⚾ MLB · Game of the Night
NETO GOES NUCLEAR ON HOUSTON
Zach Neto's 5-for-6, 7-RBI explosion lifts the Angels to a stunning 18–3 demolition of the Astros.
By The Daily Dribble Staff · August 21, 2026
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Zach Neto went 5-for-6 with a homer, a double, and 7 RBI in the Angels' 18–3 blasting of Houston. That's a career night!
When Zach Neto stepped into the batter's box in Houston on Thursday night, nobody expected what was coming. The Angels shortstop put together one of the most jaw-dropping individual performances of the 2026 season, going 5-for-6 with a home run, a double, seven — yes, SEVEN — RBI, and two runs scored as the Los Angeles Angels absolutely destroyed the Houston Astros, 18–3. The Astros' pitching staff had no answers, and by the time it was over the scoreboard looked like something you'd see in a video game.
The Angels, who are sitting at 51–77 on the season, don't have a lot to play for in the standings (they're 13 games back in the AL West), but Thursday night was all about Neto putting on a show. Seven RBI in a single game is a massive deal — most players are happy to drive in three! For context, the whole Astros team only managed 3 runs. The LA offense piled up 18 total, making it one of the biggest blowout wins you'll see all year in Major League Baseball.
Meanwhile, the Astros (now 64–64, dead even on the season) desperately needed this win to keep pace in the tight AL West race. Instead they got torched. The AL West is a mess right now — the Astros lead by just a hair over the Rangers (63–65) and Mariners (60–68). Every loss stings. Neto and the Angels? They just went home feeling pretty great about Thursday night. 🔥
⚾ MLB — Thursday Scores
There were nine MLB games on Thursday and almost every one had something exciting! Besides the Angels blowout, Jacob deGrom came back to remind everyone he's still elite — 6 innings, zero earned runs, and 10 strikeouts for the Rangers in a 2–0 shutout of Washington. Shane Bieber was also dealing for Toronto: 7 innings, 1 ER, 4 hits, 7 K's in a 5–1 Blue Jays win over Tampa. And in a wild one, the Cardinals edged the Reds 10–9, with Matt McLain going yard and driving in 4 for Cincinnati — but it wasn't enough.
| Away | Score | Home | Score | Star of the Game |
|---|
| Cardinals ✓ | 10 | Reds | 9 | M. McLain: 1-4, HR, 4 RBI (CIN) |
| Giants | 2 | Guardians ✓ | 5 | W. Adames: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI (CLE) |
| Blue Jays ✓ | 5 | Rays | 1 | S. Bieber: 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 K (TOR) |
| Athletics | 2 | Royals ✓ | 6 | B. Witt Jr.: 2-4, HR, 3 R (KC) |
| Mariners | 4 | Brewers ✓ | 7 | G. Mitchell: 3-4, HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI (MIL) |
| Braves ✓ | 2 | White Sox | 0 | G. Holmes: 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 K (ATL) 📝 Makeup game |
| Yankees ✓ | 6 | Orioles | 1 | S. Jones: 3-4, HR, RBI, SB (NYY) |
| Nationals | 0 | Rangers ✓ | 2 | J. deGrom: 6 IP, 0 ER, 10 K (TEX) |
| Angels ✓ | 18 | Astros | 3 | Z. Neto: 5-6, HR, 2B, 7 RBI (LAA) 🌟 |
🏈 NFL — Preseason Week 2
The NFL preseason rolls on! Two more games were played Thursday night, and the biggest story was the San Francisco 49ers absolutely steamrolling the Los Angeles Chargers, 41–17. Running back S. McCormick punched in a TD with 6 carries and 53 yards as the Niners' offense looked sharp. Meanwhile in the other game, the Las Vegas Raiders edged the Houston Texans 22–20 in a close one. QB Aidan O'Connell went 15-for-24 for 166 yards for Las Vegas. The Texans have now lost both of their preseason games (0–2). Remember: preseason records don't count for real, but coaches are watching who earns a roster spot!
| Away | Score | Home | Score | Key Stats |
|---|
| Raiders ✓ | 22 | Texans | 20 | A. O'Connell: 15/24, 166 YDS · M. Washington Jr.: 9 car, 56 YDS |
| 49ers ✓ | 41 | Chargers | 17 | M. Jones: 6/13, 89 YDS · S. McCormick: 6 car, 53 YDS, 1 TD |
⚽ Soccer — LaLiga Week 1
LaLiga is back in Spain! On Thursday, Alavés and Rayo Vallecano played to a 1–1 draw in an opening-week matchup. Neither team could grab all three points — it was a scrappy, back-and-forth battle. The new LaLiga season is just getting started, so expect the standings to start taking shape over the next few weeks. If Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid are on your radar, Jacob, keep watching — the big clubs usually kick off their campaigns in the first weekend!
| Away | Score | Home | Score | Result |
|---|
| Alavés | 1 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 | Draw 🤝 |
🗓️ Offseason Watch
🏀 NBA
The 2025–26 NBA season is done! The playoffs are over and teams are in their offseason — working on trades, free agency, and getting ready for training camp. Check the standings in the sidebar to see how your fave teams finished up. The new season tips off in October! 🏆
🏀 College Basketball
No college hoops right now — it's summer! Teams are in the gym doing workouts and waiting for their new rosters to gel. March Madness feels far away, but the season tips off in November. Get hyped! 🎓
📊 By the Numbers
Angels runs scored vs. Astros18 🤯
Zach Neto RBI on Thursday7
Neto hits (out of 6 AB)5
deGrom strikeouts in 6 IP10 🔥
Shane Bieber K's in 7 IP7
49ers preseason score41–17
MLB games played Thursday9
LaLiga goals (Rayo vs. Alavés)2 (1-1)
⚾ AL East Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| Rays | 76 | 51 |
| Yankees | 72 | 55 |
| Red Sox | 68 | 59 |
| Blue Jays | 63 | 66 |
| Orioles | 61 | 67 |
⚾ AL Central Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| White Sox | 66 | 61 |
| Twins | 63 | 65 |
| Guardians | 62 | 66 |
| Tigers | 61 | 66 |
| Royals | 55 | 74 |
⚾ AL West Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| Astros | 64 | 64 |
| Rangers | 63 | 65 |
| Mariners | 60 | 68 |
| Angels | 51 | 77 |
| Athletics | 49 | 79 |
⚾ NL East Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| Braves | 75 | 53 |
| Phillies | 70 | 58 |
| Marlins | 64 | 64 |
| Nationals | 61 | 68 |
| Mets | 58 | 70 |
⚾ NL Central Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| Brewers | 79 | 49 |
| Cubs | 74 | 54 |
| Cardinals | 66 | 63 |
| Pirates | 63 | 66 |
| Reds | 61 | 67 |
⚾ NL West Standings
| Team | W | L |
|---|
| Dodgers | 77 | 51 |
| Padres | 68 | 60 |
| D-backs | 67 | 61 |
| Giants | 52 | 75 |
| Rockies | 50 | 77 |
🏈 NFL Preseason Records
⚠️ Preseason only — doesn't count for real!
| AFC | W-L | NFC | W-L |
|---|
| Bills | 1-0 | Cowboys | 1-0 |
| Steelers | 1-0 | Commanders | 1-0 |
| Ravens | 1-0 | Vikings | 1-0 |
| Bengals | 1-0 | Bears | 1-0 |
| Titans | 1-0 | Rams | 1-0 |
| Jaguars | 1-0 | Buccaneers | 1-0 |
| Broncos | 1-0 | Panthers | 1-1 |
| Chargers | 1-1 | 49ers | 1-1 |
| Raiders | 1-1 | Cardinals | 1-1 |
| Texans | 0-2 | Giants | 0-1 |
🏀 NBA — Final Standings Snapshot
Season complete. Top teams from each division:
| Team | Div | W-L |
|---|
| Thunder | NW | 64-18 |
| Spurs | SW | 62-20 |
| Pistons | C | 60-22 |
| Celtics | Atl | 56-26 |
| Nuggets | NW | 54-28 |
| Knicks | Atl | 53-29 |
| Lakers | Pac | 53-29 |
| Cavaliers | C | 52-30 |
🧠 Trivia Time!
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Zach Neto went 5-for-6 on Thursday. How many RBI did he rack up in the Angels' 18–3 win?
▶ Answer: 7 RBI! An incredible performance.
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Jacob deGrom struck out 10 batters for the Rangers. How many earned runs did he give up in his 6 innings?
▶ Answer: 0 — a complete shutout effort! deGrom is 🔥
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Which NBA team finished the 2025–26 regular season with the best record in the entire league?
▶ Answer: The Oklahoma City Thunder at 64–18! 💪