Knoxville Smokies seek playoff advancement under manager Lance Rymel
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 9:06 AM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
The Knoxville Smokies, managed by Lance Rymel, are in pursuit of a Southern League title as they face the Rocket City Trash Pandas in the divisional series. Having lost Game 1, the Smokies return home needing victories on September 17 and 18 to advance to the championship round. Rymel, in his third season with the team, is focused on both player development and winning. He aims to lead the squad to its fifth league championship, having previously won a title in 2022 with the South Bend Cubs.
- •Smokies lost Game 1 of the divisional series to the Trash Pandas.
- •The team must win on September 17 and 18 to stay in contention.
- •Rymel is seeking his second championship as a manager.
- •Rymel has been with the Cubs' organization for over a decade.
- •The Smokies returned to Knoxville in 2025 after a hiatus.
- 9:06 AMYahoo Sports — Knoxville Smokies playoff run fuels manager Lance Rymel's big-league dream | Exclusive
"Lance Rymel never reached the majors as a player. Now, he helps Cubs prospects get there while chasing a Smokies title and a new MLB dream.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
MiLB•Sep 16, 2026, 2:14 AMCubs Knoxville Smokies Wrap: Knoxville falls to Trash Pandas, 9-2
MiLB•Sep 15, 2026, 12:00 PMTuesday Scaling the Rockies: Hartford Yard Goats begin playoffs tonight
MiLB•Sep 14, 2026, 6:00 PMMonday Pebble Report: Jared Thomas runs all over the Patriots in final game of Yard Goats’ regular season
MiLB•Sep 13, 2026, 11:30 PMCubs Minor League Wrap: Iowa closes out home schedule with 2-1 win
MiLB•Sep 13, 2026, 4:05 AMCubs Minor League Wrap: Josiah Hartshorn moves to Knoxville
BaseballMiLB•Sep 11, 2026, 4:17 PMMinor league baseball: Reading Fightin Phils returning to playoffs