Latest news with #DaleZanine-Imagn
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five MLB players who shouldn't have made All-Star team
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images It's a yearly tradition when the All-Star rosters are released — everyone points to who was left off. This year there were plenty of snubs: Juan Soto, Seiya Suzuki, Joe Ryan, and Cristopher Sanchez, among others. So who shouldn't have made the 2025 All-Star team? We take a look at the top five. Advertisement Ronald Acuna Jr. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Ronald Acuña Jr. has been on a tear since coming back from his second major ACL injury that cost him most of 2024. The Atlanta Braves right fielder is hitting .331/.450/.561 with a 182 OPS+ and nine home runs in 40 games since returning May 23. Those are great numbers, but he's missed 49 games this season. His starting spot should've gone to someone who has played the full season. The fans got this one wrong. Julio Rodriguez Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Julio Rodríguez is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, but he's been below average at the plate this season. The Seattle Mariners star has a .695 OPS and 103 OPS+, with just 11 home runs while hitting .247. Those numbers are down from his career marks of .272 average, .782 OPS and 126 OPS+. Advertisement Javier Baez Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Javier Báez has been one of the top feel-good stories in baseball. He resurrected his career in his fourth season with the first-place Detroit Tigers, and because of that, the fans voted him to start for the AL squad. However, when you look at his numbers compared to other outfielders, they fall short. His .769 OPS would be tied for 17th among AL outfielders, while his 10 home runs would be tied for 19th. MacKenzie Gore Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images Washington Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore is a good pitcher, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts. But there's a strong case that Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez should've been chosen over Gore. Sanchez is tied for seventh in the NL in strikeouts and leads Gore in ERA (2.59 to 3.11), WHIP (1.13 to 1.20), batting average allowed (.229 to .237), ERA+ (164 to 129) and FIP (2.75 to 3.01). Advertisement Yusei Kikuchi Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Because MLB requires every team be represented at the All-Star game, it can cause some worthy players to be snubbed. The Los Angeles Angels' lone selection in pitcher Yusei Kikuchi helped push Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan out. Kikuchi is having a solid season for the surprising Angels, with a 3.02 ERA and 139 ERA+, but Ryan is having a superior year. Ryan has a better ERA (2.76) and ERA+ (152), and also tops Kikuchi in bWAR (3.9 to 3.0), strikeouts (116 to 110), FIP (3.25 to 3.86), WHIP (0.891 to 1.379) and walks (21 to 48). Related Headlines
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Predicting 6 breakout NBA players for the 2025-26 season
The 2025-26 NBA season is still a few months away, but the Summer League and offseason hype always create excitement surrounding some of the league's young talent. We're projecting the next wave of breakout NBA players who will take huge steps forward next season. Let's dive into our list of NBA players we believe will break out in the 2025-26 season. Advertisement Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Taken with the first overall pick in a 2024 NBA Draft class viewed as very weak, wing Zaccharie Risacher had a relatively quiet rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks. In his first 41 games, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged just 11 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from the perimeter. Once he settled in, though, RIsacher showed signs of an emerging player. In his final 34 contests, Risacher shot 50.8 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 14.4 points per game. He just turned 20 years old in April and his arrow is pointing way up. Risacher is going to make the leap next season, averaging 15-plus PPG while providing above-average defense on the wing to help Atlanta become a top-four team in the Eastern Conference. Related: NBA teams that improved the most this offseason Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Portland Trail Blazers struck gold in September 2023, acquiring Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns. After being selected with the 52nd overall pick just months earlier, the 6-foot-8 forward showed impressive flashes defensively as a rookie. He then took another step forward in his sophomore season, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors. Already regarded as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, scoring is the next evolution of his game. After the All-Star Break, he shot 40.3 percent from beyond the arc, making 2.3 three-pointers per game and averaging 13.8 points per night. Poised to get more opportunities this season following the Anfernee Simons trade, Camara will put himself in the running for Most Improved Player, and he'll shoot 40 percent from three-point range while earning All-Defensive First Team honors with a rising Trail Blazers team. Advertisement Related: NBA power rankings, evaluating every team Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Before suffering a fractured wrist, facial lacerations, and a concussion in April, the Memphis Grizzlies' second-round pick Jaylen Wells put himself in the mix for NBA Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old wing was remarkable from November through January, averaging 12 PPG on strong shooting splits (45.4 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from the perimeter). He hit a rookie wall in his final 31 games, but the Grizzlies saw more than enough from him to trade Desmond Bane. Poised to receive more shots and minutes, Wells is set to be one of the best NBA players age 22 or younger next season. Advertisement Related: Best NBA players right now Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Sacramento, California, could be responsible for a pair of breakout NBA players next season. Jaylen Wells, the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, looked every bit like a former five-star recruit in his rookie season. Meanwhile, Jared McCain, before suffering a meniscus tear in mid-December, led all rookies in scoring (15.3 PPG) and three-pointers made per game (2.2). He even scored 20-plus points in 35 percent of his games played during his debut season. While McCain will certainly have to share the ball more in his sophomore season on a healthier 76ers roster, his overall impact over a full season will lead to a breakthrough year. Advertisement Read More: Best NBA players of all time Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images For most of our breakout NBA player picks, it's about young talent emerging as key starters next season. With Houston Rockets wing Amen Thompson, it's about making the leap to stardom. He improved as a rebounder (from 6.6 to 8.2 RPG) and distributor (from 2.6 to 3.8 APG), but the most significant progress came as a shooter (from 53.6 percent to 55.7 percent). Across his final 37 regular-season games, Thompson averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.2 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. The 22-year-old also earned All-Defensive First Team honors. Next season, Thompson is poised to emerge as an All-Star and one of the best wings in the Western Conference. Advertisement Related Headlines
Egypt Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Egypt Today
Botafogo and Inter Miami end European dominance at Club World Cup
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images (Reuters) - Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as U.S. side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup. Lionel Messi's stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG. The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazil's Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's triumph was particularly striking. The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles. This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover. Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass. Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. "The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites," said Botafogo's Portuguese coach Renato Paiva. His side's discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSG's attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the first half. Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto. After falling behind they rallied through Messi's brilliance, with the Argentinian forward curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback. Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage. The results appear to underline a shift in the competitive balance at the Club World Cup, with non-European teams benefiting from improved preparation and better scheduling. Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Boca Juniors will get the next chance to inflict defeats on European opposition on Friday when they face Chelsea and Bayern Munich. A victory for either of the South American clubs would further weaken Europe's grip on the tournament and show other teams from around the world they have nothing to fear from UEFA's elite.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Botafogo and Inter Miami end European dominance at Club World Cup
Jun 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball during the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as U.S. side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup. Lionel Messi's stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG. The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazil's Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's triumph was particularly striking. The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles. This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover. Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass. Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. "The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites," said Botafogo's Portuguese coach Renato Paiva. His side's discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSG's attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the first half. Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto. After falling behind they rallied through Messi's brilliance, with the Argentinian forward curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback. Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage. The results appear to underline a shift in the competitive balance at the Club World Cup, with non-European teams benefiting from improved preparation and better scheduling. Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Boca Juniors will get the next chance to inflict defeats on European opposition on Friday when they face Chelsea and Bayern Munich. A victory for either of the South American clubs would further weaken Europe's grip on the tournament and show other teams from around the world they have nothing to fear from UEFA's elite. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LSU Softball in Baton Rouge Regional: How to watch, live scores for 2025 NCAA Tournament
LSU softball will host a regional in the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament, with the 10th-overall Tigers taking on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, UConn Huskies and Southeastern Louisiana Lions. With a potential for seven games spread across three days, here's how you can watch the Baton Rouge Regional: How to watch NCAA Softball Baton Rouge Regional Dates: Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18 Location: Tiger Park Streaming: ESPN+ TV: SEC Network Advertisement The Regional will run from Friday to Sunday, with all games played at Tiger Park in Baton Rouge. The Regional will not be aired on traditional TV — with the exception of one game on SEC Network — but every game can be streamed through ESPN+. NCAA Softball Baton Rouge Regional Results This will be updated throughout the Regional with final scores Game 1: No. 2 Nebraska 10, No. 3 UConn 2 (6 innings) Game 2: No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana 4, No. 1 LSU 3 Game 3: No. 2 Nebraska 14, No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana 1 Game 4*: No. 1 LSU 3, No. 3 UConn 0 (UConn eliminated) Game 5*: No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana 8, No. 1 LSU 7 (LSU eliminated) Advertisement Game 6*: No. 2 Nebraska 8, No. 4 Southeastern Louisiana 0 (Southeastern Louisiana eliminated) *denotes elimination game More LSU Sports: LSU baseball at South Carolina score today: LSU implodes in ninth to lose to Gamecocks May 8, 2025; Athens, GA, USA; LSU players react in the dugout against Oklahoma at Jack Turner Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images More LSU Sports: LSU football-Clemson kickoff time, TV channel has been set This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU Softball: How to watch, live scores for 2025 NCAA Tournament
