Golden State Valkyries guard Gabby Williams (1) drives on the New York Liberty forward Breanna Steward (30) at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
Golden State Valkyrie podcast Michael Villanueva:
#1 How did Cecilia Zandalasini’s 20-point performance set the tone for the Valkyries’ 79–60 victory over the Liberty?
#2 What impact did Veronica Burton make beyond scoring, particularly with her season-high 13 assists and zero turnovers?
#3 How did Gabby Williams contribute to Golden State’s offensive success with 16 points and four 3-pointers?
#4 What did Tiffany Hayes and Kiah Stokes provide off the bench and defensively that helped the Valkyries control the game?
#5 How did the combined performances of Zandalasini, Burton, Williams, Hayes, and Stokes help Golden State hold New York to a season-low 60 points?
San Francisco Giants Drew Gilbert (0) slugs a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:
#1 The San Francisco Giants win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 snaps the Giants four game home losing streak to the Arizona that goes back to Sep 10, 2025.
#2 The Giants Drew Gilbert slugged a leadoff home run his first leadoff home run of his career.
#3 Gilbert is now hitting .288, with nine runs, with seven extra base hits, with three home runs, 13 RBIs and has made a difference in the lineup.
#4 Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp held the Diamondbacks off going five innings, allowing four hits, walked two, and struck out three hitters.
#5 D-Backs-Giants match up for game two of the series Friday at 7:15pm PDT. Starters for Arizona LHP Kohl Drake (0-1 ERA 5.40) and for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.58).
Minnestoa Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars in the first period of game 6 of the NHL Western Conference First round at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Thu Apr 30, 2026. Hughes and the Wild are currently to settle on a contract agreement before camp opens in September (AP file photo)
NHL podcast Leno Shapiro:
Quinn Hughes: With Minnesota and Quinn Hughes still working toward a contract extension, how important is it for the Wild to get their star defenseman signed before training camp?
Erik Karlsson: What role could Erik Karlsson play for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2026–27, and can he return to the elite offensive production that made him one of the NHL’s premier defensemen?
Brock Boeser: With speculation surrounding Brock Boeser’s future in Vancouver, should the Canucks prioritize keeping their scoring winger or consider moving him for other roster pieces?
Mason McTavish: How much can Mason McTavish’s addition to the St. Louis Blues’ offense change the team’s chances of returning to the playoffs?
Connor McMichael: Can Connor McMichael become a major offensive contributor for St. Louis alongside Mason McTavish, and what should the Blues expect from him in 2026–27?
Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Oracle Park on August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Giants suffered maybe their most brutal loss of the year on Wednesday during the getaway day game against the Cincinnati Reds. Leading 9-3 heading into the ninth inning, the Giants coughed up the lead and lost the game 10-9 in what was a disastrous bullpen performance. On Thursday, the Giants looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Arizona Diamondbacks to town at 6:45 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park for an NL West showdown.
The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks behind a strong offensive showing in the eighth inning, 6-1. Landen Roupp got the win, and he is now 8-13 on the season.
Landen Roupp took the mound for the Giants to open the four-game series against the Snakes as he made his 26th appearance this season (all starts). Roupp, who entered play on Thursday as the league’s losingest pitcher, cruised through the first three innings of the game before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. Roupp gave up a solo home run to start the inning before the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with just one out. Landen worked out of that jam to limit the damage to just the home run. All in, Roupp went five innings of one-run, four-hit baseball while walking two and striking out three. It was a solid outing for Roupp, who has averaged about five and a third innings this year in his starts.
Trent Harris was first out of the bullpen for Tony Vitello and the Giants as he came in to relieve Roupp and pitched the sixth and seventh innings. Harris was fantastic as he didn’t allow a hit or a walk in his two innings while striking out three Diamondbacks hitters.
Carson Seymour was next out of the arm barn for the Giants as he came on to pitch the eighth inning. Seymour did his best to match Harris as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no runs or hits while walking one.
In the ninth inning and with the lead, the Giants turned to Ryan Walker to try and get the final three outs. It wasn’t as clean as the Giants would have liked it, but Walker recorded the final three outs of the game without giving up a run. Walker tossed a scoreless ninth while giving up two hits and striking out one.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Giants scored six runs on seven hits while walking two times.
The Giants’ first run of the game came with their first batter of the game as Drew Gilbert drilled a solo home run over the wall in right-center field. Gilbert knew he got it when he hit it as he stood and admired the shot at home plate for a moment before commencing his jog around the bases. It was Gilbert’s eighth home run of the season and his 35th RBI as it also marked the third time this season the Giants have opened a game with a home run.
The Giants’ second run of the game also came courtesy of Drew Gilbert as he drove home Christian Koss with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It was Gilbert’s second RBI of the game and his 36th of the season.
In the eighth inning, the Giants exploded for four runs behind Jung Hoo Lee, Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge, starting a rally.
Bryce Eldridge doubled home Jung Hoo Lee, who reached with a pinch-hit walk two batters earlier, to give the Giants their third run of the game. It was the 16th double for Bryce and his 36th RBI of the year.
Jonah Cox gave the Giants their fourth run of the game on an RBI single to center field that scored Rafael Devers from third base, his seventh RBI of the year.
Turner Hill was next to get in on the action as he drove in his fourth run of the year as Bryce Eldridge scored on his RBI single.
Lastly, the Giants scored their sixth run of the game on an RBI sacrifice bunt from Shay Whitcomb, who drove in Jonah Cox. It was the eighth RBI of the year for Shay.
The Giants and Diamondbacks will play game two of their four-game series on Friday at 7:15 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park. Blake Tidwell (0-0, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for the Giants while Arizona has yet to announce a starter.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) scrambles away from San Francisco defensive end Keion White (56) in the first half of exhibition action at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez:
#1 Rich if you like field goals this was your game in the first quarter the Raiders opened up with two Matt Gay field goals putting the Raiders up 6-0.
#2 The 49ers Eddie Pinero answered back with two field goals of his own to tie it in the second quarter but Gay hit a 45 yarder to put the Raiders in front 9-6 at the half.
#3 Pinero hit three more field goals one in the third quarter and two in the fourth quarter, Gay hit one field goal in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough as the 49ers came away with a six point 18-12 win over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
#4 Quarterback stats for the 49ers Adrian Martinez was 12-21 for 130 yards and no touchdowns and for the Raiders Fernando Mendoza 7-14, 57 yards, one interception, for Kirk Cousins 8-11, 51 yards and no touchdowns.
#5 Up next for the Raiders the Miami Dolphins Sep 13th week 1 and the home opener for the Raiders talk about how you see that one.
Sacramento A’s Alika Willians (12) reacts to hitting a two run RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 26, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler contributed to the offense with a home run and Alika Williams hit a two run triple as the A’s took two of three games from the Minnesota Twins in a 7-4 Wednesday win.
#2 The Twins with the two loses to the A’s have now dropped two games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the last and final AL playoff spot.
#3 The A’s Tommy White got three hits and helped the A’s win their fourth game in their last five games helping the A’s to end a five game losing steak.
#4 Further the win also improves JT Ginn’s win loss record to 9-8 allowing six hits and four runs against the Twins for the win on Wednesday.
#5 The Baltimore Orioles who have won five of their last ten games and the A’s who have won four of their last five games open their series Friday. RHP starting pitcher for the Orioles Brandon Young (9-3 ERA 3.50) the A’s have not announced a starter for Friday yet.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, during a prostitution sting conducted by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. (East Palestine Police Department)
San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor:
#1 Police in Palistine Ohio were seen in body cam footage handcuffing and putting San Francisco 49ers co-owner Jed York in the back of a squad car at a Ohio mobile home park. York had been accused of soliciting a sex worker those charges were reduced to disorderly conduct on Thursday.
#2 York on Wednesday plead no contest and the charges were reduced to disorderly conduct and York served one day in jail. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league are reviewing the case and considering possible punishment for York.
#3 Jed’s parents Dr. John York and Denise DeBartolo own the 49ers do you see them asking their son Jed to step down from his role in the ownership or you don’t see that happening?
Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler hit a seventh inning home run against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 26, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:
#1 How did A’s starter J.T. Ginn respond after giving up three home runs in the first two innings?
#2 What key contribution did Lawrence Butler make to the A’s victory?
#3 How did Jeff McNeil, Alika Williams, and Darell Hernaiz help the A’s take the lead during the sixth inning?
#4 What happened when Alika Williams hit a fly ball to center field, and how did it affect the A’s four-run sixth inning?
#5 Which A’s players provided the key late-game pitching, and how did Brady Basso and Elvis Alvarado help preserve the 7–4 win?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes hands off the football against the Los Angeles Chargers Dec 14, 2025 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Mahomes has said he has recovered from ACL surgery and the knee feels good and he’s ready for some football by mid September ( AP News photo)
NFL podcast Jessica Kwong:
#1 How significant is Patrick Mahomes’ recovery for the Chiefs’ chances of returning to Super Bowl contention, and will he be ready for Week 1?
#3 How will Calvin Austin III’s injury affect the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide-receiver competition and depth?
#3 What does Kareem Hunt’s visit with the Detroit Lions mean for their running-back depth heading into the regular season?
#4 What impact could the Saints’ signing of two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson have on their roster and special teams?
#5 How could the Big Ten and SEC rules preventing former NFL players from returning to college affect the relationship between college football and the NFL?
Mandatory Photo Credit: Mauricio Segura – The Athletics take on the Twins on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park.
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento A’s and Minnesota Twins wrapped up their three-game series on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park as the A’s came away with a 7-4 win to take the series. It was the rubber game of the series, as both teams had won one of the previous two games, with the A’s looking to take their second series of the year from the AL Central (the first was against the Kansas City Royals earlier this season).
J.T. Ginn took home the win as he improved to 9-8 on the season. The A’s improved to 53-81 as the Twins fell to 64-70 on the year.
J.T. Ginn took the ball for the A’s to close out the series and the homestand for what was his 27th appearance and 24th start for the club this season. Ginn, who has been arguably the A’s best starter this season, came into the game on Wednesday with an 8-8 record and 3.60 ERA. He struggled early in the game but managed to settle in for a solid outing. Ginn tossed six full innings while giving up four runs (three home runs) on six hits while walking two and striking out three. Ginn gave up a solo home run in the first inning, followed by two solo home runs in the second inning that did the bulk of the damage against him. Otherwise, Ginn only allowed one other run and three hits aside from those first two frames.
“For him to go out and give us six innings tonight, I thought was exceptional,” Mark Kotsay said of Ginn after the game.
The A’s first turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning in relief of Ginn, who went the first six innings of the game.
Brady Basso was first out of the pen for the A’s as he pitched both the seventh and eighth innings. Basso was lights out for the A’s as he gave up one hit and nothing else during his two innings of relief. Basso needed only 15 pitches to get through his outing and created a nice bridge for the back end of the A’s pen.
In the ninth inning, it was Elvis Alvarado who came in to try and record the save for the A’s after getting the save one night earlier. It wasn’t easy for Alvarado as he gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth, but ultimately, Elvis didn’t allow any runs and shut the door on the Twins.
On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scored seven runs off 12 hits and a walk to drum up enough offense to defeat the Twins.
The A’s first run came in the fourth inning when Michael Stefanic doubled home Lawrence Butler to pull the A’s to within two and make it a 3-1 ballgame. It was the first double and RBI for Stefanic this season with the A’s.
The A’s second run came later that same inning as [PLAYER] grounded out and scored Lawrence Butler from third base for the A’s second run.
The A’s had to wait until the sixth inning for their next runs as they would score four in the inning.
Jeff McNeil hit a pinch-hit RBI double for the A’s in the sixth that scored one run and put runners at second and third. It was the 18th double for McNeil so far this season.
One batter later, it was Alika Williams who cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple for the A’s to give them the 5-4 lead at the time. It was the first triple for Williams this season and RBIs 11 and 12 for the shortstop.
The last run for the A’s in the sixth inning came courtesy of Darell Hernaiz, who singled home Williams for the A’s sixth run of the game.
To cap the A’s scoring, it was Lawrence Butler in the seventh inning who drilled a solo home run over the wall in left-center field. It was the 12th homer for Butler and traveled 425 feet while leaving the bat at 104.3 mph.
The A’s will have an off day on Thursday prior to welcoming the Baltimore Orioles to Sacramento for a three-game series on Friday at 6:40 p.m. PDT.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
