The Toronto Blue Jays have re-signed right‑hander Lazaro Estrada to a minor‑league contract for 2026, per Baseball America. Estrada, 27, re‑entered free agency after being removed from the 40‑man roster in August 2025. He logged two MLB outings in 2025 and 13 innings over eight games in 2026 before a shoulder impingement landed him on the IL. With a career 6.64 ERA in 20⅓ MLB innings and a Triple‑A record of 5.06 ERA, the Jays plan to keep him as a reliever depth option, using his remaining option year to shuttle him between Toronto and Buffalo as needed.
A reader‑sent sepia photo captures a dramatic 1974 Cubs‑Padres play at Wrigley Field. Cubs catcher Steve Swisher (No. 9) receives the throw as Padres runner Horace Clarke is tagged out at the plate, with future Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston (Padres No. 21) on deck. The action occurred in the first inning of the June 17, 1974 game, which saw the Cubs jump to a 5‑0 lead before losing 7‑5 in 13 innings on Steve Stone’s pitching. The post walks you through the sleuthing process that pins the exact game, players and outcome, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a half‑century‑old moment.
Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller announces that veteran forward John Tavares returns to the lineup for Saturday’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens, after missing two weeks with a lower‑body injury. Hiller also confirms Jack Roslovic is cleared and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will start after his solid 33‑save effort in a 3‑2 loss to Utah. Tavares had two goals and seven points in seven games before the injury, while Roslovic leads the team with 18 points in 17 games. The Canadiens sit second in the Atlantic Division (10‑3‑3) and pose a tough test for Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs get another crack at an old rival Saturday night when they host the Montreal Canadiens. It’s an important game for a team that hasn’t quite found…
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua, returning from an early‑season injury, embraces his role alongside rookie sensation Gavin McKenna. Joshua praised McKenna’s “number‑one overall” skill, noting his five goals and 11 points in 17 games, and stressed the importance of feeding him the puck and giving him space. After a brief stint in the top six versus the Utah Mammoth, Joshua rejoins the third line for Saturday’s showdown with the Montreal Canadiens, with the Leafs aiming to snap a losing streak before a back‑to‑back against the New Jersey Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs recall goalie Artur Akhtyamov from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to manage their roster ahead of a back‑to‑back series versus the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. Both Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz will get a rest after Saturday’s skate. Akhtyamov arrives after a stellar Calder Cup playoff, posting a 15‑7 record, two shutouts and a .923 save percentage, earning playoff MVP honors. He recently signed a three‑year, $900,000 AAV extension and has logged a 2‑3‑2 record with a .876 SV% in seven Marlies starts, including a 24‑save effort in a 2‑1 OT loss to the Manitoba Moose.
Ahead of Saturday’s home clash with the Montreal Canadiens, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says returning veteran John Tavares has been the best player on the ice in practice, boosting the team’s morale. Toronto enters the game 0-2-1 in divisional matchups, having dropped games to the Canadiens, Senators and an OT loss to Buffalo, but hopes a brief travel break and Tavares’ return will spark a stronger performance. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.
The Nationals have locked center‑fielder Jacob Young into a four‑year, $23 million extension with an $8 million option for a fifth year, giving Washington control over Young, James Wood, Daylen Lile and Dylan Crews into the 2030s. While Young’s deal removes him as a trade asset, it creates a surplus of outfield talent that GM Paul Toboni may flip. The article argues that Dylan Crews, the 24‑year‑old former top prospect, becomes the most likely trade candidate despite his inconsistent 2026 season, strong bat speed and defensive value. Teams like Toronto could still pursue him if the price is right, but a trade isn’t guaranteed.
The Seattle Mariners announce Washington native Tanner Swanger as their new bench coach, a move praised by a former colleague of former manager Jason Kanzler. Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals lock outfielder Jacob Young to a four‑year, $23 million extension, and the New York Mets re‑sign right‑hander Robert Stock to a one‑year deal. The St. Louis Cardinals promote assistant GM Rob Cerfolio to general manager, and the Toronto Blue Jays distance themselves from Islamophobic posts by outfielder Anthony Santander. Additionally, Corbin Carroll is cleared after elbow surgery and Mariner prospect Eudy Yuten makes Ben Balder’s top 10 international 2027 prospects list.
Alijah Martin looked like a completely different player against the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night, compared to what Raptors fans were used to.
In Week 3 the Milwaukee Bucks drop to 0-3, falling to the Timberwolves, Celtics and Raptors despite late‑game sparks. Myles Turner shines defensively with seven blocks, but a missed trade for Jakob Poeltl stalls his "defensive champion" bid. Rookie Nate Ament erupts with a crucial three in a 22‑point comeback that falls short, while Tyler Hero earns the nickname "Air Fryer" after a standout playmaking performance. Veteran Kyle Kuzma’s erratic shot in the final seconds against Boston draws criticism, prompting calls to reshuffle the lineup, especially after Coach Taylor Jenkins inserts Brayden Burries into the starting five. The piece rounds out with fan‑driven debates about roster moves and the team's direction.
Karl-Anthony Towns brushes off a stalled Knicks extension, still delivering 19.9 points, 13.6 rebounds and 57.3% shooting while vowing to bring a championship back to New York after a 53‑year drought. LeBron James struggles in his Philly‑to‑Cleveland return, scoring just eight points with six turnovers in a 119‑96 Cavs win. Joel Embiid goes cold, missing all nine shots and remaining 3‑for‑28 from three this season. Nets bench players Danny Wolf (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Terance Mann (plus‑11) spark a win over Charlotte. Meanwhile, Raptors rookie Alijah Martin erupts for a career‑high 27 points and 6‑of‑7 from deep against Milwaukee.
James Reimer’s stint with the New York Rangers ends after a single 20‑minute appearance, where he allowed two early goals in a 6‑3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 26. After clearing waivers, he returns to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, serving as an emergency backup while the Rangers settle on Dylan Garand and Joonas Korpisalo after Igor Shesterkin’s season‑ending knee injury. The piece also notes John Tavares’s potential return to the Maple Leafs lineup after a nine‑game lower‑body injury layoff and highlights other league updates, including Pavel Dorofeyev’s hot‑streak goal and Tye Kartye’s top‑six impact.
Despite missing Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors pull off a gritty road win in Milwaukee. After a sluggish first quarter (24 points, 9‑for‑28 shooting) and a rebounding surge by the Bucks, Alijah Martin ignites the offense with a dunk and 11 points in seven minutes, aided by Jamal Shead’s playmaking (career‑high 16 assists). RJ Barrett heats up in the second quarter, while Jakob Poeltl transforms a quiet start into a dominant fourth‑quarter finish (19 points, 11 rebounds). The Raptors’ resilience and the bench’s timely contributions secure the victory against a struggling Bucks squad.
In today’s NHL rumours, we start off with a pending Pittsburgh Penguins fire sale, and two players have been identified as untouchable. Next, John Tavares has returned for the Toronto…
The Opener edition celebrates defense with Hall‑of‑Famer Jim Kaat’s birthday and highlights major award winners. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong and Blue Jays’ Cody Bellinger each claim the 2026 Platinum Glove, marking their first league‑wide defensive honor, while Bellinger also secures a Gold Glove and is a front‑runner for NL MVP on Nov 12. Rawlings names the Cubs and Blue Jays as team Gold Glove winners—Chicago leads the majors with 72 Outs Above Average and +115 DRS, Toronto posts +51 DRS. Washington caps a busy day by extending Jacob Young (4‑yr, $23 M) and adding reliever Reiver Sanmartín from the Giants.
The latest Sick Podcast episode dives into Montreal Canadiens buzz, questioning if superstar Nikita Kucherov could join the club after the Habs’ 5-4 win over the Utah Mammoth. GM Kent Hughes updates on forward Ivan Demidov’s injury, while analysts discuss Nick Suzuki’s return and the potential of 2027 top prospect Landon Dupont. Trade chatter heats up with Dylan Larkin’s displeasure, Simon Edvinsson linked to the San Jose Sharks, and Evgeni Malkin drawing interest from the Minnesota Wild. Highlights include Josh Norris’s two‑goal, 5-2 Buffalo win, Kirill Kaprizov’s four‑point night for the Wild, and John Tavares’s expected return for Toronto.
In the Bucks’ NBA Cup debut, Milwaukee surrenders a 121-107 loss to a depleted Toronto Raptors after a dominant first half. The Bucks led by up to 15 points, but the Raptors exploded for 70 second‑half points. Player grades highlight Tyler Herro’s solid 23‑point, 10‑assist effort (B+), while Ryan Rollins’ turnover‑laden night earns a D. Jaime Jaquez Jr. starts hot but fades (C‑), Kyle Kuzma shoots efficiently early (C+), and Myles Turner goes scoreless on 7‑0 shooting (F). The piece notes the team’s defensive collapse and offers a six‑minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro praises rookie Brayden Burris after his impressive debut against the Toronto Raptors, where Burris logged 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, a block and career‑highs in several categories despite the Bucks’ 121‑107 loss. Herro says he believes Burris will become one of the NBA’s better players, highlighting the youngster’s 38‑minute starter performance and potential moving forward.
John Tavares returns to the Toronto Maple Leafs after a lower-body injury that sidelined him on Oct. 15 during a 5‑4 OT loss to Buffalo. He practiced in a white jersey on Friday and is set to rejoin the lineup Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, this time on the left wing alongside Nick Paul and William Nylander. Tavares, who has seven points in seven games, says the position change—suggested by coach Jim Hiller—will help the team’s depth. He will also re-enter the top power‑play unit with Auston Matthews, Nylander, Jack Roslovic (who has 18 points in 17 games) and Darren Raddysh.
The preview details the Canadiens‑vs‑Maple Leafs showdown set for 7:00 PM EST on November 7, 2026, with TV options (Sportsnet, TVA Sports) and streaming via Sportsnet+, TVA Sports+ and ESPN+. Toronto rides a recent four‑game run where they outscored opponents 21‑9 between Oct. 19‑24, sparking optimism before they settled back into a steadier pace. The article breaks down start time, key stats, and how to watch, giving fans the essential info they need before the game.
SNY cuts staff while the Mets lock down right‑hander Robert Stock with a major‑league deal. Rookie A.J. Ewing aims to build on a solid debut as ESPN weighs offseason moves for both New York clubs. Across the NL East, Baseball America lists top Phillies prospects and the Braves eye new rotation arms. The Nationals extend outfielder Jacob Young for four years ($23 M) with a fifth‑year option. MLB.com ranks free agents, highlighting Tarik Skubal, while the Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll plans a spring‑ready return after elbow surgery. The Yankees lose catching coordinator Tanner Swanson to Seattle, and the Blue Jays distance themselves from Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic posts. The piece also notes a historic Mets signing of Rick Reed on this date in 1995.
It's game 18 tonight. It's getting close to not really being all that early.
Alijah Martin scored a career-high 27 points as the short-handed Toronto Raptors rallied past the Milwaukee Bucks 121-107 on Friday night.
The post Barrettm, Martin erupt for 27 each as Raptors beat Bucks appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
In Milwaukee, the Raptors clinch a gritty victory over the Bucks despite missing Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley. Backup guard Jamal Shead delivers a career‑high 16 assists, orchestrating a comeback that fuels Alijah Martin’s 27‑point, six‑three performance and RJ Barrett’s matching 27 points. Jakob Poeltl and Collin Murray‑Boyles also post season‑best outings, cementing Shead’s masterclass as the catalyst for the win.