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After Freddie Freeman pulled a Kirk Gibson and before Yoshinobu Yamamoto completed a career-defining start, Teoscar Hernández made his own mark on this World Series, belting a two-run homer in Game 2 that provided the winning runs in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees. It was a moment that might go largely unnoticed in the story of this series, trampled in Game 2 by Shohei Ohtani‘s injury scare — but such anonymity might be fitting.

Hernández has spent all year as an overlooked-yet-crucial figure on a star-laden Dodgers team that is now two wins away from a title.

Amid a $1 billion splurge that was headlined by Ohtani, Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, Hernández accepted a one-year, $23.5 million contract largely because his market hardly materialized, an addition that seemed almost unnecessary. But the Dodgers’ lineup wouldn’t be as deep without his power. Their clubhouse wouldn’t be as united without his presence.

Hernández sipped on a cup of coffee near his home in the L.A. neighborhood of Studio City last week and reflected on a year that began with hope and will end, championship or not, “better than anything I could have imagined.” Hernández put together one of his best offensive seasons — with a .272/.339/.501 slash line, 33 homers and 99 RBIs in 154 games — won the Home Run Derby, and became the joyous, sunflower-seed-throwing, in-game-microphone-wearing face of one of baseball’s most famous teams.

“Shohei is obviously going to be MVP of the entire league,” Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said. “But to me, outside of him, Teoscar is our MVP.”


Ohtani and Yamamoto were the clear headliners of last winter’s free agent class, primed for nine-figure deals that would set new precedents. Following them in the pecking order was a vexing group of household names who demanded massive contracts but presented a wide range of concerns, a list consisting of Jordan Montgomery, Josh Hader, Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger.

Hernández resided in the tier just below them — not quite prominent enough to command big money but, perhaps, a safe bet amid the uncertainty. After Bellinger and Jung Hoo Lee, he was the best outfielder available. After Ohtani, he might have been the best power hitter. A three- to four-year deal seemed reasonable, if not likely.

“I thought it was going to be different,” Hernández said, turning to his agent, Rafa Nieves of Republik Sports, seated next to him. “We thought it was going to be different.”

Hernández, who turned 32 this month, entered free agency as a former All-Star with two Silver Slugger Awards and six seasons producing an OPS 19 percentage points above league average. From 2018 to 2023, he slashed .262/.317/.484 with 147 home runs and 442 RBIs. But he was coming off a down year in Seattle, in which he played a career-high 160 games but posted his lowest full-season OPS.

That, on top of the usual concerns about his defensive value and strikeout rate, stymied Hernández’s market. And so Hernandez received only two-year offers, with the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels emerging as the top suitors. A third guaranteed year from either team could have finalized a deal.

That neither presented it made the Dodgers increasingly more tempting.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes reached out to Nieves from the outset of free agency and was the first person he met with at the GM meetings in early November. The Dodgers would chase Ohtani and needed to address their rotation. After that, they wanted another bat. Even after they signed veteran corner outfielder Jason Heyward to a one-year, $9 million contract in late November, Hernández was their preference.

After a whirlwind few weeks that saw them sign Ohtani, Glasnow and Yamamoto, the Dodgers circled back with Nieves and ultimately landed on a one-year deal, but with a larger average annual value than Hernández’s other offers. Rather than long-term security, Hernández would reenter the market in a year. He’d bet on a Dodgers franchise that continually plays into October and holds a reputation for making players better.

Mostly, though, he’d bet on himself.

“It hasn’t been easy in my career,” Hernández said. “Nothing has been. But I’m the type of guy that punches back.”


Hernández grew up in the Dominican town of Maimón, a utility infielder who didn’t command much attention as a teenager. Scouts determined he wasn’t fast enough and didn’t possess enough power. He was viewed as the worst thing a projectable teenager can be: a tweener. From ages 15 to 18, he got nothing but empty promises and tepid interest.

“If I ask you how many tryouts I did to try to get signed, what do you think it is?” Hernández asked. “Throw out a number.”

10?

15?

30?

“I did over a hundred tryouts,” Hernández said.

In 2011, after starring at the Houston Astros‘ Dominican complex for the better part of a month, Hernández was fed up. He went home and decided to quit. He spent two weeks at his house without practicing before the Astros worked him out again and finally extended an offer — for $15,000. Hernández accepted.

“From that day I’ve been fighting and fighting and fighting,” Hernández said. “And it got harder and harder and harder every year.”

Six years later, the Astros traded Hernández to the Toronto Blue Jays midway through the 2017 season. Two years after that, in his age-26 season, Hernández cracked his first Opening Day roster, only to struggle mightily and get sent down six weeks later. His breakthrough 2020 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. His 2021 season was hampered by his own case of COVID.

But by 2022, despite an oblique strain that cost him three weeks, Hernández had established himself as a valuable power hitter who could act as a catalyst in the middle of a lineup — enough so that the Seattle Mariners, starved for offense, traded for him in November.

Hernández’s final year before free agency would see him anchoring a lineup alongside Julio Rodríguez, while playing for a Mariners team primed to make a deep run. But Hernández slashed just .238/.288/.406 through the end of July. He got hot in August but still finished with a .741 OPS, his lowest since becoming a regular six years earlier. The Mariners missed the playoffs by one game.

“It was a really good, really talented team,” Hernández said. “But we were missing something. And I think it was playing as one group, not individuals.”


The first player to reach out to Hernández when he signed with the Dodgers was Ohtani, via a direct message on Instagram.

“Finally,” it read, “we’re gonna play together.”

As an Angel, Ohtani plunked Hernández on the right hand with a sinker on April 5, 2023, and apologized for it while on his way out of the ballpark. It sparked a short conversation and a surprising friendship.

Hernández has a reputation for being upbeat, congenial, easygoing. His fit on the Dodgers was instantaneous. Along the way, Hernández grew from the group that surrounded him. It was his first time around established stars and a winning culture. He learned how to navigate the rigors of a season, drawing inspiration more recently by how Freeman has navigated through injuries in October. He learned how to keep going, no matter what presented itself.

“He said something in spring training that kind of caught my attention,” Rojas said. “In Toronto, he was a player trying to make a name for himself but at the same time he needed to be the leader of the group. Here, he doesn’t have to do that. He came into our clubhouse knowing he doesn’t have to be the piece that keeps everybody together and all that. He can focus on what he does on the field and what he does best, which is hit.”

Hernández’s production remained steady throughout the 2024 season, devoid of the highs and lows that have at times plagued him. In September, he was at his best, slashing .329/.407/.605 as the Dodgers made the final push to capture an 11th division title in 12 years. Even after Hernández went hitless in 18 at-bats over the first five games of the National League Championship Series, his approach did not waver. He drew seven walks during that stretch, a circumstance that surprised even him. Results weren’t going his way, but he did not chase. He did not become impatient.

In Game 6, on the night the Dodgers clinched their first pennant in four years, Hernández served as an early catalyst, lining two hits while the Dodgers scored six runs in the first three innings.

To him, it was a growth moment.

“I know that I’m going to fail, I know that I’m going to make errors, but this year I have that confidence,” Hernández said. “I know at some point I’m going to be back, hitting the ball hard, hitting homers, getting on base, making plays.”

When Yankee Stadium hosted a high-profile Dodgers-Yankees matchup over the summer, Hernández starred. He hit the game-winning two-run double in the 11th inning on June 7, homered twice in a rout on June 8, contributed two hits and another home run in the only loss on June 9. Going back now — with the highest stakes, in front of a hostile crowd and against a desperate team — has brought out a particular level of excitement with him.

“It’s going to be crazy,” Hernández said of a World Series that will shift to the Bronx for Games 3, 4 and, if the Dodgers don’t sweep, 5. “But I like that. I like challenges. I like when things get really hard. And I think that’s when you see the best out of me, when you’re facing a really good pitcher, a really good team. There’s just something about those moments that I love.”

The 2024 season began with a risk. It will end with growth and validation. With a reaffirming of his belief that things happen for a reason. With a clearer vision for what he’ll look for in free agency — long-term security and an opportunity to win — and the thought that he shouldn’t have to settle.

Only a handful of teams wanted Hernández over the offseason. Now one of the best doesn’t know where it would be without him.

“What are they going to say now?” Hernández said. “I want to see what excuses they’re going to say now.”

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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