The O's just finished up a disappointing 2025 season. After making the playoffs in the prior two campaigns, they fell to the basement of the American League East this year, finishing 75-87. Their lack of rotation depth was a big part of that but the lineup also wasn't great. The team hit a collective .235/.305/.394. The resultant 96 wRC+ was better than just nine clubs in the majors.
And, remember, this three-year stretch featured three playoff berths and three series wins, because Erik Spoelstra is a mastermind, and Playoff Jimmy was him. Even without Jimmy Butler now, Miami could conceivably capitalize on a wide-open East by fielding even an average offense. But how is that supposed to happen? Shot-creation was already a question mark before Tyler Herro had surgery on his left foot in September.
The Heat's undermanned offense needs a best-case-scenario season from Nikola Jovic. When critics paint a bleak picture of Miami's outlook, they'll often cite the lack of a superstar as the primary culprit behind all of the doom-and-gloom talk. It's true that's a role the Heat will have to figure out how to fill if they ever want to rejoin the championship race, but that's a long-term puzzle for the front office to solve.
No doubt they need the likes of Springer and his suddenly rejuvenated offense, as well as Daulton Varsho and his Gold Glove calibre defense in the outfield, along with Kevin Gausman to dominate opposing hitters into submission. But if there was one player that the Jays can't afford to lose this postseason, that player is none other than Alejandro Kirk.
Play of the Game: Tua Tagovailoa was sacked at the Patriots 37-yard line on fourth-and-12 with 53 seconds left. That completed a day where, again, the theme was lost opportunity. On the previous possession, Tua threw a fourth-down interception over the middle that was returned 20 yards to the Dolphins 38 with 2:12 left. Bottom-line: The Dolphins needed winning plays from their quarterback.
In what eventually became a 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals, Mims finished with eight receptions on eight targets for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns were in the fourth quarter -- the first a 51-yard catch-and-run for the team's longest play of the game and the other a leaping are-you-kidding-me effort with eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
