Blessedly as an act of soaring mercy, the 2026 Major League Baseball season is upon us. Opening Day is in the immediate offing, and soon we’ll have actual, for-keeps baseball games to distract us from the inferior remainder of human existence.
Specific to the 30 MLB teams that will do this honest work for us, there are questions — questions about how their 2026 seasons will go and which players will determine how those seasons go. Let’s explore those 30 questions now in suspenseful alphabetical order as a means to anticipate and proclaim the return of This, Our Baseball.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Biggest question: Can that rotation hold up?
There’s potential for disaster with this rotation. Zac Gallen was mostly bad last season and signed a one-year deal to try to re-establish his worth before diving back into free agency. Merrill Kelly is 37 and already dealing with back issues. Eduardo Rodriguez’s ERA has been above 5 both years in Arizona. Brandon Pfaadt got clobbered last season to the tune of a 5.25 ERA and his career mark is now 5.13 across more than 80 career starts. Corbin Burnes will miss most of the season. Ryne Nelson was good last year, but what’s his upside? Ace? Probably not. Mike Soroka hasn’t been a good starter for more than a few starts at a time since 2019.
Advertisement
There’s certainly upside in this group if you could be guaranteed to get the best versions of Gallen and Kelly while Nelson kept building on last season, Pfaadt put things together and Rodriguez could pitch back to 2023 form. If all these things happen, the Diamondbacks have a good rotation before they even think about getting Burnes and his ace-caliber stuff back in there.
Can all of that really come together, though? Realistically?
The most likely scenario here is the starting pitching is a problem. — Matt Snyder
It wasn’t even technically just “late.” The A’s were one of the worst teams in baseball through June 4, sitting 23-40. Things clicked after that, though, and they went 53-46 the rest of the way. If we started the standings on June 5, the A’s would’ve been a playoff team. Of course, we don’t do that; the horrific stretch of baseball that preceded that run mattered.
In looking toward 2026, the A’s are surely telling themselves that they found something. One thing they found was Nick Kurtz as a centerpiece and rising superstar. Shea Langeliers is a force as an offensive catcher. Brent Rooker is a quality middle-of-the-order slugger. Tyler Soderstrom runs hot and cold, but his hot streaks are glorious. Jeff McNeil and Jacob Wilson are capable of running high batting averages. It’s a really good lineup. Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs can look good in the rotation too, but there are questions all over the pitching staff.
Still, we might’ve seen a glimpse of the A’s turnaround last season. There’s good talent here, especially with the bats. — Matt Snyder
Biggest question: Do they have the depth to survive these injuries?
Even before spring training let out, the Braves lost Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow bone spurs), Spencer Strider (oblique), Hurston Waldrep (elbow bone spurs), and Joey Went (torn ACL) from the rotation. That’s a lot of pitching depth down for weeks, if not longer. Also, Reynaldo López’s fastball is missing about 4 mph after last year’s shoulder surgery. The Braves got slammed by injuries last year and they’re already heading down that road this year. The team’s pitching depth is not great. Injuries are part of the game and the best teams figure out a way to navigate them. Atlanta didn’t last year. Whether they can this year will shape their season. — Mike Axisa
Baltimore Orioles
Biggest question: Will their homegrown hitters actually hit?
Pitching was the No. 1 reason the Orioles underperformed so aggressively last season, but don’t let their homegrown hitters off the hook. Gunnar Henderson is great and he had a terrific season once he returned from his oblique strain. Colton Cowser, Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad, Adley Rutschman, and Jordan Westburg all fell short of expectations. In some cases, far short. I’m willing to give Holliday a pass because he’s still so young. The others? Not so much. Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward bring needed righty power, and the rotation has been upgraded with Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt. Ultimately though, these homegrown hitters were the centerpiece of the rebuild and it’s time for everyone to join Henderson in pulling their weight. — Mike Axisa
There is more to this game than hitting home runs, but you do need them, and the best teams tend to hit a lot of them. The 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks are the only team in the last nine years to reach the World Series while finishing in the bottom half of the league in home runs during the regular season. Last year’s Red Sox finished 15th in home runs, and they’re projected to finish even lower this year:
A full season of Roman Anthony should help in the power department, ditto replacing Alex Bregman with Willson Contreras. Otherwise, there is not much reason to believe the Red Sox will hit the ball out of the ballpark at a rate typically seen by the game’s top teams. Their rotation is much improved and their defense should be better. Will they be able to put points on the board with one swing often enough? — Mike Axisa
Chicago Cubs
Biggest question: What will Bregman provide at the plate?
The departed Kyle Tucker — now with the Dodgers — indeed moved the needle for the Cubs last season with a 4.6 WAR in 136 games. That’s a quite significant loss and the Cubs will need to find a way to replace that lost value. Getting Pete Crow-Armstrong to hit like he did in the first half of the 2025 season is one path to doing so, but the more obvious one lies within Alex Bregman, the Cubs’ flagship addition of the offseason. Bregman upgrades the Cubs’ defense at the hot corner — they probably have the best infield defense in all of baseball now — and he’s an accomplished hitter of long-standing.
Advertisement
Still, the fit and Bregman’s future outlook at the plate raise questions about his offense moving forward. Wrigley Field is a tough environment for right-handed batters, of which Bregman is one. As well, Bregman has spent his entire career to date in Houston and Boston, which feature parks much friendlier toward right-handed hitters. On the other hand, Bregman has balanced home-road splits for his career (he’s actually been a bit better on the road), which tracks given that he’s a high-contact, all-fields kind of batsman. You can find some signs of soft decline in his expected stats over the last two seasons, and that’s something to monitor as he moves into his age-32 campaign. This is probably more of a question of how Bregman’s five-year pact with Chicago will age, but the ballpark fit bears monitoring right away. They could use vintage Bregman at the plate and in the field if they’re going to end the Brewers‘ run in the NL Central. — Dayn Perry
Chicago White Sox
Biggest question: Will the rebuild take the next step?
This winter’s trade of Luis Robert Jr. to the Mets was in some ways the capstone on the White Sox’s teardown process — a teardown that saw them crater to a record 121 losses in 2024. After the teardown comes the rebuild. With their veteran contributors largely departed, the focus now shifts to developing and improving the young talent that’s on hand. That’s the next step for a club that could possibly contend as soon as 2027. The projected lineup features seven hitters 26 years old or younger. The bench skews young as well, as do two of the five projected members of the rotation. That’s not to mention five consensus top-100 prospects still on the way, and the Sox will of course have the top overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft. Other questions flow from that central question above. Will Colson Montgomery scale his power outburst in 2025 to a full season in 2026? Will splash signing Munetaka Murakami — himself just 26 — make enough contact to tap fully into his impressive raw power? Which of those prospects will trickle into the South Side this season? It’s a big bridge year for Chicago. — Dayn Perry
The Reds throughout much of recent history have been known for scoring runs, thanks in part to the strong tendencies of Great American Ball Park. Last season, though, it was run prevention that carried them to their first playoff berth in a full season since 2013. The offense, meantime, ranked a mere 28th in MLB in xWOBA (what’s this?), which does not bode well for the 2026 season. On the upside for Cincy, there are causes for hope. Major offseason addition Eugenio Suárez is the new cleanup hitter, and he’s fresh off a 2025 resurgent campaign in which he racked up 49 homers and placed in the 89th percentile in barrel rate. As well, star shortstop Elly De La Cruz may have been on his way to an MVP-caliber season at the plate before a lingering quad injury sapped his production. Elsewhere, Matt McLain will be looking for a bounceback season as he gets further removed from the shoulder surgery that cost him all of 2024, and 22-year-old Sal Stewart has middle-of-the-order potential. Some of those factors will need to go the Reds’ way in 2026 if they’re to make it back to the postseason. — Dayn Perry
Cleveland Guardians
Biggest question: Can they score enough runs?
The Dolans are, perhaps somewhat quietly, some of the worst owners in the sport — utterly unwilling to invest in the product for so much of recent history despite receiving a quite substantial amount of money through revenue sharing. This time around, their lack of interest in the on-field product will be most keenly felt on offense. The Guardians last season finished strong to eke out the division title, but they did so despite a negative run differential. That was largely a reflection of the offense, which ranked 28th in MLB in runs scored, 29th in OPS, 28th in OPS+, 29th in wOBA, and 30th in xwOBA. That’s a terrible run-scoring attack, and the ever-excellent José Ramírez can do only so much. As for new additions, there’s … Rhys Hoskins, who made the team out of spring training as an NRI. Yes, the Guardians are among the very best at developing pitchers and Ramírez is a future Hall of Famer who’s still at the top of the game. The rest of the lineup, though, probably isn’t good enough to put the Guards in contention for another trip to the playoffs in 2026. That fatal flaw traces right back to ownership. — Dayn Perry
Biggest question: How many more games can they win?
Look, there’s no reason to sugarcoat this. The Rockies are awful and might be the worst team in baseball. They were historically bad last season and came close to the all-time record for losses with 119. They’ll improve because it’s very, very difficult to be that bad. The White Sox set the modern record with 121 losses in 2024 and were terrible again in 2025, but they ended up 60-102. Does that automatically mean that the Rockies will improve by roughly 20 games? Of course not. They’ll win more games, though, mark my words. The question is just how many more. — Matt Snyder
Detroit Tigers
Biggest question: Is this Tarik Skubal‘s last ride in Detroit?
The winner of the last two American League Cy Young awards and perhaps the best pitcher in all of baseball, Skubal will be in his walk year in 2026. The expectation is that he’ll again be at the top of his craft and position himself for a massive payday on the free agent market during the 2026-27 offseason. Or will the Tigers somehow manage to sign Skubal to an extension before that time comes? Signs at this juncture point resoundingly toward no. It’s exceedingly rare for a superstar like Skubal to sign an extension this close to reaching free agency, and the Tigers — meaning, mostly, lackluster owner Christopher Ilitch — have not behaved seriously toward their franchise talent. First came their extension talks following the 2024 season, in which the club reportedly made an offer that can’t be characterized as anything but insulting. Then came an absurdly low arbitration offer (the Tigers, not surprisingly, lost their arbitration hearing against Skubal). Consider all of this and, no, a late-hour extension for Skubal doesn’t seem plausible.
To the Tigers’ credit, they didn’t trade their ace of aces this past offseason, which makes them real threats to make the playoffs for the third straight year and favorites to win the division. As well, they fortified their rotation behind Skubal with Framber Valdez, the top starting pitcher on the free-agent market. They also brought back franchise legend Justin Verlander to stabilize the back end after Reese Olson underwent shoulder surgery that will sideline him all season. The arrival of top prospect infielder Kevin McGonigle, who made the Opening Day roster, should also help make Skubal’s (presumed) final season in Detroit a memorable one. The Tigers, though, shouldn’t let the Skubal era end without a good-faith, powerhouse effort to keep him around beyond 2026. — Dayn Perry
Advertisement
Houston Astros
Biggest question: How does the rotation fare?
There are plenty of offensive questions, but better health and a few bouncebacks are expected.
The rotation, though, is worrisome. Hunter Brown took a huge leap into acedom last season, but continued improvement is far from guaranteed. Cristian Javier has a 4.47 ERA in 46 starts in the last three seasons with a Tommy John surgery sandwiched in there. Tatsuya Imai was a beast in Japan, but sometimes pitchers struggle in the transition to Major League Baseball with the travel schedule (Japan only has one time zone, for example) and pitching once every five days instead of once a week. It’s hard to know exactly how he’ll fare. Lance McCullers missed all of 2023 and 2024 with injuries and had a 6.51 ERA in just 55 ⅓ innings last season. Mike Burrows could be good, but he has fewer than 100 innings of MLB experience and none with the Astros. Ryan Weiss is a 29-year-old minor-league journeyman who was in Korea last year.
It’s entirely possible to see something like Brown remaining an ace, Javier pitching like it’s 2022, Imai looking like a frontline starter all year, McCullers throwing it back to his prime, Burrows blossoming and Weiss bringing back frontline stuff from overseas. How likely is all of that, though? — Matt Snyder
Advertisement
Kansas City Royals
Biggest question: Will Jac Caglianone be the hitter they need?
There’s a lot to like about the Royals as they angle to notch a third straight winning season in 2026. There’s rotation depth, and ace Cole Ragans is a bounceback candidate this season. The Matt Strahm signing was a nice targeted strike that improves the bullpen. Bobby Witt Jr. will likely be in the American League MVP race once again and Maikel Garcia is one of the most underrated players in the game. They could, however, use additional power to complement what’s provided by Witt, Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino. That brings us to Jac Caglianone.
The University of Florida product and the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 Draft has big-time power, but getting to that power against more advanced competition is an issue thanks to his occasional swing-and-miss problems. Across 232 plate appearances with KC last season as a rookie, Cags had an OPS+ of just 49 and chased pitches outside the zone way too often. None of this is overly concerning for a 22 year old who was facing big-league pitching for the first time, but the Royals need Caglianone to flip the switch in 2026. Last season, KC ranked 26th in MLB in home runs and 18th in slugging, and Caglianone could address those deficits in direct fashion if he finds something close to his expected level of production in 2026. For what it’s worth, Caglianone this offseason is coming off a strong showing in camp and a strong showing as a lineup regular for Italy during their deep run in the World Baseball Classic. — Dayn Perry
The Angels look ticketed for last place in the AL West. They finished last in 2024 and 2025 and own the longest playoff drought in baseball, having missed the postseason every year since 2014. They’ve wasted Mike Trout‘s career and the years they had with Shohei Ohtani.
I hate going this hard because I always feel bad for the fan base. They deserve better. So instead, what we’ll do now is find some fun stuff.
Well, there’s Trout. He’ll never not be fun on a baseball field for me. That’s likely a stale answer, though. Jo Adell and Jorge Soler both have light-tower power so there’s always the chance to see some prodigious home runs.
Also, bring on Zach Neto! He’s still only 25 years old and is a very nice power-speed combo. In just 128 games last season, Neto had 26 home runs and 26 steals — meaning there’s 30-30 or more potential in there in a full season. The only 30-30 players in Angels history are Trout (2012) and Bobby Bonds (1977). — Matt Snyder
Advertisement
Los Angeles Dodgers
Biggest question: Will they threepeat?
The portmanteau threepeat was coined in Los Angeles when Pat Riley was discussing his “Showtime” Lakers. The most prominent baseball team in L.A. has never done it and the Dodgers have a shot this season, heading in as back-to-back champs. In fact, only the Yankees and A’s in MLB history have ever gone for a threepeat. This is how rare it is. These are the only times it has happened:
1936-39 Yankees
1949-53 Yankees
1972-74 A’s
1998-2000 Yankees
That’s it.
Can the Dodgers join that group? They are absolutely capable. The only question is will they. We’ll find out later this year, likely in mid-October at the earliest. Probably in late October.
As for the regular season, yeah, they likely cruise to the NL West title. Again. — Matt Snyder
Advertisement
Miami Marlins
Biggest question: Will they build on their strong finish to 2025?
Last year’s 79-83 record represented a 17-win improvement for the Marlins, and that 79-83 record hides a really strong finish. Miami went 25-41 in their first 66 games and 54-42 (91-win pace) in their final 96 games. Several young hitters began to emerge (Jakob Marsee, Agustín Ramírez, etc.) and pitching stabilized. The Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers trades removed some rotation depth, though lefties and top prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White are knocking on the door. Are the Marlins good enough to contend for a postseason berth? I don’t think so, but a) I could be wrong, and b) the arrow is pointing up regardless. At minimum, a winning record should be the expectation in 2026. — Mike Axisa
Milwaukee Brewers
Biggest question: Can they once again survive the departure of multiple key contributors?
The Brewers are without question one of the smartest and most impressive organizations in all of baseball. They’re in a class with the Dodgers. In broad terms, they’re the National League’s answer to the Rays, in that they doggedly succeed year after year despite significant churn among their core contributors. The Rays right about now may be at risk of finding the limits of such an approach — or, to be more precise, the limits of consistent success despite paltry commitment from ownership.
Advertisement
But what of Milwaukee, which has won three straight division titles and made the playoffs in seven of the last eight years? This time around, they’ll be without ace Freddy Peralta (traded to the Mets in the offseason) and breakout infielder Caleb Durbin (traded to the Red Sox). The absence of Peralta may be acutely felt, as he’s reached at least 30 starts and 200 strikeouts in each of the last three seasons. There’s rotation depth in place and on the way in Milwaukee, but is there enough certainty post-Peralta? Brandon Woodruff is an ace when healthy, but that health is far from guaranteed. Will Jacob Misiorowski‘s command and control rise to meet his lights-out stuff? Will Luis Rengifo amply fill Durbin’s role? The model, impressive as it is, will be tested in 2026. — Dayn Perry
Minnesota Twins
Biggest question: Is the teardown complete?
Leading up to the 2025 trade deadline, no team was more active on the seller side than the Twins were. With front office turnover, a new manager, and persistent rumblings about a sale of the team, what’s ahead? It’s hard to see the Twins as contenders, even in the AL Central, and that’s especially the case after ace Pablo López was lost for the season to Tommy John surgery. If the Twins struggle in the first half, will franchise stalwart Byron Buxton be asked to consider waiving his no-trade clause? Will the underrated Joe Ryan be shopped to a contender? Will high-upside Royce Lewis be dangled now that he’s into his arbitration years? Those are the big unknowns, which fittingly reflect the uncertain future of the organization. — Dayn Perry
Biggest question: Will all the turnover equal more wins?
We’ll never truly know how much discord there was in the clubhouse last season, or whether it was something that had to be addressed or a narrative POBO David Stearns used as pretext to rebuild the roster in his image. What we do know for certain is it is now a much different clubhouse. The club’s four longest-tenured players were jettisoned in the offseason:
Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Mark Vientos will be only players in New York’s 2026 Opening Day lineup who were also in their 2025 Opening Day lineup. Soto changed positions too, shifting from right field over to left. The Mets emphasized defense up the middle with Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien, and hitters with strong contact/power blends on the infield corners in Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco. They also added a new ace (Freddy Peralta) and have given the right field job to top position player prospect Carson Benge. The Mets will look much, much different this year, and, frankly, the change was needed. Will it result in more wins? In the end, that’s the only thing that matters. — Mike Axisa
New York Yankees
Biggest question: What will they get from their injured pitchers?
They might not come out and admit, but it sure feels like the Yankees are counting heavily on Gerrit Cole returning from Tommy John surgery as an instant ace. He looked good in his first spring training appearance and his rehab has gone very well, but still, it’s a lot to ask. Sandy Alcantara showed everyone last year that even the best pitchers can need time to get on track after having their elbow rebuilt. Cole is expected back in late May or early June. Carlos Rodón should return from his elbow surgery (loose bodies) in April. Clarke Schmidt (UCL surgery) is looking at an August or September return. The 2026 Yankees will look an awful lot like the 2025 Yankees. If Cole hits the ground running when he returns, he could swing the balance of power in the AL East. — Mike Axisa
Advertisement
Philadelphia Phillies
Biggest question: How much will the young players contribute?
Other than effectively swapping Nick Castellanos for Adolis García, the Phillies spent the offseason bringing back their own players. They’re banking on several prospects coming up and contributing right away. Justin Crawford (Carl’s son) is the starting center fielder and righty Andrew Painter is in the rotation. Later this year, infielder Aidan Miller could come up to play somewhere (likely third base). Ultimately, the Phillies will only go as far as Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, et al take them. The young players being able to limit the growing pains could be what separates Philadelphia in the NL East race. — Mike Axisa
Pittsburgh Pirates
Biggest question: When will the Konnor Griffin era begin?
The Pirates this winter finally ramped up their spending just a bit, what with a trio of (quite dubious) free-agent signings and a canny trade for Brandon Lowe. The big story, though, involves one of the best prospects in baseball, shortstop Konnor Griffin. The 19-year-old former No. 9 overall pick is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he slashed .333/.415/.527 across three different levels with 48 extra-base hits and 65 steals in 122 games. That was his first professional season. This spring, he started off magma-hot in Grapefruit League play before cooling off and getting optioned to the minors before the Opening Day active roster was set. The Pirates, who hope to matter this season, at some point could absolutely use Griffin’s bat in the lineup that struggled last season, especially at the shortstop position. As well, the arrival of Griffin would put a charge in a fan base that’s been worn down over the years by owner Bob Nutting’s abject neglect. The Pirates can justify starting Griffin off back in the minors since he’s not yet 20 and hasn’t even played at Triple-A. Barring the unexpected, though, he’ll make it to Pittsburgh this season. How soon and how much he helps the cause this season are the unknowns. First, though, he needs to thrive once again back on the farm. — Dayn Perry
Advertisement
St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest question: Will the young core take the next step?
The Cardinals under first-year president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom have drastically built out the player-development program, and they’ve also added lots of pitching and depth upside thanks to recent trades and other acquisitions by the Bloom regime. Now the focus becomes, to a large extent, developing the young talent that’s in the fold. Will Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman find a higher level as hitters and become a part of the young core? Will JJ Wetherholt‘s rookie season unfold as hoped? Will the velocity and swing and miss that’s been added to the organization make a difference in St. Louis this season, or is that more of a longer-term consideration? Will Masyn Winn take the next step as a hitter now that his knee has been surgically repaired? Will Dustin May get back to his old form and become a valuable deadline piece for the Cards? Speaking of trade candidates, will Lars Nootbaar produce after having surgery on both heels and be moved in the first half? Are Iván Herrera and his cleaned-up elbow capable of controlling the running game, or is a permanent move off the catcher position ahead? The 2026 season probably won’t bring contention to St. Louis, but it will be a clarifying campaign on many fronts. — Dayn Perry
San Diego Padres
Biggest question: Can the depth pieces step up?
There’s no question the Padres have the top-shelf talent needed to make the Dodgers sweat and maybe even to win a World Series. Fernando Tatís Jr. is capable of winning MVP. Hell, Manny Machado still might be. He finished second in 2022 and is still only 33 years old. Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts look like All-Stars at their best. The rotation has three pitchers for whom you could say the same. The bullpen could be the strongest in all of baseball, or at least when we narrow it down to the late-inning guys.
Advertisement
The roster depth is the concern. The Padres have a litany of main characters, but the problem here might be the supporting cast. The back half of the lineup can’t afford to be terrible. The fourth and fifth spots in the rotation can’t just be batting practice for opposing teams. They can’t rely on just a few arms in the bullpen to pitch every single time they are winning a close game.
The Padres are on one of the better runs in club history. They’ve made the playoffs in four out of five seasons and had previously only been to the postseason five times in 52 years. There’s an NLCS appearance in there, too. But they haven’t won the pennant in this five-year stretch and remain one of five MLB clubs with zero World Series titles.
New manager Craig Stammen needs his studs to be studs, yeah, but he needs the supporting cast to step up if this season is to be special in San Diego. — Matt Snyder
Biggest question: How does the Tony Vitello hire work?
Surely there will be some sort of transition phase with the new Giants manager, who was hired straight from the University of Tennessee. This isn’t like jumping from college to the pros in football or basketball, and college baseball coaches can be dictatorial. That won’t fly in the majors with high-priced talent on this team like Rafael Devers, Logan Webb, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman.
Tony Vitello traveled in the offseason to meet his players, including the Dominican Republic (Adames and Devers) and South Korea (Jung Hoo Lee), then gave a speech at the start of camp to the entire organization. He got rave reviews from his players. Will that translate on the field?
Seattle Mariners
Biggest question: Can they take the next step?
The Mariners were once one of the worst franchises in baseball, but they rose to respectability in the mid-90s and have since been the biggest tease to their fan base. They’ve had all-time greats like Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Randy Johnson and Edgar Martinez (and A-Rod … and King Felix … ), but have the unfortunate distinction of being the only franchise with zero World Series appearances.
Advertisement
It isn’t just that, though. We can’t forget about the regular-season collapses. They set an MLB record with 116 wins in 2001 and failed to win even two games in the ALCS. In 2022, they finally got their first home playoff game since 2001 and scored zero runs in 18 innings in front of what started as a raucous crowd. Last year felt different for a while. They had that 3-2 ALCS lead after a five-run eighth inning in Game 5 — headlined by a Eugenio Suárez grand slam — sent T-Mobile Park into a frenzy. And then they lost the next two games.
That was the closest they’d ever come. The fans are as excited as ever now for 2026. Will the tease job continue or can the Mariners finally break through?
The rotation is on point, though there isn’t much margin for error concerning a terrible season or injury from one or two of them. The bullpen looks good, too, but sometimes those things go south. The lineup is capable, albeit with questions to answer. Things need to break right. My concern is that there isn’t enough depth to absorb a few bad outcomes, along with the reality that Cal Raleigh can’t possibly replicate what he did last season.
They have a very good roster, though, and the American League seems wide open. The front office needs to be ready to strike at the deadline, again, just like last year. — Matt Snyder
Advertisement
Tampa Bay Rays
Biggest question: What can Junior Caminero do for an encore?
Well, he can star in the World Baseball Classic. We know that much. Junior Caminero went 7 for 20 (.350) with three home runs in the Dominican Republic’s six games and was arguably the most dangerous hitter on a team that included Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Last season, Caminero slugged 45 home runs for the Rays, the second most ever for a player in his 21 season (Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews hit 47 in 1953). Tampa finished in last place last season, then subtracted some pieces over the winter (Brandon Lowe, Shane Baz, etc.). To have any shot at contention in 2026, they’ll need Caminero to not just repeat his big 2025, but improve upon it. — Mike Axisa
Texas Rangers
Biggest question: Can the rotation carry them?
The upside of this rotation is the best in baseball. I have them fourth right now and that might end up being too low. There are ace-caliber arms and there is depth. It could be so great. There are questions in the bullpen, though, and the lineup has taken a huge tumble since being such a force in 2023. Last season, the Rangers finished 23rd in runs scored and 26th in OPS.
Advertisement
They swapped out Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo and let Adolis García walk, giving the top of the order a makeover. They’ll need Wyatt Langford to become the star everyone thinks he can be while Corey Seager stays as healthy as can be expected. Still, that leaves the bottom part of the lineup. Is the Evan Carter breakout coming? Is there more from Joshes Jung and/or Smith? Jake Burger and Joc Pederson must be better to make this work, but are they capable?
That’s a lot of questions. The rotation has to be the engine here. — Matt Snyder
Toronto Blue Jays
Biggest question: Will all that go their way again?
In addition to being an excellent team, the Blue Jays had a lot break their way last season. Several role players, including backup catcher Tyler Heineman and extra outfielder Myles Straw, performed way above expectations, plus George Springer had close to a career year offensively at age 35. Teams that go to the World Series tend to have players come out of nowhere to perform unexpectedly well. That was the case with Toronto last season. There are already some cracks in the rotation (José Berríos’ elbow, Shane Bieber‘s forearm, Trey Yesavage‘s shoulder) shrinking their margin of error. As good as they are, the Blue Jays could use a little of that 2025 magic early in 2026. — Mike Axisa
Advertisement
Washington Nationals
Biggest question: What would qualify as a successful season?
The Nationals won the World Series in 2019 and only the Rockies have lost more games since. Longtime GM Mike Rizzo was let go last summer and, in the offseason, new POBO Paul Toboni was brought in to get the organization up to speed. The Nationals had fallen behind in just about everything that matters. Analytics, scouting, player development, you name it. A sixth straight 90-loss season is the likely outcome here, but that doesn’t mean Washington can’t have a good season. Success for them would be young players like Dylan Crews and Harry Ford (both starting the year in Triple-A) emerging as legitimate building blocks, and some veterans playing their way into trade value. Think Zack Littell, Miles Mikolas, etc. The Nationals have had bad seasons the last few years. Will the 2026 team have a bad season that at least shows some signs of hope and progress? — Mike Axisa
The reality is that there’s an alternative option here where Greenway sprints to get a new stick from the bench and, in the meantime, the Sabres have to deal with a 5-on-3 for a short period.
But maybe taking a brief 5-on-3 is worth it if the rest of the penalty kill can happen with everyone armed with a stick.
Obviously, there’s risk in taking another skater out of the play.
Advertisement
But there’s also clear risk in leaving the guy out there with no stick.
This isn’t Greenway’s fault. He just happens to be in the middle of this debate for Buffalo hockey fans at the moment.
Odds are, nothing will change about this approach. But it’d be fascinating to see a team try the alternative route here, because it probably has merit.
Former England spinner Kirsty Gordon is set to make her first Scotland appearance in almost nine years after being named in their squad for the T20 World Cup.
Gordon, 28, played 60 times for Scotland before pursuing a full-time career in the English professional system.
Born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, she played in five matches at the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup as England finished runners-up and also played a Test match against Australia in 2019.
She committed her future to Scotland last December, but has only recently recovered from a back injury.
Advertisement
Kathryn Bryce captains a group that has three changes from the World Cup qualifier in Nepal earlier this year.
Young seam duo Gabriella Fontenla and Maisie Maceira are both included, along with Gordon, as Niamh Robertson-Jack, Mollie Parker and Hannah Rainey – who left the squad in Nepal because of injury – miss out.
Robertson-Jack and Ellen Watson will join a wider squad for a pre-tournament tri-series against the Netherlands and Bangladesh, before the Scots travel to Manchester for their opening World Cup match against Ireland at Old Trafford on 13 June.
Scotland also play England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group B.
May 10, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) skates with the puck against Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn both netted one goal and one assist to pace the host Anaheim Ducks to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night and even their Stanley Cup playoff series.
Mikael Granlund and Ian Moore also scored for Anaheim, which tied the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal at 2-2.
Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 18 saves and Cutter Gauthier collected three assists.
“We’ve got momentum and things are going good as long as you can keep it,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. “That’s better than chasing it.”
Pavel Dorofeyev, Brett Howden and Tomas Hertl scored for the Golden Knights, who will host Game 5 on Tuesday.
Advertisement
Goalie Carter Hart stopped 19 shots, Mitch Marner collected three assists and Jack Eichel contributed two assists.
The score was tied 2-2 late in the second period when Killorn gave Anaheim its third lead with its second power-play tally of the tilt. Killorn gained the puck at the bottom of the right circle and squeezed a shot into the net with 2:02 remaining in the second period.
The Ducks failed to score on the power play in the first three games of the series, blanked during 11 opportunities.
Moore extended the Anaheim lead with his first career playoff goal. Shortly after Anaheim killed a penalty, Moore found the twine with a point shot at 3:43 of the third period.
Advertisement
“Going down a couple of goals is always tough to come back,” Vegas forward Colton Sissons said. “We’ve done a pretty good job throughout the year and playoffs, too. Yeah, it’s tough.”
Hertl snapped a 29-game goal drought dating back to early March by tucking into the cage a loose puck with 64 seconds remaining in regulation to make it a one-goal game, but the Golden Knights could not complete the comeback.
After losing the last game, the Ducks were looking to have a strong early pushback and were rewarded when Sennecke opened the scoring by unloading a shot from the top of the right circle for the power-play goal at the 8:43 mark.
Advertisement
“That was a big focus for us. … It was nice to see a couple of those go in and get our power play rolling again,” Sennecke said.
Dorofeyev responded with a power-play goal of his own just past the period’s midway point. Dostal could not catch the point shot and Dorofeyev pounced on the loose puck.
Granlund made it a 2-1 game five minutes later when a turnover resulted in him gaining the puck in the slot and his shot ricocheted off a defender’s stick and bounded past Hart.
Vegas tied the game again when William Karlsson slipped a nifty pass to the front of the net for Howden, and it was easily converted at 4:04 of the second period.
Advertisement
The Golden Knights were without captain Mark Stone, who suffered an undisclosed injury late in the first period of Game 3. Brandon Saad drew into the lineup.
“I have zero worry about this team, as far as how we’re going to go about the next few games here,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said. “Wherever it goes to, I have total trust.”
Newtown Square, a leafy community just west of Philadelphia, sits in a golf-rich region, within ready striking distance of several famous courses, including Merion, Pine Valley and Philadelphia Cricket Club. Then there’s the layout in Newtown Square itself: Aronimink, where practice rounds are underway in advance of the 2026 PGA Championship. While the pros do their homework, here’s a study guide for the viewing public, with 10 things about the club every fan should know.
1. What’s in a Name
Aronimink takes its name from a chief of the Lenape, the Indigenous people who inhabited this region long before golf arrived. Legend holds that the chief once resided in a farmhouse that later served as the club’s original clubhouse.
2. Third Time’s the Charm
Like many storied clubs, Aronimink didn’t always call its current address home. Founded in 1896 as the Belmont Golf Association — itself an offshoot of the Belmont Cricket Club — the membership eventually purchased 300 acres in Newtown Square, following two relocations, where the club remains today.
3. A Ross Original
Opened on Memorial Day, 1928, the course was designed by the most prolific architect of his era, Donald Ross, who brought his full toolkit to bear: bold, crowned greens that punish imprecision, reverse-cambered fairways, demanding and varied approaches, and a routing that makes the most of rolling former Pennsylvania farmland.
Advertisement
4. A Caddie Who Made History
John McDermott was an Aronimink caddie, but he is better remembered for what he accomplished on the other side of the bag. The Philadelphia native became the first American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, claiming the title in back-to-back years, in 1911 and 1912. He was 19 when he won the first of them, the youngest player ever to claim the championship. More than a century later, that record still stands.
5. “Better Than I Knew”
Two decades after Aronimink opened, Ross offered a flattering appraisal of his own work. “I intended to make this my masterpiece,” he said, “but not until today did I realize I built it better than I knew.” Ross, it should be noted, could be liberal with such language. He bestowed the same “masterpiece” label on Dunedin, a municipal course he designed in Florida, and deemed his “crowning achievement” to be Pinehurst No. 2. At some point, somewhere, he was being hyperbolic. But no matter. By any label, Aronimink has proved itself a worthy stage.
6. A Championship Résumé
Aronimink has welcomed an impressive roster of elite events: the 1962 PGA Championship, the 1977 U.S. Amateur, the 2003 Senior PGA Championship, the 2010 and 2011 AT&T National, and the 2018 BMW Championship. When the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship was held here, the club became the first venue ever to host all three of the PGA of America’s rotating major championships.
7. Restored to Glory
Since its birth, Aronimink has been altered on multiple occasions, most notably in a 2017 restoration by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, who leaned on aerial photos of the original course. As part of their work, the architects revived upwards of 100 bunkers that ornamented the course on opening day.
Advertisement
8. The Hole Story
Ross gave each of Aronimink’s 18 holes an Indigenous name, connecting the routing to the land’s deeper past. The course measured 6,600 yards at opening — long by the standards of the time — and stretches to roughly 7,400 for this week’s championship, with 174 bunkers arranged in clusters that are as visually striking as they are strategically demanding. Every shot counts here, but certain holes figure to be pivot points in the competition, among them a par-4 1st hole that is more of a gut-punch than a friendly handshake; the par-3 5th, its green ringed island-like by bunkers; the short par-4 13th, which tempts players into aggression they may regret; and the bruising 18th, an uphill par 4 with a new back tee that stretches the hole to 490 yards.
9. Gary Player’s $13,000 Payday
When Gary Player won the 1962 PGA Championship at Aronimink, edging Bob Goalby by a single shot, he collected a winner’s check of $13,000, the largest purse in the tournament’s history at that point. The first-place prize in 2026 will exceed $3 million, which means the caddie on the winning bag stands to make some 20 times more than what Player pulled in.
10. A Major Championship Withdrawal
Aronimink was scheduled to host the 1993 PGA Championship, but the club opted to withdraw rather than become a flashpoint in the growing controversy over discriminatory membership practices at private clubs. At the time of that decision, in 1990, Aronimink did not have any Black members. The 1993 PGA Championship wound up being hosted at Inverness instead.
Indian boxing’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games have been thrown into uncertainty after the escalating conflict between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) forced the suspension of the final selection trials for the national squad.
With elite boxers awaiting clarity on selection procedures, evaluation standards and national camp participation, the dispute has created fresh instability in a crucial season for the sport.
SAI halts BFI’s selection trials
The latest confrontation between the two sports authorities emerged after SAI directed the BFI to halt the proposed assessment tests for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games squads, citing concerns over transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.
Advertisement
The assessment trials, initially planned from May 11 to 15 and later revised to May 11-13 at the NS NIS, Patiala, now remain suspended until further notice.
SAI raises objections over evaluation framework
The latest communication from SAI to the BFI highlighted multiple concerns regarding the federation’s proposed assessment mechanism for the national camp and final team selection.
Advertisement
In a letter issued by the office of TOPS CEO NS Johal, SAI stated that the federation had failed to provide adequate details regarding the technical and tactical evaluation matrix that would be used during the assessments.
SAI accuses BFI coaches of favouritism
The authority also sought clarification on the composition of the High Performance Unit (HPU), including the qualifications and credentials of officials responsible for evaluating athletes during the camp. Apart from the evaluation framework, SAI questioned the proposed list of coaches and support staff and asked the BFI to explain the criteria adopted by the Coaches Commission while recommending appointments.
Another key issue flagged by SAI was the possibility of coaches associated with the national camp being directly involved in the selection process, something the authority had earlier advised against to prevent favouritism and conflicts of interest. SAI further informed the federation that all expenses related to the conduct of trials or assessments would have to be borne entirely by the BFI.
Advertisement
BFI defends process amid growing disagreement
The BFI has maintained that the proposed procedures and evaluation policies had already been discussed with SAI during the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) meetings. Federation officials believe the assessment process was designed to streamline selections and ensure a performance-based pathway for boxers ahead of the major international events.
However, the continuing disagreement between the two bodies over selection norms, trial structures and staffing appointments has delayed the start of preparations for the upcoming multi-sport competitions. The standoff has also left several boxers uncertain about their participation in the national camp and their chances of representing India.
COAS Cup controversy deepens selection dispute
The dispute has also revived controversy surrounding the 2nd Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Cup, conducted in Pune from March 30 to April 5. The BFI had recognised the event as an official qualification route to the national camp, with gold and silver medallists across 20 categories earning eligibility for the final trials.
Advertisement
SAI, however, refused to acknowledge the competition and termed it a “closed-door” tournament. The decision has effectively left nearly 40 medal-winning boxers outside the selection pathway despite their performances at the event.
Several affected athletes are now preparing to move the Delhi High Court seeking inclusion in the trials and a fair opportunity to compete for national selection.
Advertisement
Boxers seek clarity over national selection
The uncertainty has triggered frustration among several leading Indian boxers, including 2021 World Championships silver medallist Deepak Bhoria and reigning Asian champion Sanjeet, both of whom secured medals at the COAS Cup.
In a joint statement, the two boxers expressed disappointment over the absence of clarity regarding the status of COAS Cup medallists and the selection process for the national camp. They stated that the federation had earlier informed athletes that gold and silver medallists from the tournament would become part of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games pathway, but no official confirmation has yet been provided.
Advertisement
The ongoing administrative deadlock has now stalled the selection process at a time when Indian boxing was expected to intensify preparations for two of the biggest sporting events of the cycle.
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2026 schedule
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. The 2026 Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Joshua Zirkzee was handed his first start of 2026 on Saturday but the forward doesn’t look a good fit for Man Utd or the Premier League.
Manchester United will pay the final instalment owed to Bologna for Joshua Zirkzee this summer, but the forward’s time at Old Trafford looks to be coming to an end just as debts are settled.
Zirkzee was handed a first start under Michael Carrick at Sunderland on Saturday and did little to convince he had a future at the club. Despite his height and physical presence, he is a lightweight No.9 who looked ill-equipped to thrive in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.
Advertisement
The Netherlands international was an opportunistic signing in 2024, when United were really feeling the pinch financially and needed more competition for Rasmus Hojlund, a £72million acquisition from Atalanta the year before.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter
Zirkzee had a release clause of just over £34million (€40million) in his Bologna contract, but United opted to pay £36.5million to spread the fee over three years, giving them more cash to play with in that window.
There is an argument that is financially prudent, but the bigger concern is what attracted them to Zirkzee in the first place. He had scored 12 goals in his final season in Serie A, spearheading Bologna’s surprise qualification for the Champions League, but he was a quirky forward who had thrived in a system that played to his strengths.
Advertisement
He had never been prolific and was clearly a technically skilled forward who might do well in a team built around him, but not exactly a line-leading striker ready for the muck and nettles of the Premier League.
That was a summer of chaos at United, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe pondered sacking Erik ten Hag only to take weeks to decide to keep the faith. Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth both started work at the club midway through the summer and it was never clear who was pulling the strings, which led to signings like Zirkzee.
It’s hard to imagine that deal happening in 2026. United’s approach to recruitment seems more aligned now, and the greater emphasis on data would have surely red-flagged a signing like Zirkzee, who has never looked at home in England.
Nearly two years on, it’s still difficult to know what his best position is. He is often referred to as a nine-and-a-half, but what does that even mean? Perhaps he would be a good false nine, but United don’t play that system. His best performances came as one of two No.10s in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, but his only route to games now is as a No.9.
Advertisement
His performance at the Stadium of Light proved he doesn’t have that in him. He has scored nine goals in 73 games for United, and 51 in 231 games throughout his career. Carrick said on Saturday that Zirkzee wouldn’t be judged on one game, but the file of evidence is much thicker than that. He is never going to be a prolific forward.
There will be a market for Zirkzee back in Italy. His technical skills can prosper in Serie A in a way they haven’t in the Premier League, especially in this iteration of the league, where forwards are barely given time to breathe.
An issue for United will be the lack of finance in Italy. Recouping the fee they paid will be impossible and they might end up with a loan and an option or obligation to buy.
They will at least bank £38million from Napoli for Hojlund this summer. That is money that can be reinvested in adding another forward to take the heat off Benjamin Sesko.
Advertisement
The Slovenian has looked more suited to life as Old Trafford’s No.9 than Hojlund or Zirkzee, but he needs support. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can play the role, but they are very different options, more likely to drop deep than stretch the play, and they might well be required elsewhere.
United might well look to sign a versatile forward to replace Zirkzee, someone who can play wide as well as through the middle. Or they might look for an older head.
Danny Welbeck is an obvious candidate, with a year left on his contract at Brighton. United have twice considered bringing him back to Old Trafford in recent years. He will turn 36 in November but has had another good season at the Amex and his experience could be valuable.
There will be other options out there. United spent around £108million on Hojlund and Zirkzee, and will be lucky to get half of that back. This summer, they should look for a much cheaper option and rely on the recruitment team to unearth the right kind of player.
Advertisement
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero works during coverage of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Mar. 2, 2022. Pelissero has become one of the league’s most recognizable insiders in recent years, regularly delivering breaking news, transaction updates, and behind-the-scenes reporting connected to the Vikings and the broader NFL landscape. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray in March, but he will not be handed the QB1 job without a battle, according to NFL.com and Tom Pelissero.
Murray has the resume. McCarthy still has his opening.
The incumbent starter, J.J. McCarthy, has a puncher’s chance to keep his job, and folks should fully expect a legitimate competition at training camp.
Advertisement
Minnesota’s QB Competition Now Has National Confirmation
Get the popcorn ready because it’s a quarterback mano a mano.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and center Michael Jurgens work through pregame warmups before a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Aug. 10, 2024. The quarterback-center pairing focused on timing, communication, and exchange mechanics as Minnesota prepared for its exhibition opener with teammates rotating through drills nearby. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
NFL.com: It’s a QB Battle in MIN
Training camp will have suspense. NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote Sunday, “If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won’t be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.”
“McCarthy’s struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season.”
Advertisement
Pelissero personally said, “They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.”
“I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open; they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”
The Case for Murray
It should not be a hot take to announce this: Murray is a better quarterback than McCarthy. He’s faster, more accurate, has a stronger arm, and has more experience. The Cardinals merely soured on him because he was in the QB1 chair for seven seasons, and Arizona failed to win a playoff game.
Advertisement
McCarthy is taller than Murray by about five inches, and that matters, but other than height, Murray has McCarthy beat in almost every talent-related category.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during second-quarter action against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 3, 2021. Murray directed Arizona’s offense throughout the NFC West divisional matchup, showcasing the mobility, arm talent, and playmaking ability that helped establish him among the NFL’s most dynamic young quarterbacks. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
There are also the numbers. Across 17 starts, on average, Murray produces about 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and roughly 600 rushing yards. He’s basically Lamar Jackson on a bad team without the marketing.
Murray will also have a chip on his shoulder later this summer; getting kicked out of Arizona is rather embarrassing, all things considered.
The Case for McCarthy
The Vikings drafted McCarthy in 2024 to unabashedly be the quarterback of the future. Hell, the franchise said “no thanks” last offseason to Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Rodgers in favor of McCarthy.
Advertisement
McCarthy also showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, his first season as a starter. He made throws that many cannot make, and his attitude in the Vikings’ locker room was infectious. McCarthy knows how to lead and has the drive to become a franchise quarterback.
The third-year pro also has youth on his side. He’s 23. Murray will turn 29 this summer. Per the original plan, it would probably be “better” if McCarthy just showed up to training camp, suddenly showcasing improved mechanics, maturity, and moxie.
NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio on the battle: “For McCarthy to win it, he’ll need to step up. Ball out. Outplay the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. The player who was named offensive rookie of the year before making it to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021.”
“Even if McCarthy wins the job, he’ll need to hold it. That means staying healthy. He has missed all of his rookie year due to a preseason knee injury. In 2025, he missed seven games. A ‘true competition’ will help both get ready to play. Chances are they both will.”
Advertisement
Prediction
There’s a world where McCarthy takes July and August by storm; fans would love it. It would also align with historical timelines — quarterbacks taking the next step in Year No. 3.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs with the football during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Aug. 15, 2019. Murray entered the NFL with massive expectations as the No. 1 overall pick, immediately displaying the speed, athleticism, and improvisational skills that defined his game at Oklahoma. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
However, this battle is probably Murray’s to lose. Some have compared Murray’s arrival in Minnesota to the aforementioned Darnold’s two years ago or Baker Mayfield’s in Tampa Bay three years ago. It’s an understandable analogy, but Murray has played consistently well since 2019. Darnold and Mayfield were deemed busts before their career reclamations.
McCarthy has a shot, but Murray will likely win this thing. It’s important to note that Murray is susceptible to injury — he’s missed 26% of all career starts — so McCarthy might get a chance to strut his stuff sometime in 2026 if history repeats.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Trainer Tom Charlton will separate two key horses from his yard across state borders this coming weekend, positioning Linebacker for the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone as promising speedster Napoleonic takes on the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.
Linebacker features in entries for the pair of races, but Charlton is inclined to choose Scone where the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) offers 100m more, fitting the horse’s optimal range.
“He is nominated for both, and we can think about it, but he will probably go to Scone and Napoleonic will go to Queensland,” Charlton said.
“With Linebacker, 1300 is a distance he’s very effective at. He will enjoy Scone and if we can get a bit of confidence in him, we can get him to the Stradbroke (Handicap).”
Advertisement
Winner of the 2025 Randwick Guineas, Linebacker competed at high levels during autumn.
He was beaten by a mere 1-1/2 lengths from Joliestar in his first-up Canterbury Stakes (1300m), held midfield in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) won by Autumn Glow, and claimed sixth place solidly in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
According to Charlton, the gelding should improve with a freshening and shorter distance as he aims to return to the winners’ list.
“His Canterbury Stakes run was great, and the George Ryder turned out to be a very good form race, and he wasn’t too bad in hindsight,” Charlton said.
Advertisement
“In the Doncaster, he put himself in a good position and they went very quick. He presented like he was going to be in the finish, but the pattern of that race probably played against him.
“He was the best on-speed horse, and he might appreciate a freshen up and coming back to that 1300 and 1400 metres.”
Napoleonic received a spell post his competitive Canterbury Stakes run and has dominated two recent barrier trials.
For a long time, it has been reported that Kasper Hjulmand is practically certain to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Now, Bild reports that Die Werkself have made a final decision on the Danish coach’s future.
Advertisement
The German tabloid claims that Hjulmand’s time at the club will be over at the end of the season, and that his final game in charge will be Saturday’s match against Hamburger SV.
Advertisement
Even though it is still mathematically possible for Leverkusen to qualify for the Champions League, Die Werkself almost certainly threw away their chance of reaching Europe’s premier club competition on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart.
With just one game left to play, Leverkusen sit sixth, three points behind both Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart in fifth and fourth place respectively.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised the match officials for what he called a “brave decision” during his team’s victory over West Ham United on Sunday.
One of the biggest moments in the match came after a controversial foul decision that caused debate among players, fans and football analysts. After checking the incident, the referee decided to keep the original call, leading to different reactions inside the stadium.
Speaking after the game, Arteta admitted he has criticised referees in the past over inconsistency, but said the officials deserved praise for their decision in this match.
Advertisement
“Sometimes I’ve been critical of referees or questioned consistency,” Arteta said. “Today they made a brave decision.”
The Spaniard also said the replay showed clearly that the referee made the correct call.
“When you watch it again clearly, it is obvious that it was a foul and the right decision. So, thank you,” he added.
Advertisement
Arteta’s comments have attracted attention because he has previously spoken strongly against officiating decisions in English football. His support for the referees after such a controversial moment has sparked discussion among supporters and pundits.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login