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As the month of January continues, we are keeping an eye on the NHL standings; after all, following the All-Star Weekend, the March 8 trade deadline will be here before you know it, and then the playoff races will really heat up.

Thursday night’s streaming doubleheader features three teams currently in playoff position, and one that has fared much better since a midseason coaching change. To help get you ready for Minnesota Wild–Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu) and Nashville Predators–Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu), we’ve assembled this handy fan’s guide.

Here are the key players to watch in each matchup, along with other intel courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information:

Minnesota Wild vs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Thursday, 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
Amalie Arena (Tampa, FL)

Wild

Power Rankings position: 26
Leading scorer: Kirill Kaprizov: 13 G | 22 A
Record: 18-20-5 (41 points)

  • Minnesota is 13-10-1 under John Hynes since he took over for the fired Dean Evason on Nov. 28. Evason was fired after the team started 5-10-4, their worst 19-game start since their inaugural season in 2000-01 (4-11-3). In the 24 games Hynes has coached, Minnesota has led after the first period in 10 of those games, tied for the second most in the NHL over that span. Minnesota is 9-1-0 in those games, tied for the second most wins among all NHL teams.

  • The Wild are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games against the Lightning, despite losing its last two games by multiple goals. Minnesota’s seven wins are the tied for the most over a 10-game span against Tampa Bay since the 2016-17 season with five other teams (the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Winnipeg Jets), and occurred during a stretch where the Lightning won two Stanley Cup titles.

  • Kirill Kaprizov is playing in his third game of the 2024 calendar year after being out from Dec. 30 to Jan. 13 with a lower-body injury. Despite missing seven of the team’s 43 games, Kaprizov leads Minnesota in points (35); if he finishes atop the list, it’ll be the fourth consecutive season he has done so. Over his last eight games, Kaprizov has 11 points (five goals, six assists), which is tied for the most points over an eight-game span by any player for the Wild this season.

  • Joel Eriksson Ek scored two goals in the team’s 5-0 shutout over the New York Islanders on Monday. With 17 goals through 43 games this season, Erikkson Ek is on pace for a career-high 30 goals this season. Eriksson Ek is taking most of his opportunities from the inner slot, with 99 shot attempts from that area of the ice this season, good for third highest in the NHL this season. Only John Tavares and Zach Hyman rank higher.

  • Marc Andre-Fleury passed Patrick Roy for sole possession of second on the NHL’s all-time goalie wins list (at 552, behind Martin Brodeur at 691) in a 5-0 shutout of the Islanders on Monday. Fleury’s shutout was his first this season, and his first since Feb. 23, 2023 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

  • According to ESPN BET, Brock Faber has the third shortest odds (+600) to with the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), behind Connor Bedard (-190) and Luke Hughes (+500). If Faber wins, he would be the first player in Wild franchise history to win the award, and would be the third defenseman in the last five years to win the trophy (Moritz Seider: 2021-22; Cale Makar; 2019-20).

Lightning

Power Rankings position: 22
Leading scorer: Nikita Kucherov: 28 G | 44 A
Record: 22-17-5 (49 points)

  • The Lightning are 22-17-5 this season, good for a .557 points percentage. That’s their lowest points percentage at the 44-game mark since the 2016-17 season when they were 20-20-4 (.500), the only time in which the Lightning missed the playoffs in a full season under coach Jon Cooper. The Lightning’s six straight playoff appearances are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for the third longest active streak, and trailing only the Bruins and Maple Leafs at seven straight.

  • Head coach Jon Cooper has won 588 games including playoffs in his career — all with the Lightning — the third most for a single franchise in NHL history, trailing Al Arbour’s 859 with the Islanders and Lindy Ruff’s 628 with the Buffalo Sabres. Since Cooper took over as Lightning head coach on March 25, 2013, no team has more wins including playoffs than the Lightning’s 589 — 22 more than any other team (Bruins, 567).

  • Nikita Kucherov’s 1.67 points per game leads the NHL. In the last 25 years, the only players with a higher rate in a season with at least 40 games are Connor McDavid in 2020-21 (1.88), McDavid in 2022-23 (1.87) and Mario Lemieux in 2000-01 (1.77).

  • Steven Stamkos has scored 204 career power-play goals, which is sixth all-time for a single franchise and one shy of tying Joe Sakic’s 205 for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche for fifth. Stamkos is one shy of recording his seventh straight season with at least 10 power-play goal, and 13th overall. There have been eight players in NHL history with 13 seasons of 10 power-play goals all-time: Alex Ovechkin (16), Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille (14 each), Keith Tkachuk, Brendan Shanahan, Dave Andreychuk, Dino Ciccarelli and Marcel Dionne (13 each).

  • According to NHL Edge, Brayden Point has 31 speed bursts of 22+ MPH, which is third in the NHL behind Nathan MacKinnon (62) and McDavid (35). His 270 bursts of 20+ MPH trails only MacKinnon (410) for most in the NHL. Point hit a max speed of 24.15 MPH on Dec. 27 vs the Panthers, in the third period with 17:11 remaining.

  • Andrei Vasilevskiy is 39th in save percentage this season, at .898. He has not finished a season with a save percentage below .910 and that hasn’t happened since 2015-16, which was his second NHL season.

Nashville
Predators vs.

Los Angeles
Kings

Thursday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)

Predators

Power Rankings position: 18
Leading scorer: Filip Forsberg: 22 G | 26 A
Record: 24-19-1 (49 points)

  • The Predators are 11-2-1 (.821) vs. the Kings since 2017-18, their third best point percentage against an opponent during that span, behind the New Jersey Devils (9-0-1, .950) and Islanders (10-1-0, .909).

  • Nashville has played physical this season, leading the NHL with 1,008 hits, 115 more than any other team (Islanders, 893). They also have 19 major penalties this season, tied with the Ducks for second most in the NHL behind the Wild (23).

  • Filip Forsberg has 48 points through 44 team games this season. With two more points in the next two games, that will be the fewest team games by any Predators player to reach 50 points in a season. The current fastest pace was by Paul Kariya in 2006-07 (47 team games).

  • Ryan O’Reilly has 10 power-play goals this season, tied with Nikita Kucherov and Brock Boeser for the third in the NHL behind Sam Reinhart (16) and Valeri Nichushkin (13). No other Predators skater has more than four this season (Tommy Novak and Roman Josi).

  • Roman Josi enters with 166 career goals, all with the Predators, tied with Shea Weber for third in franchise history, behind Forsberg (261) and David Legwand (210).

  • Luke Evangelista has a goal in back-to-back games. With a goal against L.A., he will be the fifth Predators skater age 21 or younger with a goal in three straight games: Forsberg (three times), Alexander Radulov (three times), Kevin Fiala (two times), and Scott Hartnell (2003).

Kings

Power Rankings position: 11
Leading scorer: Anze Kopitar: 14 G | 25 A
Record: 21-12-8 (50 points)

  • The Kings enter this game with the third most points in the Pacific Division, but only a one-point lead over the Oilers (24-15-1, 49 points) and Predators (24-19-1, 49). Los Angeles remains ahead of Nashville and Edmonton due to their hot start, winning 16 of their first 23 games to begin the season (16-4-3, .761), compared to 5-8-5 (.417) over their last 18 games (since Dec. 9). That .417 mark is the fifth worst points percentage in the NHL during that span, ahead of the Anaheim Ducks (.306), Chicago Blackhawks (.289), Ottawa Senators (.278) and San Jose Sharks (.167).

  • Los Angeles’ best period has been the first. The Kings’ +18 goal differential in the first period is second best in the NHL this season, behind the Vancouver Canucks (+22), and their 24 goals against in the opening period are tied with the Bruins for the fewest by any team. The Predators have a +2 goal differential in the first period, their only period with a positive goal differential this season.

  • Anze Kopitar has played in the second most games among active NHL forwards (1,333) behind Alex Ovechkin (1,386). He’s the Kings franchise all-time leader in games played and assists (773) while his 1,180 career points are second in team history behind Marcel Dionne (1,307).

  • Drew Doughty and Kopitar have factored on the same goal 296 times in their career. That is the third most instances by a forward-defenseman pair in NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky-Paul Coffey (350) and Phil Esposito-Bobby Orr (306) They recently passed Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang for third (295).

  • Trevor Moore has a team-leading 20 goals this season, making him the first California-born player in NHL history to score 20 goals in a season with a California-based team (he was born in Thousand Oaks, CA). Moore has four games with multiple goals this season, one more than all his other seasons combined.

  • The line with Moore, Phillip Danault and Kevin Fiala hasn’t been as productive of late. Through Dec. 9, they averaged 4.01 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5; since then, the rate has dropped to 2.88.

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NHL Power Rankings: Panic or patience on these struggling players in fantasy hockey?

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2 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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NHL Power Rankings: Panic or patience on these struggling players in fantasy hockey?

  • Sean Allen

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    Sean Allen

    Special to ESPN.com

      Sean Allen is a fantasy analyst for ESPN.com. He was the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hockey Writer of the Year. You can tweet him @seanard.

  • Victoria Matiash

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    Victoria Matiash

    Fantasy Hockey

    • ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
    • Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010

Nov 15, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

Another week, another No. 1 landing spot for the Winnipeg Jets in the ESPN NHL Power Rankings. But who finishes 2-32?

Plus, it’s another fantasy hockey takeover week, with Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash identifying one player per team who is off to a slow start (relative to his teammates or expectations) and advising fantasy managers whether to have patience or panic at this time.

And as a reminder, it’s not too late to join ESPN Fantasy Hockey. Sign up for free and start playing today!

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 8. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 88.24%

Cole Perfetti, LW (28.9% rostered in ESPN Fantasy leagues): As difficult as it is to find fault with anything Jets-related these days, Perfetti isn’t quite meeting 2024-25 fantasy expectations yet. But the 22-year-old remains cemented on the Jets’ second scoring line and power play, and he has pitched in enough multipoint showings to merit another look in deeper leagues. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 16), vs. FLA (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 73.33%

Brent Burns, D (69.5%): The writing had been on the wall, faintly sketched with a carpenter’s pencil, but now it’s been retraced in ink. Shayne Gostisbehere has the power play on lock, and Burns doesn’t put up the points without it now. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. OTT (Nov. 16), vs. STL (Nov. 17), @ PHI (Nov. 20), @ NJ (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 67.65%

Gustav Forsling, D (68.8%): Playoff heroics can inflate rostership numbers even this far into the future, but Forsling isn’t a must-have fantasy contributor. You can find a defenseman with a higher ceiling among your league’s free agents. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 16), @ WPG (Nov. 19), @ CHI (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 78.13%

Marc-Andre Fleury, G (51.8%): As long as Filip Gustavsson continues to perform dependably well, the veteran No. 2 isn’t going to play much. There are other lesser-rostered backups in the league — Jake Allen and Jonathan Quick come to mind — who offer more fantasy punch than Fleury. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 16), @ STL (Nov. 19), @ EDM (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 70.00%

Matt Roy, D (45.6%): After a breakout fantasy campaign with the Kings last season, cut Roy some slack. He has had only a handful of games to get used to his new teammates, and the minutes are there to get the job done. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ COL (Nov. 15), @ VGK (Nov. 17), @ UTA (Nov. 18), vs. COL (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.00%

Mika Zibanejad, C (95.6%): Zibanejad has had slow starts before — 1.78 FPPG in 2021-22 and 1.93 FPPG last season — yet still finished over 2.00 FPPG. His current 1.58 FPPG isn’t alarming. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 17), @ VAN (Nov. 19), @ CGY (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 68.75%

Brayden McNabb, D (52.3%): Returning to his selfless ways — highlighted by five blocked shots against the Ducks Wednesday — McNabb is already working back into his fantasy managers’ good graces. While hardly a prolific producer, the veteran should start pitching in a few more points, too. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ UTA (Nov. 15), vs. WSH (Nov. 17), @ TOR (Nov. 20), @ OTT (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 65.00%

Luke Hughes, D (39.1%): He did an admirable job filling in for an injured Dougie Hamilton as a rookie last season, but unless that situation arises again, it looks as though Hughes is out of the limelight for this campaign. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ TB (Nov. 16), vs. CAR (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 66.67%

Roope Hintz, C (79.8%): Some bad puck luck, illustrated by his 6.7% shooting percentage through six recent contests (career: 16.5%), is partially to blame for Hintz’s current skid. But the perennial 30-plus goal scorer is bound to get back on track soon, especially once Peter DeBoer inevitably juggles his lines again. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ MIN (Nov. 16), vs. ANA (Nov. 18), vs. SJ (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 63.33%

Filip Hronek, D (51.9%): He’s averaging approximately a single shot and blocked shot per game. Unlike last season, the compensatory scoring isn’t there to make up for those shortcomings. Hronek appears far more valuable to the Canucks as Quinn Hughes‘ defensive partner than to his fantasy managers. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 16), vs. NSH (Nov. 17), vs. NYR (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 58.33%

Quinton Byfield, RW (43.2%): The lack of a single power-play point is one concern, along with his removal from the top unit. Through the fantasy lens, so is Byfield’s third-line role. If all remains as is, we might be in for another season of inconsistent fantasy returns. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. DET (Nov. 16), vs. BUF (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 61.11%

Matthew Knies, LW (42.4%): He has been making hay while the sun shines, so to speak, as he gets first power-play unit access while Auston Matthews is out. The confidence boost should carry over to when Matthews returns, and they are linemates again. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. EDM (Nov. 16), vs. VGK (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 55.88%

Jeff Skinner, C (45.0%): Afforded the opportunity to compete alongside just about every Oiler up front, including two of the best centers in the biz, the veteran winger has nonetheless failed to offer much of a productive presence. Now Skinner appears relegated to Edmonton’s fourth line. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 16), @ MTL (Nov. 18), @ OTT (Nov. 19), vs. MIN (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 56.67%

Jake Guentzel, LW (98.8%): Guentzel’s overall output is fantastic already, but with just two power-play points so far, he has yet to add his usual production with the man advantage. If he does, his already strong fantasy profile could get a big boost. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 16), @ PIT (Nov. 19), @ CBJ (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 52.94%

Devon Toews, D (66.7%): While it has taken the defender time to warm up after a delayed start to 2024-25, Toews now appears back in his groove: blocking shots, contributing to the score sheet and skating more minutes than nearly everyone else. Cale Makar‘s partner hasn’t averaged 0.58 points per game throughout his career by accident. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 15), @ PHI (Nov. 18), @ WSH (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 53.13%

Linus Ullmark, G (84.8%): The Senators are showing signs of competing, and we know Ullmark is capable of being among the best. Patience might already be paying off with some of his recent road outings against tough division rivals. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 16), vs. EDM (Nov. 19), vs. VGK (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 55.88%

Nazem Kadri, C (78.4%): While no one is scoring much for the Flames these days, including their No. 1 center, this too shall pass. Perhaps it’ll play out like last season, when Kadri collected two points in October before erupting for 13 in November, then maintained that scoring pace for the duration of the season. Also, he shoots the puck a lot. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (Nov. 15), vs. NYI (Nov. 19), vs. NYR (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.00%

Charlie McAvoy, D (89.9%): The Bruins’ offense might be slower this season, but McAvoy’s 1.64 FPPG is still too low. Give him time. Not enough has changed to drop him far from his 2.29 FPPG average over the past three seasons. Verdict: Patience

Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 16), vs. CBJ (Nov. 18), vs. UTA (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 53.13%

Barrett Hayton, C (17.5%): According to analysis by Evolving Hockey, the third-line center (for now) should be scoring more goals in accordance with the quality of his shots. That offers some comfort in light of his current skid. While Hayton certainly needs to play more minutes and shoot on net more often, he doesn’t merit giving up entirely in deeper fantasy leagues. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 15), vs. WSH (Nov. 18), @ BOS (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 52.94%

Brock Nelson, C (76.9%): The Isles’ collective offense isn’t weaker than it has been for several years. Nelson has averaged 2.03 FPPG across the past three seasons. He’ll come around. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 16), @ CGY (Nov. 19), @ DET (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.00%

Patrick Kane, RW (66.3%): If the Red Wings’ power play were in the dumps, maybe we could preach patience for Kane. But it’s not, and it might be time to move on from Kane in fantasy. He is getting all the opportunities required and is just not producing. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 15), @ LA (Nov. 16), @ SJ (Nov. 18), vs. NYI (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 50.00%

Dylan Cozens, C (49.3%): It is time to move off Cozens. He had that banner 2022-23 but is now matching the reduced fantasy production that lasted all of last season. Even an uptick in performance might not be enough to get to fantasy relevance from his current 1.41 FPPG. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ PHI (Nov. 16), @ LA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.00%

Adam Larsson, D (60.5%): Despite the relative drought, the top-pair defenseman still blocks a sufficient number of shots to merit rostering in deeper standard leagues. Plus, he’ll soon fall back into his usual (however relatively modest) scoring groove. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Nov. 16), vs. NYR (Nov. 17), vs. NSH (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 44.12%

Jordan Binnington, G (55.1%): After winning the season opener against Seattle, the Blues’ No. 1 has yet to beat anyone outside of the Atlantic Division. Shouldering a 4-7-0 record, .887 save percentage and 3.26 goals-against average, Binnington has cost his fantasy managers a total net loss of 1.8 points. Yes, negative points. There are likely brighter days ahead for the banged-up Blues, but when? Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ BOS (Nov. 16), @ CAR (Nov. 17), vs. MIN (Nov. 19), vs. SJ (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 47.06%

Joel Farabee, LW (50.7%): Farabee, Tyson Foerster, Scott Laughton; Take your pick of Flyers who were just picking up some fantasy momentum in their career but have been buried on the depth chart by the new core group. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 16), vs. COL (Nov. 18), vs. CAR (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 38.24%

Teuvo Teravainen, RW (41.4%): The Blackhawks’ offseason acquisition has one goal and zero assists in his past 11 games, and he isn’t shooting with any consistency. Even back on a scoring line with Connor Bedard, Teravainen can’t be counted on to contribute regularly enough. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 16), vs. ANA (Nov. 19), vs. FLA (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 41.67%

Erik Karlsson, D (94.1%): It’s been a season and a quarter now, so what we see from Karlsson as a Penguin might be what we get. He’s not the sole source of offense, so downgraded fantasy output is just the new normal. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ CBJ (Nov. 15), vs. SJ (Nov. 16), vs. TB (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 40.00%

Ivan Provorov, D (19.2%): No one on the Blue Jackets is underperforming in a big way, but even 20% rostership is too high for Provorov. If he’s not on the first pair, you can safely pretend he’s not there. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (Nov. 15), @ MTL (Nov. 16), @ BOS (Nov. 18), vs. TB (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 38.24%

Gustav Nyquist, RW (16.6%): Once replaced by Steven Stamkos on the Predators’ top line, Nyquist lost most of his fantasy charm. It’s no coincidence the winger was at his most productive when skating alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 15), @ VAN (Nov. 17), @ SEA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 40.00%

Lukas Dostal, G (60.7%): The Ducks allow the most shots against (35.5 per game) while scoring the fewest goals (2.20 per game). Plus, a healthy John Gibson is back to share Anaheim’s crease. Dostal’s successful fantasy run was fun while it lasted. It’s time to move on. Verdict: Panic.

Next seven days: vs. DET (Nov. 15), @ DAL (Nov. 18), @ CHI (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 36.11%

William Eklund, LW (56.2%): The sophomore is playing a ton of minutes, pitching in assists and now skating on a scoring line with Mikael Granlund. Which is a good thing. Yes, we’d all like to see him shoot more. Verdict: Patience.

Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 16), vs. DET (Nov. 18), @ DAL (Nov. 20), @ STL (Nov. 21)

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 35.29%

Sam Montembeault, G (22.3%): The Habs don’t look like they’ll win enough for Monty to shine in redraft leagues, but if you drafted him for a keeper league, there are positive signs for the future. Verdict: Patience, at least for the long term.

Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 16), vs. EDM (Nov. 18)

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Sale, Crochet named comeback players of year

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10 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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Sale, Crochet named comeback players of year

  • Associated Press

Nov 14, 2024, 10:21 PM ET

LAS VEGAS — Left-handers Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves and Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox won Major League Baseball’s Comeback Player of the Year awards on Thursday.

Cleveland right-hander Emmanuel Clase won his second AL Reliever of the Year award and St. Louis righty Ryan Helsley won the NL honor.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani joined David Ortiz as the only players to win four straight Outstanding Designated Hitter awards. Ohtani and the New York Yankees‘ Aaron Judge won Hank Aaron Awards as the outstanding offensive performers in their leagues.

Major League Baseball made the announcements at its All-MLB Awards Show.

Sale, 35, was 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 177⅔ innings for the NL’s first pitching triple crown since the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw in 2011. He earned his eighth All-Star selection and first since 2018.

Sale helped Boston to the 2018 World Series title but made just 56 starts from 2020-23, going 17-18 with a 4.86 ERA, 400 strikeouts and 79 walks over 298⅓ innings. He was acquired by Boston from the White Sox in December 2016 and made nine trips to the injured list with the Red Sox, mostly with shoulder and elbow ailments. He had Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020, and returned to a big league mound on Aug. 14, 2021.

Sale fractured a rib while pitching in batting practice in February 2022 during the management lockout. On July 17, in his second start back, he broke his left pinkie finger when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of the Yankees’ Aaron Hicks. Sale broke his right wrist while riding a bicycle en route to lunch on Aug. 6, ending his season.

Crochet, 25, was 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA over 32 starts for a White Sox team that set a post-1900 record of 121 losses, becoming a first-time All-Star. He struck out 209 and walked 33 in 146 innings.

He had Tommy John surgery on April 5, 2022, and returned to the major leagues on May 18, 2023. Crochet had a 3.55 ERA in 13 relief appearances in 2023, and then joined the rotation this year.

Sale and Crochet were chosen in voting by MLB.com beat writers.

Clase and Helsley were unanimous picks by a panel that included Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera, Dennis Eckersley and Rollie Fingers, along with John Franco and Billy Wagner. The AL award is named after Rivera and the NL honor after Hoffman.

A three-time All-Star, Clase was 4-2 with a 0.61 ERA, 66 strikeouts and 10 walks in 74⅓ innings, holding batters to a .154 average. The 26-year-old converted 47 of 50 save chances, including his last 47.

Voting was based on the regular season. Clase was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in the playoffs, allowing three home runs, one more than his regular-season total.

Helsley, a two-time All-Star, was 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA and 49 saves in 53 chances. He struck out 79 and walked 23 in 66⅓ innings.

Ohtani became the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. A two-way star limited to hitting following elbow surgery, Ohtani batted .310 and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs while stealing 59 bases.

Ortiz won the DH award five years in a row from 2003-07.

The DH award, named after Edgar Martinez, is picked in voting by team beat writers, broadcasters and public relations departments. MLB.com writers determined the finalists for the Aaron awards, and a fan vote was combined with picks from a panel of Hall of Famers and former winners to determine the selections.

Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers and 144 RBIs while hitting .322.

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QB Castellanos exits after losing BC starting job

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11 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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QB Castellanos exits after losing BC starting job

  • Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterNov 14, 2024, 08:54 PM ET

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      College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.

Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who lost his starting job earlier this week, will not be returning to the team, he announced Thursday night.

Castellanos, who started 12 games last season and retained the top job under new coach Bill O’Brien, wrote on X that “unfortunately, all good things come to an end, even though it’s sooner than I would like.” He did not mention the transfer portal in his departing message and has not officially entered it. The junior from Waycross, Georgia, started his career at UCF and appeared in five games in 2022.

O’Brien said Tuesday that Grayson James, who replaced Castellanos in last week’s win against Syracuse, will start Saturday when Boston College visits No. 14 SMU. Castellanos “wasn’t real thrilled” with the decision, O’Brien said, adding that the quarterback decided to step away from the team for several days.

Castellanos had 2,248 passing yards and 1,113 rushing yards last season under coach Jeff Hafley, passing for 15 touchdowns and adding 13 on the ground. He had 18 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this season, but his accuracy dipped in recent weeks, and he completed only 2 of 7 passes against Syracuse before being replaced.

In his statement, Castellanos thanked both coaching staffs he played for at Boston College and wrote that he had “some of the best experiences of my life in the Eagles Nest and I will truly cherish these memories forever.”

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