Mike Gianakos Articles - Page 6

The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of a nightmare season. The team has been plagued by injuries and the players healthy enough to take the field aren’t hitting. The Orioles have been shutout eight times this season – twice in the last five games. Opposing pitchers have taken no-hit bids into the seventh inning […]

Ronald Acuña Jr. has been making up for lost time after returning to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup following a lengthy injury layoff. The All-Star right fielder has been crushing the ball, posting a .692 slugging percentage since rejoining the team in May. And that prodigious power will be on display when Acuña participates in the […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated as Shohei Ohtani resumed his two-way role with the team. Los Angeles has scored 30 runs over the last three games. And while Ohtani contributed 2 home runs and 7 RBI in that span, Max Muncy has overshadowed the reigning NL MVP. Muncy hit a grand slam against the […]

Juan Soto turned around a disappointing debut season with the New York Mets by knocking the cover off the ball in June. Soto has been on fire this month, displaying his prodigious power. The All-Star right fielder tied Jimmie Foxx for the most multi-homer games before turning 27 with two blasts in an 11-4 win […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers were determined to have Aaron Rodgers under center in 2025. The team passed on potential starting quarterbacks during free agency and then opted to hold off on drafting a QB until the sixth round. After months of waiting, the Steelers finally signed Rodgers to a one-year deal in early June. While Rodgers […]

The Milwaukee Brewers’ series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday featured two of baseball’s most exciting young pitching talents. Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes got the start for Pittsburgh and Milwaukee sent out flame-throwing phenom Jacob Misiorowski. The Brewers’ rookie sensation has been even better than advertised since Milwaukee called up the […]

Earlier this month the Boston Red Sox announced a promising update for injured third baseman Alex Bregman. The team was hopeful the two-time All-Star would be able to return to the lineup in early July after landing on the 10-day IL with a quad strain on May 23. But despite Boston’s optimistic prognosis, it appears […]

The New York Jets appear headed in a positive direction with Aaron Glenn at the helm following the humiliating debacle that was the 2024 season (and all the miserable years that preceded it). The Jets’ new leader is emphasizing culture. Glenn isn’t promising a miraculous turnaround. Instead of slapping paint on the exterior, he’s trying […]

After losing for the 13th time in their last 15 games when Shohei Ohtani got his second start of the season for the Dodgers Sunday, the Washington Nationals bounced back against the San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, even when the Nationals win, they lose, as a freak accident caused a serious injury. Washington catcher Keibert Ruiz […]

The Toronto Blue Jays appeared poised to take control of the AL East after a torrid start to June. But after winning 12 of 14 games, Toronto has cooled off, going 3-6 since. However, the Blue Jays could be positioned to make another run with Max Scherzer ready to rejoin the rotation. With Scherzer set […]

When it comes to spectacular Cincinnati Reds highlights, shortstop sensation Elly De La Cruz is usually the subject. But in Monday’s matchup against the New York Yankees, right fielder Jake Fraley stole the show. Fraley tracked down a Paul Goldschmidt shot deep to right and made a leaping grab at the wall for a spectacular […]

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña is putting together the best season of his career in 2025. While Peña has long been considered one of baseball’s elite defensive shortstops, he’s contributing offensively like never before, helping the Astros surge ahead in the AL West. And Peña is hoping his breakout season leads to a multi-year contract […]

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from a lengthy injury layoff in May. Since rejoining the Braves’ lineup, the former NL MVP has been raking, posting a .396 batting average and 1.202 OPS in 27 games. His younger brother, however, has gone in the other direction, as New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuña is […]

Jared Goff will face some changes on the field this season with a new offensive coordinator calling plays following the departure of former Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson. And the veteran quarterback is preparing for a major change at home, as he and his wife Christen Harper Goff will welcome a new member of the […]

The Washington Nationals are headed for their sixth straight losing season, as the team hasn’t reached the playoffs since its title run in 2019. If there’s an upside to another lost season in Washington, it’s that the Nationals’ talented, young prospects are getting playing time. One of those players is making the most of his […]

Despite capping off a wild four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-3 win Friday, the San Diego Padres left LA feeling bitter. Right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was plunked by the Dodgers for the third time this season. And although the two-time All-Star’s X-rays were negative, teammate Manny Machado warned the Dodgers […]

Despite falling behind the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs after an inconsistent start to the season, the Milwaukee Brewers continue their relentless pursuit of the postseason. The team is determined to reach the playoffs for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. And the Brewers’ dominant three-game winning streak gives fans reason to believe. After […]

The Baltimore Orioles have been plagued by injuries this season. The ailments have contributed to a nightmare campaign as Baltimore is 10 games below .500 and 11 games back in the AL East. And the news just keeps getting worse for the team. After All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman was scratched from the lineup Friday, the […]

The Texas Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak Friday behind another strong outing from Jacob deGrom. The veteran ace delivered his fourth straight quality start, leading Texas to a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, it wasn’t all good news for the Rangers as first baseman Jake Burger exited the game early with an […]

After a slow start in 2025, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been targeted by contending teams as a potential trade partner. Eugenio Suarez in particular has drawn interest from teams looking to add a middle of the order bat at a corner infield position. And that interest likely grew after his monster game against the Colorado […]

Prior to Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox Rafael Devers told reporters he’s happy for the first time in a long time now that he’s a member of the San Francisco Giants. But the three-time All-Star may be a bit less content after losing to his former team 7-5. Just days after Devers […]

The Philadelphia Phillies opened a critical three-game series against the New York Mets Friday with first place in the NL East on the line. The teams were tied with identical 45-30 records at the start of the day. But the Phillies scored a big victory over New York, powered in part by Nick Castellanos, who’s […]

Veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson is still searching for an MLB home in 2025. A market for the right-handed starter failed to materialize over the offseason and Gibson ended up signing with the Baltimore Orioles in late March. However, his stint with Baltimore was short lived and Gibson caught on with the Tampa Bay Rays in […]

The San Francisco Giants stunned the baseball world by landing Rafael Devers in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, The disgruntled All-Star took issue with the Red Sox requesting he change positions, originally from third to DH and then from DH to first base. The growing animosity led to the blockbuster trade and Devers […]

Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field on Friday. It was the first time the retired slugger made an appearance at the stadium since 2004, his final season with the Chicago Cubs. The organization essentially exiled the former All-Star after allegations of PED use marred his accomplishments with the club. The icy relationship then lasted over […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost rookie starting pitcher Roki Sasaki to a shoulder injury in mid May. Los Angeles signed the former NPB star when he was made available to MLB teams for the first time over the offseason. Unfortunately, Sasaki has joined a growing list of Dodgers pitchers sidelined by injury. On Friday, LA […]

Sammy Sosa made his long-awaited return to Wrigley Field on Friday. The former fan favorite had been exiled by the Chicago Cubs after parting on bad terms with the team 21 years ago. Now the team’s all-time home run leader was welcomed back to his old stomping grounds. And he caught up with current fan […]

Despite a rough start to the season and a sub .500 record after 73 games, the Atlanta Braves continue to fight, striving to make the playoffs for the eighth straight year. The Braves have made it clear they will not become sellers at the MLB trade deadline. And a recent hot streak has spurred the […]

San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez has become baseball’s best contact hitter. The three-time batting champion puts the ball in play. That approach has led to his major league-best .319 career batting average and his preposterously low 6.3 career strikeout percentage. Arraez took his aversion to whiffing to a new level Thursday night. The […]

Clint Frazier began his career as a promising prospect with the New York Yankees. But after the Yankees designated him for assignment following the 2021 season and he failed to stick with the Chicago Cubs, Frazier had the misfortune of ending up with the Chicago White Sox in 2023. He would be out of the […]

The Arizona Diamondbacks stumbled out of the gate this season as the team is mired in fourth place in the highly competitive NL West. Arizona’s disappointing campaign has contending clubs salivating at the thought of stripping the team for parts, with Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor and Zac Gallen receiving the most interest. But despite the […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided on a fresh start at the quarterback position for 2025. The team moved on from last season’s starters Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. But Pittsburgh didn’t replace the passers during free agency. Then, the Steelers took some heat for passing on Shedeur Sanders in the first round of the 2025 draft. […]

The Boston Red Sox began spring training with three of baseball’s top prospects competing for a spot on the team. While a case could have been made for each of the “Big 3” – Kristian Campbell, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer – it was Campbell who made Boston’s Opening Day roster. The 22-year-old rookie, who […]

The New York Jets’ newly installed braintrust executed a sensible if unspectacular debut draft in April. Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey recognized the team’s most glaring needs and addressed them. Still, a team that finished 5-12 last season and hasn’t reached the playoffs in 14 years is more than one sensible […]

Chris Sale was sensational Wednesday night as the Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Mets 5-0. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner had his best start of the season as he passed Felix Hernandez on the career strikeouts list. Sale nearly tossed a complete-game shutout, going 8 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets before […]

Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a starting quarterback for the 2025 season after Aaron Rodgers agreed to a one-year deal with the team, all eyes are on the T.J. Watt extension saga. Watt has been holding out as he seeks a new contract and he racked up over $100,000 in fines for skipping mandatory […]

Despite the returns of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider from lengthy IL stints, the 2025 season hasn’t gone as the Atlanta Braves had hoped. In 2024 the team battled through numerous injuries, somehow making the playoffs for the seventh straight season. This year, the team is six games under .500 and 11 games out […]

The Chicago Cubs have been dominant to start the 2025 season as the team has gone 45-28, tying the New York Mets for the second-best record in baseball. The Cubs appear poised to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. And the team received more good news Wednesday as the All-Star Game […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers opted for an Aaron Rodgers-or-bust strategy this offseason as the team patiently waited for the future Hall of Famer to accept their offer. The Steelers refrained from signing a starting quarterback during free agency. Then they held off on taking a passer in the draft until the sixth round. Finally, that patience […]