Skip to main content

Latest

Sports blog entries from across the web

⇧ Trending

Martínez dominates en route to first Cy Young Award

Pedro Martínez clinched his first NL Cy Young Award on Nov. 11, 1997, becoming the first Expos player and the first Dominican pitcher to win the honor. He posted a 17-8 record with a league‑best 1.90 ERA, 13 complete games, a 0.932 WHIP and 305 strikeouts—the first Latin American to surpass 300 Ks in a season. Despite the triumph, Montreal traded him to the Red Sox a week later. Martínez would later add two more Cy Youngs (1999, 2000) and enter the Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s all‑time greats.

#CardCorner: 1972 Topps Tug McGraw

The #CardCorner post celebrates the 1972 Topps Tug McGraw card, highlighting the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies reliever’s 19‑year career (96 wins, 180 saves, 3.14 ERA) and his iconic 1980 World Series strike‑out of Willie Wilson. It traces McGraw’s early life in Martinez, California, his switch from outfield to pitcher at Vallejo High, a junior‑college stint, and a memorable no‑hitter with the Cocoa Mets after signing an $8,000 bonus in 1964. The article notes his quirky barber hobby, his role as a clubhouse character, and his rise from a struggling 1965 rookie to a postseason hero for the Phillies.

Devon Levi steals the win, Leon Draisaitl’s ridiculous goal pace, and Jake Walman healthy scratched again

The Oilers extend their home streak with a 3-1 victory over the Rangers on Nov. 10, 2026, thanks to rookie goalie Devon Levi’s spectacular 28‑save performance (28/29, .966 SV%). Levi, now 8‑1‑0 in his first nine starts, made the key stops that kept the win in reach. Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl continues his hot streak, scoring his sixth goal in four games and reaching 18 goals in 19 games – a pace for 79 goals in a full season – while often flying under the media radar beside Connor McDavid. The win also marks another healthy scratch for defenseman Jake Walman.

The Human Element, the ABS System, and the Royals Hall of Fame

Matt Quatrano reflects on the limits of both human managers and relievers, citing FanGraphs data that the 2026 MLB reliever ERA averaged 3.48 and that Louis Varland posted a 1.27 ERA over 50+ relief innings. He then critiques the Automated Ball‑Strike (ABS) system, noting teams hoard challenges after losing one and batters rarely contest calls, giving pitchers an edge in an already defense‑heavy league. Quatrano argues the "human element" should remain only where it enhances on‑field competition, while computers handle bias‑free tasks like ball‑strike calls. The piece links to his Effectively Wild podcast for deeper analysis.

Mets International Free Agent Profile: Hiromi Itoh

Mets International Free Agent Profile: Hiromi Itoh traces the Hokkaido‑born right‑hander’s rise from a fisherman’s son to NPB standout. Drafted 1st round by the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2020, Itoh posted a 2.90 ERA in 146 innings as a rookie, earned All‑Star honors in 2022, and shone for Samurai Japan in the 2023 WBC. After a rough 2023 season, he rebounded with a 2.65 ERA and two Player of the Month awards in 2024, then dominated in 2025 with a league‑leading 2.52 ERA, 195 strikeouts and a 29 BB/9 rate. The Fighters reached the Pacific League Climax Series both years but fell to the SoftBank Hawks in the final stage.

MLB

Chiefs Film Review: Analyzing the run game against the Jets

The Kansas City Chiefs dominated the ground game against the New York Jets, racking up 155 yards on 27 carries (5.7 YPC) and two touchdowns despite a modest longest run of 13 yards. A 55% success rate highlights the precision of their zone‑blocking scheme, with center Creed Humphrey, tackle Kahlil Benson, and guards Kingsley Suamataia, Trey Smith, and Jaylon Moore creating horizontal movement and cut‑back lanes for Kenneth Walker and Emmett Johnson. The film breakdown shows how pre‑snap motion, balanced six‑vs‑five blocking and the backs’ vision turned modest gaps into big gains, underscoring the Chiefs’ revitalized under‑center run attack.

Beyond the Box Score: “After further review…”

Missouri fell to Texas in a tightly contested game, losing by two scores amid controversy over the officiating crew’s review decisions. The Tigers’ offensive woes were evident: they converted just 3 of 16 third‑down attempts, averaged only 3.3 points per scoring opportunity versus Texas’s 5.7, and started drives at the 38‑yard line compared to Texas’s 47‑yard line, a 9‑yard field‑position edge. Running back Jamal Roberts highlighted the disparity, rushing for 65.7 yards in the loss versus 162.4 yards in wins. The author argues the SEC should make replay reviews public and calls for better offensive strategy, especially on field‑goal attempts.

2026 Dodgers minor league review: Charles Davalan

Charles Davalan captured the Midwest League MVP award in 2026, becoming the Dodgers' first league MVP since Andy Pages in 2021. The 22‑year‑old outfielder posted a .292/.402/.535 line with 24 homers, 72 RBIs, 29 doubles and 103 runs over 115 High‑A games, leading the league in hits (128) and doubles. He finished 79th among MLB’s top 100 prospects and earned a late‑season promotion to Double‑A, homering in both playoff games. Despite a modest .683 OPS in the Arizona Fall League, Davalan showed positional versatility by handling second base, a skill that could add value to the Dodgers’ depth chart.

LSU vs. Alabama: Week 10 Game MVP

In a low‑scoring Week 10 showdown, LSU’s wide receiver Jackson Harris emerges as the standout player. Harris records his second straight 150‑yard game, hauling in 11 catches for 166 yards on 18 targets, keeping the Tigers’ offense alive against a stingy Alabama defense. Despite limited production overall, his red‑zone impact sparks LSU’s drives. With another top defense returning to Baton Rouge next week, Harris’ hot streak will be crucial. The article invites fans to weigh in on his MVP candidacy.

Ohio State game week: David Braun presser notes

Northwestern head coach David Braun reflects on the 14-0 loss to Iowa and previews the Wildcats' showdown with No. 12 Ohio State on Nov. 14. Braun praised Ohio State coach Ryan Day and highlighted the Buckeyes' depth, calling quarterback Jeremiah Smith the best player in college football and noting a formidable defensive line. He urged his team to objectively assess their own weaknesses, especially on offense and special teams, and to focus on urgency and execution early against the hostile environment in Columbus. Braun also lauded tight end Luke Dehnicke’s confidence and discussed the broader impact of the expanded 24‑team playoff.

The Matvei Michkov and Nick Seeler Argument is the Perfect Snapshot of Contrasting Flyers Philosophies

After the Flyers’ win in Vancouver on Nov. 10, 2026, a heated bench argument between rookie star Matvei Michkov and veteran Nick Seeler stole the spotlight. The clash erupted when Michkov circled the offensive zone, chose a low‑percentage shot over a pass to Seeler, and sparked a 3‑on‑2 counter‑attack. The incident highlights the team’s philosophical divide: Michkov’s high‑risk, high‑reward creativity versus Seeler’s conservative, possession‑first approach. Fans and analysts see the spat as a micro‑cosm of the Flyers’ identity battle—whether to embrace daring playmaking or stick to traditional, low‑event hockey under coach Rick Tocchet.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings: Did the 49ers move up after big win over Raiders?

The San Francisco 49ers’ 38-17 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders keeps them tied for the league’s best record at 7-1 and solidifies their spot near the top of the Week 10 power rankings. ESPN, The Athletic, and CBS Sports all rank the 49ers at No. 2 behind the Buffalo Bills, while FOX Sports places them at No. 3. Highlights include a five‑turnover haul, a multi‑touchdown showing from Christian McCaffrey, and quarterback Brock Purdy entering MVP talk. The rankings shuffle around the Jaguars, Bears, Broncos and Chiefs, and the article notes the upcoming Week 12 clash with Seattle as a key test.

MLB Trade Rumors Free Agent Prediction Contest Closes TONIGHT!

The MLB Trade Rumors Free Agent Prediction Contest opens now, running until November 10 at 11 pm CT. Participants submit their free‑agent picks via Google Forms, can edit them later, and must provide an email for winner notification. Prizes include $500, $300, $100 for the top three, and Front Office memberships for the top 15. Winners are announced on the first day of the 2027 season (or June 30, 2027, if the season starts later). A public leaderboard will list full entrant names, so privacy‑conscious fans may skip the contest.

MLB

The Opener: GM Meetings, ROYs, Managers

MLB Trade Rumors kicks off its offseason roundup with three hot topics. First, GM meetings in Las Vegas spark early chatter about Tarik Skubal, with the Padres showing strong interest in the two‑time Cy Young right‑hander. Next, Rookie of the Year honors go to Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle (129 wRC+, 18 HR, 12 SB) and Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (32 HR, third in RBI), earning each club a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick, while the Guardians snag a bonus for Parker Messick's Cy Young voting finish. Finally, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will name Manager of the Year on Tuesday, with AL candidates Kevin Cash, Chad Tracy and Will Venable, and NL contenders Don Mattingly, Pat Murphy and Walt Weiss.

Re-grading the Sixers’ trade for Jaylen Brown ahead of first Celtics game

Ahead of the Celtics’ first visit to Philadelphia, Liberty Ballers re‑grades the Sixers’ offseason trade for Jaylen Brown. The Sixers receive Brown, while Boston gets Paul George plus multiple future first‑ and second‑round picks (2028‑2031). The blog gives the Sixers an A, noting Brown’s 22.3 PPG, 47.7% shooting and strong defensive impact (‑4.8 net rating on‑court, +6.7 on/off split) that helped lure LeBron James to the team. Boston earns an A‑, despite fan backlash, because the picks could prove valuable and Brown’s talent remains elite. The piece argues the trade already positions Philadelphia as an Eastern Conference title contender, while the Celtics’ long‑term verdict still hangs on future pick outcomes and potential extensions.