MLS Cup Conference Finals

The 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) season draws closer to crowning its winner as the conference semifinals are now in the books, leaving us with the final four contenders – two from each conference. The conference finals will be played in the same format as the semifinals with two games deciding the conference winner, and […]

Three Third-Year Starting Pitcher Breakouts

As much attention as has been heaped upon the stellar rookie class of 2015 (something I’m guilty of myself), there were plenty of breakout seasons from other young players. Today, we’ll take a look at a trio of third-year starting pitchers who made the leap: Chris Archer, Gerrit Cole, and Danny Salazar. The first overall […]

Phillies Acquire Hellickson From D-Backs For Pitching Prospect

In a quiet but crucial move for 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for starting pitcher Sam McWilliams, according to Philly.com. The move puts Hellickson’s at the top of the Phillies rotation for 2016. The six-year veteran isn’t coming off a good year but will provide […]

D-Backs Eyeing Gallardo For 2015 Rotation

The Arizona Diamondbacks could be making a run at free agent pitcher Yovani Gallardo, according to ESPN.com. The right-hander opted to decline the Texas Rangers' $15.8 million qualifying offer in order to explore the open market. The D-Backs are the first name to surface to be Gallardo’s new landing spot. The market for pitching is […]

Who Are The 4 Prospects Heading To SD For Kimbrel?

The Boston Red Sox made the first big splash of the off-season when they acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres in exchange for four prospects. Fans are going to look at the move more in Boston setting up a deeper bullpen, but the prospects could make the deal a steal for San […]

Mets Ask Braves About Simmons: ATL Wants Harvey Or deGrom

Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons could be with a new team before the start of the 2016 season but it’s going to cost teams a lot if they want to acquire the infielder. The New York Mets were the first team to realize that when they checked the availability of the Braves’ star, according to […]

Euro 2016 Play Off Preview - Another Quick Look

The expanded format of the European Championships mean that 4 places still remain for the international soccer tournament highlight of 2016 that will take place in France next summer. Ironically, the extended format designed to ensure that all the European star names were in attendance at the tournament has already suffered a major blow by […]

Future Tense: Arizona Fall League Updates (November 12th Edition)

This seems like a good time to check in on some of the names we spotlighted weeks ago, to see who’s been able to live up to their potential and if any have been busts. We’ll start things off with a Rays’ first baseman that we were really high on to open the Arizona Fall […]

Rangers Extend Qualifying Offer To Yovani Gallardo

The Texas Rangers have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo, according to Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News. Rangers extend QO to Yo Gallardo. Does this make it either/or but not both on Gallardo/Colby Lewis? https://t.co/7k2bOUptex — Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) November 6, 2015 The 29-year-old Gallardo has been a model […]

Cardinals Extend Qualifying Offer To Heyward, Lackey

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that they have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to outfielder Jason Heyward and starting pitcher John Lackey. The Cardinals have made qualifying offers to OF Jason Heyward and RHP John Lackey. — St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) November 6, 2015 The 26-year-old Heyward has put together a stellar six-year […]

Nationals Extend Qualifying Offer To Desmond, Zimmermann; Not Span, Fister

The Washington Nationals have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to shortstop Ian Desmond and starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, as announced by James Wagner of the Washington Post. Nats say they've extended qualifying offers to Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond. Denard Span doesn't get one. — James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) November 6, 2015 Desmond, 30, had […]

Padres Extend Qualifying Offer To Upton, Kennedy

The San Diego Padres have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to outfielder Justin Upton and starting pitcher Ian Kennedy, according to Padres beat writer Corey Brock. #Padres will make qualifying offer to J-Up; leaning toward yes on IPK. https://t.co/Kc7pkrAvIp — Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) November 5, 2015 Over his nine-year career, Upton, 28, has spent […]

Orioles Extend Qualifying Offer To Chen, Davis & Wieters

The Baltimore Orioles have announced that they have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, first baseman Chris Davis, and catcher Matt Wieters. The Orioles have made Qualifying Offers to LHP Wei-Yin Chen, INF Chris Davis, and C Matt Wieters. — Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 6, 2015 Chen, 30, is testing […]

Blue Jays Extend Qualifying Offer To Marco Estrada

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that they have extended a $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Marco Estrada. The Toronto Blue Jays have extended a qualifying offer to RHP Marco Estrada. pic.twitter.com/WZCaUWqIFs — Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 6, 2015 Extending a qualifying offer to Estrada came as a bit of a surprise. […]

White Sox Extend Qualifying Offer To Samardzija

The Chicago White Sox have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. #WhiteSox announce they've made a qualifying offer to Jeff Samardzija. #theshark — Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 6, 2015 Samardzija, 30, had a rough season in his one and only year with the Chicago White Sox. […]

Mariners Extend Qualifying Offer To Hisashi Iwakuma

The Seattle Mariners announced that they have extended the $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma. The #Mariners have confirmed that they have extended a qualify offer to free agent RHP Hisashi Iwakuma. — MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) November 6, 2015 The 34-year-old Iwakuma has found success in his four years with the Seattle Mariners. […]

Dodgers Extend Qualifying Offer To Greinke, Anderson, Kendrick

The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that they have extended a $15.8 million qualifying offer to starting pitchers Zack Greinke, Brett Anderson and second baseman Howie Kendrick. #Dodgers extend qualifying offers to Zack Greinke, Brett Anderson and Howie Kendrick. https://t.co/EJhc9bMz4P — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 6, 2015 After Greinke announced that he would opt out […]

Future Tense: Arizona Fall League Surprises (November 7th Edition)

We’ve looked at some successes and some not-so-successful (we want to be positive here, so no negative thoughts coming from Future Tense today…) over the last two installments. This time around, we are going to look at some truly surprising performances, starting with a Brewer shortstop that has gone from mediocrity in the PCL to superstar […]

Fielder And Harvey Win Comeback Player Of The Year Awards

Texas Rangers DH Prince Fielder has been named the AL Comeback Player of the Year for 2015 after an excellent season while the New York Mets Matt Harvey won the same award for the NL. In 2014, Fielder only played in 42 games until he was required to undergo season-ending surgery on his neck. After […]

Daily Fantasy Soccer for 11/7: DraftKing Targets For The EPL For Matchday 12

With the Premier League in full swing and Draft Kings adding new and improved rules to its soccer competitions, we're here to bring you the top picks for each position in this weekend's cash games and GPPs for EPL Daily Fantasy Soccer. Below you'll find daily fantasy soccer notes and suggestions for goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders […]

La Liga Preview - Round 11

La Liga plays the 11th round of matches this weekend before going into the international break and with the mouth-watering El Clasico waiting on the other side of the break, you can’t wait for the next round to come, right? Not so fast, because there are plenty of equally enticing matches this weekend which should […]

Serie A and Bundesliga - Round 12

The 12th round of games in Serie A and The Bundesliga will be played this weekend and with one eye on the international break, most teams will be eager to not lose ground in this latest round. Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about the EPL and […]

MLS Conference Play-Off Semi-Finals Second Leg

The first leg of the Major League Soccer (MLS) play-offs was an entertaining round as the eight remaining teams dished out some exciting matches. As we prepare for the last leg of the play-offs, let’s look ahead to what’s in store and who may end up advancing to the conference finals. Editor’s Note: Be sure […]

2016 Free Agents and Potential Qualifying Offer Fates

Now that we've entered the MLB offseason, it's time to talk qualifying offers. Teams will spend the next few days deciding whether or not to extend a qualifying offer to their impending free agents. The qualifying offer system was designed to replace the old arbitration-based system that used Type A, B, and C free agents. […]

Can Dybala Spur Juventus In Serie A?

A quick look at the Italian Serie ‘A’ table after ten games will shock you, if you are a Juventus fan, as the four-time defending champion is languishing in 10th position on 15 points. However, that only tells half of the story. After a wretched start that saw them flirt with the bottom five, Old Lady […]

Germany, Italy and Spain Roundup

For all the die-hard football fans, there was an abundance of excitement in Europe over the weekend with action from all the major leagues keeping us hooked. Here we gloss over the main talking points dominating the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and German Bundesliga. Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out all of our […]

Future Tense: Who's Struggling In The Arizona Fall League (November 3rd Edition)

Last time around, we looked at some of the hottest players in the Arizona Fall League. This time around, it’s time to look at who isn’t.   Underperformers Of The AFL Mike Yastrzemski, Outfield, Baltimore Orioles A sad reality in baseball is that people seem to think that just because a relative can play baseball, so […]

Champions League - Highlighted Games

Once again this week across Europe, the continent's footballing elite pit themselves against each other in the group stages of the Champions League. Given what is going on in many of the region's domestic leagues, there are a few games that catch the eye and, for the footballing aficionado, should not be missed. Editor’s Note: […]

Special Announcement: Lineup And Scoring Changes For Draft Kings EPL and MLS Daily Games

Lineup Changes Formally for daily games, rosters were accumulated under the following format; 1 Goalkeeper 2 Defenders 2 Midfielders 2 Forwards 1 FLEX (A player of any position except GK) Starting this weekend, for the MLS Playoffs and Matchday 11 of the English Premier League, rosters will be expanded to a full 11-player lineup and will […]

Buehrle Could Win GG At 36

Mark Buehrle could win his fifth career Gold Glove since he’s one of the American League finalist for the great pitching defense he provided this season. The Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher won four straight Gold Gloves from 2009-2012. Buehrle hasn’t won the award in three years while a different pitcher has won the award. […]