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Four major questions the Dodgers face in the second half of the season

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, May 18, 2025 - Dodgers manager Dave Roberts watches the action from the dugout against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Dave Roberts, above during a game against the Angels in May, has guided the Dodgers to the best record in the National League. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

They have the most wins in the National League. They have an almost 95% chance of winning their division, according to Fangraphs’ computer models. And, in the eyes of Vegas bookmakers, are still the overwhelming favorites to repeat as World Series champions.

Yet, after an up-and-down opening half that saw the Dodgers fall short of their all-time (and, admittedly, somewhat unrealistic) expectations, the team kicks off the second half of its season on Friday night facing plenty of problems, and grappling with important unknowns, as it embarks on the second half of the schedule.

“Good first half,” manager Dave Roberts said before the All-Star break. “But yeah, we should want to get better.”

As the second half gets underway, here are four big questions in the Dodgers’ quest to improve down the stretch and try to defend their 2024 title.

Read more:Hernández: Secret to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 2025 success? His hero-like effort in NLDS Game 5

Will the pitching get/stay healthy?

It’s an age-old question when it comes to the Dodgers, cast upon a new-look roster battling familiar injury-related headaches.

In a best-case scenario, the Dodgers could end the season with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani (in some capacity) headlining their rotation.

In the bullpen, they could have Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol bolstering more heavily-used arms like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates — plus wild-card options in Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan and Jack Dreyer to serve in more versatile roles on the mound.

But best-case pitching scenarios, of course, have often been unrealized fantasies with the franchise in recent years.

Read more:Hernández: 'Time heals everything.' Freddie Freeman, Braves fans find peace at All-Star Game

Thus, down the stretch this season, the Dodgers’ top priority (after winning the division and securing a first-round bye) will be keeping their arms as healthy as possible.

That will be most important with Glasnow (who just returned from a shoulder injury) and Snell (who should be back from his own shoulder problem in the next couple of weeks). To this point, the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to urgently pursue a starter at the trade deadline. And even if they did, the lack of available front-line options means it’d be difficult to insure against either (or, in a nightmare world) both going down again.

The Dodgers have been interested in adding to the bullpen, and might set their sights on a legitimate closer given Scott’s season-long struggles. But still, much of their depth will depend on Treinen (who is also nearing a return from a forearm injury), Kopech (who went on the 60-day IL after a knee surgery, but is still expected back this season) and Graterol (who is also still expected to return after missing the first half recovering from offseason shoulder surgery).

The Dodgers also have their fingers crossed on Roki Sasaki (hoping he can return in late August from his own shoulder issue) and haven’t yet ruled out Tony Gonsolin (though he has remained shut down since suffering an elbow injury). But for now, their primary hope is to keep Glasnow and Snell upright, and replenish an overworked bullpen with late-season reinforcements.

What’s next in Shohei Ohtani’s two-way plans?

After pitching three innings for the first time this season in his final outing before the All-Star break, Ohtani appears to be getting closer to full-length starts in his return to pitching.

But the question remains, how long (if ever) it will take him and the Dodgers to get there.

After five abbreviated appearances over the last month-plus, it’s clear Ohtani’s stuff on the mound hasn’t been diminished by a second career Tommy John surgery. He is routinely hitting 100 mph. He has 10 strikeouts in nine total innings. He has given up just one run overall.

However, Ohtani’s bat has cooled since resuming his two-way role. And the full extent of the physical toll being imposed on the 31-year-old superstar is still not yet entirely clear, prompting the Dodgers to be very deliberate in slowly, methodically increasing his workload.

It’s difficult to imagine, barring any unforeseen setbacks, Ohtani not being part of the pitching plan in October given how electric he has looked thus far. But will it be as a glorified three- or four-inning opener? Or in a traditional starting role in which he is asked to work into the sixth or the seventh?

That could depend on the state of the rest of the Dodgers' staff, how Ohtani performs at the plate over the season’s second half, and how his body holds up to a challenge he has never before attempted with a team competing for a playoff spot.

Will Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts snap slumps?

Dodgers' Freddie Freeman watches his RBI single during the 11th inning of last Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants
The Dodgers' Freddie Freeman watches his RBI single during the 11th inning of last Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

The Dodgers might have Ohtani and a better supporting cast now. But, as they learned in 2022 and 2023, life can be difficult when Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts aren’t hitting; especially in the heat of a playoff environment.

And for all their other firepower this season, the Dodgers still need the two ex-MVPs to provide a spark.

For as good as Betts has been defensively this year — still ranking top-10 among MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, outs above average and defensive runs saved — he was 122nd out of 155 qualified hitters in OPS during the first half, with a .696 mark that is more than 100 points worse than his previous career low.

Freeman, meanwhile, went from a National League-leading .374 batting average at the end of May to a .203 mark over June and July, 163rd best out of 184 qualified hitters in that time.

That kind of production will put a drag even on a Dodgers offense with so many other star-level players. If the team is going to be anywhere near its potential offensively, it will need both sluggers to quickly pick things up. Otherwise, their margin for error at the plate come October could be worryingly slim.

What’s real (and not) from rest of the lineup?

There are myriad questions for the rest of the Dodgers’ lineup, too, where first-half performances ranged from unexpectedly spectacular to unimaginably difficult.

The Dodgers leaned heavily on Will Smith and his NL-best .323 batting average to provide consistent production. Can he replicate that in the second half of the season? Or will he fall victim to the late-summer slides that have plagued him throughout his career?

For large stretches of the opening half, Andy Pages looked like an All-Star and one of the most trustworthy run-producers in the middle of the order (an important role for a Dodgers team that always generates ample opportunities, but can struggle to capitalize upon them). But he also entered the All-Star break in a two-week slump. If he can revert back to being a near .300 hitter, it could significantly help lengthen a sometimes top-heavy lineup.

Read more:Shaikin: How to revitalize baseball's All-Star Game? Bat flips

Conversely, Teoscar Hernández has looked out of sync ever since returning from a groin injury in May, batting just .209 since then. As one of the most clutch performers during last year’s World Series run, there are real questions about whether he can regain enough health and consistency to replicate such heroics this fall.

Tommy Edman, meanwhile, has been valuable defensively, and was a surprise early-season slugger with eight home runs in March and April. Since then, though, he has posted below-league-average numbers, and entered the break in a two-for-32 rut.

One X-factor could be Hyeseong Kim, who turned heads in limited early-season playing time (.339 average, .842 OPS and 11-for-11 on steals in 48 games) and figures to get more everyday opportunities in Max Muncy’s absence in the coming weeks.

Muncy himself poses another big unknown. Roberts said the early reports on his recovery from a bone bruise in his knee have been encouraging. But, the Dodgers have not looked the same since losing him from the lineup. And though he is expected to return, just how limiting the lingering effects of his injury will be could have important implications on the state of the Dodgers’ offense.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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‘Two fights left’: Usyk closes in on history and retirement with Dubois test

Ukrainian seeks to unify the heavyweight division again at Wembley on Saturday before putting family time first

Boxing, as Oleksandr Usyk knows, gets everyone in the end. It is a harsh and pitiless business and earlier this week, at the end of a long afternoon answering the same old questions in front of a line of television cameras, Usyk sat down with a small group of familiar faces who have written about him for years. During his last assignment for the day he opened up a little more as he spoke about the sacrifices boxing demands.

He told us how much he wanted to see his wife, Yekaterina, as she had just flown into London and they would be reunited that evening. Three months had passed, in a gruelling training camp, since they had been together and Usyk spoke about missing her and their four children.

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Opinion: Why the Flyers Should Kick the Tires on Mason McTavish

There’s a running joke in Philadelphia Flyers circles these days that GM Danny Brière is building a rehab clinic for Anaheim Ducks alumni.

From Jamie Drysdale to Trevor Zegras to now the mere whisper of interest in Mason McTavish, it’s starting to feel like Brière might be scouring Orange County for his next reclamation project like he’s shopping at a vintage store: looking for something young, well-made, slightly scuffed, but with timeless value.

But in McTavish’s case, the joke only goes so far. This isn’t a player who needs “fixing” so much as one who could thrive in a different system, under different expectations, with a more defined role—and in Philadelphia, that opportunity could be staring both sides in the face.

The Fit: A Natural Center for a Roster in Transition

First, the obvious: the Flyers need help down the middle. Sean Couturier is still a steady, solid option, but he's not getting any younger. Noah Cates and Christian Dvorak offer responsible two-way play, but that still leaves the depth chart somewhere in wading pool territory. And while there’s hope in young prospects like Jett Luchanko, there’s no denying that a long-term, high-upside, NHL-ready center is still a missing piece in Philadelphia’s rebuild.

Enter McTavish.

At 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, McTavish brings an appealing blend of physicality, play-driving skill, and natural scoring ability. He’s a classic power center in the making—capable of bullying his way through defenders but also possessing the finesse to finish plays and quarterback a line. His hockey sense, especially in the offensive zone, pops off the screen. He’s hard on pucks, he hunts space, and he makes life miserable for defenders in the slot.

More than anything, he competes. That’s the hallmark of McTavish’s game. The Flyers, under new head coach Rick Tocchet, are preaching a system built on pace, structure, and relentless pressure. McTavish would slot into that identity seamlessly. He’s still just 22, but he already plays like someone with postseason scars and something to prove.

The Numbers: Room to Grow, But a Solid Foundation

Last season, McTavish quietly put up 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 76 games on a Ducks team that was—let’s be honest—often unwatchable.

Yet McTavish still managed to put together respectable numbers, particularly in stretches when he was asked to drive play on his own. He logged just about 17 minutes a night, saw usage on both the power play and penalty kill, and finished with respectable underlying metrics given the team context.

With better linemates and more offensive structure, his ceiling could climb significantly.

A Trade That Makes Sense for Both Sides

The Ducks, reportedly, are listening—not shopping, but listening. That’s telling. It could mean they’re recalibrating their own vision of the rebuild. Or maybe they just see a chance to cash in before committing to a long-term extension.

For the Flyers, the risk is worth exploring. Would a package built around someone like Egor Zamula, a first-round pick, and a secondary piece be enough to pry McTavish loose? Maybe not. (Although you have to consider that the Flyers clearly have a good working relationship with Anaheim, and Brière has proven that he can acquire a lot without having to give up too much in return. Case and point, getting Trevor Zegras for Ryan Poehling and a 2026 fourth-round pick—come on.) But that’s why you check in. That’s why you push. Because players like McTavish don’t become available very often.

Why It Works for McTavish, Too

There’s also a strong case to be made that a change of scenery could benefit McTavish just as much as it would help the Flyers.

Anaheim hasn't exactly been lauded for proper development of its talented young players (see: Zegras and Drysdale), and the entire team identity remains in flux under new head coach Joel Quenneville. It’s not hard to imagine McTavish being miscast in a role that doesn’t maximize his gifts, or simply yearning for a team with more ambition, structure, and more promise of postseason success. It might not be immediate gratification with the Flyers, but if we're making comparisons, the projections do, indeed, make it look more sunny in Philadelphia. 

On the East Coast, McTavish could grow into a clear-cut top-six center. He’d get powerplay time, he’d be leaned on defensively, and he’d have a head coach in Tocchet who values grit and hockey IQ in equal measure. And the Flyers’ emerging forward group—players like Zegras, Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, even a Porter Martone or Denver Barkey in the near future—could complement McTavish beautifully, creating a dynamic offensive core for the coming years.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t about collecting Ducks memorabilia. This is about vision—and acceleration. Brière has been clear that this rebuild won’t take a decade, nor will it be rushed. But sometimes, opportunity knocks at just the right time.

Mason McTavish is still scratching the surface of what he can be. If the Flyers believe in his trajectory—and if Anaheim is truly open to a deal—they owe it to themselves to be at the front of the line.

In the right context, McTavish could be the kind of player that strengthens your offense and lends you the invaluable advantage of having all lines be dangerous ones. He's relentless, talented, and on the cusp of becoming something special.

And if that next step happens to be in a slightly different shade of orange and black?

Even better.

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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Luke Keaschall, Dylan Lee and Jordan Lawlar

FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

Luke Keaschall (2B Twins): Rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues

After nearly three months off due to a fractured forearm suffered on a HBP, Keaschall is back playing baseball again and will resume partaking in official games as he kicks off a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday. Most likely, he’ll stay there at least a week. If it doesn’t look like he’s missed a beat, he could rejoin the Twins afterwards. If he’s slow out of the gate, then maybe he’ll be optioned to the minors for a spell. Still, we’re going to hope here for the former scenario.

It wasn’t perfectly clear that Keachall was ready for the majors when he got the call just three weeks into the season, but he certainly looked the part, opening up on a six-game hitting streak before getting hurt in his seventh game. Most impressive was that he walked five times and struck out just twice in 26 plate appearances. He was 5-for-5 stealing bases. He went without a homer, but he had two barrels and five other hard-hit balls among his 17 balls in play. Just those seven games still place him seventh in WAR among the Twins’ 18 position players with at least 20 plate appearances this season.

And that’s why he really ought to get another chance quickly. Give him the spot of Brooks Lee or Ty France or Trevor Larnach and let him go. He’s not going to be a big power hitter just yet, but he can certainly help a team currently ranked 21st in the majors in OBP and 26th in steals. It’ll be some time before it pays off, but he should be stashed now.

Dylan Lee (RP Braves): Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues

Which reliever not currently closing has the best chance of sliding into the closer’s role because of a trade deadline move? Let’s throw out some names:

Angels: Reid Detmers
Athletics: Elvis Alvarado?
Guardians: Cade Smith
Orioles: Yennier Cano (assuming Seranthony Domínguez is gone)
Rays: Edwin Uceta, Kevin Kelly, eventually Drew Ramsussen?
Red Sox: Jordan Hicks
Royals: Lucas Erceg
Twins: Griffin Jax

Braves: Dylan Lee
Cardinals: JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien (Phil Maton goes, too, if Ryan Helsley goes)
D-backs: Shelby Miller or Ryan Thompson if they eventually come back healthy
Marlins: Calvin Faucher (if Ronny Henríquez and Anthony Bender are both traded)
Nationals: Brad Lord
Pirates: Carmen Mlodzinksi, Braxton Ashcraft (Dennis Santana is a goner)
Reds: Tony Santillan, Scott Barlow (also both trade candidates)

Of everyone here, I’d say Lee is the best bet. Raisel Iglesias seems much more likely to be traded than Aroldis Chapman, Emmanuel Clase or Ryan Helsley, and unlike some other guys here, Lee is a clear No. 2 on the depth chart. Lord is also rather interesting, since Kyle Finnegan is very likely to be dealt, but I think he’s a breakdown candidate after a heavy first-half workload in his first stint as a reliever. Jax, along with Smith, probably has the most upside of the group, but I don’t think the Twins will wind up selling. Erceg is also intriguing, but the Royals will probably keep Carlos Estévez and try to hang in the race unless these next 10 days go badly.

Jordan Lawlar (SS Diamondbacks): Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues

That Lawlar hasn’t already been picked up in more leagues is an obvious reaction to his latest injury, a Grade 1 hamstring strain that has had him on the shelf for Triple-A Reno since June 26. There haven’t really been any updates on his status since, but players typically return from Grade 1 strains within a month, meaning Lawlar should be about ready to join the Diamondbacks infield right around the trade deadline, when the team is nearly certain to ship out free agent-to-be Eugenio Suárez.

Lawlar’s first major league stint this season saw him go hitless in 19 at-bats, but that was in a bit role. He’ll play regularly next time around, and he’ll show off the power-speed combination that has allowed him to amass 17 homers and 22 steals to go along with a .334/.420/.590 line in 81 career Triple-A games. The durability concerns are real and might need to be factored into his long-term dynasty value, but if he’s up on Aug. 1 as hoped, he could be good for around eight homers and a dozen steals over the final third of the season.

Waiver Wire Quick Hits

- The Rockies’ Ezequiel Tovar is only 46% rostered in Yahoo leagues as he returns from his second IL stint of the year. That’s above my threshold for being featured in this column, but he needs to be picked up in leagues in which he’s available. He’s been somewhat disappointing in his 32 games while healthy, but he was plenty useful last year and he really should be better now; his strikeout rate is just 22%, compared to 29% last year, and his hard-hit rate has jumped from 40% to 44%. Statcast gives him an xBA of .303 and an xSLG of .500.

- I featured Shane Bieberseven weeks ago before his setback in his return from Tommy John, so I won’t do it again now. However, he’s back on a rehab assignment, having thrown two scoreless innings Tuesday, and he’s currently available in 64% of Yahoo leagues. He could turn out to be pretty helpful during the final two months.

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Could Chibrikov, Lambert Take Over Ehlers Role For Winnipeg?

Exploring options for top-six winger with high-end prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert being potential options. 

The Winnipeg Jets suffered big causalities in the lineup when losing forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton to free agency. In response, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff made a few moves that seemingly improved the team's top six with a new second line centre in Jonathan Toews, effectively pushing centre Vladislav Namestnikov to the third line where he appears to be a better fit for his talents. 

To replace Ehlers, they added Nashville's Gustav Nyquist, who has proven to be a consistent 40-50 point producer with upside as high as 75 points, which he recorded in the 2023-24 season. The hope is that he would replicate this success however, Nyquist is coming off a tough year in which he recorded career-worst numbers across the board with 28 points through 79 games. The 35-year-old winger may be starting to see his production decline with age and if the Jets want to remain competitive, they should have a backup plan. 

Projecting Jets' Forward Lines For The 2025-26 SeasonProjecting Jets' Forward Lines For The 2025-26 SeasonAs the Winnipeg Jets prepare for the next NHL season, the buzz around their projected lineup has started to commence with fans wondering what they can expect to see from the 2025-26 team. 

More Jets: Winnipeg Jets' All-Time Lineup

Many contending teams are utilizing some of their young talent to prop up the rest of their lineup by giving a prospect an opportunity to play in the top six. This can be seen in Edmonton, where high-end prospect Isaac Howard is expected to play with Connor McDavid on the top line as well as in St. Louis with Jimmy Snuggerud, who is expected to play top line minutes with Robert Thomas. 

The Jets could do something similar with their high-end prospects looking to make the jump to the NHL with one of them being Brad Lambert. The 2022 first round pick had a down year last season, along with the rest of the Manitoba Moose, as he recorded just 35 points through 61 games. Lambert has shown bursts of offence like in the 2023-24 season, when he put up 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points through 64 games with the Moose and forced his way into five games with the Jets. 

The 21-year-old Finnish winger has a 0.67 point-per-game average at the AHL level and will be looking to challenge for a roster spot this upcoming training camp and preseason. Competition for the fourth line right wing position will likely be between Lambert, newcomer from the Bruins in Cole Koepke, and another young prospect from the Moose in Nikita Chibrikov.

With a slightly worse 0.65 point-per-game average, Chibrikov offers the Jets another high-end prospect option at right wing and is slightly more matured at 22 years old. The position battle will be a fierce one as the former 2021 second round pick has played five NHL games and has excelled when given an opportunity with three goals and an assist for four points compared to Lambert's two through six NHL games. 

Both prospects will be battling for an everyday spot and could challenge bench boss Scott Arniel to make some adjustments to the lineup. If Nyquist has another down year and sees his production drop to roughly 30-35 points once again, it could persuade Arniel to move him down the lineup and onto the third line, where it's typical to put up that many points. This would then allow Arniel to test drive a young player in Lambert or Chibrikov with a chance to play alongside quality forwards like Toews and Perfetti. 

Winnipeg Jets Announce 2025-26 Schedule with Matchups Against the Panthers, Oilers and StarsWinnipeg Jets Announce 2025-26 Schedule with Matchups Against the Panthers, Oilers and StarsThe Winnipeg Jets announced their 82-game schedule for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday with some notable games that fans will have to keep an eye on. The Jets open the season on home ice in a postseason rematch against the Dallas Stars on Thursday Oct. 9th, in what will be a thrilling start to the new campaign. 

With his point-per-game production, it's worth exploring the option with Chibrikov as it could provide the Jets with another top end talent. If things don't go the way they hope they can always make adjustments and move Chibrikov back to the bottom of the lineup. 

The developing talent of these young Moose players will provide an intriguing storyline heading into training camp and could lead to roster moves that could move the Jets towards another Stanley Cup contending roster.

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Report: Jonathan Kuminga's representation explored Warriors-Bulls trade options

Report: Jonathan Kuminga's representation explored Warriors-Bulls trade options originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While the Jonathan Kuminga situation has the Warriors stuck at a standstill, it appears there was an effort on the player’s side to facilitate a move to an Eastern Conference team.

Kuminga’s representation explored sign-and-trade scenarios that would allow the Chicago Bulls to acquire the 22-year-old wing while also retaining restricted-free agent point guard Josh Giddey, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported during a livestream on Bleacher Report’s YouTube page on Thursday.

Fischer also noted that a deal between these two teams would’ve made more sense for Golden State had the Warriors been able to receive point guard Lonzo Ball from Chicago in return, which now is impossible as the veteran point guard instead was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month.

Fischer’s report also indicated doubt the Warriors are interested in veteran big man Nikola Vučević, citing hesitancy around Golden State’s enthusiasm in potentially losing Kuminga for a player on an expiring contract.

The Warriors are the only NBA team who has yet to add or re-sign a player in free agency, with the lack of moves likely being directly tied to a lack of a resolution in the ongoing Kuminga saga.

While it appears there at minimum was diligence done on a deal that would have sent Kuminga to the Windy City, there likely will need to be another avenue for a viable solution to conclude the ongoing saga that has put Golden State’s offseason plans on hold for the moment.

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Two-start pitchers: Brandon Woodruff headlines the dazzling options for the first week of the second half

Hello and welcome to the 16th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

We’re still in a holding pattern right now with many teams waiting until the last minute to set their rotations for the second half of the season. That includes (as of Friday afternoon), the Royals, Angels and Yankees. We have no info yet on how any of those rotations will line up. We know that the Giants plan to start Justin Verlander on Friday, but after that we don’t have any clarity on how it’ll line up and who may start twice next week. Similarly, we know that the Mariners plan to use Luis Castillo and Logan Evans in their first two games, but how the rest of the rotation falls in line remains a mystery.              

We know that Jacob Lopez is going to double for the Athletics, but we don’t know for sure who their fifth starter is going to be coming out of the break. That person would also line up for two starts. My early lean is they bring back Mitch Spence from Triple-A, but there are a lot of different directions that they could go here.

We also don’t have clarity on the Braves’ full rotation yet. The expectation is that Davis Daniel or Hurston Waldrep will start in Monday against the Giants, in which case they would line up for two starts. It’s also possible that the recently acquired Dane Dunning could slot in there. We’ll update as more information becomes available.

We are still waiting on confirmation on the Red Sox’ rotation as well. It seems likely that Richard Fitts and Walker Buehler will start on Monday and Tuesday in some order, with whoever goes first drawing a two-start week (@ Phillies, vs. Dodgers). Based on those matchups, we aren’t really interested in regardless of which one it eventually is. It’s also possible that Fitts could get bumped in favor of Tanner Houck who is ready to return to the Red Sox in some form. Stay tuned.

The Cubs haven’t given us anything to go off of yet other than Colin Rea and Shota Imanaga starting the first two games out of the break. Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, and Chris Flexen are likely to follow in some order, but nothing has been finalized. It’s whoever pitches the fourth game on Monday that will draw two starts – vs. Royals and @ White Sox. Whoever it is will be an attractive target based on those matchups. We just need clarity on who it will be.

It’s a similar story on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox have announced their first three starters coming out of the break, leaving Shane Smith and Sean Burke to fill in the next two days. Whichever one goes first on Monday will draw a two-start week (@ Rays, vs. Cubs). It’s also possible that Davis Martin is ready to return and takes the place of Burke, or slots in someplace with someone else eventually getting bumped. Or the White Sox could go with a six-man rotation this turn through in which case no one would double. We’ll update when we have more information.

While we aren’t looking to use them for fantasy purposes anyways, we don’t have any lean yet on who will get two starts for the Rockies next week. Austin Gomber doesn’t pitch during their first series out of the break, so he’ll go on either Monday or Tuesday. They could bring back Chase Dollander from Triple-A to pitch one of those games as well, or Bradley Blalock could draw the assignment. Either way, the matchups are vs. Cardinals and at Orioles and we don’t want any part of this one regardless of who it is.

The Tigers are another team that hasn’t unveiled their full rotation plan for the second half just yet. All we know is that Reese Olson will start on Friday and Tarik Skubal will start on Sunday. That leaves Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Keider Montero to fill in the other three days. Whichever doesn’t pitch on Saturday will line up for two starts next week – assuming that they don’t use a bullpen day or slide Dietrich Enns back in there for another spot start. Those two matchups -- @ Pirates, vs. Blue Jays – are very intriguing and that would make Montero a strong streaming option if he is indeed the one taking the ball on one of those days. My best guess has Mize going on Saturday with Flaherty and Montero getting the two-start weeks.

We don’t know what the Dodgers are going to do yet either, aside from the fact that Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan and Clayton Kershaw will start the first three games out of the break. That leaves Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May and Shohei Ohtani to fill in afterwards in some order. If the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation to accommodate, then no one will draw two starts next week. If Yamamoto goes on Monday, he could potentially start twice – vs. Twins, @ Red Sox.
Beyond Chris Paddack starting for the Twins on Friday and some hints that Zebby Matthews could start on Saturday, we still aren’t sure how the Twins plan to structure their rotation coming out of the break. Someone will get two starts -- @ Dodgers, vs. Nationals – and it could be Joe Ryan, Simeon Woods Richardson or David Festa, but for now all we can do is speculate.

For the Pirates, we know that Mitch Keller and Paul Skenes will start on Monday and Tuesday in some order and whichever one goes first will draw a two-start week (vs. Tigers, vs. Diamondbacks). Skenes should be started in all leagues regardless of whether or not he pitches twice, Keller should be used in all leagues if he does get the two-step, though I’d hesitate to use him for a single start against the Tigers.

Someone on the Rangers is going to start twice next week (vs. Athletics, vs. Braves), we just aren’t sure yet whether it’ll be Jacob deGrom or Jack Leiter. We do know that deGrom should be in fantasy lineups regardless while Leiter would only be an appealing option if he does indeed start Monday and wind up taking the ball twice.

This is going to be an ongoing battle throughout the weekend, so expect many updates each day as we try to keep up and make sure that you get the best possible advice and up-to-date information on each projected double starter as we kick off the second half of the season.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of July 21.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of Friday, July 18, and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Hunter Brown, Astros, RHP (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Athletics)

After an absolutely brilliant first half of the season, Brown finished things up on a sour note as he was unexpectedly clobbered in his final two starts heading into the break. Let’s hope that the time off and extended rest are all that he needs to get back on track. The matchup against the Diamondbacks in Arizona is a tough one, but Brown has been a fantasy ace this season and he should be started in 100 percent of all leagues every week without hesitation.

Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (vs. Orioles, @ Royals)

We don’t know yet whether it will be Monday or Tuesday that Bibee will pitch, but either way the right-hander will line up for two starts. He disappointed relative to expectations in the first half, posting a 4.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 95/33 K/BB ratio across 109 innings, though his 3.63 xERA hints that he may have been a bit unfortunate in the luck department. He gets to kick off his second half with a two-start week against a pair of middling offenses, which should be a recipe for success. He should be started in all leagues with full confidence this week.

Shane Baz, Rays, RHP (vs. White Sox, @ Reds)

I know it may be a stretch trusting Baz as a strong option for the upcoming week, but with a matchup against the White Sox to kick things off, that pushes him over the top for me. Baz has looked especially sharp since revamping his arsenal a few weeks back, striking out six or more batters in four of his last five starts. He should be easily able to eclipse double-digit punchouts on the week while giving fantasy managers a decent shot at a victory. In the end, that’s more than enough to make him a worthwhile play in all leagues.         

Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Yankees, @ Tigers)

It took nearly half of a season, but we’re finally seeing what Max Scherzer can do when healthy in a Blue Jays’ uniform. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his first five starts, has punched out seven or more batters twice in his last three outings and is coming off of his first victory of the year his last time out. The matchups are definitely on the challenging side this week, but for fantasy managers that have been waiting on Scherzer all season, are you really going to sit him for a two-start week? I didn’t think so.

Decent Plays

Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (@ Rangers, @ Astros)

After a disastrous start to the season, Lopez locked in for a two-month stretch where he showed the world what he’s capable of, only to fall back a bit in his final three starts heading into the All-Star break. The matchups aren’t great – especially having to battle the Astros in Houston – but even if Lopez struggles the strikeouts should still be there. That’s more than enough for me to use him in 15-teamers and I’d probably be fine rolling the dice in most 12-team formats as well unless I had a plethora of better options.

Colton Gordon, Astros, LHP (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Athletics)

The Astros’ rookie southpaw has been highly inconsistent through his first 11 appearances (10 starts) in the big leagues, registering a 4.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 44/9 K/BB ratio across 52 innings of work. Taking on the Diamondbacks in Arizona coming out of the break is a very difficult assignment and will carry some ratio risk before he finishes his week off with a softer matchup at home against the A’s. The strikeouts should be there and his chances of earning a victory will be elevated in that second start, but there is certainly risk involved with this two-step. I’d be fine using it in 15-team leagues, it would depend on my other options whether or not I’d roll with it in shallower formats.

Zach Eflin, Orioles, RHP (@ Guardians, vs. Rockies)

We’re working under the impression that Eflin is going to get the ball for the Orioles on Tuesday rather than going back to Brandon Young for another start after he has been knocked around his last few starts. Eflin isn’t completely built back up yet, so he may have a limited pitch count in that first start, but with a juicy matchup against the Rockies in that second start he still seems like a viable option in most mixed leagues – presuming he actually does get tabbed for a return this week. It’s also possible that he makes one final rehab start, in which case he could still slot into the rotation over the weekend against the Rockies, which still makes him an attractive streaming target.

Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Yankees, @ Tigers)

I continue to be impressed by this lower WHIP, lower strikeout rate version of Gausman that we have seen this season. The only reason that he’s not a strong play for me this week is because the matchups are so difficult, having to battle two of the top offenses in all of baseball with his win equity lowered in the process. I’d still be rolling him out there in leagues of all sizes, just with lowered expectations than I would normally have from a two-start week from Gausman.

At Your Own Risk

Tomoyuki Sugano, Orioles, RHP (@ Guardians, vs. Rockies)
After a strong start to his big league career, Sugano has fallen on tough times in recent weeks due to his inability to keep the baseball in the yard. Overall he now sports a 4.44 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and an uninspiring 59/22 K/BB ratio across 99 1/3 innings through his first 18 starts. Most weeks I would tend to shy away from him here, but it’s hard to ignore that matchup against the Rockies to finish out the week. Understand that there’s ratio risk involved here and even over two starts he isn’t likely to contribute more than a handful of strikeouts. The chances for a victory will be elevated though based on the matchups and that could make him worth a look if you're desperate for volume.

National League

Strong Plays

Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (vs. Padres, @ Brewers)

Pérez has been extremely impressive in his first seven starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, registering a 3.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 35/11 K/BB ratio over 34 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has been nothing but elite whenever he has taken the big league mound and as long as he’s healthy there’s no reason to expect anything otherwise at the moment. He should be started in every single league with complete confidence this week – and every week going forward.

Brandon Woodruff, Brewers, RHP (@ Mariners, vs. Marlins)

Speaking of pitchers who have looked incredibly sharp in their returns from major surgery, Brandon Woodruff has defied all expectations and absolutely dominated through his first two starts for the Brewers this season – posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a jaw-dropping 18/0 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings. He’s unlikely to continue at that ridiculous pace, but we have seen Woodruff function as an upper-echelon fantasy asset in the past so there’s reason for excitement here. The matchups fall in his favor this week as well, getting to battle the Mariners in Seattle before finishing up with a stellar draw against the Marlins at home. There’s no reason not to trust him this week, fire away and enjoy the rewards.

Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (vs. Red Sox, @ Yankees)

Wheeler is a true fantasy ace and should be started each and every week without question. He has been dominant again this season, compiling a 9-3 record, 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 154/26 K/BB ratio over 122 innings in what has been another spectacular campaign. The matchups are tough on the surface, but that’s no reason to avoid using one of the best pitchers in all of baseball for a two-start week.

Kodai Senga, Mets, RHP (vs. Angels, @ Giants)

Senga didn’t show any signs of rust in his return from the injured list, firing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Royals in his first start back. He shouldn’t be facing any sort of pitch count limitations this time around and makes for a terrific option with matchups against the Angels and Giants. He should be started in all leagues.

Decent Plays

Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Astros, @ Pirates)

One of the players that I’m most intrigued about heading into the second half of the season is Zac Gallen. While he has been a complete trainwreck for fantasy purposes for the majority of the season, Gallen seemed to have figured things out heading into the All-Star break, with a pair of gems against the Giants and Padres where he struck out a combined 19 batters and allowed just one earned run in 15 innings. Of course he then finished it up with an absolute clunker against the Angels in Los Angeles. I’m still inclined to bet on the track record here and trust the veteran right-hander for his two-start week, especially when it includes a matchup against the Pirates. I’d be using him in all 15 and 12-team formats.

Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (@ Nationals, vs. Rays)

Singer performed about to expectation in the first half of the season, going 7-7 with a middling 4.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 92 punchouts over 100 innings. He’s a player who usually represents a viable streaming option for his two-start weeks and this week shouldn’t be any different. Matchups against the Nationals and Rays are nothing to shy away from and his equity in wins and strikeouts will be elevated with the extra start. He makes for a fine option in both 12 and 15-team formats.

Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (@ Rockies, vs. Padres)

Overall, Liberatore did a decent job for the Cardinals in the first half of the season, registering a 4.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and an 80/22 K/BB ratio across 100 1/3 innings of work. The matchups are particularly difficult this week though, having to battle the suddenly competent Rockies’ offense at Coors Field before a clash against the Padres to finish the week. I understand that in most 15-team formats you probably have to use him and hope for the best, but I’d be looking to get away from this one in 12-team leagues if I could find alternative options.

At Your Own Risk

Randy Vasquez, Padres, RHP (@ Marlins, @ Cardinals)

Every time that Vasquez pops up for a two-start week, I try to highlight how all of his underlying metrics point to impending doom and that he should be avoided in all formats, then most weeks he continues to defy logic and dance through the raindrops to post useable lines for fantasy purposes. If you want to keep rolling him out there, be my guest, I just know that it’s all going to come crashing down soon and I don’t want to be there when it happens.

Erick Fedde, Cardinals, RHP (@ Rockies, vs. Padres)

The Cardinals want to continue to give Fedde chances to bolster his trade value before the deadline, but this doesn’t seem like a wise time to do so. He’s only going to damage his ratios further by pitching at Coors Field and then battling a dangerous Padres’ offense at home, and what little trade value he may still have will be wiped away. He most certainly shouldn’t be trusted for fantasy purposes right now.

Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Reds, @ Twins)

I’m having a tough time trying to find reasons to justify streaming Irvin this week. The matchups are on the tougher side, he doesn’t generate many strikeouts and his chances of earning a victory are hurt by the strong opponents and the fact that he pitches for the Nationals. At best you’re hoping for six or seven strikeouts and an outside shot at a victory while on the rough end of expectations you could wind up with a ratio disaster. It depends on your risk tolerance, but I’d probably stay away.

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Report: Kings' Kopitar Believed To Be Entering Final NHL Season

The Los Angeles Kings have made some changes to their roster this offseason, and one thing that fans have been waiting for is a potential extension for long-time forward Anze Kopitar.

In a recent report, it was revealed that Kopitar could be entering his last season in the NHL and isn't expected to sign an extension with the Kings.

Kopitar, who is 37 years old, has scored 440 goals and added 838 assists for 1278 points through 1454 games in his career. He has spent his entire career with the Kings, helping them win two Stanley Cups in the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons.

Time will tell if he ends up hanging up his skates, but if this is his last season in the NHL with the Kings, he has built himself a potential Hall of Fame career.

Report: LA Kings GM Claims Anze Kopitar Extension Won't Come This SummerReport: LA Kings GM Claims Anze Kopitar Extension Won't Come This SummerWhile the Los Angeles Kings try to build a roster capable of going deep into the playoffs next season, fans have begun to wonder what is next for forwards Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar. While general manager Ken Holland mentioned that extension discussions were going to get underway with Kempe, he delivered some not-so-positive news about Kopitar. Report: Kings' Adrian Kempe Asking Price On Next Contract RevealedReport: Kings' Adrian Kempe Asking Price On Next Contract RevealedThe Los Angeles Kings will soon have to focus on trying to re-sign forward Adrian Kempe, and while there is no indication he has any interest in leaving the organization, his asking price was revealed in a recent report from The Fourth Period, and the two sides are expected to ramp up contract talks soon. LA Kings & NHL Announce 2025-26 Regular Season ScheduleLA Kings & NHL Announce 2025-26 Regular Season ScheduleThe Los Angeles Kings & the National Hockey League revealed the Kings' 2025-26 regular season schedule on Wednesday (Jul. 16).
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Kings reportedly interested in former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons in NBA free agency

Kings reportedly interested in former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons in NBA free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings reportedly are interested in signing free-agent point guard Ben Simmons.

The three-time NBA All-Star has received interest from Sacramento, per multiple reports, along with other teams such as the New York Knicks.

“For Ben Simmons, the two teams we’re hearing for him still are Sacramento and New York,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said. “We are still anticipating the Kings to be bringing in another veteran guard, and Ben Simmons is on that list of potential targets in addition to Russell Westbrook, to Malcolm Brogdon.”

Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons. A disk issue has stymied the 28-year-old, forcing him to miss significant time and sapping much of the dynamic playmaking ability that made him one of the elite players coming into the league.

Still, Simmons would easily fit into Sacramento’s lineup, so a potential partnership isn’t out of the question.

“Some of the chatter I’ve heard out there a little bit, and I’m wondering what price he might come at… Ben Simmons is still out there,” NBC Sports California’s and ESPN’s Mark Jones told Jason Ross on Sactown Sports. “He’d be great in the type of style that the Kings might want to run this year.”

Simmons played in 51 games and averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets last season. While the numbers are a far cry from his production before the back injury, the 28-year-old has plenty of talent and veteran savvy to make an impact for the Kings.

While Simmons might never regain his All-Star form, he can provide solid ball movement and steady defense when needed. Given that Sacramento still is in the market for another free agent, Simmons definitely is an option for first-year general manager Scott Perry.

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Celtics made contract offer to Lillard before he chose Blazers: Report

Celtics made contract offer to Lillard before he chose Blazers: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics were not able to sign Damian Lillard as a free agent, but the latest reporting indicates that they did make an attempt.

Lillard has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday. He played the first 11 seasons of his career with the Blazers after they drafted him with the No. 6 overall pick in 2012. The Blazers traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-24 campaign.

The Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that made offers to Lillard, per Charania.

“He was going to spend the year rehabbing his Achilles tear in the Portland area anyway, so returning to the Blazers franchise, even though he requested a trade just two years ago, was something he deeply cared about,” Charania said Friday on SportsCenter.

“Boston, Minnesota, dozens of other teams had minimum and mid-level exception offers out to Damian Lillard in the last several weeks.”

Lillard tore his Achilles during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in April, and as a result, he could miss the entire 2025-26 season.

The Bucks waived Lillard in early July, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with any team.

Lillard would have been a nice addition to the Celtics roster. Even at 35 years old, he’s still a very good scorer. He averaged 24.9 points per game for the Bucks last season. But many other teams, including the Blazers, were able to offer Lillard more money than the Celtics.

“Dame probably wasn’t going to go somewhere for the minimum. Superstar players just don’t do that, even when they’re older and coming off an Achilles injury,” our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg said Thursday on NBC Sports Boston show Arbella Early Edition, as seen in the video player above.

“I just never really thought it was a thing Boston could pull off. (But) it’s a call you have to make when you’re in a position the Celtics are, and you need to take some swings at low-cost guys who have some high upside if everything broke right.”

The Celtics still need more frontcourt depth after losing Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet this offseason. Al Horford is still a free agent.

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Warriors' Steph Curry issues Devin Booker golf challenge after losing rare bet

Warriors' Steph Curry issues Devin Booker golf challenge after losing rare bet originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry hilariously issued Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker a golf challenge after the Warriors superstar himself lost a bet on the green to content creator Gabriella Degasperis, more commonly known as GabbyGolfGirl.

Here’s what Curry said on FaceTime with Booker, as shown in GabbyGolfGirl’s latest YouTube video from her recent matchup with Golden State’s finest in Palo Alto.

“So, uhh, I’m out here on the golf course, and I just lost a bet, and I had to pay it up,” Curry told Booker, alongside the internet sensation. “You’re the most amazing teammate that anybody could have, so I figured you’d come in and help me out. 

“I’m here with GabbyGolfGirl … I lost a little 1-v-1 nine-hole match to Gabby. Nine holes, we went all square and then I lost the chip-off at the end. And so, I was going to have her caddie for me with like the biggest, heaviest tour bag you’ve ever seen in your life. But I lost, and now she is going to now get to play against you in a 1-v-1 match at some point.”

GabbyGolfGirl owns Curry, apparently. 

Curry blew his opportunity to make his new rival carry the heaviest bag of golf gear and followed through on what seemingly was Degasperis’ end of the deal, which is a future match with Booker.

The pair of NBA stars were Team USA basketball teammates during the iconic 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in which the Americans brought home gold. Curry, then, had the chance to get to know Booker better as a teammate and travel partner.

But while Curry described Booker as a world-class teammate, that doesn’t mean the face of the Suns is going to be Mr. Nice Guy. Booker let Curry and Degasperis know that he won’t be messing around against GabbyGolfGirl, and the Warriors star backed the sentiment.

“By the way, [Booker] is going to get the appropriate amount of strokes, and this man is balling right now on the golf course,” Curry said on FaceTime. “So I’m just going to let you (Degasperis) know that. He’s locked in.”

Time will tell if Booker can defeat GabbyGolfGirl on behalf of hoopers-turned-golfers everywhere.

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Flashback Friday: Where Are They Now? Alexander Wennberg

Drafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Alexander Wennberg joined the Seattle Kraken as an unrestricted free agent on July 28th, 2021 after six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and a single season with the Florida Panthers. 

A fan favorite, Wennberg is known for his quick feet and playmaking ability.   In his (almost) three seasons with the Kraken, Wennberg played in 222 games scoring 33 goals and amassing 67 assists.  He was responsible for scoring the game-winning goal nine times.

 

November 30, 2024: Alexander Wennberg photo by Candace Kludt | Come As You Are Hockey

In March of 2024, the Kraken traded Wennberg to the New York Rangers for a 2024 2nd round draft pick and a conditional 4th-round pick in the 2025 draft.  He finished out the season in New York where he reached 700 NHL games.

November 30th, 2024: Alexander Wennberg Faces Off With Yanni Gourde photo by Candace Kludt | Come As You Are Hockey

Once again a free agent, Wennberg signed a two-year, 10 million dollar contract with the San Jose Sharks.  The 2025-26 season marks the second year of that contract.  In the 2024-25 season, Wennberg played in 77 games with the Sharks.  He amassed 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in that time.  Time will tell if the Sharks will re-sign the veteran center or use him for trade collateral.  The team is young and rebuilding, and it is not clear if there is a permanent place for Alexander Wennberg.

 

Related:

Kraken's Recently Acquired and Bought-Out Forward Signs With CanadiensKraken's Recently Acquired and Bought-Out Forward Signs With CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens have signed recently acquired and then bought out Seattle Kraken forward Joe Veleno to a one-year, $900,000 contract. 


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Watch Warriors star Steph Curry's great reflexes during bizarre fan encounter

Watch Warriors star Steph Curry's great reflexes during bizarre fan encounter originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry’s lightning-quick reflexes aren’t limited to the basketball court.

The Warriors superstar showed off his incredible reaction speed during a bizarre encounter with a fan at a San Jose supermarket Friday.

A fan threw a golf ball at Curry — presumably hoping the two-time NBA MVP would grace it with an autograph — but the delivery was far from gracious, with the ball being thrown at an unnecessarily high velocity toward the star point guard’s head.

Here’s the same angle, but in slow motion.

Curry was at a Safeway supermarket in San Jose promoting the beverage company, “Plezi,” a nutritional sports beverage that touts its “real ingredients” with no added sugars. Curry’s appearance also allowed fans an opportunity to take a photo with the Golden State legend, hence the large crowd on hand lining up around the block well before his arrival.

Thankfully, Curry’s rapid response to the incoming golf ball helped avoid what could have been a catastrophic incident. Moving forward, hopefully there now is an understanding not to throw objects of any kind near the personal vicinity of the four-time NBA champion.

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Exciting Penguins Prospect Named Among Top Young Goalies

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hopeful that goaltender Joel Blomqvist will become a long-term answer for them between the pipes. It is understandable, as the 23-year-old has shown promise at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins early on in his career.

During the 2023-24 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he had a 25-12-6 record, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.16 goals-against average. He followed that up with an 8-7-3 record, a .914 save percentage, and a 2.84 goals-against average this past season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He also played in his first 15 games with Pittsburgh in 2024-25, recording a 4-9-1 record, a .885 save percentage, and a 3.81 goals-against average.

Due to his strong AHL play and solid upside, Blomqvist has now gotten some praise. In a recent article for NHL.com, Kevin Woodley ranked the 10 best goalies who are under 25, and Blomqvist secured the final spot on the list. 

When noting that Blomqvist has the potential to emerge as an NHL starting goalie, it makes sense that he made Woodley's list. The Finnish netminder has been a very good goalie at the AHL level, and he should only improve as he continues to get more experience with Pittsburgh moving forward. 

Overall, it is hard not to feel optimistic about Blomqvist's future. It will be interesting to see what kind of season he can put together in 2025-26 from here.

NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins' Bryan Rust Linked To 3 TeamsNHL Trade Rumors: Penguins' Bryan Rust Linked To 3 TeamsPittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust is one of the NHL's top trade candidates right now. With the Penguins retooling, the 33-year-old winger would have the potential to land them a significant return if they decided to trade him.

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images