(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) There are sports phenoms who take the world by storm, and then there’s Paul Skenes. Not only is the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher one of the three top must-see players in MLB, but he was selected to start for the National League in the All-Star Game after only 11 big…
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Shohei Ohtani is a sensation unlike any baseball has ever seen, and he delighted crowds on Tuesday as he arrived at the ballpark in Arlington for the All-Star Game. The Los Angeles Dodgers star recently accepted his 2023 AL MVP award in the company of his dog, who he…
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) David Ortiz, or “Big Papi” as he is so affectionately known to legions of Boston Red Sox fans, carved out a career that few could ever hope to match. In 20 big league seasons, mostly in Boston, Ortiz became a legend of the game who will always be remembered…
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) When Paul Skenes takes the mound for the National League All-Stars in Arlington, it will not just be the eyes of the baseball world watching the Pittsburgh Pirates’ young pitching ace. Some stars transcend sports boundaries, and their performances are must-see events from across the spectrum. Skenes is already one…
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire) All-Star week is a great time for Major League Baseball to reflect on the current season and test the waters for possible future changes. After all, fans are excited to see the showcase of the game’s greatest talents, and their attention this year is sharply focused on Arlington, Texas. It…
(Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) The National League East has been the domain of the Atlanta Braves seemingly forever, but that status is wildly different so far in 2024. With MLB in the All-Star Break, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies who have a stranglehold on the division. The Phils are a baseball-best 62-34, and their lead…
Christian Walker may not be playing in Arlington tonight, but he just wrapped up an All-Star level first half. The Diamondbacks first baseman came into the All-Star break ranked third in the National League with 22 home runs, fifth with 66 RBI, and among the top 15 qualified batters in wOBA (.357), xwOBA (.365), and…
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Today, we have a two-fer of Killers lists covering a couple of key defensive positions, specifically the hot corner and behind the plate. While still focusing on teams that meet the loose definition of contenders (a .500 record or Playoff Odds of at least 9.5%), and that have gotten about 0.6…
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Last Thursday, a Q&A titled “Chris Bassitt Embraces the Art of Pitching” ran here at FanGraphs. In it, the 35-year-old Toronto Blue Jays right-hander discussed his diverse repertoire — “eight or nine pitches,” he told me — and how he uses them to attack hitters. Both stylistically and variety-wise, Bassitt is…
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Ah, the trade deadline. It’s a time to dream about the huge moves your club could make. It could go get a big bopper, the kind of hitter who could put the team on his back down the stretch and carry it to October. Maybe you’re more interested in a CC…
