Sports
AL West capsules: Can Mariners reach next level in 2026?
Feb 24, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) at bat during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox in Peoria, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images Athletics
2025 record 76-86 (4th place, AL West)
He gone: OF JJ Bleday, RHP Oswaldo Bido, C Willie MacIver, LHP Sean Newcomb, INF Max Schuemann, RHP Mitch Spence
New faces: RHP Scott Barlow, RHP Aaron Civale, UTL Andy Ibanez, RHP Mark Leiter Jr., 2B/LF Jeff McNeil
Biggest question entering Opening Day: The Athletics are all about being competitive when they begin play in Las Vegas in 2028, but the club has enough talent to top .500 this season if the starting pitching takes a step forward. RHP Luis Severino openly criticized the home digs in West Sacramento last season — he was 2-9 with a 6.01 ERA in 15 starts at the ballpark — and he needs to have a much better attitude about it this year as the club’s top pitcher. LHPs Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez are streaky but highly effective when performing well. The Athletics have young stars in 1B Nick Kurtz (2025 Rookie of the Year), SS Jacob Wilson (Rookie of the Year runner-up), LF Tyler Soderstrom and RF Lawrence Butler to go with veterans such as two-time All-Star DH Brent Rooker, C Shea Langeliers and offseason acquisition McNeil, the 2022 National League batting champion.
2026 Outlook: The Athletics were crushed by a 3-24 stretch during a 29-day span early last season, and the rest of the campaign was focused on development. While the future remains more important than the present, the A’s have the type of offense that can outscore opponents. However, the team needs better pitching before it can seriously think about the playoffs.
Houston Astros
2025 record 87-75 (2nd place, AL West)
He gone: C Victor Caratini, INF Mauricio Dubon, RHP Luis Garcia, OF Chas McCormick, OF Jacob Melton, OF Jesus Sanchez, LHP Framber Valdez
New faces: SS Nick Allen, RHP Mike Burrows, RHP Tatsuya Imai, OF Joey Loperfido, RHP Nate Pearson, RHP Ryan Weiss
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Houston has RHPs Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier at the top of the rotation but will badly miss workhorse Valdez, who exited as a free agent. Houston traded for Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he will be heavily counted on, as will Imai, an import from Japan who will turn 28 in May and had a 1.92 ERA and five complete games for the Seibu Lions last season. Injury-prone RHP Lance McCullers is slated to be in the rotation but has made just 63 appearances (60 starts) over the last seven seasons. Offensively, SS Carlos Correa needs to regain the form of his first Houston stint (2015-21). He was a big disappointment for most of his 3 1/2 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and had just six homers in 200 at-bats after the Astros reacquired him last season.
2026 Outlook: The Astros missed the postseason last year after eight straight appearances (including two World Series titles) and will have to fight for a berth this season. Keeping slugger Yordan Alvarez healthy (48 games in 2025) will be a big key as Houston missed his power bat after he topped 30 homers in each of the previous four seasons.
Los Angeles Angels
2025 record 72-90 (5th place, AL West)
He gone: LHP Tyler Anderson, RHP Brock Burke, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Kyle Hendricks, RHP Kenley Jansen, 3B Anthony Rendon, INF Luis Rengifo, OF Taylor Ward
New faces: 2B Vaughn Grissom, OF Josh Lowe, RHP Alek Manoah, LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Grayson Rodriguez, RHP Jordan Romano, LHP Brent Suter, RHP Kirby Yates
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Let’s say it all together: Can Mike Trout remain healthy? Oh, no, not that one. This one: Will Trout ever play like last decade’s version of himself? He played in 130 games last season after playing in 82 or fewer games in three of the previous four full campaigns. Trout batted just .232 in 2025, with 178 strikeouts, a meager 64 RBIs and a .439 slugging percentage, well off his .628 or higher mark in each year from 2017-19. He hit 26 homers last season. The Angels have moved him back to center field, too. For Trout, 34, expectations can be for another year like last season. A team that was inconsistent on offense traded OF Taylor Ward (career-best 36 homers) for Rodriguez in hopes of shoring up the pitching behind reliable RHP Jose Soriano and LHP Yusei Kikuchi.
2026 Outlook: The Angels haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2014 — when they were swept by the Kansas City Royals — and the only folks feeling they’ll get there this year likely are people employed by the club. Los Angeles has some good young players in SS Zach Neto, C Logan O’Hoppe and RF Jo Adell, but there isn’t enough talent or pitching to compete with the top teams in the division.
Seattle Mariners
2025 record 90-72 (1st place, AL West)
He gone: LHP Caleb Ferguson, C Harry Ford, RHP Jackson Kowar, LUP Gregory Santos, 3B Eugenio Suarez, LHP Trent Thornton, 3B Ben Williamson
New faces: INF Brendan Donovan, LHP Jose Ferrer, C Andrew Knizner, OF Rob Refsnyder
Biggest question entering Opening Day: The Mariners fell one loss short of reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history, and expectations are high this year. The person who most needs to deliver is C Cal Raleigh, as in this: Can he come close to his historic 60-homer, 125-RBI effort from last season? Somehow, 35 homers and 90 RBIs would seem like a letdown. Re-signing Josh Naylor, who excelled in the postseason, also was a big plus, as was the trade to obtain Brendan Donovan. Julio Rodriguez has two 30-homer, 30-steal campaigns in his four MLB seasons, but the Mariners need him to trim his strikeouts (152 last season). The rotation — led by RHPs Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo — remains among the best in the majors, and shutdown closer Andres Munoz (38 saves) is ultra-reliable.
2026 Outlook: Seattle reached the American League Championship Series three times between 1995-2001 and then didn’t make the playoffs for 21 years. So last season’s success has created Seahawks-like enthusiasm that another deep run is on the agenda. The Mariners appear to have the best team in the AL West and should easily be part of the playoffs. Returning to the ALCS is a possibility.
Texas Rangers
2025 record 81-81 (3rd place, AL West)
He gone: RHP Shawn Armstrong, LHP Patrick Corbin, LHP Danny Coulombe, OF Adolis Garcia, RHP Jon Gray, C Jonah Heim, RHP Merrill Kelly, RHP Tyler Mahle, RHP Phil Maton, LHP Hoby Milner, 2B Marcus Semien, 1B Rowdy Tellez, RHP Jacob Webb
New faces: RHP Tyler Alexander, LHP Jalen Beeks, LHP MacKenzie Gore, C Danny Jansen, RHP Jakob Junis, RHP Chris Martin, LHP Jordan Montgomery, OF Brandon Nimmo
Biggest question entering Opening Day: Texas moved on from key 2023 World Series title cogs Garcia and Semien, and even manager Bruce Bochy agreed it was time for a change and parted ways with the club. Skip Schumaker is his replacement. Keeping SS Corey Seager healthy has been a chore, and Texas isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot if he plays in just 102 games again. The five-time All-Star has missed 142 games over the past three seasons. Seager needs new running mates after the offseason housecleaning, and OFs Wyatt Langford (team-best 22 homers in 2025) and Nimmo (average of 24 HRs over the best three seasons) are the best bets. Trading for Gore gives Texas a nice big three in the rotation along with RHPs Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Two-time Cy Young Award winner deGrom made 30 starts last season, his highest work rate since 2019.
2026 Outlook: The Rangers could be a contender if Seager rakes and deGrom dominates, but they also could be a middling team like last season. Texas has largely revamped the pitching staff, especially the bullpen, but will remain a team that relies on offense. That leaves the Rangers likely competing for the final AL wild-card spot.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sacramento group unveils bid for MLB expansion franchise
Mar 7, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Nicaragua manager Dusty Baker (12) looks on before the game against the Netherlands at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sacramento is making its pitch for an expansion franchise in Major League Baseball.
Regional leaders near California’s capital city formally unveiled a bid on Thursday. The group tossed out “The Sacramento Pitch” in a release from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council that boasted about a “fully entitled 50-acre stadium site” and nearly $2 billion in public and private funds, as well as land.
“When MLB moves forward on expansion, Sacramento will be impossible to ignore,” said Mark Friedman, founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and board chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
“We have the market, the site, the capital, and the community. Sacramento is ready to compete — and Sacramento is ready to win,” Friedman said.
Sacramento is the No. 20 media market in the United States. Of the markets ahead of it, only one — Orlando-Daytona Beach — does not have an MLB team.
The Athletics are playing their home games for a second straight season in West Sacramento, Calif. Their temporary home is Sutter Health Park, a minor-league stadium that effectively holds the fort until the A’s state-of-the-art ballpark in Las Vegas is completed in 2028.
“This is a defining moment for West Sacramento, and we’re ready,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said in a news release. “Major League Baseball is already seeing firsthand the passion, energy, and civic pride that exists here. This region offers a practical and achievable path for long-term MLB success, and we have the financial capacity, community support, and clear vision needed to bring Major League Baseball permanently to West Sacramento. We’re built for this. We’re ready. Bring it on.”
Preliminary plans call for a stadium to be constructed near, or at, the site of Sutter Health Park.
In addition to politicians, “The Sacramento Pitch” features former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and former MLB player and Sacramento native Derrek Lee.
“I have always believed Sacramento is a major league city. Throughout my career, I’ve traveled across the country, and there’s something different about the people here. This community truly loves baseball,” Baker said in a news release. “For more than a century, this region has built a proud baseball legacy and developed generations of Major League Baseball players. I could not be more excited for the prospect of bringing a permanent MLB team here.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay (then-Devil) Rays were MLB’s last expansion teams. They debuted in 1998.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he would like to have two expansion cities chosen by 2029, one in the West and one in the East.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Marta Kostyuk to put clay-court streak on line against Iga Swiatek at French Open
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk her third round match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic at the French Open on May 29, 2026.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who has not lost on the clay courts this season, advanced to the fourth round of the French Open on Friday — with four-time champion Iga Swiatek her next opponent.
The 15th-seeded Kostyuk won titles on the clay courts in Madrid and Rouen leading up to the French Open. She advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland.
Swiatek, the third seed, most recently won the title at Roland Garros in Paris in 2024. She defeated Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Polish match on Friday to advance. With the win, she avenged her three-set loss to Linette earlier this year in Miami.
Swiatek has yet to win a tournament on clay this season and has a record of 9-3. Her most recent title, on any surface, came last August in Cincinnati.
Kostyuk had an optimistic tone in her post-match news conference, even though she has lost all three career matchups against Swiatek and hasn’t won a set from her.
“I definitely have a different feeling going into this match,” she said. “Because I feel like last time that I played her in Cincinnati, I lost this match way before it even started, and I don’t feel the same this time.”
Swiatek also won the tournament in 2020 before three straight victories from 2022-24 and is 43-3 overall at Roland Garros. Only Chris Evert (seven) and Stefanie Graf (six) have more singles wins in Paris during the Open Era.
Kostyuk knows that history, too.
“She’s won this tournament four times. I would love to be the one who is a favorite in this match, but I still don’t think it’s the case, even though I have this really long streak,” the Ukrainian said. “But it’s not going to ruin my day or ruin my game. I still want to go out and try my best and enjoy. Like, I have never taken a set off her. Even if I win one set in the next match, I’m going to be very happy. That’s how I look at it, and I’m excited for this match.”
Other winners Friday were eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who defeated Czech Marie Bouzkova, the 27th seed, 6-4, 6-2. In the fourth round, she will face Jil Teichmann of Switzerland, who upset 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova of Czechia 6-1, 7-5.
Sorana Cirstea of Romania, the 18th seed, shut out Solana Sierra of Argentina 6-0, 6-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with Xiyu Wang of China.
Seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine ousted Tamara Korpatsch of Germany 6-2, 6-3. She will play the winner of the late Friday match between 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and Peyton Stearns.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tempo looking to repeat earlier success against Storm
May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) drives to the basket against Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown (8) during the second half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Toronto Tempo will be out for a repeat win against the visiting Seattle Storm on Saturday afternoon.
The expansion Tempo defeated the visiting Storm 86-73 on May 13 for the first victory in franchise history.
Toronto (4-4) is coming off Wednesday’s 111-104 road win over the Chicago Sky that snapped a two-game skid.
Seattle (3-5) had a two-game winning streak halted Wednesday with a 78-64 loss to the Washington Mystics.
In their win at Chicago, the Tempo had a career-best 29 points from Nyara Sabally, who also had six rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.
“This is really not surprising to me,” said teammate Marina Mabrey, who had 24 points and seven assists. “(Sabally) is a really good player and can read the game really well and is super smart.”
“She is an important player for us,” coach Sandy Brondello said about Sabally.
Brittney Sykes added 20 points for the Tempo, who shot 56.1% (37 of 66), including 46.2% (12 of 26) from 3-point range.
The Storm trailed 48-29 by halftime against the Mystics and could not recover despite a 19-12 fourth-quarter edge.
Jade Melbourne led Seattle scorers with 15 points.
The Storm shot only 34.9% (22 of 63) from the field and 21.7% (5 of 23) from beyond the arc.
“We won’t turn the page,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “We’re never going to turn the page on any game. We want to make sure that, win or lose, we learn and we grow. We’ll go back. We’ll watch film. We’ll process it and then make the adjustments we need to make because some of the things that happened today are things that we want to be better at going forward, no matter who we play.”
In the first meeting against the Storm, the Tempo were led by Mabrey’s 26 points on 6-for-11 shooting from 3-point distance. She also had four rebounds, three assists and four steals.
“(Mabrey) makes all these 3s, but it’s how she creates for her teammates, too,” Brondello said.
Sykes added 18 points and eight rebounds against Seattle.
Dominique Malonga scored 21 points to lead the Storm in their first visit to Toronto. She did not play because of concussion protocol on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Sacramento group unveils bid for MLB expansion franchise
Marta Kostyuk to put clay-court streak on line against Iga Swiatek at French Open
