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Ortiz gets candid on idea of Devers moving to first base

Ortiz gets candid on idea of Devers moving to first base originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Rafael Devers has channeled his inner David Ortiz with his recent performance as the Boston Red Sox’ designated hitter, though he has yet to emulate the Hall of Famer in the field.

Ortiz played 278 games as a first baseman in his illustrious 20-year career. Devers, on the other hand, called out the Red Sox front office after being asked to move from DH to first in the wake of Triston Casas’ season-ending injury.

The difference is that Devers already reluctantly moved from third base to DH before the season. The three-time All-Star took issue with the team asking him to return to the infield after telling him to put his glove away.

How would Ortiz have approached Devers’ situation? Speaking at his charity golf event — the David Ortiz Soiree of Hearts — on Monday, Big Papi weighed in on Devers’ refusal to play first base.

“If I was him, I would have put myself available for anything, but that was me,” Ortiz said. “He was a third baseman that was asked to be a DH. Now, all of a sudden, you want him to play first base. You have to give him some time to learn, if he wants to, because he’s doing great as the DH. I don’t want to mess that up. I mean, you’re leading the league in RBIs. …

“So, we cannot just crush a guy every time we feel like. We need to know that he is an important piece for this organization. He is doing what he was asked (to do). But yeah, I think he should just think about what’s better for the organization, him at first or him at DH, and go from there. But we have to give him some time.”

At this point, it would be wise to leave Devers alone. He entered Monday slashing .286/.408/.515 with 12 homers and an MLB-leading 52 RBI in 61 games. His plate discipline has significantly improved as he leads the American League with 47 walks.

Plus, first base has been in good hands as of late with Abraham Toro. The under-the-radar offseason signing has recently provided a spark at the plate and is hitting .310 with three homers in 18 games.

Boston gained another first base option on Monday with Romy Gonzalez’s activation from the injured list. Rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell has taken practice reps at first base and was scheduled to make his first career start at the position on Sunday, but manager Alex Cora opted to keep Toro’s bat in the lineup.

As for Devers, it’s unlikely he’ll be asked to put on a glove again this season. It’s worth noting, however, that he took grounders (at shortstop, for some reason) before Monday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels.

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NHL 25 Playable On PC Via Xbox Cloud Gaming

 NHL 25 has been available to play on PC for several weeks, here is what you need to know. 

The game can be played via Cloud Gaming on the Xbox app on PC for those who have purchased the Ultimate Game Pass.

The ultimate Game Pass costs $19.99 per month and gives players access to a library of games. 

Cloud Gaming works by streaming the game through the cloud instead of downloading which can result in ping discrepancies and lag. 

With EA SPORTS NHL reportedly having no plans of bringing the game to PC anytime soon this is the best PC players can do.  The last NHL game to receive a PC release was NHL 09.

Cloud gaming only allows one player and account at one time, and requires a controller.

This also allows players to play NHL 25 via mobile consoles like Legion Go or Steam Deck.

More information on Xbox and PC Cloud Gaming can be found here.  

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.         

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Pacers reserve forward Jarace Walker out at least first two games of NBA Finals due to right ankle injury

Just about everything went right for Indiana in its series-clinching Game 6 win against New York Saturday night. The one thing that didn't: reserve big man Jarace Walker had to be helped off the court following a gruesome ankle injury at the start of the fourth quarter.

Unsurprisingly, he will be out for at least the first two games of the NBA Finals, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said on 107.5 The Fan on Monday.

That means the earliest he could return is at home for Game 3 on June 11. However, after witnessing the injury, it would not be a surprise if Walker misses more time than that.

Walker's absence does not impact Indiana's core big-man rotation. Against the Knicks he only got on the court in Games 5 and 6, playing a total of 20 minutes. Stil, it sucks for Walker personally and takes one lineup tweak Carlisle could use off the board.

The NBA Finals begin Thursday in Oklahoma City.

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Two Former Canadiens Appear On The Never Offside Podcast

Anyone who follows Montreal Canadiens players’ wives and girlfriends on social media will tell you that they, too, form a bit of a team. They look like a tight-knit group, and it’s always been the case. In the playoffs this year, they all wore custom jackets. A few years ago, Carey Price’s wife, Angela, and Jeff Patry’s wife, Julie, started a clothing line together, and this season, the latter started a podcast called Never Offside with Tyler Toffoli’s wife, Cat.

In the latest episode of Never Offside, the ladies welcomed their husbands to the show and chatted about various topics. Early on, both players texted Cole Caufield to see who he would text or call back first. It took over 20 minutes, but he called Toffoli first, prompting laughs and the conclusion that he likes him better.

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Among the stories told was the explanation of how Petry ended up with bloodshot eyes in the playoffs in 2021, and it’s a perfect example of how tough hockey players are. In the series against the Winnipeg Jets, the defenseman was hit by Paul Stastny and unfortunately put his finger through the camera hole on the boards, breaking his finger. At the hospital, he was told he could have an operation on it that would end his playoffs, or have it put in a cast and try to play like that. Being a hockey player, he chose the second option, but as they held the finger in place to put on the cast, he passed out from the pain. It was so painful that he had his breath when he came too, and he held it so hard that all of the blood vessels in his face blew.

Petry also shared his craziest on-the-road story, and it was a good one, from this season with the Detroit Red Wings, during a road trip where traveling had been hell due to a snowstorm. The team had to make an emergency landing to let him off. The defenseman has a severe peanut allergy, and after eating soup on a flight, his throat got scratchy; he injected his EpiPen, which solved nothing. He was then given a second shot, which didn’t resolve the issue. There was a third shot available on the plane, but they told him that if they gave it to him, he could have a heart issue. Petry was devastated to make the trip from hell take even longer, but he had no choice.

While Petry didn’t leave the Canadiens in the best circumstances (he requested a trade since his family had moved back to the USA during the pandemic), he was an essential part of the Montreal defense corps for eight seasons. In the 508 games he played in Montreal, he scored 248 points and had to fulfill the responsibilities of a first defenseman through Shea Weber’s numerous injuries.

As for Toffoli, he spent less than two seasons in Montreal but quickly became a fan favourite, scoring 70 points in 89 games. He was also a key part of the Canadiens’ attack during the 2021 Stanley Cup run, contributing 14 points in 22 games. Kent Hughes' trade of him to the Flames in February 2022 marked the starting point of the Canadiens’ rebuild. In return for Toffoli, Hughes got Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft.

The hour-long episode was worth a listen, with both Petry and Toffoli telling some interesting stories. If you want a good laugh, you can take a look at Petry’s combine picture, which was mentioned in the episode. Let’s say that he had quite the hairstyle…

Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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The Wraparound: Have The Oilers And Panthers Changed The Importance Of Regular-Season Results?

As time ticks down to the Stanley Cup final, the Wraparound is here with more rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics.

Have The Oilers And Panthers Changed The Importance Of Regular-Season Results? by The WraparoundHave The Oilers And Panthers Changed The Importance Of Regular-Season Results? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Have the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers changed people’s perspective on the NHL’s regular season?

4:22: Who do the Oilers need to step up the most in the absence of Zach Hyman?

8:57: Can Alexander Barkov become the all-time leader in Selke Trophy wins?

10:52: Has Pete DeBoer’s confidence in Jake Oettinger changed after his performance in the Western Conference final?

16:30 Will Easton Cowan go down as one of the best London Knights players ever?

20:00: Could the Toronto Maple Leafs approach Morgan Rielly about potentially facilitating a trade this summer?

22:20: Did the Tampa Bay Lightning make a good long-term bet by extending Yanni Gourde?

24:05: Breaking down the players and personnel involved in the second season of Faceoff: Inside The NHL

26:22: What value will Jarmo Kekalainen bring to the Buffalo Sabres?

28:31: Should the Montreal Canadiens' Ivan Demidov be the front-runner to win the Calder Trophy for the 2025-26 season?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

Promo image credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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'We're Right There': Gourde And Lightning Believe Championship Window Has Not Closed

The Tampa Bay Lightning's “winning culture” played a large part in one of their top pending UFAs sticking around for the long term with a significantly lower cap hit.

The Lightning re-signed Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract worth $2.33 million per season.

Gourde had an average annual value of $5,166,667 on his six-year contract that expires this summer. The Lightning had less than $6 million in cap space for next season, with 19 of 23 active roster spots filled.

The 33-year-old’s production is also not the same as when he signed his last contract extension in November 2018. He tallied a career-high 25 goals and 64 points in 82 games in 2017-18, his first full season in the NHL. He’s hit 48 points three times since then, but not more. This year, he had 31 points in 57 games.

But Gourde was part of the team's back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, and he doesn’t think their competitive window is closed.

“We want to win – I think we’re right there,” Gourde said in Monday’s press conference. “I’m so excited for the future and what’s coming.”

The undrafted center played parts of his first six NHL seasons with the Lightning.

Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Seattle Kraken claimed him in their expansion draft. Gourde had four years remaining on his expiring six-year contract worth $5.17 million annually.

However, he returned to the Lightning two days before the trade deadline when they acquired him and right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand in a three-team trade with the Kraken and Detroit Red Wings. Tampa GM Julien BriseBois traded Michael Eyssimont, two first-round picks and a second-rounder for the former Kraken forwards.

The Saint-Narcisse, Que., native shared how excited he was to return to the Lightning and that Tampa was always at the top of his list, whether it’s a trade or a contract in free agency.

“I love Tampa,” Gourde said. “That was the biggest thing for me, getting some term… And play in Tampa for the remaining years of my career.”

Yanni Gourde (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

In 21 regular-season games with the Lightning this season, Gourde recorded one goal and 13 assists while averaging 17 minutes of ice time. In the playoffs, he recorded one helper in five games against the Florida Panthers. Gourde also had six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 36 games with the Kraken this year.

The Lightning made a similar transaction in the 2024 off-season to re-acquire defenseman Ryan McDonagh. Like Gourde, he was a key piece of Tampa’s back-to-back championships.

Although those two players are back in Tampa Bay, the Lightning made a difficult decision last year by letting their longtime captain, Steven Stamkos, hit free agency. The 35-year-old signed with the Nashville Predators instead, while the Lightning traded for the rights to 30-year-old Jake Guentzel and signed him to a seven-year contract worth $9 million annually.

They also traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for blueliner J.J. Moser, prospect Conor Geekie, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick and a 2025 second-rounder.

Although the Lightning lost in the first round to the Florida Panthers for the second straight year, they finished second in the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2019-20.

The Lightning also have a core of Brayden Point, Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli under contract through at least 2030. Gourde and defenseman Erik Cernak are also part of that group, while captain Victor Hedman and left winger Nick Paul are signed through 2028-29. Superstar right winger Nikita Kucherov still has two seasons left on his contract, while goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has three years left.

Tampa Bay appears to have the parts in place to continue to strive for the Stanley Cup championship. Now, they just have to execute on that.

“The culture is the same culture that we had when we won,” Gourde said.

Jonathan Tovell contributed to this report.

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The Rangers' Reported Interest In JJ Peterka During Trade Deadline Leads To Speculation Heading Into Offseason

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

If JJ Peterka is in play this summer, the New York Rangers should certainly pursue him. 

During the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, rumors began to circulate about potential negotiations between the Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres regarding Peterka.

Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News first reported at the time that the Rangers were among the teams trying to acquire Peterka from the Sabres.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli added the Rangers had “advanced discussions” with the Sabres involving the availability of Peterka.

The Rangers Repordedly Made A Massive Trade Offer For JJ PeterkaThe Rangers Repordedly Made A Massive Trade Offer For JJ PeterkaThe New York Rangers were reportedly closer to acquiring JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres than many people may actually realize. 

However, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple countered these two reports after stating that the Rangers were not in on Peterka.

Ultimately, Peterka wasn’t traded at the deadline, but there still seems to be speculation of a potential move this upcoming offseason. 

The 23-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent and the Rangers have some options if the team wants to acquire the young forward. 

If he becomes available via trade, the Rangers certainly contain enough assets to acquire him and trading for Peterka would follow the organization's recent mantra to get younger but remain competitive and not go into a full-fledged rebuild. 

If Peterka does not agree to a contract extension by July 1, the Rangers can also offer sheet him in hopes the Sabres don’t match that offer. 

Peterka is a player who’s continuing to improve each season and beginning to blossom into a real quality forward. 

He has All-Star potential written all over him, which is why the Rangers would be foolish not to at least explore the options of bringing him on board to The Big Apple.

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David Ortiz says leave Red Sox DH Rafael Devers alone on decision to play 1B

NEWTON, Mass. — The Boston Red Sox should just leave designated hitter Rafael Devers alone and let him decide if he wants to start playing first base, Hall of Famer David Ortiz told The Associated Press.

The Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120-million contract in spring training and told Devers he was going to be the fulltime DH.

That was, until first baseman Triston Casas was lost for the season after rupturing a tendon in his left knee and undergoing surgery in early May.

Speaking at his charity golf tournament — the David Ortiz Soiree of Hearts — the former Red Sox slugger said any move should be up to Devers.

“He’s doing great as the DH. They asked for it, and he’s doing great as the DH,” Ortiz said. “Once (the) Casas situation goes down … In people’s minds, it was: ‘Devers goes to first and (Masataka) Yoshida goes to DH and we are a better team’. Yeah, that’s what you put in your mind. But guess what? The kid was asked in a spring training to just hit and now all of a sudden you want to switch him over. It takes time.”

The 49-year-old Ortiz, who made his way to the Hall as mainly a DH, didn’t say Devers shouldn’t make the switch, but any choice should come after he learns the position.

“I will say this: At one point, if Devers would like to practice at first base, and would like to go back to playing the whole defense thing, that is all on him,” said Ortiz, sitting down with the AP while signing souvenirs for golfers.

“We asked him to be the DH. Fully asked him to be the DH,” Big Papi said. “I remember that conversation in spring training. It’s a different situation and the guy’s doing great at what you asked him for. He’s giving you what you asked for, even if it wasn’t what he was agreeing on.”

During spring training, Devers initially balked at the move to DH.

Devers told the Red Sox he wasn’t interested in playing first and owner John Henry flew to Kansas City to meet with him.

After a historically poor start, Devers is batting .286 with 12 homers and a major-league leading 52 RBIs.

Ortiz said the game has changed from when he was told he was going to be mainly a DH.

“They thought I was going to fit in good at DH and play first once in a while,” he said. “Baseball was different back then. You just wanted to fit in.”

Ortiz’s golf tournament benefits the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, which raises funds that provide lifesaving heart surgeries and care for children in New England and his native country, the Dominican Republic.

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Jets Prospect Jacob Julien Wins Memorial Cup With London Knights

Photo by Rusty Barton

Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien took home the Memorial Cup with the London Knights last night, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers in the finals.

The Knights had lost to the Tigers in the preliminary round, but answered back in the finals with a resounding 4-1 win. Julien got the scoring started for the Knights in the first period before Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Denver Barkey combined for three goals in the second period. 2026 projected first overall pick Gavin McKenna scored in the third period for the Tigers, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback.

The 20-year-old finished the tournament with two goals and four points in five games, improving on his three assists in four games in last year's tournament. It's the third time the Knights have won the Memorial Cup, winning it for the first time since 2016.

Julien was phenomenal all season long for the Knights, scoring 11 goals and 54 points in 65 games in the regular season before adding another six goals and 19 points in 17 postseason games en route to back-to-back OHL championships. 

Listed at 6'4 181 lbs, Julien was a trusted defensive center for HC Dale Hunter. He used his size and physicality to shut down many of the best players the CHL has to offer. 

The London, ON native was a fifth-round pick (146th overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is poised to join the Manitoba Moose in the AHL next season. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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The London Knights Are Without Peer In The Hockey World

Winning three Memorial Cups in 20 years might not sound like anything too incredible, until of course you consider that it's probably more difficult than even the Stanley Cup to win.

When the London Knights captured the championship with a 4-1 over the Medicine Hat Tigers Sunday night, they ended an era that saw the likes of Easton Cowan, Denver Barkley, Jacob Julien, Oliver Bonk and Kasper Halttunen play their last games of junior hockey. But nobody would be surprised to see the Knights contend for the title again in 2025-26.

Because that's pretty much what they do. Every year.

No team in hockey has had the sustained success the Knights have enjoyed over the past two-plus decades and it all starts and ends with Mark and Dale Hunter, who combine winning with developing talent for the NHL better than anyone in the business.

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

Promo image credit: Vincent Ethier / CHL Images

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Suns coaching search reportedly down to two: Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant, Jordan Ott

Phoenix will be getting its next coach from 64-win Cleveland, a team that exceeded expectations this regular season (which didn't exactly happen with the Suns).

Which coach from Kenny Atkinson's staff remains to be seen, but the Suns are down to two finalists: Associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant coach Jordan Ott, a story broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania and confirmed by other sources. Both will meet with the Suns' hands-on owner (and decision maker) Mat Ishbia.

Ott has been an assistant coach in Atlanta, Brooklyn, and with the Los Angeles Lakers, plus has the advantage of being a former video coordinator with Michigan State (where Ishbia played in college, the Suns are full of guys with Spartan ties. Bryant has been an assistant coach in Utah Jazz and New York.

Whichever man is hired, he will be the fourth Suns coach in the last four seasons. He takes over for Mike Budenhozer, who was fired following a massively disappointing 36-46 finish (the Suns failed to make even the play-in despite one of the highest payrolls in the league). This would be the first head coaching job for either candidate, and both are known for wanting players to show some grit and toughness (something the Suns felt they lacked last season).

Bryant or Ott will take over a roster that looks different from last season's. Phoenix is expected to trade Kevin Durant and, if possible, Bradley Beal, then retool around Devin Booker (while getting under the second tax apron). The new coach will work under new Suns GM Brian Gregory, although Ishbia is hands-on and the ultimate decision-maker. What the Suns need more than just a new coach or general manager is an organizational philosophy and style of play where everyone in the franchise, starting with Ishbia, is on the same page and adheres to that plan for multiple years, acquiring players who fit the style. If the Suns need an example of what that looks like, the Indiana Pacers, who are still playing in the NBA Finals, may be the best example of executing a philosophy in the league right now.

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Giants activate Encarnacion from IL, option Matos to Triple-A

Giants activate Encarnacion from IL, option Matos to Triple-A originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — A day after helping the Giants clinch their series in Miami, outfielder Luis Matos is headed back to the minors. 

The 23-year-old was the one to get optioned when outfielder Jerar Encarnacion was activated from the IL on Monday. Matos hit a three-run homer to lead the way for a struggling lineup on Sunday, but overall, he’s hitting .167 with a .572 OPS. 

It has been a disappointing first two months for a player who had a good offseason, but as the Giants pondered their options, what was most important was the immediate future. 

With Encarnacion back, the Giants didn’t see a whole lot of at-bats for Matos. They’ll face four right-handed pitchers in this series, with Mike Yastrzemski getting the majority of the time in right, and Encarnacion will see time at first base – both corner outfield spots and designated hitter. 

Yastrzemski had a rough May, and manager Bob Melvin admitted that it might cost him some time. But those at-bats will go to Encarnacion, who has missed the entire season with a hand fracture. 

“We’ve seen that when he’s getting a lot of at-bats, he’s productive,” Melvin said of Matos on Monday. “(That happened) last year, as well. For younger players to have to sit around for longer periods of time is really difficult. He hit a big home run for us yesterday but it’s been spotty playing time. It’s probably not great for his development. He even said, ‘I need more at-bats.’ It’s not the last you’ll see of Luis Matos.”

Matos was NL Player of the Week at one point early last season, but he went into a deep slump and finished with a .584 OPS, similar to where he’s at this season. 

Still, he won an Opening Day job after playing well in Winter Ball and having a good spring. The Giants hoped he could be a platoon partner for Yastrzemski in right, but Matos is hitting just .128 against left-handed pitchers. 

The decision leaves both Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss in the big leagues, although the Giants are more comfortable with those two as part-timers. 

Schmitt has been able to carve out a role at first base against left-handers, but the Giants now have a big group there. On Monday, Schmitt took grounders with Wilmer Flores, Encarnacion and LaMonte Wade Jr.

The Giants also could have parted ways with Wade, who has a .542 OPS and just one homer, but they’re not quite ready to make that move. His slump goes back to last season, but moving on from Wade would have left the bench without any left-handed options.

The Giants are still hopeful he can find his stride offensively, although the leash is as short as it has ever been.  

“We hope he starts to take off here. He hasn’t to this point,” Melvin added. “There’s been some periods where his at-bats have been a lot better and he’s got nothing to show for it, and that can weigh on you for a guy that’s used to being a productive guy and getting on base and kind of doing his thing. 

“It’s going to be about performance here. If he starts to take off here he might see more playing time, and if not, you might see Jerar a little bit more.”

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Royals call up top prospect Jac Caglianone in the hopes of jump-starting their offense

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have called up top prospect Jac Caglianone in the hopes of jump-starting their languishing offense, and the slugging first baseman and outfielder is expected to make his major league debut in St. Louis.

The Royals announced the move during their day off, optioning outfielder Dairon Blanco to Triple-A Omaha.

Caglianone’s promotion comes on the heels of a second straight 1-0 game for Kansas City — it split them with the AL Central rival Tigers — and amid a season in which the Royals have struggled to score runs. They’ve hit a big league-worst 34 homers and have scored 194 runs in all, tied with Pittsburgh ahead of only lowly Colorado.

The 22-year-old Caglianone was the sixth overall pick out of Florida in last year’s amateur draft, when he was considered a two-way player because of his strong left arm. But his future is in the field, where his immense power has the potential to give the long-floundering Kansas City offense the kind of immediate production it has not had in years.

In just 50 games between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Caglianone hit 15 homers with 56 RBIs. He has been hitting .322, and held that average steady even after moving up a level, alleviating some of his swing-and-miss concerns.

Caglianone primarily has played first base, but Vinnie Pasquantino typically holds down that job for Kansas City, and veteran catcher Salvador Perez plays there occasionally when not behind the plate. Pasquantino and Perez also serve as the DH.

The Royals have a pressing need in the outfield, where their hitters are a combined .237 with only seven homers and 46 RBIs in 663 plate appearances. MJ Melendez was optioned to Omaha after his disastrous start to the season, and Hunter Renfroe was hitting .182 before the veteran outfielder was designated for assignment.

The Royals recently called up outfielder John Rave, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft, who was hitting .301 with nine homers and 17 steals in 44 games for Omaha. He had two hits in their 1-0 loss to the Tigers.

Despite their struggles at the plate, the Royals are still 31-29 thanks to a pitching staff that has allowed 201 runs, second-fewest in the majors behind the Mets. They open a three-game set in St. Louis, then play three against the White Sox in Chicago, before Caglianone potentially would make his home debut against the Yankees on June 10.

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Houston Astros look vulnerable in the AL West. Is anyone ready to dethrone them?

Slowly but surely, the stars of Houston’s 2017 World Series-winning team have scattered about in the years since.

George Springer is in Toronto now, Alex Bregman in Boston and Carlos Correa in Minnesota. Justin Verlander pitches for San Francisco. Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr. are still with the Astros, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Houston’s dominance of the AL West comes to an end.

The question is whether anyone else in the division has what it takes to force a changing of the guard.

If it weren’t for Oakland’s division title in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Houston would have a streak of seven straight AL West championships. Only the Braves, Dodgers and Yankees have had runs that long since divisional play began. But last year, the Astros won just 88 games, their fewest in a full season since 2016. Only the mediocrity of the rest of the division kept them on top.

This year, Houston is 32-27, which puts the Astros on pace to win 88 games again. Nonetheless, they trail first-place Seattle by just a half-game.

The challengers all have their problems. The Athletics had an encouraging start but have lost 17 of their last 18. The Los Angeles Angels look headed to a 10th straight losing season. Texas won it all as a wild card two years ago but has been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball in 2025.

This year, Houston is 32-27, which puts the Astros on pace to win 88 games again. Nonetheless, they trail first-place Seattle by just a half-game.

The challengers all have their problems. The Athletics had an encouraging start but have lost 17 of their last 18. The Los Angeles Angels look headed to a 10th straight losing season. Texas won it all as a wild card two years ago but has been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball in 2025.

Agony of defeat

Boston was swept three straight at Milwaukee, with the last two losses coming in walk-off fashion. Christian Yelich hit a 10th-inning grand slam to beat the Red Sox, and the following day Caleb Durbin ended it with a sacrifice fly.

Boston has lost a major league-high seven games in walk-off fashion — and those games account for over a fifth of their 32 defeats.

Line of the week

Junior Caminero went 4 for 5 with two homers, two doubles, five RBIs and four runs in Tampa Bay’s 16-3 rout of Houston. Even after a loss, the Rays have won nine of their last 12 and are just a half-game behind Minnesota for the American League’s final wild card.

Comeback of the week

Minnesota trailed Seattle 6-3 with two outs in the top of the ninth when Willi Castro hit a two-run homer off closer Andrés Muñoz. Then Byron Buxton singled, stole second and scored on a single by Trevor Larnach.

In the top of the 10th, the Twins scored six runs on their way to a 12-6 victory. Seattle had a win probability of 98.9% in the ninth, according to Baseball Savant.

Muñoz had not allowed an earned run all season. He blew another save against Minnesota but ultimately got the win.

Trivia answer

The Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies have never won ANY division titles. The other four teams that have never gone back-to-back are:

— San Francisco Giants (NL West titles in 1971, 1987, 1989, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2010, 2012 and 2021)

— New York Mets (NL East titles in 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 2006 and 2015)

— Chicago White Sox (AL West titles in 1983 and 1993, AL Central titles in 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2021)

— Seattle Mariners (AL West titles in 1995, 1997 and 2001)