At the trade deadline, the Phillies traded pitching prospect Ramon Marquez in the midst of a breakout season. Marquez had quickly ascended the Phillies prospect ranks with a strong season split between Single-A and High-A. Over 12 games, he pitched to a 1.68 ERA and struck out 41.9% of batters faced.With one of the Phillies top pitching prospects gone, who could be the next to emerge as a future building block? The Phillies have recently drafted pitchers with big strikeout stuff like Marquez, and many have shown flashes of their potential.Some of these players are still a couple of years away from reaching the major leagues. However, they give the organization solid depth for the future or potential pieces for bigger trades.MLB Pipeline has updated their list of the Top 30 Phillies Prospects:1. RHP Gage Wood2. SS Aidan Miller3. OF Francisco Renteria4. RHP Ramon Marquez5. 2B Aroon Escobar6. OF Dante Nori7. C/1B Alirio Ferrebus8. OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.9. LHP Cade Obermueller10. RHP Moises pic.twitter.com/aMSruvfwa7 Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 24, 2026A Pair of 2025 Draft Neighbors Making NoiseDrafted in consecutive rounds in 2025, Cade Obermueller and Cody Bowker have both shown elite swing-and-miss potential. Obermueller (PHI #7) got out to a late start due to a bout of mononucleosis. Upon returning, he dominated A ball with a 2.78 ERA over 11 starts, though he never topped four innings in a game. Obermueller struck out 35.3% of batters and picked up ground balls at a 43.8% clip. However, his promotion to High-A has been a struggle (2 games, 7 innings, 10 hits, 9 runs, 6 walks).Bowker (PHI #13), on the other hand, struggled more at surface level in Single-A. In 12 games, he posted a 5.90 ERA despite an excellent 37.9 K%. Batters struggled to make significant contact against him regularly, holding opponents to an average exit velocity of 84.4 MPH. His 15.5% swinging strike rate and 33.2 Whiff% were above-average for his level, too. His walk rate wasnt particularly strong (11.8%), but where he struggled the most was leaving runners on base. While not a perfect measurement, the MLB average for LOB% is at 72.3%. Bowker, meanwhile, struggled mightily in that regard with a 54.2 LOB%.The Phillies still saw enough in him to promote him to High-A, and hes rewarded their confidence greatly. In seven starts with Jersey Shore, Bowker has posted a 3.52 ERA. Hes maintained his excellent strikeout stuff (31.3 K%) and seen his walk rate decline sharply (3.9%). Most significant, however, is his rate of runners left on base being much more in line with the average (71%).Seven strikeouts for Cody Bowker tonight in Jersey ShoreHis line:4 IP | 4 H | 3 ER | 1 BB | 7 K | 77 pitches (51 strikes)Bowker now has 104 K's in 70.1 IP between Clearwater and Jersey Shore this season pic.twitter.com/gkrEACQA8O FuturePhils (@FuturePhils) August 7, 2026A Project Prospect with Strikeout StuffSelected in the 2025 draft but later than Obermueller and Bowker, Matthew Fisher (PHI #9) represents a longer-term development project. Nevertheless, he still presents lots of promise to the organization that gave him a similar signing bonus to the second-rounder Obermuellers. Most of his ceiling will be dependent on how he continues to grow into his 6-foot-3 frame as he develops.The 20-year-old got off to a good start in rookie ball. In six starts, Fisher had an incredible 40.8 Whiff% and a 21.9% swinging strike rate. Fishers 28.9 K% was strong and like Obermueller and Bowker, helped him mitigate a high 11.8 BB%. After being roughed up in his pro debut for six runs in 2.1 innings, Fisher quickly found his stride. He allowed just three runs in his next five starts with a .189 batting average against.A bump up to Single-A saw a dip in strikeout stuff but an improvement in walks and overall run prevention. Fishers ERA dropped from 4.86 in the Florida Complex League to 3.75 in Clearwater. While his whiff and swinging strike rates were nearly cut by half, his walk rate also fell to just 6.9%. Fishers slider is the star of his pitching profile right now. At Single-A, hes thrown it 30.2% of the time and has recorded whiffs on it at a 35.2% mark.Another strong outing for Clearwaters Matthew Fisher. He allows one run in a season-high 5 IP, giving up 2 hits, 1 BB and 5 Ks. He threw 39 of 61 pitches for strikes. Lots of cutters/sweepers against a right-hand heavy lineup. Kid can pitch, just needs to find some more velo pic.twitter.com/wa2djQY4Ra Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) July 8, 2026An Injury Rebound to Watch in 2027In July 2024, the Phillies traded lefty reliever Gregory Soto to the Orioles. In return, they got back two righty pitching prospects: Seth Johnson and Moises Chace. By 2025, both found themselves among the Phillies top 15 prospects, with Chace slotting as the fifth-best. Fangraphs was much higher on him, putting him on their top 100 prospects list after Spring Training in 2025.But Chace didnt get a chance to live up to his potential. Starting the season in Double-A, he posted a 3.24 ERA in five starts, maintaining a solid 25.3 K%. Then his walk rate skyrocketed to 16% from 8.9% in six outings after he joined the Phillies farm in 2024. With his stuff seeming diminished, there was concern he was dealing with an injury. On May 14, in the second inning of his start, Chace missed high and outside with a fastball. Immediately, he called over for a trainer and was shortly removed from the game.Chace ultimately neededTommy John Surgery and missed the remainder of the year. Now 23, Chace (PHI #8) has a chance to return late this season. An early-season injury report noted that his recovery had been going well and that the organization saw the middle of the year return as a possibility. Hes yet to begin a rehab assignment, however, and likely wont impact the team until next year. Still, he showed great potential after being acquired by Philadelphia (6 games, 42.9 K%, two outings of 10+ strikeouts). If he can find a form close to what he reached in 2024, he could be an impact arm in 2027.Only one strikeout in the fifth for Moises Chace Chace is up to 11 strikeouts through 5 innings, with 46 of his 62 pitches for strikes pic.twitter.com/niXBpprPZg Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) September 1, 2024The post Obermueller, Bowker Among Ascending Phillies Pitching Prospects appeared first on The Lead.

It's shaping up to be a divine night on Chicago's South Side.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchThe White Sox take on the Cincinnati Reds in a highly anticipated game honoring fan and Chicago native Pope Leo.All fans will receive a "Pope hat" which was first announced as a promotion..Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago native and longtime White Sox fan.There will be other sacred elements.The viral mock conclave students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy will join players for an on-field recognition.And the beloved organist Nancy Faust will perform during the game.The ceremonial first pitch by Sister Mary Jo Sobieck of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield.The "play ball" announcement will be made by former White Sox pitcher Donn "The Pope" Pall.The ChiTown Popes will also perform at Rate Field Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers schedule comes out later on in the week, but the NBA has already unveiled some of the marquee games, including the highly anticipated matchup against LeBron James new team. On October 21st, for the season opener, the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.View this post on InstagramA post shared by LA Sports Report (@lasportsreport)The game will be at 7 p.m. PST, and it is part of ESPNs opening-weekend doubleheader. However, their season will not open on Opening Day, the first time since the 2018-2019, when James joined the Lakers. May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77, middle) reacts after a made basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn ImagesAdditionally, for Christmas Day, the Lakers will be playing against the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James new team. All eyes will be on that game, as the Lakers and James underwent a tricky divorce over the offseason, with a ton of chatter around the tenuous nature of their relationship in the end. What to expect from the Lakers in 2026The Lakers are going to be rocking an entirely new team around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, with the LeBron James-sized cloud moving to Philadelphia. There are a lot of expectations on the Lakers to deliver a convincing basketball product for the fans and new ownership, who will be tracking how the coaching staff and front office do over the next year. Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesThe Lakers have a new starting center in Walker Kessler, alongside wing players like Quientin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili alongside guard Collin Sexton. LA added a total of nine new players, spending millions in free agency and exhausting their draft capital.The team is loaded and expected to fight for a seeded spot in the postseason, ideally keeping everyone healthy and finally having a full playoff run with Luka Doncic healthy. Additionally, Doncic will want to send a message tha the Lakers are his team and should put together a truly season. The post Lakers Marquee Matchups Revealed for First Season Without LeBron James appeared first on LA Sports Report.

Your ability to move comfortably can influence almost every part of daily life. Whether you are walking around your home, working, exercising, shopping, or spending time with family, physical strength and mobility matter. When an injury, surgery, pain, weakness, or balance difficulty interrupts these activities, physical therapy can provide a structured path toward improved function. For...

The Boston Celtics spent the early part of the offseason battling the Miami Heat in the trade market, as they both pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately for the Celtics, the Heat won that battle, landing the two-time MVP for a haul of young players and draft picks.On Christmas Day, Boston and Miami will go head-to-head once again, except this time it will be on the court. If we assume that this will be the first meeting between the two teams, Boston will be forced to face up to the reality of what could have been, had they landed Giannis in the summer. After all, it was missing out on Giannis that ultimately acted as the catalyst for Brad Stevens pulling off a highly controversial deal to send Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers.Games between Boston and Miami always carry some extra weight for the fans. The two teams are rivals and consistently find themselves battling for position in the Eastern Conference. While the Heat aren't expected to be a contender this season, having Giannis on the roster means they can't be counted out, especially with Bam Adebayo anchoring the floor next to him.For the Celtics, the matchup against Miami will be both a good barometer of the level they're performing at, and what they're missing in Giannis. On the flip side, it could also be a reminder of how difficult it would have been to build a contender around an aging Giannis who needs multiple high-level shooters around him in order to be anywhere near his best.Either way, Christmas will provide Celtics fans with a glimpse of how things could have been. The only question is whether they'll come away from that game wishing Boston won that trade battle, or grateful that things turned out the way they did, even though it ultimately turned the Sixers into a powerhouse.Celtics fans may have wanted a matchup with the Sixers on Christmas Day. Still, there's enough of a storyline between Boston and Miami to ensure it's a can't-miss matchup, and in reality, that's all anyone can ask for. Listen to the "Celtics Chronicle" podcast onSpotify:https://bit.ly/4fkGU4FApple:https://bit.ly/4wXHpaBThis article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics will get Giannis Antetokounmpo closure vs. Heat on Xmas Day

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy talks with guard Keyonte George (3) during the first half of an NBA Cup game against the Sacramento Kings at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News In the NBA, timing is everything.That goes for not only the intricate and nuanced plays at any given moment on the court, but also the way teams build and at what point they are ready to contend for a title.The upcoming 2026-27 season is a particularly interesting one when it comes to the state of the Western Conference, and it could be a turning point at which the power shifts.So today were looking at the power balance in the West, where it stands, how it has shifted over the course of the last few months and what teams will be emerging as new powers. Spoiler alert: The Utah Jazz are one of those emerging powers.The two-team top tierJust about the only sure thing in the West is that there are two teams at the top and then everyone else underneath. Theres no doubt that the current ruling forces are the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) talk during a free throw as the Jazz and Thunder play in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center on Friday, February 21, 2025. Thunder won 130-107. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News There have been some minor changes to the rosters for each of the two Western powerhouses, but the cores remain the same. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reigns in OKC and Victor Wembanyamas NBA superstardom in San Antonio has only just begun.The should-be tierJust below the two towering powers in the West are the teams that should be at the top of the conference, but each team comes with questions and concerns.Denver Nuggets: It remains true that Nikola Jokic is still one of the best basketball players in the world, and despite a number of injuries last season, the Nuggets still managed to finish third in the West. They should be able to do that again.But depth continues, as it has the last few years, to be a concern for the 2023 champs and its hard to imagine them rising to the top once again if everything rests on the health of Aaron Gordon. Los Angeles Lakers: This is the restart of the Luka Doni era in Los Angeles. Its not just that LeBron James has left. There was a ton of roster turnover in the offseason and that includes the Lakers adding Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle and Kevon Looney.Doni is the kind of player that makes those around him better, and this should be a playoff team. But we dont know if this is all going to work and if there will be enough defense outside of Kessler for the Lakers to be able to manage the length of the season.Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards is an electric star and the Wolves have been in the upper echelon of the West for a few years now. The addition of LaMelo Ball should give Edwards some backcourt relief, but theres definitely a feeling that the T-Wolves have reached their ceiling and that no retooling will help them into the top tier of the Western Conference. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) brings the ball up the court during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Houston Rockets: After years of being in the Wests basement, Houston made some big moves and shot to the top, finishing with the second-best record in the West in 2025 and then fifth in 2026 despite playing the year without Fred VanVleet.This team should be able to maintain a strong place in the playoff race, but the vibes just seem off. Theres the whole Kevin Durant of it all, and whether he actually likes his teammates, and then theres the fit of everyone on the court, which isnt perfect.Each of these four teams could plummet out of Western Conference contention if there is an injury to a key player, if things dont mesh perfectly, if decision-makers decide to make some big moves as sellers during the 2026-27 season, or if teams on the rise supplant them.These teams should be good. But it wouldnt shock anyone if they were to fall out of the top six in the West.Last years play-in groupThere isnt really any evidence that the four teams that secured 2026 play-in spots have improved this offseason.There were injuries that hurt the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors last season (Jalen Green and Jimmy Butler), but its hard to say that a healthy Green will propel the Suns, or that Butler, 36 and coming off an ACL tear, will make the Warriors a contender. Both of these teams could be preparing for a 2027 offseason that would be a last push to surround their stars (Stephen Curry and Devin Booker) with a winning roster.The LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers are teams where uncertainty is the only certainty.So much of the Clippers future depends on the Kawhi Leonard investigation and if he eventually is traded to the Toronto Raptors. If that resolves, it seems like the Clippers are set for a bit of a rebuild. They have some good young pieces and a dynamic backcourt, but they need to work on chemistry and addressing gaps on the roster.The Blazers, well, theyre just guards and centers. They surprised last year with a late-season run that landed them in the play-in tournament, but then they turned in an offseason that made the roster even more confusing than it was before.Teams that could shake up the WestUtah Jazz: The Jazz are the leader when it comes to an emerging team in the West. Theyre a classic example of an on-paper team. On paper, they have the players and the talent that should make them at least a middle-of-the-pack team in the West. But they have a ton to prove. Utah Jazz's Darryn Peterson plays against the LA Clippers during an NBA Summer League game Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Las Vegas. | John Locher Will Hardys tanking shackles will finally be taken off and Lauri Markkanen & Co. will be allowed to play to their fullest potential. What does that look like with Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and rookie Darryn Peterson? It should look like a team that is ready to supplant at least one of the previous play-in teams, and maybe even one of the middle-tier playoff teams.Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd is out and Dusty May is in. Does Kyrie Irving fit the timeline of this now very young group? Probably not. But in his return from an ACL tear, he should be just the right kind of player to help Cooper Flagg and the rest of the Mavericks usher in a new era of basketball in Dallas. And dont forget that this team still has a lot of the pieces that were able to make the Finals in 2024.Memphis Grizzlies: They committed to moving on from Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant. This is definitely a team in a rebuild, but with young talent like Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, if they ended up taking the place of a team like Portland in the play-in, it wouldnt be a surprise.The Western Conference is at a point where some of the biggest stars in the game are aging out, teams are rebuilding, and teams are making last-ditch efforts around star players. The timing is ripe for the power balance to shift a little and for teams to emerge as contenders. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Mega (2)Patrick Mahomes is officially a veteran of the Kansas City Chiefs roster, but the 30-year-old star quarterback isnt letting his age slow him down.I feel like your whole career though, you have to enjoy the moments, Mahomes told reporters during Chiefs training camp on Saturday, August 8, via NFL.com. To have that different perspective, now being a father is to enjoy the little moments and enjoy the time at camp, enjoy the cafeteria, because all of a sudden youre going to look up, youre not going to be coming back here.He continued, And so, I hope thats a long ways away, but I do enjoy getting to be here, listen to this music Ive never heard of and just be that old guy at camp now and try to build those relationships with your teammates.The father of three who shares children Sterling Skye, 5, Patrick Bronze III, 3, and Golden Raye, 20 months, with wife Brittany Mahomes is entering his 10th season in the league.His 2025 season was cut short when he suffered an injury that required ACL surgery.MegaWhile the three-time Super Bowl champion is continuing his rehab in order to be ready for week 1 against the Denver Broncos, head coach Andy Reid isnt letting his star quarterbacks age distract him.I dont worry about it because hell be here a lot longer than I am, Reid, 68, told reporters during a Monday, August 10, press conference. Yeah, listen, he is all in. I mean, that covers everything. Hes all in, every day and I love that part of him.Read More From StarMark Consuelos Reveals the Shocking Reason Why He'd 'Stay in a Loveless Marriage'Nikki Glaser Makes Surprising Career Move by Firing UTA Agents 'Without Warning,' Signing With WMETaylor Swift and Travis Kelce Get Back to Reality After Fairy Tale Wedding: Its a Big ChangeThis story Patrick Mahomes Admits He Has a Different Perspective Ahead of His 10th NFL Season first appeared on Star. Follow Star on Yahoo so you dont miss whats coming next.

Boston Colleges newest football player received a standing ovation from a standing-room-only crowd as he officially signed with the Eagles.Seven-year-old Logan March of Watertown put pen to paper or, more accurately, his thumbprint to officially become part of the Boston College football team.Its way bigger than football its like this is life, Boston College defensive back Syair Torrence said.Logans proud parents say the journey to this moment has not been the easiest.Yeah, he put that thumb print on it so hes officially a part of the team, Logans father, Robert March, said.Logan was diagnosed in 2019 with a rare genetic mutation known as COL4A1, or Gould syndrome.Logan has a genetic mutation called COL-4A1 or Gould syndrome at the time of diagnosis in 2019 he was one of 150 cases in the entire world, Logans mother, Lyla Puggioni-March, said.Though his family continues to live with uncertainty, Logan continues to overcome each challenge.The energy that he brings is just astounding he is such a personality that anybody you talk to can say that logan Even though he cant say anything he can tell you everything with his facial features and just the way he interacts with people, Robert March said.Boston College head coach Bill OBrien said Logan embodies the kind of teammate he looks for someone whose impact extends far beyond football.Our players will learn a whole lot more from logan than we could ever teach them, so were fired up about having Logan on our team, OBrien said.And Logans impact on the team has already begun.His teammates say they are using him as inspiration today and moving forward.This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals performs during the Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp at Kettering Health Practice Fields on July 29, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesJoe Burrow went on Kay Adams podcast and, among other things, was asked if nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is a big part of his championship-level expectations for this season. The star QB said, Of course hes part of that.Then Burrow listed some of the other defensive players who are raising expectations: A lot of the guys we got this offseason Boye [Mafe], Jonathan [Allen], Bryan Cook, getting DJ Turner back, Dax Hill back, Jalen Davis on the inside weve got a lot of guys that we feel confident in that can go out and produce and play winning-level football.You can watch the clip below:Joe Burrow just set me straight on the talent on @Bengals defense.NOT JUST DEXTER LAWRENCE is the message. Received! @UpAndAdamsShowpic.twitter.com/i79kIGc3o6 Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 11, 2026Among other things, its nice to see how much Davis has impressed in training camp for Burrow to mention him among the most important parts of the defense. Its also worth noting that Burrow didnt come out and say he expects to win the Super Bowl; hes toned down the rhetoric a lot since May, when he said, Were gonna win a lot of games this year and play great and win the Super Bowl.