Browsing: defense

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  Sean AllenOct 21, 2025, 03:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Is it really enough for a player to provide almost nothing but hits and blocked shots in fantasy hockey? Can those categories pile up at such a rate that managers can overlook empty returns elsewhere?

Based on the early returns this season … well, yeah.

Take the case of Brayden McNabb. The Vegas Golden Knights defender currently sits 16th among all blueliners in total fantasy points this season with 13.0. Aside from a single shot on goal, 12.9 of those fantasy points have come from his nine hits and 24 blocked shots. He is the epitome of earning value through defensive hustle alone, but he’s not alone.

Jump ahead: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

Player, PositionTeamPercent of
leagues availableFPHBSBrayden McNabb, DVegas Golden Knights57%12.9Andrew Peeke, DBoston Bruins86%12Nikita Zadorov, DBoston Bruins56%11.4Darnell Nurse, DEdmonton Oilers13%11.2Adam Larsson, DSeattle Kraken38%10.1Conor Timmins, DBuffalo Sabres99%9.8Jared Spurgeon, DMinnesota Wild48%9.7Erik Cernak, DTampa Bay Lightning96%9.6Tyler Myers, DVancouver Canucks80%9.3Mike Matheson, DMontreal Canadiens4%8.6Shea Theodore, DVegas Golden Knights28%8.5Braden Schneider, DNew York Rangers95%8.5Jake Middleton, DMinnesota Wild67%8.5Brett Pesce, DNew Jersey Devils97%8.4Auston Matthews, CToronto Maple Leafs0%8.4Simon Edvinsson, DDetroit Red Wings37%8.2Joel Hanley, DCalgary Flames100%8.2Thomas Harley, DDallas Stars6%8.2Victor Hedman, DTampa Bay Lightning1%7.9Nick Seeler, DPhiladelphia Flyers96%7.9Charlie McAvoy, DBoston Bruins5%7.8Alexandre Carrier, DMontreal Canadiens99%7.7Mikhail Sergachev, DUtah Mammoth5%7.7Travis Sanheim, DPhiladelphia Flyers40%7.7Adam Fox, DNew York Rangers1%7.5Alexander Romanov, DNew York Islanders71%7.5Ryan Lindgren, DSeattle Kraken100%7.5Dylan DeMelo, DWinnipeg Jets91%7.5Mattias Ekholm, DEdmonton Oilers46%7.4Radko Gudas, DAnaheim Ducks76%7.4Jacob Trouba, DAnaheim Ducks40%7.3

Why 31? Because it felt wrong to cut off the list right before this generation’s rock star for FPHBS. Trouba has either led the league or threatened to do so in this category for several years.

Matthews stands alone in a sea of blueliners here, showcasing his renewed defensive focus. One of the game’s top snipers has blocked 16 shots through six games. If the power play starts clicking for the Leafs soon, Matthews could quickly become the leader in overall fantasy points.

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What jumps out most from that list is how many of these names have little or no offensive upside, yet they’re carrying steady value week to week. Peeke and Zadorov aren’t even defense partners for the Bruins, yet both benefit from the team’s physical play so far this season. Peeke is second in the league in blocked shots, while Zadorov is second in hits.

Of course, the real fantasy gold comes when a player contributes in those physical categories and chips in offense. Theodore fits that mold perfectly. Vegas has leaned on a five-forward power play early, but with Mark Stone sidelined for several weeks, Theodore will reclaim the quarterback role. That means some added offensive punch to the blocks foundation that’s already keeping him fantasy-relevant — the kind of blend that separates useful depth from true difference-makers.

Mikhail Sergachev is another example, with zero points but a solid base from the physical stats. We know he’ll start scoring eventually given his role as the Mammoth’s top offensive option on the blue line.

Goalie notes

Here’s this week’s goaltending snapshot, showing crease shares, fantasy production, and key notes where relevant.

Buffalo Sabres in six games (four last week):

• Alex Lyon (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 17.6/16.2, 84.4% available)

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Shutting out the defending champs and earning positive points in a loss to the Avalanche, it’s not like Lyon is getting a soft schedule to earn these fantasy points. There’s no clear timetable for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to return, so Lyon has some medium-term appeal now that the Sabres have remembered how to score.

Columbus Blue Jackets in five games (three last week):

• Jet Greaves (crease share season/week: 59.8%/66.8%, fantasy points season/week: 7.4/5.4, 91.2% available)

• Elvis Merzlikins (crease share season/week: 40.2%/33.2%, fantasy points season/week: 6.0/0.4, 73.1% available)

Keep your finger on the acquisition button for Greaves, as this already looks close to a 50-50 split of the crease, which is all Greaves needs to be worth a roster spot based on how he closed out last season.

Chicago Blackhawks in seven games (four last week):

• Spencer Knight (crease share season/week: 71.6%/75.8%, fantasy points season/week: 18.8/19.0, 70.8% available)

• Arvid Soderblom (crease share season/week: 28.4%/24.2%, fantasy points season/week: 1.4/2.6, 99.7% available)

Knight is getting a ton of volume and doing enough to earn positive points even when the ‘Hawks lose. Already he seems like a goaltender worth having as a third goalie in leagues with daily lineups, as long as you bench him for the toughest of matchups.

Detroit Red Wings in six games (four last week):

• Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 55.7%/49.2%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/13.6, 63.8% available)

• John Gibson (crease share season/week: 44.3%/50.8%, fantasy points season/week: 3.0/11.4, 77.5% available)

Los Angeles Kings in six games (three last week):

• Anton Forsberg (crease share season/week: 50.8%/65.6%, fantasy points season/week: -1.4/-1.4, 98.4% available)

• Darcy Kuemper (crease share season/week: 49.2%/34.4%, fantasy points season/week: -5.8/-0.4, 19.5% available)

Kuemper is not expected to be out for a long time, but his absence could drag out another week or so while the Kings are on the road.

Montreal Canadiens in seven games (four last week):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 56.6%/49.4%, fantasy points season/week: -2.4/-4.8, 26.1% available)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 43.4%/50.6%, fantasy points season/week: 17.4/9.4, 84.9% available)

New Jersey Devils in five games (four last week):

• Jake Allen (crease share season/week: 53.5%/88.9%, fantasy points season/week: 12.2/12.2, 87.8% available)

• Jacob Markstrom (crease share season/week: 46.5%/11.1%, fantasy points season/week: -0.2/3.6, 42.7% available)

Allen gets the crease for at least two weeks. He’s definitely worth starting for the entire run if your lineup locks, but it’d be better if you could move him and and out of your lineup; To avoid the home-and-home with the Avalanche, for example.

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Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers in six games (four last week):

• Dan Vladar (crease share season/week: 66.0%/75.5%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/14.0, 92.1% available)

• Samuel Ersson (crease share season/week: 34.0%/24.5%, fantasy points season/week: -6.0/-6.0, 97.1% available)

Pittsburgh Penguins in six games (three last week):

• Arturs Silovs (crease share season/week: 50.2%/33.5%, fantasy points season/week: 10.8/6.0, 89.4% available)

• Tristan Jarry (crease share season/week: 49.8%/66.5%, fantasy points season/week: 13.6/8.8, 71.1% available)

Vegas Golden Knights in seven games (six last week):

• Adin Hill (crease share season/week: 51.1%/37.5%, fantasy points season/week: 1.8/5.6, 10.0% available)

• Akira Schmid (crease share season/week: 48.9%/62.5%, fantasy points season/week: 14.0/12.0, 95.0% available)

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With the success the Golden Knights are having, Schmid becomes a must-add with Hill’s injury on Monday. Carter Hart isn’t available to the team until December, so any extended absence for Hill will mean a steady diet of Schmid.

Washington Capitals in six games (three last week):

• Logan Thompson (crease share season/week: 67.0%/67.8%, fantasy points season/week: 14.6/8.0, 9.7% available)

• Charlie Lindgren (crease share season/week: 33.0%/32.2%, fantasy points season/week: 10.0/-4.0, 46.7% available)

Power-play notes

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Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Josh Doan, RW, Buffalo Sabres (available in 89.8%): The Sabres finally got a power play working this past week and the ultimate combo was a little unexpected. No Alex Tuch, but Doan and Zach Benson were on the top unit. Doan managed three power-play points as the attack came together to collectively average four shots every two minutes on the advantage.

Victor Olofsson, RW, Colorado Avalanche (available in 97.8%): It might not be Olofsson that ultimately sticks and becomes fantasy relevant, but note that the Avs are tinkering with their power-play deployment as they look to sail out of the advantage doldrums. Olofsson replaced Artturi Lehkonen on the top unit Saturday, but they still didn’t manage a goal.

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Trevor Moore, RW, Los Angeles Kings (available in 97.2%): With an injured Anze Kopitar, the Kings stuck to their five-forward power-play guns, moving Moore up to the top unit. That means neither Drew Doughty nor Brandt Clarke are getting the access they need on the advantage, even with the team’s best forward on the sidelines.

Ridly Greig, C, Ottawa Senators (available in 97.8%): A mainstay on the top unit since Brady Tkachuk was injured, we can probably skip Greig on rosters for now. If this power-play unit heats up though, he can be a streaming option.

Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks (available in 93.7%): John Klingberg is considered day-to-day, but now we have the answer about who gets to quarterback the advantage in his absence.

Nick Schmaltz, RW, Utah Mammoth (available in 31.6%): This top unit for the Mammoth has been very steady and offers fantasy appeal all around. Schmaltz is the most available of all of them and he quietly leads the team in shots on goal.

Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (available in 44.6%): There have been three players on the ice as part of the units that scored all four Canucks power-play goals this season. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are no surprises, but Garland has been the third consistent presence.

Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights (available in 28.3%): As mentioned at the top of this column, Theodore slides into Mark Stone’s spot on the top power-play unit as Stone is out for a couple of weeks.

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Alex Iafallo, LW, Winnipeg Jets (available in 96.7%): With Cole Perfetti still expected out for a few weeks, it may be time to consider streaming in Iafallo if you need some power-play help. He has what is likely Perfetti’s role on the top unit and has been picking up more than his fair share of stats.

Droppables

Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes (rostered in 62.4%): Appearing on what is essentially the fourth line in some games, Svechnikov isn’t getting time on the top power-play unit either. He has been a volume-driven fantasy producer in the past, so without the volume, he isn’t going to help your roster.

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (rostered in 57.6%): As mentioned above in the power-play notes, the Kings are very much committed to a five-forward advantage. That means Clarke doesn’t even have the opportunity to compete with Doughty for looks on the top unit. Neither of them will be there.

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The Baltimore Ravens have allowed the most points in the league (32.3 PPG) amid a 1-5 start, and that’s a major reason why the two-time defending AFC North champion’s season is on the brink in mid-October.

One league insider provided a potential solution to the problem in a conversation with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

“Baltimore needs to bring back Dean Pees,” the insider said.

The 76-year-old Pees was the team’s defensive coordinator from 2012-2017 (winning a Super Bowl in 2012) as well as a senior advisor last season.

Pees was hired on Oct. 9, 2024 after a rough start for the defense then, with Baltimore allowing 25.2 points per game over a 3-2 start. Baltimore’s defense fared far better over its final 12 games, giving up 19.2 points per game. The Ravens finished the season 12-5, won the AFC North and reached the Divisional Round.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave some credit to Pees for the Ravens’ defensive improvement last year during a Dec. 20 press conference.

“When I look at their more recent tape, I really see the Dean Pees influence in terms of umbrella defense minimizing big plays,” Tomlin said. “And I think the statistics since the last time we played them bear that out. Since the last time we played them, for example, they’re No. 2 in the league in pass defense. You don’t see it in totality, because it’s tracked over the course of the full season, but since the last time we played them, they’re second in the league, and what they’ve done is minimize big plays. And really, that’s quintessential Dean Pees.”

The Ravens’ defense was solid for most of Pees’ six years as DC, finishing top 12 in scoring defense five times with a high of sixth on two occasions.

This year’s team, unfortunately, has simply been devastated by injuries, with players such as Kyle Hamilton (one game), Roquan Smith (two games), Marlon Humphrey (one game) and Chidobe Awuzie (two games) all missing time. In addition, Nnamdi Madubuike is out for the season with a neck injury suffered in Week 2.

However, the Ravens simply haven’t fared well even when most or all of those players were on the field. Last week featured some improvement in a 17-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but this is also a team that’s allowed 37 or more points in four of its six games. The low point was a 44-10 defeat on Oct. 5 against a Houston Texans team that had averaged 16.0 PPG in four weeks leading to that date.

An opposing head coach spoke with Russini about what he’s seeing.

“The Ravens have built their defensive reputation on stopping the run, especially out of their signature split-safety looks,” the coach said. “But this season, that calling card has faded. Baltimore’s struggled to consistently control the ground game, forcing them to commit more bodies to the box and lean on run pressures. They haven’t been able to take anything away, and opposing offenses are staying balanced against them.”

Ultimately, second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr has a tough task at hand to get the Ravens back on track. Perhaps the Ravens do try to call Pees out of retirement one more time to help out, but in the meantime, they have the benefit of a bye week to reassess things and try to figure out solutions.

The Ravens will host the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26 out of the bye week before going on a three-game road trip from Oct. 30-Nov. 16 against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

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Aside from two empty net goals in the third period, the Nashville Predators’ defense struggled to support goalie Justus Annunen in their 7-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

On four of the five goals scored with Annunen in the net, the goalie had little to no support from the Predators’ defense in limiting the Maple Leafs’ scoring chances.

“We probably weren’t all that sharp around the front of the net,” Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said. “Those stick battles weren’t quite to our standard. A little bit slow early.”

The first goal was more so on Annunen as a long shot from the point by Jake McCabe zipped through traffic, hit the right post and went in.

The second goal was where the Predators lack of defense started showing.

On a rush into the Predators’ zone, the Maple Leafs were able to get two players past the Predators’ defense and Ozzy Weisblatt on the right side. That allowed William Nylander to make a cross-ice pass to Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who tapped it in for the goal.

Nashville came back to tie the game in the second period, before Toronto took the lead off a goal from John Tavares, who scored from his knees right in front of Annunen. Roman Josi pressured Tavaraes into falling, but he had two Predator defenders on him when he had scored.

Josi also had an opportunity to clear the puck out of the crease before Tavares had scored.

The third goal saw Bobby McMann get in front of the Predators’ defense, fire a shot, get his own rebound and put it away to make it 4-3. On the goal, it had looked like Brady Skjei and Cole Smith had given up on the play before McMann fired the second shot.

The fourth goal saw the Predators turn the puck over in the neutral zone and get caught too high, allowing the Maple Leafs to go on a 2-on-1.

Justin Barron missed on the diving poke check, and the Predators had a little bit of a window to possibly break up the goal as Matthew Knies went for the extra pass back to Auston Matthews. Jonathan Marchessault got back, but not in time to prevent the easy tap-in goal from Matthews.

The Maple Leafs scored three of their five goals, with Annunen in the net, from below the face-off circles, meaning that they had no issue getting to the net. They also had 12 high danger chances.

Outside of the goals, the shot totals, face-off battles, hits and even penalty minutes were all pretty even. If Nashville’s defense had tightened up around the net, this could’ve been a different result.

The lapse also exposes just how critical Juuse Saros has been in the first three games of the season. Not only has the Predators’ starter made 89 saves on 94 shots, but he has kept the Predators in all three of their games.

In Nashville’s first two games, the team struggled in the second period, and it was Saros who allowed the Predators to have a chance to win to the end. Putting Annunen, the backup, in the net shows that the defense can’t constantly rely on Saros to bail them out.

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By Ella Jay

Oct. 14, 2025 7:19 pm EST

Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

One week after their Winner Takes All victory over DarkState at “WWE NXT” x TNA Showdown, Matt and Jeff Hardy are returning to “NXT” grounds at the WWE Performance Center. Matt confirmed as such on X.

“We’ll see ya tonight at #WWENXT, @ShawnMichaels!” Matt wrote, quoting a backstage video of the Hardys shared by “NXT” head booker Shawn Michaels. “We’re proud to be repping @WWENXT as the tag champs.”

We’ll see ya tonight at #WWENXT, @ShawnMichaels! We’re proud to be repping @WWENXT as the tag champs.

— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) October 14, 2025

Heading into Showdown, Matt and Jeff carried the TNA World Tag Team Championships with ambitions to also add on the NXT Tag Team Championships, which had thus far eluded them in their careers. That, of course, all changed when the legendary brothers defeated DarkStates’ Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox in a title-for-title match. Matt and Jeff then went on to successfully defend both the TNA and NXT Tag Team Championships against Team 3D (Bully Ray and D-Von Dudley) at TNA Bound For Glory on October 12. Afterward, Bully and D-Von removed their wrestling boots and handed them to the Hardys.

As of now, it is unclear if Matt and Jeff will wrestle on “NXT” tonight or appear in some other capacity. Elsewhere, a battle royal has been announced, with women from “NXT” and TNA competing for a future shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. Matt Cardona will also mark his “NXT” in-ring return when he takes on Josh Briggs in singles action. Zaria will face Blake Monroe, while Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide Champion El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. battles former NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King.

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Dallas Mavericks fans got their third look at rookie Cooper Flagg on Monday as the Mavs beat the Utah Jazz 114-101 in the NBA preseason.

In the grand scheme of things, Flagg’s third preseason game will likely be forgotten, but he showed some flashes of what’s to come. The No. 1 overall pick had 11 points, seven boards, two steals and a pair of blocks in the win.

He struggled to find his shot, hitting just three of his 13 attempts from the field and one of his six shots from deep, but that’s to be expected for a young player still adjusting to the NBA game.

Jazz fans were hoping to see more of Ace Bailey after the No. 5 pick impressed in his first two preseason games, but he played just 11 minutes before exiting with knee soreness.

With Bailey out for most of the game, Flagg was the story of the night. Fans applauded the 18-year-old as he continues to figure things out, taking note of what he did on the defensive end.

Flagg hasn’t done much to impress on offense in three preseason games, but that shouldn’t be a huge concern. For now, the Mavs just want to see him get comfortable going up against NBA talent, and his shots will eventually start to fall.

Even if he isn’t a major threat on offense, it seems like he’ll be a reliable defender from the jump.

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The beleaguered Dallas Cowboys defense gave up 410 yards of offense and 30 points to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, the main ingredient in a loss that moved them to 2-3-1 on the season.

While the team’s offense continues to play well, the defense has been arguably the worst in the NFL, and cornerback Trevon Diggs knows it.

“Yeah it’s very frustrating,” he told reporters after Sunday’s 30-27 loss. “It’s all these points (given up), the receivers are running wide open down the field, too many busted coverages. It’s a lot. I feel like we’re all over the place and we really don’t have no identity.”

The lack of identity part of those remarks feels like a veiled indictment of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, though head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly supported him after the loss.

“Matt’s a great coach,” he told reporters. “Everywhere he’s ever been he’s had good defenses. It’s not just Matt by himself. Matt’s trying. The players are trying. This is not a lack of effort.”

He added that whether or not the players believe in Eberflus’ scheme is the “bigger thing. I would hope so. I would think so.”

Something is certainly lacking, whether that’s the scheme, execution or simply the talent on the defensive side of the ball (trading away an elite pass-rusher in Micah Parsons certainly hasn’t helped). The Cowboys have now allowed 30 or more points in five straight games, and were it not for Dak Prescott and an offense that has scored 30 or more points three times and 40 or more points twice, the team’s record would be far worse.

The Cowboys now face the Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals before a Week 10 bye. If they don’t figure out their defensive woes soon, a few heads may roll come the bye.

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Looks like The IInspiration arenâ€t going anywhere — at least not yet. Just hours before TNA Bound For Glory 2025, a new update suggests that Cassie Lee and Jess McKay are likely to stick around, even with their contracts set to expire after tonightâ€s show.

After a short but impactful return to TNA Wrestling that saw them win the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, fans were left wondering if this weekend would mark their exit. According to Fightful Select, thatâ€s probably not going to happen.

“As of this week The IInspirationâ€s deals were up after Bound For Glory. Those we spoke to expected them to retain and likely stay with the company.â€

While nothing has been officially signed, the internal belief is that both sides are on the same page. TNA sources have been vocal about wanting to keep Lee and McKay on board, and talks are said to be going well.

“According to those within TNA, the company is interested in keeping Lee and McKay around, and thereâ€s already internal talk that a new agreement is likely to be reached soon.â€

Itâ€s not just TNA talent watching closely — even wrestlers in WWEâ€s NXT are reacting to The IInspirationâ€s presence. Fightful added:

“Several womenâ€s talent at NXT we spoke to were happy to see them at the show.â€

The IInspirationâ€s star power and chemistry have made them a staple of TNAâ€s womenâ€s division since their return. Their current reign as tag champs has injected life into the Knockouts scene, and TNA isnâ€t ready to lose that momentum.

Whether they retain tonight or not, all signs point to a longer run for The IInspiration in TNA. If a new deal gets inked after Bound For Glory, fans can expect more from the duo that continues to deliver wherever they go.

Do you want to see Cassie Lee and Jess Mc Kay continue their run in TNA? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to be the first repeat World Series champions in a quarter century, helped along by superb starting pitching, a flame-throwing rookie in the bullpen and strong defense.

They were swigging and spraying from bottles with — oops — NLCS on the labels while partying in the teamâ€s batting cage after a wild 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings.

“Weâ€re going to find a way to win a ballgame even when things arenâ€t going our way,†utility player Kiké Hernández said.

NL West champion Los Angeles took the best-of-five NL Division Series 3-1 and will play either the NL Central-winning Milwaukee Brewers or runner-up Chicago Cubs in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series. Those teams play a decisive Game 5 in Milwaukee.

The Dodgers dropped four of seven to the Cubs during the regular season. The Brewers swept their six games with the Dodgers, outscoring them 31-16 while holding Los Angeles to two or fewer runs in four of those games.

No matter whoâ€s up next, the Dodgers are rolling at the right time, winning five of their first six postseason games. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow lead a stellar rotation. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a candidate to start on the mound in Game 1 of the NLCS.

“The whole pitching staff, we donâ€t win this series if it wasnâ€t for them,†Hernández said.

The defense is helping, too.

The Dodgers made a couple of clutch defensive plays during a 4-3 win in Game 2 against the Phillies.

Freddie Freeman had a game-saving pick at first base and they successfully executed a defensive wheel play with the Phillies threatening.

With Nick Castellanos on second, third baseman Max Muncy rushed home plate to field a bunt by Bryson Stott, turned and perfectly threw to shortstop Mookie Betts, who was covering third. Betts got the out while being upended by a sliding Castellanos.

Rookie Roki Sasaki delivered three perfect innings of relief in the finale. The right-hander has allowed just one baserunner over 5 1/3 scoreless playoff innings after returning late last month from a long-term shoulder injury.

“Itâ€s a massive weapon for us this whole postseason now,†Freeman said.

Ohtani and Freeman have not been so great at the plate. Theyâ€ll need to jump-start their offense in the next round.

Ohtani had a franchise-record 55 homers — second-best in the NL — in the regular season. He homered twice in the wild-card round against Cincinnati, but has gone silent since. He was 1 for 18 with nine strikeouts in the NLDS, going 0 for 5 in Game 3.

Freeman hit .295 during the season — third-best in the NL — and had 39 doubles and 24 homers. He was 1 for 5, extending his postseason on-base streak to 11 games with a single.

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NEW YORK — In a heavyweight fight for the ages, the Blue Jays couldnâ€t keep their gloves up.

It was all sitting right in front of them, up 6-1 in the top of the third with the Yankee Stadium crowd ready to turn its frustrations from Toronto to their own team. All the Blue Jays needed to do was play Blue Jays baseball, but for the first time this postseason, they left themselves wide open.

Tuesdayâ€s 9-6 loss to extend the ALDS to a Game 4 Wednesday night in New York was a loss of Torontoâ€s own making. Sure, Aaron Judge delivered a playoff moment they might be replaying for years in New York with a three-run shot off the foul pole in left field, but the Blue Jays just kept inviting the Yankees to land the big blow. Their lapses in defense were the stunner in all of this.

“We just didn’t play our game,†said manager John Schneider. “When you look at things as a whole, just defensively, giving [the Yankees] extra outs, they can do that in a hurry. It’s not one thing, it’s a couple of things.â€

It started early. Minutes after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.â€s third home run in as many ALDS games got the Blue Jays out to a dream start, Isiah Kiner-Falefa bobbled a ground ball that extended the inning long enough for Giancarlo Stanton to drive in the Yankees†first run. The most obvious error came just prior to Judgeâ€s home run, though, when Addison Barger tracked a high pop fly from Austin Wells back into shallow left field, drifting towards the foul line. Barger just kept drifting until … clank.

“It was pretty swirly out there up top,†Barger said. “When it got to its highest point, I felt like I was in position to make the play, and just started tailing towards the stands a little bit, which is kind of weird for a left-handed fly ball. Usually they come back towards the line.â€

Instead of having the bases empty with two outs, the inning kept rolling and two batters later, Judge was trotting up the first-base line, pointing down at the dirt of the stadium heâ€d just reclaimed from Guerrero.

“The game changed. The whole series changed right there,†said Jazz Chisholm Jr., who later hit the go-ahead home run.

Itâ€s difficult to even fault Louis Varland, who gave up the big blow. He threw Judge a 100 mph fastball up, in and well off the plate. Itâ€s the first time in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008), regular season or postseason combined, that a hitter has homered off a 99-plus mph pitch that also was that far inside.

“He made a really good pitch look really bad,†Varland said.

It doesnâ€t stop there, either. An inning after a grounder skipped past the outstretched glove of Guerrero to score the Yankees†eighth run, Anthony Santander dove and whiffed on a looping liner from Cody Bellinger, allowing it to skip past him and set up the eventual ninth run. Drip, drip, drip.

This wasnâ€t the Blue Jays team weâ€ve seen all season, at least what played out from the third inning on. Shane Bieber didnâ€t give the Blue Jays the start they needed, either, in a moment that couldnâ€t have lined up better for their big Trade Deadline addition. None of these are fatal flaws, but in the postseason, thereâ€s so little time for adjustments and almost no room for the “small sample size†arguments.

The Blue Jays won the Team Gold Glove in 2023 and 2024, and they have been one of the best defensive clubs in baseball this season. Alejandro Kirk, Andrés Giménez and Daulton Varsho might be the best up-the-middle trio in the league, and across the roster, the Blue Jays are rock solid. The strangest things can happen in the postseason, though, especially with all the hate and passion of Yankee Stadium raining down on you.

“If you let your foot off the gas for even a second, a good team will pounce on you and make stuff happen,†said Ernie Clement, who went 4-for-4. “We know they’re not going to give up. Theyâ€re not going to lay down. So we got to show up and be ready to play tomorrow.â€

Weâ€ve seen the Blue Jays at their best, scoring a postseason-record 23 runs through Games 1 and 2. Now, weâ€ve seen something a hundred miles from it. This isnâ€t going to get any easier, either, with Cam Schlittler waiting Wednesday and Toronto toying with a bullpen day after running that same bullpen hard in the Game 3 loss. Just as the Blue Jays†wins seemed to snowball on the Yankees, that can turn quickly.

The Blue Jays have played 165 games this season. Tuesday night was an outlier — as poorly timed as it can get — and they need to make sure it stays that way.

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The Kings are counting on Dennis Schröderâ€s on-ball defense to lighten Keegan Murrayâ€s workload. With the veteran guard joining the starting unit, Murray said he expects to spend less time guarding opposing point guards — a shift that could free him up for other matchups.

“I think with Dennis, obviously it helps,” Murray said. “I won’t guard as many point guards as I did. Obviously, they’ll be versatile in where I guard, obviously, the best player on the court. But, obviously, Dennis is able to do that too. So, it’ll be interesting to see once we get into the season.”

Schröder, entering his 12th NBA season, has built a reputation as a relentless defender. The 32-year-old German guard averages 0.8 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game across his career.

That skill set could be crucial for a Sacramento team that finished last season with a 115.68 defensive rating, a number that often undercut the Kings†high-powered offense.

With Schröder applying pressure on the perimeter, the Kings hope Murray can focus on defending bigger wings and conserving energy for his expanding offensive role.

“Obviously, with Dennis, it helps me a lot in the starting unit to pick up four court, disrupt the ball handling and things like that,” Murray added. “We’ve seen improvement. At this point, it’s just going out against someone else and going out against the opponent, not obviously making that happen in the game. So, you can’t really just do it in practice and not do it in the game.”

Murray averaged 12.4 points and 6/7 rebounds last season while shooting .343 percent from three.

The Kings will find out soon enough if Schröderâ€s defensive edge can help Murray — and the team — strike a better balance.

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