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The first two weeks of the 2022-23 NHL season are in the books, and while some things haven’t surprised us — the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights leading their divisions, and the Arizona Coyotes near the bottom — there has been no shortage of shocks for every club thus far. This week alongside our updated power rankings, we’ll identify the player, stat or trend that has surprised us most for all 32 teams.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the last edition, published Oct. 21. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Oct. 28), @ PHI (Oct. 29), vs. WSH (Oct. 31), @ TB (Nov. 3)

A surprising linchpin to Carolina’s early push has been its second line, centered by the emergent Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes have been waiting to see the best of their young forward, and his unit with Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas is showcasing just that. Kotkaniemi has been a shockingly good two-way contributor, and is 57.5% in the faceoff dot.

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 0.875
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Oct. 28), @ PIT (Nov. 1), @ NYR (Nov. 3)

Simply put, this has been a surprisingly great start for a team who many believed was past its point of serious contention. Boston was missing Brad Marchand (their leading scorer from last season) and Charlie McAvoy (who generates ample offense from the blue line) for the first two weeks, and still managed a 6-1-0 record while tying for the most goals scored in the league (30).

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 0.643
Next seven days: @ NJ (Otc. 28), @ NYI (Oct. 29)

Colorado’s power play has been shockingly good, and the Avalanche are employing an unconventional style to boot. While Colorado’s top unit is the classic alignment (four forwards and one defenseman), they’ve tried a second unit with three (!) defensemen and two forwards. Surprisingly, that’s been a winning recipe — the Avalanche are at 50% on the man advantage, nearly 20 percentage points better than the next team.

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 0.643
Next seven days: @ VAN (Oct. 28), @ SEA (Oct. 29), vs. BOS (Nov. 1), @ BUF (Nov. 2)

Sidney Crosby playing like a Hart Trophy candidate won’t floor anyone. When Crosby’s linemate Jake Guentzel got hurt though, the surprising pick to initially replace him was Danton Heinen, who is having an unexpectedly great start. The winger reeled off three goals and six points in his first seven games, and is playing some of his best hockey ever — all on a $1 million deal!

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.833
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Oct. 29), vs. SEA (Nov. 1), vs. NSH (Nov. 3)

It’s no great shock that Calgary is off to a franchise-best start after bringing on Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau over the summer. But the chemistry Kadri found so quickly with Andrew Mangiapane and Dillon Dube on the Flames’ second line? That’s a welcome surprise for Calgary’s offense. It’s impossible to predict how players will mesh — and getting in the groove can take time — yet that trio has been perfectly complementary.

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Oct. 28), vs. WPG (Oct. 30), @ WSH (Nov. 1), @ OTT (Nov. 3)

How’s this for balance? The white-hot Golden Knights have gotten at least one point from 19 of their 20 skaters this season. And Vegas has 14 different goal scorers already. For a club that struggled to stay competitive down the stretch last season, the Golden Knights’ surprisingly robust offensive attack isn’t letting any opponents off easy right now.

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 0.563
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Oct. 29), @ ARI (Nov. 1), @ SJ (Nov. 3)

Remember last spring, when Florida’s woeful power play contributed to the President’s Trophy winner’s early postseason exit? Well, in a shocking twist, the subsequent special teams overhaul hasn’t been good. The Panthers are averaging more power-play opportunities per game (4.71) than any team in the league, but are an awful 6.1% at converting them. Both man-advantage goals Florida scored came in the same period of the same game. Back to the drawing board.

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 0.563
Next seven days: @ LA (Oct. 29), @ ANA (Oct. 30), vs. PHI (Nov. 2)

Toronto has looked shockingly out of sorts at times, from their many defensive miscues to concerns over streaky scoring. The Leafs’ surprisingly stable spot? Goaltending. Matt Murray may be out with an injury, but Ilya Samsonov has been excellent, providing Toronto every opportunity to figure itself out. The goalie could use a little more help from his friends.

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ DAL (Oct. 29), @ ARI (Oct. 30), vs. PHI (Nov. 1), vs. BOS (Nov. 3)

The Rangers turned in some surprising results of late with losses to both Columbus and San Jose. But below the surface, New York’s underlying numbers don’t suggest catastrophe — they’re a top-five possession team (and dominate the face-off circle), average fewer than 30 shots against per game and more than three goals per game.

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 0.688
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Oct. 29), vs. LA (Nov. 1), @ ARI (Nov. 3)

It’s a surprise that Roope Hintz is a surprise (to some). The center launched into a point-per-game pace this season that followed up on one of the most unheralded 37-goal seasons in the league in 2021-22. While Jake Oettinger (deservedly) draws headlines and Dallas’ excellent overall start to the campaign is great, Hintz’s role in that success shouldn’t be catching anyone off guard.

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 0.625
Next seven days: @ CGY (Oct. 29), vs. NSH (Nov. 1), vs. NJ (Nov. 3)

For once, Edmonton’s success isn’t being driven entirely by just those two players everyone always talks about (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl). The Oilers have gotten surprisingly consistent contributions up front from their third line, led by Ryan McLeod and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and that bodes well for the team’s direction this season.

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. MTL (Oct. 29), vs. LA (Oct. 31), vs. NYI (Nov. 3)

The encore to Jordan Binnington‘s truly tumultuous 2021-22 season has been a shockingly strong opening to this new campaign. The Blues’ netminder started 3-1-0, with one shutout and a .936 SV% to his credit. St. Louis believed in Binnington even when he faltered; now the goaltender appears to be proving his mettle all over again.

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: @ FLA (Oct. 29), @ TB (Nov. 1), vs. VGK (Nov. 3)

The Senators have exhibited an expected depth of scoring talent up front. The real surprise in Ottawa has been their impressively sound defense. It’s not just the Thomas Chabot show, either. Artem Zub has been strong, Jake Sanderson is an emerging star, Erik Brannstrom has bounced back, and even Travis Hamonic is fitting in. No wonder Ottawa is off to an encouraging start.

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Oct. 29), vs. DET (Oct. 31), vs. PIT (Nov. 2)

We knew Rasmus Dahlin would be good. But … this good? Like, leading NHL defensemen in points (9), setting records (as the first blueliner in history to score a goal in five straight games to open a season) and generally dominating one opponent after another? That’s a good surprise Buffalo can get behind.

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 29), @ BUF (Oct. 31), vs. WSH (Nov. 3)

Detroit had a busy offseason, acquiring free agents who have contributed to the team’s hot start. Elmer Soderblom is an in-house lineup addition who’s been surprisingly effective early on. The rookie is an intimidating presence on the ice, at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and uses that size to his advantage (see: Soderblom undressing Kings defenseman Sean Durzi with an alley-oop pass — to himself). Soderblom’s two goals in five games look like just the beginning of his run.

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: vs. COL (Oct. 28), vs. CBJ (Oct. 30), @ VAN (Nov. 1), @ EDM (Nov. 3)

Jesper Bratt was tied for the league lead in scoring (three goals, 12 points) through seven games. Just like we all predicted. Bratt is the Devils’ surprising standout so far in a start that included potting two goals and an assist in just 13 minutes of ice time against Detroit. That’s some impressive efficiency.

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ NSH (Oct. 29), @ CAR (Oct. 31), vs. VGK (Nov. 1, @ DET (Nov. 3)

The Capitals acquiring free agent goaltender Darcy Kuemper was their big swing of the offseason. Its netted surprisingly mediocre results. Washington is bottom-10 in goals allowed so far (3.43 per game) while Kuemper and his new teammates have worked to find a rhythm. These things can take time, but given Kuemper’s championship pedigree and the veteran-laden lineup around him, it’s been an unusually slow transition.

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 0.444
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Oct. 29), @ STL (Oct. 31), @ DAL (Nov. 1), @ CHI (Nov. 3)

There’s been a surprising ascension in the Kings’ ranks, and his name is Gabriel Vilardi. The 23-year-old had previously struggled to become a full-time NHLer, but that looks to be in the past as Vilardi led L.A. with seven points through seven games out of the gate — which also matched Vilardi’s 25-game point total from a season ago. Onwards and upwards.

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 0.714
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Oct. 29), @ NYR (Nov. 1), @ TOR (Nov. 2)

The Flyers going 3-0-0 out of the gate? Shocker. The surprising backbone of their success? Carter Hart. The netminder’s 4-0-0 start with a .949 SV% and 1.75 GAA powered Philadelphia to a respectable spot in the early-season standings.

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ SJ (Oct. 29), vs. OTT (Nov. 1), vs. CAR (Nov. 3)

Steven Stamkos leading the Lightning with seven goals in seven games? Not a surprise. That Tampa Bay scored only 17 goals total through its first eight games? More shocking. The Lightning offense has failed to catch fire through a below-average start to this season.

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ DET (Oct. 29), @ CHI (Oct. 30), vs. MTL (Nov. 1), vs. SEA (Nov. 3)

The Wild have been a surprising enigma after a 113-point 2021-22 season. Minnesota went 0-3 out of the gate with a rusty-looking Marc-Andre Fleury in net (posting an .847 SV% and 5.25 GAA) while leading the NHL in goals against. Then Fleury rebounded, and the team somewhat followed suit in its next three — with wins over Vancouver and Montreal and an overtime loss to Boston — but what an unexpected roller coaster thus far.

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 0.429
Next seven days: @ CAR (Oct. 28), vs. COL (Oct. 29), @ CHI (Nov. 1), @ STL (Nov. 3)

The Islanders’ inability to score consistently isn’t so surprising given the lack of offseason turnover. Ilya Sorokin‘s difficulties were more shocking. New York’s starter went 1-3-0 to start, with a 2.84 GAA and .908 SV%. Then Sorokin posted a 41-save shutout against the Rangers. Will the real Sorokin please stand up?

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: @ ARI (Oct. 28), @ VGK (Oct. 30), vs. MTL (Nov. 3)

From the small-sample-size department: When the Jets score four goals, they win. When the Jets score fewer than four goals, they lose. That’s been the surprisingly consistent trend to start their first six games — and is somewhat shocking given the presence of elite netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Let’s see how long it holds.

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 0.375
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Oct. 28), @ NJ (Oct. 30)

A not-so-fun surprise for the Blue Jackets: Not even Johnny Gaudreau could prevent them from being the last team in the NHL this season to score a power play goal (starting the season 0-for-20). Yikes.

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 0.571
Next seven days: @ BUF (Oct. 29), vs. MIN (Oct. 30), vs. NYI (Nov. 1), vs. LA (Nov. 3)

The Blackhawks have been a surprisingly resilient group. Despite a roster depleted of contributors from seasons past, Chicago has managed three come-from-behind victories already. That’s not so bad, and certainly out-paces the low bar of expectations most pundits had for the Blackhawks this season.

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ STL (Oct. 29), @ MIN (Nov. 1), @ WPG (Nov. 3)

The rebuild may be on in Montreal, but the Canadiens’ depth is surprisingly strong already. Sean Monahan and Kirby Dach have elevated Montreal up front even more than expected, while the freshman-heavy back end highlighted by Arber Xhekaj and Kaiden Guhle has been making strong, consistent contributions. That’s a win.

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 0.438
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Oct. 29), @ EDM (Nov. 1), @ CGY (Nov. 3)

It’s early, but seeing Nashville at the bottom of multiple league categories? Shocking. The Predators have consistently blown leads, and rank among the NHL’s worst in goals, shots on net and in special-teams success. Nashville has talent in its depths, that talent just hasn’t come to the forefront.

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 0.444
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 29), @ CGY (Nov. 1), @ MIN (Nov. 3)

The Kraken appear to be giving Shane Wright a surprisingly limited audition. The rookie averages fewer minutes (6:51 per game) than any other Kraken skater, and he hasn’t had much chance to really get involved. Given the nine-game window Seattle has to decide about Wright’s next move — and the fact Wright could be playing big minutes in with his junior team — it’s an interesting strategy to take.

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 0.333
Next seven days: vs. WPG (Oct. 28), vs. NYR (Oct. 30), vs. FLA (Nov. 1), vs. DAL (Nov. 3)

Arizona averaged more goals (3.17 per game) through their first six games than the following clubs: Florida, Tampa Bay, Toronto and the New York Rangers. Don’t act like you’re not (a little) surprised.

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 0.300
Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 29), vs. ANA (Nov. 1), vs. FLA (Nov. 3)

Did anyone have an Erik Karlsson resurgence on their Sharks’ Bingo card? San Jose’s early returns have been iffy, but Karlsson’s shockingly good play has not been. The veteran looks better than he has in years, averaging over 23 minutes of ice time per game, and leading the Sharks in points. Talk about a bright spot.

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 0.250
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Oct. 28), vs. NJ (Nov. 1), vs. ANA (Nov. 3)

The Canucks have been shockingly bad at holding a lead (see: multiple, multi-goal advantages disappeared) during their historically poor 0-5-2 run to open this season. Vancouver was believed to be on the upswing, stocked with maturing young talent, stable goaltending and the right veterans. Surprisingly, nothing has added up yet.

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 0.214
Next seven days: @ VGK (Oct. 28), vs. TOR (Oct. 30), @ SJ (Nov. 1), @ VAN (Nov. 3)

John Gibson has been Anaheim’s saving grace for a few seasons. It’s surprising how often the Ducks still leave him out to dry. Anaheim is top three in goals against (4.50), and Gibson has a below-.900 SV%, but for a team that has some good talent overall, it’s shocking how the Ducks can’t offer more support to their goaltender.

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Infant son of NASCAR’s Reddick has chest tumor

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October 5, 2025

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Infant son of NASCAR's Reddick has chest tumor

  • Associated Press

Oct 5, 2025, 01:19 PM ET

CONCORD, N.C. — Tyler Reddick raced Sunday with his championship hopes on the line at the same time his infant son has been diagnosed with a tumor in his chest that is affecting his heart.

Rookie Reddick, the second of Tyler and Alexa Reddick’s two boys, was born in May, and Alexa said last week that he has been dealing with serious health complications. The couple provided an update ahead of Sunday’s race at The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Reddick was starting from the pole, needing a victory to remain in contention for the Cup Series title.

Alexa Reddick posted a social media update on Rookie’s condition after Reddick’s pole-winning run, saying he has a “tumor that’s ‘choking’ the renal vein & renal artery. Telling the heart ‘Hey I’m not getting enough blood … pump harder.'”

She said it has caused an enlarged heart, and the four-month-old will need a kidney removed because doctors determined it is no longer functioning.

“He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when,” she wrote. “Waiting is ok right now to give his heart a break while he’s on BP medication. They expect his heart to fully recover because it was just an innocent bystander. We have answers but a journey ahead to bring our little Cookie home.”

She added that her son was happy spending time blowing bubbles, playing and “interacting with every nurse & doctor that comes in his room.”

Reddick had kept his son’s health situation private until his wife went public before last week’s race at Kansas Speedway when she announced that Rookie was at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte showing signs of heart failure.

Reddick finally addressed Rookie’s health at Charlotte.

“Healthier is probably not the right word, but I’ve never seen him happier. His color looks good. He’s gained weight. A lot of things are going well,” Reddick said. “All that being said, some of the the tougher moments are definitely ahead. We’re definitely not in the clear. There are some things we need to get through first.

“So, on one hand, I’m really happy and it makes me feel great that he’s doing much better right now, but certainly we have some hurdles we have to get through first before we’re even thinking about leaving the hospital or thinking about what comes next.”

Reddick, who made it to the championship-deciding finale, enters Sunday’s race below the cutline of drivers who will be trimmed from 12 to eight after the race. The bottom four — Reddick, his 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric — all likely need a victory Sunday to avoid elimination.

“For me, this weekend where we’re at in points, it just is what it is,” Reddick said. “I’m going to go out there and give it my best effort while I’m here certainly. For me, this week, the elimination, everything that is happening in the racing world is taking a back seat as it should.”

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of Reddick’s car, said 23XI Racing has been supportive and involved in getting Rookie the best care.

“We’ve tried to do everything we could as a company to tap into all the resources that we possibly can, to get him second, third opinions, all the things, get him in contact with specialists,” Hamlin said. “We feel not a relief, but it is a little relief that they kind of understand now what the path is forward, versus, kind of not knowing.

“I could not imagine being in their places. He’s got enough to think about. I’m sure he’s probably breathing a little sigh relief that he still goes there to do his job at a high level, given everything that’s going on off the track.”

Reddick will start alongside Shane van Gisbergen, who has won four races this year on road and street courses. The New Zealander is the heavy favorite, and any driver hoping to avoid playoff elimination will have to beat van Gisbergen.

Reddick, meanwhile, was grateful for the support he and his family have received and reflected on the emotional impact this has had on his family.

“Just countless individuals have helped out,” Reddick said. “Countless individuals have reached out, provided support whatever it might be. It’s been really eye-opening. I agree with my wife this is the hardest thing that I’ve had to go through. … Certainly being away (last week) wasn’t ideal.

“That was a decision me and her came to a conclusion on when I was in Kansas. He was going in the right direction. Yes, like I said, big things ahead that we have to fix, but for that past weekend he was stable and going in the right direction. It was difficult to stay and race [at Kansas], but we were on the same page about it. I just wanted to get off that plane so bad on Sunday night and get back to the hospital.”

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MLB division series Day 1: Takeaways and top moments from four-game Saturday

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6 hours ago

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October 5, 2025

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MLB division series Day 1: Takeaways and top moments from four-game Saturday

Oct 5, 2025, 12:05 AM ET

The 2025 MLB division series started with a bang on a four-game Saturday.

The Milwaukee Brewers rode a six-run first inning to a dominant win over the Chicago Cubs in the first game of the day. A second pair of division rivalries faced off as the Toronto Blue Jays slugged their way to an almost double-digit thumping of the New York Yankees. Then, in a highly anticipated NLDS showdown, Shohei Ohtani started his first career postseason game as the Los Angeles Dodgers took a late lead to secure a win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

In the final matchup of the night, the Detroit Tigers took the lead in the 11th inning to secure a thrilling Game 1 victory against the Seattle Mariners.

We’ve got you covered with all the action from Day 1, from the top moments to postgame takeaways from every matchup.

Key links: Mega-preview | Series outlooks | Bracket | Schedule

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Takeaways | Top Moments

Takeaways

Detroit leads series 1-0

The Tigers nearly collapsed at the end of the end of regular season, barely hung on to a playoff spot and then took two of three in Cleveland. Now, they’ve won Game 1 of the ALDS against Seattle — on the night before their ace, Tarik Skubal, takes the mound. On Saturday, Troy Melton, the rookie right-hander coming off a brutal showing in the wild-card round, provided four quality innings. Kerry Carpenter came up with a big two-run homer against an electric George Kirby. Zach McKinstry provided a two-out, run-scoring single in the 11th inning. And, in the end, Keider Montero retired the top of the Mariners’ order to secure the victory, continuing a dominant effort from basically the entire Detroit bullpen. Keep counting out the Tigers all you want; they keep finding a way. — Alden Gonzalez

Los Angeles leads series 1-0

The Dodgers were reeling. Down 3-0, facing Cristopher Sanchez, at the house of horrors that is Citizens Bank Park, they were at risk of dropping Game 1 against Philadelphia. Then, Enrique Hernández whacked a two-run double that helped chase Sanchez. And Teoscar Hernandez followed with a three-run, opposite-field home run off reliever Matt Strahm. And with Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki throwing three scoreless innings, the Dodgers took Game 1 on the strength of their depth more than their stars showing out. Los Angeles showed last October that its depth is as much a hallmark as its stars. As this series continues with the Dodgers having home-field advantage after securing a win on the road, the Phillies know the challenge ahead: There is no such thing as a safe lead against Los Angeles. — Jeff Passan

Toronto leads series 1-0

Add Saturday’s sixth inning to the vault of Aaron Judge‘s October troubles. Toronto’s Kevin Gausman cruised through five scoreless innings, needing just 50 pitches to secure 15 outs, before finding trouble. Anthony Volpe drove a leadoff double, Austin Wells smacked a single, and Trent Grisham walked to load the bases for Judge. The Yankees’ superstar had singled off Gausman in the first inning for his fifth hit (all singles until that point) of this postseason, and Judge has more career home runs off Gausman than any other pitcher in his career. It was a prime opportunity to supply his first major moment in these playoffs. But Judge fell short, striking out on a 3-2 slider down and away that would’ve been ball four. Cody Bellinger followed with a walk to score a run, but that’s all the Yankees scored in the frame — and in the game — after Ben Rice popped out and Giancarlo Stanton struck out.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, didn’t waste their opportunities. They went 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position as they chased Luis Gil in the third inning and forced the Yankees to use five relievers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered. Alejandro Kirk homered twice. Rogers Centre, hosting its first postseason game since 2016, roared with each of the 10 runs scored. — Jorge Castillo

Milwaukee leads series 1-0

The decision to start Matthew Boyd on three days’ rest backfired on the Cubs so quickly that it’s impossible not to point to that choice as the turning point in Game 1.

Boyd wasn’t sharp down the stretch of the regular season, and after throwing 58 pitches on Tuesday, there were questions around whehter he could return to the mound so quickly and be effective. It was a head-scratching decision considering the team had a more-than-capable starter in Javier Assad ready to pitch after he was left off the wild-card roster. But Assad didn’t make the NLDS roster either — Cubs manager Craig Counsell called that a tough call — making the whole situation confusing. The Cubs blew this game long before Boyd lasted just two-thirds of an inning in Saturday’s opener. — Jesse Rogers

Top moments from Day 1

Tigers at Mariners

Detroit breaks 2-2 tie in the 11th to take the lead and win Game 1

“Julio” chants are loud in Seattle as J-Rod RBI ties the game

One swing flips the game — and Tigers take the lead

J-Rod gives Seattle crowd its first home playoff home run in 24 years

What a special moment at T-Mobile Park

Dodgers at Phillies

Roki Sasaki earns his first MLB save in Dodgers win

Teoscar Hernandez hits three-run blast to give L.A. its first lead

Dodgers get on the board thanks to a double from Enrique Hernandez

J.T. Realmuto triples to give the Phillies an early lead

Cristopher Sanchez strikes out the side to begin Game 1 — starting with Shohei Ohtani

Yankees at Blue Jays

Jays players hyped after Game 1 win

Toronto piles on with four-run inning

Jays get out of zero-out, bases-loaded jam with just one run given up

Alejandro Kirk joins in on the HR fun

Jays bust out new postseason home run jacket

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gives the Jays an early lead against Yankees

Cubs at Brewers

Milwaukee finishes off a dominant Game 1

Brewers bat around, put up six runs in first inning

Brewers answer in a hurry

Cubs come out swinging in Milwaukee

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With Skubal up next, Tigers notch ‘huge’ G1 win

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15 hours ago

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October 5, 2025

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With Skubal up next, Tigers notch 'huge' G1 win

  • Alden GonzalezOct 5, 2025, 12:30 AM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

SEATTLE — Zach McKinstry came to bat against Seattle Mariners right-hander Carlos Vargas with two outs, the score tied and the winning run on second base in Saturday’s 11th inning. A right-handed hitter, the free-swinging Javier Baez, loomed on deck, a much better matchup for Vargas than the left-handed-hitting McKinstry. The Mariners could have elected to intentionally walk him with first base open.

“We talked about it,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Obviously, Vargy gets the ball on the ground, and that’s what he does best, righty or lefty and, you know, he got the ball on the ground.”

That grounder bounced four times before finding the outfield grass at T-Mobile Park, hit just hard enough to evade a diving J.P. Crawford, plate Spencer Torkelson and send the Detroit Tigers — marked for dead with their season unraveling in epic fashion near the end of September — to a 3-2, extra-inning victory. After winning two of three in Cleveland to overcome the wild-card round, a Tigers team that has spent the last two weeks on the road has taken a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five American League Division Series.

A.J. Hinch, the fifth-year-manager, called these Tigers the “sum-of-the-parts team,” and it showed once again.

It began with Troy Melton, a rookie right-hander used mostly in relief this season, providing four quality innings. Seven relievers — including Keider Montero, a starting pitcher who was called on for a save — followed by holding the Mariners to one run in seven innings. In between, Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer and McKinstry provided the clutch single. Now, with ace Tarik Skubal lined up for Game 2, the Tigers have a chance to take a commanding lead in a series few saw them winning.

“It’s huge,” Carpenter said. “To get a win before the best pitcher in the world pitches is pretty special, and I feel like Skubal is made for these moments.”

The last time Melton took the ball, he recorded one out and was charged with four earned runs in the eighth inning of the second wild-card game on Wednesday. Hinch informed him via text on the plane ride to Seattle on Thursday night that he would start Game 1. He described the decision as a reflection of Melton’s stuff and poise, but really, with Skubal, Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty already used this week, Hinch had few other options.

Melton responded with four innings of one-run ball in what amounted to his fifth major league start all year, allowing only a Julio Rodriguez solo homer.

“It was kind of normal for me,” Melton, 24, said. “My parents were here. I got dinner with them last night, breakfast with them today. It was like the same routine as when I pitched in college. That kind of made it a little bit more normal. Obviously this environment is a little bit different, and it means a little bit more than my college games did, but I tried to make it as normal as possible. Once I got out there, it was just about executing pitches.”

Mariners starter George Kirby didn’t just execute early; he dialed up his fastball, using the adrenaline of a home playoff start to throw his fastball consistently in the upper 90s early on, roughly two ticks faster than his season average. Kirby navigated some trouble but kept the Tigers scoreless through the first four innings while striking out eight.

In the fifth, he allowed a one-out single to Parker Meadows and got Gleyber Torres to ground out, bring up Meadows, the left-handed-hitting outfielder who was 4-for-10 with four home runs lifetime against him. Wilson had lefty Gabe Speier warming up in the bullpen, a move that would have prompted Hinch to pinch-hit with the right-handed-hitting Jahmai Jones. But Wilson decided to let Kirby face Carpenter a third time.

“It’s a tough one,” Wilson said, “and you do the best you can and try to take the information that you have and what you’re seeing. And we thought George continued to throw the ball pretty well there and still had pretty good stuff and a lot left in the tank.”

Kirby just missed inside with an 0-2 sinker. He then went to the sinker for a third straight time, but it traveled middle-up, about chest high, and Carpenter sent it 409 feet to give the Tigers a lead.

“I was seeing him well tonight, especially after that first at-bat,” Carpenter said. “I feel like I got my timing back a little bit. And I just wanted to make sure to get a good pitch to hit that at-bat, because they had a base open, and I didn’t know how they were going to pitch me. And so I felt like I was on time and had a good approach there.”

Rodriguez tied the game with an opposite-field single in the sixth, but the Mariners couldn’t do further damage in a half-inning that saw each of their first three hitters reach. Tyler Holton relieved a struggling Rafael Montero and recorded three quick outs. Tommy Kahnle, Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest followed by allowing one baserunner in four innings, setting up the game-winning sequence in the top of the 11th.

Spencer Torkelson drew a leadoff walk against Vargas, a lanky right-hander who can reach triple-digits. Wenceel Perez and Dillon Dingler struck out, but McKinstry turned on a first-pitch, 99.6-mph sinker near the middle of the zone and came up with a base-hit up the middle, deflating a sold-out crowd that has waited 24 years for the Mariners to win a home playoff game.

In the bottom half, Montero faced the top of the Mariners’ lineup and navigated it without much issue, allowing a two-out single to Rodriguez and then coming back to strike out Josh Naylor to record the first save of his pro career.

It was the realization of a dream.

“When I was in little league, they would use me like that,” Montero, a 25-year-old from Venezuela, said in Spanish, “and I always told my teammates in the minor leagues that my dream was to close out a game.”

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