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MSG continues feud with city over Knicks watch party hours before Game 4

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2 months ago

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Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks aren’t backing down in their feud with the city over the watch party for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

In a statement released Wednesday, just hours before tipoff, the team criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for limiting the ticketed watch party outside the arena to 1,000 attendees in an enclosed area, while keeping other people on the street away. The Knicks said the limitations “will turn the streets around MSG into a police state” during the evening’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

“The Knicks’ victories are for all New Yorkers,” MSG said in a statement. “We wish everyone could see the games live. Watch parties and public celebrations are a way for every Knicks fan to enjoy this special time. These fans want to celebrate together. They want to celebrate at the Mecca of basketball.

“This is not about watch parties; it’s about celebrating wins.”

Mamdani addressed MSG’s complaints at a news conference, saying the Garden applied for a gathering of 500 to 1,000 people, and was approved for the maximum amount. The mayor said the security measures outside the arena are similar to those the New York Police Department uses for gatherings of this size during occasions like July 4 or New Year’s Eve.

“We want to encourage every New Yorker to celebrate in this moment, to do so responsibly, and to be looking out for one another through it all,” Mamdani said. “We want this to be a memorable night for all the right reasons.”

MSG released a similar statement Tuesday night, calling NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mamdani the city’s “biggest party poopers” for putting security restrictions around the Garden for Game 4.

There were significant security measures in place at the arena for Monday’s Game 3 because President Donald Trump was in attendance. Those measures included a steel fence, limited access points and restrictions on what attendees could bring to the game.

As an additional security measure, a watch party that had been scheduled for outside MSG was moved to Bryant Park. Even so, that event, which attracted an estimated crowd of 7,000, was marred by violence and rowdiness after the Knicks lost to the Spurs. More than 20 people were taken into custody, five NYPD officers were injured and video footage showed people in San Antonio Spurs apparel being verbally and physically harassed.

MSG’s statement Wednesday cited outdoor watch parties for the 2025 finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers — as well as the finals in 2019 (Toronto Raptors versus Golden State Warriors), 2023 (Denver Nuggets versus Miami Heat) and 2024 (Boston Celtics versus Dallas Mavericks) — to argue for fewer restrictions around Game 4.

“Issues that happened at the Mayor’s Bryant Park watch party (a city-run watch party) are not related to blocks around MSG nor any other previously run MSG watch party,” MSG said in its statement Wednesday. “Additionally, there have been minimal problems in other cities where NBA Final watch parties occurred, and they have had successful experiences around those respective arenas.”

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How to watch Blue Jays vs. Phillies: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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2 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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The Toronto Blue Jays visit the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:05 p.m. ET on Saturday. Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.55 ERA) gets the start for the Phillies, who are 62-55 this season and second in the NL East. Max Scherzer (1-4, 7.92 ERA) is starting for the Blue Jays, who are 55-62 and fifth in the AL East.

How to watch Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Blue Jays vs. Phillies odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Phillies -175
  • Underdog Moneyline: Blue Jays +145
  • Total: 9.5
  • Total Over Odds: -102
  • Total Under Odds: -118

Injury reports

Phillies

Rafael Marchan: 10 Day IL (Knee), Johan Rojas: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Brad Keller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Adolis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Lat), Tanner Banks: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Derek Hill: day-to-day (Shoulder), Andrew Painter: day-to-day (Hamstring)

Blue Jays

Luis Urias: 10 Day IL (Quadricep), Jonatan Clase: 10 Day IL (Foot), Spencer Arrighetti: 15 Day IL (Foot), Trey Yesavage: 15 Day IL (Knee), Cody Ponce: 60 Day IL (Knee), Anthony Santander: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Bowden Francis: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Joe Mantiply: 60 Day IL (Knee), Addison Barger: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Yimi Garcia: 60 Day IL (Elbow), José Berrios: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Lenyn Sosa: 60 Day IL (Wrist), Patrick Corbin: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: day-to-day (Hamstring)

Stats to know

  • Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper is slashing .257/.366/.500 this season with 24 home runs (16th in MLB), 70 RBIs (17th in MLB) and an OPS of .866 (16th in MLB). He has a 21.1% strikeout rate and a 15% walk rate in 494 plate appearances, and he has scored 71 total runs. Harper has recorded six steals on 11 attempts.
  • In 482 plate appearances, Luis Arraez has hit five long balls, tallied 47 RBIs and scored 54 runs. He is batting .323/.359/.446 and has posted a 4.6% strikeout rate and a 5.4% walk rate. Arraez has recorded 10 steals on 10 attempts.
  • Ernie Clement has hit nine home runs this season. He has also tallied 38 RBIs and has scored 48 runs. In 461 plate appearances, he has recorded a .284 BA, .308 OBP and .411 SLG with a 3.3% walk rate and a 9.5% strikeout rate.
  • In 456 plate appearances, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit six long balls, tallied 44 RBIs and scored 56 runs. He is batting .259/.338/.349 and has posted a 13.6% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate. Guerrero has recorded seven steals on 10 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Mets vs. Pirates: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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7 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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The New York Mets will look to Marcus Semien, currently on a two-game homer streak, versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, at PNC Park. Bubba Chandler (4-8, 4.49 ERA) gets the start for the Pirates, who are 57-61 this season and fifth in the NL Central. Robert Stock (0-1, 1.80 ERA) is expected to start for the Mets, who are 51-66 and fifth in the NL East.

How to watch New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Mets vs. Pirates odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Pirates -118
  • Underdog Moneyline: Mets -102
  • Total: 9
  • Total Over Odds: -118
  • Total Under Odds: -102

Injury reports

Pirates

Ryan O’Hearn: 10 Day IL (Quadricep), Mitch Keller: 60 Day IL (Arm), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Hand), Konnor Griffin: 60 Day IL (Finger)

Mets

Mark Vientos: 10 Day IL (Hand), Juan Soto: 10 Day IL (Calf), Austin Warren: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Cionel Perez: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Tylor Megill: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Justin Hagenman: 60 Day IL (Rib), Reed Garrett: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Carson Benge: day-to-day (Wrist)

Stats to know

  • Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds has hit 15 home runs this season. He has also tallied 63 RBIs and has scored 78 runs. In 514 plate appearances, he has recorded a .267 BA, .377 OBP and .442 SLG with a 13.6% walk rate and a 24.5% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording seven steals on seven attempts.
  • In 485 plate appearances, Brandon Lowe has hit 24 long balls (16th in MLB), tallied 73 RBIs (10th in MLB) and scored 70 runs (19th in MLB). He is batting .254/.320/.483 and has posted a 27.8% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate.
  • Carson Benge has hit 13 home runs this season. He has also tallied 46 RBIs and has scored 61 runs. In 461 plate appearances, he has recorded a .270 BA, .330 OBP and .412 SLG with a 7.2% walk rate and a 21.9% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 18 steals on 21 attempts.
  • In 503 plate appearances, Bo Bichette has hit 11 long balls, tallied 56 RBIs and scored 54 runs. He is batting .256/.300/.369 and has posted an 18.5% strikeout rate and a 6% walk rate.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Cubs vs. Royals: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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14 minutes ago

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August 9, 2026

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The Chicago Cubs aim to add to their five-game winning streak when they meet the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET, at Kauffman Stadium. Clay Holmes (4-4, 2.39 ERA) gets the start for the Cubs, who are 68-49 this season and second in the NL Central. Seth Lugo (4-7, 4.41 ERA) is expected to start for the Royals, who are 48-69 and fifth in the AL Central.

How to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals

Cubs vs. Royals odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Cubs -175
  • Underdog Moneyline: Royals +145
  • Total: 9
  • Total Over Odds: -115
  • Total Under Odds: -105

Injury reports

Cubs

Matt Shaw: 10 Day IL (Hand), Daniel Palencia: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Hoby Milner: 15 Day IL (Appendicitis), Gavin Hollowell: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Phil Maton: 15 Day IL (Knee), Ethan Roberts: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Edward Cabrera: 15 Day IL (Hamstring), Riley Martin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Porter Hodge: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Clay Holmes: 60 Day IL (Fibula), Justin Steele: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Shelby Miller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Hunter Harvey: 60 Day IL (Tricep), Cade Horton: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Christopher Austin: 60 Day IL (Knee), Ben Brown: 60 Day IL (Neck)

Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Maikel Garcia: 10 Day IL (Hand), Beck Way: 15 Day IL (Back), Jonathan India: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Cole Ragans: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Luinder Avila: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Alec Marsh: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Carlos Estévez: 60 Day IL (Foot), Nick Mears: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Stephen Kolek: 60 Day IL (Flexor), Connor Seabold: 60 Day IL (Lat), James McArthur: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitting for a .289 BA, .388 OBP and .549 SLG with a 26.6% strikeout rate and a 12% walk rate. His OPS is .937, which ranks 3rd in MLB, and he has scored 82 runs. In 516 plate appearances, he has hit 26 home runs (9th in MLB) and driven in 70 runs (17th in MLB). Crow-Armstrong has been crafty on the base paths, recording 30 steals on 37 attempts.
  • In 507 plate appearances, Nico Hoerner has slashed .257/.318/.359 this season. He has hit seven long balls and driven in 54 runs with a strikeout rate of 8.9% and a walk rate of 7.5%. He has 17 stolen bases on 20 attempts. He has come around to score 48 times.
  • Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting for a .286 BA, .355 OBP and .455 SLG with a 17.2% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate. His OPS is .810 and he has scored 56 runs. In 431 plate appearances, he has hit 13 home runs and driven in 42 runs. Witt has recorded 31 steals on 36 attempts.
  • In 418 plate appearances, Jac Caglianone has hit 18 long balls, tallied 45 RBIs and scored 49 runs. He is batting .256/.311/.456 and has posted a 26.8% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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