Mike Gianakos Articles - Page 8

The Cleveland Guardians got embarrassed for the second straight game Friday as the team has now suffered back-to-back shutout losses. While the offense was inept during its scoreless streak, it should be noted that Jose Ramírez was injured in the Blue Jays matchup Thursday and held out of the lineup for the series opener against […]

The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled after a mid-month surge allowed the team to reclaim control of the NL East. As Bryce Harper remains sidelined with a wrist injury, the Phillies’ offense has been inconsistent. But Philadelphia bottomed out during its three-game losing streak, scoring just one run in the last three games. Then, suddenly, the […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up their fifth straight win in a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals Friday. However, the Royals didn’t go quietly, loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning against closer Tanner Scott. But a slick defensive play by Freddie Freeman sealed the win and got Scott out […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers relied on their trio of MVP winners to edge out the Kansas City Royals Friday. Reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani led off the game with a home run – his league-high 29th bomb of the season. Ohtani later tied the game with a fifth inning RBI triple before scoring the go-ahead […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their winning streak going against the Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles swept Colorado, outscoring the team 20-9 in the three-game series. And, despite the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup, Max Muncy stole the spotlight with his recent offensive eruption. Muncy hit his second grand slam in three games on Wednesday, driving in 6 […]

Bo Nix delivered an exceptional rookie season for the Denver Broncos in 2024. His performance helped propel the team to a 10-7 record in a highly competitive division as the Broncos return to the playoffs, ending an agonizing eight-year drought. While Nix became a sensation in his debut season, Denver’s strong offensive line play deserves […]

The Boston Red Sox are struggling as an anemic offensive output has led to a five-game losing streak. While players were quick to dismiss the notion that the Red Sox miss Rafael Devers’ production in the lineup, the numbers tell a different story. But help appears to be on the way for Boston after the […]

The Texas Rangers starting rotation has been a strength in an overall disappointing season for the team. Veteran ace Jacob deGrom has returned to his dominant form, leading the majors with 5 quality starts in June. But the Rangers have been without their best pitcher as Nathan Eovaldi has been sidelined by injury. That is, […]

San Francisco Giants fans are not happy with manager Bob Melvin after his optimistic take following a brutal series sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. Frustration is mounting in San Francisco as the team has struggled over the last two weeks. Perhaps the only thing that could lift Giants fans’ spirits at the […]

Shohei Ohtani is putting together yet another MVP-caliber season in 2025 after winning the award three times in the last four years. Ohtani broke the record for home runs by a leadoff hitter over the first 80 games of a season on Tuesday, surpassing Brady Anderson’s mark of 26 set in 1996. On Thursday, the […]

The San Francisco Giants’ season continued to spiral as the team was swept by the Miami Marlins in a three-game series at home. The Marlins outscored the Giants 24-12 in the sweep despite entering the series with the third-worst run differential in the majors. Manager Bob Melvin didn’t help matters with questionable decision making that […]

Aaron Judge made MLB history with an unreal start to the 2025 season that displayed an unparalleled mix of power and batting average. The New York Yankees’ All-Star right fielder is following up last year’s MVP Award-winning season with another remarkable campaign. And Judge could soon add an ESPY Award to his growing list of […]

After leading the league in dysfunction during the wild fever dream that was the Aaron Rodgers New York Jets era, the team has made efforts to change course for 2025. New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is attempting to stabilize the woebegone organization. And his leadership has already had an impact on Breece Hall. The […]

After helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, Gavin Lux was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a surprise offseason move by the defending champs. However, Lux has embraced the situation, using the change of scenery as an opportunity to improve. Lux recently spoke to veteran starting pitcher and fellow former Dodger […]

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 […]