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Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Four major questions the Dodgers face in the second half of the season
They have the most wins in the National League. They have an almost 95% chance of winning their division, according to Fangraphs' computer models. And, in the eyes of Vegas bookmakers, are still the overwhelming favorites to repeat as World Series champions. Yet, after an up-and-down opening half that saw the Dodgers fall short of their all-time (and, admittedly, somewhat unrealistic) expectations, the team kicks off the second half of its season on Friday night facing plenty of problems, and grappling with important unknowns, as it embarks on the second half of the schedule. 'Good first half,' manager Dave Roberts said before the All-Star break. 'But yeah, we should want to get better.' As the second half gets underway, here are four big questions in the Dodgers' quest to improve down the stretch and try to defend their 2024 title. It's an age-old question when it comes to the Dodgers, cast upon a new-look roster battling familiar injury-related headaches. In a best-case scenario, the Dodgers could end the season with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani (in some capacity) headlining their rotation. In the bullpen, they could have Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol bolstering more heavily-used arms like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates — plus wild card options in Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan and Jack Dreyer to serve in more versatile roles on the mound. But best-case pitching scenarios, of course, have often been unrealized fantasies with the franchise in recent years. Thus, down the stretch this season, the Dodgers' top priority (after winning the division and securing a first-round bye) will be keeping their arms as healthy as possible. That will be most important with Glasnow (who just returned from a shoulder injury) and Snell (who should be back from his own shoulder problem in the next couple of weeks). To this point, the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to urgently pursue a starter at the trade deadline. And even if they did, the lack of available front-line options means it'd be difficult to insure against either (or, in a nightmare world) both going down again. The Dodgers have been interested in adding to the bullpen, and might set their sights on a legitimate closer given Scott's season-long struggles. But still, much of their depth will depend on Treinen (who is also nearing a return from a forearm injury), Kopech (who went on the 60-day IL after a knee surgery, but is still expected back this season) and Graterol (who is also still expected to return after missing the first half recovering from offseason shoulder surgery). The Dodgers also have their fingers crossed on Roki Sasaki (hoping he can return in late August from his own shoulder issue) and haven't yet ruled out Tony Gonsolin (though he has remained shut down since suffering an elbow injury). But for now, their primary hope is to keep Glasnow and Snell upright, and replenish an overworked bullpen with late-season reinforcements. After pitching three innings for the first time this season in his final outing before the All-Star break, Ohtani appears to be getting closer to full-length starts in his return to pitching. But the question remains, how long (if ever) it will take him and the Dodgers to get there. After five abbreviated appearances over the last month-plus, it's clear Ohtani's stuff on the mound hasn't been diminished by a second career Tommy John surgery. He is routinely hitting 100 mph. He has 10 strikeouts in nine total innings. He has given up just one run overall. However, Ohtani's bat has cooled since resuming his two-way role. And the full extent of the physical toll being imposed on the 31-year-old superstar are still not yet entirely clear, prompting the Dodgers to be very deliberate in slowly, methodically increasing his workload. It's difficult to imagine, barring any unforeseen setbacks, Ohtani not being part of the pitching plan in October given how electric he has looked thus far. But will it be as a glorified three- or four-inning opener? Or in a traditional starting role in which he is asked to work into the sixth or the seventh? That could depend on the state of the rest of the Dodgers' staff, how Ohtani performs at the plate over the season's second half, and how his body holds up to a challenge he has never before attempted with a team competing for a playoff spot. The Dodgers might have Ohtani and a better supporting cast now. But, as they learned in 2022 and 2023, life can be difficult when Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts aren't hitting; especially in the heat of a playoff environment. And for all their other firepower this season, the Dodgers still need the two ex-MVPs to provide a spark. For as good as Betts has been defensively this year — still ranking top-10 among MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, outs above average and defensive runs saved — he was 122nd out of 155 qualified hitters in OPS during the first half, with a .696 mark that is more than 100 points worse than his previous career low. Freeman, meanwhile, went from a National League-leading .374 batting average at the end of May to a .203 mark over June and July, 163rd best out of 184 qualified hitters in that time. That kind of production will put a drag even on a Dodgers offense with so many other star-level players. If the team is going to be anywhere near its potential offensively, it will need both sluggers to quickly pick things up. Otherwise, their margin for error at the plate come October could be worryingly slim. There are myriad questions for the rest of the Dodgers' lineup, too, where first-half performances ranged from unexpectedly spectacular to unimaginably difficult. The Dodgers leaned heavily on Will Smith and his NL-best .323 batting average to provide consistent production. Can he replicate that in the second half of the season? Or will he fall victim to the late-summer slides that have plagued him throughout his career? For large stretches of the opening half, Andy Pages looked like an All-Star and one of the most trustworthy run-producers in the middle of the order (an important role for a Dodgers team that always generates ample opportunities, but can struggle to capitalize upon them). But he also entered the All-Star break in a two-week slump. If he can revert back to being a near .300 hitter, it could significantly help lengthen a sometimes top-heavy lineup. Conversely, Teoscar Hernández has looked out of sync ever since returning from a groin injury in May, batting just .209 since then. As one of the most clutch performers during last year's World Series run, there are real questions about whether he can regain enough health and consistency to replicate such heroics this fall. Tommy Edman, meanwhile, has been valuable defensively, and was a surprise early-season slugger with eight home runs in March and April. Since then, though, he has posted below-league-average numbers, and entered the break in a two-for-32 rut. One X-factor could be Hyeseong Kim, who turned heads in limited early-season playing time (.339 average, .842 OPS and 11-for-11 on steals in 48 games) and figures to get more everyday opportunities in Max Muncy's absence in the coming weeks. Muncy, himself, poses another big unknown. Roberts said the early reports on his recovery from a bone bruise in his knee have been encouraging. But, the Dodgers have not looked the same since losing him from the lineup. And though he is expected to return, just how limiting the lingering effects of his injury will be could have important implications on the state of the Dodgers' offense.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Despite lawsuit, unclaimed funds for Browns stadium moves forward
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Part of the Ohio budget signed last week is already being challenged in court. As it stands, $1 billion will be taken from Ohio's unclaimed funds program. That money could be an uncashed check or a forgotten bank account that the state holds onto for its citizens until it is claimed. How Ohio's recently passed budget will expand driver's education requirements Lawmakers now want to use some of that money to build new sports stadiums while Ohio resident Felicia Snell said the move is misguided. 'A stadium is not going to feed a child; a stadium is not going to put someone in an apartment,' she said. 'It doesn't make sense to me.' Right now, that fund houses $3.7 billion. Lawmakers want to capitalize on what they call idle money and use it for a new 'Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility' fund. The $1 billion that is used will be money that has been in the fund for more than 10 years; $600 million of it will go to the Cleveland Browns for a new stadium. Snell did not know that the state plans to give $600 million to the Cleveland Browns or use the other billions of dollars in the fund for sports stadiums in the future. She said she is shocked the state hasn't notified residents. 840-acre Knox County solar farm approved; opponents promise to continue fight 'Since I'm not that important, I mean, I guess why not take it,' she said. 'They're snatching funds and not focusing on children who are with crime, people that are homeless, people in addiction.' So, what is the class action lawsuit? It argues that using unclaimed funds unconstitutionally seizes Ohioans' private property without due process. 'I'm confident we're on good constitutional grounds and I'm also confident that they're not going to be able to prove damages by anybody,' Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said. 'Everybody who has money in the fund still has ten years to come get the money and so there is no harm, there are no damages for those individuals, so I think it's going to be a tough case to prove all the way up.' McColley said he does not think the lawsuit stands a chance, in the higher courts, at least. 'They may win it at the local trial court level but that's something that we're confident as it advances through the stages that we'll be successful,' he said. Ohio equal rights amendment would outlaw discrimination, void same-sex marriage ban Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said that unclaimed funds have been used before, like in emergencies. 'This is not the first time, and we didn't recall any challenges to those occasions when that money was used,' he said. The lawsuit was filed by Marc Dann, a former Ohio attorney general who also sued the state — and won — over $900 million in COVID-era unemployment funds for Ohioans. 'The way they've decided to do it, by taking people's money that doesn't belong to the state, is uncosted and it's unconstitutional for several reasons,' Dann said. 'One is the government can't take your money or your property without compensating you for that. Secondly, they can't take your money at all, for a, for something that's not a public purpose and I think there's a pretty good argument that a, a football stadium for, for, that will benefit only the Cleveland Browns and Jimmy Haslam is, is is, is not a public purpose. The third reason is that, that there's not good due process.' Unless the courts say otherwise, the money will be taken from the fund on Jan. 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama outfielder Kade Snell selected in fifth round of 2025 MLB draft
After right-handed pitcher Riley Quick was selected Sunday night, a second Alabama Crimson Tide baseball player has now heard their name called in the 2025 MLB draft in outfielder Kade Snell. Yes, Snell got the Crimson Tide selections started Monday afternoon when the veteran Alabama outfielder came off the board at pick No. 151 overall in the fifth round, drafted by the Chicago Cubs. Alabama's team captain this past season, the redshirt senior outfielder was a First Team All-SEC selection in 2025 who led the Crimson Tide with a .363 AVG across 58 games played, while also hitting 10 home runs with 52 RBI. A player who originally began his collegiate career at Auburn, followed by two seasons at Wallace Community College, Snell spent the 2024-25 campaigns in Tuscaloosa where he appeared in 101 games offensively with 94 starts. Over that span, Snell slashed a combined .347/.435/.547 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI. Snell also had 10 appearances on the mound for Alabama during the 2024 season, six of which were starts, where he owned a 1-0 record with a 6.08 ERA and a 23:7 K:BB ratio across 23.2 innings pitched. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
UK weather: Millions of Brits hit with hosepipe ban as temps to hit 32C today ahead of weekend scorcher
Parts of the country are expected to meet heatwave criteria HOT STUFF UK weather: Millions of Brits hit with hosepipe ban as temps to hit 32C today ahead of weekend scorcher Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of Brits will be hit by a hosepipe ban as temperatures look set to reach a scorching 32C today. Yorkshire Water announced the ban would come into effect from tomorrow. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Watering the garden or washing the car with a hosepipe will be restricted Credit: Getty 4 Locals take to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park yesterday Credit: Alamy It comes as temperatures could reach 32C in parts of central and southern England today. The Met Office have slapped a yellow heat health alert in place for all regions in England until July 15. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warns of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions, because of the heat. Possible highs of 33C on Saturday mean the third heatwave will fall short of the top temperatures of 34.7C recorded earlier in July, but this heatwave will be more widespread, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said. As a result, from July 12, Brits will not be permitted to use hosepipes to water their gardens, wash their cars or for any other purpose while the ban is in effect. Businesses will still be permitted to use a hosepipe if it relates to commercial purposes. Blue badge holders and people on Yorkshire Water's priority services register will also be exempt from the restrictions. Restrictions are set to stay in place until the region has seen some rainfall but the ban could last until winter. Customers who ignore the ban could face fines of up to £1,000. "For the next three days or so, high pressure is in charge across the UK, bringing in relatively settled conditions," Mr Snell said. Ireland set to bask in 27C TODAY as Met Eireann says 'plenty of sunshine' with highs of 29C expected this weekend "For most of the UK, it will be dry, sunny and warm. The temperatures will probably peak either Friday or Saturday, with highs potentially of 32C or 33C. "As we go into Sunday, the eastern half of the UK might start to just cool down a tad. It's still going to be very warm, but could jump down a degree or two. "In the second half of the weekend some coastal areas, like the North Sea coast, may turn a little bit murky at times, but the weekend is generally hot and sunny for most parts of the country. "That will obviously come with very high UV levels for most of us and also very high grass pollen levels, so not great news for hayfever sufferers." The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has urged people to drink water regularly, seek shade and use sunscreen. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: "Heat is no longer just a holiday perk, it's a growing public health risk. "We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities." 4 A woman sheltering with an umbrella in London's Green Park yesterday Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
UK weather: Millions of Brits hit with hosepipe ban as temps to hit 32C today ahead of weekend scorcher
MILLIONS of Brits will be hit by a hosepipe ban as temperatures look set to reach a scorching 32C today. Yorkshire Water announced the 4 Watering the garden or washing the car with a hosepipe will be restricted Credit: Getty 4 Locals take to Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park yesterday Credit: Alamy It comes as temperatures could reach 32C in parts of central and southern England today. The Met Office have slapped a yellow heat health alert in place for all regions in England until July 15. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warns of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions, because of the heat. Possible highs of 33C on Saturday mean the third heatwave will fall short of the top temperatures of 34.7C recorded earlier in July, but this heatwave will be more widespread, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said. read more in news As a result, from July 12, Brits will not be permitted to use Businesses will still be permitted to use a hosepipe if it relates to commercial purposes. Blue badge holders and people on Restrictions are set to stay in place until the region has seen some Most read in The Sun Customers who ignore the ban could face fines of up to £1,000. "For the next three days or so, high pressure is in charge across the UK, bringing in relatively settled conditions," Mr Snell said. Ireland set to bask in 27C TODAY as Met Eireann says 'plenty of sunshine' with highs of 29C expected this weekend "For most of the UK, it will be dry, sunny and warm. The temperatures will probably peak either Friday or Saturday, with highs potentially of 32C or 33C. "As we go into Sunday, the eastern half of the UK might start to just cool down a tad. It's still going to be very warm, but could jump down a degree or two. "In the second half of the weekend some coastal areas, like the North Sea coast, may turn a little bit murky at times, but the weekend is generally hot and sunny for most parts of the country. "That will obviously come with very high UV levels for most of us and also very high grass pollen levels, so not great news for hayfever sufferers." The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has urged people to drink water regularly, seek shade and use sunscreen. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: "Heat is no longer just a holiday perk, it's a growing public health risk. "We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities." 4 A woman sheltering with an umbrella in London's Green Park yesterday Credit: Alamy 4 Pedestrians on Westminster Bridge sheltering with umbrellas yesterday Credit: Alamy
