Instate foes North Carolina and N.C. State will meet just once next year while Duke won't play the Miami team now coached by former Blue Devils assistant Jai Lucas in the Atlantic Coast Conference's reconfigured scheduling model. The ACC announced its second set of home-and-away partners Wednesday after announcing earlier this month that it would cut a 20-game men's basketball schedule to 18 as part of its efforts to boost the sport amid recent years of dwindling NCAA Tournament bids.
Mets pitching prospect Nolan McLean continues to shine in Triple-A after another solid start
Making his fourth start since getting promoted to Triple-A this season, Mets prospect Nolan McLean had another good outing, logging 5.1 innings while giving up two earned runs.
The right-hander got the win as Syracuse beat the Iowa Cubs, 4-2, in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader. McLean (5-3) struck out five, walked two and threw 76 pitches (50 strikes). His ERA in Triple-A rose slightly to 2.31 while his overall ERA is 1.81 through nine starts and 49.2 innings.
The 23-year-old began his day in immediate danger after Christian Franklin hit a ground-rule double on the first pitch of the inning. McLean got out of trouble with a strikeout, groundout and flyout.
Things got messy for the righty again in the third after a single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases with one out. McLean was able to retire the next hitter on a popup to give him a chance to escape the inning unscathed, but a single by Ben Cowles on the first pitch brought home two to give Iowa a 2-0 lead. A groundout ended the inning.
It didn't take long for Syracuse to respond, though, as it tied the game in the top of the fourth. Joey Meneses had a run-scoring double before Luis De Los Santos' RBI groundout made it 2-2.
From there, McLean set down the last seven hitters he faced before getting pulled with one out in the sixth. He left with a lead thanks to Donovan Walton's two-run homer in the top half of the frame.
RHPs Chris Devenski and Tyler Zuber and LHP Felipe De La Cruz pitched the final 1.2 innings of relief and didn't allow a run. Both games of the doubleheader were seven innings as the minor leagues continue to use the system briefly used in MLB.
Syracuse swept the doubleheader, winning Game 1 by a score of 3-2.
Big 12 men’s basketball decision to drop to 18 conference games goes beyond injury prevention
Another college basketball season in the books means another offseason to reset, recruit and reassess the growing needs of the game. Following a yearlong experiment with a 20-game conference schedule, the Big 12 announced its intention to return to 18 games for the upcoming season. Vice President of Big 12 Men's Basketball Brian Thornton said Wednesday there were multiple reasons for the change.
Abbotsford Canucks Will Face A Former Vancouver Prospect In The 2025 Calder Cup Western Conference Final
A familiar face will greet the Abbotsford Canucks in the 2025 Calder Cup Western Conference Final. The AHL Canucks, who beat the Colorado Eagles in five games to advance to the next round, will take on the Texas Stars starting Thusrday at 7:00 pm PT. Last series, Abbotsford took on former Vancouver Canucks forward Jayson Megna. This series, they’ll compete against a player who never played for Abbotsford, but nearly could have.
Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:
Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Brandon Gorzynski
Former Canucks Forward David Booth Signs In Australia
Abbotsford Canucks Artūrs Šilovs Continues To Shine When The Games Matter Most
Texas currently has the top-three scorers in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Stars forward Justin Hryckowian leads the way with seven goals and eight assists in eight games played, while Cameron Hughes has three goals and 11 assists in the same span of time. The third-highest Calder Cup Playoff scorer is none other than former Canucks prospect Kole Lind, who has six goals and five assists.
Lind was drafted 33rd overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. He was the team’s second selection in this draft behind Elias Pettersson, who the team picked fifth overall. During this draft class, the team also picked current Florida Panther Jonah Gadjovich and 2024–25 AHL Top Goaltender Michael DiPietro.
While he did eventually make his NHL debut with the Canucks, Lind spent most of his time in the organization with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Utica Comets. He spent 126 games with the Comets, scoring 24 goals and 46 assists before skating in his first NHL game on April 29, 2021. After his debut, Lind proceeded to spend seven games with Vancouver.
Lind’s time as a Canuck ended soon after his NHL debut, as the forward was picked by the Seattle Kraken during their expansion draft. He skated in 23 of the team’s inaugural season games, putting up two goals and six assists. He also spent 46 games with the Charlotte Checkers, who housed players from both the Kraken and the Panthers at the time.
From 2022 to 2024, Lind played primarily with Seattle’s new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. In July of 2024, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars. He spent the entire 2024–25 season with Texas, scoring 23 goals and 29 assists in 71 games played.
Lind’s impressive production during the playoffs will be a tough task for Abbotsford to handle. However, with how remarkable Artūrs Šilovs has been during this postseason run, anything is possible for the AHL Canucks.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Marchand is going back to Stanley Cup Final as key contributor to Panthers' run
Marchand is going back to Stanley Cup Final as key contributor to Panthers' run originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Brad Marchand is getting another chance to win his second Stanley Cup championship, but this time it’s not with the Boston Bruins.
Marchand and the Florida Panthers eliminated the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night. The Panthers have won the Prince of Wales Trophy as East champs for the third consecutive season.
The Panthers will play the Edmonton Oilers or Dallas Stars in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers lead the Western Conference Final 3-1. Florida beat Edmonton in Game 7 of last year’s Cup Final.
Marchand was dealt from the Bruins to the Panthers at the trade deadline on March 7 in exchange for a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick. That pick has since been upgraded to a 2027 (or 2028) first-rounder after both pick conditions were met.
Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 — his first full season in the NHL. He also helped the Bruins reach the Cup Final two more times. The B’s lost in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and lost in seven games to the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Marchand is 37 years old and in his 16th season, but he’s still a very effective postseason player. He has tallied 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 17 games for the Panthers so far, while making a positive contribution to both the power play and penalty kill.
He picked up an assist in the Game 5 clincher on Wednesday.
Marchand’s resume, which includes 152 points in 174 career playoff games (second-most of any player since 2011), is already worthy of Hall of Fame induction. And if he wins another Stanley Cup with the Panthers, it will be very, very tough to make the case that he’s not a Hall of Famer.
A look at the Panthers' Cup Final history as they make a 3rd straight appearance
A look at the Panthers' Cup Final history as they make a 3rd straight appearance originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Stanley Cup Final will feature the Florida Panthers for a third straight year.
The defending champion Panthers on Wednesday secured their third consecutive Eastern Conference title, booking yet another trip to the NHL‘s championship round in the process.
Florida, the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, needed five games to take down the Metro’s No. 2 Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. It was the second time in three years that the Panthers defeated the Hurricanes in the conference final, previously sweeping them in 2023.
The Panthers, who also eliminated the Atlantic’s No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning and No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025 playoffs, are just the seventh team since the start of the expansion era (1967-68 season) to reach at least three straight Cup Finals.
They now will battle for Lord Stanley against the winner of the Western Conference Final between the Central’s No. 2 Dallas Stars and Pacific’s No. 3 Edmonton Oilers. And a second straight Cup Final triumph would put Florida in an exclusive group of repeat winners.
So, before the championship round gets underway, here’s what to know about the Panthers’ history in the Cup Final:
How many Stanley Cup Finals have the Florida Panthers made?
Florida is making its fourth appearance in the Cup Final since the franchise’s 1993-94 debut season.
How many Stanley Cup championships do the Florida Panthers have?
The Panthers won their first-ever championship last year in historic fashion, becoming just the third team since the start of the expansion era to go from Stanley Cup runners-up to winners. After losing the 2023 Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida outlasted the Oilers in a roller-coaster 2024 Cup Final to capture the franchise’s first title.
The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead before the Oilers won three straight elimination games. But Florida took the decisive Game 7 at home by a score of 2-1, with a second-period goal from Sam Reinhart being the difference.
How many NHL teams have made three straight Stanley Cups?
As previously mentioned, the Panthers are just the seventh team since the start of the expansion era to appear in at least three straight Cup Finals. The last team to do so was the Lightning from the 2020-22 postseasons. Tampa Bay won it all in 2020and 2021 before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2022 Cup Final.
The record for consecutive Cup Final appearances since the start of the expansion era is five, achieved by the New York Islanders from 1980-84. The Isles won four straight titles before falling to the Oilers in the 1984 Cup Final.
Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final appearances
Here’s a look at the Panthers’ three previous Cup Final results:
- 2024: Beat Edmonton Oilers in seven games
- 2023: Lost to Vegas Golden Knights in five games
- 1996: Lost to Colorado Avalanche in four games
Where is the Florida Panthers’ stadium?
The Panthers’ home stadium, Amerant Bank Arena, is in Sunrise, Florida, roughly 35 miles north of Miami.
Who is the Florida Panthers’ captain?
This is the seventh season that center Aleksander Barkov has donned the “C” on his sweater for Florida. Barkov, the second overall pick of the Panthers in 2013, is the franchise leader in games played, goals, assists and points.
Who is the Florida Panthers’ head coach?
Paul Maurice has overseen the entirety of Florida’s current three-year Cup Final streak, taking over behind the bench starting in the 2022-23 campaign. The Panthers sport a .610 regular-season winning percentage over Maurice’s tenure.
The 58-year-old has 29 years of NHL head coaching experience, with previous stops in Hartford, Carolina, Toronto and Winnipeg. Maurice coached the Hurricanes to the 2022 Cup Final.
A look at the Panthers' Cup Final history as they make a 3rd straight appearance
A look at the Panthers' Cup Final history as they make a 3rd straight appearance originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Stanley Cup Final will feature the Florida Panthers for a third straight year.
The defending champion Panthers on Wednesday secured their third consecutive Eastern Conference title, booking yet another trip to the NHL‘s championship round in the process.
Florida, the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, needed five games to take down the Metro’s No. 2 Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. It was the second time in three years that the Panthers defeated the Hurricanes in the conference final, previously sweeping them in 2023.
The Panthers, who also eliminated the Atlantic’s No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning and No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025 playoffs, are just the seventh team since the start of the expansion era (1967-68 season) to reach at least three straight Cup Finals.
They now will battle for Lord Stanley against the winner of the Western Conference Final between the Central’s No. 2 Dallas Stars and Pacific’s No. 3 Edmonton Oilers. And a second straight Cup Final triumph would put Florida in an exclusive group of repeat winners.
So, before the championship round gets underway, here’s what to know about the Panthers’ history in the Cup Final:
How many Stanley Cup Finals have the Florida Panthers made?
Florida is making its fourth appearance in the Cup Final since the franchise’s 1993-94 debut season.
How many Stanley Cup championships do the Florida Panthers have?
The Panthers won their first-ever championship last year in historic fashion, becoming just the third team since the start of the expansion era to go from Stanley Cup runners-up to winners. After losing the 2023 Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida outlasted the Oilers in a roller-coaster 2024 Cup Final to capture the franchise’s first title.
The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead before the Oilers won three straight elimination games. But Florida took the decisive Game 7 at home by a score of 2-1, with a second-period goal from Sam Reinhart being the difference.
How many NHL teams have made three straight Stanley Cups?
As previously mentioned, the Panthers are just the seventh team since the start of the expansion era to appear in at least three straight Cup Finals. The last team to do so was the Lightning from the 2020-22 postseasons. Tampa Bay won it all in 2020and 2021 before losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the 2022 Cup Final.
The record for consecutive Cup Final appearances since the start of the expansion era is five, achieved by the New York Islanders from 1980-84. The Isles won four straight titles before falling to the Oilers in the 1984 Cup Final.
Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final appearances
Here’s a look at the Panthers’ three previous Cup Final results:
- 2024: Beat Edmonton Oilers in seven games
- 2023: Lost to Vegas Golden Knights in five games
- 1996: Lost to Colorado Avalanche in four games
Where is the Florida Panthers’ stadium?
The Panthers’ home stadium, Amerant Bank Arena, is in Sunrise, Florida, roughly 35 miles north of Miami.
Who is the Florida Panthers’ captain?
This is the seventh season that center Aleksander Barkov has donned the “C” on his sweater for Florida. Barkov, the second overall pick of the Panthers in 2013, is the franchise leader in games played, goals, assists and points.
Who is the Florida Panthers’ head coach?
Paul Maurice has overseen the entirety of Florida’s current three-year Cup Final streak, taking over behind the bench starting in the 2022-23 campaign. The Panthers sport a .610 regular-season winning percentage over Maurice’s tenure.
The 58-year-old has 29 years of NHL head coaching experience, with previous stops in Hartford, Carolina, Toronto and Winnipeg. Maurice coached the Hurricanes to the 2022 Cup Final.
When do the 2025 NBA Finals start? Here's the full schedule and how to watch
When do the 2025 NBA Finals start? Here's the full schedule and how to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Oklahoma City Thunder are roaring into the 2025 NBA Finals.
Top-seeded Oklahoma City was crowned Western Conference champions Wednesday night with a Game 5 home rout of the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s the first conference title for the Thunder since the 2012 postseason and their second since relocating from Seattle to OKC in 2008-09.
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. enter the NBA Finals having lost just 18 total games across the regular season and postseason. The Thunder went 68-14 in the regular season, tying for the sixth-most victories in NBA history. They then swept the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies to open playoffs before outlasting three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in a seven-game battle.
Now, after eliminating the Anthony Edwards-led Wolves in five games, the Thunder sit one series victory away from securing their first championship in OKC. The franchise’s lone title was won in the 1979 Finalsby the Seattle SuperSonics.
OKC will need to get past either the No. 3 New York Knicks or No. 4 Indiana Pacers in order to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Indiana currently holds a commanding 3-1 series lead over New York in the Eastern Conference Finals.
So, when and where will the NBA Finals tip off? Here’s what to know:
Who has home-court advantage in the 2025 NBA Finals?
The Thunder will have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals regardless of opponent due to recording a superior regular-season record.
What is the format for the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals are best-of-seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format. Oklahoma City will host Games 1 and 2, along with the potential Games 5 and 7.
What day do the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals begin Thursday, June 5.
2025 NBA Finals schedule
- Game 1: Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Thursday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2:Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Sunday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET
- Game 3: Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Friday, June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 5 (if necessary):Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Monday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 6 (if necessary): Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Thursday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 7 (if necessary):Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Sunday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET
What TV channel are the NBA Finals on?
All NBA Finals games will air on ABC.
Where to stream the NBA Finals live online
The action will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
When do the 2025 NBA Finals start? Here's the full schedule and how to watch
When do the 2025 NBA Finals start? Here's the full schedule and how to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Oklahoma City Thunder are roaring into the 2025 NBA Finals.
Top-seeded Oklahoma City was crowned Western Conference champions Wednesday night with a Game 5 home rout of the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s the first conference title for the Thunder since the 2012 postseason and their second since relocating from Seattle to OKC in 2008-09.
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. enter the NBA Finals having lost just 18 total games across the regular season and postseason. The Thunder went 68-14 in the regular season, tying for the sixth-most victories in NBA history. They then swept the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies to open playoffs before outlasting three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in a seven-game battle.
Now, after eliminating the Anthony Edwards-led Wolves in five games, the Thunder sit one series victory away from securing their first championship in OKC. The franchise’s lone title was won in the 1979 Finalsby the Seattle SuperSonics.
OKC will need to get past either the No. 3 New York Knicks or No. 4 Indiana Pacers in order to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Indiana currently holds a commanding 3-1 series lead over New York in the Eastern Conference Finals.
So, when and where will the NBA Finals tip off? Here’s what to know:
Who has home-court advantage in the 2025 NBA Finals?
The Thunder will have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals regardless of opponent due to recording a superior regular-season record.
What is the format for the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals are best-of-seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format. Oklahoma City will host Games 1 and 2, along with the potential Games 5 and 7.
What day do the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals begin Thursday, June 5.
2025 NBA Finals schedule
- Game 1: Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Thursday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2:Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Sunday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET
- Game 3: Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Friday, June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 5 (if necessary):Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Monday, June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 6 (if necessary): Thunder at Knicks/Pacers — Thursday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 7 (if necessary):Knicks/Pacers at Thunder — Sunday, June 22, 8 p.m. ET
What TV channel are the NBA Finals on?
All NBA Finals games will air on ABC.
Where to stream the NBA Finals live online
The action will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Why Marner To Buffalo Is A Non-Starter
The Buffalo Sabres have reached the highest level of hockey ignominity with their playoff drought extending to 14 seasons, but after strong statements regarding potential organizational changes last month at their season-ending press conferences, there have been only rumors of possible managerial and coaching shakeups.
As for the roster, the goaltending and blueline situations are in flux, with questions of whether either Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen or Devon Levi can be a difference-making #1 goalie, and if the blueline can be upgraded if RFA Bowen Byram is traded. Up front, the Sabres bounced back slightly from an offensive downturn in 2024, but still have not matched the production (293 goals) that saw them come to within one point of making the postseason.
Other Sabres Stories
Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?
Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram
Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change
The Sabres have over $23 million in available cap space going into the summer, and with the NHL salary cap projected to go up over the next three seasons, owner Terry Pegula may have to spend to the cap to get Buffalo over the top to end their long streak of futility.
Jeremy and Nate debated the impact of adding Mitch Marner to the Sabres roster this morning. Do you think it's a good idea?
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) May 20, 2025
Check out the guys full discussion here: https://t.co/WqGIofLYLXpic.twitter.com/6K15wbyFF5
One area of speculation making the rounds is Buffalo’s potential interest in pending unrestricted free agent Mitch Marner. Marner is coming off a career-best 102-point season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is likely to be leaving his hometown team because of their failure to make a deep playoff run for the entire balance of his nine-year tenure in Blue and White.
The Sabres certainly have the cap space to make a competitive offer, and have a supporting cast which would be elevated by one of the NHL’s most gifted playmakers, but the fact that Buffalo is in close proximity to Toronto would not alleviate the pressure on the 27-year-old winger; it would likely increase it.
With the Leafs, some of the pressure on Marner was deferred by the presence of the other Core 4 members (Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares). If he signed with Buffalo, Marner would become the central figure on the roster and would be expected to produce every night, as Jack Eichel was after signing his eight-year, $80 million contract in 2017.
There are indicators that Marner a) wants to sign in a less pressure-filled hockey market like Carolina, Utah, Anaheim, or Los Angeles, b) wants to be the highest paid player in the NHL and would be willing to go to a rebuilding club like Chicago or San Jose, or c) would choose to be a high-paid support player (à la Phil Kessel in Pittsburgh) with another winning organization like Florida or Vegas.
None of those options is a fit with the Sabres.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
Carlos Mendoza laments Mets' struggles with runners in scoring position: 'We are all aware'
From the start, the Mets' series finale against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon didn't look promising.
Even before Griffin Canning allowed two runs in the top of the first, the game's start time was bumped up from 7:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. due to inclement weather expected at night, and when the game got underway the weather still wasn't great.
Perhaps that can help explain why Canning didn't look sharp for the second straight start (his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers was cut short because of a lengthy rain delay), although he didn't use that as an excuse after the game.
"Just not very good, not very competitive out there," he said. "Kinda just let the team down (with) how I set the tone."
While Canning's three innings of five-run ball (three earned) with four walks was not what New York was hoping for as it failed to get the sweep of the White Sox following a 9-4 loss, the bigger concern remains the team's inability to hit with runners in scoring position.
Even with Mark Vientos launching a two-out, opposite-field three-run homer with runners on first and third to get the Mets closer and make it a 5-3 ballgame in the third inning, the offense went just 2-for-12 with RISP.
Entering Wednesday, New York was hitting .212 with RISP -- the fourth-worst mark in the majors and the worst in the NL. That number only got worse after the series finale.
"We gotta get better with runners in scoring position. We are all aware," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game. "Yes, the underlying numbers (are encouraging), but at the end of the day we gotta get the job done, right? I thought yesterday we took some better at-bats, today not so much."
Indeed, the Mets only managed five hits on the day but walked eight times, including five times in the first 3.2 innings against Chicago starter Shane Smith, which is why they had so many scoring opportunities. But once again, the offense couldn't break through.
To make matters worse, former Mets top pitching prospect Mike Vasil pitched three scoreless innings against his old club, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five to lower his season ERA to 2.10 in his first big league season.
"That’s just baseball," Vientos said. "Baseball is a game that’s six months, seven months of the year and you’re hot, you’re cold and then you’re in the middle. That’s just the name of the game."
While the skipper understands his team's offensive struggles at the moment, he shares his third baseman's confidence that things will turn around.
"We got a lot of good hitters there, I’m pretty confident that at the end of the year the numbers are gonna be where they need to be, especially with runners in scoring position," Mendoza said. "But right now we gotta continue to find a way. We gotta find a way to get the job done and we will."
What's helped New York get past the woes offensively are wins.
Despite the laboring offense, the Mets are 34-22 -- good for second in the NL East. It's part of the reason some players inside the clubhouse aren't worried about the offense.
"The way I look at it is if this is us struggling and we’re winning games, imagine when we’re not," Vientos said. "I don’t think the whole season is gonna be like this. I hope to believe that it’s not gonna be like this, that’s just baseball -- you’re always waiting for that hot streak and I know it’s coming for us."
In theory, Vientos is right. Once the Mets start hitting like the team is capable of then they should presumably take off.
However, the problem with that thinking is it assumes that every other aspect of the team remains the same. Yes, right now New York is getting carried by its pitching, both starting and relief. But what happens if/when both of those areas falter like they likely will at some point in a long season?
The answer: Games like Wednesday's.
"We gotta be better," Mendoza said.
Predictions: Where the top five uncommitted WRs will land
Five-star receiver Cederian Morgan is ranked No. 10 in the 2026 Rivals250 and will announce his college choice July 2.
Former Grand Canyon guard Tyon Grant-Foster heading to Gonzaga
A 6-foot-7 senior, Grant-Foster was the 2024 Western Athletic Conference player of the year.
Fantasy Football: Chris Olave looks like a risk-reward pick worth betting on this draft season
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)
If you’ve wondered if Saints receiver Chris Olave should be on your draft radar this season, the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast episode with Matt Harmon and Footballguys Alfredo Brown offers some clarity — and a dose of optimism.
Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: Olave, who already has two 1,000-yard receiving seasons on his resume, has never truly benefitted from consistent, high-end quarterback play since entering the league in 2022. Harmon and Brown both agree that his connection with Derek Carr left much to be desired — “they never really had the best chemistry in the world,” Harmon suggests. The lack of rhythm is a big part of why Olave hasn’t been a difference-maker in fantasy.
Yet, buried in uncertainty is a potential gold mine of upside. With new head coach Kellen Moore stepping in, there’s buzz around a more creative deployment of Olave — perhaps even increased usage out of the slot.
“What Moore has done for even a guy like DeVonta Smith ... both [he and Olave are] technicians, pro-level route runners in college, " Harmon points out. "They don’t need to play in the slot, but they can be weaponized in the slot.”
Brown goes a step further: “I think that he’s got that upside for high-target volume, high efficiency deep downfield and he’s just one of those guys. Tyler Shough [the likely new QB] is actually a pretty good deep-ball thrower ... that could actually be good for Olave.”
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]
Slot usage under Moore could mean more layup targets, and with a new offense and a QB unafraid to push downfield, those big Olave games may finally happen more often.
While there’s risk — particularly with QB uncertainty and Olave coming off of two scary concussions last season that limited him to eight games — better days could be ahead.
Olave’s blend of youth, technical polish and untapped ceiling are tantalizing. If Olave builds rapport with his quarterback and Moore makes him a focal point of the offense, a true breakout could be just around the corner — and that’s something worth keeping an eye on this summer ahead of fantasy drafts.
NBA Draft withdrawals: Florida is the big winner, while Duke is on the losing end
NIL has changed the calculus, with college basketball’s top underclassmen now routinely returning to school rather than entering the NBA Draft.