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NEW YORK – On Sunday night, just before he was getting ready to eat dinner in his Chelsea penthouse, Aaron Judge picked up his phone and called Anthony Volpe. The Yankees had just romped the Orioles, 11-3. Judge went 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run. Ben Rice and Jasson Dominguez left the yard, too. The Yankees offense, which leads the American League in runs scored, collected 15 hits and batted .417 with runners in scoring position in their Sunday afternoon win against Baltimore. A couple of hours later, the Yankees announced a gutsy move. They reinstated Volpe from his rehab assignment and, instead of calling him up to the major-league roster, they demoted him to Triple-A Scranton. “What’d they say?” Judge asked Volpe on the phone. “How are you feeling? What’s going on? How’s the shoulder feeling, really?” Judge said he spoke to Volpe for 30–40 minutes. The Yankees captain wanted to check in on the 25-year-old shortstop, who had just lost his job to Jose Caballero. “That was tough,” Judge told me on the field at Yankee Stadium on Monday. “Anthony’s my guy. But I know he’s going to be more motivated than ever to come back here. The team’s been doing well. Caballero at shortstop has been doing just an amazing job, defensively and offensively. So, it’s kind of a tough position to be put in where, you know, how are you gonna change things up?” After the Blue Jays eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs last October, Volpe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It was an injury that had bothered Volpe all year, with club officials explaining that the labrum tear was part of the reason he hit .212/.272/.391 and posted an OPS+ of 82. The team announced he would miss the start of the season, and Caballero would take over until Volpe completed his rehab. Initially, at least, the Yankees’ plan was always to bring Volpe back to the big leagues. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said as much, multiple times this season, when he was asked about Volpe’s rehab progress. At Volpe’s end, he’d said his shoulder felt great. He spent a few days with the Yankees on the days off from his rehab schedule last month. Taking into account how staunchly the Yankees over the past three years have defended Volpe’s performance and future impact on the club, all signs pointed to the shortstop patrolling the middle of the infield by May. So, what changed? Caballero, after a slow start to the season, started ripping the cover off the ball. The 29-year-old infielder, whom the Yankees traded for at last year’s deadline, entered Monday hitting .324/.370/.544 with four home runs, eight stolen bases, eight RBI and 12 runs scored over his last 19 games. He’s also been a vacuum at one of the most demanding positions in baseball. Caballero leads all MLB shortstops with 7 Defensive Runs Saved. In terms of range, Caballero’s 3 Outs Above Average are ranked in the 94th percentile. “It doesn’t change how we feel about Anthony, and the kind of player we think he is and will be,” Boone said on Monday, explaining the organization’s decision. “But, in this moment of time, we felt like this was absolutely the right thing to do. A lot of that has to do with, we have a lot of really good players right now competing for real roles and real spots. I think that competition ultimately is going to be a great thing for us. “So, right now, I think this is the right choice for us. I think it’s the right thing to do even for Anthony.” While Caballero’s stock started to rise over the past few weeks, the Yankees have become a machine. Their offense, as previously mentioned, is clicking on all cylinders. Yankees hitters lead the AL in slugging percentage, RBI, walk rate and stolen bases. Their starting pitching leads the majors in ERA, WHIP, WAR, strikeouts and opponent batting average. Their bullpen, while not as dominant as it’s been in recent years, is still ranked sixth in the majors in ERA. On Monday, the Yankees completed a sweep of the Orioles in a four-game series. New York’s 24-11 record is the best in the AL and the second-best in the majors, trailing only the Atlanta Braves. It’s possible that bringing up Volpe now would’ve created a tense environment in the Bronx. Fans would’ve expected Volpe to play at the same edgy and high-energy level as Caballero. Even in the clubhouse, replacing Caballero with Volpe would not have been a seamless transition. “It’s a surprise,” Judge said of his reaction to Volpe’s demotion. “But then also, Caballero is rolling, you know? So that’s the biggest thing. How the team’s flowing right now, it’s kind of tough to move some things around.” That was Judge’s way of suggesting he agrees with the Yankees’ decision to keep Volpe in the minors, for now. The slugger told Volpe that he’s a big piece of the puzzle moving forward. Judge reminded Volpe that the Yankees reached the World Series in 2024 with him as their shortstop. Volpe had some big hits against the Dodgers in that Fall Classic, including a grand slam that gave the Yankees the lead in Game 4. Coming through at the plate in the postseason is actually Volpe’s high-water mark. Even last October, the shortstop batted .364 (4-for-11) with a home run and two RBI in the Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, helping the Yankees advance to the ALDS. But, while Volpe has shown flashes of what could end up being a bright future, his inconsistency at the plate over the course of the long season has been a problem. After three years, 472 games and 1,886 plate appearances, Volpe has a career OPS+ of 83. “It’s acknowledging where we are as a club right now,” Boone said. “It doesn’t mean somebody’s better or worse. I think Anthony’s going to be a really good player and have a long career in this league. His next step as a player is gaining that consistency offensively. Even through some of his struggles, I think he’s been a way better player than some of the narratives around him sometimes are.” Sure, some of the narratives that circulated online and on talk-radio shows painted Volpe as the worst player Yankees fans have ever seen. That’s simply not the case. It’s easy to overlook that, despite his rough rookie year, Volpe still posted a 20/20 season. But, over the years, the Yankees were unwilling to even entertain the idea that Volpe, who was promoted to the majors after just 21 games in Triple-A, was likely not ready to be declared the long-term solution at shortstop. So, demoting Volpe is a complete reversal of how the organization has operated. After the Yankees missed the playoffs in 2023, general manager Brian Cashman defended Volpe and his player-development processes in a curse-laden outburst with reporters at the GM meetings. Boone, too, used to get irritated at repeated questions about Volpe’s lack of performance. The Yankees stuck with him to the point of stubborn, almost unreasonable, support of the shortstop. At no point during his young career was Volpe sent down to the minors. Until now. The Yankees are showing a noticeable shift in urgency and intensity this season. They demoted former Rookie of the Year Luis Gil after he struggled through four starts this season. They designated veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment. Third baseman Ryan McMahon has had a short leash at the hot corner. This season, the Yankees have preferred to play the hot hand, highlighted by infielder Amed Rosario performing well and forcing himself into the mix. Demoting Volpe is the clearest sign yet that the Yankees are moving differently this year. Boone on Monday even appeared open to the idea that Volpe might have to switch positions, particularly with George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ No. 1 overall top prospect, joining Volpe in Triple-A Scranton. Judge said he’d like to see Volpe back up with the Yankees even if his role is as “a utility guy.” And even Judge, who tends to tip-toe around questions about front-office decision-making, has noticed the shift in urgency. “Well, we got a good ball club, you know, it’s good to be urgent,” Judge said. “Because us, as players, man, we’re up there, we’re fighting for our lives every single day. We’re trying to win every single ball game. So to see it from the management side, where it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re not gonna mess around here with some moves. We’re gonna do whatever’s best for the team.’ So, you know, you appreciate seeing that as a player. But, I let those guys handle that.” Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Kylian Mbappe responded to a fresh wave of criticism in Spain, insisting on Tuesday he remains fully committed to recovering from his latest injury. The Real Madrid and France forward is sidelined by a left hamstring issue which is casting doubt about his availability for Sunday’s clásico in Barcelona, the biggest match in Spanish soccer. During his time off, Mbappé reportedly traveled to Italy with actress Ester Expósito last weekend, prompting criticism in Spanish media that he may not be taking his rehabilitation seriously. Madrid fans have questioned why the league’s best striker was on holiday ahead of the clásico. An online petition made by fans urging Real Madrid to get rid of Kylian Mbappé has garnered over 4.2 million signatures. Mbappé denied any wrongdoing through a statement from his representatives sent to The Associated Press. “Part of the criticism is based on an overinterpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, without reflecting the reality of Kylian’s commitment and the work he puts in every day for the team,” the statement read. Unhappy Real Madrid supporters believe Mbappé is saving himself for the World Cup that begins in five weeks. He also drew criticism earlier this season when he couldn’t play because of a knee ailment. Madrid has little to play for in the final stretch of the season. The club has been eliminated in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, and is virtually out of contention in La Liga as it trails Barcelona by 11 points with four rounds remaining. Barcelona could clinch on Sunday. Madrid has yet to say whether Mbappé will be fit and available for the clásico. Spanish media say Mbappé went to Madrid’s training center on a day off to continue his recovery. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Chris Devenski has been suspended for three games and fined for intentionally throwing at Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. Devenski intentionally threw at Stewart in the top of the seventh inning of Pittsburgh’s 17-7 win at PNC Park on Saturday. He was ejected following the incident. Pirates manager Don Kelly was also suspended for one game and received an undisclosed fine, MLB senior vice president for on-field operations Michael Hill announced. Devenski’s suspension is set to start on Tuesday night, when the Pirates open a road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. If Devenski appeals, the suspension would be put off during that process. His fine was not disclosed. Kelly was also set to serve his suspension on Tuesday night. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With the primary player acquisition periods in the books, which NFL defenses are poised to be the most feared in 2026? Here’s my prediction for the top 10 defenses in the upcoming season, in descending order: Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA) Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with. Key additions: OLB Trey Hendrickson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA), OLB Zion Young (draft)Key losses: DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), S Alohi Gilman (FA) The Maxx Crosby deal may have fallen through, but the Ravens will have much more pass rush juice in 2026 with the additions of former All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, who had 35 sacks from 2023-24, and second-round rookie Zion Young, who had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri. There has also been optimism about the potential return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a career-threatening neck injury at the start of last season. Key additions: DT Javon Hargrave (FA), LB Zaire Franklin (trade), CB Benjamin St-Juste (FA), CB Brandon Cisse (draft), DT Chris McClellan (draft), OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton (draft)Key losses: OLB Rashan Gary (trade), LB Quay Walker (FA), DL Colby Wooden (trade), DE Kingsley Enagbare (FA) If All-Pro edge Micah Parsons is healthy — he tore his ACL in December — the Packers are equipped to take a step forward in 2026, even after trading Rashan Gary. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin replace Colby Wooden and Quay Walker, respectively — on paper, both upgrades. Green Bay is also deeper at cornerback than a year ago with veteran Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Brandon Cisse in the fold. Key additions: LB Quincy Williams (FA), S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (draft)Key losses: LB Devin Bush (FA), DL Shelby Harris (FA) While the impact of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s departure remains unclear, the Browns should still have one of the league’s best units. Cleveland lost just one full-time starter in Devin Bush Jr., and found a replacement who should suffice in former All-Pro Quincy Williams. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick in this year’s draft, bolsters an already strong secondary. Key additions: S Kevin Byard (FA), DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), OLB Gabe Jacas (draft)Key losses: LB Jack Gibbens (FA), DT Khyiris Tonga (FA), OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA) The reigning AFC champion Patriots, who ranked fourth in scoring defense and eighth in yards allowed in 2025, added more playmaking in the back end with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season. They also brought in much-needed depth to the edge rusher spot in veteran Dre’Mont Jones and second-round pick Gabe Jacas. Key additions: CB Jaylen Watson (FA), CB Trent McDuffie (trade)Key losses: CB Cobie Durant (FA) The Rams already had one of the best defensive fronts in football and now have a top-tier cornerback tandem in former All-Pro Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom were previously with the Chiefs. With Chris Shula returning as coordinator, Los Angeles has a championship-caliber defense. Key additions: OLB Jonathan Greenard (trade), CB Riq Woolen (FA), OLB Arnold Ebiketie (FA)Key losses: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Nakobe Dean (FA), S Reed Blankenship (FA) Despite losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, the Eagles made up for the void at edge rusher by trading for former Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard. They’re also better at cornerback with the addition of former Seahawks Pro Bowler Riq Woolen. A healthy Jalen Carter gives DC Vic Fangio one of the best defenses in all of football. Key addition: DT Tyler Onyedim (draft)Key losses: DL John Franklin-Myers (FA), S P.J. Locke (FA) With the exception of standout defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Titans, the Broncos have the core of their top-three defense from last season intact. Third-round rookie Tyler Onyedim figures to be part of the equation in replacing Franklin-Myers’ production (7.5 sacks in 2025). Key additions: DE Dante Fowler Jr. (FA), S Bud Clark (draft), CB Julian Neal (draft)Key losses: S Coby Bryant (FA), DE Boye Mafe (FA), CB Riq Woolen (FA) The Seahawks lost three contributors from their defense that led the team to a Super Bowl LX victory, so there’s some uncertainty there. But Mike Macdonald’s unit still returns 10 full-time starters. Rookie defensive backs Bud Clark (second round) and Julian Neal (third round) could have significant roles early. Key additions: S Reed Blankenship (FA), DL Logan Hall (FA), DT Kayden McDonald (draft)Key loss: DT Tim Settle (FA) DeMeco Ryans returns 10 starters to his defense that ranked first in yards allowed and second in scoring in 2025. Adding standout veteran safety Reed Blankenship and second-round rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald raises the ceiling of a defense that’s already Super Bowl-caliber.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The top three in the power rankings remain the same this week. Chase Elliott, who won Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, remains third. As much as a win should bump someone up the rankings, it was hard to move Tyler Reddick from the top spot. Reddick finished fourth at Texas and then Denny Hamlin was the runner-up. Those two have just consistently been a little bit stronger than Elliott. Here are my power rankings heading into the race this weekend at Watkins Glen: Dropped out: Brad Keselowski (Last Week: 10) On the verge: Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace 10. William Byron (Last Week: Not Ranked)Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet Byron rallied after a spin for an eighth-place finish at Texas, which put him back in the top 10 in the season standings. He has six top-10 finishes in his last eight races. 9. Chase Briscoe (Last Week: 7)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Contact on pit road at Texas resulted in Briscoe finishing 23rd, as he never recovered from the damage after leading early in the race. It was his second consecutive finish outside the top 20. 8. Ty Gibbs (Last Week: 5)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota Contact with Ryan Preece ended the Texas race early for Gibbs, who appeared to have a car that could challenge for the win. It was his second finish of worse than 30th after seven consecutive top-10 finishes. 7. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 6)Team Penske No. 12 Ford Blaney finished 10th at Texas, a little bit of a rebound after finishes of 24th and 37th in the previous two races. 6. Carson Hocevar (Last Week: 8)Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Hocevar continues to be on a roll, as he followed his victory at Talladega with a pole and a seventh-place finish at Texas. 5. Kyle Larson (Last Week: 4)Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet Larson had contact with Briscoe on pit road and then spun on his own later in the race. He finished a disappointing 34th. 4. Chris Buescher (Last Week:9)RFK Racing No. 17 Ford Buescher has back-to-back top fives after a second-place finish at Talladega and a fifth-place finish at Texas. 3. Chase Elliott (Last Week: 3)Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet Elliott won at Texas, his second win in his last five races. He has seven top 10s (including five top fives) in 11 races this year. 2. Denny Hamlin (Last Week: 2)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota Hamlin’s second-place finish was his fifth top five of the season. He doesn’t have a finish worse than 15th after opening the season 31st in the Daytona 500. 1. Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 1)23XI Racing No. 45 Toyota Reddick’s strong year continued with a fourth-place run at Texas. It was his seventh top five of the year and his fourth in the last six races.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

If Fernando Mendoza were not the No. 1 overall pick, there would be no rush to get him onto the field. In that alternate scenario, the Las Vegas Raiders could slot veteran Kirk Cousins into the QB1 spot and no one would give it a second thought. There would be no pressure. No stress. No reason to push the young quarterback, especially not when the team’s offensive line (while rebuilt) was as bad as it was last year. Can the Raiders pretend Mendoza was not the No. 1 overall pick? Can they avoid the history of what teams have done with their rookie QB after taking him No. 1 overall? Of the 16 quarterbacks drafted at No. 1 overall in the past 20 years, every single one started in his rookie season, per FOX Sports Research. And of those 16 QBs, 12 of them started in Week 1. All of the past six first-overall QBs have started in Week 1. So you take my point — hopefully. The Raiders would have to fight what is historically inevitable. It’s no mystery that the Raiders want to keep Mendoza off the field at the start of his NFL career. Not long ago, part-owner Tom Brady called it a “tragedy” that teams are “forcing these rookies to play early.” At the NFL Combine, new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said, “Ideally, you don’t want a rookie to start from Day 1.” That’s why Cousins, a legit bridge quarterback, arrived via free agency before the draft. He would be a worthy starter. But even he seems to know that he might not be the best quarterback on the team over the next 10 months. And at that point, Cousins wants the best QB to play, even if that’s Mendoza. “I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that,” Cousins told reporters at his introductory press conference. “The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out.” For those who don’t want Mendoza rushed onto the field, there’s good(-ish) news: He isn’t even close to ready. At his first rookie minicamp practice last week, Mendoza took more under-center snaps than he did in his entire season at Indiana. And perhaps that’s why he had a startling realization. “Wow, I have a lot to work on,” he remembered thinking during his first practice. “Wow, the NFL players, everybody here in rookie camp — these are all really, really good players.” Many of those players won’t even make the 53-man roster. So that means that when OTAs, minicamp and training camp get underway, Mendoza is due for another surprise regarding the quality of his teammates. And then he’ll see two more surprises during the preseason and regular season. If all goes well, he’ll see how the game only gets faster in the postseason and the Super Bowl. That’s me getting ahead of myself. I won’t be the only one. But at least I know I’m getting ahead of myself. Some others won’t think twice about putting pressure on a guy the Raiders picked with the first selection in a draft of 257 selections. People will want Mendoza to play. People always want the No. 1 overall pick to play. Let’s juxtapose those expectations with what is actually happening. The No. 1 overall pick is learning how to take snaps under center. You’d think, of course, that’s built into being a quarterback. A kid learns that when he’s in middle school and it sticks with him. But Mendoza was a shotgun QB for the Hoosiers. And while he was touted as a quick-thinking draft prospect, he’ll have to figure out how to translate his superpower — his processing speed — into Kubiak’s dropback offense. “Instead of being back there in shotgun, we have to get back to make sure you best serve your offensive linemen, still be on time, still decipher the defense,” Mendoza told reporters at minicamp. “And with that, actually having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out of there, and be powerful with having quick feet.” The basics. He’s not behind or ahead of schedule. That is how rookie minicamp works. He’s getting comfortable handing off the football, checking down the football and throwing into one-on-one drills. He is not yet operating the entire scheme, let alone 11-on-11, full-speed, fully-padded reps. It’s a process and, hopefully, a progression that Mendoza will embrace wholeheartedly. By all accounts, he is the type of player who wants nothing more than to live the cliché of getting better every day. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t and can’t regress. In fact, I’ll assure you: He will. The danger of inserting a player like Mendoza into the lineup too early isn’t just that he’ll regress. It’s that early playtime might instill those bad habits. By nature of the draft order, the No. 1 overall pick goes to the NFL’s worst team. Contrast that to Mendoza coming from college football’s best team. It’s going to be different. When coach Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago last year, he got to work with Bears QB Caleb Williams. But it seemed as if Johnson had to break through some of the bad habits Williams learned in his rookie season (before Johnson arrived). That’s the risk of putting a QB in too early. It might create a new laundry list of issues to address in the ensuing offseason. The Green Bay Packers have a strong legacy of letting their quarterbacks sit and develop. And perhaps not coincidentally, they have also enjoyed a level of sustained success that’s basically beyond comparison. Green Bay sat Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre before sitting Jordan Love behind Rodgers. And that has covered their QB spot going back to 1992. And, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs famously sat Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith for a year. And that was despite — as the myth now goes — Mahomes playing better than Smith at practice for parts of Mahomes’ rookie season. Those were organizations that had success despite drafting a QB in Round 1. But none of those teams took its QB at No. 1 overall. One of the best imaginable outcomes for Mendoza would be that he could turn into Joe Burrow or Matt Ryan. In the case of Burrow, drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, he started in Week 1 and played well. But he took too many hits, including the one that prematurely ended his season in Week 11 with an ACL and MCL tear. As for Ryan, he was solid as a rookie in 2008, with 3,440 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Atlanta Falcons to an 11-5 record. Ryan, however, went third overall — and, in turn, had a better supporting cast. This is to say that the final decision should probably come down to more than Mendoza. Yes, he’ll have to be ready. But there’s more to it than that. Even if Mendoza is ready for the NFL, the Raiders might not be ready for him.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

We’re still several months away from the first practices of fall ball, but there are already seven teams that I believe are in a tier of their own ahead of the 2026 college football season. You can likely guess a few of them, as programs like Ohio State have become mainstays at the top of college football. But is Indiana poised to make another run in 2026? Is there another Big Ten team that might be better than those two programs? Does Georgia still run the SEC? With spring ball in the books for most of the country, let’s take a look at my post-spring top 25. There were a lot of teams I considered at No. 25, but Tennessee has been very consistent, at least on offense. Josh Heupel took over five years ago and Tennessee has been the No. 1 scoring offense in the country ever since. However, the Vols have a big question at quarterback entering the summer, which is why they aren’t ranked higher. It looks like the QB competition is down to two players, with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and five-star freshman Faizon Brandon vying for the job. Both have little or no experience. I think Tennessee will be fine on offense, but it is a quarterback-driven offense. Defensively, Tennessee brought in former Ohio State and Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for the same job. There’s a lot of talent in Tennessee as it’s been one of the top recruiting programs in the country. The schedule isn’t terrible, but I like that the Volunteers get three of their four toughest games at home (Texas, LSU, Alabama). This is a bet on top-end talent at important positions. It’s a make-or-break year for head coach Shane Beamer after South Carolina went 4-8 after being a top-10 team early on last season. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers came into the 2025 season as a Heisman hopeful, but that fell off. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart could be a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and I had him ranked in my way-too-early top 10 prospects for next year’s class. The Gamecocks also brought in Kendall Briles as their new offensive coordinator, a move aimed at injecting energy into the offense. South Carolina returns the most offensive production in the SEC, but they have to overcome a really tough schedule. The Gamecocks have road games at Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Clemson, plus home matchups against Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Georgia. I think new head coach Morgan Scalley keeps some semblance of continuity at Utah, even though many people in that program left with Kyle Whittingham for Michigan. Scalley had to basically replace the entire offensive coaching staff. The Utes still have quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Wayshawn Parker, but they’ve got to replace two first-round picks on their offensive line. That won’t be easy. Scalley knows how to produce on the defensive side, so that’s not a concern. Another Big 12 school checks in early on the list. I really like Houston head coach Willie Fritz after he helped the Cougars win 10 games in his second season. Conner Weigman not only returns at quarterback, but he has 26 starts in his career. The Cougars also return wide receiver Amare Thomas, who was second in the Big 12 in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns a year ago. Watch out for running back Makhi Hughes at running back, though, as he reunites with Fritz at Houston. Hughes can return to being one of the most productive running backs in the country. Another staple makes the list. Iowa isn’t sure what it’s doing yet at quarterback, but we know the Hawkeyes aren’t a quarterback-centric team. That quarterback battle is going to go on for a bit. Do we care? Yes, we kind of do. I’m more concerned with the Hawkeyes’ offensive line and how they plan to replace some key players, though. That O-line was the best in the country last year, or at least they were awarded as such with the Joe Moore Award. Brent Brennan is a hell of a head coach. Plus, quarterback Noah Fifita is back after being named first-team All-Big 12 last year. He’s got the second-most starts among all quarterbacks in the country with 34. All of those have come at Arizona. In fact, I was talking to Nick Foles, and he’s excited about Fifita and the legacy he’s building at Arizona. I thought the Huskies would take a jump in 2025, and they did. However, Washington made some key mistakes in big moments last season. Demond Williams Jr. is back at quarterback, and he’s got four of his offensive linemen from last season protecting him. I love that. The Huskies have to replace wide receivers Denzel Boston and Raiden Vines-Bright. Dezmen Rouebuck had a strong true freshman season at receiver, though. There’s also some continuity on the defensive side of the ball, namely with defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. He kind of figured things out during the course of the year. Rhett Lashlee has done a marvelous job as SMU’s head coach. The Mustangs have done a marvelous job of making sure Lashlee remains their head coach as well. SMU has won 31 games over the last three years. That’s the 10th-most in the country, and SMU has gone 14-2 in its last two seasons of ACC play. The Mustangs also have experienced quarterback play with Kevin Jennings returning. This is a team that’s not going anywhere. BYU has been sort of pushing its ceiling. When the Cougars faced Texas Tech last season, they didn’t play very well and couldn’t get over the hump. They did get a major boost with Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin opting to return to Provo, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier back after leading BYU to 11 wins as a freshman. The situation with wide receiver Parker Kingston, which led to his dismissal from the program due to some terrible accusations, hurts the Cougars’ ranking. BYU also lost its defensive coordinator, Jay Hill, to Michigan. I know I’m going to get some flak for this, but I couldn’t put Alabama higher than 16th. Alabama has slowly been slipping, and we’ve seen that with its play on the field. Head coach Kalen DeBoer just got a contract extension, which was a bit interesting, as he heads into Year 3 at Tuscaloosa. At quarterback, the Crimson Tide have two very talented, but very inexperienced options in Austin Mack (last year’s backup) and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell (a former five-star recruit). DeBoer has said he won’t name a starter until the fall. Regardless, the winner will have zero college starts. I just don’t like that in this day and age. Alabama needs wide receiver Ryan Coleman Williams to get back to what he was as a freshman. He wasn’t near what he was last year. Ultimately, this team’s identity still hinges on the defense and run game — areas that were once the program’s foundation under Nick Saban. Did you know they were 126th in yards per carry last season? Ty Simpson put them on their back, and they don’t have that anymore. This one is a lot about the schedule. There are some teams ranked behind Penn State who have better rosters, but if you look at the schedule, the Nittany Lions should be a top-15 team. Now with Matt Campbell as its head coach, Penn State has essentially become East Iowa State. He almost brought the entire Iowa State roster with him. Campbell’s going to be charged with winning big games. However, here’s the thing: they don’t have a ton of big games. The schedule falls in their favor, and they’re going to have the most experienced quarterback in the country with Rocco Becht. I think they can make a run at 10 wins. Ole Miss had a tremendous College Football Playoff run, but the Rebels lost too much from that roster for me to put them in the top 10. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was amazing, leading the Rebels to the CFP semifinal. If you have Chambliss, you’re going to have a chance in any game. Kewan Lacy is also back at running back after rushing for 1,567 yards as a sophomore. I thought head coach Pete Golding did a good job in the CFP and hitting the portal hard to strengthen the defense. The situation with incoming quarterback Brendan Sorsby obviously isn’t ideal. We all thought that was a tremendous fit after he transferred to Texas Tech before the news broke that the NCAA was investigating his alleged sports gambling. Will Hammond played well as a backup quarterback for Texas Tech last year, but he tore his ACL, and it’s questionable if he’ll be back for Week 1. Still, Texas Tech was aggressive in the portal once again to shore up its roster. The Red Raiders lost a good bit of talent in their front seven, with edge rusher David Bailey, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and defensive lineman Romello Height being among some of the players taken in the first two days of the draft. Michigan seems to be all over the place in other rankings. So, I placed the Wolverines relatively in the middle because it’s a wait-and-see for me on one key element: the combination of quarterback Bryce Underwood and offensive coordinator Jason Becht. Becht has been outstanding in the last couple of seasons, getting the most out of guys like Devon Dampier at New Mexico and Utah. We’ll see if he can do the same for Underwood. The schedule isn’t easy, though, and they’ve got four games against CFP teams from last season. I think Michigan can have a pretty good team, especially if the Underwood-Becht combo meshes well. Michigan is in good hands with Kyle Whittinham. I’m just not sure the Wolverines can win the Big Ten, though. Head coach Brent Venables has the Oklahoma defense exactly where he wants it. He took over defensive playcalling duties last season for the Sooners and it worked, ranking top 10 in the country. The Sooners have four returning All-SEC players on defense, including defensive tackle David Stone, who is already generating early first-round buzz for the 2027 draft. We all know quarterback John Mateer can be really good when he’s healthy as well. He was the Heisman front-runner before that injury to his hand. They just need to run the ball a bit better. Truth be told, when I got to 16, there was a line. So, from BYU to my 30th- or 35th-ranked team, there were a lot of teams I considered placing in the top 25. Then, from No. 15 to No. 8, there was another grouping of teams I found difficult to order. So, while we hold the top 10 in high regard, I just wanted to make the delineation clear. USC gets in at No. 10 as I’m bullish on the Trojans. I think they fixed the line of scrimmage. Lincoln Riley knew at some point they needed to improve in the trenches, and they brought back their entire starting offensive line. That was an offensive line that helped USC’s run-game improve in 2025. Riley’s teams have also been really good when they can run the ball. Running back Waymond Jordan was spectacular last season before he got hurt. There are some questions at wide receiver, but Riley’s offenses always develop pass-catchers. I really love what head coach Mike Elko has done in his first two seasons at College Station. Last season didn’t end well, though, but I think that just means the Aggies will be even more motivated in 2026. They started out 11-0 before losing to Texas and Miami (Fla.) in the playoff. This is a team that’s built under the right things. They’re built on their defense, which will still be very good. There will be some changes on the offensive side, with offensive coordinator Colin Klein leaving to become Kansas State’s head coach. They do get quarterback Marcel Reed back for his third season as a starter, and he’ll be able to throw to wide receiver Mario Craver. That’s a big deal for them. This is the top team of my second tier, and this is a major nod to Lane Kiffin. Sure, the way he left Ole Miss was a disaster, but Kiffin can coach. LSU’s offense has the potential to be among the best in the country after an aggressive overhaul in the transfer portal. The Tigers brought in roughly 40 transfers, highlighted by quarterback Sam Leavitt, one of the top available players at the position. They also added wide receiver Jayce Brown, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and edge rusher Jordan Ross. Kiffin also retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker. That was a great move. Now, we get into the cream of the crop. I think the national champion will be one of these seven teams, starting with Texas. Some will be higher on Texas, and some might even be lower. Arch Manning is obviously the headliner as he enters Year 2 as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. I think he’ll play really well because his play late in the season suggests that. He finished with 20 total touchdowns and just two turnovers in his final six games. Head coach Steve Sarkisian revamped the offense with some portal players, including wide receiver Cam Coleman. Watch out for Coleman, who I think can have a monster year and made my way-too-early top-10 2027 draft prospect list. You can see guys like wide receiver Ryan Wingo also having a big year, too. The offensive line was also revamped, and Will Muschamp returned as defensive coordinator. Edge rusher Colin Simmons joined Manning and Coleman on my way-too-early top-10 2027 draft prospects list as well. That Ohio State game early in the year will determine who has the inside track of being ranked No. 1 or 2 in the country and a CFP berth. Miami was one drive away from winning the national championship last season, and I think getting quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke (however the Hurricanes got him) was huge. He led Duke to the ACC title last season, and he now has talented players like running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and wide receiver Malachi Tooney around him. The offensive line should still be good because head coach Mario Cristobal knows how to build an offensive line. And I also believe in Cristobal as he showed improvement in his game-managing skills last season. It’s easy to take Georgia for granted, isn’t it? The program hasn’t won a title in three years, so we think Georgia isn’t what it used to be. But Kirby Smart recruits his butt off and in those three seasons, the Bulldogs have gone 36-6. They’ve also won two SEC titles in that stretch. Sure, they haven’t won a playoff game in that time, but they still have players. The SEC still goes through Athens. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton is back, along with several other key players like center Drew Bobo and safety K.J. Bolden. I really wanted to rank Indiana higher than this. However, the three teams ranked higher than the Hoosiers just have so much returning talent. But the Hoosiers aren’t going anywhere as long as Curt Cignetti is at the helm, especially if offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines are still there. The big portal addition was ex-TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. All eyes will be on him as he replaces Fernando Mendoza. He’s almost a Mendoza clone, though, as Hoover was only second to Mendoza for the most run-pass option throws in college football last season. Indiana also got former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, who will line up on the outside with Charlie Becker. The offensive line and defensive should be very good, too. Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith headline the returning players for Ohio State. Sure, there might be more turnover than usual in Columbus, but the Buckeyes have their Heisman finalist quarterback and the best player in college football returning. There is a new offensive coordinator as Arthur Smith will likely run a more pro-style offense for Sayin. I think the best part about Ohio State, though, is that four of its offensive linemen and running back Bo Jackson returned. So, this offense could be as good as any in college football. The Buckeyes hit the portal hard defensively to make up for the lost talent on that side of the ball. Sure, they had three players on defense picked in the top 11 of the NFL Draft, but they just showed last year that they can replace that level of talent in an offseason. I love a team that’s pissed off, and Notre Dame is going to be ready from Jump Street. You think Marcus Freeman’s not going to have the attention of his team after the way last season ended? That was a team that felt like it could make a run to the national championship. This will be an offense more centered around quarterback CJ Carr, with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price going to the NFL. But Notre Dame does have its two top receivers returning (Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse) and got two really good wide receivers in the portal (Quincy Porter, Mylan Graham). The Fighting Irish have a ton of experience coming back in the trenches. Four returning starters on the offensive line to go with a defense that will probably be the top defense in all of college football. They’ve got five of their seven starters back up front. Oregon remains in the top spot after I ranked the Ducks No. 1 in my way-too-early poll at the start of the offseason. When you look at the teams that have won the last three national championships, Oregon fits the blueprint those teams followed to a tee. The Ducks are a veteran-led team with talent returning everywhere while holding the best defensive line in the country, an experienced quarterback and the ability to be explosive. They’ve also inched closer and closer to getting over the hump. They only have three losses over the last two seasons, and all three were to the eventual national champion — one loss to Ohio State in 2024 and two losses to Indiana in 2025. Every year that Dan Lanning has been the head coach, Oregon moves one step forward. And just look at the talent this team is returning. It starts with quarterback Dante Moore, but continues with the likes of wide receiver Dakorien Moore, wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan, running back Jordon Davison, tight end Jamari Johnson, edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, defensive tackle A’mauri Washington, defensive tackle Bear Alexander, edge rusher Teitum Tuioti and cornerback Brandon Finney Jr.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Are the Stallions charging like Cherie DeVaux’s Golden Tempo? After losing four straight, Birmingham took down Orlando on Sunday afternoon at Inter&Co Stadium, leaving Storm head coach Anthony Becht standing akimbo. The St. Louis Battlehawks rocked the Louisville Kings like a GenX dad at a Flock of Seagulls concert. Louisville’s offensive line played like a monarchy in free fall, while the Battlehawks’ defense looked desperate for a Derby Classic in its trophy hall. In other action, the Houston Gamblers’ offense looked like it needed an intervention, while the Columbus Aviators performed their best Top Gun imitation. The Dallas Renegades continue to swing between dominant and invisible, and the DC Defenders left no doubt about where they rank. Here’s a look at my sixth UFL power rankings list of the season: Week 6 result: Lost to Columbus, 24-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +5000 It’s tough to win in this league without steady quarterback play, and the Houston Gamblers proved it in their loss to the Columbus Aviators. Houston lost starter Nolan Henderson at halftime, then saw backup Taulia Tagovailoa leave after a third-quarter sack. That forced wideout Jontre Kirklin to take snaps at quarterback. The sideline shuffle overshadowed strong defensive outings from former Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante (10 tackles, two for loss) and Texas A&M product Anthony Hines III (11 tackles). Week 6 result: Defeated Houston, 24-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +3500 The Columbus Aviators rode a 21-point first half and a defense that bowed up in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Quarterback Jalan McClendon was efficient and in control, completing 20 of 26 passes for 186 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. The victory pulls Columbus even in the standings with four weeks remaining in the regular season. Week 3 result: Lost to St. Louis, 16-3Current odds to win 2026 title: +2500 The Kings offense did next to nothing against the Battlehawks defense, surrendering six sacks of quarterback Chandler Rogers, who finished 15 of 32 for 154 yards. Louisville also managed just 12 yards on 13 carries. Head coach Chris Redman has his work cut out if the Kings expect to contend for a playoff spot and keep any hopes of a United Bowl run alive. Week 6 result: Lost to DC, 24-6Current odds to win 2026 title: +700 The Dallas Renegades look like a team in free fall, dropping three straight after a 3–0 start. Facing the league’s hottest team, they trailed 24-0 by halftime. Quarterback Austin Reed threw for 258 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the once-explosive Dallas offense reached the red zone just twice against the Defenders. Dallas is clinging to the league’s final playoff spot — for now. Week 6 result: Defeated Orlando, 20-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +900 Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA football’s all-time leader in total offense, brought the lightning against the Storm, delivering a performance that snapped the Stallions’ four-game skid. He finished 19 of 27 for 271 yards and a touchdown. Eleven of those completions went to Justyn Ross (seven catches, 135 yards, TD) and Jaydon Mickens (four catches, 75 yards). The Stallions’ win over one of the league’s top teams, combined with the Renegades’ slide, drives their rise in this week’s power rankings. Week 6 result: Defeated Louisville, 16-3Current odds to win 2026 title: +400 The Battlehawks’ defense showed out on Saturday with six sacks and nine tackles for loss, while allowing just 166 total yards of total offense. St. Louis quarterback Harrison Frost looked like he found his form, completing 22 of 40 passes for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Five different Battlehawk players caught at least three passes in the victory. The win allowed St. Louis to remain in contention for a playoff spot with just a month left in the regular season. Week 6 result: Lost to Birmingham, 20-17Current odds to win 2026 title: +600 Jack Plummer wasn’t the problem for the Storm. The former Louisville Cardinals quarterback was sharp, completing 26 of 37 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. But even with one of his best outings of the season, the Storm dropped their second loss of the year to a resurgent Stallions team. Week 6 result: Defeated Dallas, 24-6Current odds to win 2026 title: -110 The Defenders have asserted themselves in 2026, quieting any talk that their 2025 UFL title was a fluke with five straight wins. Behind the arm and legs of former Ole Miss star Jordan Ta’amu, DC has topped 45 points in half its games and scored at least 24 in each of its five victories.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

If the season ended today, the National League batting title would not belong to Trea Turner as it did last year or Luis Arraez as it did for the two years prior. Nope, it’s Ildemaro Vargas — yes, Ildemaro Vargas — who leads all of Major League Baseball in batting average. And it’s not particularly close. If you weren’t already, it’s time to pay attention to the Diamondbacks infielder, who entered this year worth 1.8 wins above replacement over his first nine big-league seasons with a career .646 OPS. This year, the 34-year-old is already worth 1.5 bWAR. Vargas leads MLB with a .382 batting average and the National League with a 1.063 OPS, a number that trails only Ben Rice and Yordan Alvarez for the best mark among all qualified MLB hitters. He also just completed a 27-game hitting streak that was the longest in MLB since Turner’s 27-gamer ended in April 2022. In a nod to Vargas’ extraordinary start, this week’s power rankings include one player from every team who deserves more attention. (Sorry for the Arizona spoiler.) The White Sox occupied the bottom spot in these rankings for a bit, so getting swept by them is a good way to swap positions. At least the Angels always have a chance when José Soriano is on the mound. He leads MLB with a 0.84 ERA through seven starts. Yes, Nolan McLean is the most valuable pitcher on the team. But veteran Clay Holmes leads the team in innings pitched and has the fourth-lowest ERA (1.69) among all qualified MLB pitchers. This is not the same version of Antonio Senzatela that you might remember. After posting a 6.65 ERA with an 11.8% strikeout rate as a starter last year, the Rockies have changed the veteran right-hander’s fastball usage (a lot more cutter and sinker, a lot less four-seamer) in a relief role and have now seen him post a 1.21 ERA while more than doubling his strikeout rate. A league-average batter last year, 27-year-old Casey Schmitt has been the best hitter on the Giants this year. That also says something about the rest of a San Francisco lineup that has scored the fewest runs in MLB. Not being able to score or hold leads is the kind of rough combination that can lead to a six-game skid. Among MLB hitters with at least 95 plate appearances this year, Austin Martin has by far the best on-base percentage as well as the third-highest walk rate behind only Mike Trout and Nick Kurtz. After a couple of wins to start the Chad Tracy era, the Red Sox are back to demonstrating that they’re still not a very good team right now. But in a year of turmoil, the decision to trade for Willson Contreras looks like a prudent one. He leads the team in homers, RBI, slugging and OPS and has been one of the most valuable first basemen in MLB at a position that has given the Red Sox trouble for years. Most importantly, Christian Walker seems OK after getting hit in the head by a pitch over the weekend. He also happens to be the team’s second-best hitter on the Astros this year behind Yordan Alvarez and one of the most valuable first basemen in MLB. This is more like what Houston envisioned when it gave him a three-year, $60 million deal before last season. With Munetaka Murakami leading the league in home runs, Colson Montgomery might be flying under the radar. After hitting 21 home runs in just 255 at-bats last year, Montgomery has another nine this season while ranking third defensively among all qualified MLB shortstops in outs above average. On a pitching staff that leaves a lot to be desired, Foster Griffin is performing well. After spending the last three years in Japan, Griffin is back in the big leagues with a 2.27 ERA that ranks 10th among all MLB starters. The Nationals starter has a fastball in the low 90s, but he features three different versions of the pitch among a diverse arsenal. He has mixed well enough to hold his opponents to two earned runs or fewer in five of his seven starts. The Don Mattingly Phillies are 5-1 after Jesus Luzardo struck out 10 on Sunday. After allowing nine runs (eight earned) against the Cubs on April 15, Luzardo has a 1.50 ERA with 21 strikeouts and four walks over his last three starts. His expected ERA (3.25) is almost two runs better than his actual ERA (5.09), and the underlying numbers would suggest better days ahead. At 36, Seth Lugo is still getting it done. He has a 2.68 ERA on the year, and that includes a seven-run clunker against the Angels last month. In his other six starts, he has a 1.45 ERA. Lugo’s six innings of two-run ball this weekend was part of a Royals sweep in Seattle. It was a bad weekend in New York for Adley Rutschman (and the rest of the Orioles roster), but he had an OPS over 1.000 going into the series against the Yankees and has the highest hard-hit rate of his career. Really encouraging stuff after his offensive struggles the last two years. It’s time more people know about Otto Lopez. The 27-year-old is tied for the MLB lead in hits (45) and has the highest batting average (.341) and third-highest slugging percentage (.500) among all qualified shortstops. In a year in which the Rangers desperately need some of their talents in their 20s to take a leap forward, Josh Jung is doing his part. He’s on a 12-game hitting streak and has an OPS over 1.000 since the start of April.  Jung leads all qualified A.L. third basemen in every slash-line category, and strong underlying numbers back up his .916 OPS. After a slow start to the year in his transition from NPB, Kazuma Okamoto has a 1.169 OPS over his last 11 games with six home runs over the span. He homered four times this weekend against the Twins and is suddenly hitting 15% better than league average. Okamoto leads all MLB third basemen in RBI (22) and is tied for first at the position in home runs (nine). While Bryan Woo (4.61), Logan Gilbert (4.03) and Luis Castillo (6.29) all surprisingly have ERAs over 4.00, Emerson Hancock leads the Mariners rotation with a 2.59 ERA and just struck out a career-high 14 batters this weekend in Kansas City, though his work didn’t prevent a Royals sweep. Hancock, who has 46 strikeouts and six walks this year, has the second-best strikeout-to-walk ratio among all qualified MLB pitchers. Scroll back up to the top for Vargas. He was never even a league-average hitter in any of his first nine MLB seasons, and now he’s the best hitter in the league through a month of Year 10. One of the stories of the year for a Diamondbacks team that otherwise is not yet hitting to its potential. A third-round pick by the Mets in 2018, Carlos Cortes was let go at the end of the 2024 season and picked up by the Athletics on a minor-league deal. He now has an OPS over 1.000 in a limited sample this year. Among all MLB hitters with at least 80 plate appearances, the diminutive outfielder ranks first in batting average and has the fourth-lowest strikeout rate. He doesn’t chase, he doesn’t whiff, and he hits the ball with force. That’s a fruitful concoction. Top prospects Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana have both arrived to give the Guardians offense a lift, but they’re not alone. Daniel Schneemann, who had a .636 OPS last year, has an .890 OPS this season while also providing elite defense. He has been one of the most valuable players on the Cleveland roster this year. The American League Rookie of the Year race will be a fascinating one to watch. Murakami leads the majors in homers, Okamoto is heating up, and DeLauter and Parker Messick are both starring in Cleveland. But Kevin McGonigle might still have the inside track. At 21, the Detroit phenom already ranks first in on-base percentage, second in batting average and third in OPS among all qualified MLB shortstops. Four of the five pitchers who have started a game for the Reds this year have ERAs over 5.00. Then there’s Chase Burns (3-1, 2.20 ERA). Impossible to overstate what the 23-year-old has meant for this Cincinnati rotation, which has been without Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo to this point. The Pirates bounced back from a four-game sweep in St. Louis by turning around and sweeping Cincinnati while outscoring the Reds by 19 runs over three games. Oneil Cruz tallied his 11th stolen base of the year on Sunday and is on a 40-50 pace. Congrats, Milwaukee. Because I get to make the rules, you get both a hitter and a pitcher here. Brice Turang just generally deserves more attention for being one of the best second basemen in MLB. The former Platinum Glove Award winner has an OPS over .900 and ranks fourth in MLB in on-base percentage and top 10 in fWAR among all qualified position players. Meanwhile, on the mound, Jacob Misiorowski ranks 44th in MLB in innings pitched yet leads the majors in strikeouts. It has officially all come together for Jordan Walker, the 2020 first-round pick who entered this year with a career .680 OPS and currently ranks 10th in MLB with a .964 OPS. It is also coming together overall for Chaim Bloom’s Cardinals, who followed a four-game sweep of the Pirates by winning a series against the Dodgers. For a rebuilding squad, the Cardinals are better than anybody would have projected. The $280 million contract will always loom over him, but Xander Bogaerts has been the best hitter in a San Diego lineup that’s still waiting for Fernando Tatis Jr. to hit his first home run of the season. The Padres have jumped out to their strong start despite an offense that ranks 25th in OPS, so Bogaerts’ stability at the plate has helped. Veteran Nick Martinez was available for anyone to sign entering February. Right before spring training, he agreed to a one-year, $13 million in Tampa Bay. The 35-year-old has proceeded to rank fifth among all qualified MLB starters with a 1.70 ERA. Credit to the Rays. We figured their pitching would keep them competitive, but this seemed likely to be a rebuilding year. Instead, they have the second-most wins in the American League. Shota Imanaga ranks in the top five among all qualified MLB pitchers in both WHIP (0.85) and opponents’ average (.169). Imanaga has gone at least six innings and allowed one or no runs in four of his last five starts. He ranks second among qualified starters in chase rate and is providing vital innings for a Cubs pitching staff missing a ton of pieces. The L.A. lineup has gone cold, scoring 11 runs over the last five games, but Justin Wrobleski stopped the Dodgers’ four-game skid on Sunday in St. Louis with six shutout innings. Wrobleski only has 15 strikeouts in 36 innings this year, but the Dodgers’ sixth starter has continually missed barrels. In his five starts this season, he is 5-0 with a 0.56 ERA. This is clearly the best team in the American League, and it helps having arguably the best hitter and pitcher in MLB to this point. While Ben Rice leads baseball in OPS, wRC+ and fWAR, Cam Schlittler ranks first among starters in WHIP, fWAR and K/BB and has a 0.45 ERA over his last three starts. After back-to-back down years offensively, Ozzie Albies is in the midst of the best offensive season of his career. He’s tied with Shea Langeliers, Otto Lopez and teammate Drake Baldwin for the MLB lead in hits and also leads all qualified second basemen in slugging and OPS. Albies is on an Atlanta team that leads MLB in OPS and now leads these power rankings for the first time this year.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Detroit Tigers are battling for the top spot in the AL Central, but they may have to navigate the rest of the season without the game’s top pitcher. Ace Tarik Skubal is expected to undergo surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed. The procedure typically sidelines players for two to three months, according to ESPN. Skubal, who has won the AL Cy Young in each of the last two seasons, was scratched from his scheduled Monday start against the Boston Red Sox prior to the announcement. He had felt pain in his elbow on Sunday, less than a week after an injury scare against the Atlanta Braves, Hinch told reporters on Sunday. He underwent tests shortly after, which revealed the loose bodies. The surgery has not yet been scheduled, but there is no immediate timetable for his return. Skubal, who is set to be a free agent this offseason, has made seven starts this year, posting a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts and six walks over 43.1 innings. His absence leaves a significant hole at the top of Detroit’s rotation as the team pushes for a division title. The injury only adds to a mounting list for the Tigers’ pitching staff, which already includes Justin Verlander, Casey Mize, Jackson Jobe and Reese Olsen. With so many key arms sidelined, Detroit is now piecing together its rotation as it looks to stay in the AL Central race. The Tigers now face the daunting task of sustaining their AL Central push while leaning on a makeshift pitching staff in the short term. Detroit is 18-17 entering Monday’s action, sharing the division lead with the Cleveland Guardians. However, the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are all within three games of the Tigers.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports