Connect with us

Published

on

The Texas Rangers had a plan going into the season: Stay afloat during the first half until internal reinforcements arrived in the form of injured players such as Max Scherzer, Josh Jung and eventually Jacob deGrom.

Entering the final week of July, the defending World Series champions felt like they were executing that plan even if their record didn’t show it. The Rangers were starting to get healthy and were within striking distance of the division-leading Houston Astros in the AL West race. An opportunity to become MLB’s first repeat champions since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000 still seemed like a possibility and the front office decided to go for it again despite rumors it might subtract at the deadline.

Instead, the team went backward. A 1-5 finish to July foreshadowed an August swoon that has dropped Texas’ playoff odds below 1% entering the final month.

“We are self-reflecting right now in terms of what we could have done differently to have more success this year,” Rangers GM Chris Young told ESPN recently. “Did we overachieve that much and were these players outperforming projected outcomes collectively in a magical year? That’s not how we felt.”

Whatever the reason, the Rangers have not been able to find the same touch that carried them through last season. Some of the reinforcements had come, but they didn’t make the difference Texas was counting on. Just over a month after returning from his back injury in late June, Scherzer went on the injured list for a shoulder ailment and hasn’t pitched since. DeGrom is still rehabbing in the minors. Jung returned on July 30, but he has posted just a .246/.250/.351 slash line since.

More than anything, the lineup that carried Texas to its first championship has been unable to find a spark. That has been the most disappointing aspect this season.

“Most of our struggles started offensively,” Young said candidly. “That was our identity last year, as an elite offensive unit. We’ve taken a major step back. I can’t deny that. There are several contributing factors, the first of which is just some underperformance, some regression from some players that played significant roles last year that we were hoping would perform at that same level. They’ve taken a step back.”

After finishing third in the majors in runs scored last regular season and averaging 5.7 runs per game during the postseason, the Rangers expected the lineup to be the team’s strength again this season. Instead, Texas has plummeted to 22nd in the majors in runs scored this season.

“We didn’t build our roster to have an elite pitching staff,” Young said. “We built it to have a very good pitching staff but not elite. We didn’t build around pitching and defense to say we’re going to win every low scoring game. We thought the elite aspect of our team was offense. Obviously, that is not the case this year.”

Besides Jung, who missed much of the season with a wrist injury, the team has watched several key hitters take a step in the wrong direction this season. Last year’s breakout star, Adolis Garcia, has seen his OPS plunge from .836 last year to .678 this season. Catcher Jonah Heim also dropped more than 100 points in that category. Before getting injured, 2023 rookie sensation Evan Carter was hitting .188. Even veteran Marcus Semien’s numbers have dipped as his 97 OPS+ is his lowest in a full season since 2018.

“Of course you come in with a lot of confidence coming off a World Series,” Garcia said through the team interpreter. “I always come in like I’m supposed to and do my best. I’m trying to give my teammates that spirit to win every day. It doesn’t always happen.”


The challenge of repeating

If there is anyone in today’s game who understands the difficulty of repeating, it’s Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. This is his fourth attempt after winning World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014. It appears — barring a miraculous September — that he will go 0-for-4 without even making the postseason in any of those follow-up seasons.

“We tried to come out and be the hunter. I guess we got hunted,” Bochy said with a half-smirk. “The only common link I can give you is that guys don’t quite have the same years.”

From his four World Series titles, Bochy recited three common traits among teams that win it all — and noted they are especially needed when trying to win again: health, big years from your best players and some surprises.

“We didn’t hit on any of them,” Bochy stated candidly.

The Rangers have compiled the sixth-most days on the injured list this season, though that’s a bit skewed by deGrom, who has been on it all season. And Texas is getting another good season out of Seager, but he’s their only player with an OPS over .800.

While some regression might be expected after winning it all, several World Series-winning executives identified a surprising common trait that helped block their own repeat quests.

“It’s not the veterans,” one exec from a recent World Series champion said. “You would think it would be because playing seven months of baseball takes something out of you. But those stars know how to take care of themselves. Young players can feel like they’ve arrived when they haven’t quite yet.”

Young spent his offseason soaking up lessons like this from some of these executives who have been through the trials of the season after a title in hopes of avoiding becoming the latest World Series champion to fall off the next year.

“Whatever you just watched and whatever you just felt about your team that did something incredibly special, you can’t bottle that up and carry that over into next year,” Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told Young in one of those conversations. “It will be a completely different vibe and clubhouse. It’s hard to imagine that given what you just watched.”

Some gave him the Pat Gillick strategy, named after the three-time World Series champion executive, who espoused turning over 20% of the roster every offseason just to shake things up. But with a team consisting of high-paid veterans under long-term contracts and a young core that Texas is counting on for years to come, the Rangers were built more to run it back than for a roster overhaul and went into the season excited for the opportunity.

“It just shows how hard it is to win it even once,” outfielder Travis Jankowski said. “It doesn’t sound that difficult, right? We did it once, let’s do it again.”

Then there is the “hangover” aspect for a champion. Managers hate the word, but reality can strike for a team after playing games with immense intensity at the end of the previous season. In the Rangers’ case, both September and October were full of drama. The next time they picked up a baseball in a competitive setting was in late March, hardly the time of year that gets your adrenaline going. It was a concern.

“I was worried once things settled down,” Bochy said. “With all the hoopla and the ring ceremony and stuff. Really, we played decent after that. It was later we started struggling scoring runs.”

Texas was 16-14 on May 1. The plan started out well before going south. Part of it was something the players could not feel until going through it.

“Yes,” Infielder Nathaniel Lowe said when asked if there was an inherent challenge to repeating. “Because it’s like you’re showing up expecting to win. But all 29 other teams know you were the previous winner. They want to come at you.”

Rangers senior adviser Dayton Moore concurred, drawing on his experience as GM of the Kansas City Royals when they went to the World Series in 2014, then won it all in 2015 — but then finished 81-81 in 2016.

“You’re certainly not sneaking up on anyone,” he said. “There’s more intensity to every game, every moment, in every game. Teams are gunning for you. That’s OK. Hopefully you recognize that as a team and you meet the intensity of your opponent.”

Bochy believes his team prepared well to defend its title, but like many times before — including for him — things just haven’t come together for the defending champions. Texas isn’t eliminated just yet but talk of return trips to the Fall Classic has been replaced with simply trying to finish strong and perhaps get back to .500.

“Our window was open,” Young said. “I take full responsibility and accountability for it. I stand by where we were at the deadline and the decisions we made and the chance we gave this team to get hot and go on a run. And it just didn’t come together.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Ranking Elite 11 quarterbacks by system fit: Who could thrive at the next level

Published

on

By

Ranking Elite 11 quarterbacks by system fit: Who could thrive at the next level

The Elite 11 Finals annually spotlight the nation’s top high school quarterbacks, offering a firsthand look at how the next wave of signal-callers stacks up against elite competition.

With most participants already committed, it’s a valuable window into how these prospects will fit into their future college systems and translate to the next level. Here are the top 10 committed quarterbacks attending the event later this month ranked by system fit.

ESPN 300 ranking: 8

Tennessee’s scheme is plug-and-play friendly and fits Brandon’s big arm and sneaky mobility. There’s a clear trend emerging in Knoxville when it comes to quarterback traits in terms of stature, athleticism and arm strength. Brandon checks all three boxes. He’s very similar to former Vols standout Hendon Hooker and is further along developmentally than Hooker was at Brandon’s age. Though not quite as polished as Nico Iamaleava coming out of high school, Brandon throws a great deep ball, which Tennessee coach Josh Heupel requires from all his quarterbacks. By the time he arrives on campus, it’s likely at least one quarterback currently on the Tennessee roster will have hit the transfer portal.


ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Duke offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer is looking for a run-pass option quarterback with consistent accuracy and high-level production in the run game. Walker is that guy. He’s strikingly similar to Darian Mensah, the quarterback Duke brought in via the transfer portal, only Walker has a stronger arm. The Blue Devils want a dynamic runner at quarterback — something former QB Maalik Murphy wasn’t — and that’s what Walker is. A true playmaker, he also has a sky-high ceiling for development as a passer. Walker’s commitment is more evidence that the perception of Duke is shifting among top-tier recruits.


ESPN 300 ranking: 157

It’s easy to see why Arizona State’s coaching staff loves Fette considering he’s a mirror image of current quarterback Sam Leavitt. Fette is a sandlot-style riverboat gambler who thrives when the play breaks down. He looks like a pocket passer, but has the athleticism of a runner and can stress defenses with his legs. Coach Kenny Dillingham will use a lot of smoke and mirrors with shifts, motions, personnel groupings and backfield action to maximize Fette’s dynamic skill set and make him a threat both inside and outside the pocket.


ESPN 300 ranking: 6

Bell enters an ideal situation. The Longhorns don’t need to rush him, and instead can allow him to develop at his own pace. His fit is quite akin to Arch Manning‘s, and if Bell follows a similar blueprint he will get bigger, stronger and more mature over time. He already displays the tools of a high-level passer and adds value as a more capable runner than Quinn Ewers did in Steve Sarkisian’s system. Bell is a naturally gifted passer with a long track record of performance against elite competition, so he is ready to make the jump.


ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Regardless of Carson Beck‘s production this fall, Coleman will be able to deliver the dynamism that Miami showcased with Cam Ward at the helm, which will make the Hurricanes much more difficult to defend. Coleman is the type of player Miami will prefer at quarterback in the long run. He has moxie, a gunslinger’s mentality and a live arm capable of making off-platform plays look routine. Remind you of anyone?


ESPN 300 ranking: 155

It’s easy to see shades of former Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams when watching Jonas Williams. He’s a naturally creative and improvisational quarterback. The play is never over, sometimes to a fault, but often to devastating effect. Williams can move the launch point and change arm angles, especially when asked to get the ball out quickly on screens and underneath throws. He thrives in chaos and can run the play-action offense Lincoln Riley loves to employ.


ESPN 300 ranking: 16

Henderson is another signal-caller with similarities to Darian Mensah, who played for current Houston coach Willie Fritz at Tulane. Landing Henderson was a huge win for Fritz. Henderson is a terrific athlete who can reach 20.6 mph max speed, an elite number for a quarterback. We’re intrigued to see whether he sticks at quarterback or moves to another position. For that reason, he’s more of a developmental player who needs to get more consistent in the passing game, but he has a high ceiling regardless of position.


ESPN 300 ranking: 198

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Huhn has the kind of stature coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki love. Though not as mobile as Drew Allar, Huhn is very athletic in the pocket. He can extend plays and shows strong anticipation off play-action. Huhn loves to play under center, which is a valuable trait in a Penn State offense that blends shotgun and traditional looks. With a scheme that frequently shifts the launch point through varied play-action concepts, Huhn’s footwork and functional mobility make him a natural fit.


ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

It’s still unclear exactly what North Carolina’s offense will look like under Bill Belichick, but recent quarterback additions offer a clue. The Tar Heels brought in dual-threat options in South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez and 2025 commit Bryce Baker. Neither is a traditional pocket passer, nor is Burgess. He’s a great get for North Carolina with his athleticism, live arm, quick release and developmental upside. He also won’t be thrust into action immediately. Once the staff understands his strengths, he’s the kind of player it can build a system around. Though not as tall, he’s reminiscent of NC State’s CJ Bailey.


ESPN 300 ranking: N/A — three-star

Cherry is the prototypical athletic pocket passer for Jeff Brohm’s system. He’s decisive, releases the ball quickly and anticipates plays well. Combine that with Brohm’s tried-and-true scheme, and it’s easy to see why Louisville is a destination for quarterbacks such as Cherry who are looking to up their game. He is similar to Cardinals transfer quarterback Miller Moss in both skill and style. Cherry thrives in quick-game concepts, excels in the intermediate passing attack and is highly effective off deep play-action. Louisville is attractive for Cherry because it always layers good skill players around its quarterback.

Continue Reading

Sports

Panthers-Oilers Game 6 preview: Can the Oilers force a Game 7?

Published

on

By

Panthers-Oilers Game 6 preview: Can the Oilers force a Game 7?

Will Tuesday night’s matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers be the final game of the 2024-25 season? Or will there be one more on Friday?

The Panthers lead 3-2 in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final ahead of Game 6 (8 p.m. ET, TNT/Max). If they win, they skate the Cup on home ice. If the Oilers win, Game 7 is back in Edmonton.

Here are notes on the matchup from ESPN Research, as well as betting intel from ESPN BET:

More from Game 5: Recap | Grades

Matchup notes

Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers
Game 6 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT/Max

With a 3-2 lead ahead of Game 6 on home ice, the Panthers are now -400 favorites to win the Cup and the Oilers are +300; those numbers are adjusted from prior to Game 5, when both clubs were -110. As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, Sam Bennett remains the leader, but his odds have shifted from +150 to -190. Brad Marchand (+300), Connor McDavid (+700) and Leon Draisaitl (+700) round out the top four.

The Panthers are seeking to become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions by beating the same team since the Montreal Canadiens did so against the Boston Bruins in 1977 and 1978 — for the Habs, those were titles No. 2 and 3 of four straight earned between 1976 and 1979. A Panthers win would be the fourth Stanley Cup for a team based in the state of Florida this decade (the Tampa Bay Lightning won in 2020 and 2021).

The Oilers are facing elimination for the first time in the 2025 playoffs. Last year, they were 5-1 when facing elimination — including three wins in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final after falling behind 3-0. Road teams facing elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final have gone 6-6 in the past 12 occurrences.

Marchand is having a superb Stanley Cup Final, scoring six goals thus far. That marks the most goals in a Cup Final since Esa Tikkanen (1988, also six). Marchand is the first player to score five or more goals with multiple teams in a Cup Final, and his five road goals in this series are the most in a single Cup Final since Jack Adams had six for the Vancouver Millionaires in 1922. With multiple multigoal games in the Cup Final, Marchand joins Jeff Friesen (New Jersey Devils, 2003) and Max Talbot (2009, Pittsburgh Penguins) as the only players to pull off that feat in the past 30 years.

Teammate Sam Bennett is also entering historic territory. With a goal in Edmonton in Game 5, he became the fifth player in NHL history with a streak of six straight road games with a goal. He is also the fourth active NHL player to score 15 goals in a single postseason, joining Zach Hyman (16, 2024), Alex Ovechkin (15, 2018) and Sidney Crosby (15, 2009).

Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky tied the NHL record for most road wins in a single postseason (10). The other five goalies tied atop the list are: Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues, 2019), Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals, 2018), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings, 2012), Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames, 2004), Martin Brodeur (Devils, 2000 and 1995).

With three goals in this series, Edmonton’s Corey Perry tied Mark Recchi (Bruins, 2011) and Igor Larionov (Detroit Red Wings, 2002) for the most goals by a player age 40 or older in a single Cup Final.

McDavid scored a point in every home game he played since the 4 Nations Face-Off break — a run of 17 straight games, with 36 points in that span. He reached 150 playoff points in 95 games, the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach that benchmark, behind Wayne Gretzky (68 games played) and Mario Lemieux (86).

With one more game-winning goal this series, Draisaitl would become just the third player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) — and first since 1977 — to have three game winners in a single Stanley Cup Final. The previous players to do so are Jacques Lemaire (1977) and Jean Beliveau (1965 and 1960), both of whom accomplished the feat for the Canadiens.

play

0:47

Oilers coach: We’ve overcome difficult situations before

Kris Knoblauch keeps faith in his Oilers as he reflects on losing Game 5 in Edmonton.


Scoring leaders

GP: 22 | G: 15 | A: 7

GP: 21 | G: 11 | A: 22


Best bets for Game 6

Evander Kane over 4.5 total hits (+107): The Oilers need to be more physical if they hope to have a legitimate shot at pushing this series to a Game 7. Saturday’s team total of 25 hits, including only a pair from Kane, isn’t going to cut it. An aggressive difference-maker when he’s at his best at nearing, but not crossing, the line as he has too often this series, the winger will be one to watch from the get-go Tuesday. Notably, he registered 17 total hits through both overtime games to open this series in Edmonton. Win or lose, Kane is going to serve as a factor. Hopefully for the Oilers, not by earning himself time in the penalty box.

Stuart Skinner under 25.5 total saves (-120): If Skinner — presuming coach Kris Knoblauch goes with his No. 1 netminder to start Game 6 — struggles, or the rest of the Oilers fail to perform well enough out front, he won’t last long enough in the crease to make 26 saves before all is said and done. The leash will be short in this must-win contest. Or perhaps Edmonton’s team defense rises to the occasion and prevents more scoring chances in support of their starting goaltender, as it did in earlier rounds versus Dallas and Vegas.

Connor McDavid first period anytime goal-scorer (+600): After Leon Draisaitl scored the opener in Game 1, the Panthers are perfect in four straight games at catching the back of the net first, outscoring Edmonton 11-4 altogether in the initial period. The Oilers understand reversing that trend would go a long way in helping them survive, particularly by forcing Florida to sway from their stifling defensive play. Who better to look to than McDavid, who finally found the back of the net this series in Saturday’s losing effort? The sport’s best player needs to shoot more, and he knows it. He’ll be revved right up to make a statement, early. — Victoria Matiash

Continue Reading

Sports

Ohtani allows 1 run, 2 hits in 28-pitch inning

Published

on

By

Ohtani allows 1 run, 2 hits in 28-pitch inning

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani jogged off the pitcher’s mound and leaned against the dugout railing while strapping on his elbow guard and batting gloves. He was thrown a towel to wipe the sweat off his face, then walked to the batter’s box to face San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease without taking any practice swings.

With that, Ohtani began his quest to once again do what many in the sport consider impossible.

Ohtani made his pitching debut from Dodger Stadium on Monday, giving up a run in his lone inning of work, then struck out in his first plate appearance as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ designated hitter, marking the first time he has pitched and hit in a game since Aug. 23, 2023. He would eventually finish 2-4 with two RBIs in his club’s 6-3 victory.

Ohtani is close to 21 months removed from a second repair of his right ulnar collateral ligament but faced hitters only three times before essentially rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation, his last session, from Petco Park in San Diego last Tuesday, spanning three simulated innings and 44 pitches.

Ohtani communicated to the Dodgers that facing hitters hours before games, then cooling off and having to ramp back up to DH later that night, was more taxing on his body than doing both simultaneously, prompting him to return to pitching sooner than expected. These initial starts will basically function as the continuation of Ohtani’s pitching rehab. On Monday, he was basically utilized as an opener.

Ohtani reached 99.9 mph and 100.2 mph with his fastball but also uncorked a wild pitch while utilizing 28 pitches to record the first three outs. Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a bloop single and Luis Arraez followed with a line-drive single. Ohtani should have recorded a strikeout of Manny Machado, who went around on a two-strike swing. But first-base umpire Ryan Blakney ruled otherwise, bringing the count to 2-2 and later prompting a sacrifice fly to score the game’s first run.

Ohtani followed by inducing groundouts to Gavin Sheets and Xander Bogaerts, and with that, his pitching debut was over.

The Dodgers hope it’s the first of many starts.

Ohtani, 30, functioned as a transformative two-way player from 2021 to 2023, winning two unanimous MVPs and also finishing as the runner-up to Aaron Judge. On offense, Ohtani slashed .277/.379/.585 with 124 home runs and 57 stolen bases. On the mound, he posted a 2.84 ERA with 542 strikeouts and 143 walks in 428⅓ innings.

Continue Reading

Trending