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MLB: Possible Free Agent Destinations?
BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – As the light turns green to signal the open of Major League Baseball free agency, the looming threat of the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers casts a larger shadow than ever over the other 29 teams.
Most of them are dealing with a level of wallet envy as Los Angeles collects World Series titles and All-Stars at an epic clip.
With perennial MVP Shohei Ohtani front and center, it’s easy to forget the Dodgers scored offseason wins each winter before and after onboarding the two-way stud as a free agent in 2024.
The same year he signed a (largely deferred) 10-year, $700 million contract that runs until 2033, the Dodgers spent $325 million over 12 years (2035) on World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, signed third baseman Max Muncy to an extension and re-upped with right-hander Tyler Glasnow after a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The annual average value of those four deals? A cool $134 million.
Milwaukee was no match for the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Worth noting is the current payroll allocation for next season from the Brewers: $45 million.
Don’t look now, but this could be the winter the Cincinnati Reds ($39M), Chicago White Sox ($37M) and Miami Marlins ($23M) combine to reach $100 million in total player payroll contract commitments.
Well, maybe not.
Without ballclubs having the cash or credentials to spend Dodgers dollars — or even Brewers bucks — the biggest fish in free agency are not incentivized to float toward smaller markets, lighter spenders or generally away from LA or New York.
Will there be a surprise bidder for any of the top talents on the free agent market this winter?
Don’t rule out the San Francisco Giants, an NL West division rival of the Dodgers and playoff-qualifying Padres all too aware of MLB’s devolved state as a spenders market.
Here’s our early projection for the landing spot of the top 10 players in free agency:
1. Kyle Tucker, RF, Chicago Cubs
Free Agent Destination?: Los Angeles Dodgers
If Tucker truly wants $400 million as is widely speculated, cross off a return to the Chicago Cubs. Yes, he’s 28 and was dogged by hand and calf injuries, but the starting rotation is a higher priority in Chicago. Tucker hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 25 doubles, 87 walks and 25 stolen bases in 597 plate appearances.
If the Phillies shock their peers by trading Bryce Harper, they could make a bid and the Yankees are always in play.
2. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies
Free Agent Destination?: Philadelphia Phillies
At 32 going on 33 (March 2026), Schwarber is nowhere close to a perfect candidate for most teams looking for power. But his resume can take a bullet. Other than Yankees bomber Aaron Judge, Schwarber has been baseball’s most consistent HR hitter in MLB the past decade. Schwarber doesn’t fit in the field — anywhere — but the Chicago Cubs might come knocking with full knowledge of perceived shortcomings and the Atlanta Braves are intrigued, too.
3. Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox
Free Agent Destination?: New York Mets
If you guessed Bregman was out of gas before last season, your reading was proven wrong. But the exercise is doomed to become annual because of Bregman’s age — he’ll be 32 in March. Still a solid defensive third baseman, his clubhouse leadership is on par with David Wright and he’d bring a bat to help offset the potential loss of Pete Alonso.
4. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
Free Agent Destination: Boston Red Sox?
Following a similar map to the one Boston used to reel in Bregman last offseason, the Red Sox could be getting a player capable of being an 80 extra-base-hit threat at Fenway Park. There is the looming return of Triston Casas for Boston to balance with their bidding, but a rotation at 1B-DH would suit if the Mets tag out of the bidding.
5. Bo Bichette, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
Free Agent Destination: New York Mets?
Cringe away, but the Dodgers make all the sense in the world if the vision is to utilize Bichette as a corner outfielder and second baseman. Of course, he would have a say in buying into that vision. Who else might have the funds for a 28-year-old borderline MVP candidate? All set at shortstop, the Mets would be adding Bichette to play second base and only after the Blue Jays drop the pen and walk away from contract talks. A return to Toronto might still work out, and there are teams with more money capable of forcing Bichette to listen — Los Angeles Angels? — on a 10-year offer.
6. Cody Bellinger, RF, New York Yankees
Free Agent Destination: New York Yankees
Long-term security would appeal to Bellinger, 30, if such an offer exists. More likely, he’s back in pinstripes to give New York balance in the lineup and insurance in case bids for the heavier hitters on this list turn them away.
7. Framber Valdez, LHP, Houston Astros
Free Agent Destination: Chicago Cubs
Reassigning the money ticketed for Tucker to Valdez would be ideal for the Cubs, who have rotation needs and didn’t pick up the option on left-hander Shota Imanaga. Valdez might fetch a $200 million offer from the likes of the Giants and Blue Jays. Will the Cubs blink or swim?
8. Ranger Suarez, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Free Agent Destination: San Francisco Giants
We see the Mets and Red Sox kicking the tires on Ranger, but a reunion with the Phillies appears less likely. In the starting pitching market, a team overeager to make a splashy move is always a strong bet. Based on Buster Posey hiring University of Tennessee manager Tony Vitello and both harping on the importance of pitching in the National League West, the Giants fit that profile.
9. Dylan Cease, RHP, San Diego Padres
Free Agent Destination: Chicago Cubs
Once traded by the Cubs to the White Sox, Cease is no longer in Cy Young conversations. He is a workhorse. Cease made at least 32 starts in five consecutive seasons and was No. 1 in the National League in Ks/9 at 11.5 in 2025. The Padres have a Michael King decision to make. It’s possible the new regime prefers Cease or has other (trade) targets queued up. The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants could be in play, and the Detroit Tigers might make a run if they decide Tarik Skubal is worth more as the biggest offseason trade chip due to the direction of contract talks.
10. Josh Naylor, 1B, Seattle Mariners
Free Agent Destination: Seattle Mariners
At 28, Naylor should be the clear priority to return to the Mariners. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline, Naylor hit 20 home runs and 29 doubles with 92 RBIs between the two stops in 2025. Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suarez, another Seattle deadline deal last season, are also targets of smaller-market franchises because of the bang for the bucks. Naylor’s contract is likely to be in the 3-5 years, $75 million-$110 million range or approximately $45 million-$60 million less than Schwarber’s.
–Field Level Media
NFL: Week 9 Previews
Atlanta Falcons (3-4) at New England Patriots (6-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -5.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: New England has won its last seven games against Atlanta and leads the all-time series 10-6. The Patriots have won the last two regular-season games since rallying from down 28-3 to beat the Falcons in overtime of Super Bowl LI.
The Patriots are riding high on their longest winning streak in four years entering this week’s game. Drake Maye has thrown 10 touchdowns to one interception over New England’s five-game winning streak, playing his way into the MVP conversation in his second season. He’s been helped by the league’s fourth-best scoring defense (18.3 points per game) and having this level of offensive success despite the fact that the Patriots still don’t have a 300-yard rusher this season. The Falcons are feeling low after last week’s 34-10 home loss to Miami when QB Michael Penix Jr. was sidelined due to a bone bruise in his left knee. It was the team’s second straight loss coming out of its bye week. Penix and leading receiver Drake London (hip) have both been limited through the team’s first two practices of the week. Atlanta coach Raheem Morris labeled them as “day-to-day” while Penix said he’s trending in the right direction. That’s badly needed for an offense which has generated 20 points the last two weeks.
Indianapolis Colts (7-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Colts -3, Total 50.5
Series Rewind: The Colts have won the past two meetings after Pittsburgh prevailed in the previous eight matchups.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor might be the best overall player in the league. Taylor has scored three touchdowns four separate times this season and leads the NFL with 850 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He has 14 total touchdowns, giving him a chance to challenge the total touchdowns record of 31 set by then-San Diego Chargers great LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. Taylor’s touchdown count is more than the grand total of four different teams and is tied with another. Indianapolis has topped 30 points in each of the past four games and quarterback Daniel Jones is excelling with 2,062 passing yards, 13 touchdowns through the air and three interceptions. Pittsburgh is looking to rebound after back-to-back setbacks against the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers lost 35-25 to his former club (the Packers) while completing 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense featuring stars such as outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cam Heyward has allowed more than 30 points in consecutive games and four times overall. The Steelers sustained a huge blow when safety DeShon Elliott was carted off with a hyperextended left knee against Green Bay and later placed on injured reserve. Pittsburgh traded for New England safety Kyle Dugger on Wednesday to help soften the loss.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) at Tennessee Titans (1-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -9.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: The Chargers have won four of the past six meetings, including last season’s 27-17 home triumph.
The Chargers looked great at the outset of the season with three straight victories and were dominant while crushing the Minnesota Vikings 37-10 last week. But in between, they lost three of four games so who knows which team makes up the real Chargers. Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown three touchdown passes in back-to-back games and is tied for third with 16 scoring passes. He also leads the league with 2,140 passing yards. Unsung Kimani Vidal has saved the running back position by rushing for 117 yards against the Vikings, 11 days after collecting 124 against the Miami Dolphins. He became the starter after injuries to Najee Harris (Achilles) and rookie Omarion Hampton (hamstring). This is the first of four straight home games for the Titans but that gift from the schedule makers isn’t going to vault Tennessee into the playoffs. The Titans have a bunch of injuries to deal with and rookie quarterback Cam Ward is experiencing weekly growing pains while surrounded by minimal talent. However, interim coach Mike McCoy surely would like to deliver some payback against the organization that fired him following the 2016 campaign after four seasons. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (4.5 sacks), the best overall player on the squad, is in danger of missing his second straight game. Simmons (hamstring) sat out last week and hasn’t practiced yet this week.
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -8.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Lions buried the Vikings, 31-9, in the regular-season finale last season to win the NFC North title. Detroit took six of the past seven games in the series.
A QB carousel the Vikings appeared to have resolved last season with Sam Darnold has spun once more with J.J. McCarthy returning to the QB1 role and Carson Wentz hitting injured reserve. McCarthy was hurt in this second career start but has practiced for two weeks to prove his health while recovering from a high ankle sprain. This is his first division game since a miraculous comeback for Minnesota at Chicago in Week 1. Keeping up with the Lions might require another gear. Chief concerns for the Vikings start with protecting McCarthy. Starting tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are banged up and lead blocker C.J. Ham (hand) was limited all week. Building a wall in front of McCarthy could spare him an unceremonious introduction to Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson has three sacks and five tackles for loss in two games in Detroit against the Vikings. If he has time to throw, McCarthy can dial up Justin Jefferson, who has 72 catches and averages 120.6 yards per game in 10 career meetings with Detroit. Lions QB Jared Goff thrives in this matchup, too. In 10 career games, he averages 288.4 passing yards with 18 TDs, five INTs and a 105.1 passer rating.
Denver Broncos (6-2) at Houston Texans (3-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -1.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: Houston recorded a 22-17 home victory last season after the Broncos won four of the previous five matchups.
Both teams have excelled on the defensive side this season so a low-scoring contest won’t be a surprise. The Texans lead the league in scoring defense (14.7) and total defense (266.9) and Denver ranks fifth in both categories – 18.9 and 281.4, respectively. Houston has allowed more than 20 points just once this season and features star pass rushers in Will Anderson (five sacks) and Danielle Hunter (four) as well as standout cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (two interceptions). Denver has allowed 17 or fewer points on four occasions but has got the offense cranked up during its current five-game winning streak. The Broncos scored 33 fourth-quarter points to rally past the New York Giants by one point two weeks ago and torched the Dallas Cowboys 44-24 last week. Denver quarterback Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes for the third time in his two-year career in the win over Dallas. The bad news is that cornerback Patrick Surtain II (pectoral) was hurt against the Cowboys and could miss multiple games. Surtain is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is back after a one-game suspension for berating referee Brad Allen after the comeback win over New York. Houston will get back Nico Collins (concussion) after a one-game absence while fellow wideout Christian Kirk (hamstring) might be back after missing two games. Collins topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bears -3, Total 50.5
Series Rewind: Chicago has three consecutive wins over the Bengals. The last meeting (September 2021) featured 27 total fourth-quarter points; the Bears won 20-17, sacked Joe Burrow five times and intercepted three passes.
Cincinnati’s run defense is the worst in the league, yielding 151.9 yards per game. The Bears are determined to attack weaknesses, which could mean more of rookie seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai in an expanded role. D’Andre Swift has been fighting a groin injury. Head coach Ben Johnson noted the importance of setting up a defense with success on the ground to ease the burden and simplify the pre-snap process for the skill-position group. Caleb Williams has 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in his past eight road games. The Bengals are thriving on downfield throws since Joe Flacco jumped into the lineup. Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury but has pushed to play. WR Ja’Marr Chase had 12 catches for 91 yards last week and leads the league in catches. He has 38 receptions in his past three games, tied for the most in a three-game span in league history. Even if Flacco makes the start, there is a chance he won’t be able to finish the game given the severity of his shoulder (AC injury) issue. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson has a QB sack in each of his three career games against the Bears. He’s still dealing with a hip injury suffered at Green Bay on Oct. 12.
San Francisco 49ers (5-3) at New York Giants (2-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -2.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: San Francisco has won three of the last four meetings to take a 22-21 lead in the series, including a 4-4 split in the playoffs. New York won both NFC Championship clashes (1990 and 2011 seasons).
Both teams are 2-3 in their last five games, the 49ers following a 3-0 start and the Giants after an 0-3 start. It could be a big day for 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, as the Giants are giving up a league-high 5.7 yards per carry and have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he can’t name a starting quarterback until he sees how Brock Purdy’s troublesome toe fares in practice this week, but here’s one interesting stat of note: Mac Jones is 0-5 against NFC East opponents in his career and Purdy is 6-0. Whoever starts better keep both eyes on Giants linebacker Brian Burns, who has sacks in seven of his past eight games. New York rookie Jaxson Dart has won both of his home starts so far (versus the Chargers and Eagles) but won’t have sparkplug running back Cam Skattebo, handing the ball instead to erstwhile starter Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Carolina Panthers (4-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel Odds: Packers -13.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: Green Bay beat the Panthers on Christmas Eve at Carolina in 2023, 30-13, and the Packers have won three in a row in the series.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said it’s fair to view TE Tucker Kraft as the team’s No. 1 receiver after his 7-143-2 performance last week in QB Jordan Love’s 10th career game with three TD passes. Kraft has a TD catch in three home games in a row and the Panthers are committed to the ground game to prevent engaging in a shootout at Lambeau. Carolina’s wide receivers gain only 3.2 yards after the reception this season, forcing the offensive line to create push for the tandem of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard on early downs. Dowdle has 364 rushing yards on first down since Week 5, which is the most in the league. Shifting away from ball control always sparks the Packers’ potent pass rush featuring Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary, who have combined for 14 sacks. The Packers have given up on six points in the first quarter and leads the NFL with an average of 7.3 points allowed in the first half in 2025.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -3, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders won 19-14 last season in their first matchup in Las Vegas since the team’s relocation. Jacksonville leads the all-time series 6-5, last beating the Raiders in 2016.
Jacksonville is hoping the bye week it just concluded can be a reset of sorts for the final 10 games of the regular season. After jumping out to its first 4-1 start since 2007, the Jaguars limped into their bye week with a home loss to Seattle followed by an uncompetitive 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London. The Jaguars could be limited at receiver against the Raiders, with Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) and Tim Patrick (groin) both limited in the first two practices. Two-way sensation Travis Hunter Jr. (knee) was also limited in Thursday’s practice after he had no designation on Wednesday. Las Vegas, also coming out of a bye, will be playing its first game since co-owner Carol Davis, The First Lady of Raider Nation, passed away on Oct. 24 at the age of 93. The offense, shut out the last time out by Kansas City, should get a spark with the return of All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who will return after missing the last three games and been out of the starting lineup since Week 1 with a knee injury. Standout defensive end Maxx Crosby (back) didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday.
New Orleans Saints (1-7) at Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Rams -14.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: Los Angeles leads the all-time series 45-35 and has won four of the last five games against the Saints, including each of the last two years.
After throwing for five touchdowns last time out vs. Jacksonville in London, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford remains tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (17) coming out of the team’s bye week. He did that without leading receiver Puka Nacua, who missed the game with an ankle injury, but it appears that will be just a one-game absence as Nacua was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. That’s timely for Los Angeles, which remains in a tightly contested NFC West race, with three of the four teams either 5-2 or 5-3. New Orleans made a quarterback change midway through last week’s 23-3 home loss to Tampa Bay, bringing rookie Tyler Shough off the bench. After completing 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards and an interception, Shough’s first start will be a steep challenge against a Los Angeles team which ranks third in scoring defense (16.7 points per game), second in sacks (26) and eighth in takeaways (10). It remains to be seen if Shough will have either of his top two running backs available, as both Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal have been limited in practice with ankle injuries.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) at Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -1.5, Total 52.5
Series Rewind: Josh Allen’s Bills are 4-1 in the regular season vs. Patrick Mahomes, but Mahomes’ Chiefs are 4-0 vs. Allen in the postseason. Their teams have won a combined 14 division titles since 2016.
Kansas City has won three straight and five of six since an 0-2 start to the season. Buffalo snapped a two-game slide with a 40-9 pounding of the Panthers last weekend. Mahomes is looking for his fourth straight game with three or more touchdown passes, while Allen is looking for his sixth straight game at home with two or more TD passes and a 100-plus passer rating. Mahomes actually leads the two quarterbacks in rushing, 280-261, although Allen holds a 5-4 edge in rushing TDs. Chiefs star Travis Kelce needs 26 yards to become the fourth tight end in NFL history with 500-plus yards in 12 seasons. Bills running back James Cook is coming off a career-high 216-yard game against the Panthers and has scored at least one rushing TD in seven of his last eight home games. Kansas City is the only team that has not lost a fumble this season.
Seattle Seahawks (5-2) at Washington Commanders (3-5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -3, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The last four regular-season meetings (since 2017) were all decided by five or fewer points, with each side winning once at home and once on the road.
The Seahawks are 3-0 away from home this season and have won nine straight road games under second-year coach Mike Macdonald, while the Commanders are 9-3 at home under second-year coach Dan Quinn. Future Seahawks Ring of Honor member Bobby Wagner is in his second season with Washington and is the only NFL player with eight or more tackles in eight games this season. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is trying to become the first WR since 2018 (Adam Thielen) with 100-plus receiving yards and a TD in four straight games. Commanders fans are excited about the expected return of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has thrown for at least 200 yards and two TDs in three straight prime-time games. Counterpart Sam Darnold threw four TD passes in his only previous appearance against Washington (2019 with the Jets). The Seahawks are 2-0 under the lights so far this season and the Commanders are 0-3.
–Field Level Media
One-Sided Holy War in Chestnut Hill
A One-Sided Holy War Today in Chestnut Hill
No. 12 Notre Dame Faces Desperate Boston College
CHESTNUT HILL – (STAFF REPORT) – One used to look at a battle between the Jesuits of Boston College and the priests of Blessed Basil Moreau’s Congregation of Holy Cross as being an even fight. Not anymore.
A college football contest will take center stage today at Alumni Stadium, where No. 12 Notre Dame (5-2) invades Boston College (1-7) in a lopsided ACC-Independent clash kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Fighting Irish, fresh off a bye week and riding a two-game win streak, enter as 28.5-point favorites desperate to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive. Meanwhile, Bill O’Brien‘s Eagles limp in on a five-game skid, winless in ACC play (0-5), searching for any spark in a nightmare 2025 campaign. Their only victory came against their fellow Jesuits of Fordham on the first weekend of the season.
Irish on the Hunt: Playoff Push Meets Perfect Storm
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman‘s squad has rebounded masterfully from an uneven start, blistering NC State 36-7 before gutting out a gritty 34-24 road win at USC – where RB Jeremiyah Love erupted for 228 yards and a score. The Irish offense hums at 462 yards per game (19th nationally), fueled by a 191.7 rushing average (32nd) and explosive 39.1 points per contest (10th). Sophomore QB CJ Carr has settled in as the triggerman, posting 1,758 yards, 14 TDs, and just 4 INTs (65.8% completion) – a bold preseason gamble by Freeman paying massive dividends.
Defensively, Notre Dame stuffs the run (100 yards allowed per game, 17th) and boasts a +8 turnover margin (9th), primed to feast on BC’s turnover-prone attack (-5 margin). Challenges loom with injuries sidelining LG Billy Schrauth (knee) and WR Jaden Greathouse (hamstring), but the depth chart – headlined by Love (758 rush yards, 9 TDs) and Jadarian Price (509 yards, 8 TDs) – should overwhelm.
Eagles’ Desperation: Can O’Brien Conjure a Miracle?
Boston College’s 371 yards per game (83rd) and 26.8 points (76th) pale against a defense hemorrhaging 34.4 points (126th) and 410 total yards (111th) nightly. QB Dylan Lonergan (1,394 yards, 9 TDs) leans on WR Lewis Bond (547 yards), but a woeful 102.1 rushing average (130th) screams vulnerability. RB Turbo Richard (431 yards, 5 TDs) offers hope, but injuries have decimated the secondary – leaving O’Brien’s squad ripe for exploitation.
Key Matchups
- ND Run Game vs. BC Front Seven: Love and Price could eclipse 300 yards combined against a run defense yielding 163 yards per game.
- Carr’s Air Raid vs. BC Secondary: With Bond as the lone threat, Irish LBs like Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27 tackles) feast.
- Turnover Battle: ND’s ballhawks (+8) vs. BC’s fumblers (-5) – expect multiple Irish picks.
Holy War History: Irish Domination
Notre Dame owns the series (leads ~10-4 overall, 9 straight wins), including a 44-0 demolition in 2022. BC’s last triumph? 1994. This isn’t a rivalry – it’s a rout in waiting.
Prediction: Irish Roll, 45-10
Expect Notre Dame’s rested legs and ground-and-pound to bury BC early, piling up 500+ yards en route to a 35-point blowout. Love notches 150+ yards and 2 TDs; Carr throws for 250+. The Eagles hang tough for a quarter, then fold – handing Freeman a statement win to vault back into playoff contention.
Bruins Bounce Back
BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Bruins scored three goals in less than four minutes during the second period to erase an early two-goal deficit on the way to a 5-2 win over the visiting New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
David Pastrnak, Michael Eyssimont and Elias Lindholm recorded a goal and an assist apiece while Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie also scored for Boston, which has won two of its last three games.
Eyssimont scored the game-winning goal at 7:48 of the second.
Geekie has lit the lamp in five consecutive games.
Boston’s Charlie McAvoy added two assists and Joonas Korpisalo made 33 saves, stopped all 15 shots he faced in the third period.
Bo Horvat had a goal and an assist, Kyle Palmieri also scored and Ilya Sorokin turned aside 17 shots for Islanders, who took their first regulation loss in a six-game span (4-1-1).
New York had a 35-22 shots advantage. Boston went 2-for-4 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Islanders buried their first shot just 1:08 into the game. After Boston defenseman Hampus Lindholm’s slap shot sailed high and wide, Jonathan Drouin started a rush the other way and dropped a pass to Horvat, who netted a wrister past Korpisalo’s blocker.
Palmieri converted on an extended delayed penalty to double the Islanders’ lead at 4:52, burying Mathew Barzal’s perfect cross-ice pass through the crease into an open side of the net.
The Bruins did not record a shot over the final 9:45 of the first, but turned the tables with a busy second.
Elias Lindholm got Boston on the board 3:57 into the middle frame, taking Pavel Zacha’s feed into the right circle for a one-time goal on the power play.
At 6:49, Pastrnak made it a one-goal game when he finished off Hampus Lindholm’s slap pass with a wrist shot from the right side.
Just 59 seconds later, Eyssimont flipped the score in the Bruins’ favor when his skate deflected McAvoy’s shot to the far post.
Korpisalo kept Boston ahead entering the second intermission, making back-to-back saves on a Horvat partial break with under 4:00 to play before backstopping a kill after Hampus Lindholm’s double-minor high-sticking penalty kill.
Following the Bruins’ second consecutive kill, Geekie made it 4-2 when he blasted a one-timer from the top of the left circle at 5:48 of the third. McAvoy set up the man-advantage tally.
After several key Korpisalo saves insured Boston’s lead, Eyssimont made a steal at the defensive blue line and sprung Minten for an empty-net tally with 3:23 left.
Boston defenseman Jonathan Aspirot played 14:16 in his NHL debut.
–Field Level Media
“No Way, Not Even Dead”
BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Hard-throwing left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman is dead set against re-signing with the New York Yankees.
Literally.
“No way, not even dead,” Chapman said when asked if he’d consider joining the Yankees during an appearance on the “Swing Completo” podcast, as translated from Spanish.
“If I were told that I was being traded to New York, I’d pack my things and go home. I’ll retire right on the spot if that happens. I’m not crazy. Never again.”
Chapman, 37, fared well this season while pitching for the Yankees’ chief rival: the Boston Red Sox. He posted a 5-3 record with 32 saves while finishing with career bests in ERA (1.17) and WHIP (0.70).
The eight-time All-Star signed a one-year, $13.3 million contract for the 2026 season in August. The deal also includes a 2027 vesting option.
Chapman played in parts of seven seasons for New York from 2016-22.
He was a three-time All-Star with the club, however, his last season ended on a sour note after he lost the closer role to Clay Holmes and missed a team workout ahead of the American League Division Series — an act that may have contributed to him being left off the Yankees’ postseason roster.
“I dealt with a lot of disrespect (with the Yankees),” Chapman said. “I put up with a lot of things. I knew that they just wanted to find a way to get rid of me, but they didn’t know how. And I just dealt with it quietly, kept playing, and doing what I always do.”
Chapman said his issues stemmed from the “bosses,” not manager Aaron Boone or the players.
“I got along well with all the players,” he said. “Never had a problem with anybody, even the manager. We’re friends and we talk and everything. The bosses are the ones who make those decisions.”
Chapman is tied with Jeff Reardon for 12th place all-time with 367 career saves while pitching for seven teams since 2010. He won World Series championships with the Chicago Cubs (2016) and Texas Rangers (2023).
–Field Level Media
Maye Day for New England
FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England QB Drake Maye passed for three touchdowns as the Patriots extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Cleveland Browns 32-13 Sunday in Massachusetts.
Maye completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 282 yards. He was intercepted once. Each of his three TD passes came in the third quarter.
The Patriots (6-2) received three field goals from Andy Borregales.
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett recorded a franchise-record five sacks in the loss. Garrett, 29, passed Reggie White and set the NFL record for career sacks by a player under the age of 30 with his first sack in the game. Garrett has 10 sacks this season and 112 1/2 for his career.
Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel was 21 of 35 for 156 yards. He threw two touchdowns and was intercepted twice.
Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. He gained 19 yards on nine carries.
After the Patriots opened the scoring on a Borregales 36-yard field goal, the Browns (2-6) took a 7-3 lead when Gabriel tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Borregales made field goals from 32 yards and 42 yards in the second quarter to put New England up 9-7 at halftime.
The Patriots extended their lead to 16-7 on a 7-yard TD pass from Maye to tight end Hunter Henry, and a 1-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs helped New England increase its advantage to 23-7 with 6:43 remaining in the third. The Diggs TD was set up by a Robert Spillane interception that he returned 33 yards to the Cleveland 6-yard line.
New England’s final TD came on a 39-yard pass from Maye to Kayshon Boutte that stretched the lead to 30-7 with 53 seconds remaining in the third.
After David Njoku caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel with 9:24 to play, New England capped the scoring on a safety when Gabriel was called for intentional grounding on a pass from the end zone with 4:06 left.
–Field Level Media
Louisville Runs All Over BC
LOUISVILLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Louisville ran for a season-high 317 yards and the No. 19 Cardinals used their big-play capabilities to hold off upset-minded Boston College 38-24 on Saturday. Isaac Brown needed just 14 carries to amass a career-high 205 yards, and Keyjuan Brown added 95 on 10 rushes. Both scored on big plays and also set up Miller Moss’ two scoring runs for Louisville (6-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Moss threw for 187 yards on 15-of-27 passing with an interception and a touchdown. His second run gave Louisville the lead for good, 14-10, with 1:42 left in the first half.
Isaac Brown, who ran for 151 yards on five carries in the first half, added a 62-yard touchdown 40 seconds later to make it an 11-point game. However, the Eagles (1-7, 0-5) refused to go away, and Brown’s fumble to start the second half led to Grayson James finding a wide-open Kaelan Chudzinski for a 23-yard touchdown pass. That cut the BC deficit to 21-17 just 52 seconds into the second half.
The Eagles entered the weekend next-to-last in the ACC in average time of possession (27:33). However, they held the ball for 23:53 in the first half alone. They led 10-7 after James threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Lewis Bond on the first play of the second quarter.
James completed 23 of his 46 passes for 244 yards. He threw three touchdown passes but was also intercepted twice.
Louisville’s defense, which stopped BC on downs in Cardinal territory twice in the first half, came up with three turnovers in the second half to keep the Eagles from completing a comeback. An Antonio Watts fumble recovery led to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Moss to Caullin Lacy midway through the third quarter.
A Kalib Perry interception set up a Cooper Ranvier 41-yard field goal to make 31-17 with 8:13 remaining in the game.
Jeremiah Franklin caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from James less than two minutes later to make it 31-24.
The Eagles had the ball at their 44 with three minutes remaining, but they chose to punt. Keyjuan Brown ended any thought of an Eagles comeback with a 67-yard TD run with 1:49 remaining.
–Field Level Media
NFL: Patriots v Titans Game Preview
New England Patriots (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero Odds: Patriots -7, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: Current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was head coach of the Titans when Tennessee beat the Patriots in the 2019 postseason. In the regular-season series, the Titans have won three of the past four meetings, including a 20-17 overtime home victory last season.
Vrabel instantly is turning around the Patriots, who bring a three-game winning streak into the clash. Tennessee is now seeking a new coach after firing Brian Callahan following last week’s 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that continued a dreadful start. Anyone want to remind Titans’ brass who coached the franchise to the 2019 season AFC Championship Game? Oh yeah, Mr. Vrabel, who spent six seasons in Nashville before being dismissed following the 2023 season. New England is on the rise and second-year quarterback Drake Maye is displaying he’s the real deal with 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. Linebacker Harold Landry was a Vrabel favorite in Tennessee and he is thriving with a team-high 4.5 sacks in his first season with the Patriots. Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward is struggling with 1,101 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions and the franchise is hoping interim head coach Mike McCoy can jumpstart an offense that ranks 31st in scoring (13.8 points per game) and last in total offense (232.3 yards per game). It will have to happen without top receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who is out this week. RB Tony Pollard is shining on the ground with 362 yards and two touchdowns. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has a team-high 4.5 sacks and the three-time Pro Bowler has a solid chance of surpassing his career-best 8.5 in 2021.
NHL: Bruins Look to Bounce Back
SALT LAKE CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Boston Bruins look to erase a string of three consecutive losses and finish their first Western Conference road trip of the season strong, paying a Sunday night visit to Salt Lake City to clash with the Utah Mammoth.
Marco Sturm made the first major lineup shake-up of his young Bruins coaching tenure ahead of a 4-1 Saturday loss to the 5-0-1 Colorado Avalanche, opting to bring Johnny Beecher in for his season debut while Pavel Zacha joined Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak on the top line.
“Against a team like Colorado, we need the whole package. We spread it out a little bit more (on the lines),” Sturm said, noting Beecher’s strong penalty-killing and faceoff ability.
Come Sunday, though, it could be back to the drawing board for Sturm.
Beecher rewarded his new coach with a first-period goal just 3:11 in, but the Bruins were dominated to the tune of 38-14 in shots and went more than 17 minutes without a single shot at one point.
Not nearly enough Bruins were going. For one, Pastrnak finished without a shot and had a minus-2 rating.
“My grinders were the best players again. If your grinders are your best players rather than your best players, you’re going to be in trouble,” Sturm said in a television postgame interview.
Defenseman Hampus Lindholm did give the Bruins a veteran boost after being considered a game-time decision on Saturday morning. He returned from a three-game absence (lower-body injury) to play 20:44 against Colorado and hopes to finish the back-to-back in Utah.
“It’s nice to be out there playing. Tough game tonight, but lots of stuff to build on for myself, and I feel like as a team, (we want to) get back on the horse,” Lindholm said.
Jeremy Swayman tended the goal for the first two games of Boston’s trip, which began Thursday with a 6-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Joonas Korpisalo is expected to make the Sunday start.
The Mammoth has turned around a 1-2-0 start with back-to-back wins for the first time this season, including a season-high scoring output in a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday. Utah enters Sunday as one of just five teams (2-0-0) still unbeaten at home this season.
“Eighty-two games, it’s a race for improvement. We’re far from the finish line, we need to improve,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. ” … I’m proud of the focus of the guys, the way they commit to what we have to do.”
Nick Schmaltz and captain Clayton Keller paced Utah as the first pair of teammates to record four points in the same game this season.
While Keller recorded his fifth four-point game in the last two seasons, Schmaltz notched his second career hat trick and the second in Utah franchise history with the help of two goals in a span of 3:52 in the first period. Schmaltz’s first goal broke the team’s 0-for-13 drought on the power play, which was a league-worst 1-for-16 entering the game.
Schmaltz leads the Mammoth with seven points, including at least one in four of the first five games.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of chances early on in the season here and (I’m) trying to shoot the puck more, take it to the net, be around the net more,” Schmaltz said. “A couple guys made some great plays to me and found me in open areas. It was fun to see a couple go in there.”
The teams split their two meetings last season. Utah won its home game 2-1 in overtime on Oct. 19, 2024.
–Field Level Media