Warriors will face Warrington or Hull KR at Wembley
The Challenge Cup kings are at it again. For the first time in a good while, Wigan were arguably underdogs going into this semi-final against their fiercest rivals, St Helens, with a run of form that included four successive Super League defeats before stopping the rot last week against promoted Bradford.
In contrast, St Helens are joint-top of Super League and have won their past five, but when it comes to Wigan and the Challenge Cup, this relationship is anything but ordinary. For the 34th timethe Warriors have reached the final.
A first-round exit is not what anyone in Denver envisioned. This was a team some pundits (*sheepishly raises hand*) picked to go to the Finals before the season, a team that entered the playoffs thinking the same thing. Instead, the physicality of the Minnesota matched Denver, the Timberwolves showed more scoring versatility, and that sent the Nuggets packing in the first round.
Now what?
Nuggets president Josh Kroenke (son of owner Stan Kroenke) said everything is on the table — except trading Nikola Jokic or moving on from coach David Adelman.
"I don't want to be masked in my frustration for how the season ended," Kroenke said. "I think that anybody that was a fan of the Denver Nuggets should be frustrated. And anything that a fan feels, I probably feel a thousand X. So I think everything is gonna be on the table, outside of trading Nikola...
"If we deem running it back the most competitive thing we can do for the roster, that's probably what we're going to be doing," Kroenke said Friday. "So I don't want to put words in my dad's mouth by any means, but he has owned the team for a very long time. We've run it aggressively as we can at different points in time. I think that the joke is always, we love to pay for talent on the floor. So leaning into that assessment that people have put on us at different points in time, if we deem that's the most competitive thing for us, then that's what we're gonna be doing."
Kroenke and the Nuggets have some difficult decisions to make this offseason.
The easy one is extending Jokic — he is eligible, he gets the max, and he has said he wants to be a Nugget “forever.” The other thing that is locked in is that, despite a rough showing in the playoffs, coach David Adelman will be back.
"I have full faith in Coach Adelman," Kroenke said. "I think he coached a hell of a season, all things considered."
After that, it becomes a question of money and priorities. Peyton Watson had a breakout season, and his value on both ends of the court was evident in his absence during the playoffs (he was out with a hamstring injury). He is also a restricted free agent that a number of teams are eyeing as someone they can poach. With Jokic and Jamal Murray already with max contracts, new extensions for Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun kicking in, re-signing Watson likely means going into the second apron — something the Nuggets have not done (and only one team lived in that space this season, Cleveland).
Which means look for Denver to trade another starter, maybe Braun or Cameron Johnson, something league sources had told NBC Sports and echoed to Durando for his Denver Post story.
One way or another, changes are coming to Denver. Just not to Jokic or Adelman.
With the 2026 NBA Draft lottery less than 24 hours away, all eyes are on which franchise will claim the prized No. 1 overall pick, a game-changing selection that could alter the trajectory of a team for years to come.
The NBA Draft lottery uses a randomized drawing to establish the order of the first 14 picks, and for teams looking for help on a much-needed rebuild, landing a top lottery pick can transform a franchise’s outlook. The drawing determines the top four selections, while the remaining lottery teams are assigned picks 5-14 based on their regular-season records, in reverse order.
Picks 15 through 30 in the first round, as well as every selection in the second round, are also assigned in reverse order of the regular-season standings.
This year, the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each enter the lottery with the top odds at 14% apiece to land the No. 1 pick. However, the lottery is notorious for its unpredictability, and teams with lower odds have often leapfrogged their way into top selections in past years.
Here’s what you need to know as the NBA Draft lottery unfolds.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
Date: Sunday, May 10
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Location: McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago, Illinois)
What teams will participate in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?
The 14 NBA teams that did not qualify for the 2026 NBA Playoffs are eligible for the NBA Draft lottery.
What is the format for the NBA Draft Lottery?
Teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14% chance of landing the coveted No. 1 overall pick. This system is designed to discourage intentional losing, commonly referred to as "tanking," while still providing struggling franchises with a legitimate shot at a franchise-altering selection. The lottery employs a suspenseful random drawing to determine the order of the first four picks in the NBA Draft. Once those top four spots are set, the remaining lottery teams select in reverse order of their regular-season records, ensuring a balanced, competitive draft process that keeps fan bases engaged and hopeful.
Who won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery?
The Dallas Mavericks captured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history.
What teams are in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery?
Teams are listed according to their regular-season records and their odds of securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 08: Ryan Waldschmidt #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks prepares to bat during the eighth inning of his MLB debut against the New York Mets at Chase Field on May 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mets defeated the Diamondbacks 3-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Snakes Fall to Mets in Extras Ryan Waldschmidt made his MLB debut coming off the bench for Arizona. He singled in his first Major League at-bat. However, the spark of the highly-anticipated rookie making his debut was not enough to wake the offense up. The Diamondbacks still managed only one run across ten innings, including failing to score the Manfred Man.
Arizona Promotes Waldschmidt, DFAs Alek Thomas The highly anticipated roster moves have now been made. Oh, and Tyler Locklear was also activated from the 10-day IL and optioned to Reno.
When, Where and Why Ryan Waldschmidt will Play Expect plenty of Waldschmidt in center with some time in left if Gurriel gets the day off. The hope is that Waldschmidt’s plate discipline will translate tot he Majors.
Guardians Acquire Patrick Bailey Good news for Arizona fans, Patrick Bailey is out of the division. San Francisco will receive left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson and the 29th overall pick of the 2026 draft (the first selection of Competitive Balance Round A, which are the only types of picks that can be dealt).
Misiorowski Flashes 103.6 mph Heat Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski set a standard for velocity by a starting pitcher while keeping up his habit of performing best in high-profile situations. Misiorowski threw 10 pitches of at least 103 mph while striking out 11 over six dominant innings in the Brewers’ 6-0 home victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night
Are you, as a Rangers fan, happy or sad when you read about MSG favorites Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba having a heckuva wonderful run in Anaheim?
The Maven is delighted.
If you remember Jake has a determined, hard-hitting, devoted Rangers captain, you'd have to wish that he still wore a Blue Shirt.
And if you recall Kreids as a heroic New York mentor to young teammates and a scoring whiz, then you have to be thinking "Wish You Were Here."
Now test your memory bank with this character. Who in this village called Rangerville can picture the human volcano called John Tortorella coaching your favorite team like Vince Lombardi orchestrating the great Green Bay Packers.
The insightful and incendiary Torts was the most "New York Kind Of Guy" ever to march behind his players while leading them to play the kind of hockey we Gothamites loved.
His slight – but never annoying – New England accent was a delight to the ears and part of our Big Apple hockey adventure with the great man and genuine dog-lover.
Do we miss him? You bet we do.
By tons, and even more so now that he has the Golden Knights playing New York hockey in Vegas. (In case you missed it, John's Knights are in the second round, leading Anaheim two games to one.)
Torts still has the knack. He figured out what Toronto coaches failed to do; and that is to turn Mitch Marner into a playoff demon. Last night Double M not only scored a natural hat trick but added an assist and leads all NHL players in playoff scoring. He can thank Torts for that.
My gut feeling is that 99 percent of Rangers fans are rooting for John, master of ice savvy New Yorkers know – Torts also has a surplus of guts and it is a key element in his success!
Blake Snell returns to the big leagues as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.
Snell gives the Boys in Blue a boost, so I’m backing the home team with my Braves vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, May 9.
Who will win Braves vs Dodgers today: Dodgers moneyline (-170)
Both starting pitchers are in a similar situation in that they’re recently returning from a prolonged stay on the injured list, and they’ve both been among the league’s best arms when on top of their game. Only one has a favorable outlook, however.
Blake Snell nearly always pitches at an elite level when healthy, so he should be his usual dominant self in a pitch-count shortened appearance today.
There are major red flags with Spencer Strider, who allowed nine baserunners in 3 1/3 innings in his 2026 debut. His stuff wasn’t there (84 Stuff+), a worrying trend since he was last effective in 2023.
COVERS INTEL:In his 2026 debut, Strider’s average fastball velocity (94.6 mph) was down a tick from a year ago (95.4 mph), and several ticks from his peak (98.1 mph).
Braves vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-115)
These are two potent offenses playing in weather ripe for hitting. It’ll be 78 degrees at the time of first pitch, with winds of eight mph blowing out to dead center.
The Atlanta Braves have scored more runs (214) than any team other than the Cubs, whereas the Los Angeles Dodgerslead the majors in wRC+ (124) against right-handed pitching.
Nothing about Strider’s current status indicates he can hold down a star-studded Dodgers lineup. While Snell is an ace, he’ll be on a significant pitch count after tossing 55 pitches in his last rehab start.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 11-10, -0.43 units
Over/Under bets: 15-7, +7.64 units
Braves vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Braves +146 | Dodgers -174
Run line: Braves +1.5 | Dodgers -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Braves vs Dodgers trend
The Dodgers are 8-0 in their last eight home games against the Braves. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Braves vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Saturday, May 9, 2026
First pitch
9:10 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVision, SportsNet LA
Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (0-0, 8.10 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Blake Snell (2025: 5-4, 2.35 ERA)
Braves vs Dodgers latest injuries
Braves vs Dodgers weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Silva is first Uruguayan to win a Grand Tour stage
Nearly 20 riders involved in crash 198km into route
Guillermo Thomas Silva won stage two of the Giro d’Italia to become the first Uruguayan to win a Grand Tour stage after a dramatic sprint after a crash involving nearly 20 riders disrupted the hilly, rain-soaked 221 km ride from Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.
The race was temporarily neutralised after the crash around the 198km mark which left several riders injured, and forced the Australian Jay Vine and Norwegian Adne Holter to abandon. The Spaniard Florian Stork finished second and Giulio Ciccone of Italy was third, as the XDS Astana rider Thomas Silva took the pink jersey from the stage one winner, France’s Paul Magnier.
The Montreal Canadiens dominated Game 2 of their series against the Buffalo Sabres from start to finish, but there’s one area in which the host dominated: hits. Someone who didn’t watch the game and checked the stats to see the Sabres had 44 hits to the Canadiens’ 18 would be forgiven for thinking that the Habs had a rough night physically, but that wasn’t the case.
The main reason Buffalo had so many hits is that they spent much of the game chasing the puck. For the first 40 minutes, the Canadiens dominated puck possession, forcing the Sabres to try to separate them from the puck. Of course, 44 hits are an impressive total, but the timing of the hits left a lot to be desired. Juraj Slafkovsky explained it well after the game:
I feel like all of their hits happen after the plays. Especially me, I mean, I made a play, and then, three seconds after, I got hit. That doesn't do anything to me, in my opinion. But yeah, everyone was just making plays, and sometimes, you've got to take a hit to make a play.
The most compelling example of Slafkovsky’s assessment came on the Canadiens’ third goal. Noah Dobson took a punishing hit after sending the puck up the board to Jake Evans. Sabres fans were still applauding the hit when Evans sent a picture-perfect pass to Alex Newhook to give the Canadiens a 3-1 lead. Feeling a bit of physical discomfort is nothing compared to the pain of giving away a goal in the playoffs. A hit for a goal is a trade-off the Canadiens will always be fine with.
The one exception on the night came when Ivan Demidov was sent flying by a Jordan Greenway hit and landed awkwardly on the ice. The Russian rookie needed a few seconds to get back up and then headed straight to the room. It was a worrying moment, but he was back in the game a few minutes later and looked no worse for wear, unleashing a few one-timers on the next power play.
It will be interesting to see if the Sabres put such an emphasis on physical play in Game 3. Last night, it looked like they had been instructed to finish all their checks, no matter what, even if that took them out of the play. A bit like when Arber Xhekaj used to chase hits at all costs despite what else was happening on the ice. Something the rugged defenseman has now eliminated from his play, most of the time at least.
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Chase Headley #12 of the New York Yankees in action against the Houston Astros during the American League Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium on October 6, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City, New York. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Upon trading for superstar Alex Rodriguez in February 2004 and moving him to third base, the Yankees could rest easy knowing that they had secured a real long-term answer for the hot corner. For the better part of nine years, the Yankees planned their seasons with A-Rod penciled in at third, but by 2014, they ran into a dilemma. Multiple hip surgeries and the aches of age had worn down his ability to man third, and off-field controversy had finally caught up to him, leading to a PED suspension for the entire 2014 campaign. Although A-Rod would return, he was almost exclusively a designated hitter.
In the 13 years since A-Rod’s decline truly began in 2013, the Yankees have cycled through several names in search of an answer. Twenty different players (including A-Rod himself) have accumulated at least 100 PA at third for them since then, and they comprise quite the odd roll call. DJ LeMahieu leads the way in terms of playing time, but the man with the second-most is the focus of our birthday feature today: Chase Headley. A one-time standout in San Diego acquired by Yankees GM Brian Cashman via trade, the switch-hitter falls into a sort of middle ground of memory. New York fans who followed those mid-2010s teams will recall his modest play, but for those who didn’t become diehards until after the fact? His legacy is a little more fuzzy.
Chase Jordan Headley Born: May 9, 1984 (Fountain, CO) Yankees Tenure: 2014-17
A Colorado native who grew up a little over an hour outside Denver in Fountain, Headley found his calling card in baseball at Fountain-Fort Carson High School. The valedictorian of his class, he went on to attend the University of the Pacific, where he hit .330/.453/.464 as a freshman and quickly earned national attention. Headley transferred to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and continued to ascend despite an injury in his sophomore campaign. He broke school records in his junior season and helped lead the Volunteers to a 2005 College World Series berth before being selected by the Padres in the second round of the 2005 MLB Draft, just three picks after the Yankees selected somewhat-forgotten Longhorn righty J. Brent Cox.
The third baseman moved up the minor league rankings over two seasons, being named the Texas League Player of the Year with a .330/.437/.580 triple slash for the 2007 San Antonio Missions. He made his MLB debut that same year, appearing in a handful of contests in June when the Padres needed big-league help before returning for a cup of coffee at the very end of the year. He went hitless in his first career game but registered his first knock in his third, a single against future teammate Rich Hill.
Prior to 2008, Headley was named among the top 35 MLB prospects by both Baseball Prospectus and Baseabll America. He spent his spring with Triple-A Portland and earned a more long-term look with San Diego by mid-June. He played in 91 games in ’08, producing a slash line of .269/.337/.420 and an OPS+ of 110. Headley’s first career homer actually came in an interleague game at Old Yankee Stadium, taking reliever Kyle Farnsworth deep on June 18th.
After proving that he could be an above-average hitter at the major league level, Headley became a full-time Padres player in 2009. In 156 games, Headley was still an above-average player at the plate, finishing the year with a .262 batting average and a 102 OPS+.
The biggest problem in Headley’s first full season was the strikeout, as it can be for many young players trying to adjust to life full-time with the best of the best. In those 156 games, Headley finished with 133 strikeouts, which ranked among the top 30 of all MLB hitters. However, he reached double-digit home runs for the first time in his career with 12 and achieved the 60-RBI plateau as well. Headley was also still primarily playing left field since Kevin Kouzmanoff was San Diego’s de facto third baseman.
By 2010, Kouzmanoff had been traded, opening up the hot corner for Headley. It was his natural position throughout his time in college and the minors, and he turned into a terrific defender aet third.
Headley gradually came into his own as a big leaguer across 2010 and 2011. Those years merely represented a prelude for 2012 — a season for the ages and the one he’s best known for around baseball.
In 2012, not only did Headley miss only one game, but across those 161 appearances, Headley put his name on the map amid frequent rumors of a potential trade. He slashed .286/.376/.498 with an OPS+ of 145. He walked a career-high 86 times, stole a career-high 17 bases, and also had career highs in home runs (31), RBI’s (115), OPS+ (145), and WAR (6.4). Those home runs were the most of any NL third baseman, and the RBI’s were also not just the most of his career, but they were also the highest in the National League. In 2012, Headley also received major league honors, finishing with a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award, while also finishing fifth in NL MVP voting.
Entering camp for his age-29 season, the Padres thought they had a star on their hands. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for 2012 to look like an outlier. Headley’s 2013 was marred by injury, though, as he started the season on the then-disabled list due to a hand injury in spring training after a slide into second base, and he played through a torn meniscus in his left knee throughout the year, which he believed contributed to his decline in offensive production. Headley’s OPS+ was still a productive 115, but his power was more than halved to 13 homers. He would never again hit even 15 homers in a season.
At the start of 2014, Headley’s numbers took another dip, and this time, the Padres decided it would be best to move on. So on July 22nd, the Padres traded Headley to the Yankees. In return, they received a replacement in Yangervis Solarte—who had come to spring training as a non-roster invitee and soon became a fan favorite and primary third baseman in A-Rod’s absence—and pitching prospect Rafael De Paula. Flying to New York that day, Headley’s travels meant that he didn’t start, but he entered his first game as a Yankee in the eighth inning, pinch-hitting for Zelous Wheeler. Although he struck out, the game went deep into the night, and a 14th-inning rally found Headley with a chance to win it in his pinstriped debut.
The walk-off was a good omen for Headley’s first foray in pinstripes. He hit .262/.371/.398 with a 119 OPS+ in 58 games down the stretch for the Yankees, winning more fans over with a walk-off homer on September 4th against the defending champion Red Sox for good measure. It was a super-effective start to his career in the Bronx. The only downside was that the 2014 Yankees were a pretty mediocre squad on the whole, featuring some famous names but underwhelming results while missing the playoffs with just 84 wins.
Encouraged by his second half, the Yankees and Headley came together on a four-year, $52 million deal a month after the third baseman hit free agency. It wasn’t a huge investment—certainly not the kind that something closer to his 2012 might have merited—but it still proved to be a bit of an overpay. Headley’s offense plummeted back down to Earth, mustering only a 91 OPS+ across 2015-16 while hitting .256/.327/.703. He was still a useful defender, but the power that he had once shown continued to be lost, save for the occasionalflash. The Yankees were one-and-done as a Wild Card team in 2015, Headley going 0-for-3 in the shutout at the hands of Houston’s Dallas Keuchel.
After missing the playoffs in 2016, the Yankees surged back to the postseason with a surprising new core in 2017 led by a rookie Aaron Judge. Headley was better than he had been the previous two years and actually recorded an acceptable 100 OPS+ on the dot, batting .273/.352/.406 with 30 doubles and 12 homers. Seeking to boost their lineup at the Trade Deadline, the Yankees acquired third baseman Todd Frazier as part of a package from the White Sox, and took advantage of Headley’s always-maintained corner infield versatility by sliding him over to first base, where there was an opening due to Greg Bird’s midseason injury.
When Bird returned in time for the postseason, Headley and fellow odd mid-2010s signing Jacoby Ellsbury found themselves in the odd position of competing for DH time at the bottom of the lineup with incumbent Matt Holliday all but rendered a nonfactor due to an ailing back. Headley went hitless until the ALCS, when he suddenly came alive after the series against the infamous 2017 Astros shifted to Yankee Stadium. He went 7-for-15 across the final five games of the series in what turned out to be his last gasp of production as a big leaguer, delivering a pinch-hit single in the come-from-behind eighth-inning rally of Game 4 and then registering three hits in the 5-0 win in Game 5 that put New York on the brink of the pennant with a 3-2 series lead.
So close to what would have been the first World Series appearance of his career, Headley instead never made it. The Yankees infamously dropped the final two games in Houston and were sent packing.
Headley was still well-liked in the clubhouse, but the Yankees felt that they could only trust his 2017 results so much, even with Frazier vacating third base as a free agent. So when the Padres expressed an interest in young pitcher Bryan Mitchell, the Yankees offered to send him west if San Diego was willing to pick up almost all of the $13 million still owed to Headley for 2018; they had just made the megatrade for Giancarlo Stanton and were looking to get their payroll in order.
After some negotiations, the Padres were game, so Headley found himself back in San Diego. The reunion was brief. He went 6-for-52 (.115) with no power in 27 games, and he was released in May, marking the end of his 12-year career. Since stepping away from the game, he’s led a quiet retirement, understandably content to focus on family and raising his two sons, Colt and Cale, with his wife, Casey.
Happy 42nd birthday, Chase!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
The Los Angeles Lakers hope that returning to the West Coast will change their fortunes against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have dominated the first two games of the series by 18 points each, continuing a trend in which OKC dominated the four regular-season games, winning by an average of 29.3 points.
Here are my best Thunder at Lakers props and NBA picks for Saturday, May 9.
Best Thunder vs Lakers props for Game 3
Player
Pick
Chet Holmgren
Over 16.5 points
-110
Jared McCain
Over 1.5 made threes
+130
Jaxson Hayes Over 4.5 points
Over 4.5 points
-112
Game 3 Prop #1: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points
-110 at bet365
The series has been a mismatch in the paint as Chet Holmgren has dominated Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton. Holmgren has increased his scoring by two points per game—to 19.2—in the postseason and is averaging 23 in the OKC series, shooting 16-of-28, .571.
Ayton, meanwhile, has shot 6-of-19 for 13 points in the two games combined. That continued a trend for the seven-footer. He shot just .524 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the regular season—one of his five worst shooting percentages against any team—and averaged just 5.8 ppg.
Playoff basketball is a game of adjustments. It's on Ayton to step up his game. He may be able to hold Holmgren below 20 at home, but it's tough to envision him holding the big man below his season average.
Game 3 Prop #2: Jared McCain Over 1.5 made threes
+130 at bet365
It's always fascinating to see how one mismatch can impact everyone on the floor. As the Lakers have struggled to contain Holmgren inside, it's also opened things up at the perimeter. L.A. has had to help Ayton in the paint, which has created more space for OKC's shooters.
Ajay Mitchell has averaged 19 points in the first two games, a half dozen more than his season scoring average. The biggest beneficiary, however, has been rookie Jared McCain. He's come off the bench to knock down four of five from outside in both games.
McCain is hitting 60% of his three-point attempts in the postseason. For the year, he shot .391 from outside and averaged 1.8 three-pointers per game.
He's certainly gotten L.A.'s attention and likely won't find himself as open going forward, but getting +130 odds of him topping his season average seems too generous to pass up, especially considering the heater he's on.
Game 3 Prop #3: Jaxson Hayes Over 4.5 points
-112 at bet365
Jaxson Hayes may be the best adjustment L.A. can make to try to slow Holmgren. He's taken three shots in both of the first two games, making four.
The other scenario where Hayes steps up would be if Ayton continues to struggle with foul trouble against Holmgren. Hayes is a high-energy player off the bench who can show flashes of brilliance. He shot 24-for-27 over a four-game stretch in March, averaging more than 15 points and seven boards.
Hayes played in three of the four regular-season games against the Thunder, making 9 of 12 shots and averaging 8.7 points. He won't emerge as an interior force in the game, but two made shots and a free throw seem like a reasonable expectation.
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Mitch Marner is the hottest player in the NHL playoffs at this point.
And it's amazing how much trolling fans will go to when they've become salty over athletes.
Perhaps fans from Toronto can't find any other reason to lash out after the Maple Leafs' disastrous season - they were the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference, one of just two squads that couldn't get to 80 points.
When Marner signed with the Golden Knights the day before free agency last summer, the only thing hotter than Vegas' weather was blue and white jerseys with the No. 16 on it. Fans could be seen burning Marner jerseys.
Now, the only thing hotter than Marner nearly one year later, are fans who vow the 29-year-old won't be showing up the next period, game or round.
And yet here is, with at least one point in seven of the Golden Knights' games, leading the postseason with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) and fresh off scoring a hat trick in Friday's 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Golden Knights lead the second-round series, 2-1, and have regained home-ice advantage, much in part to Marner's offensive prowess.
"People talk about (Marner), this, that, the other thing," Vegas coach John Tortorella said. "I don’t think he listens to it, whether it be good or bad.
"He’s just a hockey player."
A hockey player who is seemingly dialed and doing his part at the right moment, toe-dragging the Golden Knights in their push toward a third trip to the Stanley Cup Final in nine years.
"I try to always be an energizer guy, a guy that goes out there and brings a lot of passion and energy to games," Marner said after his first playoff hat trick. "It’s always nice to contribute, but at the end of the day, you just want to win games."
During his time in Toronto, the former first-round, fourth-overall pick, he had 13 goals and 50 assists in 70 games. And despite being the Leafs' offensive player, he was oft-scrutinized for his performances, or lack thereof, in the postseason.
Mitch Marner, long criticized for his playoff performances in Toronto, is now leading the ENTIRE 2026 Playoffs in scoring 🤯⚔️ pic.twitter.com/QroLjvvSCj
Thus, the trolls have emerged, reminding everyone how the Maple Leafs went nowhere when Marner in town, conveniently forgetting other premier names were also on the roster.
"I think he’s a hell of a hockey player," Tortorella said. "I think he’s very cerebral and very confident in what he brings.
"You know, people give him s*** all the time about playoffs and this and that, and I don’t think it bothers him a lick. He just plays."
And that will continue to infuriate Toronto fans.
Perhaps they'd be better served griping over Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, who has a 4.63 ERA over his last two starts and is a lifetime 32-34 with a 4.00 ERA against the other four AL East teams.
PHOTO CAPTION
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) controls the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 8: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
“They jumped out and they kind of punched us in the mouth to start the game. Our guys settled down and they figured it out the next three quarters after that first one went by. Great response by our group. They’re resilient, they’ve been through a lot as a veteran group and it showed tonight.”
On learning his team slowly but surely:
“I said when I took the job, you don’t really know the team until you get in the trenches with them. But from the outside looking in, you felt that this team would give you a chance. And they’ve done things throughout the course of the year … that we’re like, ‘OK, yeah, we might have a chance at this.’”
On Jalen Brunson as his security blanket:
“I’m Linus, and Jalen’s my blanket. So he gets me, he helps me relax at a lot of different times throughout the course of games. But that’s what great players do. They keep you poised, they make the game easier for everybody else, and they help you get through the stretch.”
On the bench’s resilience in Game 3:
“We’ve got a lot of good guys that are resilient, that are fighters. And they’ve done a good job of keeping their mind or staying present in whatever we’re doing. And it’s showing when they go out there and get the opportunity.”
On Shamet’s impact in Game 3:
“Landry hasn’t played a drop all playoffs. The first game, he was in the rotation, second game a little bit, and then he was out. Six, seven games that he hasn’t seen significant minutes on the court. Landry was huge for us tonight. Huge for us on both ends of the floor.”
On Shamet providing a spark:
“We needed a spark when they hit us in the mouth and Landry gave it to us. It was a big game on the road and it didn’t phase him. It was a lot of fun to watch.”
On depth players staying ready:
“As a coach, you love to see it. Sometimes you start Landry, sometimes you start [Mohammed Diawara]…at the end of the day, coming from me, that I have confidence in them. Not only that, your number can be called at any time and you need to be ready. They’ve done a good job of keeping their mind and staying present in whatever we’re doing. It’s showing whenever they get the opportunity. It’s shown with Jordan, it’s shown with Jose and it’s shown with Landry…Just a fantastic job by Landry tonight.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s Game 3 performance:
“Mitch Robinson was huge for us. He was huge. We ran him longer in stretches at times than we normally do but he was great in both directions for us. He was big for us throughout the course of the game. You talk about being physical without fouling defensively. You can be physical without fouling offensively, too. He set some great screens. And you can talk about, too, driving to the paint for a paint touch and a spray 3. His rolls — he’s a dynamic roller — his rolls caused Philadelphia’s defense to collapse. And that allows us to spray our passes. His rolls are dynamic and it helped us generate great looks from the perimeter, as well as his vertical threat. He had a couple lobs at the rim. And his offensive rebounding. He kept the ball alive a handful of times. So he was great on both sides of the ball.”
On Mikal Bridges guarding Paul George without OG Anunoby:
“Obviously with OG out we were down a big wing. So Mikal had to take that part over. We’re not switching Mikal necessarily on Embiid, but if it happens he’s just got to play him without fouling. Mikal did a lot of good tonight defensively no matter who he guarded. He was big in helping us get the win because of it.
“I applaud Mikal. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t point out the continued work Mikal is doing at the point of attack with Maxey. Maxey is a great player and you’re not going to stop him. You’ve got to give multiple efforts while guarding him. Mikal’s busting his behind trying to do that while also doing well offensively too.”
On playing without OG Anunoby:
“No matter who’s in or out — Mitch was out for us last game — we just have to go out, try to do our job, whatever our job is. Nobody has to do anything extraordinary. And so defensively and offensively, it’s the same with OG being out. You know, it’s going to be a collective effort for everybody to step up. And, you know, you always talk about next man up, and that’s what it is during this time of year or the regular season.”
On defending Tyrese Maxey:
“Maxey’s a great player, and you’re not going to stop Tyrese. Mikal has had most of the responsibility at the point of the ball, and so the point of the ball, you’ve got to be locked in guarding Maxey, you’ve gotta give multiple effort and you’ve gotta make him feel you without fouling because he’s a great player. Mikal is trying like the dickens to do that, and he’s doing a pretty good job with it based on who Maxey is.
“You’re not going to stop him. He had 13 in Game 1, and there was no point during the year where he had two games below 25 in a row. You just hope he misses some and you hope you can keep the pressure on him. But more importantly, you hope the defense is understanding what the coverages are and where the help is available, because he’s good. Great players find a way, and that’s why it’s our job as a staff to keep trying to throw different coverages at him, so hopefully that helps the guys on the floor.”
On the idea of drama motivating the team:
“I don’t look at it like that. I just coach the team, and I just tell them what I think is the truth. So I don’t try to intentionally increase, you said drama?”
"Mitch was fantastic today. There's nothing better when you see everyone thinking he's going to go up there and miss free throws and he goes and splashes them"
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about Mitchell Robinson's impact on the game tonight: pic.twitter.com/TgSfq6s8bB
“Is a testament to the guys in this locker room, our discipline, just our mental fortitude to get through all the adversity and just find a way to win.
“We withstood the first punch. That’s a great team.”
On his belief in the locker room:
“I’ve been telling ya’ll, we believe in everybody in this locker room entering into the game and producing at a high level. Today showed that again.”
"It's a testament to who he is and how he prepares himself and how he gets ready for the game" – Jalen Brunson
Brunson and Mikal Bridges talk about Bridges' defense on Tyrese Maxey tonight: pic.twitter.com/36OlNcs81F
“I think we still have a lot of room that we can grow.”
On stepping up without Anunoby:
“It was definitely a team effort. Obviously, we want everyone back healthy. But it was important for everyone to step up and have the right mindset. To do whatever you gotta do to win.”
On Bridges’ Game 3 performance:
“We needed him, and he was great.”
Josh Hart was asked about helping to "set the energy factor" for the Knicks tonight:
"At some point, I have to make a damn shot, at some point. If I'm not doing that, I at least got to do something to help the team." pic.twitter.com/2VncXA0aVf
“He’s an amazing person. He’s a great character dude and a true professional. We see him out there picking up full court at times, being physical on the perimeter and re-establishing himself in terms of defense. The way he’s able to bring an energy defensively, and he’s one of our best offensive rebounders. It’s amazing to see him change his game and doing his role to the best of his ability.”
On Knicks fans on the road:
“New York always comes out and shows love. They support us wherever we go. We need that. We need them to continue to do that, continue to support us.”
On stepping up without OG:
“Everyone picked it up. It’s one of those things where it’s next man up. Obviously we say that but that just means it’s more opportunity for guys. Mikal did an amazing job. Deuce gave us what he had. Landry, the ultimate professional, giving us big minutes offensively and defensively. We responded well to that adversity.”
On the Knicks’ identity:
“That’s just what our identity is. We continue to give something game after game and that’s energy. That’s what we strive to have, that energy, that physicality, that attention to detail and focus. We try to have that every game. We need to do that game after game after game.”
Q "Rough patch…you said 'I think we could be really good'…What gave you confidence?"
Brunson "I see these guys every day…You don't see ups & downs in locker room…trying to figure it out…Times we look disconnected…That's basketball…sports…life…It's about how you move on" pic.twitter.com/cJqoN5aeBN
“Lan is a true professional. Just mentally not playing and throwing him out there and he ends up finishing the game. And we talk to him and give him his dap for what he does, but that’s just a true professional. And he works so hard and just got that mental — that mental killer in himself.”
On the Knicks’ response without OG:
“Everybody stepped up. We know how much OG means to us and everybody has to do their part. Everybody has to lend a hand. I think we all did that.”
Q: "KAT would you describe this team as a juggernaut right now?"
KAT: "Uhh I just look at us as a team that…" ––––– Q: "Do you feel you guys are a runaway freight train right now?"
“We talked about it the last few days. We knew they would. Coming back home down 2-0, you’re going to have a sense of desperation. That was coach’s sentiment this week… They played really well, scored the ball really well early. We weren’t as physical as we needed to be. Made a couple of adjustments and picked up our physicality and presence defensively, and it helped us.”
On staying ready as a bench player:
“Just stay ready. Your number’s called, you just stay ready. Felt good to be out there with my teammates. Felt good to get a win. We got one more in a matter of hours, really.”
On stepping up in Game 3:
“Yeah, it felt good, felt good to get in there with my teammates, felt good to get a win. We got one more, one more in a matter of hours, really. So trying to get our bodies right, get our minds right and try to go get one.”
On moving past the Embiid controversy from two years ago:
“No, not no more. I hear people talk about it. Kind of just channel it out. At the end of the day, it happened two years ago. You can’t go back in the past and I don’t want to go back in the back in the past and relive it. So it’s like, just learn, move on from it, keep pushing.”
On his free-throw work before Game 3:
“It paid off.”
On competing against Embiid:
“I like that fight. He’s a talented player, a great player. Been playing against him over the years now. And we’re playing on the big stage now. At this point, we just got to go.”
“I thought he gave us everything he could. I really do. I think he tried to give us everything he could tonight, and that’s all he can do.”
On facing elimination:
“We’re in a situation where we have to go out there and get the next one and see what happens. If you get one, it gets to 3-1, and then a series can turn pretty quickly. But we’re going to have to dig in and do some things better. We started out tonight playing great. But we had a bad stretch of defensive rebounding, and we gave up direct line drives. We just didn’t score enough. We didn’t keep the scoreboard moving.”
“I’m OK. Obviously, a tough loss tonight. Just have to take it one game at a time.”
On the refs supposedly siding with the Knicks in Game 3:
“I’m not sure. Maybe it was let go on our end. They shot 32 free throws, we had 16. We’re not a team that shoots a lot of threes. We attack, put the ball on the ground. So, yeah, I don’t know. I guess it’s good when New York wins, so we’ve just got to have that mentality of just not fouling, I guess, and being smart enough to not put ourselves in a position where they’re going to take advantage of it.”
“S—. Win a game. Win a game. Keep the season alive.”
On playing tight games even in defeat:
“We’re right there. We’re just not finishing the game. I think we’re right there. We’re putting together three great quarters. We’re just not closing it out. I think we’ve just got to take it one game at a time. Again, we’ve been in position to win these games, give them credit. They’ve been huge down the stretch on their end, but I think the adjustments we can make limit their possessions, their extra second possessions, take one game at a time, and we’ll be back in that 3-1 spot where we were comfortable in the first series and try to claw our way back into it.”
On Brunson’s shot-making:
“Yeah, I mean, I think our defense have been good for the most part. I mean, we’ve got to tip our hat to JB. He’s making some big shots. He’s getting to his spots.”
“We have to add a game to it. We have to just come out and try and get a game. We have to take it one possession at a time and one play at a time. But most importantly, we have to play with some pride and not get swept on our home floor.”
On making shots and limiting rebounds:
“We just have to make some shots. We have to limit rebounds. We have to keep playing together and playing the right way. Hopefully, that will benefit us.”
On facing Game 4 down 3-0:
“It’s still a great challenge. You gotta go do it. Either you don’t play with any pride, and you get swept on your home floor in the 2nd round of the playoffs, or you play with some pride, you win one game at a time.”
"At the end of the day they have a good baseline foundation with the Nova boys."
On staying focused despite Knicks fans invading Philly:
“I could say something that could get clickbaited, but I’m not. At the end of the day, we’re the show on the court. We’re not necessarily focused on the crowd, the things like that. Obviously, we need it. We love it and we love our fans. But at the end of the day, we have to lock in on our task. We have to figure out our game plan, just have a tight huddle. No matter what, it’s loud. It’s kind of the same no matter who the crowd is cheering for. It’s loud. We have to be focused on the task at hand and just kind of have a short-term memory when it comes to things like that.”
May 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly (8) takes the ball from relief pitcher Jonathan Bowlan (52) against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Does a one-pitch homer count as a sequence for anyone? It’s a fair question but bending the rules is ok.
What’s also ok is what Adolis Garcia is doing at the plate. The results haven’t been flashy and the underlying stuff is just fine. He is hitting the ball harder but is also not pulling the ball as much, which generally suppresses overall numbers.
But there are real changes that have be made to his approach. He has sort of cheated his way into newfound plate discipline by simply swinging less in general. His zone-swing rate is down 5.6% but he cut his chase down 6%. Over three-fourths of his at bats start with a take, and he has been swinging less at the best kind of pitches to hit.
In the aggregate, these have led to productive changes that should allow for a solid season. Because he is swinging less, his walk rate jumped over three percent as well.
Teams have started to catch on to the adjustments and have changed their game plans accordingly. Garcia might be ready to lean back into an aggressive approach or this was just a really bad pitch from Jeffrey Springs.
There are some reasons to believe these adjustments have more or less raised his floor than anything else. The ball still jumps off his bat but his pull flyball rate has taken a nose dive, which is part of why he is hitting some loud outs.
But a .707 OPS with his defense in right field is a very good one-year deal. There are very good reasons to believe that will continue.
Jonathan Bowlan’s weird inning in Miami.
Jonathan Bowlan three 31 pitches in Miami against five Marlins hitters. He threw 15 four-seam fastballs in those 31 pitches and only started two hitters with one.
His four-seam fastball is roughly 97 mph with about 18.5 inches of induced vertical break and 8.6 inches of run. It’s one of the best in the majors and has gotten very good results in his limited time as a Phillie. Hitters are only hitting just .111, no extra base hits, and are whiffing over 30% of the time on it. Given that Bowlan is a one or two inning reliever, it just feels like the pitch needs to be thrown more.
15 out of 31 in Miami is actually better than his general season usage at 41.4%, which seems low. He does throw a lot of offerings but given the role, would it be best if he simplified the mix?
The other pitches in his arsenal have been mixed. The changeup has not played very well with hitters hitting .500 on the pitch with a slugging of .625. He picked up a sweeper after joining the Phillies and it’s looked like his best secondary offering to start the season with the slider looking solid as well. He has struggled to land curveballs in the zone consistently and the sinker has generated some weak contact but not a lot of whiffs either.
A four-seam, sweeper, slider pitcher is may run into potential platoon issues but given that those are clearly his three best pitches, they should be what’s featured. The plan around that has to get simplified, given the role he is in and the fact that it isn’t working. He is a much better reliever than the 8.31 ERA would indicate.
The Minnesota Wild are looking for their first win of their NHL second-round playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3. The Avalanche won the series’ first two games in Denver. Minnesota will be home for the next two games. The Avalanche are favored by 1.5 goals.
How to watch Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
MIAMI, FL - MAY 08: Foster Griffin #22 of the Washington Nationals pitches during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Friday, May 8, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It has been very well established at this point, but Foster Griffin throws a lot of pitches, seven of them to be exact. In order of usage, Griffin throws a cutter, a 4-seam fastball, a sweeper, a sinker, a changeup, a curveball and a splitter. However, Foster Griffin is not just throwing a lot of pitches for the sake of it. All of these pitches work together to create a coherent arsenal.
I would not say that any singular pitch Griffin has is elite, but they are all at least average. He is also willing to throw any pitch at any time. Other than his changeup, Griffin throws all his pitches to either handedness of batter. That makes him very unpredictable. This unique arsenal, along with outstanding command is why Griffin has the lowest ERA of any left handed starter.
The best ERA among qualified left-handed SP this season:
Let’s break down Griffin’s pitches and talk about how they play off of each other. The bread and butter for Griffin is his cutter. It is the pitch he usually turns to when he really needs a big out. He uses it 31% of the time, which is twice as much as the next closest pitch in his arsenal. His cutter gets solid results, with a .241 average against and 11 strikeouts generated on the pitch.
However, like most cutter’s, Griffin uses it as a pitch to get soft contact. The average exit velocity against his cutter is just 85.5 MPH, which is very good. He loves spotting that cutter on the inside part of the plate to righties and moving away from lefties. It was his most used pitch before he went to Japan, and it is still the pitch he trusts the most now.
Against the Marlins last night, Griffin was locating the cutter brilliantly. He threw it in the zone 68% of the time, but stayed out of the middle of the plate. Griffin’s cutter set the tone last night, but there are so many other pitches he uses to make his cutter even better.
Washington Nationals' starting pitcher Foster Griffin set a career high in whiffs (17) on Friday against the Marlins. Griffin had a 16.5% swinging-strike rate and a 28% ball rate on Friday. He had a 37% ball rate and 9.8% swinging-strike rate throughout his MLB career before… pic.twitter.com/lqrugsB9mx
While Foster Griffin’s changeup is his fifth most used pitch on the season, he relied a lot on it last night. It was the offering he threw the second most, and it was very effective. Marlins hitters swung at the changeup five times, and came up empty on three occasions. The changeup is an offering Griffin uses a lot against righties. However, he has not thrown a changeup all year to a left handed hitter.
With the Marlins stacking their lineup with righties, it is not much of a surprise that Griffin leaned on the changeup. Batters are only hitting .111 on the changeup this year. It pairs well with his cutter. The cutter comes into right handed hitters, while the changeup moves away from them.
One cool thing about Griffin is that he throws a changeup and a splitter that have two very distinct movement profiles. As Nats fans know, Griffin pitched in Japan for three years. Japanese pitchers love throwing splitters, so Griffin picked up that pitch while he was over there. Early in the season, the splitter was one of his better pitches. However, he has not had a great feel for it lately. Last night, he only threw two splitters, preferring the changeup instead.
Having two offspeed pitches is very unique though. Most guys either have a changeup or a splitter, not both. For pitchers, being unique is good and boy is Foster Griffin unique. Not many pitchers have 7 different pitches that are all in different velocity bands and have different movement profiles. Griffin does that, and you can see it when you look at the pitch plot.
Foster Griffin (WSH) struck out nine and allowed one earned run over seven innings! pic.twitter.com/Ovz5kBqq09
— Pitcher List Stats (@PitcherListPLV) May 9, 2026
Another pitch that Griffin learned in Japan was a sweeper. That pitch has become a massive weapon for him, especially against left handed hitters. His sweeper has a 35.9% whiff rate, the highest of any offering in his arsenal. When Griffin faces big left-handed power bats like Munetaka Murakami, the sweeper is the pitch he usually turns to. He gets a ton of movement on the sweeper, with three more inches of break than the average sweeper.
It is crazy that we have gotten this deep into the story, and we have not discussed Griffin’s fastball at all. His heater is the least flashy pitch in his arsenal, but his 4-seamer and sinker both play important roles. Griffin is a soft-tosser, who only averages 91 MPH on his fastballs.
However, he is not afraid to show hitters his heater. Even though his fastball is not hard, you still have to respect the pitch. Batters are only hitting .200 on his 4-seamer and .118 against the sinker. The sinker generates a ton of weak contact, with the average exit velocity on the pitch being just 81.4 MPH. He loves spotting the sinker on the inside corner to lefties and away from righties. The sinker is another pitch he picked up in Japan.
While this play ended up being a disaster, a great example of how Griffin uses his sinker came in the first inning against Kyle Stowers. On a 1-2 pitch, he got the Marlins slugger to swing at a sinker just off the plate and inside. He hit a broken bat bouncer, but the Nats made an error on the play. The result was not what we wanted, but it was a good process.
Another thing that Griffin did really well last night was blowing the 4-seamer by guys. He does not have much velocity, but when he puts his fastball at the top of the zone, it can get whiffs, especially with two strikes. In those two strike counts, a fastball is the last thing these hitters are expecting when facing a junk baller like Griffin. That makes his 90-93 MPH heaters seem a lot harder.
Somehow, there is still another pitch that Griffin throws that I have not talked about yet. The last pitch I want to discuss is Griffin’s curveball. His curveball is a classic 12-6 hook with a ton of drop. Against the Brewers in his previous start, the hook was a big time weapon for him. While he threw it 11% of the time last night, it took a back seat to some of his other pitches.
Last night, Foster Griffin showed how valuable a deep arsenal can be. He threw 38 cutters, 15 changeups, 14 sweepers, 13 4-seamers, 11 curveballs, 10 sinkers, and two splitters. Foster Griffin was truly an artist on the mound last night. That artistry got him through seven innings, where he allowed one earned run while striking out 9 and walking just one batter.
The craziest part is that I am not that surprised by his outing. This was definitely one of Griffin’s best outings, but it was not an outlier. He has gone at least six innings in his last four starts, and has only allowed four earned runs in those outings. That is incredible stuff for a guy who signed a 1-year $5.5 million deal.
He is just such a joy to watch on the mound. One of my favorite Foster Griffin clips is when he struck out the side against the Dodgers, using three different pitches to finish guys. That sums up the Foster Griffin experience so far. His ERA is 2.12, and he has been absolutely masterful. Some of the underlying numbers suggest he may have a tough time keeping this up, but even if he is half the pitcher he has been so far, that is a great deal for the Nats.
With how well he is pitching, Griffin should be a highly attractive trade chip. A lot of contenders need starting pitching right now, and Griffin should be one of the better rentals on the market. Who knows though, if the Nats keep playing as well as they have recently, will they be sellers? I still believe they will be, but it is fun to dream.
Griffin could bring in a real haul for Paul Toboni, and who knows, they could always bring him back as a free agent in the offseason. The Nats missed on a couple pitching signings this offseason, but Foster Griffin has been a grand slam for this front office. Griffin was a 30 year old soft tosser, who only had 8 career innings in the big leagues.
However, Paul Toboni believed in the changes Griffin had made to his pitch mix and mentality. That belief is paying off in a way that I don’t even think the Nats front office could have expected. Foster Griffin has been absolutely fabulous, and that is thanks to his deep and extremely well rounded pitch mix.
COVERS INTEL: 
