Despite an impressive start under Gennaro Gattuso, supporters are boycotting the Stadio Olimpico to wage war against Claudio Lotito
Gennaro Gattuso has given some memorable post-game interviews down the years. Who could forget his “sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit” rant at OFI Crete, or the face of the beleaguered interpreter tasked with translating it? Last year, not long before taking charge of the Italian national team, Gattuso got into a finger-jabbing, language-swapping, almost-nose-to-nose shouting match with Josko Jelicic on Croatian television.
And yet there was something more affecting about the soft way he spoke this Saturday, in Calabrian-accented Italian. Without anger, but with an air of melancholy. “For me, football without fans is shit,” he said. “What do you think? I’d say it’s better to stay home. Better to go for a walk with the dogs.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 13: Luke Keaschall #15 of the Minnesota Twins rounds third base to score on a RBI double against the Cleveland Guardians hit by Kody Clemens #2 of the Minnesota Twins (not pictured) in the third inning at Target Field on September 13, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Steven Garcia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After wrapping up the Subway Series against the Mets, it’s now time for the Yankees to head back out on the road. Starting tonight, the Yankees will be in Minnesota to take on an old friend in the Twins. The Yankees’ dominance over the Twins over the years has been well documented, and the team could use that again as they try to track down the AL East title.
Meanwhile, at one point, the Twins were in the playoff hunt in the weak AL Wild Card race. Technically, they’re still somewhat within shouting distance of the final spot, but they’re running out of time. After a Trade Deadline where they made some moves, the Twins put up a 10-17 August and will now need to catch fire down the stretch. They’re 4-7 in September and have lost Byron Buxton for the season, so a playoff berth is now rather unlikely.
With the two teams set to take the field tonight, let’s take a look at the expected pitching matchups for the next couple days.
Monday: Will Warren vs. Dean Kremer (7:40 pm ET)
With the rotation crunch of the playoffs coming up, Warren has gotten some bullpen days in addition to starts, but he’s been pretty good in his recent starts. Dating back to August 19th — which does include 2.1 scoreless bullpen innings — Warren has a 2.22 ERA and 3.84 FIP, striking out nearly a batter per inning. He’s still the obvious choice to move to the bullpen once the rotation goes to four pitchers for the postseason, but he’s been pretty excellent as far as fifth starters go.
The former Oriole Kremer was traded to Minnesota at the deadline this year. He was very poor in Baltimore this season, and has only been slightly better since the trade. In seven starts as a Twin, Kremer has a 4.79 ERA and a 4.00 FIP, issuing 3.5 BB/9.
Tuesday: Max Fried vs. Bailey Ober (7:40 pm ET)
Although he should be nearing it in this start, Fried hasn’t been fully stretched out in terms of pitch count since returning from the IL. That proved an issue in his last outing, as he went only 3.1 innings against the Rockies while struggling with control. His IL stints and things like that have led to a very weird stat: Fried hasn’t been the winning pitcher of record since April 27th.
With a 98 ERA+ on the season, Ober has been, well, pretty much average. That’s been a step up from a down 2025, but a step below the early years of his career. Even though he has been around for a couple years now, the Yankees have only faced him once, scoring three runs in five innings in a game in 2024.
Wednesday: Carlos Rodón vs. Zebby Matthews (1:40 pm ET)
While like Fried he needed some time to get stretched back out, Rodón has been on a nice little run since coming off the IL. In the five games since then, he has a 2.25 ERA and a 3.81 FIP. The best of those games probably came over the weekend against the Mets, as he struck out eight, allowing just one earned run in 6.1 innings. He always has the tendency to nibble a little bit and drive up his pitch count, but he still has yet to allow more than three runs in a start all season, and you’ll always take that.
The delightfully named Zebby Matthews is in his third season in the big leagues, having once been rated as a top 100 prospect. However, his MLB career has not been great to this point. He has the ability to strike batters out, but a 5.45 ERA isn’t great. This has been the best year of his career to this point, but he still has a 4.98 ERA and a 4.98 FIP
The Mets dropped the final game of the 2026 Subway Series, but they ended up with a series split for the year and nobody is infected with legionnaires disease, yet.
In the rare position of making a late comeback of their own against someone’s weak bullpen, the Nationals scored four times in the eighth inning and handed the Angels a 6-5 loss.
The NHL Network is currently counting down the top 50 players across the entire NHL prior to the puck dropping on the 2026-27 season in just a few weeks.
The next batch of players dropped Sunday night, continuing with the NHL Network's ongoing schedule of revealing 10 players at a time each Sunday night through September 27, when plays #10-1 will be revealed.
This week, the NHL Network revealed that New York Islanders' former-rookie, now sophomore-sensation Matthew Schaefer checks in as the 28th-best player in the league today.
Matthew Schaefer (@NYIslanders) is the only rookie to appear on NHL Network's Top 50 Players Right Now list this year!
Schaefer, 19, will be the highest-ranked Islander on the list, joined by superstar goaltender Ilya Sorokin, whom the NHL Network placed at #35 in last week's ranking revelation.
The sensational defenseman found himself placed just ahead of established stars and 2026 Olympians Jake Sanderson and Moritz Seider, while being placed exactly one spot behind Lane Hutson.
NHL Network's Top 50 Players Right Now list rolls on with 30-21!
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 22: Robert Suarez #75 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to the camera during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday, June 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Though the Braves did take care of business over the weekend, the Braves were unable to earn the sweep as the Phillies won Sunday’s game. But while this one game was disappointing, the Braves have to be pleased with the spot they are in to earn another NL East division title. They are now up five games (essentially 6 with the tie-breaker) with 12 games left. If Atlanta can get a split or better on this week’s tough road trip, they should be able to win the division with games to spare and prepare for the playoffs.
Braves News
Robert Suarez continues to make positive and notable progress in his return from injury. He is now in the midst of completing live bullpen sessions, and likely will complete another this week. That could allow for him to reasonably target a return to action before the regular season ends.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Josue de Paula #95 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a three run home run against the Miami Marlins in the fourth inning of the game at loanDepot park on September 13, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A few stories to start your Monday morning, as the Dodgers shift their road trip from Miami to Cincinnati.
Josue De Paula played his first three major league games over the weekend, but before stepping into the box for the first time on Friday was already displaying controlled confidence. From Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:
“Nothing I feel I really have to change especially on the offensive side. Just do what I know how to do,” he said, acknowledging that he doesn’t think making a bid for a spot on the postseason roster is out of the question.
“Yeah. I mean, that’s always in the back of your head too. But I don’t want to get too ahead of myself now. I’m trying to focus on the now and having fun while I’m here.”
De Paula walked at least once in all three games, then lowered the boom on Sunday with a three-run home run for his first major league hit, then added a double.
“I’ll never forget it,” De Paula said of his home run on Sunday. “It was awesome.”
Hannah Fry at the Los Angeles Times on Sunday wrote about the two weeks of turbulence for Los Angeles-area sports owners, including Dodgers owner Mark Walter selling the Lakers less than a year after buying them (amid ongoing federal investigations), Rams owner Stan Kroenke buying the Angels, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer getting suspended by the NBA for salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard.
I missed this a few weeks ago, but Brady and Trey Ebel, first-round picks of the Milwaukee Brewers in the last two years had a connected moment in the minors. Brady and Trey, the sons of Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel, were fixtures at Dodger Stadium during summers when they were at Corona High School, often practicing on the field.
Brady Ebel started the season in Class-A Wilson in North Carolina, and on July 19 started at shortstop and was hit by a pitch and scored in a six-run first inning. The game was suspended by rain with two outs in the top of the first inning and a 2-0 count on Brady, batting for a second time in the game already. Play wasn’t resumed until August 25, and by then, Brady was promoted to High-A Wisconsin. So Wilson put Trey Ebel in for Brady to complete the plate appearance, and he took two more balls to work a full-count walk, which was credited to Trey.
“I was in the cage this morning, and when they sent out what we’re gonna do for the game, I was like, ‘No way! This is crazy,'” Trey said after the game. “How cool is that? I don’t know if that’s been done before, having the younger brother finish [an older brother’s] at-bat. I’m super stoked.”
Aug 10, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) smiles after grounding out against the Athletics in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
This March, I was struggling to get that new-season thrill for the Tampa Bay Rays. The last two seasons were slogs, and frankly I didn’t see a lot suggesting this year would be better. Maybe Shane McClanahan would be healthy. Maybe Yandy could continue to be a league leading hitter even as he aged. The off season acquisitions didn’t have me picturing October baseball either. Nick Martinez? Ben Williamson? Ryan Vilade? These guys were going to going to get us the 10 + additional wins needed to make the post-season?
The one thing I was sure about, with all my years of baseball wisdom, is that a team playing Chandler Simpson every day was a team headed nowhere. No shade on Chandler as a human being. He seems like a lovely young man! I love his enthusiasm and his work ethic! His speed is otherwordly!
But you can’t be a major leaguer with speed as your only tool, and we saw that last year. Simpson was pretty terrible in the outfield. This was clear from the eye test — his speed may have disguised just how bad he was at finding the ball — and defensive stats like Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) which had him at -4 for the 2025 season.
As for hitting: Simpson has always shown great contact skills, and he seldom strikes out (although he also doesn’t often walk). But he has no power. I mean none. Usually when we say a guy doesn’t have power we mean, say, Taylor Walls, who will still manage to run into 3-4 home runs and a handful of hard hit doubles in any given season. But Simpson has never hit a ball out of a major league park, and even his doubles and triples tend to be grounders hit to just the right outfield corner.
I figured this skill set — bad defense, slap hit singles and stolen bases — didn’t add up to a starting outfielder.
But now the Rays are a playoff team and Simpson is their everyday left fielder. What is striking is what has changed, but also what has not changed.
Simpson reportedly worked hard this off season to improve his defense. Now we always hear these stories of players striving to address weaknesses, but all too often the effort doesn’t much matter. This time, however, it did. This year Simpson is rated at 8 Defensive Runs Saved. Statcast gives him high ratings (93 out of 100) for his range, although his arm remain a weak spot. Those of us who watch him daily no longer think of his routes to fly balls as Oregon Trail like adventures. His becoming an average or better defender has given this outfield a completely different look.
I have also been thinking that Simpson’s offensive skills have shown improvement, but then I checked the numbers and his line this year is similar to last. With half a month to go his batting average and OBP are slightly higher than at the end of last season, but not dramatically higher. Counting stats like total hits or stolen bases are higher this year, but since he spent parts of 2025 in the minors he’s simply had more at bats. He still has no power, he still neither walks nor does he strike out.
One improved metric does stand out: he has nine sac bunts this year compared to three last season. This difference, I think, helps us build a narrative about Simpson’s key offensive role this year. His game hasn’t changed, but the team’s offensive approach has changed around him, making his skills more central to many of those small ball wins. When the Rays score three on a few singles, a couple of stolen bases and a sac bunt you know that Chandler was in that mix.
I don’t know what kind of career Simpson will have. A pure speed player is always one hammy pull away from losing his edge. I’m also not sure whether a team can afford to have a corner outfielder with absolutely no power over the long run. But in 2026, this is clearly Chandler Simpson’s team, one built to take advantage of the speed, energy and discipline he brings to the field.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 12: Cormac Ryan #30 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 12, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Even though Cormac Ryan has been ranked 18th, projecting the role he plays this season is harder than you assume it would be. After bouncing around the league for a while, Ryan began last year playing for the Herd. I highly doubt that, at 27 years old, he was on the Bucks’ radar at all to begin the year, but credit to him: the man kept knocking on the door until he got his shot… and man, did he take advantage. In the 11 NBA games Ryan played to end the season, he averaged 14.3 PPG on .52/.45/.92 splits! Like, it was shocking how natural the NYC native looked on an NBA floor; he did everything you would want from a fourth or fifth starter and even showed some advanced shotmaking in the lane.
Now, we should pump the brakes just a tad and consider that 1) there wasn’t exactly serious basketball being played in a lot of these games, and 2) there was no scouting report to go off. For the most part, Ryan got to play consequence-free hoops against guys who had no clue who he was. That said, dropping 25 points on 9/14 shooting against what was a mostly healthy Rockets team isn’t nothing; many NBA players could never come close to that. At this point, I am comfortable in my assessment that there’s clearly something to continue exploring with this guy… the issue, of course, is that the minutes aren’t there for the Bucks to do that exploring.
And not to be a downer, but another assessment I feel confident in is that Ryan’s ceiling as a player does not exceed the aforementioned role as a fourth or fifth starter/tertiary creator. Like 80% of basketball players, he is not a primary option, and he never will be. We saw evidence of this at Summer League, where Ryan was often entrusted to be the team’s lead guard and command a high usage—it was not pretty. He averaged 11.0 PPG, 1.5 APG, and 3.5 TPG on .35/.35/.40 splits.
So at once, you have this duality: Ryan killed it in a relatively siloed role at the NBA level, then stunk it up at a much lower level in a significantly bigger role. To me, that really seals the deal on what he is and, crucially, what he is not. Regardless, I hope the coaching staff can find pockets this season to get Ryan into the rotation and keep gathering data on him. Maybe last season’s flurry was a flash in the pan; maybe it was more—only one way to find out.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 8: Haywood Highsmith#19 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 8, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Every day, we’ll take a closer look at another member of the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns, examining what they bring to the roster and what their role could mean for the season ahead as we count down to training camp and the preseason.
Haywood Highsmith
Forward, 6’5”, 220 lbs, 29, 7th season
The last edition to the 2025-2026 Phoenix Suns roster, Haywood Highsmith wasn’t able to find his groove as a member of the Phoenix Suns, dealing with injuries before and during his first season with the team. Signing with Phoenix during the NBA All-Star break, his acquisition was viewed by local experts as an insurance policy in case the team lost any forwards during the offseason.
While the team traded away two of their main forwards from the past few seasons in Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, acquiring Miles Bridges and drafting Koa Peat puts Highsmith as a reserve who will get minutes in the waning moments of blowouts, or if a forward ahead of him on the depth chart suffers an injury.
On a non-guaranteed deal until January 10th, he’ll have to earn his spot on the roster with a strong training camp and preseason.
Last Season
Highsmith played in just seven games for the Suns in the regular season and appeared in two postseason games, coming off the bench in all of them. The team signed him while he was recovering from meniscus surgery and it limited him and forced the team to sit him out games after he returned. Playing more than 15 minutes just three times in his ten total games including the playoffs last year, his best game came against the Boston Celtics back in March when he scored 16 points and hit four threes. Amid on low-efficiency, he hit 57.1% of his triples on a small sample size.
With Rasheer Fleming emerging as primary backup forward once Ryan Dunn’s minutes started to decrease, Highsmith’s value to the team diminished before he even played a game with Phoenix. He played more than 13 minutes just three times in his appearances.
A member and a key contributor to the 2022-2023 Miami Heat team that made a miraculous Finals run as an eighth seed, Highsmith didn’t score a single point and took two shots in his eleven minutes and two appearances in the team’s short playoff run against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
7
13.0
5.4
1.9
1.0
0.6
52.2%
57.1%
85.7%
117.8
116.1
+10
Contract and Roster Context
Initially signed to a two-year deal, Phoenix waived and resigned Highsmith in August for more financial flexibility. Currently on a one-year, $3 million deal, his salary becomes fully guaranteed on January 10th, 2027. If he makes the roster, he’ll be eligible to be traded on December 15th. He currently sits behind Miles Bridges and Rasheer Fleming on the depth chart.
What He Brings
An improved three-point shooter since coming into the league from Wheeling University in West Virginia, Highsmith is one of the team’s most experienced players when it comes to playoff experience. He didn’t play in the playoffs, but was a part of the 2018-2019 Philadelphia Sixers team that suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Toronto Raptors after Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7 buzzer beater, was a member of the Miami Heat when they made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, and then the NBA Finals as an eighth seed in 2023; and has experienced going home early in the playoffs in his last two years in Miami and last year in Phoenix.
If Bridges or Fleming get hurt or go through any struggles, Highsmith will be ready to check in. He’s made the playoffs every season of his career and knows what it takes to be a quality regular-season team and knows how to play alongside ball-dominant players and All-Stars after years alongside Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
If his name is called, he’ll provide Phoenix with a gritty defender, a floor spacer and someone who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact.
What Needs to Improve
Availability. While he played 130 combined games in his two previous seasons, Highsmith was limited to just seven games last year after dealing with a meniscus injury, made his regular season debut in March, and had to miss games once he returned to manage the injury.
Assuming he comes into the season healthy, Highsmith needs to improve as a free throw shooter. While he shot 86% from the charity stripe on just seven attempts last year, he’s a career 62% free-throw shooter, which limits his abilities late in games. If Highsmith can become more consistent from the line, Suns coach Jordan Ott can rely on him more late in games if Fleming or Bridges get in foul trouble or are injured.
Prediction
I do believe Highsmith will make the roster. There aren’t many free agents under 30 who have as much playoff experience and floor-spacing abilities as he does, and for a Phoenix Suns team determined to make a jump in the standings into the top-four, his skillset is valuable if needed.
While I don’t expect him to play every game, when he’s in, he’ll be a low-maintenance wing that matches up against the other team’s 3’s and 4’s. I see Highsmith putting up as many threes as possible in his limited minutes to align with Ott’s three-point-centric approach.
Stat Prediction: 60 Games, 5.3, 2.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, 45.8/38.3/74
Final Word
The Suns should want Highsmith to make the team. They already have a flurry of young players whose roles and potentials are undefined. Highsmith is in the middle of his best seasons and can be a consistent voice for a hungry team devoid of heavy playoff experience outside of a few key players. If he comes in and makes an impact on the team’s spacing when he’s needed and stays healthy, the team should be happy they took a flier on an injured player at the All-Star break a season ago.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Brice Turang #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a three-run home run as Tyler Stephenson #37 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on September 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to week 25 of our 2026 NL Central Power Rankings — let’s rank some teams!
1. Milwaukee Brewers (93-57); 5-1 this week; 100.0% chance to make postseason (FanGraphs)
The Brewers locked up their postseason spot and have a magic number of just two to clinch the NL Central after they swept the Cubs and took two of three from the Reds in a strong homestand.
William Contreras led the offense with three homers and 12 RBIs, while Jake Bauers, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and Brice Turang added two homers each. Chourio also led the team with 13 hits overall, including three doubles.
Most of the Brewers’ rotation had a strong week, as Robert Gasser, Logan Henderson, Jacob Misiorowski, and Dustin May combined for 27 innings across five starts (Gasser made two), allowing just three earned runs and striking out 31. Garrett Stallings picked up a save with three shutout innings in Milwaukee’s 20-0 win over the Reds, while JoJo Romero, Chad Patrick, and DL Hall also turned in scoreless
Milwaukee now departs for their last road trip of the season, as they’ll visit the Pirates, Orioles, and Phillies for three games each over the next week and a half.
2. Chicago Cubs (83-67); 2-4 this week; 99.0% chance to make postseason
The Cubs are hanging in the fight for the top NL Wild Card spot, as they’re currently tied with the Phillies at 83-67 this season. Chicago was swept by the Brewers to begin the week but bounced back to take two of three at Wrigley against the Pirates.
Pedro Ramírez led the offense with two homers and two doubles this week, while Alex Bregman led the team with eight hits, including a homer and three doubles. Michael Busch, Miguel Amaya, and Pete Crow-Armstrong also homered.
Shota Imanaga had the only quality start of the week, going six innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts. David Peterson went 4 1/3 innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts, while Javier Assad, Aaron Civale, Colin Rea, Ryan Rolison, and Trent Thornton combined for 11 1/3 scoreless innings for the bullpen, striking out 11.
Chicago now hosts the Braves for three games before visiting the Reds for three games over the weekend.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (75-75); 4-2 this week; 0.1% chance to make postseason
The Pirates had a solid week as they’re on pace to finish at (or above) .500 for the first time since 2018. They spent the entire week in Chicago, sweeping the White Sox and dropping two of three against the Cubs.
Five players had a homer this week, including Oneil Cruz, Rafael Flores, Ryan O’Hearn, Bryan Reynolds, and Esmerlyn Valdez. Cruz led the team with nine hits and drove in five, while Flores added eight hits.
Jared Jones turned in another strong start, going seven scoreless with just a hit and two walks allowed, striking out eight. Lake Bachar continues to function as an opener, going 1 2/3 scoreless innings, while Paul Skenes went seven frames, allowing two runs and striking out four. Mason Montgomery led the bullpen, picking up three saves over three scoreless innings.
Pittsburgh now returns home for their final homestand of the season, hosting the Brewers, Royals, and Cardinals for three games each over the next week and a half.
4. St. Louis Cardinals (74-76); 2-4 this week; 0.0% chance to make postseason
The Cardinals had a rough week, as they were swept by the lowly Giants in San Francisco before taking two of three from the White Sox at home.
Leo Bernal led the squad with two homers as part of a six-hit week, adding a double and driving in seven. Alec Burleson had the only other homer, also doubling twice and driving in six. Joshua Báez and Nathan Church each added three doubles.
Michael McGreevy made a pair of solid starts, spanning 12 2/3 innings with four runs allowed (three earned) and 10 strikeouts. Quinn Mathews went six innings with two runs allowed and four strikeouts, Andre Pallante went five innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts, and Kyle Leahy worked three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Luis Gastelum, Gordon Graceffo, and Ryne Stanek combined for 11 scoreless innings for the bullpen, striking out 11.
St. Louis wraps up their last homestand of the year this week, as they’ll host the Giants and Nationals for three games each.
5. Cincinnati Reds (70-79); 1-5 this week; 0.0% chance to make postseason
The Reds had another rough week, as they were swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles and dropped two of three against the Brewers in Milwaukee, salvaging the series finale on Sunday.
Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suárez each slugged three homers this week, with De La Cruz adding three doubles as part of a nine-hit week. Juan Brito also homered, and Sal Stewart added seven hits (all singles).
Chase Burns was just about the only bright spot for the rotation, making a pair of starts totaling six innings with two runs allowed and 10 strikeouts. Tejay Antone, Brock Burke, and Emilio Pagán combined for six scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out four.
Cincinnati now heads home for the last time in 2026, as they’ll host the Dodgers for four games and the Cubs for three games.
UNITED STATES - APRIL 01: Baseball: St, Louis Cardinals Chris Carpenter (29) in action, throwing out first pitch of season vs New York Mets Jose Reyes (7) during opening day game, Scenic view of skyline from Busch Stadium, St, Louis, MO 4/1/2007 (Photo by David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X77764 TK1 R1)
Good morning, baseball fans!
A new week of San Francisco Giants baseball starts today, with the team heading back out on the road for the last time this season.
First up is a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by a day off on Thursday and then a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
I would usually pick a Dodgers series for the one that I’m most interested in this week. But given the way things are going, and the way things went against the Cardinals last week, I’m picking that series.
Which series are you most interested in this week?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants begin this series against the Cardinals this afternoon at 4:45 p.m. PT.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 12: A detailed view of a Colorado Rockies baseball bag sitting in the dugout prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Rockies 11-7. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, Purple Row!
Today and tomorrow, we are trying something a little different with our morning lineup. Rather than having one singular Rockpile that contains a feature story, minor league recap, and links to Rockies news, we’re going to split it into three parts:
Scaling the Rocks at 6am MT: Links to Rockies and MLB News
Rockpile at 10am MT: Daily feature story
Daily Pebble Report at 12pm MT: Minor league recap from the night before
We will still have the weekly Pebble Report feature story on Tuesdays, but that will be renamed the “Pebble Report Spotlight.”
You’ll still get the same information, but it’ll be broken into smaller chunks instead of one long thread.
This is not something we’ll run regularly at this time, as we’re still in the experimentation phase, but we just wanted to make you aware.
But on to what’s happening!
Country Roads, Take Me Home
Yesterday, the Rockies lost once again, pushing their losing streak to seven games as they went 0-6 on their road trip and were outscored 46-17.
Today, they embark on their final homestand of the season. They will play four against the San Diego Padres, three against the Arizona Diamondbacks and three against the Seattle Mariners. Then, they will embark on a quick three-game road trip to end the season against the Chicago White Sox.
The quest for 63 wins is still alive, but it is exponentially more challenging than it was a few weeks ago. The Mariners are the only team not in the thick of a playoff race, so it will be a brutal push to the end.
Rockies News & Links
Hill’s calm demeanor has roots in pee-wee football | MLB.com — Jaden Hill has been a stalwart in the Rockies bullpen this year, and Thomas Harding asked him about his origin story. For Hill, it came from growing up playing pee-wee football and learning how to not only find weaknesses in his opponents, but also stay calm in the face of danger.
With Goodman raking, but Rox reeling, backstop focused on bigger picture | MLB.com — The Rockies lost 11-7 after a spectacular late-inning bullpen implosion. In the midst of it, though, Hunter Goodman hit his 38th home run of the season. Thomas Harding asked Goodman to shed light on his accomplishment, and how the team is dealing in the midst of a streak that has seen them lose seven in a row, 11 straight on the road, and 19 of their last 24.
Rockies GM Byrnes talks ups and downs of Colorado’s season | MLB.com — Rockies GM Josh Byrnes was in Detroit over the weekend and offered his insights on the current Rockies situation, as well as their 2026 season as a whole. He identified three shortcomings (offense, defense, pitching) and one strength (Warren Schaeffer).
Ryan McMahon’s reunion ‘normal baseball, while Gabriel Hughes faces off with Aaron Judge | Denver Gazette ($) — Kevin Henry traveled with the Rockies to New York when they faced the Yankees last week. He was able to connect with old friend Ryan McMahon, who was facing his old team for the first time since being traded at the 2025 deadline. Additionally, he asked Gabriel Hughes about facing Aaron Judge, who had just been activated off the IL on Tuesday, and Connor Norby about what makes for a stellar batting practice (something that helped Norby get in the starting lineup on Tuesday).
Around Baseball
Diamondbacks designate Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment | Arizona Sports — The Diamondbacks are pushing for a playoff spot, and cut ties with Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was a key player in their 2023 World Series run. However, since then, he’s been injury-prone — including an ACL tear in 2024 — and the Snakes decided it was time to move on.
WPBL Takes Adaptability to the Next Level | Kick the Concrete — Purple Row’s own Joelle Milholm covered the WPBL this season for Kick the Concrete. This is her third article in the series, and she talks about the positional versatility of all the players. You can read her other articles here and here, as well as a feature she wrote for SB Nation.
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 09: Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen (22) hits a solo home run in the third inning during a MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals on September 09, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Lugo threw his four-seamer 38% of the time during his first trip through the order. The pitch also registered 6-of-9 first-pitch strikes, per Baseball Savant.
“I think, you know, it makes the hitters be a little more aggressive,” Lugo said. “So then, the spin and off-speed pitches tend to work better when they’re trying to hit fastballs. So we were trying to challenge early in the count and make sure they are quality pitches.”
“He battles, that’s probably his Number 1 characteristic,” Quatraro said. “He’s exceptionally competitive and he’s been on a really good run here lately the way he throws the ball. He has a lot of confidence and we have a lot of confidence in him.”
Overall, Cameron threw 85 pitches, 57 for strikes, relying a bit more on his slider than usual.
“Obviously, a long first inning. I was thankful to get out of there,” he said.
“That’s a phenomenal record,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We know that he’s been on a tear here offensively as of late. So good for him. Not only that, but it tied the game.”
Jensen has 13 hits, five home runs and 10 RBIs in September. He leads all American League rookies in extra-base hits (57) and doubles (31). He also ranks second with 71 RBIs, and third with 24 home runs.
“He’s swinging the (expletive) out of it,” Royals starter Randy Dobnak said. “He can do it pretty well. And what he’s been doing is what he’s been doing all year. I mean, this month, he has four or five pumps. Just swinging it really well.”
Witt began his day by beating out an infield hit before he stole second base for his 40th bag of the season. The All-Star shortstop, who reached that number for the second time in his career (49 in 2023), is one of just five players in franchise history with multiple 40 stolen-base campaigns.
With 13 games remaining in the regular season, Witt is just two homers shy of the third 20 HR/40 SB season in franchise history. His 2023 campaign (30/49) and Carlos Beltran’s 2003 performance (26/41) are the only two to date.
“Yeah, definitely feel better,” Caglianone said pregame. “You know, with these, it’s different for everybody going through them. So I’m glad there was no IL (injured list) or anything like that. Still a few games left in the year, so I’m excited and very happy to be back.”
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 9, 2026: Wehiwa Aloy #1 of the Chesapeake Baysox looks on during a game against the Richmond Flying Squirrels on September 9, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Tides fell, with starter Juaron Watts-Brown taking the loss. He didn’t pitch too badly, though, giving his team five innings with three runs allowed on six hits and two walks. The righty, acquired from the Blue Jays in 2025 in exchange for Seranthony Dominguez, had a 5.76 ERA in Double-A, but struggled to a 9.26 ERA in Triple-A over six starts. After JWB, Yaqui Rivera, Albert Suárez and Yosver Zulueta threw three scoreless.
The Tides scored their two runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of one big swing. Jud Fabian singled, ahead of one Creed Willems, who happily got a hanging curveball and went yard. It was the catcher’s eighteenth four-bagger this season. Other Tides batters who recorded hits were Christian Franklin, Silas Ardoin and Tavian Josenberger.
On their last day of the season, the Baysox pulled off a win with a three-run comeback in the eighth. But first we’ll start with pitching. Starter Patrick Reilly, reinstated in late July after Tommy John, posted a clean 5.2 one-run innings, bringing down his season ERA at Double-A to 3.63 ERA in eight starts. Reilly also struck out seven. Afterwards, 3 1/3 scoreless were tossed by a combination of Richard Guasch, Keegan Gillies, Alex Pham and Brock Moore.
This game was 1-0 Richmond until the top of the eighth, when the Baysox strung together the winning three-run rally. Griff O’Ferrall singled, Frederick Bencosme walked and then, with two outs, Wehiwa Aloy brought them all home with an Earl Weaver Special. That was all the offense the Baysox would get, and it’d be all they needed. O’Ferrall, Estrada and Aloy finished with two hits apiece.
Chesapeake ends its season 67-68, fifth in the Eastern League’s Southwest division.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 1987: Mike Scott #33 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during an Major League Baseball game circa 1987 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Scott played for the Astros from 1983-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fret not with that hovering malaise permeating from St. Petersburg’s aftermath. The ambient rawness of a series loss in Tampa is still fresh, but we have the perfect cure. It’s time to unveil my “All October Squad” throughout the various decades.
This might be the only list you’ll ever find without the likes of Bagwell and Biggio. Bagwell in 106 post season plate appearances, hit only .226 with a pair of home runs. Biggio also had two longballs over 167 at-bats, hitting just .234.
The lineup card has been submitted to the home plate ump, so sit back and enjoy. Without further ado, here’s the best to do it for the Astros in October:
1. George Springer. CF.
Admit it, you miss hearing “Springer Dinger!” George’s epic 2017 Series in which he launched five home runs off Dodgers pitching is the stuff of legend. All told, he’d accumulate 19 HR, 38 RBI along with 43 runs across 63 post season games as an Astro.
2. Alex Bregman. 3B.
88 hits in the postseason. Enough said!
3. Yordan Alvarez. DH
The intimidation factor will always be there, as will stunning 3 run blast against Seattle in the 2022 ALDS.
4. Jose Altuve. 2B.
Not surprising, the newly minted member of the 2,500 club, leads all Astros with 118 post season hits.
5. Carlos Correa SS
Clutch. 18 home runs in 79 postseason games, with an engagement proposal on one knee to boot.
6. Michael Brantley. LF
On his tombstone, it will say, “professional baseball hitter” Believe it or not, he actually has more postseason hits than Yordan, even with injuries cutting him short.
7. Yuli Gurriel 1B
87 hits in 85 post season games.
8. Jason Castro C
Go back and watch the 2021 postseason. Castro was clutch off the bench, registering a monster 1.159 OPS over 6 games.
9. Billy Hatcher RF
Billy’s game tying solo home run in the 14th inning against the Mets is legendary. Every Astros fan remembers the left field foul pole shot! He also had 7 hits in that series with New York.
SP Mike Scott
Yes, Verlander has 10 wins in a Houston uniform, but Scott made his lone post-season appearance in 1986 count, so much so that he was named NLCS MVP even in the series loss. Scott’s combined stats from Games 1 & 4 are insane. Two complete games, 1 run allowed and 19 K’s.
Closer: Ryan Pressly
Shakira’s hips don’t lie and neither do the stats for Pressly. Simply put, he has the most saves in October for the Astros all-time with 14.
Let us know your all-time Astros October lineup in the comments.
