Three Underrated Blue Jays that Have Come Out Strong

Whit Merrifield

If you were to look up the word ‘clutch’ in the dictionary Whit Merrifield’s name would undoubtedly appear. But despite this, he has been overlooked in the game. Whit Merrifield has come up with many key hits this season that have helped the Jays score runs. A perfect example was the game against the Chicago White Sox on July 4th.

Merrifield hit a double in the fourth inning and also recorded a steal. It can be said that one of Merrifield’s secret weapons is his speed. He has recorded 19 steals and 17 doubles this season and has shown great power against left-handed pitching. 

Another reason why Merrifield is a clutch player is that he doesn’t strike out a lot. The Jays have had their struggles with scoring runs with players in scoring position but Merrifield has been that piece of the puzzle where they can use him as a pinch runner in key moments. He is also able to play more than one position and this represents his skillfulness.

Brandon Belt

Brandon Belt is another player that can be categorized as underrated and clutch. Belt was able to provide the Jays with a beautiful swing and RBI against the Houston Astros on June 8th. You could just hear the contact he made on the swing and you knew it was a solid hit.

The Jays acquired Belt from the San Francisco Giants and he has been a well-grounded player that has helped the Jays score runs and win games. He is also a player that has pop to his bat as he has recorded six home runs this season. He also belted two homers in the game against the Boston Red Sox on July 2nd and his homer in the sixth inning came off of a breaking ball from Nick Pivetta.

Belt has been classified as an underrated hitter as he started off the season slow with a poor on-base percentage of .235. In spite of this, Belt turned things around and he had one of the best on-base percentages (.484) in baseball. On June 4th, Belt recorded a home run at the top of the seventh inning where he helped the Jays beat the New York Mets.

Danny Jansen

Danny Jansen has been a pleasant surprise for the Toronto Blue Jays this season. There have been a number of games where Jansen has come up with some crafty and important hits. His smart swing decisions at the plate have showcased him as a valuable asset to the Jays.

Danny Jansen has been one of the most underrated players as he doesn’t play in every game and isn’t usually classified as a home run hitter. But Jansen has proven fans wrong by recording 10 home runs and 33 RBIs this season. His power at the plate was most notably identified when Jansen came out big with a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves back on May 14th. It was one of the most memorable games and wins for Blue Jays this season.

Jansen also recorded three home runs in two days back in June and if that didn’t ‘wow’ fans then who knows what will.

Throw a Curve Ball

When it comes to winning games, it is all about team effort. There will be games where guys like Vladdy aren’t producing, which is a great chance for the underrated players to step up to the plate and be the hero. So, never underestimate a player at the plate.

It is notable when an underrated player is able to score runs with two outs, get a steal, hit with runners in scoring position, and inevitably ‘wow’ us. It is a long season in baseball and there is lots of time for more underrated players to show fans what they can do. Can you think of any other underrated players?

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“Having a Mexican head coach makes a huge difference,” midfielder Edson Alvarez said after Jimmy Lozano became the interim coach. 

After their second win in the tournament against Haiti, Mexico qualified for the playoffs of the Gold Cup. The loss to Qatar did not just interrupt their progress in the tournament. The loss shattered the illusion that the Lambor-Jimmy fixed the previous disappointments.

Lozano’s tenure isn’t going to transform a national team that did not make it past the World Cup group stage for the first time since 1978 into an Olympic Bronze medal winner in less than a week. 

Lozano’s Eurocentric coaching style isn’t going to transform a national team that has not won a game against Team USA since 2019 into Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. 

Lozano needs to turn Mexico’s loss against Qatar into a lesson learned that will help solidify his place as the permanent head coach during the World Cup cycle. Here are three ways their loss against Qatar could demonstrate Lozano’s strength as head coach.

Why Mexico’s Loss to Qatar Was Necessary

Demonstrate The Flaws

In their last five games, Mexico has conceded five goals against Haiti, Qatar, and the US. Granted, 60% of the goals came against the US but their defensive mistakes lead to bad results. 

During Qatar’s goal, Hazem Shehata snuck behind Julian Araujo, who’s playing time has been limited after his transfer to Barcelona. 

Cocca’s defensively-driven coaching philosophy, as he demonstrated with Atlas championship season, couldn’t help Mexico during his time as coach. His style of coaching caused three goals against the US that led to his dismissal. 

The defensive flaws are a great place for Lozano to turn this National team around. The core defensive group is young and he previously worked with Vazquez in the Olympic team. 

With enough time, Lozano can turn this team into a defensive juggernaut. Julian Araujo’s move to Europe will improve his game as soon as he starts to play more. Edson Alvarez’s time with Ajax seems to be ending, but the interest from teams in the top leagues of Europe seem to be promising for his development. The defensive line behind Lozano will be a major turning point for the National team. 

Earn The Media’s Trust

“The Mexican team hits [rock] bottom [after rock] bottom…you have to rebuild it from scratch,” David Faitelson tweeted after the embarrassing loss to Qatar. One of the most prominent reporters of Mexico has been the biggest critic of the National team. 

After Lozano took over the team, Faitelson settled the hype, “Typical of us, Mexicans: In 3 minutes, we forgot Thursday’s [loss to the US] and the cheerleaders are already talking about a ‘new era.'”

Lozano is capable of turning the narrative into the savior complex the media and fans deserve by winning the Gold Cup. The competition isn’t the same as a World Cup, but a victory over B-teams of the US and Canada could give Mexico the reassurance that it needs in Lozano to continue as head coach.

Inspire A Leader

Andes Guardado recently announced his retirement from the National team. Mexico’s veteran leadership falls on Memo Ochoa, who turns 38 on July 13th making this Gold Cup his last major tournament as the starting goalie. With the exit of one of the leaders in the team, Lozano is in charge of appointing a leader in the team. 

Having a player on the field that can directly translate Lozano’s vision on the field could be vital to the progress of the team. Can you imagine Coach Boone without the leadership of Julias Cambell and Gerry Bertier on the field in Remember the Titans?

The team would not have survived camp.

Without a player to help direct the team on the field, Lozano’s vision will collapse. Every coach needs a player to rely on to rally the team on the field. Mexico’s lineage of captains is filled with stars like Guardado, Ochoa, Herrera, and Oswaldo Sanchez. The current generation does not have anyone of that caliber to assist Lozano on the field. 

“Jimmy knows them well. They know Jimmy well. And we know that this generation of Mexican soccer players is a disaster,” Faitelson tweeted after their loss to Qatar. Words like these should be taken seriously. Lozano needs to print this tweet and post it in the locker room. This Mexican generation of players needs to develop a captain that will help them play with a chip on their shoulder. The sports world could get behind an underdog story. 

Lozano could inspire the next captain that can help him lead this team into the 5th game of the World Cup hosted by Mexico. 

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NASCAR’s Street Race: What Went Right and What Went Wrong

THE GOOD

Even in the rain, the turnout was good.

It is true with most NASCAR races that you see maybe a quarter of the action on the track, and you watch the rest of it on the big screen or on your phone. A crash could happen on the backstretch and you wouldn’t know it for a hot minute. Road courses? Even worse. So then, why did so many people show up, in the rain, for this event?

Novelty, for one. It was something new and different and NASCAR had done a good job of promoting the race and the uniqueness that it held.

NASCAR had run races in Joliet (an hour south of the city) and called it ‘Chicagoland Speedway’, so NASCAR was already playing around in the Windy City’s backyard. Why not try and come inside the house? Imagine if it hadn’t rained; the crowds may have been the story of the weekend, then.

It was a gamble for NASCAR to shut down the streets of Chi-town to lets some cars drive around for a few hours on a Saturday and Sunday, but it appears that NASCAR won that hand.

For once, the willingness to try something new worked.

It would be interesting to know how many other cities NASCAR queried about running a road race within their confines. Was Chicago the first choice? It seems unlikely. I, for one, certainly don’t want NASCAR to emulate Indy Car or Formula One beyond what they did this weekend, but their willingness to branch out some has at least been interesting to watch and has caused many a conversation (or article) amongst fans and critics.

Time will tell if this venture ends up more positive than the dirt track foray they tried in 2022 at Bristol, but the rain doesn’t seem to have thrown a wet blanket on NASCAR this time, from the standpoint of buzz and a ‘new and shiny thing’. It wasn’t a swing and a miss, but it wasn’t a home run either.

With all of this in mind, I don’t believe that they should try it again, or make it a permanent staple of the schedule. The uniqueness of the event would go away quickly if they kept trying to do it, and it would become a one-ring circus instead. I’d personally do away with road courses completely; it just doesn’t give a true representation of the sport or the drivers who spend hours every Sunday turning left 800 times.

THE BAD

No one knows who just won.

Seriously, who is in charge of the stipulations for who can enter a race? Maybe I can get in next weekend! The worst, yes, the very worst thing that could have happened as far as the outcome of the race, happened. Some part-time ‘road specialist’ snuck into the field, got lucky, and won the whole thing, partially due to the shortened lap count and high body count of cars wrecking. NASCAR will take the egg on their face on this result, hard-boiled please, and leave a saltshaker on the table before you go. Yikes.

“First-time winners are exciting, right!” “It elevates the sport when a driver wins their first race!” I agree! When the driver is a full-time driver who has worked hard and gone through the lower series and earned their spot in the field. It drives me nuts when teams bring in a ‘road course specialist’ and I think the majority of NASCAR fans agree. Pay your dues and do the time and work your way up and show that you deserve your shot. If that is closed minded then so be it.

The full-time guys put in the hours of sweat and skin and heart to race in this series, only to have their work scoffed at and marginalized this weekend. The outcome of the race was an insult to the full-time teams and drivers. Forget the egg; NASCAR just cooked an omelet of embarrassment.

Was it a road course or a slip-and-slide?

How many crashes were in Sunday’s race? In just 75 laps? On a 2.2 mile track where the cars inevitably get spread out and far from each other? Oh yeah, until they stop the race and force the cars all back together in the name of competition. Most wrecks were cringe-worthy and added zero excitement or confidence in the conditions of the track. It was a weird, shuffly jagged dance around the twists and turns of the racecourse, looking both awkward and unsafe.

When describing the weather in Chicago, the forecasters used the words ‘heavy rain’, deluge, and soaking. It certainly weighed down the actual racing and ability to adjust the cars and create a competitive atmosphere. As Denny Hamlin said, “We can’t control the rain”. They also had a little trouble controlling the cars due to the very wet, very slick roads. Not the best look for a sport trying to regain fans and reinvigorate the appeal of the brand.

The oddity that made the weekend a sort of success also made it a strange kerfuffle of confusing sights and dangerous conditions. In the end, it was a circus tent that NASCAR shouldn’t venture into again.

I give NASCAR a solid B for trying a new thing and sticking with it. I give them a C- for the way things went down, from the downpours to the trimmed-down Sunday race length to the downright ridiculous winner.

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A Prominent Program Raising Eyebrows

The Men of Troy are coming back for their spot as a “top dog” in college football. Thanks to the transfer portal, USC was able to load up on talent. They brought in an offensive mastermind and showed the college football world what they’re capable of.

 A new face in charge

After a few up-and-down years, Lincoln Riley was hired to revive USC football. He spent five years in Oklahoma before bringing his talents to the West Coast and didn’t come alone.

He brought weapons like Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, and Travis Dye to Southern Cal to bring some juice. The question is can he lead USC to the promised land? In year one, he proved he was the right choice. The Trojans finished with an 11-3 record, competed for the PAC-12 Championship and Cotton Bowl, and had their first Heisman Trophy winner in 17 years.

With Riley at the helm, the program is headed in the right direction, especially if the goal is the College Football Playoff. At Oklahoma, he led the Sooners to three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances and coached two consecutive Heisman winners.

Offense vs. Defense

Offensive explosiveness was on full display for USC. The duo of Williams and Riley led a unit that ranked third in total offense and had the least turnovers among FBS teams (seven). Williams, who won the Heisman, had the best season of any USC quarterback that won the award. The offense is expected to take another leap in year two but the defense remains a question mark.

Although they forced 29 turnovers, defensive inconsistency shattered their CFP hopes. In their last two games, they saw double-digit leads vanish and finished the year ranked 103rd in scoring defense.

Ghost of Riley’s Past

Although Riley has a 1-3 record in the CFP, numbers can be misleading. In the CFP, the offense has answered the call. Averaging 41 PPG, the offense has been electric but the defense has struggled.

In the four CFP appearances, the defense is allowing 52 PPG. Multiple shots at the national title have been hindered by the defense but 2023 is an opportunity for Riley to get over the hump.

2023 Opponents

The Trojans come into the year favored to win the PAC-12, but their schedule isn’t a cakewalk. USC will face Utah, Washington, and UCLA in the Coliseum and have road trips to Oregon and Notre Dame. Utah, who defeated USC twice last year, will be the biggest challenge coming into the year. A sleeper matchup for the Trojans will be the Colorado Buffaloes.

Hype Around Next Year

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams is likely to be the No.1 pick. He will be the first USC player selected as No.1 since Carson Palmer in 2005. Riley can add the “Quarterback guru” to his list of accomplishments. This will be the third time in six years Riley has coached the No.1 pick.

Before going to the NFL, Williams could make history once again. If he wins the Heisman this season, it will be the first time in 48 years a player has won the award in back-to-back years. It would be the third time a school had a consecutive Heisman winner (Oklahoma ’17 & ’18, Alabama ’19 & ’20).

Expectations are high for the 2023 season and national championship aspirations are escalating. USC has the opportunity to win its 12th national championship and its last PAC-12 title before heading to the Big Ten in 2024.

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German’s Perfect Game Highlights the Week

The best way to sum up the night is that the most imperfect Yankee pitcher was perfect. Domingo German has had a rocky tenure with the New York Yankees which has included multiple suspensions for both on and off-the-field issues. German has at times looked like a pitcher more worthy of being sent down to the minors than remaining in the rotation. However, against the Oakland A’s, he was masterful.

It was his moment of glory and because of his perfect game, German will always be remembered for his great outing. Not many fans know much about Don Larsen, other than the fact that he threw a perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Not many fans know a lot about Dallas Braden’s baseball career but a lot of casual fans know about his perfect game on Mother’s Day. German’s murky career suddenly isn’t as significant since he did the impossible, retiring all 27 batters he faced.

The on-the-field takeaway from his night is that if German’s curveball is clicking, he’s unhittable. He went to the curve for a majority of his 99 pitches on Wednesday and it allowed him to be dominant. He’s throwing it more this year, using the breaking pitch 41.7 percent of the time compared to only 37.3% in 2022 and only 34% in 2021. The hope for the Yankees, a team carried by their rotation, is that he can rely on that pitch to become a top-tier starter to help carry the team to the postseason.

Ohtani is the AL MVP & It’s Not Particularly Close

It’s become expected for Shohei Ohtani to have a remarkable week. He hit five home runs this week including a moonshot on Friday night that nearly traveled 500 feet. He started Tuesday night’s game and tossed 6.1 innings where he allowed only one run and struck out 10 batters. Ohtani’s numbers seem absurd at times and hard to fathom. The comparisons to Babe Ruth are used a lot but he’s in a category of his own.

Word is that Ohtani's home run is still in orbit.

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/tDwEGsDzTA

— MLB (@MLB) July 1, 2023

What has become crazy about Ohtani’s otherworldly play is that he is dwarfing Mike Trout, who was the best player in the game. Trout is everything you want in a player with all five tools, consistent great play, and a demeanor that at times makes you feel bad for him (why did he deserve to suffer on a hapless team). Yet, Ohtani puts him in a separate tier, look at some hitting stats from the two.

Ohtani: .306/.391/.666 slash line, 31 home runs, and 217 total bases.

Trout: .260/.367/.486 slash line, 18 home runs, and 148 total bases.

Trout is putting together a strong season yet isn’t anywhere close to Ohtani. To be fair, nobody is. Ohtani has a 6.6 WAR, the next best player is Ronald Acuna Jr. at 4.8 WAR and the second-best player in the American League is Wander Franco at 4.2 WAR. Last year, it was a debate about who deserved to win the MVP, and this year, there is no debate. Now, there’s only one thing missing from Ohtani and Trout’s legacy and frankly, it’s not their fault that the Los Angeles Angels can’t reach the postseason or win a playoff game.

Braves Are Baseball’s New Best Team

The Miami Marlins are having a good season. They’ve established themselves as a wild card team and entered the weekend, with a great pitching staff leaving the way, hoping to prove they could compete in the division. They looked hapless against the Atlanta Braves who not only swept them but outscored them 29-7.

The Braves moved to 56-27 with eight wins in a row, nine wins in their last 10 games, and capping off June with a mindblowing 21-4 record. They have the best record in baseball and frankly, they look like the best team in the league. It’s hard to find a weakness in the roster and the lineup can beat any team at any point, setting them up for success this year and in the postseason.

The All-Star selections reflected the dominance the Braves have had in the National League. Eight players were voted for the game, six of which are everyday players. What I find wild is that Acuna Jr. is a gold glove centerfield and an elite talent in the outfield but with the Braves, he plays right field. He does in part to keep him healthy as he doesn’t need to run as often at the corner position but the other big reason is that Michael Harris, another gold glove fielder is patrolling centerfield. Long story short, the team is so good that their MVP-caliber player who is an elite fielder isn’t even the best fielder in his outfield.

The Braves are cruising to the best record in baseball. The question is where they can improve. Ideally, they add some bullpen help at the trade deadline but only to round out a roster not to cover up a need.

Padres Continued Embarrassment

It’s easy to forget what the perception of the San Diego Padres was before the season started. They were expected to compete for the best record in the National League. They looked hapless this week, losing seven of their last 10 including series defeats to the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds.

The Padres are 38-46 and have to be more worried about finishing in last place in the division than making the postseason. To say their season has been embarrassing is an understatement. Juan Soto has bounced back and is putting together a great season but the rest of the lineup has fallen apart. Michael Wacha and Blake Snell have stepped up in the rotation but the rest of the pitching staff has struggled. The Padres are a team that rely on their stars and so far, they’ve only received some production from their elite players.

The question is where the Padres go from here. What do they do with this lost season and what happens moving forward? Ideally, they trade away some of their players at the deadline but this is a team that invested in long-term contracts, making it difficult to move many if any of their players. The other option is to do nothing, keeping a crumbling roster in the same state. The trade deadline will be interesting for the Padres, largely because it’s unknown how they’ll approach it but the angle they take will determine their future for both this year and for years to come.

The 4th of July Week Is Another Checkpoint

Just like Memorial Day is a checkpoint, the Fourth of July is another point in the season where we can look back and see how teams are doing. Memorial Day is when sample sizes start to matter but Independence Day, along with the All-Star Break, are the halfway points.

So, what are some of the takeaways? Well, the Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers are the top teams in baseball and they look poised to contend for the World Series. The Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles have proven that their hot starts aren’t flukes and they can compete this year. The rule changes, while scoffed at initially, are a success. And Rob Manfred, well, he’s still got a lot to be desired.

Other Takeaways From This Week in Baseball

• The Toronto Blue Jays were swept this weekend at home against the Boston Red Sox. It’s a tough sweep for them since they could have made up significant ground in the wild card race if they took at least one game but instead, they are starting to slide again. So it goes with these hard-to-predict Blue Jays.
• The Milwaukee Brewers have won seven of their last 10 games and are tied with the Reds for first place in the National League Central Division. Maybe we’re in for a tight divisional race after all.

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BIG3 Basketball: Top Week 2 Performances

Jeremy Pargo (Triplets)

Stats: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

It’s common to see a player from the Triplets have a dominating performance but this time it wasn’t Iso Joe. The sweet-shooting Jeremy Pargo carried his team to their first win of the season after a 50-42 win over Trilogy. He led the whole BIG3 in scoring for week two with an amazing 31 points. Pargo did that while making 12 field goals, five of them from behind the arc, with two being from 4-point range. This was a complete turnaround from his six-point performance last week and he will be an intricate part of what the Triplets do this year.

Jason Richardson (Tri State)

Stats: 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals

Tri State dominated Power by the score of 52-32 and Jason Richardson was a big reason why. He filled the stat sheet as he had 29 points with six rebounds and assists a piece. He also made five triples to make it even more impressive. If the offensive side of the ball wasn’t enough, he tallied four steals to cap off a great game. This came after his great performance in the team’s win last week when he scored 19 points to go along with 13 rebounds. If he keeps this up, it’ll be tough to beat Tri State and keep him away from the MVP discussion. 

Jordan Crawford (Enemies)

Stats: 22 points, 7 rebound

After scoring 22 points last week in a loss, Jordan Crawford decided to have another 22-point performance this week, resulting in a win this time around. He also chipped in seven rebounds, showing he’s a problem on the boards as he had eight rebounds last week. So far, Crawford is looking like he will be the key to success for the Enemies and can turn this season around after missing the playoffs last season.

Janis Timma (Aliens)

Stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

The Aliens are 0-2 this season after suffering losses to the Ball Hogs and Ghost Ballers but it’s certainly not because of Janis Timma. He’s led the team in points in both games, which included 21 points with six rebounds and three assists in week two. He also put in some work on the defensive end, getting three steals. Timma did everything to try to get the Aliens their first win of the season but fell short. They are bound to win very soon if he keeps this up.

Michael Beasley (3’s Company)

Stats: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal)

Michael Beasley was all over the stat sheet this week. He put up back-to-back double-doubles, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds last week, and followed that up with a 17-point, 11-rebound performance this week. What might be even more impressive is his efforts on the defensive side of the ball, tallying three blocks and a steal. 3’s Company went on a huge run at the end of the game, which Beasley was a part of, but just feel short. They fall to 0-2 but the team’s losses won’t hide what Beasley has done so far through two weeks.

Other Notable Performances:

Jodie Meeks (Ball Hogs): 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Dante Green (Killer 3s): 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
Corey Brewers (Bivouac): 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Rashard Lewis (3 Headed Monsters): 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Chris Johnson (Ghost Ballers): 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
Jonathan Simmons (Ghost Ballers): 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Kevin Murphy (3 Headed Monsters): 18 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Isaiah Briscoe (Trilogy): 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Deshawn Stephens (Tri State): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist

Week 3 Matchups (Sunday, July 9th):

Trilogy (1-1) vs Power (1-1)
Triplets (1-1) vs Tri State (2-0)
3 Headed Monsters (1-1) vs 3’s Company (0-2)
Enemies (1-1) vs Bivouac (1-1)
Aliens (0-2) vs Killer 3’s (1-1)
Ghost Ballers (2-0) vs Ball Hogs (1-1)

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3 Reasons Why the Blues Drafting Dvorsky Was the Right Move

Fills a Need Down the Middle

The Blues went into the NHL Draft with two positions of need, defenseman, and center. When two of the top blue liners went off the board, GM Doug Armstrong turned to down the middle of the ice and selected Dvorsky. This was the clear and obvious choice for the franchise if you look at what the Blues have among their prospect pool and what the state of the position could be in the future at the NHL level.

Robert Thomas is clearly their top centerman and will anchor the first line but after that, it gets kind of sketchy. The Blues have guys like Nikita Alexandrov and Zack Dean who could really help down the middle but they aren’t looked at like a Dvorsky is. They are really high Zachary Bolduc but he is projected to slide over to wing. The Blues did, however, draft centerman Otto Stenberg with their 25th overall pick, who is talented, but not on the level of Dvorsky.

At the NHL level (aside from Alexandrov), the Blues have good talent like Brayden Schenn and Kevin Hayes anchoring the second and third line down the middle but they are getting up there in age (both 31) and the tea, will be looking for youth to set their long-term plans, like Dvorsky.

Dvorsky has some things to improve upon but he projects as a second-line center at the highest level and that’s exactly what the Blues are hoping the 10th overall pick turns into.

His Shooting Ability

Coming into the draft, Dvorsky’s shooting ability was looked at as one of the best in this year’s class. Whether it’s his wrist shot or slap shot, the 18-year-old centerman displays power and quickness but what might be even more impressive about his shot is his accuracy. When he has space to set up shop and find his target, he can be a problem. Dvorsky can get himself into a scoring position and isn’t afraid to shoot, which is where his accuracy shines. He can create offense just off of his shot alone and has the patients to wait for the shot he is looking for. 

Another layer to his game that makes his shot so accurate is his strong puck-handling and puck-possession ability. This past season, he had six goals and eight assists in the Allsvenskan League, which is known to be a low-scoring league. He also put up an impressive 10 goals and 11 assists in 10 games for Sweden’s junior team while scoring eight goals and having five assists in seven games for Team Slovakia in the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Dvorsky has shown he can score, making him a great addition for the Blues looking to improve in that area.

He’s a Berube-type Player

The one thing the Blues have looked for over the past several years are Berube-type players and Dvorsky fits that description to a tee. As much as we talk about his shot and offense, he is an incredible two-way player, holding one of the best if not the best defensive games of a forward in the draft. He has incredible sense and anticipation on defense that allows him to read the play before it happens. Dvorsky’s backchecking and willingness to be physical are what sets him apart from others. 

This all makes Dvorsky a 200-foot player who works hard at both ends of the ice, emptying the tank no matter the situation. The toughness, grit, consistency, and workhorse mentality perfectly exemplify what head coach Craig Berube looks for in a player. His two-game shows that he can play extremely well both on the power-play and penalty kill, making him even more valuable.

Dvorsky is highly coachable that will do whatever is asked, which is why making this pick was the right choice. Assuming Berube is still with the Blues by the time Dvorsky makes it to the NHL, he will be one of the go-to guys for the team for a long time.

Final Thoughts

While Dvorsky obviously won’t be NHL-ready in 2023-24, there’s thought that he could be ready by 2024-25 at the earliest. While his strengths were very much highlighted, he does have a clear weakness and that’s his skating. While that part of his game is questionable, it’s something that can be worked on and improved before getting the call to the NHL. If he can elevate that part of his game, the sky is the limit. Dvorsky has a ton of upside to his game and can be an anchor down the middle as a projected second-line center.

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The reincarnation of Nostradamus wouldn’t touch a prediction like these standings with a ten-foot bat full of pine tar. 

The Dodgers are playing up to par according to the moves made during the offseason. Andrew Freidman decided to give the rookies in the farm system an opportunity to earn a spot in the major league club and sign a couple of one-year contracts to save money for bigger fishes on the verge of becoming free agents after the 2023 season.  

Three Hot Takes for the Remainder of the Dodgers Season

During the previous offseason, Andrew Freidman’s moves differed from any of his previous winters. 

Instead of signing one of the highly regarded free agent shortstops like Xander Bogaerts and Trea Turner, the Dodgers decided to give Gavin Lux a shot at the position. The front office decision led to a season-ending injury to Gavin Lux and a trade for Miguel Rojas to hold down the position until next year. 

Instead of bolstering the rotation to help Julio Urias defend the National League West pennant with long-term contracts to veteran pitchers, the Dodgers signed Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw to one-year contracts and counted on Dustin May to return to his pre-Tommy John surgery form.

The decision proved to bite them as the previously mentioned decision, as the front office’s bet on Syndergaard and May to support the starting rotation forced the bullpen to expose their flaws. Whenever a franchise is grouped with teams like the Oakland A’s, the Kansas City Royals, the Nationals, and the Colorado Rockies, always expect the worst. The Dodgers bullpen currently holds a 4.74 ERA, the fifth-highest ERA in the league behind the previously mentioned teams. 

Still, the Dodgers are nine games above .500 and are only 2.5 games behind first place. A couple of trades before the deadline to fill up some of the holes in the roster and a winning streak or two can only guarantee another playoff berth for the eleventh year in a row. Here are three hot takes for the month of July that can solidify a deep run in October and another shot at the World Series. 

The Dodgers Will Trade Away Top Prospect

The Dodgers current top prospect, not currently playing in the majors, is a catcher hitting .198 with double-A Tulsa Drillers by the name of Diego Cartaya who is predicted to make the big league club during the 2025 season. Will D. Smith is on the Dodgers hook until 2026 but will hit arbitration before the 2024 season. 

Smith has proven to be the future of the Dodgers backstop. As of June 30th, Smith is hitting .283 with 122 home runs and an OPS of .906, he is also on the cusp of becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career. If Smith doesn’t keep his current form in the future, the Dodgers’ next option is Dalton Rushing, the organization’s fourth prospect. 

The farm system’s abundance of catchers allows the Dodgers to trade Cartaya for a worthy player. Maybe someone that can help the offense and pitch every 5th day to relieve Kershaw from carrying the team on his broken back. They can’t continue to hoard their prospects, the Dodgers need to swing for the fences now and earn first dibs at pitching their organization to a once-in-a-lifetime talent. 

Clayton Kershaw Will Become a Cy Young Candidate

Since Julio Urias was placed on the injured list, Clayton Kershaw has transformed himself into a vintage version of himself, leading the pitching staff in ERA, wins, and strikeouts. During his last outing, Kershaw pitched a no-hitter against the Rockies into the 6th inning before removing himself from the game due. 

“I just finished in the game and the shoulder was a little cranky there in the sixth inning, so I shut it down,” said Kershaw to Yahoo Sports before the last game of June. “So somewhat optimistic that it should be good to hopefully not miss a start. With the All-Star break coming up, we have some time to potentially shift things around, so we’ll see. But as of now, I’m kind of on the same day-to-day basis.” 

Dodgers fans can breathe again and should start asking themselves how many Cy Young votes Kershaw will earn. Since his long contract with the Dodgers ended, Kershaw has focused on one-year deals that motivate him to pitch at a high level and pitch the team into a position that gives them an opportunity to win the World Series. 

In the previous two one-year contracts, Clayton Kershaw has finished the season with an ERA under 3.00 and posted double digits in the win column. His WAR average from the last two seasons is above three games. 

With Urias showing a decline, Kershaw will continue to pitch as well as he has and become a Cy Young candidate. Everyone loves a comeback story.

The Rookies Are Here To Stay

Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan are in the Major League club to stay, even after the Dodgers trade for a famous two-way player. 

Since being called up, Miller has demonstrated he can pitch in the majors with consistent numbers. Miller has earned three wins, while losing one and maintained an ERA of 4.13 that converts Noah Syndergaard’s plus-seven ERA into an expendable asset. 

Sheehan has been outstanding in his first two starts with the Dodgers. During his first appearance, he pitched a no-hitter into the sixth inning and earned his first win against the Houston Astros, and kept his ERA under two. 

Even if Syndergaard comes back and turns into the hard-throwing pitcher from years past, the rookies are here to stay. If their help is not needed in the starting rotation, their help can bolster the bullpen while developing them in the major league in the way the Dodgers developed Julio Urias during the 2020 championship run. 

During their World Series run, Urias became a lethal weapon out of the bullpen earning a 3-0 record with a 3.27 ERA in 11 appearances. He became a part of Dodgers’ history as he closed out game 6 to clinch the series over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Urias’ trajectory can be telling of what’s to come for Miller and Sheehan.

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While numerous cities could make a case, we’ve identified four global destinations with the necessary infrastructure, fan base, and market potential.

Expanding America’s Biggest League World-Wide

1. London, England

Let’s go ahead and get the obvious one out of the way. London has demonstrated a fiery passion for American football, regularly hosting NFL games since 2007. The city has successfully staged 35 regular-season matchups and even hosted four NFL London Games in one season from 2016 to 2019.

a) Market Potential

London’s metropolitan area boasts a population of over 14 million people, providing a vast potential fan base for an NFL team. A study conducted by the NFL indicated that over 13 million people in the UK are interested in American football, with around four million considering themselves avid fans.

b) Financial Viability

According to Forbes, the average NFL team is valued at $3.05 billion. London, as a major global financial hub, offers substantial market potential for investors and sponsors, making it an attractive destination for franchise owners. The NFL London Games have consistently drawn large crowds, with an average attendance of over 80,000 fans per game, showcasing the city’s capacity for hosting regular-season contests.

2. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico’s capital city, with its vibrant culture and immense love for sports, represents an enticing opportunity for the NFL to establish a presence in Latin America. Mexico City has already hosted four regular-season NFL games with great success.

a) Passionate Fan Base

Mexico City boasts a passionate and knowledgeable fan base, consistently drawing large crowds to NFL games held at the Estadio Azteca. The NFL’s annual game in Mexico City, reinstated in 2016, has witnessed remarkable attendance, with over 100,000 fans filling the stadium on multiple occasions. 

b) Market Size

With a metropolitan population of over 21 million people, Mexico City presents a substantial market for an NFL team. A study by the NFL indicates that Mexico has over 23 million American football fans, showcasing the sport’s widespread popularity and potential for growth.

3. Toronto, Canada

While Canada already has a thriving football culture with the CFL, Toronto represents an attractive market for an NFL team due to its size, proximity to the US, and diverse fan base. Toronto is a city we don’t see as often on these types of lists. So consider the following factors:

a) Population and Market Potential

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, home to over 2.7 million residents, with a greater metropolitan population exceeding six million. The Toronto region also has a substantial American football following, with millions of fans eagerly following the NFL. They already have three teams out of the four major sports leagues, why shouldn’t the NFL tap into the market? 

b) Economic Strength

Toronto’s strong economy, backed by a diverse range of industries, provides an ideal foundation for generating revenue streams through sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise. See, if Drake wants to be an owner. He’s got the money and star power to attract top-tier talent to the 6. While also having a cult following that would almost certainly do huge numbers for the NFL.  

4. Frankfurt, Germany

The aforementioned Frankfurt, known as the financial capital of Germany and a major economic hub in Europe, presents a compelling case for the NFL to consider establishing a team in the city.

a) Population and Market Potential

Frankfurt is one of the most populous cities in Germany, with a population of over 750,000 residents. Moreover, the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan area has a population of more than 5.5 million people, offering significant market potential for the NFL. Germany as a whole has a passionate and growing fan base for American football, with an estimated 20,000 registered players and an increasing number of fans who follow the NFL.

b) Economic Strength

Frankfurt boasts a robust and diverse economy, driven primarily by its status as a global financial center. The city is home to numerous multinational corporations, including some of the world’s largest banks and financial institutions. This economic strength provides a solid foundation for generating revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise, as well as attracting potential investors or owners for an NFL team.

Additionally, Frankfurt has a strong sports culture, with successful professional teams in soccer, basketball, and ice hockey. The city has a passionate and dedicated fan base that regularly supports its local teams, indicating the potential for a similar enthusiasm and support for an NFL team.

While the NFL isn’t chomping at the bit to expand, it’s only a matter of time before they want to further America’s #1 sport to the world. The NFL will without a doubt continue to explore opportunities beyond the United States, with these three global cities standing out as prime candidates for hosting an NFL team.

London’s thriving market, Mexico City’s passionate fan base, Toronto’s distance to the States, and Germany’s passion make them alluring prospects. With the NFL’s global popularity on the rise, expanding into these cities could further solidify American football’s place on the global sports landscape.

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If we spin our idiom wheel, we’d use phrases like ‘football is a team sport’ and ‘you win as a team and you lose as a team’, and both are true, tried, and tired. Looking beyond Josh Allen, there are several people who need to step up this year if the Bills want to get back to the AFC Championship game and beyond.

Buffalo Bills Who Must Excel in 2023

1. Whoever is Calling the Plays on Defense

Leslie Frazier is gone, and I mean gone gone, not just ‘on a break’.

He may coach again, but I’d give the chances of Frazier donning a Bills hat again at about 10%. That said, somebody will be on the headset giving out schemes and coverage assignments. Given the embarrassing way the defense sort of showed up against the Bengals in the playoffs, this year’s defense will be under quite the microscope as the preseason shuffles along into the regular season.

Defense may not win championships, but it certainly loses them (the 2017 Atlanta Falcons have joined the call). The Bills offense may be prolific, but if the Bills are in shootouts week after week because the defense doesn’t play well, the Bills will be in for an exhausting season.

2. Stefon Diggs

If one were to describe Diggs’ offseason in a single word, that word would be bombastic.

Diggs wears his mood on his sleeve and has no filter when it comes to his opinions. You take the bad with the good as a Bills fan. You take loving his passion and commitment to the position and to winning, but his ‘say whatever I feel’ cavalier Twitter posts and outbursts are at times cringy and uncomfortable.

No one can deny the talent and leadership that Diggs brings, so most of the time fans will take the baggage with it. That said, this is a watershed year for Diggs. He’s been with the Bills for 4 years now; he knows the system, he knows the quarterback, and he’s been outspoken about wanting to win. It’s time for him to put his cleats where his conversation is and show out on the field as much as he shows up on social media.

3. Dawson Knox

I know, I know, the Bills used their first-round pick on a tight end. Shouldn’t we be talking about him? We are, in a way.

Knox has proven to be a serviceable target the last two years, but all of a sudden the NFL is stupefied over superstar tight ends. Maybe Dalton Kincaid will be that in a few years, but Buffalo needs a ‘better than average’ tight end right now. Kincaid should free up Knox to become more productive and dangerous in the high-scoring Bills offense.

If, as many pundits surmise, the Bills plan to run two tight end sets the majority of the time, Knox has got to take advantage and ball out. His time as TE1 in Buffalo may be short now that Kincaid has arrived, but he needs to prove he’s a capable and consistent weapon so that the Bills win now, and so that wherever he lands next has the confidence to pay him his worth.

4. Von Miller

Oh, what might have been for Buffalo. If Miller hadn’t suffered a catastrophic injury, how different would the Bills defense have looked, especially in that ill-fated snow playoff game in Buffalo in early January?

How much was really lost when Von went down? Von Miller defines synergy: he adds more than just his value to what he is involved in. His play is monstrous; his leadership is monumental. He needs to stay healthy, and as Coach Sean McDermott often reminds his players, to “Stay humble and hungry”.

If a healthy Von Miller can stay humble, he is going to feast on opposing offenses. The Bills will need him to channel all of that humility into a huge year. It may not even be too early to say that as Von Miller goes, so goes the Buffalo defense.

Buffalo seems poised upon a precipice, teetering, uncertain if they will fall back or surge forward. These four people may well hold the balance in their hands, and their importance cannot be overstated. The Bills and Bills Mafia together are holding their collective breath, hoping that finally, they can ascend to the mountain top.

Josh Allen, while superhuman, can only do so much. Iron Man needed the Avengers, Josh Allen needs some help too.

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