Too valuable to drop, period
Sports
The Vikings’ Bulldog ‘Backer Needs to Shine vs. Ravens
Ivan Pace Jr. is the Vikings’ bulldog at linebacker. He’s unusually aggressive and physical at a position that attracts people who boast those some attributes.
What’s been missing has been consistent growth. Worse yet, he may have been declining over these past several years, failing to shore up the deficiencies in his coverage. There were then the missed tackles that led to him getting bumped down from LB2 to RB3 in favor of veteran add Eric Wilson. Very few on that defense needs a huge week in the same way as Pace.
The Vikings’ Bulldog ‘Backer Needs to Step Up
No matter how this thing goes, Ivan Pace has been a fantastic success.
Pace has started a pile of games across three seasons. As an undrafted pickup, Pace has done well by sticking around, helping on specials, and getting into plenty of snaps for Brian Flores.
Most undrafted young fellas get axed before long. Even living on the practice squad can be deemed a success for plenty of undrafted players. Not so with Pace.
So, why the pessimism? Why the insistence on him needing a huge week?
Well, he’s now the LB4. Blake Cashman and Wilson remain, gobbling up the LB1 and LB2 job along the way. The 2026 NFL Draft then featured going for the long-and-strong Jake Golday in the 2nd. He’s a rangy, physical player who is going to surprise onlookers with how much work he earns in his debut NFL season. Pace may therefore be left a lesser role after already seeing his role diminish across the past pair of seasons.
Consider, as well, that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn’t in town any longer. GM Nolan Teasley is coming over from the Seahawks, a franchise that’s well-known for terrific defensive football. What does the new front office executive think of the small ‘backer with snarl?
Part of the cruel reality of training camp is that bodies go down. Guys get hurt, creating voids in the lineup that didn’t exist just a few weeks ago. Is there an open spot somewhere within the NFL’s other 31 teams to play more at linebacker? A trade isn’t that hard to foresee.
Again, there doesn’t appear to be an obvious path toward playing time in Minnesota short of injury. Special teams will remain central to what he’s going to offer but does the cap charge — $3.52 million (OTC), the entirety of which could get wiped off the books – make sense if he’s only doing specials work?
Pace is a young player who is at his best when allowed to be really aggressive. Upon first glance, that basic description means seeing what should be a perfect marriage between Flores and Pace. The reality, though, is that Flores craves being unpredictable.
Look at edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. The edge rusher could be sent forward all the time but isn’t. Look at safety Josh Metellus. He, too, could be sent forward all the time but he isn’t. Why? Because being aggressive is just a means to an end; being unpredictable due to being multiple better fits the Flores ethos than just plain ol’ aggression.
Ivan Pace, with his limitations in coverage, is reasonably predictable: he’s almost certainly going to go in a certain direction and it’s not backwards. The other side knows that when seeing the linebacker on the field and can therefore plan accordingly. Problems that give rise to predictable solutions aren’t as potent as problems with an uncertain solution.
Now, all of the dot connecting can come to a screeching halt if the ‘backer shows huge growth. The Vikings’ opening preseason game involved some fantastic run defense from Mr. Pace (so says PFF alongside some of the film clips). That’s a nice step but then he needs to offer more.
Consider a trio of factors that would make Pace a compelling fit for the final roster:
1) Sensational Run Defense and an Unusual Level of Blitz Aggression
2) All-Out Effort on Specials that Means Gaining Field Position
3) At Least Passable Ability to Hang in Coverage, Creating a Possibility to Start if Needed
Seeing Ivan Pace tick off all the items on checklist will mean that he’s not going anywhere for the 2026 season. Seeing Ivan Pace show evidence of being able to complete his checklist throughout the upcoming week will therefore be huge.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Continue Reading
Sports
Duleep Trophy final may shift from Bengaluru CoE, spectators likely to be allowed | Cricket News
Central zone’s capatin Rajat Patidar with teammates celebrate after his team won the Duleep Trophy 2025 final (PTI Photo)
Bengaluru: The Duleep Trophy final is expected to move from the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), on the outskirts of the city here, to either the M Chinnaswamy Stadium or MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with spectators likely to be allowed.The inter-zonal tournament begins on Aug 23 with six teams, and the quarterfinals and semifinals will be held at the CoE.The final, slated for Sep 6-10, was originally scheduled at the CoE, a venue where matches are played behind closed doors. However, the BCCI is reportedly exploring other options to allow spectators.When BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was asked during his recent visit to CoE about the match being held behind closed doors, he said, “We will definitely look into the aspect of hosting the match with spectators; we still have time.”It is understood that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) were sounded out earlier this week and agreed to host the finale, but a deterrent could be that, following last year’s stampede outside the stadium, a court ruling binds the state association to extensive protocols if spectators exceed 5000.That may be why, on Tuesday, the cricket board also sounded out the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) as it continues to explore holding the final with spectators.
Aug 18, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice and Robbie Ray tossed six solid innings Tuesday night for the visiting San Diego Padres, who beat the New York Mets 5-2 in the middle game of a three-game series.
Tatis also saved a grand slam by robbing Francisco Lindor with a leaping catch at the right field wall in the second for the Padres, who are 10-5 since the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Ty France had an RBI single in the seventh while Manny Machado homered in the ninth. Machado finished with three hits and a walk in five plate appearances.
Luis Torrens and Luis Robert Jr. homered for the Mets, whose four-game winning streak was snapped as they lost for just the fourth time in 14 games since the deadline. Torrens and Bo Bichette finished with two hits each.
Ray (11-7) surrendered one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four. He retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced. Mason Miller, the Padres’ fourth pitcher, recorded his 31st save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Mets rookie Zac Thornton (3-4) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven over five innings. He has lasted at least five innings in seven of his last eight starts.
Tatis Jr. homered on Thornton’s first pitch before he helped rescue Ray in the second. Ray walked the bases loaded before a Torrens grounder to third forced Francisco Alvarez at home. Tatis Jr. then snared Lindor’s fly ball, which was heading beyond the orange home run line, with a perfectly timed leap.
Tatis played a key role in the Padres extending their lead in the fifth, when Jake Cronenworth hit a leadoff single against Thornton before Tatis homered just beyond the reach of right fielder Carson Benge. The Mets stranded five runners in the first four innings before Torrens homered leading off the fifth.
The Padres generated more insurance in the seventh, when Luis Rengifo and Machado walked with one out before France’s single to left scored pinch-runner Jase Bowen.
Robert homered to open the eighth against Adrian Morejon before Machado homered to left off Dedniel Nunez in the ninth.
–Field Level Media
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Drew Brees has officially entered the great halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as he, alongside other legends of the game, were inducted earlier this month.
Brees’ career resume speaks for itself: second all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns, Super Bowl XLIV winner and MVP, 13 Pro Bowls, and the list goes on. Brees was always going to see his golden bust on that stage in Canton one day.
Others, though, have to wait their turn – if it ever comes. And one name in particular has been debated about since he retired from the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees is introduced before the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 6, 2026, in Canton, Ohio. (Getty Images)
Eli Manning, a fellow quarterback, spent 16 years in the NFL leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, while joining Brees, though further down, on the all-time passing leaders lists. Surely, Manning should join Brees, his older brother Peyton, and the many others in the Hall, right?
Over the last two years, though, Manning hasn’t received enough votes to be inducted. He missed being one of the 15 modern-era finalists for the second straight time this past voting period.
So, does Manning deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Brees gave his stance.
“Yeah, he is,” he told Fox News Digital, while also highlighting his work with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS. “It’s always funny to hear how people want to evaluate the quarterback position. I mean, look, there’s so much that goes into it. It’s body of work, it’s consistency, certainly championships factor into it. I think when you look at all those things, it’s hard to argue the things that he accomplished in his career with his two championships, and then, you know, his body of work and his consistency. “
ADAM VINATIERI SHAMED INTO OFFERING APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION FOR HALL OF FAME SPEECH THAT WAS EPIC
Brees called what Manning did across his 16 seasons leading one of the most iconic franchises in the sport “impressive.” And it’s hard to ignore the fact it was done against a generation of fantastic quarterbacks like himself, Peyton, Tom Brady, who Eli beat in his two Super Bowl appearances, and more.
“I think overall I look at this era that we had a chance to be a part of,” Brees explained. “It started with Peyton [Manning]. You go Peyton, Tom Brady, my draft in ’01, and that ‘04 draft was impressive with Eli, with Philip [Rivers]. With Ben Roethlisberger and then Aaron Rodgers coming the year after that.
“I kind of look at that as kind of an era of quarterbacks that we all battled against each other, man. It was some epic battles , too, when you look at them. I think we all brought out the best in each other in a lot of ways because we knew what we were going up against week in and week out.”
Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Eli Manning of the New York Giants meet after their game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 30, 2018. (Getty Images)
The argument against Eli, however, is that there was too much mediocrity in his career despite the greatness he showcased. He owned an even 117-117 record in the regular season. Eli also never made a first-team All-Pro squad, while never once receiving a vote for AP NFL MVP.
Then, there’s the turnovers. Eli was never afraid to fit the football in any window, or allow his receivers to make a play – the David Tyree helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII is a prime example of that. But he led the NFL in interceptions three separate times, while owning a completion rate of 60.3% on his passes.
But then again, Manning’s durability (210 consecutive regular-season games played for the Giants), career totals and the ability to clutch up in the playoffs against a dynasty in the New England Patriots twice in the biggest game on the gridiron, let alone other postseason moments, is too great a resume to ignore.
At least, it is for Brees, who believes Manning will eventually hear his name called to Canton one day.
Drew Brees is congratulated by Eli Manning after the New Orleans Saints defeated the New York Giants 48-27 at the Louisiana Superdome on Oct. 18, 2009, in New Orleans, La. (Getty Images)
FOOTBALL ALL IN ONE PLACE
Outside of football, Brees is also a businessman, being a co-owner and partner in Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux, one of the fastest-growing sports bar franchise concepts in the country. It began in Louisiana, has grown to 80-plus units, and it continues to pave its way through the country.
As a sports bar concept, there’s nothing that matters more than having any game, any time, for customers walking into the establishment.
Football is king in the Southeast, as well as throughout the rest of the country, and DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS makes it easy for those like Brees to bring together live TV and streaming networks all in one place. More than 300,000 bars and restaurants have access to local, national, college and pro games for fans to watch through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS.
New Orleans Saints retired quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts during his hall of fame ceremony at halftime against the Denver Broncos at Caesars Superdome on Oct. 17, 2024. (Matthew Hinton/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“We pride ourselves on Louisiana-inspired cuisine. It’s unbelievable food,” Brees said of Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux. “My kids crave it all the time. But like a really family-friendly atmosphere, you know, whether it’s date night, bring the family, bring the little league after the game — something for everybody. Obviously, it’s sports, and high energy, and excitement on the TV all the time. Thanks to our partnership with DirecTV for Business, that’s what allows us to basically have access to every college and pro game around the country. And that’s not just football. We’re talking basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer. So big events like March Madness and the Kentucky Derby, Masters — you name it. So, we’re really appreciative of that DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS partnership. It allows us to help create that energy and excitement around our establishments.
“And for the fans themselves, sportsbarfinder.com allows them to find those sports from DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS at their local spot anywhere in the country, which Brees loved to see.
“There’s a saying: fans have more friends. You know, they really do. You step into your local sports bar wearing the local jersey. Man, all of a sudden, next thing you know, you’re high- fiving everybody and you just made 100 more friends. That’s the kind of atmosphere and that’s what sports does, it brings people together,” he said.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Overall, building out from the back has been a promising part of United’s game in pre-season and where we have most clearly seen some of the principles Carrick has tried to instil in his squad.
Going back to Amorim’s United once more, when they did play out from the back, they would execute pre-planned passing routines.
Carrick’s United instead look to escape pressure through trios of players passing the ball between each other in a less choreographed manner.
Pre-season coaching has reinforced the players’ understanding around supporting team-mates to create clusters of threes.
Which three players converge differs throughout the game and the players are given a level of personal responsibility to interpret the match during it.
More specifically, a collective principle being taught to the players is to look to make third-man runs – often off the back of their marker – to receive the ball with time and space.
Once United have broken the opposition’s initial pressure in the described manner, they often find themselves in open space with pacy attackers ahead of them ready to attack in a more direct fashion.
The signings of technical, deep-lying midfielders aid these overarching concepts.
Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount in particular have combined well to help United get up the pitch. This style of play suits the strengths of Kobbie Mainoo too, who returned to action with a cameo in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat by AC Milan.
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her win against Xinyu Wang of China during day eight of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Aryna Sabalenka unleashed her big game with devastating effect on Tuesday, hammering China’s Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters.
The world number one took only 20 minutes to blow through the first set against her 36th-ranked opponent and began the second set with a break of serve.
Article continues after this advertisement
Sabalenka kept up the pressure in the second set with Wang double-faulting on the top seed’s first match point after 54 minutes.
READ: Aryna Sabalenka squeezes out win on 6th match point in Cincinnati
Statement Start from Sabalenka 🐯
Aryna Sabalenka takes the first set against Wang.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/wgTXV5VE9s
— wta (@WTA) August 18, 2026
The victory marked the 45th in a row for Sabalenka at the Masters 1000 level.
“I cannot complain. She’s a tough opponent,” Sabalenka said. “To win in straight sets like this in under an hour is insane.
Article continues after this advertisement
“I’m super happy to be through. I really trusted myself and went for my shots. I wasn’t over-thinking. I was able to stay focused and be in every point.”
Sabalenka next plays Czach Sara Bejlek, a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 winner over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Fourth seed Coco Gauff needed to battle following a sizzling first set in a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory over fellow American Ann Li.
Article continues after this advertisement
The 2023 champion had it all her own way in the opening set against her 29th-ranked foe, winning in 30 minutes. The pair exchanged early breaks in the second on the way to a tie-breaker, in which Gauff seized a 4-1 lead and won on her third match point.
“She played better in the second set and I missed a couple of break opportunities,” Gauff said. “I tried to forget about those.
“It was hard to control the ball for both of us and it was my first time playing a day match on this center court so I had to adjust to that.”
Mirra Andreeva’s French Open reigning champion status counted for little as the fifth seed struggled to close out a 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Janice Tjen.
The Indonesian challenger ranked 37 was bowled over in the first set but made Andreeva work to finally advance.
“In the first I was in command and she had unforced errors here and there, but in the second after a couple of games I started getting nervous, she made fewer mistakes — it turned into a match of mentality and physicality,” Andreeva said.
Eighth seed Elina Svitolina was forced to withdraw before her match against Wang Xiyu with an ankle injury.
“I’ve been advised by the doctors to take a little bit of time to rest and recover completely,” the Ukrainian said in a statement.
Canada’s second-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime eliminated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 in 90 minutes.
“It was a tricky start, finding my rhythm,” the Canadian said. “Lefties are tricky, you don’t play them so often. You can prepare all you want but until you step onto the court you can’t find your right adjustments. Then you feel comfortable.”
Washington winner and fifth seed Taylor Fritz fired eight aces in defeating Daniel Merida 6-3 6-4 in 83 minutes. The Spaniard made 25 unforced errors as Fritz booked a fourth-round match against Australian Chris O’Connell, who is 0-3 against the American.
‘I played amazing’
Last week’s Montreal finalist Brandon Nakashima came from the brink to upset fourth seed Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-1.
Nakashima led 5-2 in the first set before falling in the tie-breaker, then saved three match points in the 10th game of the second set on the way to forcing a third, which he dominated.
Italian 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti defeated American Michael Zheng 6-1, 6-3 in 71 minutes.
Portugal’s Nuno Borges defeated 2021 runner-up Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4 in 72 minutes.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
The 47th-ranked Borges ended a five-match loss streak in the rivalry while Rublev will drop from the ranking top 20 for the first time since January 2020.
“I played amazing,” Borges said. “It means a lot to be in the fourth round. It’s a big moment for me.”
The IL isn’t totally defunct yet, but it’s getting close
•
6 min read
Nobody is allowed to get injured anymore.
We’re inside of six weeks to go, after all, which means anyone who goes down now probably isn’t coming back. That’s not strictly true, of course. Minimal IL stints do exist, but they’re not so easily anticipated. Consider it a bonus if you get anything more from a player who you’re currently stashing in an IL spot.
Still, if you have the spots, you might as well use them, right? Even if it seems like a lost cause, the tide can turn quickly. Oneil Cruz and Maikel Garcia were both activated Monday after only a week or so of forewarning. Carlos Rodon is set to be activated Tuesday after making only two rehab starts. Konnor Griffin and Roman Anthony just went from months of no progress to being on the verge of a rehab assignment in the blink of an eye. Not all is lost until the clock runs out.
That’s why, for this last edition of the IL stash rankings, you may notice that certain players presumed to be done for 2026 still occupy a place of significance. Presumption isn’t the final say, after all, and if Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers or Spencer Schwellenbach do make it back for the final week or two, it’ll have a greater say in your league’s final outcome than if you had stashed, say, Davis Martin.
Think of it as just another form of lottery ticket as the season begins to wind down. Maybe don’t hold your breath, but do cross your fingers.
Also really difficult to drop
Still a priority on some level
Stashing is purely a luxury
At WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event, Bron Breakker and Oba Femi will lock horns to decide the company’s next real future star. Over the past few weeks, The New Big Dog and The Ruler have appeared in several interesting segments.
This culminated in Heyman announcing a match between them for the SNME show next month. Meanwhile, there are already major signs that indicate Bron will lose to the Nigerian star.
Thanks for the submission!
In this listicle, we’ll take a quick look at the three signs signaling Bron Breakker’s loss at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
#3. Oba is fresh off retiring Brock for good
At WWE SummerSlam 2026, Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar competed in a rubber match, which ended with The Ruler slaying The Beast again. In the post-match, Lesnar put Oba over in front of the live crowd, asserting him as WWE’s future.
Following this big momentum, Bron is his first opponent, and this gigantic moment signals that Breakker will lose to him at Sunday Night’s Main Event. As Oba is fresh off retiring the Mayor of Suplex City for good, it’s unlikely that the Triple H-led creative regime will book him to lose and derail his momentum.
#2. Bron has been too emotional, while Femi is calm
Since Brock Lesnar hailed Oba Femi as the future of the company, Bron Breakker is highly focused on proving himself. He has sought validation from Heyman multiple times on RAW, and this eventually led to his upcoming match against the former NXT Champion.
Breakker is not only preparing himself for a match, but his emotions are also running high as he looks to prove himself as the next future star of sports entertainment. On the other hand, Oba Femi is calm and treating this match like a normal bout rather than a high-profile contest.
So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if his emotions eventually got the better of Bron Breakker and cost him at Sunday Night’s Main Event. The Ruler’s calmness could favor him and help him defeat the current WWE World Tag Team Champion.
#1. Bron needs a reason to leave The Vision on WWE RAW
Bron Breakker is seemingly stuck in The Vision. The alliance also appears to be an obstacle in his singles run in the company. Losing to Oba Femi at Sunday Night’s Main Event will give The Vision member a reason to leave the group and focus on his singles career.
There are already considerable hints that Bron Breakker is leaving The Vision group. Even nowadays, he is more focused on himself than on being a villainous faction member.
Losing to Oba Femi at WWE SNME will give him a valid reason to finally leave the Austin Theory & Logan Paul-led faction and start a singles run on the main roster again.
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
Edited by Angana Roy
Ryan Garcia is making the first defence of his WBC welterweight title when he takes on Conor Benn next month, and two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez has shared his thoughts on the fight.
Lopez lost his WBO super-lightweight title to Shakur Stevenson in January and revealed plans to move up to welterweight soon after. On Saturday, he makes his debut in the new division, challenging Rolando Romero for the WBA welterweight crown.
Should he be successful, Lopez is hoping to secure a unification bout against the winner of Garcia-Benn in the outing that follows, but whilst ‘The Takeover’ recognised Benn’s chances in the showdown, he told Fight Hub TV why he would prefer ‘King Ry’ to triumph.
“I think that Conor Benn has a great chance of winning and pulling an upset. He wants it more. He may not have the skills, but look what people said about Rolly and Rolly wanted it more, and he beat Ryan Garcia.
“Anything is possible, it all depends how bad you want it. Another thing is that I feel like Conor Benn has had more rugged fights, more tougher fights.
“The only thing that makes me step back is, I don’t know if it is true and if it came from his own mouth, but him saying that this is his only fight at 147lbs. So, I got to go with Ryan.”
“Where does that go for the WBC, does it become vacant? Then I have got to talk to Mauricio Sulaiman and see how we can make things work, it is just a longer process.”
As Lopez mentioned, Benn has indeed stated that this will be his final contest as a welterweight, leading to doubts as to whether he will be able to perform at his best when he collides with Garcia on Saturday, September 12.
Two clubs that have disappointed this year and are likely to miss the postseason meet in the earliest game of Wednesday when Detroit visits Pittsburgh with a 12:35 p.m. ET first pitch in the rubber match of the series. I believe there’s a legitimate chance it’s the final start this season for struggling Pirates ace and reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes if he’s “off” yet again. Bet $5+ and get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet on baseball at DraftKings:
If you’re interested in MLB betting and want to try it on the best sports betting apps, you can check out the SportsLine Projection Model for picks on games like Tigers vs. Pirates from the model’s 10,000 simulations as well as our experts.
Skenes (9-11, 3.88 ERA) was originally slated to start Sunday against Boston, but manager Don Kelly opted to push the 24-year-old right-hander back to Wednesday. Skenes supported that decision and swears he is healthy despite a noticeable drop in velocity this season and having gone 3-5 with a 5.28 ERA in 11 starts since June 9. The Pirates are 3-8 across Skenes’ last 11 starts. The former No. 1 overall pick has been one of the worst starting pitching bets all season as you would be down $983 if you bet Pittsburgh to win all of his outings.
Everything apparently changed around midseason when Skenes changed his delivery – SI’s Tom Verducci, one of the most respected MLB guys in the country, did a pretty interesting deep dive on Skenes last week, so I want to make sure I credit him here. I’m aware of pitching mechanics, but I’m certainly no expert on these changes.
June 9 was the day Skenes adjusted his stride to be less crossfire than ever before. Per Verducci, there is a difference since that change in “Skenes’ feet position (more direct to the plate) and hand position (less offset) … and that by not stepping across his body as much, Skenes is releasing the baseball with 8-9″ less offset (from the center line of the plate).”
Place your Tigers-Pirates wagers and get $1,500 in bonus bets back at BetMGM Sportsbook::
Tigers-Pirates MLB same-game parlay
- Pittsburgh money line
- Alt Under 9.5
BetRivers SGP price: +130 (may change)
Long story short, right-handed hitters are now killing Skenes. Through June 8, they were hitting .193 and slugging .307. Since that change, those numbers are .301 and .470. Skenes went just 65 pitches last week in a loss in Miami and averaged career-low 95.7 mph on his fastball. He induced just four misses on 34 swings for a 12% whiff rate, the lowest single-game mark of his big-league career. His average overall fastball velocity this season is 96.8 mph, down from 98.1 mph last season and 98.8 mph in 2024 when winning NL Rookie of the Year.
“If I were the manager, I’d probably do it too,” Skenes said of being pushed back. “[Kelly] walked me through everything, and it made sense. It certainly can’t hurt in terms of recovery.”
Needless to say, Skenes is a massive part of the Pirates’ future – at least until the Dodgers trade for him (sigh) when he gets too expensive. So if his velo is down yet again Wednesday, I could absolutely see the Bucs shutting him down. They aren’t getting a playoff spot.
In three career starts vs. Detroit, Skenes is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18.0 innings. The model has Skenes at 5.5 innings (I’m skeptical), 6.6 strikeouts, 4.5 hits allowed and 1.7 earned runs. I’m excited to see him face Tigers superstar rookie Kevin McGonigle for the first time in their MLB careers with McGonigle the runaway -525 favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old infielder looks like a future AL MVP.
Bet on MLB at DraftKings, where new users get $150 in bonus bets after placing a $5+ first wager:
McGonigle was a very touted prospect, and so was Wednesday starting pitcher Jackson Jobe (1-1, 6.23 ERA). But the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and one-time No. 1 overall pitching prospect in the sport (like Skenes was) hasn’t lived up to the promise yet. Jobe pitched in just two games in 2024 and 10 last year due to Tommy John surgery. He was reinstated from the injured list a less than two weeks ago.
Jobe’s first start was great as he hit 100.1 mph on the gun while pitching five shutout innings in a win at San Francisco. But Jobe was rocked in start No. 2 last Friday by the White Sox, allowing six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. This marks his first career start vs. Pittsburgh, and the model has him at 5.0 innings, 4.6 strikeouts, 4.9 hits allowed and 2.6 earned runs.
Bet on MLB and more at FanDuel, where bettors can get up to $1,000 in Bet Reset Tokens:
Day games after a night game generally are lower-scoring with guys a bit tired, and weather shouldn’t much factor at PNC Park. Skenes has been decent his past two outings and a bit better at home overall this year, and I’m not sure which Jobe we get. With both teams off Thursday, the bullpens can be used plenty if need be. The model has the Pirates winning 4.6-4.1. Check out other expert picks in the SportsLine daily newsletter.
BOSTON — Olivia Nelson-Ododa scored 18 points and Kennedy Burke had 17 to lead the Connecticut Sun to an 85-77 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
Diamond Miller finished with 13 points for the Sun, who played a game in Boston for the third straight year before moving next season to Houston.
Nelson-Ododa also had 11 rebounds and scored 13 points in the first half for the Sun (9-25). Leila Lacan had 10 assists and Saniya Rivers scored 11 points off the bench. Burke shot 3 for 4 from beyond the arc.
Rae Burrell finished with 19 points for the Sparks (12-23). Nneka Ogwumike added 18 and Dearica Hamby scored 15.
TORONTO — Kelsey Mitchell scored 16 points in the first quarter and finished with 29 before sitting out the fourth, Caitlin Clark added 24 points and Indiana beat Toronto for their fifth straight victory.
Clark and Mitchell have each scored 20 or more in the same game 16 times this season, a WNBA record. Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter did it 15 times with Phoenix in 2008.
Mitchell also scored 20 or more for the 20th consecutive game, matching Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson for the longest such streak in WNBA history. But after she scored eight points in the span of less than a minute late in the third quarter, she went to the locker room and did not return.
Fever coach Stephanie White said Mitchell got “overheated.”
Aliyah Boston scored 16 points, and Sophie Cunningham made all three three-point attempts and finished with 13 for the Fever, who never trailed. Indiana has won 10 of 12.
CHICAGO — Natasha Cloud scored a career-high 35 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists, and Chicago beat New York.
Cloud matched her previous best of 31 points on a jumper from the free-throw line with 1:17 left for an 86-84 lead. After New York missed a three-pointer, the Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso made a basket in the lane with 39.9 seconds left.
Cloud sealed it by going 4 of 4 at the free-throw line in the final 20 seconds.
Cardoso finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for Chicago (14-22), which had lost the previous two meetings with New York this season — both by one point. Cloud was 13 of 21 from the field, including 4 of 8 behind the arc, and 5 of 6 at the free-throw line.
Breanna Stewart scored 22 points for New York (22-15), which rallied from a 13-point deficit to briefly take the lead in the fourth quarter. Sabrina Ionescu had 18 points and 12 assists, and Rebecca Allen scored all 14 of her points in the second half.
Marine Johannes sank a three-pointer with 2:09 left in the fourth to give New York its first lead, 84-83, since it was 24-23. But the Liberty did not score again until Stewart’s basket with 7.1 seconds remaining.
LAS VEGAS — Rhyne Howard scored 23 points, Angel Reese had 21 points and 10 rebounds for her league-leading 24th double-double, and Atlanta beat Las Vegas.
Las Vegas was without coach Becky Hammon for the second half after she received a double technical with 5:06 left in the second quarter for arguing a non-call on a drive by A’ja Wilson. Assistant coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson took over for Hammon, who was ejected for the first time this season and second time in her career.
Howard made two free throws after the technical fouls to give Atlanta a 35-29 lead. Reese capped the first-half scoring with 6.4 seconds left to extend the Dream’s lead to 52-41.
The Dream closed the game on a 9-0 run, including Howard’s three-point play with 49.3 seconds left.
News Videos1 minute ago
IMP : BIG CRYPTO MEETING IN WHITEHOUSE ||
NewsBeat2 minutes ago
Premier League predictions: Phil McNulty previews new season
Crypto World4 minutes ago
Ripple’s Brokerage Arm Raises $275 Million: Why Doesn’t XRP Care?
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Ann Taylor
-
Sports5 days agoThis U.S. Amateur is a glimpse into golf’s future in more ways than you think
-
Tech5 days ago11 Ways to Rank Your Videos
-
NewsBeat4 days agoMyanmar says over 300,000 Rohingya refugees verified for repatriation as exodus enters ninth year
-
Sports4 days agoBirmingham 2026: Day 6 Timetable for Irish Athletes
-
Politics4 days agoSEQ Code: The Three Letter Boarding Pass Code That Could Give You The Worst Seat
-
Entertainment7 days agoKeke Palmer Subtly Hints At Sean Evans Drama With Cryptic Post
-
Sports7 days agoDeQuan Jones in ‘high spirits’ after successful leg surgery
-
Tech6 days agoDeepSeek Harness launches as open source rival to Claude Code, alongside V4-Pro on API with higher prices
-
Crypto World7 days agoPerplexity AI Predicts an XRP Scenario Few Analysts Are Discussing
-
Entertainment7 days ago2026’s Most Ambitious Fantasy Movie Officially Scores Sequel Update
-
Crypto World1 day agoOCC Greenlights Trump Family Crypto Firm for Trust Charter
-
Politics7 days agoHow Average Are You In The UK?
-
Entertainment7 days agoAll 10 Hayao Miyazaki Fantasy Movies, Ranked
-
Fashion7 days agoWhy Botanical Fashion Never Goes Out of Style
-
Entertainment7 days agoTravis Kelce Breaks Silence On ‘Crazy’ Taylor Swift Wedding
-
Entertainment5 days ago10 Netflix Shows That Quietly Became Modern Classics
-
Fashion7 days agoWednesday’s Workwear Report: Stretch-Cotton Pleated-Waist Top
-
Fashion6 days agoThe Details Do the Dressing
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekly News Update, 8.14.26 – Corporette.com
You must be logged in to post a comment Login