Joshua Valdez Articles - Page 21

The Toronto Raptors have largely struggled since winning the 2019 NBA championship. However, guard Scottie Barnes has been a bright spot and not one they’re taking lightly. The Raptors are about to lock up Barnes long-term, via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “ESPN Sources: Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Scottie Barnes intends to sign a five-year maximum rookie […]

The St. Louis Cardinals (38-37) are still within striking distance for the NL Central crown near the season’s midpoint. Now, the “Cards” are getting back a crucial bullpen arm as they try to shrink their 5.5-game deficit of the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-handed pitcher Giovanny Gallegos has healed from his shoulder injury, via MLB.com. “Gallegos, who […]

The New York Mets (36-39), with the help of McDonald’s mascot Grimace, have inserted themselves back into the wild-card race. Now, New York’s NL representative finds itself in a precarious position as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The Mets could be both buyers and sellers this summer, via The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Will the Mets be buyers […]

Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer last took the field in Game 3 of last season’s World Series, tossing three shutout innings in a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The three-time Cy Young Award winner then went down with a back injury, robbing him the opportunity of helping the Rangers defend their crown so far […]

While players often wait until the offseason to sign big contracts, sometimes there’s no point in waiting for marriage when the relationship is going well. The Philadelphia Phillies found a gem in southpaw pitcher Cristopher Sanchez, and both sides decided to commit long-term. The Phillies signed Sanchez to an extension Saturday, via the New York Post’s Jon […]

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce is known for being a menace, and he’s now in full villain mode after the team’s new championship victory. Pierce usually resorts to making crazy takes on his podcast or on TV, but this time, he made a bold proclamation at the Celtics’ championship parade. Pierce made fun of the […]

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle tried his best but couldn’t return for the team’s playoff run after injuring his shoulder in January. New York had to make do without its second-leading scorer, which led to an earlier exit than the team originally anticipated. Luckily for Knicks fans, Randle confirmed that he’s ready for next […]

Much has been made of the “Nova Knicks,” one of the more unlikely stories in recent NBA history. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo each won two NCAA Championships together on Jay Wright’s Villanova squad, and now they’ve reunited on the New York Knicks. Brunson and Hart recently chopped it up with Wright, even […]

With the Los Angeles Clippers suffering another disappointing playoff exit this past season, the basketball world is speculating whether the organization will break up its star trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden. George’s name is now getting thrown around in the same sentences as the New York Knicks by some highly esteemed […]

The New York Yankees (51-26) still have the best record in baseball, but that could change at any moment. The Baltimore Orioles sit just a half-game behind them after winning their three-game series in the Bronx, and Thursday’s 17-5 win to cap it off was convincing. Yankees manager Aaron Boone sounded off on Baltimore’s skill […]

Oklahoma football is entering a new era on multiple fronts. Not only are the Sooners transferring to the SEC, but head coach Brent Venables is locked in for the long run. The 53-year old signed an extension with Oklahoma on Friday, via ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Sources: Oklahoma has agreed to a new six-year contract for […]

Thursday night’s game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., is loaded with rich baseball history. Not only did the late Giants legend Willie Mays play there, but outfielder Mike Yastrzemski’s family did, too. San Francisco manager Bob Melvin even asked Yastrzemski if he wanted to play […]

The Los Angeles Lakers were under pressure after striking out on UConn boss Dan Hurley. The team finally landed on former sharpshooter JJ Redick, but not before checking in with its star player first. The Lakers made sure Davis was fully on board before officially hiring Redick, via The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and Jovan Buha. […]

New York Yankees star prospect Jasson Dominguez has been embarrassing minor league pitchers this season, slashing .356/.404/.609 across 23 games. However, his progress towards rejoining New York’s big-league team has stopped. Dominguez will be out for at least two months with a left oblique strain, via The Athletic’s Brandon Kuty. “Dominguez out for at least 8 weeks, […]

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles have been embroiled in a classic divisional battle, full of animosity, close games, and hit-by-pitches. Yankees relief pitcher Victor Gonzales drilled Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson with a fastball in the seventh inning Wednesday night, which some thought may have been a retaliation for Baltimore hitting Aaron Judge and […]

In baseball, it’s rare for one player to dominate an entire team over an extended period. However, Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson isn’t just anybody. The two-time All-Star has gone on an unprecedented run against the Detroit Tigers, via OptaSTATS “Following today’s win by the @Braves over the Tigers, Matt Olson now has a […]

With the 2024 NBA Draft fast approaching, fans are running out of time to place their bets on who’ll be selected first overall. French international Alex Sarr had been the favorite for a while, but the tide has shifted. Following recent reports about the Atlanta Hawks’ plans with the first pick, fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher […]

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge claimed to be ready to go for Wednesday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after getting plunked in the hand by a fastball Tuesday. After Judge himself grinned and reported that his X-rays and CT scans came back negative, the five-time All-Star seemed like a shoo-in to take the […]

The Atlanta Hawks hold the No. 1 pick in this summer’s NBA Draft and thus have the most leverage in any possible draft-day trade scenario. With the draft soon approaching, rumors have been flying as the basketball world continues to speculate Atlanta’s next moves. While it’s not confirmed, the Hawks are reportedly taking a long […]

Los Angeles Sparks (4-11) rookie Cameron Brink was off to a promising start to her WNBA career after getting drafted second overall. The Stanford alum averaged 7.5 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting with 5.3 rebounds, immediately shining on a struggling Sparks team. Unfortunately, Brink suffered a torn ACL after getting tangled up with the […]

The universe works in mysterious ways, and San Francisco Giants Special Advisor Dusty Baker experienced that firsthand Tuesday. After visiting the great Willie Mays on Monday, the 93-year-old legend passed away Tuesday. Baker expressed his feelings on losing his longtime friend, via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “Isn’t it ironic?’’ said Baker, “that while the eyes […]

With Boston Celtics center Al Horford finally becoming an NBA champion, he’s now forever linked with Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden unexpectedly. Horford won his first ring after his 186th playoff game on Monday, which had previously been a record amongst active players. Now, Harden holds that record, and Horford couldn’t be happier about […]

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is firmly established as one of the greatest players to ever touch the pigskin, but he still has plenty to prove. The 40-year-old needs to show he still has gas left in the tank after tearing his Achilles on the fourth play of the Jets’ season last year. Longtime […]

The New York Yankees currently sit atop the league at 50-24, but that’ll change quickly if they play like they did in their last two games. The upstart Baltimore Orioles come to the Bronx, sitting just a game and a half out of first place in the AL East. Meanwhile, New York will be without […]

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was tormented last season for being a “playoff choker” and not being able to dribble to his left. Now, he stands at the league’s mountaintop, joining rare air after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Brown joins Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry as the only players in NBA […]

The Cleveland Browns may have had a Cinderella run with Joe Flacco at the helm at the end of last season, but it’s time to get back to reality. Deshaun Watson is the one getting paid to be the franchise quarterback, and this will be a make-or-break season for the veteran. Browns general manager Andrew […]

Texas football is gearing up for its revenge tour for next season and beyond after losing the National Championship to Washington last season. The Longhorns have put together a star-studded recruiting class, and their latest addition may be the most important one yet. Texas landed 2026 five-star quarterback Dia Bell on Monday, who sounded off […]

The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will be playing a Negro League tribute game Thursday in Birmingham, Alabama’s Rickwood Field, and one of the greatest players of all time was originally scheduled to be there. Giants legend Willie Mays was supposed to be the center of attention at the game’s festivities, but he’ll […]

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has been surprisingly outshined by Jaylen Brown throughout their playoff run this season. If and when the Celtics hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, Brown will most likely be the Finals MVP. However, Tatum isn’t concerned with that fact. "It's important, but it's not like the main thing. Isiah Thomas, [Tim […]

Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll had another setback amidst an already rough sophomore season. The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year, who’s hitting .213 with just two homers, picked up an injury during Arizona’s 12-5 win over the Chicago White Sox Sunday. Carroll left in the seventh inning after feeling pain in his left side […]

New York Jets running back Breece Hall probably never expected to be in this position back at Iowa State. While the two-time All-American certainly expected to be an NFL star, he probably didn’t think San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy would start in the Super Bowl before him. Now, Hall will get to play his […]

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur went viral recently for making a racist joke about Koreans. Of course, this was ironic, considering that his teammate is South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min. Bentancur apologized to Son on Instagram Friday, via ESPN. “Sony brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke!” Bentancur […]

The Baltimore Orioles pitching staff is currently resembling a medical ward. Right-hander Kyle Bradish, who missed the first month of the season with a UCL sprain, now appears to be missing more time. Bradish is headed back to the injured list with the same ailment, via baltimorepositive.com’s Luke Jones. “The Orioles have placed Kyle Bradish […]

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander hasn’t been himself this season. The future Hall-of-Famer is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA this year in his second season back in Houston, with a 7.20 mark in June. Verlander will miss Saturday’s start against the Detroit Tigers due to “neck discomfort,” via The Houston Chronicle’s Matt Young. The 41-year-old’s ailment […]

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo will never forget the game he had Friday night. While Boston Red Sox fans booed him in his first return to Fenway Park, all he did was go 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in an 8-1 victory. Verdugo basked in the glory post-game, via YES Network. "This […]

While Caitlin Clark is generally agreed upon as the main draw behind women’s basketball’s furious surge in popularity recently, Angel Reese deserves her respect, too. The two’s competitive rivalry from college has carried over into the WNBA, and the league is better off because of it. NBA retiree Carmelo Anthony, basketball commentator Monica McNutt, and […]

Former Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr.’s life got turned upside down after being arrested in December due to allegations of rape and sexual assault. The accusations against the NBA Draft prospect were based on an incident in a Lawrence, Kansas bar in September. However, Shannon was found not guilty by a Kansas jury Thursday, […]

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is constantly the topic of conversation, even during the offseason. The enigmatic superstar most recently made headlines for his “unexcused absences” during the Jets’ minicamp, which caused a stir online. Fellow New York star and teammate Sauce Gardner came to the legend’s defense Friday, via X. “Are y’all really […]

This is the year of revenge for Kansas State basketball. After a subpar season, Jerome Tang and the Wildcats continue to reload in the transfer portal, creating one of the most intriguing new-look teams in college hoops. The program landed Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins Friday with the help of a large pot of gold, via […]