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http://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Mariners-Advance-to-ALCS.jpgSteven Bisig-Imagn Images SEATTLE — On a per-game basis during the regular season, the Mariners and Tigers both scored and allowed roughly the same number of runs — 4.70 and 4.28, respectively. Through the first four games of the best-of-five ALDS, each team eked out a one-run win and each team triumphed in something of a laugher. Both teams won one game at home and one game on the road, and both teams relied extensively on their bullpens. Heading into Game 5 on Friday night in Seattle, it was clear one team was going to need to do something to distinguish itself. These teams entered the night locked in a dead heat, having played matching hands for much of the series and needing a new strategy, something different to get an edge and break the stalemate, and even then, it required 15 innings and four hours and 58 minutes to do that. When it was all over, the Mariners had outlasted the Tigers, 3-2, on a walk-off single by Jorge Polanco to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 24 years. “I don’t even know where to begin to try to recap all the heroic efforts that went into today,” manager Dan Wilson said. “And 15 innings? I’ve got to say, I don’t know how the fans kept their energy going. It was unbelievably loud, even in the 15th inning. And this is a special place. T-Mobile Park is a special place, and they showed us that tonight. And just an incredible ballgame from top to bottom.” Both starting pitchers were taking the mound for a second time in the series, and both brought a slightly different approach to Game 5 than what they put on tape in their prior starts. In Game 1, Seattle starter George Kirby threw his slider 31% of the time; it was the first pitch he threw to eight of the 22 batters he faced. In Game 5, Kirby went to his slider 50% of the time and threw it as the first pitch to 10 of the 18 batters he faced. After the game, he confirmed this was a conscious shift in strategy to show Detroit’s lineup something different from what it’d seen from him six days prior. “All those guys from top to bottom are probably looking for a heater to start,” Kirby said, “and just starting off with a slider, curveball, whatever it may be, just — if I kept them off balance a little bit, I was able to attack the zone a little bit more with my fastball.” By mixing in more sliders early in the count, he was able to maintain the effectiveness of his four-seamer despite the recent exposure. Though the slider-heavy approach meant Kirby racked up fewer strikeouts than usual, he finished his outing allowing just three hits and one earned run over five innings with six punchouts. After going to his changeup just 22% of the time in Game 2, the Game 5 version of Detroit starter Tarik Skubal went back to throwing his changeup over 30% of the time (in line with his average usage on the season) and scaled back his slider and sinker usage dramatically. Skubal Pitch Type Usage Pitch Game 2 Game 5 Season Average Changeup 22% 33% 31% Four-Seamer 38% 44% 30% Sinker 23% 14% 24% Slider 18% 7% 12% As Jake Mailhot noted prior to Game 5, the Mariners offense was happy to feast on the buffet of sinkers and sliders he laid out on chafing dishes during his first three encounters with Seattle this season. At least to the extent that anyone really gets to eat against Skubal. With that surely in mind, Skubal chose to rely more heavily on his changeup, which is his best pitch by Stuff+ and run value. And though his Game 2 start was only marred by the two home runs hit by Polanco, the recalibrated pitch mix Skubal threw in Game 5 was even more effective, serving up a final line of six innings pitched, two hits, no walks, 13 strikeouts, and one earned run. Skubal’s best got even better and he distinguished himself even further by setting a postseason record for consecutive strikeouts at seven. But while certain aspects of each team’s game plan needed to evolve to stay competitive and perhaps manufacture an advantage, others provide a steadfast edge that should never be modified. Like Josh Naylor’s baserunning. Despite moving at a glacial pace, Naylor reads pitchers and situations like a book. His ability to get the right read led to 30 stolen bases during the regular season and multiple instances during Game 4 where he overtly relayed signals to the batter while standing at second base. So when Naylor doubled in the second, it should have come as no surprise when he made a move to steal third. But Skubal seemed suddenly struck by a bout of ephemeral amnesia, causing him to forget to check the runner. Naylor was able to read Skubal and made it over halfway to third by the time the ace started his delivery. It’s clear Naylor couldn’t believe his good luck because he briefly broke back toward second. The crowd realized what was happening before Skubal did, and as the roar spread through the stadium, perhaps Naylor was worried the overexcited fans were going to blow his cover. But Skubal’s focus stayed trained on Mitch Garver at the plate, and Naylor swiped third on Skubal’s memory lapse. From there, Naylor scored easily when Garver drove a ball deep to right-center field. And with that, Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead. . Eventually, the starters came out of the game, and it was on managers Wilson and Detroit’s A.J. Hinch to find a new way to gain an advantage. Initially, Wilson played the hits, which led him to bring in Gabe Speier to face Kerry Carpenter for the fourth time in the series. After Wilson let Kirby face Carpenter for a third time in Game 1, and Carpenter hit a go-ahead two-run homer, Speier became Wilson’s go-to guy for retiring Carpenter, one of the most platoon-heavy players in the game. Carpenter owns a career 138 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, compared to a mark of 69 vs. lefties, with 63 of his 70 career home runs in the regular season coming with the platoon advantage. He’s also 7-for-13 with five home runs in his career against Kirby, including the playoffs, with two of those hits (both singles) coming in his two previous times up in Game 5. The move made sense. And yet, when Carpenter stepped in against Speier with a runner on second and nobody out, he drove a middle-middle fastball 411 feet to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the sixth. Carpenter did the very thing Wilson’s tried-and-true Speier-strategy aimed to prevent. Then, in the seventh inning with runners on first and second and Skubal out of the game, Wilson attempted to send the lefty-hitting Dominic Canzone and his 150 wRC+ against righties to the plate to face right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan in place of Garver and his 63 wRC+ against righties. But once Canzone was announced, Hinch lifted Finnegan from the game and brought in lefty Tyler Holton. From there, Wilson pivoted to birthday boy and switch-hitter, Leo Rivas, who brings neutral platoon splits to the function. As such, when Holton left a changeup over the plate, Rivas looped it into left field for a game-tying single. Bringing in Rivas was a departure in strategy for Seattle. Initially, when Rivas heard his number called, he thought he was most likely coming in to run for Polanco who stood at second. Instead, he took his first-ever postseason plate appearance and knotted the score at two. “To be honest, I was ready to run for Polo on second,” said Rivas, who turned 28 on Friday. “Then [bench coach] Manny [Acta] came to the case, ‘Hey, Papa, come here. Go get this guy.’ I’m like, ‘All right, I’ve got him.’” The Mariners next move to shake things up and create separation from the Tigers was to bring in starters Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo out of the bullpen. The two pitchers have headlined Seattle’s rotation over the last few years and neither has pitched a single inning in relief at the major league level. Gilbert last pitched out of the pen during his sophomore year at Stetson University in 2017, while Castillo last appeared as a reliever for the Marlins High-A affiliate in 2016. Gilbert and Castillo combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, preventing Wilson from needing to call upon the members of the bullpen that Detroit had already knocked around earlier in the series. As the innings wore on, Hinch cycled through Finnegan, Holton, and Will Vest — his mainstay relievers. He also called upon Troy Melton and Keider Montero, his all-purpose pitchers, who have spent the season cycling between starting and relieving. Then, like Wilson, Hinch asked a starter to power through a couple of innings. Game 3 starter Jack Flaherty worked the 13th and 14th after not having appeared in relief since pitching one inning out of the bullpen for the Cardinals in 2022. But before we get to what happened in the 15th inning, we must pause for a brief interlude to explain some T-Mobile Park lore to those not already in the know. As part of the between-inning entertainment at every home game, the Mariners host a Salmon Run in which four salmon — King, Sockeye, Silver, and Humpy — race along the warning track. Stats are kept documenting each salmon’s record, and famously, Humpy had never won. As of this writing, the fun fact in Humpy’s bio on the Mariner’s website reads, “Has never won the race!” Just over a week ago, outfielder Victor Robles joined the Salmon Run to ensure Humpy stayed winless. But as the two teams continued to tack on extra innings, someone behind the scenes made the call to stage a second Salmon Run. And y’all are never gonna believe what happened: Humpy notched its first career win. The players and coaches were not the only ones in the stadium pushing the envelope in the hope of securing a victory. Then, in the bottom of the 15th Tommy Kahnle took the rubber for the Tigers. Kahnle famously throws changeups 86% of the time. But perhaps knowing a shift in strategy would be necessary to finally overcome the deadlock in both the game and the series, Kahnle threw just 62% changeups, opting to mix in six fastballs. Or maybe the uptick in fastball usage was simply a byproduct of Kahnle’s inability to locate his changeup. Normally, he is able to throw the pitch to all quadrants of the zone, but on Friday, Kahnle struggled to even kiss the shadow region of the zone. His only way to tempt hitters to swing was to use his fastball to prove he could still hit the zone with something. But it wasn’t enough. After J.P. Crawford singled to start the inning, Kahnle hit Randy Arozarena to put two runners on with no outs. The next batter was Cal Raleigh, who hit a fly ball to center that seemed ill-placed to advance the runners, but Crawford tagged up and pushed for third anyway, and a throwing error Parker Meadows not only allowed Crawford to reach third, but it also let Arozarena move up to second. Detroit intentionally walked Julio Rodríguez to load the bases for Polanco, hoping he would roll over a Kahnle changeup and ground into an inning-ending double play. Instead, Polanco worked the count full and then got just enough of the barrel on a low-and-away changeup to rip it through the four-hole into right field, scoring Crawford and sending Seattle into a state of joyous delirium. “I know we played a long game, but this team never gave up,” Polanco said. “I know there is a lot of emotion, but we are always trying to keep it simple. I’m just trying to go out there and play and trying to get the win.” With the win, the Mariners advance to the ALCS to face the Blue Jays. It will be Seattle’s first appearance in the Championship Series since 2001 and fourth time overall. Though the team has found success at various points over the last 30 years, but it has never reached the World Series. While waiting for Wilson to join the media in the interview room for his postgame press conference, a Mariners PR person brought in a gray plastic chair and placed it behind the mic at the center of the table, between several padded leather chairs. When Wilson entered the room, the reason for the change became clear. Visibly dripping with a soup of beer and champagne, Wilson took his seat — the gray plastic one — so as not to ruin the upholstery of the chairs on either side. The rearranging of the furniture represented one final strategic shift to get Seattle over the ALDS hump and on to Toronto, where the series begins this Sunday. Source View the full article

Last week, I shared 15 of the queer books on my Halloween month TBR, and that was just a sample of the books I’m hoping to read in October. For a minute there, I decided I would just read a book a day to get through them… as you might expect, that plan quickly fell apart. But I have read a few so far and have enjoyed them all: Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle, My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen, and Queer Little Nightmares edited by David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli. Next weekend, on October 18th, is Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon. I look forward to it all year, and for the October readathon, I always pick a TBR with lots of queer horror and Halloween-adjacent reads. Here are five of the novellas and graphic novels I’m hoping to read then. This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. Do you have any queer horror books on your October TBR? Are you going to participate in the readathon? Let’s chat in the comments! View the full article

Free agent guard Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings have “strong mutual interest” toward getting a deal done, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday’s edition of NBA Today. “There is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings,” Charania said. “And the Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were […] The post Russell Westbrook, Kings Reportedly Have ‘Strong Mutual Interest’ appeared first on Basketball Insiders | NBA Rumors And Basketball News. View the full article

San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper lofted an alley-oop to Victor Wembanyama for a two-handed slam with 44.3 seconds left in the first half of Friday night’s 134-130 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz. Spurs’ Dylan Harper Played 18 Minutes Against Jazz Harper, an early NBA Rookie of the Year candidate after going No. 2 […] The post Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Finds Wemby For Alley-Oop In Preseason Debut appeared first on Basketball Insiders | NBA Rumors And Basketball News. View the full article

The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to voluntarily dismiss a 2023 lawsuit involving the alleged theft of thousands of confidential files, according to a legal filing in the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Knicks Were Suing Raptors For More Than $10 Million Spokespersons representing the teams issued […] The post Knicks, Raptors Agree To Voluntarily Dismiss 2023 Lawsuit appeared first on Basketball Insiders | NBA Rumors And Basketball News. View the full article

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Here are the stories we covered ourselves on Book Riot this week. Libby’s 20 Most Popular Books of September The 2025 National Book Awards Shortlists Are Here Bookshop.org Offers Free Shipping and 20% Off Banned Books for “Anti-Prime Day” What Books Do Readers Find Most Confusing? The Best Queer Books of the Year: Meet the 2025 Lambda Literary Award Winners Be an Informed Pro-Library, Pro-Literary Voter Now: Book Censorship News, October 10, 2025 Resources For Latine Heritage Month and More News for Libraries The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week The Bestselling Books of the Week, According to All the Lists South Carolina Students and Librarians Sue State Education Superintendent Over Book Bans LeVar Burton Named Indie Bookstore Ambassador and More Book News! Trump Sues Penguin Random House, and Other News for Library Workers And for All Access members, here are all the interesting links we bookmarked that didn’t make the cut for full Today in Books coverage. This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. What are you reading? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Minami Katsu followed up her course-record 61 with a 4-under 68 on Saturday to hold a two-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round of the LPGA Shanghai tournament.View the full article

Max Greyserman and Xander Schauffele shared the top of the leaderboard after Saturday's third round of the Baycurrent Classic in Japan.View the full article

Today’s Featured Book Deals $1.99Exhalation by Ted ChiangGet This Deal $1.99Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins ReidGet This Deal $4.99Malas by Marcela FuentesGet This Deal $3.99Blackouts by Justin TorresGet This Deal $1.99The Deep by Nick CutterGet This Deal $1.99The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton SmithGet This Deal $1.99Devil in the White City by Erik LarsonGet This Deal $1.99The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené BrownGet This Deal In Case You Missed Yesterday’s Most Popular Book Deals $2.99Graveyard Shift by M.L. RioGet This Deal $0.99Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About by Isabelle PoppGet This Deal $1.99Tusk Love by Thea GuanzonGet This Deal $2.99American Scary: A History of Horror, from Salem to Stephen King and Beyond by Jeremy DauberGet This Deal View the full article

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce their playoff livestream plans and then break down Game 4 of the Phillies-Dodgers NLDS, including their musings on Orion Kerkering’s game-ending error and the events that preceded it, whether baseball would be better or worse without its tragic on-field figures, the Phillies’ future, and the intimidating Dodgers. Then, after a few thoughts on the Brewers and Cubs, they banter about baseball’s culture of pitch-tipping paranoia (53:29), the effects of high-tech pitching machines (1:09:20), the upcoming MLB free agency of NPB slugger Munetaka Murakami (1:17:00), and potentially encouraging comments about MLB’s path to a unified package of broadcast rights (1:20:58), plus a postscript message from Meg (1:30:05) about the Mariners’ ALDS Game 5 victory. Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to sign up for Patreon Link to FG Phillies-Dodgers gamer Link to walk-off video Link to Gelb’s Phillies story Link to walk-off errors stat 1 Link to walk-off errors stat 2 Link to Yoda quote Link to tweet about Call on Call Link to Stark on the Phillies’ future Link to Petriello’s post Link to new meme format Link to bunting etymology Link to FG Cubs-Brewers gamer Link to article on pitch-tipping Link to Ben on the banging scheme Link to Wilson’s chess quote Link to The Bandwagon on Trajekt Link to 2024 Trajekt Stat Blast Link to tweet about Yesavage Link to Ben on pitching machines Link to home wRC+ by year Link to road wRC+ by year Link to MLBTR on Murakami Link to Ben on Murakami/Sasaki Link to Normandin article Link to Kennedy comments Link to Kasten comments Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! Source View the full article

Photo Credit: Hulu Hulu’s new TV and movie releases for October 13-19, 2025, include Solar Opposites Season 6, Obituary Season 2, and the three-episode premiere of Murdaugh: Death in the Family. Solar Opposites Season 6 graces Hulu on Monday, October 13. Co-created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan, this animated comedy series follows a family of aliens who take refuge in middle America following the destruction of their homeworld. The family is on a mission to protect the Pupa — a being that will one day evolve into its true form and consume them, after which it will terraform the Earth. Next, Obituary Season 2 arrives on Hulu on Tuesday, October 14. This crime comedy-drama, created by Ray Lawlor, is set in a small Irish town. It follows Elvira, a young woman who becomes an obituarist for a local newspaper. When her editor promises to pay her per article, Elvira — not wanting to become poor — starts a murder spree to get writing material. Unfortunately, her efforts are hampered by a crime reporter, whom she falls in love with. Additionally, the first three episodes of Murdaugh: Death In The Family arrive on Wednesday, October 15. Helmed by Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carr, the story follows a wealthy couple, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh, who belong to one of South Carolina’s powerful legal dynasties. They enjoy a lavish life until their son, Paul, gets involved in a deadly boat crash. Soon, various truths come to life after the couple finds themselves connected to mysterious deaths, thus threatening everything they hold dear. Also dropping on Hulu this week is What Happens Later. This romantic comedy follows two ex-lovers (Meg Ryan and David Duchovny), who reconnect after being stranded together at a regional airport. New Hulu releases for October 13-19, 2025 Below are all the new TV shows and movies being added to Hulu from October 13-19, 2025. Monday, October 13, 2025 Solar Opposites: Complete Sixth and Final Season Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Obituary: Complete Season 2 Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Murdaugh: Death In The Family: Three-Episode Series Premiere Thursday, October 16, 2025 Duck Dynasty: The Revival: Complete Season 1 Storage Wars: Complete Season 13-14 The Cabin in the Woods (2012) Friday, October 17, 2025 40 Acres (2024) What Happens Later (2023) Saturday, October 18, 2025 Brittany Murphy: An ID Mystery: Complete Season 1 Evil Lives Here: Complete Seasons 2 and 5 Evil Lives Here: Shadows of Death: Complete Seasons 4-6 For more Hulu content, check out the All’s Fair trailer. Also, here are some set photos from Spider-Man: Brand New Day showing Michael Mando’s Scorpion. The post Hulu Schedule October 13-19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: ABC The High Potential Season 2 Episode 5 release date and time is on the horizon. This crime-drama mystery series is helmed by Drew Goddard. It stars Kaitlin Olson in the lead role of Morgan Gillory, alongside a supporting cast that includes Daniel Sunjata, Judy Reyes, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, and Matthew Lamb, among others. Titled “Content Warning,” the episode sees Morgan and Karadec go to an influencer content house to investigate a case involving a deadly social media stunt. Meanwhile, Ava tries to uncover information surrounding Roman’s disappearance, while the LAPD tries to deal with Captain Nick Wagner’s new role. Here’s all you need to know about the episode’s release date, time, and streaming details. When is the High Potential Season 2 Episode 5 release date & time? The episode’s release date is October 14, 2025, and its release time is 7 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) and 10 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Check out its release times in the U.S. below: TimezoneRelease DateRelease TimeEastern TimeOctober 14, 202510:00 p.m.Pacific TimeOctober 14, 202507:00 p.m. Find out how many episodes will be available to watch in High Potential Season 2 right here. Where to watch High Potential Season 2 Episode 5 You can watch High Potential Season 2 Episode 5 via ABC, the day it releases. It will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day. ABC is a commercial broadcast television and radio network owned by The Walt Disney Company. The platform broadcasts television shows from different genres, documentary series, game shows, reality shows, variety programs, soap operas, awards shows, specials, and news programs. Meanwhile, Hulu is a subscription-based streaming service. The platform offers subscribers a variety of film and television content spanning genres. Further, Hulu is home to a sizable library of anime content. What is High Potential about? High Potential follows Morgan Gillory, a single mom with an uncanny knack for solving crimes. The official synopsis for High Potential is as follows: “Morgan is a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective.” The post High Potential Season 2 Episode 5 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: Disney Channel Disney Plus’ new TV and movie release schedule for October 13 to October 19, 2025, includes Electric Bloom (Season 1), Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, The Murky Stream’s new episodes, and Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up!. On October 15, Electric Bloom (Season 1) premieres on Disney Plus. The show follows the members of the famous band, Electric Bloom, telling the story of their group and friendship. They share how they first met in high school and went on to become the most popular band in the universe. The musical comedy series Vampirina: Teenage Vampire will soon be on the streaming giant. It follows a vampire girl who joins a performing arts boarding school. She pursues her passion in music among humans while trying to keep her vampire identity a secret. Also coming to Disney Plus is The Murky Stream’s new episodes. The drama series showcases the once-clear Gyeonggang River turning into a murky stream in the lawless Joseon. This eventually ends up intertwining the fate of three characters, leading to interesting twists. Additionally, Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up!. The team-up special follows Iron Man and the Avengers teaming up with Spider-Man to prevent Ultron and Green Goblin from controlling the city’s advice. New Disney Plus releases for October 13-October 19, 2025 Below is the release schedule of all the new TV shows and movies being added to Disney Plus from October 13 to October 19, 2025. Tuesday, October 14 Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) – New Episode Live at 8/7c Wednesday, October 15 Electric Bloom (Season 1) – New Episodes Vampirina: Teenage Vampire – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming Friday, October 17 The Murky Stream (Hulu Original) – New Episodes Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man: Avengers Team-Up! – Premiere Saturday, October 18 Brittany Murphy: An ID Mystery College GameDay (ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN+) – 9 am ET Sunday, October 19 NWSL: Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC (ESPN, ESPN+) – 5 pm ET Traveling with Snow Man (Disney+ Original) – New Episode For more Disney content, check out the exciting plot details of Toy Story 5. The post Disney Plus Schedule October 13-October 19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: TLC HBO Max’s new TV and movie release schedule for October 6 to October 12, 2025, includes 7 Little Johnstons Season 16, Graveyard Carz Season 20, The Thaw Season 3, and True Beauty Season 1. On October 15, 7 Little Johnstons Season 16 drops on HBO Max. The reality show focuses on the life of the Johnstons, a family of seven suffering from achondroplasia. However, their size doesn’t affect the love and warmth between them. Furthermore, Graveyard Carz Season 20 will be available on the streaming platform. It follows Mark Worman, who owns the Graveyard Carz and gives a massive transformation to unusable and discarded cars. Also coming to HBO Max is The Thaw Season 3. The drama series follows Katarzyna delving deep into the murder mystery of a young woman whose body is found in an icy river. Additionally, the romantic series True Beauty Season 1, arrives on the streaming giant. It focuses on a girl who conceals her face with makeup as she is insecure about her appearance. Her life changes when she meets a boy who accepts her true self. New HBO Max releases for October 13-October 19, 2025 Below are all the new TV shows and movies being added to HBO Max from October 13 to October 19, 2025. Wednesday, October 15 7 Little Johnstons, Season 16 (TLC) Graveyard Carz, Season 20 Mother May I Murder?, Season 2 (ID) Pan Friday, October 17 An Intimate Evening with Adam Pally (HBO Original) Baby Assassins Everyday!, Season 1 Beach Cottage Chronicles, Season 5 (Magnolia Network) Ignite, Season 1 La Grande Maison Tokyo Special La Grande Maison Tokyo, Season 1 Light of My Lion, Season 1 Love is for the Dogs, Season 1 Mr. Mikami’s Classroom, Season 1 Please Die My Beloved, Season 1 The Thaw, Season 3 (Max Original) True Beauty, Season 1 Until I Destroyed My Husband’s Other Family, Season 1 Vivant, Season 1 Who Saw The Peacock Dance in the Jungle?, Season 1 Sunday, October 19 Anything But Gray, Season 1 (Magnolia Network) For more HBO Max content, check out which feature is being removed from the platform despite the upcoming price increase. The post HBO Max Schedule October 13-October 19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: Hulu The Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 8 release date and time is right around the corner. As per the official schedule, the eighth episode of the season is titled “Cuckoo Chicks.” This episode will see Mabel assemble a ragtag group to infiltrate an exclusive ladies’ night. Meanwhile, Charles and Oliver unexpectedly find themselves in couples therapy as they’re trying to save Arconia from being sold. Only Murders in the Building is an Emmy-winning thriller series that features a stellar cast led by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Other cast members of the show include Michael Cyril Creighton, Jackie Hoffman, and Teddy Coluca, among others. Here are all the release details about the upcoming episode of Only Murders in the Building Season 5. When is the Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 8 release date & time? The episode’s release date is Tuesday, October 14, and its release time is 12:00 a.m. PT. Check out its release times in the U.S. below: TimezoneRelease DateRelease TimeEastern TimeOctober 14, 20253:00 a.m.Pacific TimeOctober 14, 202512:00 a.m. Find out how many episodes will be available to watch in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 right here. Where to watch Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 8 You can watch Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 8 via Hulu. In addition to Only Murders in the Building, Hulu offers a multitude of popular and critically acclaimed television shows. These include The Bear, The Handmaid’s Tale, Gilmore Girls, American Horror Story, and Alien: Earth, among many others. What is Only Murders in the Building about? The official synopsis for Only Murders in the Building is as follows: “Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.” The post Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Episode 8 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: Netflix Netflix’s new TV and movie release schedule for October 13 to October 19, 2025, includes Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, The Diplomat Season 3, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. On October 14, Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead drops on Netflix. The film follows two bank employees who steal from an unclaimed account. Soon, their lives spiral out of control when the money draws them into the criminal underworld. Further, the animated series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch premieres on the streaming platform. Set in the world of espionage, Sam Fisher is a legend and a rumor. As he returns to action, he helps a new recruit uncover a global conspiracy. Also coming to Netflix is The Diplomat Season 3. The series follows the new U.S. ambassador, Kate Wyler, as she attempts to resolve an international crisis while navigating the spotlight. She also tries to balance her marital challenges with her career diplomat, Hal Wyler. Additionally, the action science fiction film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arrives on the platform. The movie follows four genetically mutated turtles emerging from the sewers to save New York City from Shredder and his evil Foot Clan. New Netflix releases for October 13-October 19, 2025 Below is the complete list of Netflix’s new TV shows and movies releasing from October 13 to October 19, 2025. Tuesday, October 14 Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Wednesday, October 15 Held Hostage in My House Inside Furioza No One Saw Us Leave Six Kings Slam Taken in Plain Sight Thursday, October 16 The A-Team Confessions of a Shopaholic The Diplomat Season 3 Romantics Anonymous Starting 5 Season 2 The Time That Remains Friday, October 17 27 Nights Good News The Perfect Neighbor She Walks in Darkness Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Turn of the Tide Season 2 Turn of the Tide: The Surreal Story of Rabo de Peixe The Twits Saturday, October 18 Don’t Say a Word For more Netflix content, check out the cast update on Monster Season 4. The post Netflix Schedule October 13-October 19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Image credit: Universal Pictures Peacock’s new TV and movie releases for October 13-19, 2025, include Season 1 of Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, the Season 1 premiere of Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, and the movie Cocaine Bear. Wednesday, October 15, 2025, brings the Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition Season 1 premiere to Peacock. In this reality series, four cast members from The Real Housewives franchise — Angie Katsanevas (Salt Lake City), Emily Simpson (Orange County), Melissa Gorga (New Jersey), and Dr. Wendy Osefo (Potomac) — step out of their comfort zones and switch lives with one another each episode. As a result, each housewife ends up experiencing unexpected challenges and situations. All eight episodes of the crime-drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy drop on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Created by Patrick Macmanus, the show follows the true story of the eponymous character (Michael Chernus), a notorious serial killer responsible for kidnapping, murdering, and burying 33 young men in a crawl space beneath his house. Also releasing on Peacock this week are the films Cocaine Bear and Don’t Breathe. Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks, follows a 500-pound bear that goes on a vicious rampage after accidentally ingesting cocaine. Meanwhile, Don’t Breathe follows three teenage thieves (Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto) who break into a blind man’s (Stephen Lang) home to rob him. However, they end up running for their lives when they discover the truth behind the blind man’s solitude. New Peacock releases for October 13-19, 2025 Below are all the new TV shows and movies being added to Peacock from October 13-19, 2025. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Cocaine Bear Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Don’t Breathe FBI: International, Season 4 (CBS) FBI: Most Wanted, Season 6 (CBS) Jurassic World Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, Season 1 – Premiere (Bravo) Thursday, October 16, 2025 The Cabin In The Woods Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, Season 1 – Premiere, All Episodes, 8 Episodes, 60 min Friday, October 17, 2025 The Real Housewives of Miami, Season 7 – Reunion Part 3, Extended & Uncensored (Bravo) For more Peacock content, check out the streaming release date for Jurassic World Rebirth. Also, here’s what The Black Phone 2 reviews are saying. The post Peacock Schedule October 13-19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Image credit: CBS Paramount Plus’s new TV and movie releases for October 13-19, 2025, include Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 2, Ghosts Season 5, and Boston Blue. Thursday, October 16, 2025, brings both Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 2 and Ghosts Season 5 to Paramount Plus. The former is a comedy series that is a spin-off of Young Sheldon. It follows the titular protagonists as they raise their family in Texas while navigating challenges related to parenting and adulthood. Meanwhile, the latter is a comedy show that is based on the British series of the same name. The narrative follows married couple Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who purchase and begin living in a seemingly beautiful country house, only to find out that it’s slowly falling apart and inhabited by ghosts. Friday, October 17, 2025, brings Boston Blue to Paramount Plus. This crime drama, created by Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier, follows NYPD officer Danny Reagan, who joins the Boston PD. Upon joining, he is partnered with Detective Lena Peters, who belongs to a prominent law enforcement family. Also dropping on Paramount Plus this week are Watson Season 2 and Tracker Season 3. The former is a mystery drama following Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes’s former partner. Meanwhile, the latter is a crime drama centered around Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who uses his sharp tracking skills to aid private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries. New Paramount Plus releases for October 13-19, 2025 Below are all the new TV shows and movies being added to Paramount Plus from October 13-19, 2025. Monday, October 13, 2025 The Neighborhood (Season 8 premiere) DMV (Season 1 premiere) FBI (Season 8 premiere) Watson (Season 2 premiere) Tuesday, October 14, 2025 NCIS (Season 23 premiere) NCIS: Origins (Season 2 premiere) NCIS: Sydney (Season 3 premiere) Thursday, October 16, 2025 Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (Season 2 premiere) Ghosts (Season 5 premiere) Friday, October 17, 2025 Fire Country (Season 4 premiere) Sheriff Country (Season 1 premiere) Boston Blue (Season 1 premiere) Saturday, October 18, 2025 Fifty Shades of Black Sunday, October 19, 2025 Tracker (Season 3 premiere) The Road (Season 1 premiere) For more Paramount Plus content, learn why Robert Patrick’s Jeremiah Dunmire isn’t afraid of Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi in Tulsa King. Also, here’s the logo for the next MCU TV show. The post Paramount Plus Schedule October 13-19, 2025: New TV Shows & Movies Being Added appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas plans to retire after the 2026 season, he told Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation following last night’s series-clinching win over the Phillies. The 36-year-old Rojas is an impending free agent and said he hopes to remain in Dodger blue for the final season of his career. “I’ve been giving it everything that I have every single night for the four years that I’ve been here,” Rojas said. “Hopefully I can finish my career here next year because I’m going to retire after next year.” That’ll be Rojas’ 13th season in the big leagues overall, and he has accrued more than 11 full years of service time. It stands to reason the Dodgers would be happy to keep him around on another cheap one-year contract. Rojas is in his second stint with Los Angeles. He debuted there in 2014 and was traded to the Marlins the following year. Rojas spent eight seasons in Miami, most of it as the starting shortstop. The Fish dealt him back to the Dodgers over the 2022-23 offseason. Rojas was in the final year of his contract with Miami. The Dodgers immediately signed him to an extension for the 2024 season that came with a ’25 club option. They exercised the $5MM option after he hit .283/.337/.410 last year. Rojas has been almost as productive this season, batting .262/.318/.397 over 317 trips to the plate. While he isn’t going to hit for much power, he still reliably puts the ball in play and provides good defense at second or third base. Rojas’ days as an everyday shortstop are behind him, yet he has chipped in 10 starts and logged 117 innings at the position this year. The Dodgers have used Rojas in five of their six postseason games. He started at second base for the clincher of the Wild Card Series against the Reds and was at the hot corner for Game 2 of the Division Series in Philadelphia. Rojas is a decent complement to left-handed hitting Max Muncy at third base. He has been more productive this season than fellow impending free agent utilityman Kiké Hernández. It’d make sense for the Dodgers to let Hernández walk and bring Rojas back on another deal in the $5MM range. If they let both players depart to open at-bats for Hyeseong Kim and/or rookie Alex Freeland, Rojas shouldn’t have a hard time finding a semi-regular utility role elsewhere. View the full article

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison | Getty Images Former DWTS champion, Melissa Rycroft, has opened up for the first time since her recent DUI arrest. After a fan expressed their support on one of her social media posts, The Bachelor alumna had a warm response. Following her arrest in September 2025, fans were eager for an update from Rycroft. Melissa Rycroft says she is ‘struggling’ after getting arrested The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader thanked a fan who wished her well during the ongoing tough period in her personal life following her DUI arrest. The fan shared her heartfelt message on Melissa Rycroft’s Instagram post, emphasizing that mistakes are a part of human life. Stating how they went through a similar situation in the past, they criticized the constant scrutiny faced by the DWTS alumna. The fan further wrote, “There’s no excuse, but it happened. Don’t ever forget that you are beautiful, loved, and blessed. Be grateful that it wasn’t worse and move forward with grace.” Rycroft responded with gratitude, saying, “@blaque_and_vegan Thank you. Life really sucks right now and I’m struggling, but I’m trying to march forward….but thank you for the sweet words in what seems like a world of negativity.” This sweet exchange happened in the comments section of a photo featuring Melissa Rycroft and her daughter. The fan’s support comes amid the news of The Bachelor star’s arrest on September 23, 2025, for driving under the influence in Southlake, Texas. According to the Southlake Police Department press release, they lodged a report for a single-vehicle accident. On the scene, the officers found “a black Cadillac Escalade that had struck a tree.” After initial sobriety tests on the scene, the officers arrested Rycroft. (via People) The press release stated, “Prior to the crash, witnesses reportedly observed the Escalade driving erratically.” It concluded with, “No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation.” The authorities eventually released Melissa Rycroft after she fulfilled a $1,000 bond. Later, her lawyer, Bret Martin, issued a statement to People. He said, “We respectfully request that the media and the public allow the legal process to unfold. And withhold any judgment whatsoever until all of the evidence has been properly analyzed and presented in a court of law.” The post Former DWTS Champion & Bachelor Star Breaks Silence After DUI Arrest appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Photo Credit: Discovery (via YouTube) David ‘Heavy D’ Sparks, the star of Discovery’s Diesel Brothers, was recently arrested. This was after a federal judge in Utah found him in contempt following a series of violations. According to reports, Sparks had repeatedly violated prior court orders, leading to his arrest. David ‘Heavy D’ Sparks arrested in Utah after being found in contempt Federal Marshals arrested the Diesel Brothers star on October 7 after a federal judge found him in contempt of court. This ruling followed after David ‘Heavy D’ Sparks reportedly violated multiple court orders involving the Clean Air Act. While he is the only one with an arrest warrant, other cast members are also part of the violation. As per Equipment World, Sparks, David “Diesel Dave” Kiley, and two more Diesel Brothers cast members, Keaton Hoskins and Joshua Stuart, were sued in 2017. It was alleged that they were illegally modifying truck exhaust systems that produced harmful black smoke. Despite a 2018 court injunction on such modifications, they allegedly continued to modify trucks and breach the order. The legal feud began in 2017 with a non-profit group, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, accusing the Diesel Brothers of violating the Clean Air Act. As a result, in 2020, the court fined the defendants and their various companies $850,000 for hundreds of violations over the years. (via Fox 13 Now) Meanwhile, David ‘Heavy D’ Sparks’ attorney, Cole Cannon, told Entertainment Weekly that the authorities released his client. Moreover, “no crime was charged or alleged.” He also defended Sparks, saying, “This arrest should never have occurred in the first place, and it has been a grave injustice to the Sparks family.” As a resolution, Sparks can either pay the overdue fees or follow specific guidelines set by the court. Premiered on January 4, 2016, Diesel Brothers followed Sparks and his team as they customized pickup trucks. The group started its journey on YouTube, but after gaining popularity, the Discovery Channel approached them for the show. The final episode of the show aired in December 2022. The post Diesel Brothers Star David ‘Heavy D’ Sparks Jailed Over Unique Violation appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

A number of teams (and their fanbases) have already turned their attention towards the offseason. Identifying free agent targets is a big part of that prep work, so it’s worth taking a look at the players who’ll be available at each position. We’re moving to third base, where the eligibility cutoff is players who either logged at least 50 innings at the position this season or have primarily played there in their careers. Most shortstops could theoretically handle the hot corner. Some teams might have interest in Jorge Polanco and/or Ha-Seong Kim at third base — the Mariners played Polanco there for 43 innings — but Polanco was covered in our second base preview and Kim will be highlighted more prominently in our shortstop preview. Ages listed are for the 2026 season. Previous entries in this series: catcher, first base, second base Regular Third Basemen Alex Bregman (32) Bregman can opt out of the final two years and $80MM of his contract this offseason. Deferred money in the contract reportedly knocks the present-day valuation of that sum down by around $10MM annually. Even absent the deferrals, Bregman would feel like all but a lock to opt out. He secured that contract last year when he was saddled a qualifying offer, which won’t be the case this season, as players can only receive one QO in their careers. Early on, Bregman played like a borderline MVP candidate, hitting .299/.385/.553 with 11 homers, 17 doubles, a 9.7% walk rate and an 18.6% strikeout rate through May 23. A quad strain shelved him for close to two months at that point. There’s a narrative that Bregman floundered down the stretch after that injury, but it doesn’t accurately paint the whole picture. Bregman slashed an outstanding .325/.408/.518 with more walks (11.5%) than strikeouts (8.5%) in his first 130 plate appearances off the injured list. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said this week that Bregman was activated at less than 100% and perhaps wasn’t running full speed for much of that time. Be that as it may, he was still quite productive. Bregman tanked for the next three weeks or so, hitting .151/.223/.215 in 103 plate appearances. He struck out at only a 10.7% clip in that time but was dogged by a .159 average on balls in play. Over the final 10 days of play, Bregman emerged from his slump to hit .276/.417/.414 in 36 plate appearances. The notion that Bregman’s second-half “swoon” was driven by his quad injury doesn’t really seem to hold up. Based on Breslow’s comments, we can assume he wasn’t 100%, but it’s a tougher sell that playing at “80%” (as Breslow suggested) really impacted Bregman’s bat. If the quad were that much of a problem, would he have come back hitting even better than he did pre-injury for about a full month? This seems like a good hitter had a bad three weeks because of some ugly results on balls in play. That happens. On the whole, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 (125 wRC+) with a revitalized walk rate and improved batted-ball metrics. His defense, even with an ailing quadriceps, graded out better than average. Both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference peg him at 3.5 WAR in only 114 games. There’s a pretty easy case that Bregman is a bankable four- to five-WAR player, and while talk of veteran presence/clubhouse leadership/intangibles is often overstated, it seems genuine that front offices are captivated by his leadership skills and personality. Long-term deals beginning at age 32 aren’t common, but Bregman’s a better 32-year-old free agent than most and can probably find five or even six years in free agency. Even if that were to fall through, a two- or three-year pact comparable to the one he signed last winter would probably be there to provide a soft landing. Eugenio Suarez (34) Suarez’s strikeout rate crept back up close to 30% this year after a welcomed dip in 2024. He struggled, rate-wise, after a trade sending him back to the Mariners, and this year’s defensive grades at third base were the worst of his career. He also hit 49 home runs. Suarez’s .228 average and .298 on-base percentage aren’t going to stand out — not for good reasons, anyhow — but he slugged .526 and tied a career-best in home runs six years after previously belting 49 dingers for the Reds in 2019’s juiced-ball season. Suarez has game-changing power, second only to Kyle Schwarber among free agents, and is still playable at third base, even if he’s below average there now. He’ll strike out too much, but he’s one of only three reliable sources of 30-homer pop in free agency this winter alongside Schwarber and Pete Alonso. Unlike those two, he has at least some defensive utility. (A below-average third baseman is more valuable than a below-average first baseman or a pure DH with occasional outfield reps.) Age will probably keep Suarez’s contract to a maximum of three years, and he might even be capped at two, but that will oddly make him even more appealing to some teams. Clubs are increasingly reluctant to hand out long-term deals, so having his contract length inherently limited by his age should lead to a broad market that allows Suarez to command a weighty average annual value. Yoan Moncada (31) Admittedly, “regular” is something of a misnomer when it comes to a player who’s tallied all of 292 games in the past four seasons combined. Still, when Moncada has been healthy enough to take the field, he’s been a pure third baseman, and a quietly solid one at that. Over the past two seasons, he’s hit .240/.338/.441 with a dozen homers in 334 turns at the plate. He was roughly league-average at the plate in about a half season with the White Sox in 2023, too. Moncada isn’t the star he looked to be early in his career. Injuries have regularly worn him down and kept him off the field. Any team signing him will have to expect more of the same at this point, but that team can also expect Moncada to be relatively productive when he’s on the diamond. The switch-hitter won’t turn 31 until late May next year. A team hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a low-cost acquisition at third base will probably sign him to a one-year deal. For whatever period of the season he’s healthy, it’s reasonable to expect Moncada to be about 10% better than average at the plate, and there’s upside for a bit more than that if things really click. NPB Stars Who Are Expected To Be Posted Munetaka Murakami (26) It’s an open question whether Murakami can handle third base in the major leagues, but it’s been the star slugger’s primary position with the Yakult Swallows in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He’s also played plenty of first base and even cameoed in right field for three games this season. Scouting reports feel a move to first base will eventually be necessary, but it’s certainly plausible that a team might be willing to let Murakami have a go at the hot corner for at least the first few years of a contract. After all, Murakami’s calling card isn’t his glove, but rather his age and his legitimately prodigious power. The two-time NPB MVP missed multiple months with an oblique strain in 2025 but homered nearly once every 10 plate appearances when healthy, bashing 22 round-trippers in just 224 plate appearances while hitting .273/.379/.663. Murakami has slam-dunk 80-grade power on the 20-80 scale. He’s been more pull-heavy in 2025’s injury-shortened season, but Murakami has all-fields power with blistering exit velocities. It’s the type of left-handed raw power in line with countryman Shohei Ohtani and NL home run leader Kyle Schwarber (as you can see in this early-October home run, clocked at 117 mph off the bat). Murakami has seen his contact rate drop and his strikeout rate climb in the three seasons since his being named NPB MVP in consecutive seasons back in 2021-22. He’s fanned in around 28% of his plate appearances since 2023. However, he’s also walked in nearly 16% of his plate appearances during that time and is currently homering at an even more rapid pace than his ’22 campaign, when he belted a career-high 56 home runs in 141 games. Murakami has the power ceiling and youth to command a long-term contract, likely with at least one opt-out opportunity. Strikeout and defensive concerns notwithstanding, he’s likely going to rank prominently on our Top 50 free agent rankings based on the earning power created by that blend of youth and rare power. Kazuma Okamoto (30) As is the case with Murakami, Okamoto is a plus hitter in NPB whose 2025 season has been shortened by injury (elbow, in his case) and who comes with concerns about a potential move across the diamond. His right-handed bat has plus raw power but not to the extent of Murakami’s top-of-the-scale thunder. However, Okamoto’s hit tool is vastly superior, as evidenced by a tiny 11.3% strikeout rate in 229 plate appearances this season (and a 15.9% mark in a full 2024 campaign). Make no mistake, though. Just because Okamoto’s doesn’t have as much power as Murakami doesn’t mean his power won’t be coveted. He rattled off six straight 30-homer seasons from 2018-23, topping out at 41 dingers in ’23. He “slipped” to 29 home runs in 2024, but his 2025 pace would have him in line for one of his highest career totals; he’s swatted 15 homers in 293 plate appearances. Overall, Okamoto is hitting .327/.416/.598. If Okamoto were a lock to stay at third base, his earning power would be considerably higher. He was regarded as a below-average defender at the hot corner even before this year’s elbow injury, however, and the injury now creates further concern about his defensive outlook. The offensive bar to clear for a righty-swinging first baseman is much higher than that of a third baseman. Still, Okamoto’s bat and incredibly consistent track record in NPB will draw plenty of interest and should earn him a notable contract — if he’s posted. He’s the captain of the Yomiuri Giants, a team that rarely posts players for MLB clubs. However, Okamoto has asked the team to post him and is only one year away from becoming a true international free agent. The Giants’ options are to hold him for a year and lose him for no compensation, or to post him now and receive potentially tens of millions of dollars from an MLB club via posting. Multi-Position Players Willi Castro (29) The versatile Castro’s bat tanked following a deadline trade from the Twins to the Cubs, but his overall track record across the past three seasons is strong. The switch-hitter is a .244/.328/.386 hitter dating back to 2023, and he’s comfortable at second base, third base, shortstop and in the outfield. He’s not a plus defender at any of those spots, but he’s capable enough and runs well. He’s a nice bench piece for any contender and could potentially get a look as a semi-regular for a team with needs at second base/left field. Miguel Rojas (37) Rojas has minimal power and doesn’t walk much, but he’s a high-contact hitter who consistently posts quality batting averages and provides slick defense around the infield. He has plus grades at shortstop, third base and second base in his career and has continued to show he can play all of those positions at a high level. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (31) Like Rojas, Kiner-Falefa is a versatile, high-contact, low-power utility player. His right-handed bat has produced a career .262/.311/.349 line, and he’s an annual threat for 15 to 20 steals. “IKF” doesn’t walk much and has never topped eight homers in a season, but he’s a well-regarded defensive player who can handle multiple spots in the infield and outfield. Kiner-Falefa has particularly strong grades at second and third but is solid enough at shortstop and even logged a combined 567 innings between center field and left field in 2023-24. Luis Rengifo (29) The switch-hitting Rengifo looked like he was trending toward a nice multi-year deal from 2022-24 when he hit a combined .273/.323/.431 (111 wRC+) and struck out at just a 16.3% clip. His bat flopped with a .238/.287/.335 output (73 wRC+) in his platform season, however. Rengifo can play second base and third base, though he’s better at the former and not a consistently plus defender at either. (He did post strong second base grades in 2025.) He’s probably looking at a one-year deal, though perhaps his youth and track record could earn him a modest two-year pact. Amed Rosario (30) Rosario’s days as a starting shortstop — or a shortstop, in general — are likely behind him. The former top prospect never blossomed into stardom, but he’s a useful utility player who can handle multiple positions and beat up left-handed pitching. Rosario can play second base, third base or the outfield corners, and he has enough experience at shortstop that he can handle the spot in a pinch (even though his defensive marks have reached worrying levels). He posted a solid .276/.309/.436 line in 191 plate appearances this season (106 wRC+) and is a career .298/.336/.464 hitter against lefties. He should get a big league deal and fill a bench role again in 2026. Minor League Deal Candidates Jon Berti Paul DeJong Enrique Hernandez Dylan Moore Luis Urias Gio Urshela View the full article

Photo Credit: FX (via YouTube) Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, the creators of Welcome to Wrexham, had once gone to great lengths to make Celebrity Traitors star Charlotte Church a part of their docuseries. The FX show captures how the duo has turned Wrexham A.F.C. into a football success story, as well as the rise of the Welsh community. Celebrity Traitors’ Charlotte Church on her Welcome to Wrexham appearance The Wrexham A.F.C. owners invited the Welsh singer and actress to feature on the first season of Welcome to Wrexham. This was for a segment that showcased the Welsh culture. She performed the songs, “Men of Harlech,” and the national anthem, “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.” However, Charlotte Church revealed recently how Ryan Reynolds and Robert McElhenney, AKA Rob Mac, flew her over to New York for the filming just so they could include her touch. To do so, they even brought along her three children so that she has nothing to worry about. The Celebrity Traitors alumna recently recalled the whole thing on the Dish podcast. She explained, “He [Reynolds] flew me and my kids out to New York because they were doing the show about Wrexham, and I went, and I sang the national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. The kids were like, ‘It’s Ryan Reynolds; we have to go.’” “So I was like, ‘I’m a working mum; unfortunately, you’re going to have to bring all three of my children out,’ and they were like, ‘Yeah, sure, fine,’” Church continued. “They got to meet him and Rob McElhenney, and they were delicious. They were so kind, and they’re so lovely. I think what they’re doing for Wales – in terms of Wrexham and stuff – it’s really genuine.” Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac had taken over Wrexham A.F.C. in 2021, and since then, their investment in it has resulted in changing the professional football club’s fortune and recognition in the town. Currently, the duo is working on Season 5 of Welcome to Wrexham. The post How Ryan Reynolds & Rob Mac Convinced Celebrity Traitors Star To Appear in Their Docuseries appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article

Cody Bellinger will decline his $25MM player option and become a free agent, reports Jorge Castillo of ESPN. That was never much in doubt, as the outfielder will hit the open market after one strong season with the Yankees. He’ll collect a $5MM buyout, half of which will be paid by the Cubs. The Yanks had been tied to Bellinger in free agency and trade rumors for years. That finally came to fruition last offseason with what amounted to a salary dump trade with Chicago. Bellinger was coming off a relative down ’24 season (.266/.325/.426) and passed on his first opt-out chance in his three-year deal. The Cubs pulled off the Kyle Tucker trade to add a needed impact bat in the middle of the order. That left them without an outfield spot for Bellinger, so they sent him to the Yankees for essentially no return. New York absorbed $47.5MM of the $52.5MM remaining on Bellinger’s contract. The Cubs paid $2.5MM of his $27.5MM salary this season and are responsible for the other $2.5MM on the buyout. The Yankees wound up paying $27.5MM for one year — $25MM in salary and the remaining half of the buyout. That proved a worthwhile investment even if the team had a disappointing exit in this week’s Division Series. Bellinger played about as well as could be expected. He hit .272/.334/.480 across 656 plate appearances. Bellinger hit 29 homers, his best single-season total since he connected on 47 longballs during his 2019 MVP season. He swiped 13 bases while cutting his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.7% clip. Bellinger’s left-handed swing seemed tailor made for Yankee Stadium. He hit 18 homers with a .302/.365/.544 batting line at home. His road numbers were essentially league average, as he slashed .241/.301/.414 outside the Bronx. That could give some teams pause about how the bat will play if he signs elsewhere. Bellinger didn’t find the robust market he wanted when he was a free agent during the 2023-24 offseason, nor was there significant trade interest when the Cubs shopped him last winter. If there were, the Yankees would’ve needed to give up more than journeyman righty Cody Poteet to acquire him. That’s largely because of Bellinger’s pedestrian batted ball metrics. He has been in the bottom quarter of the league in average exit velocity in each of the past three seasons. He doesn’t have a ton of bat speed and certainly doesn’t hit the ball as hard as he did early in his career — before he suffered a shoulder injury that tanked his numbers between 2021-22. Bellinger has compensated for the drop in bat speed by cutting his strikeouts every season, and he carries a .281/.338/.477 line in nearly 1800 plate appearances over the past three years. Bellinger returns to the market a few months after his 30th birthday. He’s young enough to seek a five- or six-year deal. Bellinger is a better defender and arguably superior all-around hitter than Anthony Santander, who signed for five years with a net present value around $69MM last winter. There’s little reason Bellinger shouldn’t beat that contract fairly handily. It wouldn’t at all be surprising if his camp starts out with an asking price in the $100-150MM range. The Cubs issued Bellinger a qualifying offer after the 2023 season. That makes him ineligible to receive a QO for the rest of his career. The Yankees would not receive any kind of compensation if he signs elsewhere, nor would another team forfeit a pick. New York can and probably will make a qualifying offer, which would land around $22MM, to Trent Grisham. They’re also set to have Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Paul Goldschmidt and a handful of role players hit the open market. Williams entered the season as a qualifying offer candidate, but the Yankees are probably content to let him move on after an uneven season in pinstripes. View the full article

Photo Credit: NBC (via YouTube) Brian Luce, a producer on Chicago P.D., recently paid tribute to the late Anne Heche, who passed away in 2022. He praised her hard work and dedication as she prepared for the role of Deputy Superintendent Katherine Brennan on the show. Unsurprisingly, fans were touched by how Luce honored the legacy of the talented actress through his heartfelt tribute. Chicago P.D. producer Brian Luce recalls how dedicated Anne Heche was as an actress In a recent conversation, the Chicago P.D. producer couldn’t seem to stop giving praise to Anne Heche’s commitment while preparing for her role. Even though she only had a short 11-episode run on the show, he explained how he proved her dedication. “She was a wonderful human being. And she came here, and she was playing the Chief of Detectives. I don’t know what it’s like to be the chief,” Brian Luce shared with NBC Insider. “You know, I was a patrolman my whole career. I was an undercover guy. But I couldn’t tell you what it is to be chief.” Luce further revealed, “So Anne Heche hooked up with the Chief of Detectives, who was also a female. She came back with a different perspective.” As he described the devotion Heche demonstrated for the role, he also mentioned the respect she earned from the law enforcement community in Chicago. “What’s so cool about this city is it’s a big little city,” the veteran producer shared. “We’re [playing] cops, so cops are interested, firemen are interested, med are interested. So the people that I have a relationship [with] for 27 years in law enforcement, and they respect you because you’re a hard working.” Anne Heche tragically lost her life in a car crash in August 2022. Following her passing, former Chicago P.D. cast member Jesse Lee Soffer also paid a heartfelt tribute to her. Soffer posted two pictures of himself with Heche on Instagram, captioned, “I haven’t really known what to say. I just want to pay my respects. Anne was such a kind person. Always generous. Always funny. I’m so sorry for her family. I hope they know how many people she really touched. I think these pics were from her last day on set with us.” The post Chicago P.D. Producer Pays Tribute to Late Cast Member Anne Heche appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. View the full article