Mike Gianakos Articles - Page 19

The Chicago Cubs jumped out to a big lead in the NL Central early in the season. Chicago still maintained an advantage in the division heading into the All-Star break. One of the big reasons for the Cubs’ success was the offseason acquisition of Kyle Tucker from the Astros. Tucker got off to a blazing […]

The Minnesota Vikings were holding a quarterback competition between journeyman Sam Darnold and first-year passer J.J. McCarthy last offseason. After the rookie tore his meniscus in the preseason, Darnold took the starting job and ran with it. The Vikings developed a potent passing game with the veteran, finishing the year 14-3. In 2025, Minnesota will […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers turned to Blake Snell in the second game of a pivotal series against the San Diego Padres. The two-time Cy Young winner followed Clayton Kershaw’s vintage performance in the series opener with a dominant outing. And Snell got some help from Will Smith early in the divisional grudge match. The Dodgers’ […]

The Milwaukee Brewers have done it again. After mounting an improbable seven-run comeback in the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, the Brewers notched another thrilling win on Saturday. The 6-5 victory in extra innings extended Milwaukee’s winning streak to a franchise-record 14 straight games. The Reds had an opportunity to hand the Brewers their […]

With veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster, the New York Giants were planning on a redshirt season for Jaxson Dart in 2025. But the rookie passer might be forcing the Giants’ hand with his strong performance in the preseason. Wilson impressed early with an 80-yard strike in the Giants’ first drive […]

While rookie first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart had generated plenty of buzz, Russell Wilson will begin the 2025 season as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback. Wilson has struggled at times adjusting to his new team. But in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the New York Jets, the 10-time Pro Bowler looked sharp early. Wilson reminded […]

The New York Mets faced a troubling reality after their 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Friday. New York had dropped 14 of the last 16 games as a brutal slump derailed a promising season, knocking the team out of the division race. Francisco Lindor addressed the Mets’ struggles after New York lost its […]

It was a busy offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders. Pete Carroll is now running the show in Las Vegas. Veteran passer Geno Smith took over quarterbacking duties after coming over in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. And the team drafted rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty to upgrade its running game. But the revamped Raiders […]

The Milwaukee Brewers rolled into Cincinnati on a historic hot streak. The Brewers had racked up 12 straight wins and they were handing the ball to Jacob Misiorowski for the series opener against the Reds. With the rookie phenom rejoining baseball’s best team after a stint on the injured list, it almost seemed unfair. However, […]

The Cincinnati Reds had a chance. Milwaukee Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski struggled in his return from the injured list Friday. The rookie phenom didn’t have his stuff, lasting less than two innings as the Reds jumped out to an early 8-1 lead. Cincinnati had the seemingly invincible Brewers on the ropes. But Christian Yelich never […]

The stakes are high as the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in a pivotal divisional clash. Earlier this week, the Padres overtook the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. LA hasn’t been out of first place this late in a season since 2021. And, more astoundingly, it’s the latest […]

The Boston Red Sox opened August on a hot streak that allowed them to pass the New York Yankees in the AL East for the first time this season. However Boston has since cooled off, losing five of the last seven games. And things were again looking bleak in Friday’s series opener against the Miami […]

Despite injuries piling up all season long, the Los Angeles Dodgers had been able to maintain a lead in the NL West. But after the Los Angeles Angels extended the team’s losing streak to four straight games, the Dodgers dropped in the standings. LA is now a game behind San Diego as the division rivals […]

The Houston Astros are in the thick of a division race against the surging Seattle Mariners. Houston has won six of the last nine games to hang onto a slim lead in the AL West. But the team will be without Jeremy Peña for Friday’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. While Peña has missed […]

Over the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers caused a stir with a historic spending spree. As LA hoarded talent, MLB grew concerned about audience disengagement. Some fans of smaller market teams became disillusioned, believing that the 2025 season was a foregone conclusion because the Dodgers won the winter. Every professional sports league strives for parity […]

The Washington Nationals are playing out another lost season. At 23 games under .500, Washington is headed for its sixth straight losing season. The Nationals’ awful pitching made headlines earlier this month when the club made history as the only team to allow 80 hits, 50 runs and 10 homers in a four-game span. But […]

The New York Mets’ struggles continued on Thursday as the team fell 4-3 to the Atlanta Braves. New York lost for the 13th time in the last 15 games. The brutal slump has left players and coaches alike searching for answers as the Mets desperately attempt to right the ship. New York led 3-2 heading […]

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal dominated in his last road start on August 2. Facing the Philadelphia Phillies, the All-Star lefty fanned 10 batters without issuing a walk en route to his 11th win of the season. With the performance, Skubal joined Clayton Kershaw as the only pitchers to record 10+ strikeouts without allowing a […]

Although he posted solid stats in his first two MLB seasons, Michael Harris II has become better known for his sensational defensive plays than his offensive production. But as the Atlanta Braves play out another injury-marred season, Harris appears to have figured something out at the plate. In Wednesday’s 11-6 win, the Braves center fielder […]

The Los Angeles Angels spoiled Shohei Ohtani’s homecoming by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Freeway Series. The Angels have now won seven straight games against their crosstown rival for the first time in franchise history. While the Angels secured LA bragging rights, they’re still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. […]

The Denver Broncos strengthened their defense with several high-profile free agency signings this offseason. Yet none were more potentially impactful than the addition of Dre Greenlaw. The veteran linebacker is expected to help transform a strong Broncos’ defense into an elite group in 2025. The only issue standing in the way is health. Greenlaw suffered […]

George Springer has played a key role in the Toronto Blue Jays’ success this season. Springer and the Blue Jays caught fire at the end of June and quickly overtook the New York Yankees for the division lead. Unfortunately, Toronto lost Springer to a concussion when a 96 mph sinker got away from Baltimore Orioles’ […]

The New York Mets bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline. The team added three quality relievers for a playoff push. But New York did not address its starting rotation. And that decision could prove costly as the Mets fight for a postseason berth. On Wednesday, New York continued its disastrous slide, losing for the […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers slept through their wakeup call. Freddie Freeman issued a reality check to the team after the surging San Diego Padres pulled into a tie for first place in the NL West. On Wednesday the Los Angeles Angels completed a sweep of the Freeway Series, dropping the Dodgers a game back in […]

The Miami Marlins snapped a four-game skid by unloading on the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday and Jakob Marsee was right in the middle of the action. Marsee made history as just the third player with a seven-RBI game in his first 13 MLB contests. And after the game, the rookie center fielder added to his growing […]

The Kansas City Royals are looking to rebound from a slow start to reach the playoffs for the second straight season. Kansas City added Mike Yastrzemski in a surprise deal with the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline to help with the second-half push. The veteran outfielder had spent his entire career with San […]

The Philadelphia Phillies have been rolling. The team has taken advantage of the New York Mets’ recent slump by winning seven of the last nine games and building a lead in the division. But on Wednesday, the Phillies broke out the circus music and added a wild blooper to the reel. Philadelphia took on the […]

Less than two weeks ago the New York Mets were in the midst of a heated divisional battle with the Philadelphia Phillies. But the Mets hit a brutal skid, losing 11 of their last 13 games, and the team now trails Philadelphia by five games in the NL East. Searching for answers, New York hopes […]

A little over two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers held a commanding lead in the NL West. Now, Los Angeles finds itself in a tight divisional race. The Dodgers were counting on a strong start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. Instead, Yamamoto hit a career low in […]

Spirits were high in Houston as the Astros kicked off a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox Monday. Alex Bregman returned to Houston for the first time since leaving in free agency over the offseason. Astros fans were expected to give Bregman a warm reception. And the All-Star third baseman did receive an ovation […]

The Milwaukee Brewers’ magical run hit another incredible high note on Monday. The team beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-1, improving to 74-44 on the season. Milwaukee has now won 25 of its last 29 games, building a commanding lead in the NL Central and compiling the best record in baseball. And the team joined an […]

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez opened the season on the IL with elbow inflammation. He was then diagnosed with a right lat strain that sidelined him for three months. When it appeared he would turn the corner and rejoin the rotation, Rodriguez suffered an injury setback involving his elbow. Ultimately, Rodriguez opted to have season-ending […]

The Houston Astros are attempting to hold off the red-hot Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Houston is fighting to reach the playoffs for the ninth straight year despite losing cornerstone players Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman over the offseason. The Astros did reunite with former franchise standout Carlos Correa through a trade deadline deal […]

Blake Snell took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. In just his second start since returning from a four-month injury absence, Snell dominated. The two-time Cy Young winner allowed three hits and three walks while striking out 10 in five scoreless innings. However, Snell wasn’t overly […]

The San Diego Padres welcomed starting pitcher Michael King back from the 60-day IL on Saturday. King took the mound for the first time since May 18, facing a hot Boston Red Sox team that took the series opener 10-2. While King struggled in his return, the Padres figured out a way to win. San […]

The Sanders family got off to a strong start this preseason. Shedeur Sanders impressed in his pro debut with the Cleveland Browns. And his brother Shilo Sanders had a big hit in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ preseason opener. The Bucs signed Shilo as an undrafted free agent over the offseason. While he’s fighting for a […]

The New York Giants are looking to bounce back from last year’s 3-14 finish. The team revamped its quarterback room over the offseason and landed top defensive lineman Abdul Carter in the draft. And on Saturday fans got their first glimpse at the 2025 Giants as New York won its preseason opener against the Buffalo […]

It’s been yet another brutal season for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. Despite winning 12 of their last 17 games, the Pirates are well out of the playoff picture at 15 games below .500. Resigned to missing the postseason for the 10th straight year, Pittsburgh sold at the trade deadline. The team moved several players in an […]

The Milwaukee Brewers continued their incredible hot streak with a win in their series opener against the New York Mets. Milwaukee had just returned home from a very successful road trip. The Brewers became the first team in baseball history to score 50+ runs while not losing a game and not committing an error on […]