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post 26-plus saves without a blown save and the first to do so since RHP Ken Giles in 2018 (26 SV).

HADER’S HEART: LHP Josh Hader will host a group from Covenant House at tonight’s game as a part of his Hader’s Heart program.

Tonight’s visit is just a small part of Hader’s charitable efforts, as the closer has been recognized as the Astros nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for MLB players.

ASTROS-ROYALS: The Astros and Royals have a memorable history, with the two clubs meeting each other in the 2015 ALDS, won by the Royals in five games.

11 years later, 2B Jose Altuve and C Salvador Perez remain on their team’s active rosters, while SS Carlos Correa, currently on the IL, also played in the series.

More recently, the Astros are 10-5 in their last 15 games vs. the Royals, including a 3-2 record this season.

SCHIAVONE REACHES 30-30: Prospect C Jason Schiavone, the Astros 2026 Minor League Player of the Year, recorded three steals for Triple A Sugar Land last night, giving him 32 stolen bases on the minor league season.

Schiavone has also hit 32 home runs this season, making him the first minor league catcher to post a 30- 30 season since C Willie Royster did so for theCharlotte O’s in 1981.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Thursday, September 17, 6:15 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: FOX

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Posted on

Mets recall RHP Cameron Weston from Syracuse, option Xzavion Curry

The Mets are making a move to bring in a fresh arm for Thursday's series opener with the Phillies.  

Cameron Weston has been recalled from Syracuse, while Xzavion Curry has been optioned back down.  

Weston, a right-handed reliever, joined the Mets after being claimed off waivers from the Orioles this month.  

The 26-year-old had a rough Triple-A season with the Norfolk Tides but has been pitching well since joining Syracuse, allowing just one hit while striking out eight over his three appearances. 

He made his big league debut earlier this season with Baltimore, throwing a scoreless frame. 

If/when he gets into a game down the stretch, Weston will be the 40th pitcher the Mets have used this season. 

Curry, of course, joined the club on Wednesday to start in place of the injured Robert Stock and he was knocked around for six runs on six hits and three homers over just three innings of work. 

Posted on

End of Season Minor League News Roundup

Co-owner of the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney, shows off his three North-West League championship rings before the start of the game between the Vancouver Canadians and the Everett Aquasox at Nat Bailey Stadium. (Photo by Christopher Morris/Corbis via Getty Images) | Corbis via Getty Images

The Jays are in the thick of a slapstick caper of a wildcard race, but with today being an off day I thought I’d look at the minor leagues as their seasons wrap up. The International League (AAA) goes through this weekend, so the Buffalo Bisons have a few more to play, but the other levels’ seasons came to a close over the course of the last couple of weeks.

The Vancouver Canadians won the Northwest League championship in a 12 inning thriller on Friday night. You can read a full recap here, but it involved a three run comeback in the ninth to force extras and plenty of other drama. It’s the Canadians’ sixth league championship since they became a Blue Jays affiliate in 2011, and their second since the Northwest League was converted from short season ball to A+ in the minor league reorganization.

As Tom mentioned in his roundup yesterday, the rosters for the Arizona Fall League were released. The AFL is a developmental league that is mostly used to give prospects who missed time or otherwise need a little more work an opportunity for some additional reps. This year, it runs from October 3rd through November 14th. Because the number of players teams want to send is limited, especially on the pitching side, AFL rosters are blended. The Jays team up with the Cubs, A’s, Red Sox and Angels to form the Mesa Solar Sox.

Participation in the AFL can be a big opportunity for prospects. They get a chance to shine when there aren’t any other minor leagues going, with scouts from all 30 teams paying attention. Recent proof is Spencer Miles, who caught the Jays’ attention with 8.2 impressive innings in last year’s AFL.

The Jays prospects going this year are:

  • Brandon Barriera: The 2022 first round pick has alternated between injured and ineffective so far in his career. This season was more of the same, as he managed just 38.2 innings but walked 29 in that span. He’s managed just 66 innings over four pro seasons, so the Jays are likely both inclined to get him more action and not too concerned with sheltering him anymore.
  • Gilberto Batista: It was a rough year for Batista. He recorded a 7.86 ERA across 87 innings as a multi-inning reliever for Vancouver. He did show some promise last year with Dunedin, after being acquired from the Red Sox in the Danny Jansen trade.
  • Jake Bloss: Bloss is the exciting name from a Jays fan point of view. He came back from Tommy John surgery throwing 2mph harder than he had before the surgery, but then went down almost immediately with a teres major strain. If he can make a few healthy appearances, retain the stuff bump, and continue to rediscover his command after the surgery, he’ll be set up for a potential rotation role with the big league club next year.
  • Fernando Perez: The word for Perez’ season is mysterious. He ranked high on our prospect list last winter on the strength of his elite command and strong results across A+ Vancouver and AA New Hampshire, but had a disastrous start to his 2026, walking 10 in nine innings over his first three starts. He was placed on the Development List, a new addition to the minors since the 2021 reorganization that basically allows teams to take players off the roster indefinitely to manage workloads or to work on things outside of game action. He returned for three more appearances in August and September and didn’t look any better. Command is Perez’ whole draw as a prospect, so losing it so completely is concerning. The AFL will be a big opportunity to show that he’s righted the ship. He’s Rule 5 eligible, and coming into the season I’d have expected him to warrant protection, but that seems a distant concern now.
  • Yondrei Rojas: Our #32 prospect entering the season, Rojas struggled to build on his strong 2025 this year. He struck out just 20% of batters, mostly at AA, and missed fewer bats that last season. He’s 23 and Rule 5 eligible, so this might be one more chance to harness his plus fastball-slider combination and mark himself as a future Blue Jays bullpen hand.
  • Aaron Parker: 2026 was a breakout for the third year pro. He cut down his swing rate and went on a power binge at New Hampshire, launching 19 home runs in 87 games. He’s a below average defensive catcher and his 67% contact rate is scary, but plus power is plus power, and he may have a shot at the third catcher role at some point in 2027.
  • Jake Casey: The Kent State prospect has just hit since the Jays took him in the 15th round last year. This season, a broken hamate wiped out his first couple of months, but he managed 13 home runs in just 64 games. He still needs to show he can adjust to upper minors quality spin, and the results are iffy so far, but as long as he keeps producing he’ll warrant watching.
  • Jake Cook: Last year’s third rounder was just average in A ball, which would be concerning for most pedigreed college draftees. Cook is just two years into switching back to the field from the mound, though, and working to overhaul the pure slap, inside-out swing he used in college to try to develop a modicum of power. He did up his home run total over last year, from 3 to 5, in spite of switching to wood bats and facing better pitching, and he improved as the year went on. He was also 22 for 27 stealing bases, showcasing the athletic tools that convinced the Jays to gamble a top 100 pick on him. He needs reps, and the AFL will offer an opportunity against pitching a bit better than he’s seen so far.

Because they share a team with the Angels, the Jay’s prospects will get a chance to catch up with Arjun Nimmala. He finished the season red hot, clubbing four home runs and four doubles last week for the AA Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Baseball America has graded the year for each farm system. They give the Jays a B+ overall, which seems about right to me. When I reviewed the performance of the top 40 before the deadline, there were a lot of guys moving in different directions, but the overall trend seemed to be upwards.

There were several impressive breakouts, although many of those guys will miss next year’s list because they’ve already graduated. Miles, Brandon Valenzuela, and Brett Bateman have all already far exceeded their prospect expectations. Valenzuela has fallen off badly in the second half and Bateman is surely playing over his head offensively, but both still project as at least quality role players now. For Miles, his peripheral stats fully support his exceptional performance this year, and continued health seems like the only real question. Still on the farm is Nolan Perry, who returned from Tommy John and immediately torched three levels, striking out 117 in only 82.2 innings. Sean Keys, who raced through AA and AAA early in the season, is in between. He’s with the Jays right now but not seeing a lot of playing time. His early MLB results haven’t been good, but the underlying contact and power data remain tantalizing.

Of course, there were some disappointments as well. Bloss showcased improved stuff in his own TJ comeback, but remained healthy only briefly. Juan Sanchez, last year’s Dominican Summer League star, has so far failed to consistently translate his success in the US. Ricky Tiedemann, among others, continued to struggle with his health.

The farm’s ranking, in BA’s reckoning, rose from 17 to 15 between the preseason and the midseason update. That’s impressive given that a lot of the preseason value was tied to Trey Yesavage, who graduated soon after returning from his early season shoulder issues. They might dip slightly this winter, as they traded top prospect Arjun Nimmala and had fewer resources in the draft than most other teams, but the system produced new talent, fed the major league team, and allowed them to make major deadline acquisitions without moving backwards in overall talent. That’s a good year.

Posted on

Texas Rangers lineup for September 17, 2026

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) swings at a pitch during the MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2026 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for September 17, 2026 against the Boston Red Sox: starting pitchers are Tyler Alexander (opening for Cody Bradford) for the Rangers and Sonny Gray for the BoSox.

Texas will look to sweep the series against Boston this evening. Tyler Alexander will be opening for Cody Bradford (though not for Ed Sheehan, as he stands in solidarity with Macklemore). Joc Pederson is apparently still not ready to go, so Josh Jung is at DH, giving his calf some extra rest.

The lineup:

Duran — 3B

Seager — SS

Jung — DH

Nimmo — RF

Langford — LF

Burger — 1B

Lopez — 2B

Jansen — C

Carter — CF

7:05 p.m. Central time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.

Posted on

Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers @ Baltimore Orioles

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 21: Jackson Chourio #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats against the Baltimore Orioles during the tenth inning at American Family Field on May 21, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers, who have officially locked up the NL Central, have just three three-game series left this season, and they’re still looking to lock up the top seed in all of baseball at 95-58 this year, two games ahead of the Dodgers at 93-60. On the other side, the Baltimore Orioles sit at 75-78 and are surprisingly still in the AL playoff picture despite sitting in last place in the very deep AL East, sitting just 2.5 games behind the White Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot with nine games to go. Baltimore is coming off a series sweep of the Mets in New York.

Milwaukee’s injured list currently includes right-handers Grant Anderson and Bryse Wilson, both of whom started rehab assignments with Triple-A Nashville this week and hope to return before the end of the regular season. The Brewers are also without Brandon Woodruff (possible postseason return), Brian Fitzpatrick (out for season), Quinn Priester (out for season), and Angel Zerpa (out for season).

Baltimore is without infielder Jackson Holliday (return TBD), outfielder Christian Franklin (late September), outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (TBD), utilityman Blaze Alexander (late September), first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (TBD), infielder Jordan Westburg (out for season), and outfielder Tyler O’Neill (TBD). Pitchers Zach Eflin (out for season), Keegan Akin (out for season), Colin Selby (out for season), Ryan Helsley (on rehab assignment), Félix Bautista (on rehab assignment), and Kyle Bradish (out for season).

Jake Bauers continues to pace Milwaukee’s offense with 26 homers, slashing .269/.394/.497 this season. Jackson Chourio is hitting .286/.343/.481 with 23 homers and 17 steals, putting him on the cusp of another 20-20 season. Brice Turang, William Contreras, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, and Joey Ortiz have also been hot, with Gary Sánchez, Andrew Vaughn, Sal Frelick, David Hamilton, Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara, and Bo Naylor also slotting in as regular contributors, especially over these last couple of weeks as Milwaukee hopes to rest their regulars. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .259/.342/.405 (.747 OPS ranks fourth), with 147 homers (tied for 28th), 792 runs scored (second), and 148 steals (fifth).

Pete Alonso paces Baltimore’s offense with 37 homers, 24 doubles, and an AL-best 102 RBIs this season, as he hit his 300th career homer earlier this week. Coby Mayo has 24 homers, and Gunnar Henderson has added 23 homers, while rookie catcher Samuel Basallo has 18 homers. Former Red Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Leody Taveras are also regulars, with Rece Hinds, Heston Kjerstad, Jeremiah Jackson, José Barrero, Carlos Narváez, and Yohel Pozo rounding things out. As a team, the Orioles are hitting .234/.315/.396 (.711 OPS ranks tied for 22nd), with 188 homers (10th), 688 runs scored (13th), and 76 steals (25th).

Aaron Ashby’s 72 appearances pace the Milwaukee bullpen, though the best arms have been Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and, lately, clean-up man Garrett Stallings, who hasn’t allowed a run across 14 major league innings. Chad Patrick, DL Hall, and Shane Drohan (recently moved to the bullpen) have also been solid, and trade deadline acquisitions JoJo Romero and Antonio Senzatela have shown flashes of their previous successes. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.58 team ERA (second), including a 3.66 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.47 bullpen ERA (fourth). They’ve struck out 1,467 batters (second) over 1,365 2/3 innings.

Rico Garcia leads Baltimore’s bullpen with a 2.94 ERA over 72 appearances, picking up nine saves, second only to Andrew Kittredge’s 10 saves. Kittredge has a 3.66 ERA over 53 appearances, Grant Wolfram has a 4.56 ERA over 57 appearances, and Yennier Cano has a 3.06 ERA over 65 appearances. Anthony Nunez (3.97 ERA over 56 2/3 IP), Josh Walker (1.61 ERA over 28 IP), Alex Hoppe (1.42 ERA over 12 2/3 IP), Cam Sanders (3.00 ERA over 18 IP), Luis De León (2.45 ERA over 7 1/3 IP), and Brewer trade deadline acquisition Codi Heuer (no appearances) round things out. As a staff, the Orioles have a 4.14 team ERA (15th), including a 4.36 starter ERA (19th) and a 3.84 bullpen ERA (10th). They’ve struck out 1,229 batters (22nd) over 1,364 1/3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Friday, September 18 @ 6:05 p.m.: RHP Dustin May (7-9, 4.49 ERA, 3.42 FIP) vs. LHP Cade Povich (2-1, 4.05 ERA, 4.81 FIP)

May has now made seven starts since joining Milwaukee at the trade deadline. He’s 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 4.46 FIP, and 27 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings with the Brewers, and he’s coming off one of his best starts yet, going six scoreless frames and allowing just two hits and a walk, striking out six in Milwaukee’s 20-0 blowout victory over the Reds. May has made two career appearances (one start) against Baltimore, totaling eight innings with two runs allowed (2.25 ERA) and seven strikeouts.

Povich, 26, is currently with Triple-A Norfolk, though he was scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday and is expected to start this weekend. The left-hander has made just seven appearances (six starts) in the majors this year, with a 4.05 ERA, 4.81 FIP, and 25 strikeouts across 33 1/3 innings, and he’s been even worse at Triple-A, with a 6.28 ERA and 69 strikeouts across 61 2/3 innings. Povich has never appeared against the Brewers.

Saturday, September 19 @ 3:05 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (4-5, 4.30 ERA, 4.32 FIP) vs. LHP Trevor Rogers (10-10, 4.22 ERA, 3.63 FIP)

Gasser, who is still auditioning for a spot in Milwaukee’s rotation come postseason time, has made 19 appearances (18 starts) this season, pitching to a 4-5 record with a 4.30 ERA, 4.32 FIP, and 92 strikeouts across 96 1/3 innings. The former second-round pick looked solid once again in Sunday’s loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and a pair of walks, striking out five in a no-decision. This marks Gasser’s first career appearance against Baltimore.

Rogers, 28, was the runner up in the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year race and was acquired by the Orioles at the trade deadline in 2024. After a great season last year (5.3 bWAR with a 1.81 ERA and 2.82 FIP over 109 2/3 innings), he’s regressed a bit this year, pitching to a 10-10 record with a 4.22 ERA, 3.63 FIP, and 143 strikeouts over 157 2/3 innings. He got roughed up by the Blue Jays in his last outing, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over six frames, striking out five. Rogers had made five starts against Milwaukee, all of which came while with the Marlins. He’s 4-0 in those outings, with a 2.84 ERA and 26 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings.

Sunday, September 20 @ 6:20 p.m.: TBD vs. RHP Brandon Young (9-4, 3.65 ERA, 4.57 FIP)

The Brewers haven’t yet announced a starter for Sunday’s series finale, but it could be Jacob Misiorowski, Shane Drohan, a bullpen game, or somebody else. We’ll see.

Young, 28, made 12 starts with little success (6.24 ERA) last season, but he’s been much better this year, with a 3.65 ERA, 4.57 FIP, and 118 strikeouts over 145 2/3 innings through 26 starts. He went five frames against the Mets in his last outing, allowing one run on five hits and five walks, striking out six. This would mark Young’s first career appearance against the Brewers.

How to Watch & Listen

Friday, September 18: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Saturday, September 19: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Sunday, September 20: Exclusively televised on Peacock/NBC Sports Network; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

The Orioles are still fighting for their playoff lives while the Brewers are looking to lock up the top seed in the National League (and all of baseball), making for an exciting late-season weekend set. I’ll take the Crew to win two of three.

Posted on

Astros Activate Trammell, Option Loperfido

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 01: Houston Astros left fielder Joey Loperfido (10) hits a single in the bottom of the sixth inning during the MLB game between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros on July 1, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It was great seeing you again, Joey. Sorry you have to leave so soon.

Recalled two days ago, Loperfido did get one pinch-hit AB. That is all it is going to be.

Recalled because OF Taylor Trammell was going on the Paternity List. Today, the Astros activated Trammell from the Paternity List, and optioned Loperfido back to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Barring an injury, Loperfido will have made his last appearance for the Astros this season due to the 10 day rule. Players optioned to the minors must wait 10 days before being recalled unless they are an injury replacement.