September 2025

There were 1,641 posts published in September 2025 (this is page 50 of 165).

This Onn 10.1″ Android 14 Tablet Is on Sale for Just $80 Right Now

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The onn. 10.1″ Android 14 tablet is on sale for $79.99 on StackSocial right now as part of an open-box deal. In this case, “open box” usually just means it’s leftover stock or a store return, so while the packaging might not look perfect, the device itself is tested, in new condition, and comes with a one-year warranty. For under $80, this tablet lands firmly in the everyday-use category (think streaming, browsing, and casual apps) without needing any subscriptions or hidden add-ons.

The tablet runs Android 14 right out of the box, which means you’re getting the latest interface and features without waiting for updates to trickle down. The screen is bright enough for watching shows, casual gaming, or scrolling, and the 2GHz octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM handles everyday multitasking reasonably well. Storage is limited to 32GB, but a microSD slot means you can add more space if needed. You won’t mistake the cameras (a 2MP front and 5MP rear) for those on a phone, but they’re serviceable for video calls or the occasional snapshot. Where the device pulls ahead of other low-cost tablets is its battery life: up to 17 hours (according to the manufacturer), which is enough to get through a full day of use without hugging a charger.

It also leans heavily toward being family-friendly. Google Kids Space and YouTube Kids are built in, giving parents some peace of mind with curated content, and Play Protect adds another layer of safety by scanning for malware in apps. Features like GPS and Google Assistant make it a handy travel companion too, even if it isn’t replacing a high-end tablet. The biggest trade-off is performance—this isn’t a powerhouse, and heavier apps will test its limits—but as a lightweight, affordable device for streaming, browsing, and keeping kids entertained, it does its job well.

How Carlos Rodón’s ‘less is more’ approach has helped him become an anchor for the Yankees

BALTIMORE — By his own admission, Carlos Rodón used to be a bully.

For a two-year stretch, the left-hander was one of baseball’s most dominant and domineering starters, a broad-shouldered hoss who overpowered hitters with elevated fastballs and embarrassed them with sliders. The pitching equivalent of a battering ram, Rodón leaned on gas over guile. There was relatively little trickery involved; the big man was trying to blow it by you.

That strategy was straightforward and, for a while, incredibly effective. Rodón received Cy Young votes in 2021 with the White Sox and in 2022 with the Giants, posting the fourth-lowest ERA and third-most fWAR in MLB across that span. During those years, nobody in baseball collected more swing-and-misses on their fastball than Rodón.

That run earned the former No. 3 overall draft pick a hefty, six-year, $162 million contract with the powerhouse Yankees, a pact he signed ahead of the 2023 season.

In the time since, both Rodón and the sport he plays have dramatically changed.

In 2021, the average MLB fastball from a starting pitcher was 93.3 mph. That number has since risen to 94.1. Meanwhile, Rodón’s heater has gone in the opposite direction, from an average of 95.4 mph in 2021 down to 94.2 this season.

“I think now less is more — because I don’t really have more anymore,” he quipped in regard to his fastball. “Prior to [signing with the Yankees], it was more higher-effort fastballs, and I could just beat guys. It’s changed. Guys can just hit it now.”

The numbers back up that assertion. The league-wide contact rate on fastballs 96 mph or higher in the upper-third of the strike zone has risen from 65.1% in 2021 to 67% this season. It’s a sign that hitters have slowly adjusted to the jump in velocity. That trend is a result of better training, advanced game-planning and teams prioritizing bats that can catch up to high heat.

[Get more New York news: Yankees team feed]

During his first two seasons in pinstripes, Rodón was a casualty of that phenomenon.

A back injury delayed, then derailed his 2023; he finished that campaign with a brutal 6.85 ERA across just 14 starts. Things improved somewhat in 2024 — Rodón delivered league-average production across 32 starts — but he was far from the frontline monster the Yankees were paying him to be. It all culminated in a supremely disappointing start in Game 2 of last year’s World Series, a clunker in which Rodón surrendered four runs while recording just 10 outs.

Those frustrating performances further convinced Rodón that a transformation was necessary. He’d begun modifying his game the winter of 2023-24, but he struggled to implement those changes consistently last season. So last winter he leaned in harder. He opened himself up to even more feedback. He tinkered with new pitches. He focused on command over velocity.

This year, he has reaped the benefits, with a 3.04 ERA that ranks seventh in the American League. Rodón has provided the Yankees quality and stability in the wake of ace Gerrit Cole’s season-ending elbow surgery in March. He has slotted in brilliantly as a No. 2 starter behind free-agent acquisition Max Fried, whose presence, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake says, has also helped Rodón.

But it all began with a change in mentality.

“He opened his mind to there being a different version of him that he can become and continue forward and have a high level of success,” Blake explained. “He doesn’t have to anchor to this archetype of who he was — the power fastball-slider.”

This is not a dynamic unique to Rodón. The realities of aging apply to aces and normies alike. Turning 30 makes it more difficult to bounce back from a night out; it also makes it harder to throw 98 mph. A pitcher’s career is often dictated by whether or not he adapts to the inevitable diminishing of his natural abilities.

He can evolve, retire or — gasp — move to the bullpen.

These days, Rodón no longer relies so heavily on the four-seamer that was once the foundation of his game — he’s throwing the pitch nearly 20% less often than he did during his first year in the Bronx. In its place, Rodón has added a sinker to get ground balls against lefties while upping the usage of his changeup to stymie righties.

Last weekend against Baltimore, he induced 12 swing-and-misses on the changeup, his highest single-game total ever with the offering. Against lefties, Rodón is now throwing the sinker — a pitch he discovered by accident one week before Opening Day, when he was playing a game of catch with Fried — as often as the four-seamer. He has thrown 303 sinkers this season, and not a single one has resulted in a home run.

Another crucial element in Rodón’s reinvention has been the arrival of assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne, who was added to the big-league staff in December. Claiborne, 37, is a former big-league reliever who pitched out of the Yankees’ bullpen in 2013 and ’14. A decade later, he looks more like a retired-linebacker-turned-bouncer, barrel-chested and cartoonishly imposing with a bushy, walrus mustache. Claiborne is a Texan’s Texan, overflowing with confidence, quick with a smile and endearingly direct. He struts around YankeeLand with the presence, assuredness and approachability of a small-town sheriff.

He is the perfect fit for Rodón.

“They can relate to each other,” Blake said. “Part of my hiring process for that role was: This is someone who’s gonna have to spend a lot of time every single day with Carlos. Someone’s got to be able to go toe-to-toe with him.”

“[Blake] joked half the reason they hired me was to chest up Rodón,” Claiborne remarked.

Said Rodón with a grin: “We don’t hide anything from each other, that’s for sure. We have a good relationship.”

That relationship has already paid huge dividends for the Yankees, who will likely begin their postseason journey next week at home in the wild-card round. Rodón and his 189 1/3 quality frames have been central to the club’s successful season. But nobody — and surely not Yankees fans — will remember his regular-season steadiness if he falters in October. The stakes, as they always are in the Bronx, are astronomical.

“I have a different arsenal now,” Rodón said, reflecting on his unfortunate World Series debut last autumn. “I’d probably pitch that game a lot different now.”

Now, thanks to his own evolution, he can.

How Carlos Rodón’s ‘less is more’ approach has helped him become an anchor for the Yankees

BALTIMORE — By his own admission, Carlos Rodón used to be a bully.

For a two-year stretch, the left-hander was one of baseball’s most dominant and domineering starters, a broad-shouldered hoss who overpowered hitters with elevated fastballs and embarrassed them with sliders. The pitching equivalent of a battering ram, Rodón leaned on gas over guile. There was relatively little trickery involved; the big man was trying to blow it by you.

That strategy was straightforward and, for a while, incredibly effective. Rodón received Cy Young votes in 2021 with the White Sox and in 2022 with the Giants, posting the fourth-lowest ERA and third-most fWAR in MLB across that span. During those years, nobody in baseball collected more swing-and-misses on their fastball than Rodón.

That run earned the former No. 3 overall draft pick a hefty, six-year, $162 million contract with the powerhouse Yankees, a pact he signed ahead of the 2023 season.

In the time since, both Rodón and the sport he plays have dramatically changed.

In 2021, the average MLB fastball from a starting pitcher was 93.3 mph. That number has since risen to 94.1. Meanwhile, Rodón’s heater has gone in the opposite direction, from an average of 95.4 mph in 2021 down to 94.2 this season.

“I think now less is more — because I don’t really have more anymore,” he quipped in regard to his fastball. “Prior to [signing with the Yankees], it was more higher-effort fastballs, and I could just beat guys. It’s changed. Guys can just hit it now.”

The numbers back up that assertion. The league-wide contact rate on fastballs 96 mph or higher in the upper-third of the strike zone has risen from 65.1% in 2021 to 67% this season. It’s a sign that hitters have slowly adjusted to the jump in velocity. That trend is a result of better training, advanced game-planning and teams prioritizing bats that can catch up to high heat.

[Get more New York news: Yankees team feed]

During his first two seasons in pinstripes, Rodón was a casualty of that phenomenon.

A back injury delayed, then derailed his 2023; he finished that campaign with a brutal 6.85 ERA across just 14 starts. Things improved somewhat in 2024 — Rodón delivered league-average production across 32 starts — but he was far from the frontline monster the Yankees were paying him to be. It all culminated in a supremely disappointing start in Game 2 of last year’s World Series, a clunker in which Rodón surrendered four runs while recording just 10 outs.

Those frustrating performances further convinced Rodón that a transformation was necessary. He’d begun modifying his game the winter of 2023-24, but he struggled to implement those changes consistently last season. So last winter he leaned in harder. He opened himself up to even more feedback. He tinkered with new pitches. He focused on command over velocity.

This year, he has reaped the benefits, with a 3.04 ERA that ranks seventh in the American League. Rodón has provided the Yankees quality and stability in the wake of ace Gerrit Cole’s season-ending elbow surgery in March. He has slotted in brilliantly as a No. 2 starter behind free-agent acquisition Max Fried, whose presence, Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake says, has also helped Rodón.

But it all began with a change in mentality.

“He opened his mind to there being a different version of him that he can become and continue forward and have a high level of success,” Blake explained. “He doesn’t have to anchor to this archetype of who he was — the power fastball-slider.”

This is not a dynamic unique to Rodón. The realities of aging apply to aces and normies alike. Turning 30 makes it more difficult to bounce back from a night out; it also makes it harder to throw 98 mph. A pitcher’s career is often dictated by whether or not he adapts to the inevitable diminishing of his natural abilities.

He can evolve, retire or — gasp — move to the bullpen.

These days, Rodón no longer relies so heavily on the four-seamer that was once the foundation of his game — he’s throwing the pitch nearly 20% less often than he did during his first year in the Bronx. In its place, Rodón has added a sinker to get ground balls against lefties while upping the usage of his changeup to stymie righties.

Last weekend against Baltimore, he induced 12 swing-and-misses on the changeup, his highest single-game total ever with the offering. Against lefties, Rodón is now throwing the sinker — a pitch he discovered by accident one week before Opening Day, when he was playing a game of catch with Fried — as often as the four-seamer. He has thrown 303 sinkers this season, and not a single one has resulted in a home run.

Another crucial element in Rodón’s reinvention has been the arrival of assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne, who was added to the big-league staff in December. Claiborne, 37, is a former big-league reliever who pitched out of the Yankees’ bullpen in 2013 and ’14. A decade later, he looks more like a retired-linebacker-turned-bouncer, barrel-chested and cartoonishly imposing with a bushy, walrus mustache. Claiborne is a Texan’s Texan, overflowing with confidence, quick with a smile and endearingly direct. He struts around YankeeLand with the presence, assuredness and approachability of a small-town sheriff.

He is the perfect fit for Rodón.

“They can relate to each other,” Blake said. “Part of my hiring process for that role was: This is someone who’s gonna have to spend a lot of time every single day with Carlos. Someone’s got to be able to go toe-to-toe with him.”

“[Blake] joked half the reason they hired me was to chest up Rodón,” Claiborne remarked.

Said Rodón with a grin: “We don’t hide anything from each other, that’s for sure. We have a good relationship.”

That relationship has already paid huge dividends for the Yankees, who will likely begin their postseason journey next week at home in the wild-card round. Rodón and his 189 1/3 quality frames have been central to the club’s successful season. But nobody — and surely not Yankees fans — will remember his regular-season steadiness if he falters in October. The stakes, as they always are in the Bronx, are astronomical.

“I have a different arsenal now,” Rodón said, reflecting on his unfortunate World Series debut last autumn. “I’d probably pitch that game a lot different now.”

Now, thanks to his own evolution, he can.

Fantasy Basketball Guards 2025-26: Top 50 rankings, season outlooks, key stats

We’re less than a month away from the start of the NBA season, which makes this a great time to go through our positional rankings at Rotoworld.

We’ll be starting in the backcourt with the guards and continuing on with forwards and centers as the week progresses.

The guard position is a vital one to figure out in fantasy basketball, though it certainly isn’t a position that is lacking talent. There are plenty of unique guards with different strengths and weaknesses that can be optimized for any team build, though last season’s MVP is alone at the top, thanks to his well-rounded, dominant statistical production. Here is how we’d value SGA and 49 other guards in fantasy basketball this season.

2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft: Building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Availability is your most important ability, so how does that impact an SGA roster build?

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block, 2.1 three-pointers

SGA was the best guard in fantasy basketball last season, which is why he should be selected with a top-three pick in every draft. The reigning MVP is the top guard on our board due to a combination of his ability and his availability. The Thunder rotation should be the same as it was last season, which means SGA should be able to deliver a similar output. Not that any roster change would actually impact his production; he’ll continue to be one of the best offensive players in the league while also providing both steals and blocks. He posted career-highs in points, assists and three-pointers last season, and he’ll be in the mix for the top spot in fantasy basketball once again this year.

2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Raise your hand if you accurately predicted how Doncic’s 2024-25 season would go. He missed time early on due to injuries, and then was traded to the Lakers in a move that shocked the basketball world. The last few months of their season was simply a trial run, and they made moves this offseason to better build around Doncic and LeBron James, with the signing of Deandre Ayton as the team’s lob threat down low as the main addition. Now, with an offseason to forge a team and playbook around the strengths of Doncic, the Lakers will be looking to compete for a title. With LeBron on the wrong side of 40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs is a priority, which means Doncic will be running things more often than not. He should be in for what has become a typical dominant season.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers

It took a few seasons, but Detroit was finally able to put together a competitive roster around Cunningham, and it immediately resulted in the best season of his career. The added spacing of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. opened up driving lanes for Cade, and the development of his teammates made things easier. Plus, Cunningham made individual strides. The Pistons lost THJ in free agency, and Beasley remains unsigned, but the return of Jaden Ivey, who missed the final three months of last season with a broken leg, should help make up for the losses. There’s no reason to think Cunningham won’t continue to progress after making his first All-NBA team last season.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 three-pointers

Every year, Edwards seems to take a step forward and add something new to his game. Last season, it was a three-point revolution for him, as he led the league in total threes made and increased his scoring average, which he has done every season of his career. Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of the rotation should look the same, with some of the young guys making up for NAW’s departure. None of that will directly impact Edwards’ spot, and he’ll continue to carry the offensive workload for the T-wolves, which should result in a monster season for him.

5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

To put it mildly, last season was a disaster for the Suns, but it wasn’t terrible for Booker. Sure, his field goal percentage dropped, but he was still able to average at least 25 points for the seventh consecutive season, and he set a new career-high for assists. Now, Phoenix’s “big three” experiment is over, with Kevin Durant in Houston and Bradley Beal in Los Angeles. The Suns brought back Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but this is clearly Booker’s team. While the two newcomers will see their fair share of usage, everything is going to run through Booker under new head coach Jordan Ott. It isn’t an unfair expectation to think Booker could be in for the most productive season of his career.

6. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Young started last season slowly, and while he did improve as the season progressed, he posted the lowest field goal percentage of his career and his fewest points per game since his rookie year. Young was one of the premier point guard options in fantasy hoops last season by providing a healthy dose of points, assists and threes while maintaining an elite free throw percentage and rate. Now, he has the most talented supporting cast of his career, headlined by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who is by far the best stretch five that Young has played with. It wouldn’t be shocking if Young was able to have one of the most efficient seasons of his career with more space to operate in.

7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

While the Cavs were able to put together the second 60-win season in franchise history, it wasn’t because Mitchell took a step forward. In fact, his numbers regressed across the board during the first season under Kenny Atkinson. Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game were a career-low, which can at least partially be attributed to the absurd amount of blowout wins the team had. They didn’t make many offseason changes, but they’ll enter the year with Darirus Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) both dealing with injuries, which should mean extra usage for Mitchell early on. He could certainly be in for a bounceback season after “only” providing third-round value in nine-category leagues last season.

8. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Positions: PG/SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks

When Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left hand injury last season, Thompson stepped into a starting role with Houston and never gave it back. In just his second year, Thompson became one of the best players in fantasy basketball, and the trade to bring in Kevin Durant will only help. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Thompson will be the Rockets’ best defender and starting shooting guard. Durant’s presence will create more space for Thompson as a driver, and his dominance defensively should continue. Shooting will never be a strength for him, but Thompson is impactful everywhere else.

9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.4 three-pointers

Curry just keeps getting it done at a high level. He was back up over a steal per game and played at least 70 games for the second straight season. He also survived a slower start to the season (to his standards) and was better after the All-Star break. The trade deadline addition of Jimmy Butler will alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from Curry, but it also made life a little easier. This roster still has some unknowns as they try to navigate the Jonathan Kuminga saga, but nothing should drastically impact Curry’s production. This team will go as far as he takes them. They know that, and there’s nothing that could happen that will change that.

10. James Harden, LA Clippers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 three-pointers.

Even at his age, Harden continues to get it done. He played 79 games last season, making it the second consecutive season that he played at least 70 games. He also provided second round value, which was a nice bounceback for him after he finished outside the first two rounds during the 2023-24 season for the first time in over a decade. The Clippers made some roster upgrades this offseason, but nothing should impact Harden’s place in the rotation or his usage. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists once again while still providing plenty of points, steals and threes.

11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

There was a lot to be frustrated about in Philadelphia last season, but Maxey’s early season success wasn’t part of that. He had the best season of his career and was one of the best players in fantasy basketball from mid-December to early February. He wasn’t available much after the All-Star break, but he should be healthy to start this season. The availability of Joel Embiid is the big question mark in Philly right now, and the answer should have a large impact on how dominant Maxey can be. Regardless, Maxey will at least be the second option, and it’s hard to imagine Embiid playing more than 50-55 games, and that’s staying positive. Maxey should run this team for much of the upcoming season.

12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges gave the Knicks a more balanced roster, which contributed to Brunson taking nearly three fewer shots per game last season. His scoring dropped, but he made up for it with a career-high for assists. New York moved on from Tom Thibodeau this summer and hired Mike Brown to replace him. They also added more depth in the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Brunson will still be the focal point offensively, but there’s certainly a chance he loses out on a few minutes per game. Still, he should be one of the best offensive players in the league once again, and Brown will want to take advantage of that in his first season at the helm. Expect plenty of points and assists from Brunson once again.

13. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers

The knee jerk reaction to the trade that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder and Giddey to the Bulls was that OKC dominated the trade. While the addition of Caruso helped the Thunder win the championship last season, it doesn’t feel like a landslide deal anymore, thanks to the second-half emergence of Giddey, who was one of the best players in fantasy basketball after the All-Star break. It took a while, but they signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract in September. They didn’t give him superstar money, but he should play that role for them for the next few seasons, which means he could be in for a monster season in the box score.

14. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

Drama swirled around Sacramento early on last season, which resulted in Mike Brown being fired in December and Fox being traded to San Antonio in February. Fox only played in 17 games for the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama only being available for five of those. San Antonio also added Dylan Harper with the second pick in the draft, and while he shouldn’t impact Fox’s minutes immediately, it does put his future with the team in question, which is weird to think about, since they’ve barely had him on the roster. Still, that won’t alter this season, and Fox should be in for a big year as the lead ball handler and playmaker for the most talented Spurs team in a while. The Fox-Wemby pairing should be fun to watch and only get better as the season progresses.

15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 three-pointers

LaMelo played 47 games last season. While that was an improvement over his two previous seasons, it still wasn’t good enough. It’s difficult to invest a premium pick into a player that has played 105 gamesover the last three seasons, but that’s the type of talent that Ball is. Charlotte added Kon Knueppel in the draft and traded for Collin Sexton, which will provide Ball with more space to operate and scorers to pass the ball to. This team is talented enough to compete for a postseason spot in the East, but like the last few seasons, it won’t happen if Ball isn’t available to play. That’s the risk every manager will take when they consider drafting him, but if he has a healthy season, the payoff will be worth it.

16. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.4 three-pointers

Bane has been a top-40 player in nine-cat leagues for each of the last four seasons, but he’ll get a fresh start in Orlando after spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis. Bane will immediately step into a starting spot and provide Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner with plenty of space to operate in the paint. Bane will be the third option on offense, but he should get plenty of good looks as a floor spacer while still getting the chance to orchestrate the offense. It may look different, but there’s no reason to think Bane won’t be able to replicate top-tier production for his new squad as they try to compete for the top seed in the East.

17. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

There may not have been a better value pick last season than Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player award and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season with Atlanta, Daniels enjoyed a breakout season and led the league in steals. The Hawks added some backcourt depth this offseason in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but neither should impact Daniels’ place in the rotation. Daniels may not replicate his steals production from last season, but he should be among the league leaders in swipes.

18. Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 3.5 three-pointers

White ascended to fantasy stardom two years ago and was able to maintain that last season. He took slight hits across the board, but he set a new career-high for points, rebounds and three-pointers, which prevented his overall value from sinking far despite a drop in shooting percentages. Obviously, this Celtics roster is going to look quite different next season, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the season, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Al Horford likely gone, and Anfernee Simons in town. White is now the clear best defender, and he’s still one of the best offensive players, though he may not see a usage bump with both Simons and Payton Pritchard splitting point guard duties. Still, White should remain a top-tier option in fantasy basketball once again.

19. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.3 three-pointers

After years of injury question marks, Murray has been able to flip the narrative in recent years. His 67 games last year were the most he’s played since the 2018-19 season, and his 36.1 minutes per game were a career-high. Denver made some backcourt upgrades this offseason by bringing in Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but neither move should have an impact on Murray’s production. Assuming Murray is able to have another healthy season, he should be in line for another strong season after finishing in the top-20 in nine-cat value last season.

20. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.8 three-pointers

Despite a slow finish to last season, Garland was still able to have a productive year, finishing in the top-50 for the third time in the last four years. It was a step up after a down year during the 2023-24 season, and he was able to address the toe issue that caused his slow finish to the year by undergoing a procedure in June. He’s expected to miss the start of the season, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence, though it could cause him to start the year slow.

21. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

Morant was in and out of the lineup all season for Memphis, but his 50 games played were a huge step up after only being available nine times the year before. However, his production took a hit across the board, including his minutes. The team fired Taylor Jenkins at the end of the season and made Tuomas Iisalo the full-time coach at the end of the year. Iisalo emphasized pick-and-rolls with Zach Edey way more than Jenkins did, which is something Morant had been asking for. Health will continue to be a concern for Morant, but he could certainly have the most productive season of his career.

22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 three-pointers

Reaves is coming off the most productive season of his career, and he continues to improve every year. The trade for Luka Doncic didn’t slow him down; in fact, he was even better after the deal. The Lakers made some improvements this offseason, but none that will alter the backcourt rotation. Reaves will look to replicate his late-season numbers, where he was a borderline top-25 player in fantasy basketball. It seems unlikely that he does, but if he can, he’ll end up thoroughly outplaying his ADP.

23. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

When Quickley was traded to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, he was productive during the second half of that year, which led to many expecting a breakout for him last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented that from happening. Now, he’s healthy to start this year, and he’ll be running a team that also added Brandon Ingram, who is set to make his debut for them. Quickley could be in line to have the breakout season that was expected last year, and if he does, Toronto could compete for a postseason spot.

24. Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.5 three-pointers

Despite a tumultuous first season in Washington, Poole was much better last year, which resulted in him posting career-highs in points, steals and three-pointers per game. That was enough for New Orleans to trade for him this offseason and task him with being the team’s point guard while Dejounte Murray recovers from an Achilles tear. Everything went wrong for the Pelicans last season, but Poole can have a productive year as the primary playmaker for a talented team. They don’t have the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which means there’s no incentive to tank. There’s no reason to think Poole will be at risk of being a shutdown candidate if things go poorly for New Orleans again.

25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

Irving was an important piece for Dallas last season but quickly became even more important after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. He was carrying the load offensively for the Mavericks for most of February before tearing his ACL in March. Irving will miss at least the first few months of the season, if not more, but it’s difficult to pass on a player that’s this good for very long. D’Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg will both help with facilitating the offense until Irving returns, but he should be an impactful player when he’s healthy, especially during the fantasy playoffs.

12-Team, 9-Cat Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 2025-26: Take Giannis Antetokounmpo and don’t look back
Starting a draft with Giannis Antetokounmpo allows you to establish your team’s strengths and weaknesses immediately.

26. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.3 three-pointers

27. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 points, 0.9 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

28. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

29. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 three-pointers

30. Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

31. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 three-pointers

32. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers

33. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 three-pointers

34. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.2 three-pointers

35. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers

36. D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 three-pointers

37. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 three-pointers

38. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers

39. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 three-pointers

40. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Position: SG

2024-25 stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 three-pointers

41. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 three-pointers

42. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 three-pointers

43. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 three-pointers

44. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists. 2.1 three-pointers

45. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Positions: SG/SF

2024-25 stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.0 three-pointers

46. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings

Position: PG

2024-25 stats: 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

47. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 three-pointers

48. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers

Positions: SG

2024-25 stats (atBaylor): 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.6 three-pointers

49. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers

50. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans

Positions: PG/SG

2024-25 stats: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 three-pointers

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet reportedly suffers offseason ACL tear

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has reportedly suffered a torn ACL, per multiple reports.

Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reports that VanVleet suffered the injury during a team minicamp in the Bahamas. He is scheduled for surgery this week, and will likely miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.

VanVleet, a 31-year-old vet set to enter his 10th season in the league, averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists last season across 60 games. He led the Rockets in assists and steals per game, while lending a level of leadership in the locker room.

It’s a brutal blow for the Rockets, who lose their starting point guard before the season even starts. VanVleet signed a two-year, $50 million deal to stay with the team this offseason, and was set to be another veteran starter, alongside the recently acquired Kevin Durant, on a young Houston team.

With VanVleet out, Houston will likely need Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson — two young, up-and-coming stars — to step into the starting lineup, while elevating bench players like Aaron Holiday or Jabari Smith Jr. Per Sportrac’s Keith Smith, the Rockets don’t have enough cap room to sign a player at this point, but may be able to add a late-season piece in January.

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet reportedly suffers offseason ACL tear

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has reportedly suffered a torn ACL, per multiple reports.

Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reports that VanVleet suffered the injury during a team minicamp in the Bahamas. He is scheduled for surgery this week, and will likely miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.

VanVleet, a 31-year-old vet set to enter his 10th season in the league, averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists last season across 60 games. He led the Rockets in assists and steals per game, while lending a level of leadership in the locker room.

It’s a brutal blow for the Rockets, who lose their starting point guard before the season even starts. VanVleet signed a two-year, $50 million deal to stay with the team this offseason, and was set to be another veteran starter, alongside the recently acquired Kevin Durant, on a young Houston team.

With VanVleet out, Houston will likely need Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson — two young, up-and-coming stars — to step into the starting lineup, while elevating bench players like Aaron Holiday or Jabari Smith Jr. Per Sportrac’s Keith Smith, the Rockets don’t have enough cap room to sign a player at this point, but may be able to add a late-season piece in January.

How to Watch Pornhub Even If It’s Blocked In Your State

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The internet is changing rapidly, and the (rather large) chunk of it devoted to adult entertainment is no exception. Porn sites in an increasing number of U.S. states must now verify that their users are adults by requiring them to submit a government-issued ID or some other suitable method of proving their identity. Understandably, this is not necessarily something everyone wants to do every time they visit an adult site.

In response, Pornhub, as well as other sites under its parent company Aylo, have gone dark in some of these states in protest. As such, many users across these states are now searching for the best VPNs (virtual private networks) to install on their devices so they can still access the site.

What states have blocked PornHub?

As of the end of September 2025, 24 states have put these age verification requirements in place: Louisiana, Utah, Mississippi, Virginia, Arkansas, North Dakota, Texas, Montana, North Carolina, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Nebraska, Indiana, Alabama, South Dakota, Arizona, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Additionally, an age verification bill has passed in Ohio, effective Sept. 29, 2025.

Bills are also pending in an additional 14 states: Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Maryland. State-level legislation aside, the federal SCREEN Act (2025) could bring in country-wide measures if it passes into law. Further, the Supreme Court has upheld Texas’ age verification law, setting a precedent that could impact attempts to challenge these laws in the future.

It’s a shifting landscape, as laws are proposed and appealed in each state, and the best resources for keeping up to date that I’ve found are from the Age Verification Providers Association (which is pro-age verification measures) and the Free Speech Coalition (which is against them).

On one side is the argument that kids need to be protected from adult content online, and on the other is the argument that free speech is paramount and kids will find porn anyway—perhaps through sites that have fewer safeguards and rules around adult content than Pornhub.

The Louisiana exception

LA Wallet
Pornhub can use LA Wallet in Louisiana.
Credit: Lifehacker

Pornhub owner Aylo’s issues with all of this legislation are that age verification systems are ineffective, and an invasion of privacy for those aged 18 or over. Instead, the company is calling for user ages to be verified at the device level, perhaps through the app stores managed by Apple and Google, for example. Lawmakers in Texas have already passed legislation requiring app stores to verify ages before users can download any apps, not just ones with age-restricted content.

Louisiana stands out as the one state where Aylo sites, including Pornhub, are cooperating with an age verification system to keep adult content available to users. That system is known as LA Wallet, the digital driver license app that’s already active in Louisiana, and which provides robust ID verification. One of the reasons Aylo has kept Pornhub open for business in Louisiana is that LA Wallet can work anonymously: It’s a bit like using a two-factor authentication code. Through this mechanism, Pornhub doesn’t know who you are, but does know you’ve been verified as an adult through LA Wallet.

For now, other states are lagging in introducing similar tech. They either don’t have digital ID systems like LA Wallet, or have systems that aren’t as simple to use for the purpose, or as respectful towards user privacy. And so the stand-off continues: Both state governments and Aylo want users to have to verify their age to access Pornhub, they just want to go about it in different ways.

How to watch Pornhub if it’s blocked in your state

Whatever your position on age verification laws, remember that the best VPNs can connect your computer to a server in a different part of the world—making it look like you’re located somewhere other than where you actually are. So wherever you are, if you want to access porn sites that are blocked, a VPN is your new best friend.

That’s just the start, though, when it comes to the benefits of installing a VPN. These software tools hide your browsing activity from governments, law enforcement agencies, and whoever is providing your internet connection. Generally, VPNs make it harder for companies to track you, and give you more security and privacy (though not total anonymity) online.

With that in mind, Lifehacker has covered the best free VPNs, the best paid VPNs, and the best free VPNs for Android in the past, but I’d like to highlight a couple of recommendations here—if you want more suggestions for your internet browsing needs (adult site-related or not), follow those links above.

The best free VPN: Proton VPN

Proton VPN on a laptop
Proton VPN doesn’t put any bandwidth restrictions on free accounts.
Credit: Proton

We’ve written in glowing terms before about how good the free Proton VPN is, and it’s a great pick if you don’t want to spend anything. Its appeal starts with Proton itself: It’s committed to privacy, was started by scientists in Switzerland, and is siloed from the big tech names (like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft). It’s a name you can trust.

There are also surprisingly few restrictions for a free VPN. The two main limitations are you can only connect from one device, and you don’t get to choose which country’s servers you connect to. That’s it—it’s not painfully slow, like a lot of free VPNs. If you do need more flexibility in your VPN connections and features, there are paid upgrades available too.

Add in the ease of use you get with Proton VPN, the support for a broad range of devices, and the reliability you get from servers around the world, and it’s difficult to beat in terms of a free VPN. Sign up here for a Proton account, if you don’t already have one.

The best paid VPN: NordVPN

NordVPN on a laptop
You can connect to more than 100 different countries with NordVPN
Credit: NordVPN

You’ve got a lot of excellent options to pick from when it comes to paid VPNs, and there’s no app that’s far and away above the others—but we’re going to highlight NordVPN here, which we recently compared to ExpressVPN. It’s fast, it’s flexible, and the software it offers across multiple platforms is more polished and intuitive than with a lot of its rivals.

You get lots of features with NordVPN, from split tunneling to DNS customizations to support for the super-private Onion network. While you can easily use the software with just a couple of clicks (or taps), there are numerous advanced features available if you want to dig a bit deeper—you can even have a dedicated IP address (though it costs extra).

Pricing for NordVPN starts at $12.99 a month, but you can get some pretty significant discounts if you pay for a year (or two years) up front. That’s enough to get you up to six simultaneous connections, and you can sign up here to register and download the apps.

MLB Power Rankings: Playoff picture heats up as Guardians climb and Tigers and Mets plummet

Featured in the final MLB Power Rankings of the season, the playoff picture is finally coming into focus, the Tigers and Mets are flirting with the wrong kind of history, baseball is fun in the state of Ohio, Clayton Kershaw approaches the end, Mike Trout achieves a milestone, and Nationals center fielder Jacob Young does some straight-up magic against the Mets.

(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)

Let’s get started!

Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, September 22.

1) Milwaukee Brewers

Last week: 1

Three straight NL Central titles and likely homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. That’s great, but there’s plenty of uncertainty about the availability of Jose Quintana, Brandon Woodruff, and Trevor Megill. As of now, either Jacob Misiorowski or Chad Patrick figure to follow Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester in the postseason rotation.

2) Philadelphia Phillies

Last week: 2

Good news on Trea Turner, who is expected to face live pitching on Tuesday and Wednesday as he rehabs from a hamstring injury. He could be back in the Phillies’ lineup as soon as Friday, which would allow him to shake the rust in game action before the playoffs begin.

3) Toronto Blue Jays

Last week: 3

So far, the Blue Jays are the only American League team to clinch a postseason berth. They could also be looking at their first AL East title in 10 years. If they can hold off the Yankees, that is. One major advantage is that the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker.

4) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️

Last week: 6

The Dodgers’ rotation is falling into place just in time for the postseason, but it sounds like they’ll be missing Will Smith as he recovers from a hairline fracture in his right hand. Mookie Betts has picked things up this month, but this lineup isn’t nearly as scary without Smith in there.

5) Chicago Cubs ⬇️

Last week: 4

The Cubs are back in the postseason for the first time since the COVID-shortened season in 2020. Craig Counsell’s club should have home field advantage in the Wild Card Series next week, but will they have Kyle Tucker and Daniel Palencia?

6) New York Yankees ⬆️

Last week: 7

The Yankees are almost certainly playoff-bound, so the only question is if they’ll be able to chase down the Blue Jays for the AL East lead. While they are two games back in the standings, they’ll actually need to gain three games because of the tiebreaker. It’s a tall task even with a favorable schedule (White Sox, Orioles) to close out the regular season.

7) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 8

After sweeping the Astros over the weekend, the Mariners probably have the AL West locked up. Depending on how things go this week, they could secure a first-round bye, as well.

Oh, and Cal Raleigh just keeps mashing dingers and setting records. How high can he climb this week?

8) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 5

We’re looking at DEFCON 1 levels of panic and anxiety. The Tigers have lost six straight and nine out of 10, giving them a skinny one-lead over the surging Guardians in the AL Central. They are fortunate that the Twins did them a major favor on Sunday. Now all eyes of the baseball world will be on a three-game series between the Tigers and Guardians in Cleveland, beginning on Tuesday.

9) Boston Red Sox

Last week: 9

The Red Sox had to go out there and make things more difficult for themselves by losing to the Rays on Sunday night. This is by no means an easy week to close out the regular season, as they get three against the Blue Jays (who are trying to finish out the AL East) and three against the Tigers, who are trying to avoid an epic collapse.

10) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️

Last week: 14

The Guardians’ winning streak was snapped at 10 games on Sunday, but they are just one game behind the free falling Tigers and also find themselves tied with the Astros for the final Wild Card spot. Absolutely incredible. You’ll be shocked to hear this, but the Guardians’ pitching staff has been the big key, as they’ve posted a 2.32 ERA this month.

11) San Diego Padres ⬇️

Last week: 10

Michael King bounced back from a brutal start against the Mets to deliver five scoreless innings against the White Sox on Sunday. The Padres haven’t officially clinched a postseason spot yet, but that’s more of a formality. King is the likely choice to start Game 2 of the Wild Card series, with Nick Pivetta expected to start Game 1.

12) Houston Astros ⬇️

Last week: 11

Missing Yordan Alvarez due to an ankle sprain, the Astros were swept by the Mariners at the home over the weekend. With the division looking unrealistic at this point, now they need to fight to keep a Wild Card spot.

13) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️

Last week: 18

Coming off a four-game sweep of the Cubs, the Reds are now in position for the final NL Wild Card spot thanks to their tiebreaker with the Mets. Hunter Greene set the stage on Thursday night with a complete game one-hitter. It would be so much fun to see him on the playoff stage.

14) New York Mets ⬇️

Last week: 13

With a pair of brutal losses to the Nationals over the weekend, the Mets no longer control their own destiny for a playoff spot. The Mets have struggled for a while, but it’s still a shocking fall for a team who had the best record in baseball in June.

15) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬆️

Last week: 16

No matter what happens this week, kudos for the Diamondbacks to even being in this position. Everybody knows about Corbin Carroll and his excellence, but Geraldo Perdomo has been playing out of his mind down the stretch.

16) Texas Rangers ⬇️

Last week: 12

After going on a 16-4 run to climb back into playoff contention, the Rangers have lost seven straight to effectively end their playoff hopes.

17) Kansas City Royals

Last week: 17

The Royals probably aren’t making the playoffs, but they still have a chance to secure their second-straight winning season. Recent call-up Carter Jensen has been a bright spot of late, hitting an even .300 (12-for-40) with two homers and 11 RBI over 14 games.

18) San Francisco Giants ⬇️

Last week: 15

The Giants rallied to avoid a sweep on Sunday, but they’ve lost seven out of their last nine to make them extreme long shots for the postseason. Quite the disappointment given how things looked after the trade for Rafael Devers.

19) Tampa Bay Rays

Last week: 19

This will be the first time the Rays have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since they missed the playoffs in five straight years from 2014-2017. With ownership set to change and executives Matt Silverman and Brian Auld stepping down, some big changes are afoot with this franchise.

20) St. Louis Cardinals

Last week: 20

We’re in the final week of the John Mozeliak Era in St. Louis. Cardinals fans are rightly eager to move forward now that the club has missed the postseason in three straight years, but it’s still been an incredible run.

21) Miami Marlins ⬆️

Last week: 22

Credit to the Marlins for keeping the pressure on, as they’ve won 10 out of 11 to give themselves a chance at a .500 season going into the final week. That would be a huge accomplishment.

22) Baltimore Orioles ⬆️

Last week: 23

This year will go down as a failure for the Orioles, but it’s at least easier to be optimistic about next year with Trevor Rogers returning to form and Kyle Bradish back in the fold from Tommy John surgery. Grayson Rodriguez will be a question mark as he returns from shoulder/elbow surgery, so the Orioles still have work to do with this rotation.

23) Athletics ⬇️

Last week: 21

The A’s were in Pittsburgh this weekend, which led to this cool moment between father and son.

24) Atlanta Braves ⬆️

Last week: 25

The Braves are set to miss the postseason for the first time since 2017, but Matt Olson is finishing the season on the a high note. He’s hitting .357 with seven homers, 16 RBI, and a 1.217 OPS in September.

25) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️

Last week: 24

Mike Trout became the 59th player in history to reach the 400-homer plateau over the weekend, and my goodness did it he do it in emphatic fashion.

That Coors Field special traveled 485 feet, giving him the longest home run of the 2025 MLB season.

The coolest part of this whole thing wasn’t even the home run. It was the aftermath, which resulted in the fan who caught it getting to play catch with Trout.

26) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️

Last week: 27

The Pirates finished their home slate with a 44-37 record, their best record at PNC Park since 2018. There’s reason for optimism here, if they can just spend some money to upgrade on the position player side.

27) Washington Nationals ⬆️

Last week: 28

Mets fans, look away. You probably don’t want to see this. Still, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t show Jacob Young’s circus catch from Sunday.

Young’s ninth-inning robbery isn’t going to get as much attention, but it was an amazing play nonetheless, especially given the context.

28) Minnesota Twins ⬇️

Last week: 26

A lost year for Pablo Lopez is officially over due to a right forearm strain. He was great when healthy, posting a 2.74 ERA over 14 starts, but he also missed time with a hamstring strain and a shoulder strain. Fortunately, an MRI ruled out any concerns with his elbow or ulnar collateral ligament.

29) Chicago White Sox

Last week: 29

Losers of eight out of nine, the White Sox go into the week with 98 losses. Now they play six on the road (three against the Yankees and three against the Nationals). It’s going to be tough to avoid another 100-loss season.

30) Colorado Rockies

Last week: 30

Hey, at least the Rockies won’t be the worst team ever? The Rockies took two out of three from the Angels over the weekend to get them to 43 wins, two more than the White Sox had last season when they set the modern record for losses in a season.