By Zach Crizer sports.yahoo.com The final plate appearance of the World Baseball Classic would’ve lit up the night even if it didn’t have the names. How many crucial or championship-deciding games are actually decided in the fourth inning? How many sputter to an end on an excuse-me check swing? Or […]
Zach Crizer
What Edwin Díaz’s devastating knee injury means for the Mets’ 2023 ambitions
By Zach Crizer sports.yahoo.com The reality of Edwin Díaz’s shocking, freak knee injury is still sinking in. The best closer in baseball, whose 2022 season with the New York Mets ranked among the great relief seasons in MLB history, will likely not pitch in 2023 after suffering a torn patellar […]
Twins or Guardians? Can the White Sox rebound? What’s in store for Tigers, Royals?
By Zach Crizer sports.yahoo.com Baseball season is right around the corner, which means it’s time for divisional previews! Between now and MLB Opening Day on March 30, Yahoo Sports will be rolling out our thoughts on each division, including a quick recap of the offseason and best- and worst-case scenarios […]
How Giants OF Michael Conforto is using a lost year to get ready for a crucial 2023
By Zach Crizer sports.yahoo.com SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — He just turned 30. He bats left-handed. He boasts a career 124 OPS+ — the same as Nolan Arenado and Rafael Devers — and he was a free agent this winter. By those measures, you’d expect a bidding war for a long-term centerpiece. […]
One Dodgers rookie stopped swinging because he had to. Data says more MLB hitters should follow suit
By Zach Crizer sports.yahoo.com PHOENIX — Miguel Vargas, the 23-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers rookie expected to take over at second base, has reached base in one-third of his 15 spring training plate appearances. Good, fine, that .333 on-base percentage would’ve been solidly above average in the regular season last season. […]