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Deadspin | Cole Ragans eager to lead Royals to series win vs. Guardians     Apr 2, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images   Cole Ragans will look to guide the visiting Kansas City Royals to a series victory when he starts Wednesday afternoon’s game against fellow left-hander Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians.  Ragans (0-2, 3.60 ERA) allowed an unearned run over six innings in his previous start, a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. He has 13 strikeouts in two starts so far, although he allowed three home runs to the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day.   Ragans made the American League All-Star team in 2024 but was limited to 13 starts a season ago because of a groin strain in April and a rotator-cuff strain in June.  “I thought he locked it in as he went more and more,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ragans’ most recent start. “We’re going to take that result every time — six innings. And it looked like he was probably going to get five, but then the fourth, fifth and sixth were really good.”  Ragans owns a 1-2 record with a 4.44 ERA and 26 strikeouts and eight walks in five career appearances (all starts) against the Guardians. Star slugger Jose Ramírez is 1-for-13 with a double and four strikeouts against Ragans.  After breaking through in 2025 as an effective swing man, Cantillo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) figures to be a key cog in the rotation for Cleveland this season. He allowed one run and four hits while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings in his previous start, against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The Guardians have won both of his starts.  Cantillo told reporters he’s been trying to get his changeup in better form. It didn’t always feel right against the Cubs, he said.  “That was definitely a focal point,” Cantillo said. “Like, ‘hey, let’s throw it regardless of how the first couple end up. It’s a pitch we’ve got to throw, so keep throwing it and make the adjustment with it.”   Cantillo is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against Kansas City. He pitched eight shutout innings against the Royals on Sept. 9, and he has allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his past nine starts dating to last season.  Cleveland squared this series with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Brayan Rocchio in the ninth inning.   Rookie infielder Juan Brito made his major league debut and finished with two hits, including a double. Cleveland added Brito to the active roster after placing Gabriel Arias on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring.  “Getting the first hit was a fantastic moment that’s been a dream of mine since I was a child,” Brito told Guardians TV via a translator.  The Royals mustered just one hit against the Guardians, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Cleveland pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters (and walk eight), with the Royals stranding seven runners.  Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said both pitching staffs had “gutsy” performances because of temperatures in the low 30s. The first pitch was moved ahead five hours because of an even chillier night-time forecast.  “It was a tough day to pitch, a tough day to get feel,” Vogt said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cole #Ragans #eager #lead #Royals #series #win #Guardians

Deadspin | Cole Ragans eager to lead Royals to series win vs. Guardians
Deadspin | Cole Ragans eager to lead Royals to series win vs. Guardians     Apr 2, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images   Cole Ragans will look to guide the visiting Kansas City Royals to a series victory when he starts Wednesday afternoon’s game against fellow left-hander Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians.  Ragans (0-2, 3.60 ERA) allowed an unearned run over six innings in his previous start, a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. He has 13 strikeouts in two starts so far, although he allowed three home runs to the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day.   Ragans made the American League All-Star team in 2024 but was limited to 13 starts a season ago because of a groin strain in April and a rotator-cuff strain in June.  “I thought he locked it in as he went more and more,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ragans’ most recent start. “We’re going to take that result every time — six innings. And it looked like he was probably going to get five, but then the fourth, fifth and sixth were really good.”  Ragans owns a 1-2 record with a 4.44 ERA and 26 strikeouts and eight walks in five career appearances (all starts) against the Guardians. Star slugger Jose Ramírez is 1-for-13 with a double and four strikeouts against Ragans.  After breaking through in 2025 as an effective swing man, Cantillo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) figures to be a key cog in the rotation for Cleveland this season. He allowed one run and four hits while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings in his previous start, against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The Guardians have won both of his starts.  Cantillo told reporters he’s been trying to get his changeup in better form. It didn’t always feel right against the Cubs, he said.  “That was definitely a focal point,” Cantillo said. “Like, ‘hey, let’s throw it regardless of how the first couple end up. It’s a pitch we’ve got to throw, so keep throwing it and make the adjustment with it.”   Cantillo is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against Kansas City. He pitched eight shutout innings against the Royals on Sept. 9, and he has allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his past nine starts dating to last season.  Cleveland squared this series with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Brayan Rocchio in the ninth inning.   Rookie infielder Juan Brito made his major league debut and finished with two hits, including a double. Cleveland added Brito to the active roster after placing Gabriel Arias on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring.  “Getting the first hit was a fantastic moment that’s been a dream of mine since I was a child,” Brito told Guardians TV via a translator.  The Royals mustered just one hit against the Guardians, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Cleveland pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters (and walk eight), with the Royals stranding seven runners.  Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said both pitching staffs had “gutsy” performances because of temperatures in the low 30s. The first pitch was moved ahead five hours because of an even chillier night-time forecast.  “It was a tough day to pitch, a tough day to get feel,” Vogt said.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Cole #Ragans #eager #lead #Royals #series #win #GuardiansApr 2, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Cole Ragans will look to guide the visiting Kansas City Royals to a series victory when he starts Wednesday afternoon’s game against fellow left-hander Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians.

Ragans (0-2, 3.60 ERA) allowed an unearned run over six innings in his previous start, a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. He has 13 strikeouts in two starts so far, although he allowed three home runs to the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day.

Ragans made the American League All-Star team in 2024 but was limited to 13 starts a season ago because of a groin strain in April and a rotator-cuff strain in June.

“I thought he locked it in as he went more and more,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ragans’ most recent start. “We’re going to take that result every time — six innings. And it looked like he was probably going to get five, but then the fourth, fifth and sixth were really good.”

Ragans owns a 1-2 record with a 4.44 ERA and 26 strikeouts and eight walks in five career appearances (all starts) against the Guardians. Star slugger Jose Ramírez is 1-for-13 with a double and four strikeouts against Ragans.

After breaking through in 2025 as an effective swing man, Cantillo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) figures to be a key cog in the rotation for Cleveland this season. He allowed one run and four hits while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings in his previous start, against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The Guardians have won both of his starts.

Cantillo told reporters he’s been trying to get his changeup in better form. It didn’t always feel right against the Cubs, he said.


“That was definitely a focal point,” Cantillo said. “Like, ‘hey, let’s throw it regardless of how the first couple end up. It’s a pitch we’ve got to throw, so keep throwing it and make the adjustment with it.”

Cantillo is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against Kansas City. He pitched eight shutout innings against the Royals on Sept. 9, and he has allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his past nine starts dating to last season.

Cleveland squared this series with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Brayan Rocchio in the ninth inning.

Rookie infielder Juan Brito made his major league debut and finished with two hits, including a double. Cleveland added Brito to the active roster after placing Gabriel Arias on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring.

“Getting the first hit was a fantastic moment that’s been a dream of mine since I was a child,” Brito told Guardians TV via a translator.

The Royals mustered just one hit against the Guardians, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Cleveland pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters (and walk eight), with the Royals stranding seven runners.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said both pitching staffs had “gutsy” performances because of temperatures in the low 30s. The first pitch was moved ahead five hours because of an even chillier night-time forecast.

“It was a tough day to pitch, a tough day to get feel,” Vogt said.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cole #Ragans #eager #lead #Royals #series #win #Guardians

Apr 2, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Cole Ragans will look to guide the visiting Kansas City Royals to a series victory when he starts Wednesday afternoon’s game against fellow left-hander Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians.

Ragans (0-2, 3.60 ERA) allowed an unearned run over six innings in his previous start, a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. He has 13 strikeouts in two starts so far, although he allowed three home runs to the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day.

Ragans made the American League All-Star team in 2024 but was limited to 13 starts a season ago because of a groin strain in April and a rotator-cuff strain in June.

“I thought he locked it in as he went more and more,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ragans’ most recent start. “We’re going to take that result every time — six innings. And it looked like he was probably going to get five, but then the fourth, fifth and sixth were really good.”

Ragans owns a 1-2 record with a 4.44 ERA and 26 strikeouts and eight walks in five career appearances (all starts) against the Guardians. Star slugger Jose Ramírez is 1-for-13 with a double and four strikeouts against Ragans.

After breaking through in 2025 as an effective swing man, Cantillo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) figures to be a key cog in the rotation for Cleveland this season. He allowed one run and four hits while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings in his previous start, against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The Guardians have won both of his starts.

Cantillo told reporters he’s been trying to get his changeup in better form. It didn’t always feel right against the Cubs, he said.

“That was definitely a focal point,” Cantillo said. “Like, ‘hey, let’s throw it regardless of how the first couple end up. It’s a pitch we’ve got to throw, so keep throwing it and make the adjustment with it.”

Cantillo is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against Kansas City. He pitched eight shutout innings against the Royals on Sept. 9, and he has allowed no more than two earned runs in any of his past nine starts dating to last season.

Cleveland squared this series with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a walk-off RBI single by Brayan Rocchio in the ninth inning.

Rookie infielder Juan Brito made his major league debut and finished with two hits, including a double. Cleveland added Brito to the active roster after placing Gabriel Arias on the 10-day injured list with a strained hamstring.

“Getting the first hit was a fantastic moment that’s been a dream of mine since I was a child,” Brito told Guardians TV via a translator.

The Royals mustered just one hit against the Guardians, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Cleveland pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters (and walk eight), with the Royals stranding seven runners.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said both pitching staffs had “gutsy” performances because of temperatures in the low 30s. The first pitch was moved ahead five hours because of an even chillier night-time forecast.

“It was a tough day to pitch, a tough day to get feel,” Vogt said.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cole #Ragans #eager #lead #Royals #series #win #Guardians

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Oregon coach asks recruits about their favorite ice cream, and it actually makes sense <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Player evaluation is an inexact science, at best.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">For example, we are just over two weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft, an endeavor where 32 professional teams, with every resource at their disposal, will still make mistakes after months and months of work. While there are many reasons players do not pan out at the next level, they often stem from what cannot always be seen on film, and rather what is inside that player mentally, and emotionally.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Which is why this moment from Oregon quarterback coach Koa Ka’ai stands out.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Ka’ai met the media recently, and was asked a question about evaluating potential recruits. The coach outlined how that evaluation, from his standpoint, often involves a non-football question.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">What flavor of ice cream does the recruit prefer, chocolate or vanilla?</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Now, Ka’ai does not care what flavor they pick, but he cares that they make a pick at all. He cares that they do not hesitate, and that they show conviction:</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">A quarterback wears many hats on a football team, but one of the ways to think about the position is this way: They need to diagnose and decide. A quarterback as to diagnose what a defense is doing on a particular play and then decide what to do with the football.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Of course, that process happens while some rather large people on the other side of the line of scrimmage are trying to put them in the hospital.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">As Ka’ai noted, “right, wrong, or indifferent” you need to have some kind of “conviction.” If a quarterback gets caught thinking between chocolate or vanilla in a meeting room in June, what will happen on 3rd-and-7 with a pair of linebackers walked up in the A-Gaps?</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Take what Terry Shea, whose coaching lineage includes Trent Green, Matthew Stafford, and Sam Bradford among others, had to say about the position in his fantastic book <em>Eyes Up:</em></p></div><div><blockquote class="duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1">It can be argued that toughness — mental and physical — is as important as talent of self-confidence. One of the most challenging factors about quarterbacking is adjusting to the mental and emotional pressure. The pressure can be enormous in games at all levels. As the game unfolds, a quarterback’s mental toughness is keenly tested. To hang in there when you are worn down and your body hurts. To possess the nerve to release the ball with anticipation. To keep getting up after each hit. To keep coming back. To refuse to lose. This is how mental toughness is defined. A mentally tough quarterback produces the poise to play well in pressure situations and that is a defining virtue of quarterback play.</p></blockquote></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Or consider what none other than Bill Walsh wrote about quarterback play in his book <em>Finding the Winning Edge:</em></p></div><div><blockquote class="duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1">A quarterback must have the ability to handle the stress and pressures that occur during the game. He must be able to control his emotions to a point where he can think clearly, evaluate his options, and act rationally, regardless of the situation. Similar to other aspects of quarterbacking, within a reasonable period of time, an athlete will either show that he can deal with his emotions properly within the framework of the game or demonstrate to the coaching staff (by his actions) that further effort in this regard is a waste of time.</p></blockquote></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Being decisive is a huge part of quarterback play, as is mental toughness.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">If it takes a question about ice cream to try and solve that particular riddle in evaluating a player, so be it.</p></div> #Oregon #coach #asks #recruits #favorite #ice #cream #sense

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The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.

The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million  The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunkThe sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds (5,600), according to Sotheby’sPublished on Jul 17, 2026  #Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million

The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.

The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com">Why Tigers Should Consider Moving Tarik Skubal at the Trade Deadline | Deadspin.com   Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.Detroit isn’t out of it yetDetroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.   #Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com

looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com">Why Tigers Should Consider Moving Tarik Skubal at the Trade Deadline | Deadspin.com

Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com

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