يخوض فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي مباراة في دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء حيث يواجه نظيره إنتر ميلان الإيطالي.
ويستقبل إنتر ميلان خصمه ليفربول على ملعب “جوزيبي مياتزا” ضمن مباريات الجولة السادسة لمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويعاني ليفربول بشكل واضح هذا الموسم تحت قيادة مديره الفني آرني سلوت، وفشل في الحفاظ على تقدمه أمام ليدز يونايتد في الجولة الماضية بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وحسمت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي 3-3.
وزادت الأمور توترًا بعد التصريحات التي أدلى بها نجم الفريق محمد صلاح، والتي أبدى من خلالها اعتراضه على وضعه الحالي في ليفربول، لجلوسه بديلاً في ثلاث مباريات متتالية بالبريميرليج، واتهم النادي بالتخلي عنه، كما أشار لانقطاع علاقته بالمدرب آرني سلوت.
وقام سلوت باستبعاد محمد صلاح من قائمة ليفربول للمباراة أمام إنتر ميلان، بحسب ما أعلن النادي مساء الإثنين.
ويحتل ليفربول المركز 13 في دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 9 نقاط، وقد تعرض للهزيمة في مباراتين بمرحلة الدوري، ويأتي إنتر ميلان في المركز الرابع بجدول الترتيب بـ 12 نقطة. موعد مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر مساءً بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم
تذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN sports HD 1. معلق مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان اليوم
يعلق على المباراة، عصام الشوالي.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
تحدث دييجو سيميوني مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد في أعقاب هزيمة فريقه أمام برشلونة، مساء الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.
وحل أتلتيكو مدريد ضيفًا على برشلونة بملعب “سبوتيفاي كامب نو” وتعرض للهزيمة بثلاثية لهدف، ليتجمد رصيده عند 31 نقطة بالمركز الرابع، ويتصدر البلوجرانا بـ 37 نقطة.
وقال سيميوني في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “أنا سعيد جدًا بأداء الفريق، بدأنا المباراة بشكل جيد، ثم نجحوا في إلحاق الضرر بنا من وسط الملعب، في الشوط الثاني، بدأوا المباراة بشكل أفضل، وسيطرنا على مجريات اللعب منذ الدقيقة العشرين، وسنحت لنا ثلاث فرص تهديفية مهمة لم نستغلها، لكنني سعيد”.
وأضاف: “نعلم أن لديهم مهارات قدم ممتازة، يلعبون مع العديد من اللاعبين في الوسط، يُبدعون في ذلك، اليوم، سارت الأمور على ما يُرام معهم في تلك المواقف خلال الهدفين الأول والثاني”.
وأردف: “في الشوط الأول، قلنا إننا لا نستطيع السماح لهم باللعب من وسط الملعب، وقد تحسن أداؤنا في هذا الجانب، أعجبتني الروح القتالية التي أظهرها الفريق في نهاية المباراة، صحيح أننا لم نفز، لكن أداء الفريق كان رائعًا، يتعين عليك الركض كثيرًا ومن الصعب انتزاع الكرة منهم”.
وأشاد سيميوني بالبرازيلي رافينها لاعب برشلونة قائلاً: رافينها يلعب كل مباراة، يسجل أهدافًا، ويضغط… لا أعرف كيف لم يفز بالكرة الذهبية”.
اقرأ أيضًا | رافينها: فوزنا على أتلتيكو مدريد قد يحسم لقب الليجا.. وطالبت باستبدالي أنا وبيدري لهذا السبب
وعن لاعبه باينا، علّق: “باينا لاعبٌ قادرٌ على تغيير مجرى اللعب، إنه يتطور بشكلٍ هائل، لديه الشجاعة الكافية للعب أينما تُطلب منه، يعرف كيف يلعب كرة القدم في أي مكانٍ على الملعب يحتاجه”.
وأستطرد: “إصابة كاردوسو تُجبرنا على تعديل تبديلاتنا قليلاً، كانت لدينا توقعات عالية لجوني، لكنه عانى من تلك الإصابة التي أبعدته عن المباراة”.
وواصل: “نتوقع دائمًا المزيد من جوليان ألفاريز، إنه لاعبٌ يُغير مجرى المباراة وهو أهم لاعب في الفريق، سيظهر بالتأكيد في المباراة القادمة أو التي تليها”.
وأشار: “كانت المباراة جيدة بشكل عام كفريق، أشعر بالهدوء والسعادة مع الفريق، خسرنا أمام خصمٍ قوي، هذا يُساعدنا على التحسن؛ هذا النوع من الأمور يُحسّن أداؤنا، الآن لدينا مباراة صعبة أخرى في بلباو”.
وأتم: “باريوس لاعبٌ من نوعٍ مختلف، شاب، نشيط، يتمتع بمهارةٍ رائعة، وساقين جيدتين، واستعادة للكرة، وقدرةٍ على تحريكها، علينا أن نعتني به جيدًا، إنه بلا شك أحد أهم لاعبي خط الوسط لدينا”.
While Sunderland stole many of the plaudits in the summer for their outrageous transfer activity, with £100m+ splashed out on new recruits, Leeds United were arguably a tad more methodical in their approach when winning themselves some gems from all around Europe.
Daniel Farke and Co. are already thanking their lucky stars that they gambled on acquiring both Anton Stach and Noah Okafor from Hoffenheim and AC Milan, respectively, with a combined four goal contributions already picked up by the promising midfield duo in Premier League action.
In defence, Gabriel Gudmundsson also already looks like a steal in the left-back spot, having only cost £10m to snap up from Lille, while Lucas Perri was agonisingly close to his first clean sheet in his new location up against West Ham United last time out.
But, away from all these names mentioned, Sean Longstaff rightly sticks out as the best bit of business Leeds signed off on over a bumper summer, with the Premier League-experienced 27-year-old very much allowing the Whites to tick so far this season from the middle of the park.
Why Longstaff is one of Leeds' best signings
Already, the £12m summer purchase feels as if he has been in and around Elland Road for some time.
Longstaff has played a part in all nine of Leeds’ league matches so far this season on their return to the daunting top-flight, and while there have been some nerves on display as they navigate the choppy waters of the top division, the Newcastle-born midfielder has cut a cool and composed figure throughout.
Having seen his career at his boyhood Magpies fizzle out, Longstaff clearly knew – from the get-go at his new employers – that he needed to prove himself, and he has certainly done that when looking at the table above.
Already, the brand-new number eight has chipped in with one goal and two assists from a central position on the pitch, but he has offered up far more than just a goal threat, with an average of five duels won per contest enabling Farke’s men to see out some tight contests.
Accumulating five big chances being created, too, has even led to some bold shouts that Longstaff is Leeds’ second coming of Pablo Hernandez, as Farke now potentially attempts to recreate the magic of this shrewd deal in January by landing another classy top-flight veteran when the transfer window swings back open.
Leeds considering another Longstaff-style signing
It has been some turnaround for Longstaff since ditching the home comforts of Tyneside, with zero goals or assists falling into his lap during his final campaign at Eddie Howe’s Toon.
Ross Barkley will hope he can similarly breathe life back into his waning playing days at Elland Road if rumours are to be believed, with a report from The Leeds Press revealing that the West Yorkshire outfit is considering a move for the reserve Aston Villa presence, who even once had a short-term loan stint at Leeds way back in 2013.
Now, he could be returning, again on loan, but this time as a far more experienced option, as Leeds reportedly weigh up a move for an attacking midfielder in the window, and while he has struggled to break into Emery’s first team picture as of late, he is certainly a classy operator on his day.
Indeed, this fiercely struck effort against Leicester City earlier in the year is just one of seven goals Barkley has put away for the Villans, meaning he definitely has a similar eye for a goal to that of Longstaff.
Games played
287
Goals scored
37
Assists
34
More importantly, too, the 31-year-old has also shone before in a team that is attempting to beat the drop in Luton Town – as seen in his weighty five goals and seven assists for the then troubled Hatters – and became a beloved fan favourite, subsequently, with one of his teammates in Andros Townsend at Kenilworth Road even hailing him as “unbelievable” to play alongside.
It could well be, much like Longstaff, that Barkley comes back into his own in West Yorkshire, with the well-travelled attacking midfielder also being dubbed as “exquisite” by his former Everton manager in Roberto Martinez, for his skilful approach on the pitch.
The £60k-per-week star is somewhat fading away at Villa Park, though, with just 30 minutes of action handed to him this season.
Yet, if he relocates to Leeds this coming January, he could end up rebuilding his career before it’s too late, just as Longstaff has already done this season.
Forget Longstaff: £10m star is now Leeds' best signing since Bielsa left
This Leeds United star could now be considered the best signing the Whites have made since Marcelo Bielsa left.
Just months after being written off as a Barcelona flop, Vitor Roque has reignited his career in spectacular fashion. Now Palmeiras' top scorer and a key figure in their title chase, the 20-year-old has earned a Brazil call-up from Carlo Ancelotti – a moment he calls “the best phase of my life”. From struggling in Spain to thriving back home, Roque’s resurgence underscores how the right environment and consistent game time can revive a player’s career.
From prodigy to pressure – Roque's Barcelona struggle
When Roque signed for Barcelona in July 2023 for €35 million, he was hailed as Brazil’s next great striker. Fresh from 15 goals with Athletico Paranaense and a standout U-20 Championship, expectations were sky-high. But the dream quickly soured. Rushed into the squad midseason at then-coach Xavi’s insistence, Roque struggled to adapt to the club’s intense demands, managing just two goals in 16 appearances.
The January arrival proved ill-timed – as Barcelona sporting director Deco later admitted – leaving the teenager overwhelmed by pressure, language barriers, and tactical rigidity. A loan spell to Real Betis in 2024 offered little reprieve, and by early 2025, Roque looked like another South American talent who had flown too close to the European sun.
Now starring for Palmeiras, Roque has rediscovered his confidence and form by scoring 19 goals across competitions in 2025. His performances have powered Palmeiras' title charge and earned him a long-awaited call-up to the Brazilian national team by Carlo Ancelotti. From doubts and disappointment to a national recall, Roque’s resurgence marks one of the most impressive turnarounds of the season.
"I always say that football is very fast-paced. Six months ago, nothing was going right, and today, thank God, I'm very happy. Palmeiras helped me in an extraordinary way; I got back to playing the football I always used to, and, thank God, things are flowing, which is the most important thing," Roque said after receiving his first national call-up.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportJoining Palmeiras and the turning point
Rejecting a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, Roque returned to Brazil with Palmeiras in February. At first, it wasn’t easy: 900 minutes without a goal tested his confidence. But Palmeiras stood by him, and gradually, the goals began to flow. With 19 goals in 2025 across all competitions, including 15 in the Brasileirao, he’s become one of the league’s most lethal forwards.
His impact has been immediate, leading Palmeiras to the top of the Serie A table with 65 points, just ahead of Flamengo. In addition, his brace against Santos and a crucial goal in the Copa Libertadores semi-final against River Plate showcased his ability to deliver in big moments. He ranks among the league’s top three scorers, behind only Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Kaio Jorge, both with 17 goals.
For Roque, this is redemption not just in statistics but in mindset. “It’s one of the best phases of my life,” he told reporters. “I arrive at the national team with my feet on the ground, working with humility. First at Palmeiras and then there as well.” His chemistry with teammates like Flaco Lopez and Raphael Veiga has been key, the trio have combined for 38 goals in all competitions this season.
A national recall and growing European interest
Ancelotti’s decision to include Roque in Brazil’s squad for friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia marks a new chapter in his young career. Former Brazil international, Rivaldo, admitted he was surprised but impressed: “I was also struck by the fact that he brought in Vitor Roque from Palmeiras, who has been playing well for a few games now. He started with some difficulties, but now he's in good form and it's a good opportunity for him. The coach is still testing some players; I was even hoping there wouldn't be any more of these tests, but I believe he already has the core group formed for the World Cup.”
Ancelotti’s approach to Brazil’s roster has focused on blending established stars like Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo with emerging domestic players who can bring hunger and rhythm from the Brasileirao. Roque’s selection fits that strategy perfectly.
"I see that Ancelotti is starting to shape the national team. He certainly already has a base of players for the World Cup. Of course, he's doing some tests with athletes who stand out in the Brazilian Championship. I really liked the call-up of Fabrício Bruno, from Cruzeiro, even after the mistake against Japan. It's a good attitude and shows that the coach has a good heart and trusts him. Many criticised the player, he shouldn't even have hope of being called up, and Ancelotti showed that he believes in him, that he doesn't just look at the mistake, but everything the athlete has done well in his career," explained Rivaldo in an interaction with Betfair.
Meanwhile, Roque’s resurgence hasn’t gone unnoticed abroad. His agent, Andre Cury, confirmed that Premier League clubs are already preparing bids. According to reports, Manchester United are leading the race, with Chelsea and Tottenham also monitoring the 20-year-old forward. Barcelona, who retained a 20% sell-on clause when selling him to Palmeiras, could receive around €10m if a deal materialises.
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Getty Images SportA comeback that could reshape Roque's future
As things stand, Roque’s focus remains firmly on Palmeiras and Brazil. His goals have put the club on course for another league title and deep into the Libertadores campaign, and his national team call-up could pave the way for a spot in Ancelotti’s 2026 World Cup plans. His first task is to impress the Brazil boss for continued chances as Brazil face Senegal on 15 November and then Tunisia on November 19.
Goals and contributions in these games can be crucial for continued call-ups to the national team and a starting place in next year's World Cup.
They added 148 in the chase of 286, after fifties from Harper, Peake and Rogers propelled Victoria
AAP02-Dec-2025Victoria’s One-Day Cup campaign is on the brink after a seven-wicket defeat from Western Australia (WA) at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. Top of the ladder and firing in the Sheffield Shield, the Vics sit on the bottom in the battle for the Dean Jones Trophy with a 1-4 win-loss record.WA motored home in their chase, cantering to victory with 32 balls to spare. After WA captain Ashton Turner won the toss and elected to bowl, the hosts had steady contributions through their innings to push them to a total of 285.Wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper (54), young gun Oliver Peake (54), and Tom Rogers (50) all passed fifty, but were unable to go on with the job as experienced seamer Joel Paris collected 4 for 62. Peake threatened to propel the Vics towards 300, but became young quick Albert Esterhuysen’s only victim of the day.Australia white-ball star Mitchell Marsh, who is an outside chance of featuring in this summer’s Ashes, struggled to get going in WA’s chase, and fell for 17 to Xavier Crone. But Marsh’s opening partner Joel Curtis picked up the slack, flaying 68 from 64 balls to send WA on their way towards the total.WA veterans Turner and Sam Whiteman steered the visitors home with a commanding unbeaten 148-run stand after coming together at 141 for 3. Turner blasted balls all over the quick outfield, finishing unbeaten on 71 from 61 deliveries. Whiteman (70 from 65 balls) got WA to the total by hitting a flawless cover drive to the fence.WA go into the BBL break with a 2-3 record, with the 50-over matches to resume in February. Victoria will seek to gain revenge on Thursday when their Shield match against WA begins at the MCG.
Após goleada sofrida no Maracanã no último domingo, o presidente Pedrinho se apressou para fazer mudanças no futebol do Vasco para o decorrer da temporada. Felipe ‘Maestro’ é nomeado como diretor técnico do Cruz-Maltino e é mais um ídolo da Colina a voltar ao clube.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco
Em comunicado nas redes sociais, Pedrinho diz que a contratação já estava nos planos, mas decidiu antecipar a mudança após vexame no clássico: “Um jogo inadmissível, resultado que não tem explicação”. A dupla chegou e assistiu junta a derrota na arquibancada do Maracanã.
Revelados no Vasco, onde chegaram aos seis anos de idade em 1983, os jogadores amadureceram na Colina e fizeram parte de uma das gerações mais vitoriosas da história do Cruz-Maltino, que conquistou, dentre outros títulos, dois Campeonatos Brasileiros e uma Libertadores da América.
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Não será a primeira vez que os amigos irão trabalhar juntos fora de campo. Felipe e Pedrinho já foram, respectivamente, técnico e auxiliar do Tigres do Brasil nas primeiras rodadas do Campeonato Carioca em 2017. Mas a parceria durou apenas sete jogos, sendo uma vitória, três empates e três derrotas.
Felipe chega ao Vasco após comandar o Volta Redonda no Carioca deste ano, onde conquistou 14 pontos em 11 rodadas e acabou terminando em 10º lugar. Segundo Pedrinho, a escolha para o parceiro de longa data para o cargo é a recuperação de uma identidade do clube.
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– Dentro desse DNA que é o Vasco da Gama, por ter nascido ali, eu percebi que falta isso dentro do futebol. Falta a essência vascaína, falta as pessoas entenderem o que é o Vasco, entenderem o tamanho do Vasco, entenderem quais são os objetivos do Vasco e a grandeza desse time. Resgatar essa essência é uma das minhas obrigações.
Além de Felipe, Edmundo é mais um ídolo do Cruz-Maltino que, apesar de não ter nenhuma cargo oficial dentro do clube, é sempre muito engajado com as políticas internas do Vasco, e um grande amigo do presidente Pedrinho. Dentro de campo, é inegável que o trio conhece bem o futebol, mas o desafio é tentar buscar o resultado além das quatro linhas.
Como diretor técnico, Felipe vai trabalhar diretamente com o diretor de futebol Pedro Martins para buscar reforços nesta janela de transferências. Em coletiva de imprensa, Martins deixou claro que o Vasco não pretende fazer movimentações bruscas de mercado e que visa primeiramente a segurança financeira do clube.
A principal esperança para o torcedor vascaíno é a chegada do cria Philippe Coutinho, que está em conversas avançadas com o Vasco, e aguarda liberação do Aston Villa, da Inglaterra, para avançar nas negociações. Pedrinho se reuniu com o jogador nesta quarta-feira (05). Seguindo a linha do ‘resgate do DNA vascaíno’, o volante Souza, sugerido por Coutinho, pode ser mais um nome em pauta para retornar à Colina.
SEATTLE — The most dangerous hitter in the Detroit Tigers lineup has never hit 30 homers, driven in 70 runs or made an All-Star team. Injuries and left-handed pitchers have kept Kerry Carpenter from elite statistical thresholds and acclaim. But don’t do what the Seattle Mariners did in Game 1 of the ALDS: overlook him.
Carpenter is a career .507 slugger who mashes high fastballs. This year he slugged .571 against high fastballs (at least 33 inches off the ground), the 12th best mark among hitters who saw at least 350 such heaters—ahead of Shohei Ohtani, Jose Ramirez and Cal Raleigh.
“One thing about Carp,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, “is he can be streaky. But no matter what, he’s looking to get off his A swing. Even if it’s two strikes, he can do damage. And that’s why he is so dangerous.”
The Mariners did not respect the danger ever present in Carpenter’s bat, and that is why they suffered a brutally painful 3–2 loss Saturday. They burned their closer for six outs and still lost, knowing they are staring at seeing the best pitcher on the planet, Tarik Skubal, two of the next four possible games, including Game 2 Sunday. Ouch.
Yes, a 73-mph, 15-hop single from Zach McKinstry plated the winning run in the 11th inning, a run set up by two egregious mistakes by Seattle reliever Carlos Vargas at such a juncture: a leadoff walk and a wild pitch.
But it was one swing by Carpenter that changed everything, a swing that should never have been permitted by the Mariners. Seattle manager Dan Wilson, running his first postseason game, held a 1–0 lead in the fifth with one on, two outs and first base open with George Kirby on the mound. Wilson had his best lefty, Gabe Speier, up in the pen with Carpenter due to bat with another lefty, Riley Greene, behind him.
Wilson sent pitching coach Pete Woodworth to the mound for a conversation with Kirby.
“Yes, in the back of my mind I thought they weren’t going to pitch to me,” Carpenter said, adding with a laugh, “Maybe my first two at-bats convinced them.”
Hinch had set a trap for Wilson by batting Greene and Carpenter back-to-back. By showing he will pitch-hit for either one with lefty masher Jahmai Jones, Hinch puts the onus on the other manager early in a game. No matter what option you choose, Hinch will have the platoon advantage.
Wilson chose to have Kirby pitch to Carpenter, even though Carpenter had four home runs in 10 at-bats against Kirby. Even though Carpenter is a high fastball hitter.
“Yeah. 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, and he had been in a couple of tough spots earlier, but really pitched out of it well.”
Kirby, a high-fastball pitcher, has the stuff to better attack Greene, not Carpenter.
“With Carpenter,” Wilson said, “you're trying to keep it down in the zone or trying to get him to chase up in the zone.”
Said Carpenter: “I always feel like the more I face people, the more opportunity I have to have success. And so yeah, I was hoping to get another opportunity off him.”
Mariners pitcher George Kirby has struggled mightily against Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter. / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Kirby opened with a slider in the zone that Carpenter fouled. The next pitch was an elevated sinker that was inside but was mistakenly called a strike.
“That ball called a strike probably changed the at-bat,” Carpenter said.
Now the count was 0-and-2. Carpenter had one homer all year after falling behind 0-and-2. It was easy now for Wilson and Kirby to throw caution aside and think they could finish him off.
Kirby missed with a sinker in. He decided to throw a third straight fastball. This one headed straight to Carpenter’s power zone: elevated over the plate. Carpenter crushed it harder than any home run he’s ever hit in his life: 112.5 mph.
He has hit only two home runs at 110 mph or harder, both in the postseason: one off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase last season (110.8) and this one off Kirby (112.5), his fifth home run in 11 at-bats against the righthander.
“That’s what Carp does in the postseason,” McKinstry said. Carpenter has a postseason slash line of .294/.385/.500.
You simply cannot lose a lead by letting Kirby throw another elevated fastball to Carpenter. You knew that going into the game.
Carpenter typifies what the Tigers are about. Other than Skubal, they are low on star power. They strike out way too much. In Game 1 they became only the fifth team to win a postseason game with 16 strikeouts over 11 innings or less. They went 2-for-18 with runners on base, with eight of those at-bats ending with strikeouts. Empty at-bats galore.
And yet they won the game on swings from Carpenter and McKinstry. They used eight pitchers, the last of whom, Keider Montero, secured a save for the first time since pitching for the while playing Little League ball in Venezuela.
“I don’t pay attention to the name on the back,” Montero said after dispatching Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor for the save. “No matter when I pitch, I attack.”
Detroit, with all the strikeouts in its lineup and not enough whiffs in its bullpen, somehow is the best team in baseball at winning one-run games (23–12).
The Tigers became the first team to lose five straight series entering the postseason and advance. The wild-card Game 3 win restored their confidence. The dread of blowing a 15.5-game lead to Cleveland and the potential of being sent home by Cleveland has been replaced with the swagger they had in the first half after eliminating the Guardians. Their airways are fully open again. The Tigers are dangerous again, and not just on the days Skubal pitches.
MLB has turned the page on a memorable trade deadline that ramped up exponentially in activity over its final 24 hours. It featured extreme buying, such as the Padres’ dizzying, prospect-exporting pursuit of championship upgrades, and selling, thanks to the Twins’ stunning teardown. And somewhere in between, multiple clubs managed to make needle-moving trades as they geared up for the stretch run in the dog days of summer.
Which club made the most impactful splash among the pool of contenders? Did Padres president of baseball operations—and mad scientist—A.J. Preller provide the team with enough tools to overtake the defending-champion Dodgers in the National League West? And could postseason hero Carlos Correa be the x-factor that lifts the Astros to another World Series this fall? We’ll answer these questions and more in another edition of Fact or Fiction.
Jhoan Durán trade was the biggest deadline needle mover
Verdict: Fact
There were plenty of major upgrades at the trade deadline. Eugenio Suárez’s reunion with the Mariners gives the club some much-needed third base production and some added protection behind American League MVP candidate Cal Raleigh. Correa’s return to Houston, while eliciting waves of nostalgia for the team’s fanbase, also makes a ton of sense for the Astros in the wake of Isaac Paredes’s potentially season-ending hamstring injury. The Blue Jays acquired a potential October ace when they dealt for 2020 Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber. But the most impactful upgrade? That was Philadelphia’s blockbuster deal for flamethrowing closer Durán.
Durán is . The man ranks in the 100th percentile in average fastball velocity and once tested the limits of radar guns with a 104.8 mph heater back in 2023. Heck, he’s already set the Phillies franchise record for the fastest pitch in the pitch tracking era. And all that heat, coupled with a wicked, upper-90s splinker, has been hard for hitters to square up. Durán owns a sparkling 31% whiff rate, and when hitters aren’t swinging and missing, they’re usually depositing the ball directly into the dirt for harmless ground balls.
Add it up, and it’s the perfect recipe for a stress-free ninth inning, which is music to the Phillies’ ears. Manager Rob Thomson has tried three different relievers in the ninth—Jordan Romano, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm—and none have had the juice necessary to be a playoff closer, combining to blow 11 saves. But Durán? His 1.93 ERA, 18 saves and just two blown saves in 2025 need no introduction.
Durán have an electric introduction, though, and it’s already made its way to Citizens Bank Park. If the October-bound Phillies can get the ball to Durán with a lead in the ninth at their home field—where they have the best playoff winning percentage in baseball history—it would be hard to bet against them. For a Phillies club wounded by blown leads from October’s past, Durán might just be the glorious salve.
The Twins gave up on their core too soon
Verdict: Fiction
For a Twins fan base that hasn’t tasted a World Series win in 34 years and hasn’t witnessed the club advance past the division series in 23 years, the trade deadline had to be jarring. Like a soon-to-be-bankrupt store with half-off everything signs plastered out front, the Twins weren’t just open for business, they were welcoming it with outstretched arms. No fewer than 11 players headed out the door via trades. After the dust settled, Minnesota’s lineup looked far different, and its bullpen was almost completely unrecognizable.
For the fans who were hoping the Twins might cautiously buy, or, in the imagined worst case scenario, straddle the line between buying and selling, there’s little to be said in the way of moral support. The unfortunate reality is this shocking fire sale was a reminder that baseball—and professional sports at large—is a business. The Pohlad family, which has owned the Twins since 1984, announced last October it would “explore a sale” of the franchise. Did such a monumental decision factor into the payroll-slashing trade frenzy that ensued last week? There’s no way to definitively say, but it’d be naive to think it wasn’t at least part of the conversation.
However, maybe, just maybe, this was the perfect storm for the Twins. Consider the club’s recent history. After missing the playoffs for six straight seasons from 2011 to ‘16, Minnesota made the postseason three times in the first four years of Derek Falvey’s tenure as the head of the front office. After winning the AL Central in ‘23, the Twins’ owners slashed payroll from $160 million to $130 million, a puzzling decision that led to predictable results.
Minnesota stumbled to an 82–80 record and missed the postseason last year, then added just three free agents as they continued to operate under a tighter budget. Is it any wonder, then, that the team was six games under .500 heading into this year’s deadline?
At some point, the Twins had to be awoken from this stupor of mediocrity. And while almost nobody wanted the awakening to emerge from a potential sale of the team—which comes with plenty of question marks—perhaps it will end up being a blessing in disguise. The Twins already had MLB Pipeline’s 10th-ranked farm system heading into 2025. After the trade deadline, the Twins’ farm now boasts six top-100 prospects, and some semblance of hope for the future in the face of uncertainty. The fire sale was devastating. But like a phoenix, maybe the new-age Twins will emerge from the ashes.
The Mariners are serious threats to make the World Series
Eugenio Suárez is back in Seattle and could help the Mariners reach the franchise’s first World Series. / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Verdict: Fact
Of the trade deadline winners, the Mariners might just have been the biggest. Within striking distance of the AL West-leading Astros, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto eschewed the cautious approaches of deadlines past and swung for the fences, acquiring the two best bats available—Suarez and first baseman Josh Naylor—without surrendering a top-10 prospect.
But he didn’t stop there. Dipoto added lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson, who excels at limiting hard contact, to a bullpen that had just one southpaw (Gabe Speier) in it. The Mariners lineup, already relatively balanced around AL MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, now looks like a murderer’s row with Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena finding their strides. Seattle’s rotation, which suffered injuries to George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller earlier this season, is nearly whole. And the bullpen, headlined by All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz, ranks eighth in MLB in ERA.
Seattle has made the postseason just once since 2001 and has never appeared in the World Series. In a year where seemingly every contender is somewhat flawed, the Mariners have as good a chance as any team to capture a championship. To borrow from a certain quarterback who won a Super Bowl in Seattle, the Mariners need to ask themselves the question, “Why not us?”
The Padres could overtake the Dodgers in the NL West
Verdict: Fact
In the class of buyers, no one was busier at the trade deadline than San Diego. The Padres shipped out eight of their top-30 prospects en route to adding high-octane relief pitcher Mason Miller, productive bats Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano, and catcher Freddy Fermin.
As they say, scared money don’t make money, and the fearless Preller made a flurry of trades with one clear objective in mind. “If you’re going to win a championship, you can’t have any weak links,” Preller told reporters after the deadline. And it’s clear that the Padres have fewer of those now than they did before July 31.
Left field had been a revolving door of lackluster productivity at the plate for San Diego this season. Enter Laureano and his .887 OPS. The Padres ranked second-to-last in baseball in designated hitter WAR. Enter O’Hearn, a 2025 All-Star who has racked up 2.6 WAR and an .822 OPS in 98 games this season. The Padres also upgraded at the catcher position with the addition of Fermin, a solid pitch framer with a capable throwing arm.
Preller may have gotten greedy by paying a steep price to add Miller to what was already the league’s best bullpen, but that only further reinforces this next point. San Diego, currently holding the third wild-card spot and just three games back of the first-place Dodgers, is now a legitimate World Series contender. And one possible path there—winning the division—was once out of the question but is now a real possibility.
Just a month ago, the Padres were eight games back of the Dodgers and perhaps mentally preparing to play a wild-card series come October. Since that point, Los Angeles’s bats, especially former AL MVP Mookie Betts, have gone cold while its bullpen has been riddled by injuries. But these are still the defending champions with a starting pitching staff that’s nearly at full strength again. The Dodgers won’t go down quietly in the fight for the division.
The Padres, who have lost five of seven games against the Dodgers so far this year, will play two more regular season series against their bitter rivals, with all six games coming this month. Whoever fares better in those matchups could have the upper hand in the race for the division crown. And, after a busy deadline, these Padres pack more of a punch now.
Carlos Correa can still be a difference maker for the Astros
Verdict: Fact
The Astros’ stunning acquisition of Correa was a reunion between two parties who once made great music together, a beautiful mix of idealism and realism. Houston is where it all began for Correa, the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. And Houston is where Correa helped bring glory to a franchise that missed the playoffs every year from ‘06 to ‘14.
Correa was a part of five consecutive American League Championship Series appearances, three World Series berths and one championship. He not only became one of the faces of a dynastic-like era of Astros baseball, but he also time and time again played the hero for Houston in the postseason. So, for Astros fans, seeing Correa back in Houston threads brings back warm and fuzzy feelings. But why couldn’t it do more than just provide a healthy dose of nostalgia?
Correa, 30, has scuffled to a .704 OPS in 97 games and has rated as a slightly below average as a fielder at shortstop. After the trade to Houston, Correa spoke about how he’s been pondering a move from shortstop, where he once won a Platinum Glove, to third base, where he had only played during the World Baseball Classic. As he enters his thirties, the less physically taxing hot corner is looking more and more appealing to Correa, who has dealt with his fair share of injuries.
So here’s where realism comes into play. The Astros lost starting third baseman Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, and while the 26-year-old is foregoing surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be able to return later this season—or how effective he’ll be. There’s reason to believe Correa, equipped with a sturdy 6' 3" frame and strong arm, can handle third base. Plus, Houston may get more out of his bat going forward, given he was elite at the plate as recently as last year. And the October-bound Astros know this better than anyone: put Correa on the postseason stage and he’s bound to shine.
The New York Mets have landed another bat for the homestretch of the season, as the franchise has traded for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, according to a report from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
In return, the Mets sent three prospects back to the Orioles, including reliever Chandler Marsh, corner infielder Anthony Nunez and reliever Raimon Gomez.
Mullins has spent his entire eight-year career in Baltimore. He is slashing .229/.305/.433 this season with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
Mullins will be under contract with the Mets through the rest of the season before hitting free agency this winter.
“I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies,” Ajinkya Rahane says
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2025
Ajinkya Rahane helped Mumbai break a nine-year drought by leading them to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in 2023-24•PTI
Ajinkya Rahane has given up the captaincy of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season, saying he believes “it’s the right time to groom a new leader”. In a communication to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Rahane, now 37, said he wants to continue as a player for the team.”Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,” Rahane wrote in a social media post. “With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it’s the right time to groom a new leader. And hence I’ve decided not to continue in the captaincy role. I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season.”Rahane helped Mumbai break a nine-year drought by leading them to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in 2023-24. While his red-ball form over the past two years has been patchy (467 runs in 27 innings with just one century), he was more fluent in the shorter formats. At the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December last year, when he played under Shreyas Iyer, Rahane was the Player of the Tournament for his chart-topping 469 runs in a title-winning season.Related
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Rahane was most recently in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL 2025, for whom he was the highest scorer with 390 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 147.27. The team had a mediocre season, though, finishing eighth with just five wins.In July, Rahane said he still possessed the “hunger and passion” for the game and for red-ball cricket, stating he even carried his trainers and cricket gear while on holiday in London to begin preparations for the upcoming domestic season.”I still want to play Test cricket,” Rahane had told Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton in an interview with . “I’m really passionate about playing Test cricket. I’m enjoying my cricket at the moment. For me, it’s all about focusing on the controllable things. Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but [there are] things as a player I cannot control. I got no response.”As a player, all I can do is keep playing cricket, keep enjoying the game, and give my best each and every time. I love playing Test cricket, love playing red-ball [cricket], it’s a passion. The love for the game keeps me going.”Mumbai are currently preparing for the upcoming season by playing the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Chennai, with a young squad led by 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre. Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur, a key member of their 2024-25 Ranji campaign, was named captain of West Zone for the season-opening Duleep Trophy.