Sports
MLB power rankings: Who's favored to meet Dodgers in World Series?
Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) watches the flight of his home run against the Yomiuri Giants during the third inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Remember Sham? Of course you do.
On name alone, you just had to buy a ticket on him in his quest to upset Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.
As far as we know, Sham is still somewhere rounding the far turn, winning the duel of horses no longer visible on your TV screen.
And there goes Secretariat … along with my lottery ticket.
The point here is: This year’s Major League Baseball race is a sham. A fraud. A put-on.
An eminence front, if you will.
The Dodgers are Secretariat. The other 29 teams are, relatively speaking, shams.
By all rights, the No. 2 slot in the 2025 season-opening Power Rankings should be left blank.
Who is the Dodgers’ chief competition this season? There is none.
Starting at the bottom, because that’s where there’s still an ounce of mystery, here’s how the teams rank as they start the death march. My suggestion: If you like a name — the A’s without a city distinction? — bet it to place or show.
30. Miami Marlins: Their big offseason additions — Cal Quantrill and Eric Wagaman — make you wonder: Is Cooper Flagg available in the lottery this year?
29. Chicago White Sox: Over the last decade, the average win total of the worst team in baseball has been 56. That would be a 15-game improvement for the White Sox … and bad news for the Marlins.
28. Colorado Rockies: Owner Dick Monfort, who predicted a .500 season in 2023 (he missed by just 22 wins), is now calling his defense potentially the best “in the history of the game.” Then again, he has Deion’s Colorado Buffaloes as No. 2.
27. Washington Nationals: They’ve given up on the Joey Gallo experiment. Good for them. Now they’ve begun the Josh Bell/Paul DeJong experiment. Bad for them. Really bad for them.
26. Toronto Blue Jays: It’s shocking they haven’t been able to agree on a blockbuster trade with the Giants: The most overrated prospects in the game for the most overrated first baseman.
25. Athletics: Sacramento’s rental is spending money. Imagine that. A boatload is going to Luis Severino. Who says being cheap is a bad thing?
24. Pittsburgh Pirates: Here are the San Antonio Spurs of baseball: You’ve got the most dominant force in the game, but really no interest in winning quite yet.
23. Tampa Bay Rays: They have no stadium. They have no talent. But they do have Kevin Cash. They might be seven spots lower without him.
22. St. Louis Cardinals: No more Paul Goldschmidt. But Nolan Arenado is back. The latter qualifies as: Subtraction by Retention.
21. Los Angeles Angels: The AL Worst has gotten so weak … If Mike Trout turns into a big fish again, even this team could win the division.
20. Milwaukee Brewers: In the NL Central, everyone has a puncher’s chance. Ex-boxer Pat Murphy would know. But he also knows, regardless of how Round 1 goes, you can always get knocked out in Round 2.
19. Houston Astros: They can’t figure out what to do with Jose Altuve. I can think of about 29 teams that would love to have that problem.
18. Minnesota Twins: This year’s theme is: “If we stay healthy …” I got three things to say about that: Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis. They won’t.
17. Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy is old, but apparently he still loves teeter totters. What goes up, must come down. And vice versa. Supposedly, this is a “goes up” year.
16. Cleveland Guardians: Oye como va. The Carlos Santana reunion tour hits Cleveland this summer. These things are never like the originals.
15. Detroit Tigers: They’ve already done something few others will accomplish this season: They’ve one-upped the Dodgers — sending them Jack Flaherty last July for two really nice prospects, then snatching him back on the open market in February. Brilliant.
14. Cincinnati Reds: Going baseball-hunting this summer? Try behind first base at a Reds game when Elly De La Cruz puts on an errant aerial show AFC North fans have come to identify with Deshaun Watson.
13. Kansas City Royals: They improved from 56 to 86 wins basically overnight. Now here comes Jac Caglianone. That’s Italian for “Second Coming of John Mayberry.”
12. Chicago Cubs: Rival general managers are calling the addition of Kyle Tucker the best move of the MLB offseason. Presumably, if the Cubs had landed Juan Soto, it would have been labeled the best move of the century.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks: A mirror image of the Mariners, only in a much tougher league. If MLB mandates that all starting pitchers must go nine innings … look out, Dodgers.
10. San Francisco Giants: Gabe Kapler was criticized for not giving the Giants’ overblown prospects a chance, even while winning 107 games. In his second season, veteran-friendly Bob Melvin clearly has made the same assessment. Hello, 90 wins.
9. Seattle Mariners: These guys have so much pitching, you wouldn’t want to play them in a 15-game series. They all hit like Buddy Biancalana but, in today’s AL West, having one strength is enough.
8. Atlanta Braves: If you can’t beat them: The Braves responded to elimination by the Padres by raiding them … for Jurickson Profar? That’s the best they could do?
7. San Diego Padres: Hey, Sham did beat Secretariat in the Wood Memorial, so anything’s possible. If nothing else, they got the Dodgers’ attention last postseason.
6. Philadelphia Phillies: Some say they did nothing in the offseason. Not true. Their 30-somethings turned 30-something-plus-one. That’s not good.
5. New York Yankees: The Yankees of new got a taste of the Yankees of old in the financial mismatch of the 2024 World Series, then responded by doubling down on the fiscal sensibility of their new era. The Mets and Red Sox say: Thank you.
4. Boston Red Sox: Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, Alex Bregman … If these guys don’t make the playoffs this season, they really should retire Babe Ruth’s jersey as a gift to the never-forgiving baseball gods.
3. Baltimore Orioles: They say you have to taste the postseason before you can truly enjoy it, so here we are with baseball’s most talented up-and-comer. It’s their turn in the Junior League.
2. New York Mets: Last year they had Grimace. This year there’s a new face of the franchise: Smiley. No, not Soto. Rather, the guy who will benefit most from the mega-signing: Pete Alonso.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: They figure to open the season with about $50 million worth of pitchers unable to take the hill. That’s OK, because they have another $100 million ready to perform. But at least it’s a sliver of chipped paint on Hoover Dam.
–Dave Del Grande, Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
