⚾ MLB · Lead Story
PHILLIES PULVERIZE THE CARDINALS, 12–3!
Ace Austin Painter fires 7 innings of near-perfection as Philly puts on an offensive fireworks show.
By The Daily Dribble Sports Desk · Saturday, August 22, 2026
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Citizens Bank Park erupted Saturday as the Phillies dominated St. Louis in a 12–3 blowout.
The Philadelphia Phillies turned Citizens Bank Park into a run-scoring carnival on Saturday night, pounding the St. Louis Cardinals 12–3 in one of the most lopsided results of the entire MLB weekend. If you love watching pitching AND hitting do its thing at the same time, this was the game for you.
The star of the show was pitcher Austin Painter, who was absolutely FILTHY on the mound. He went 7.0 full innings, allowed just 1 earned run and only 5 hits, and struck out 8 Cardinals without walking a single batter. That's called "painting the corners" — and now you know exactly why his name fits perfectly! Painter now helps push the Phillies to a 72–58 record in the NL East, keeping them just 3 games behind the division-leading Braves (75–55).
The offense made sure Painter's gem didn't go to waste, plating 12 runs on the Cardinals. St. Louis drops to 66–65, teetering right on the edge of the playoff bubble in the NL Central. Meanwhile Philly is heating up at exactly the right time of the season — the stretch run is officially ON!
🏈 NFL Preseason — Week 2 Results
The NFL preseason rolls on with 10 games on Saturday! Remember — these don't count in the real standings, but teams use them to figure out their rosters before the regular season starts. There were some seriously lopsided scores, some nail-biters, and a few backup quarterbacks who had huge games. Keep an eye on who's impressing coaches!
Biggest blowouts: The Falcons crushed the Colts 34–6 (QB J. Strand threw for 212 yards and a TD!), the Bills rolled the Browns 31–7 (K. Allen was sharp at 10-for-12 with a TD), and the Cowboys blew out the Cardinals 34–13 (J. Milton III threw for 179 yards and 2 TDs!). The Rams also shut out the Saints 34–0 — yikes! On the other side, the Buccaneers edged the Chiefs 16–15 in a thriller, and the Patriots topped the Eagles 24–21.
| Away | Score | Home | Score | Top Performer |
|---|
| Commanders | 13 |
Lions 🦁 | 17 |
A. Kaliakmanis: 11/14, 162 YDS |
| Bills 🦬 | 31 |
Browns | 7 |
K. Allen: 10/12, 128 YDS, 1 TD |
| Falcons 🦅 | 34 |
Colts | 6 |
J. Strand: 12/17, 212 YDS, 1 TD |
| Ravens 🐦 | 13 |
Vikings | 3 |
J. Fagnano: 15/20, 123 YDS, 1 TD |
| Saints | 0 |
Rams 🐏 | 34 |
J. Hunter: 12 CAR, 68 YDS, 1 TD |
| Giants 🗽 | 26 |
Dolphins | 3 |
J. Winston: 15/21, 150 YDS |
| Bears | 9 |
Bengals 🐯 | 27 |
J. Johnson: 15/23, 156 YDS, 2 TD |
| Eagles | 21 |
Patriots 🏈 | 24 |
T. McKee: 16/22, 173 YDS, 2 TD |
| Chiefs | 15 |
Buccaneers 🏴☠️ | 16 |
J. Browning: 8/11, 84 YDS |
| Cowboys ⭐ | 34 |
Cardinals | 13 |
J. Milton III: 9/13, 179 YDS, 2 TD |
⚾ MLB — Saturday Scores (Aug. 22)
Fifteen games across the majors on Saturday — buckle up! Besides Philly's blowout, the Reds torched the Diamondbacks 11–5 (J. Bleday went 4-for-6 with a homer, triple, double AND 3 RBIs — a MONSTER game!), and the Mets thumped the White Sox 10–5 (L. Robert Jr. smashed 2 homers and drove in 3). The Angels beat the Rangers 3–0 behind R. Johnson's gem (7 IP, 0 ER), and the Athletics knocked off the Astros 4–3. In extras, the Orioles edged the Rays 3–2 in 10 innings on a clutch S. Basallo homer.
| Away | Sc | Home | Sc | Top Stat |
|---|
| Blue Jays 🍁 | 4 |
Yankees | 3 |
D. Cease: 6.2 IP, 8 K |
| Braves | 1 |
Brewers 🍺 | 4 |
J. Bauers: HR, 2 RBI |
| Nationals | 2 |
Marlins 🐟 | 4 |
J. Marsee: HR, SB |
| Cardinals | 3 |
Phillies 🔔 | 12 |
A. Painter: 7 IP, 8 K, 0 BB |
| Rays | 2 |
Orioles 🐦 | 3 (10) |
S. Basallo: HR, 2 RBI |
| Angels 😇 | 3 |
Rangers | 0 |
R. Johnson: 7 IP, 0 ER |
| Athletics ⚾ | 4 |
Astros | 3 |
J. Lopez: 6 IP, 9 K |
| Mets 🍎 | 10 |
White Sox | 5 |
L. Robert Jr.: 2 HR, 3 RBI |
| Giants | 2 |
Red Sox 🧦 | 3 |
A. Knizner: 3-4, HR, RBI |
| Tigers | 1 |
Royals 👑 | 3 |
M. Wacha: 7 IP, 6 K |
| Cubs | 4 |
Mariners ⚓ | 5 |
R. Arozarena: 3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI |
| Pirates | 3 |
Dodgers 💙 | 4 |
M. Muncy: 3-3, 2 doubles |
| Guardians 🛡️ | 4 |
Rockies | 3 |
J. Adell: HR, 3 RBI |
| Reds 🔴 | 11 |
Diamondbacks | 5 |
J. Bleday: 4-6, HR, 3B, 2B, 3 RBI |
| Twins | 5 |
Padres 🏖️ | 7 |
B. Lee: 3-4, HR, 2B, 2 R |
⚽ Soccer Saturday — Premier League, MLS, LaLiga & Serie A
There was a HUGE amount of soccer action on Saturday! In the Premier League, the biggest shock was Brentford smashing Spurs 3–0 — Tottenham fans are NOT happy. Hull City upset Manchester United 2–0, and Leeds United pulled off a 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest. In LaLiga, Real Madrid stayed hot with a 2–1 win at Espanyol. In Serie A, Inter Milan crushed Monza 4–1 in a statement win, and Napoli beat Genoa 2–0 on the road. Over in MLS, Vancouver absolutely demolished FC Dallas 5–0, and Minnesota United hammered San Jose 5–1. Nashville beat Columbus 3–2 in a thriller. Four ties on the day too — including LA Galaxy drawing CF Montréal 2–2!
Premier League Results:
| Home | Sc | Away | Sc |
|---|
| Hull 🐯 | 2 | Man United | 0 |
| Everton 🔵 | 2 | C Palace | 0 |
| Ipswich 🏴 | 2 | Sunderland | 1 |
| Nottm Forest | 0 | Leeds 🦚 | 1 |
| Brentford 🐝 | 3 | Spurs | 0 |
LaLiga Results:
| Home | Sc | Away | Sc |
|---|
| Athletic | 1 | Sevilla 🌹 | 3 |
| Valencia | 0 | Celta Vigo | 0 |
| Espanyol | 1 | Real Madrid 👑 | 2 |
Serie A Results:
| Home | Sc | Away | Sc |
|---|
| Inter Milan ⭐ | 4 | Monza | 1 |
| Udinese | 1 | Como | 1 |
| Genoa | 0 | Napoli 🔵 | 2 |
| Parma | 0 | Cagliari 🏝️ | 1 |
MLS Results:
| Home | Sc | Away | Sc |
|---|
| CF Montréal | 2 | LA Galaxy | 2 |
| Charlotte 🐝 | 3 | D.C. United | 1 |
| Cincinnati | 1 | Seattle | 1 |
| Miami | 1 | Toronto 🍁 | 2 |
| Orlando 🏰 | 2 | Salt Lake | 1 |
| Red Bull NY | 1 | Chicago | 1 |
| Nashville 🎸 | 3 | Columbus | 2 |
| St. Louis ⚽ | 2 | Houston | 1 |
| Austin | 1 | Philadelphia | 1 |
| Vancouver 🍁 | 5 | Dallas | 0 |
| LAFC | 1 | Portland | 1 |
| San Diego 🌊 | 3 | Colorado | 0 |
| San Jose | 1 | Minnesota ⭐ | 5 |
🌴 Offseason Watch
🏀 NBA
The NBA season is over for now! The 2025–26 season wrapped up with the Oklahoma City Thunder finishing with the best record in the league at 64–18. The Detroit Pistons (60–22) and San Antonio Spurs (62–20) were also powerhouses. No games yesterday — but training camps are coming soon! Get ready for tips-off in October 🗓️
🏀 College Basketball
College hoops is totally in the offseason right now. Teams are practicing, freshmen are settling into campus life, and coaches are putting together their game plans. The season usually tips off in early November — so there are still a couple months to wait. March Madness feels far away, but it'll be here before you know it! 📚🏀
📊 By the Numbers
15
MLB games played Saturday — biggest slate of the week!
Phillies' run total 🔥12
Painter's strikeouts 🎯8
Painter's walks allowed 😤0
Bleday hits (Reds) 💥4-for-6
Robert Jr. HR (Mets)2
Bills' win over Browns 🦬31–7
NFL preseason games10
MLS games Saturday ⚽13
Vancouver goals vs Dallas5
Minnesota goals vs SJ5
⚾ MLB Standings
GB = games behind leader
AL East
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| Rays 🌊 | 76-53 | — |
| Yankees | 73-56 | 3.0 |
| Red Sox | 70-59 | 6.0 |
| Blue Jays | 64-67 | 13.0 |
| Orioles | 63-67 | 13.5 |
AL Central
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| White Sox ⚾ | 67-62 | — |
| Guardians | 64-66 | 3.5 |
| Twins | 63-67 | 4.5 |
| Tigers | 61-68 | 6.0 |
| Royals | 57-74 | 11.0 |
AL West
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| Astros 🚀 | 65-65 | — |
| Rangers | 64-66 | 1.0 |
| Mariners | 62-68 | 3.0 |
| Angels | 52-78 | 13.0 |
| Athletics | 50-80 | 15.0 |
NL East
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| Braves 🔪 | 75-55 | — |
| Phillies | 72-58 | 3.0 |
| Marlins | 66-64 | 9.0 |
| Nationals | 61-70 | 14.5 |
| Mets | 59-71 | 16.0 |
NL Central
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| Brewers 🍺 | 81-49 | — |
| Cubs | 74-56 | 7.0 |
| Cardinals | 66-65 | 15.5 |
| Pirates | 63-68 | 18.5 |
| Reds | 62-68 | 19.0 |
NL West
| Team | W-L | GB |
|---|
| Dodgers 💙 | 79-51 | — |
| Padres | 70-60 | 9.0 |
| D-backs | 68-62 | 11.0 |
| Giants | 52-77 | 27.0 |
| Rockies | 50-79 | 29.0 |
🏈 NFL Preseason Records
These don't count in the regular season — just for fun! 🎉
AFC East
| Team | Record |
|---|
| Bills 🦬 | 2-0 |
| Patriots | 1-0-1 |
| Jets | 1-1 |
| Dolphins | 0-2 |
AFC North
| Team | Record |
|---|
| Bengals 🐯 | 2-0 |
| Ravens 🐦 | 2-0 |
| Steelers | 1-1 |
| Browns | 0-2 |
NFC East
| Team | Record |
|---|
| Cowboys ⭐ | 2-0 |
| Commanders | 1-1 |
| Giants | 1-1 |
| Eagles | 0-2 |
NFC South
| Team | Record |
|---|
| Buccaneers 🏴☠️ | 2-0 |
| Panthers | 2-1 |
| Falcons | 1-1 |
| Saints | 0-2 |
NFC West
| Team | Record |
|---|
| Rams 🐏 | 2-0 |
| 49ers | 1-1 |
| Cardinals | 1-2 |
| Seahawks | 0-1 |
🏀 NBA Final Standings (2025–26)
Season is over — here's how teams finished!
Top Teams — West
| Team | W-L |
|---|
| Thunder ⚡ | 64-18 |
| Spurs | 62-20 |
| Pistons | 60-22 |
| Nuggets | 54-28 |
| Celtics | 56-26 |
Top Teams — East
| Team | W-L |
|---|
| Pistons 🔩 | 60-22 |
| Celtics | 56-26 |
| Knicks | 53-29 |
| Lakers | 53-29 |
| Cavaliers | 52-30 |
🧠 Trivia Time!
-
Austin Painter struck out 8 Cardinals on Saturday. What's the name for striking out 3 batters in a row on just 9 pitches?
✅ Answer: An "Immaculate Inning!" (Super rare — Painter didn't do it, but it's good to know!)
-
The Bills beat the Browns 31–7 in the NFL preseason. Do preseason wins count toward a team's regular-season record?
✅ Answer: NOPE! Preseason records are totally separate. They don't count at all in the standings that matter!
-
Jo Bleday went 4-for-6 with a homer, triple, and double for the Reds. What's the only hit missing that would have made it a "cycle"?
✅ Answer: A single! A cycle = single + double + triple + home run in one game. Bleday was SO close!