He's looked good when he's been in there. I've really liked the looseness to his swing. I think the baserunning and defense is something that, I don't want to say I undervalued it, but it's been a pleasant surprise to me that he's a well-rounded player.
Giddey has been in the midst of his best season as a pro, averaging 18.6 points while slashing .462/.366/.775, along with 8.8 assists, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 34 healthy bouts (31 starts). His health probably stopped him from having at least a chance at cracking the Eastern Conference coaches' reserves list for this year's surprisingly watchable All-Star Game.
Probably not. They've got stars all over the damn place, and to judge from years of vitriol you have to assume that by jettisoning Nick Castellanos the Phillies have banked another 20 wins, easily. The loss of Ranger Suárez stings, I'm sure, but the Phillies still go at least six deep in trustworthy starting pitchers. Barring several disasters, the Phillies will contend for the crown of the punishing NL East.
Bobby Slowik, who came to the Miami Dolphins last season as the senior pass game coordinator, will be named as their new offensive coordinator, a league source has confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. ESPN was the first to report Slowik's promotion. Slowik served as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator for the two seasons (2023-24) before he joined the Dolphins, helping to develop young quarterback C.J. Stroud. Slowik's offense ranked No. 7 in 2023 and No. 2 in pass plays of more than 25 yards (41). Stroud had 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 100.8 passer rating.
With a string of high-profile contract extensions over the past few weeks, there is now a clear-cut choice for the top free agent of 2026: Artemi Panarin, who has yet to extend his deal with the New York Rangers and is poised to become a UFA on July 1. Now, it's up to the Blueshirts to give him a reason to remain in New York instead of fetching his last big payday elsewhere next summer.
The Maple Leafs face just two playoff teams from last season this October, and one of them is tonight's opponent, who finished with just 91 points last season (17th in the NHL, eighth in the East). Eight of the 11 games this month are also played at home. Taking full advantage with a fast start technically isn't essential in a long 82-game season, but it is an important first step toward a successful Atlantic Division regular-season title defense.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland will participate in limited basketball activities during training camp, and is still expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season. Garland had surgery on his injured big toe that hampered him during the playoffs in early June. Cleveland had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season but was eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in five games in the conference semifinals.
Getting Lopez back at the top of the rotation should only help the Twins' chances moving forward. The veteran righty will start Friday's opener against the Royals. After being swept by the cellar-dwelling White Sox, Minnesota's chances at climbing up the AL Central standings don't look good. The trade deadline fire sale might be the first sign that there will be significant changes this offseason.
"First of all, I want to start. That's the main thing. But it's hard to really show yourself with the first unit. I don't mind it. But if you're not winning, someone who's probably going to fall out of the first unit, it's probably going to be me or whoever is that fifth guy. It's really hard to be good. You got to be in the right spot and everything. But it's an honor to be in the first unit."
