Miami Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes emerging as top choice for 2024 RB Drew Pickett

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More recruits were on the campus Thursday for the Miami Hurricanes. One player in particular was impressed during his visit.

2023 three-star running back Drew Pickett was impressed with his visit to Miami, per a report from Matt Shodell of Canesport.com. As noted in Shodell’s report, Pickett indicated that UM was his “probably No.1 choice.”

Pickett is a three-star running back. He is the 41st overall running back in the 2023 class, and the 29th overall player in his class from the state of Alabama per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

His offer sheet includes Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Michigan State, and Ole Miss. It is worth noting that he was recruited by Kevin Smith  while the latter was at Ole Miss.

What could he bring to Miami Hurricanes?

Pickett measures in at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. He is a one-cut running back. As soon as he finds a hole  he bursts through it and is able to find the open field. One of the things that was noticeable in the highlights I watched was his vision. He was able to cut quickly in order to find open space.

Pickett rushed for 1,352 yards and 11 touchdowns for Holtville High School last season.

Currently, the Miami Hurricanes 2023 recruiting class ranks 18th overall nationally and third overall in the ACC per the 247 sports team rankings. Most recently, the program was able to get a commitment from offensive tackle Frankie Tinlau.

This is another example where the Miami Hurricanes running back room is being remade. When you look at some of the new names at the position such as Henry Parrish and Tre’Vonte Citizen, this running back room is being set up for the future.

Kevin Smith wants to fill the running back room with impact playmakers. Pickett would certainly fit the bill. It will be intriguing to see where his recruitment goes from here, especially with Miami being a high-priority school.

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A Walk Through the 2nd Day of Miami Heat Practice Before Playoffs

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As the Heat completed their second day of practice before the start of the first round series Sunday at 1 pm, the goals of this team are clear:

Forgetting the past.

By that I don’t just mean leaving the negative stuff behind them, such as the sweep against the Milwaukee Bucks a year ago in the first round. It’s also about leaving the good stuff for when it really happened.

When Jimmy Butler was asked about some of the similarities between this team and the one that made the late push in the bubble, he quickly brushed them off.

He quickly made sure to note that this is a completely different team, which in many cases is true.

It may be a different team, but it’s the same Jimmy Butler. Going at it on the other side of the practice court in a king of the court session with Heat veteran Udonis Haslem and young two-way Javonte Smart.

Yelling, competing, exchanging words after stops or buckets…

He loves to battle, and he leans towards guys that love to battle as much as him. One being Haslem, who we all know. And two being Smart.

I asked Butler after practice about Smart’s potential in general after battling with him. “He’s a really good player, he works incredibly hard,”Butler says, then follows that up with: “He can’t guard me 1-on-1.”

Those are the type of words from Butler when you know somebody’s legate. When they are tough enough to compete, and already getting slandered in a fun way, they’re on the path from two-way to a normal contract.

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Now, if you’re looking to cement some bets on the Heat’s +1200 championship odds, the first bet promos for Caesars Sportsbook will give you an advantage on that bet because if it doesn’t play out accordingly, you’ll at least be getting your wager back in credit. Though, if you’re not the one that’s confident on that specific bet, just know that Tyler Herro is focused on shifting the future.

I asked Herro after practice about the major differences in his game when zooming out, comparing where he stood entering that Bucks series last year compared to now.

“I’ll be much better this playoffs, I’m sure of that.”

Not only is Herro ramping up right about now, but Kyle Lowry is piecing stuff together as well.

I asked Erik Spoelstra if he’s noticed an uptick with Lowry’s approach at this moment in time, where he highlighted one word to describe the main area that he’s been elevating:

“Detail.”

And well, that’s Kyle Lowry. You’re getting a much improved Herro, but the way for that to all fit in place is for Lowry to settle them, and provide that detail in every inch of practice and the game.

Finally, and most important of them all, I had to ask the important stuff to Butler as this will be his last time speaking to media before Sunday’s game.

After consistently saying the shooting sleeve is the reason for his hot shooting down the stretch of the season, I asked if it would be making a playoff appearance.

“I don’t know, I gotta find a way to keep my teammates smiling. So maybe double sleeve like Jae Crowder does it, who knows.”

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Miami Hurricanes: Mario Cristobal impressed with WR Brashard Smith

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With the spring game coming up on Saturday, Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal highlighted players that he thought stood out on Thursday. One of those players was wide receiver Brashard Smith, per David Lake of InsideTheU.com.

Smith is in line for a bigger role in the 2022 season. As a freshman, he recorded 14 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 14.2 yards per reception last year. At 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, he is not the tallest receiver. Nevertheless, he is explosive.

Smith showed that explosiveness in two games in particular last season. He caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown against Central Connecticut State University on September 25. He also caught two passes for 90 yards and a touchdown against Virginia Tech on November 20.

Although he did not put up major numbers last season, Smith showed a little bit of what he could do. One statistic that really stood out was his yards per catch. He averaged 14.2 yards per reception last season, showcasing his ability to spread the field. That number ranked sixth among all Miami Hurricanes pass-catchers.

Head coach Mario Cristobal believes that Smith has been able to progress at a high level. As noted in a report from Lake, the head coach believes that Smith has been able to turn a corner this spring.

Following Thursday’s practice, Cristobal highlighted slot receiver Brashard Smith for his strong play: “A guy that is worth mentioning is Brashard Smith. The last three or four practices he has turned a corner and I told him that when he was going off the field because it was noticeable with the difference he made for the offense. He is a physical, tough guy.”

The importance of Smith’s progress should not be understated. Especially if the outside wide receivers are struggling over a course of the game, a slot receiver is a quarterback’s best friend. Particularly on third and long situations, slot receivers can help move the chains and gain those crucial yards after the catch.

If Smith can continue to work on his physicality and explosiveness, he could be yet another weapon for quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Last season, we got a small chance to see what Smith could do. This year, he could have a chance to make a big impact.

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Marlins Prospects Report: Opening Week

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Although a prolonged offseason lockout threatened the start of the season, the 2022 baseball schedule started last week. The Miami Marlins enter the season with postseason aspirations following offseason improvements, and the club’s minor league affiliates stand stocked with talented prospects.

The Marlins’ farm system checked in sixth-best in baseball according to MLB.com’s preseason rankings. Bleacher Report is higher on Miami’s minor league clubs, ranking them third-best in baseball. ESPN, meanwhile, has them fourth.

“The Marlins farm system has improved over the years and they have learned that you have to develop from within to be competitive year after year,” said Stoffer Cochran of Prospects1500.com. “They are turning heads with pitching development and have a wealth of middle infielders that will be fun to watch over the coming years.”

With Miami’s top-30 prospects per MLB Pipeline spread throughout the system, the Marlins look to their farm system as a legitimate strength, both for developmental purposes and for organizational depth. The team remains unlikely to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade headlined by their top prospects unless the return holds a transformational star.

The Marlins feel they have stars in their system, especially among their top-10. Miami’s one of just three teams with six players among MLB’s top-100: Kahlil Watson (No. 25), Edward Cabrera (No. 34), Max Meyer (No. 35), Eury Perez (No. 41), Sixto Sánchez (No. 58), and JJ Bleday (No. 69). Perhaps most exciting about that, three of those six stand on the cusp of joining the big club, though two of them are working their way back from injury.

Marlins Prospects in Jacksonville Impress

The Marlins got their season started in San Francisco, while their Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, started their 2022 slate at home, versus the Worcester Red Sox. The Fish got a good look at some of their top prospects against talented competition during the first week of the minor league season.

The Marlins prospect seemingly closest to the Majors made the start for Jacksonville during opening week. The 23-year-old 6-foot, 190-lb righty impressed with his work this spring, including pitching four perfect frames with five strikeouts in his lone Grapefruit League outing.

Meyer finished his first start with five strikeouts, allowing two runs on two hits, with a hit batsman and a walk. He consistently hit the upper 90s with his fastball and settled around 92 with his slider. Meyer threw 69 pitches, 43 for strikes, including 16 swing-and-misses.

Meyer posted a more impressive performance in his second start of the season. On the road against the Durham Bulls, the Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate and team that won the championship last season, Meyer sported no-hit stuff. He pitched five perfect frames before leaving in the sixth with a calf cramp.

Meyer struck out three of the first four batters he faced and struck out the side in the fourth. He k’d eight overall, inducing 12 whiffs along the way. Durham didn’t have a radar gun in use yesterday, but Meyer located his fastball well. His changeup and slider were very effective, too.

For the season, Meyer now has 13 strikeouts in 9.0 innings pitched, having allowed just two hits, two runs, a walk, and a hits batsman. He’s not on Miami’s 40-man roster, so a move will have to be made prior to the Marlins calling up this top prospect.

Marlins Outfield Prospects Coming Along in Triple-A

The Marlins other top prospects in Jacksonville, JJ Bleday and Peyton Burdick, had slower starts to their seasons but they’ve played well of late. Bleday’s just 3-for-23 so far this season, but he had his best game of the season yesterday in Durham. Bleday went 1-for-4 with a 2-RBI single, a walk and a run scored. Bleday would’ve notched his first home run of the season in the ninth, if not for an amazing catch by Bulls’ centerfielder Cal Stevenson robbing Bleday of a 3-run bomb.

Burdick also played well yesterday, connecting on his second homer of the season, a no-doubter in the first inning. Burdick is 7-for-26 with a pair of homers and four RBI so far this season. He has four walks, but nine strikeouts. Following a 0-for-5, 4-K performance last week, Burdick’s gone 3-for-8 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and only one strikeout.

Both Bleday and Burdick stand among the Marlins top-10 prospects and both have seen time in centerfield this season. Bleday’s made three starts in center, while Burdick’s made one. Both players have looked comfortable, especially Bleday, who’s reps have come in the spacious centerfield at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville.

Other Marlins 40-man Prospects in Jacksonville

Seven of the Marlins top-30 prospects remain on the Triple-A roster early on. Lewin Diaz has been one of Jacksonville’s most consistent hitters early this season, going 9-for-28 so far, with a homer, double, and a team-leading seven RBI. His K-rate early on is a manageable 22.5 percent.

The Jumbo Shrimp pitching staff features four active hurlers currently on Miami’s 40-man roster. Of those, Braxton Garrett is off to the best start. He went 4.0 innings in his season debut last week, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out three, including two of the top Boston Red Sox prospects, Triston Casas and Jeter Downs. He’s scheduled to pitch for Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Jordan Holloway’s first start went well, other than the third inning. He pitched four, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks. Holloway ran into trouble against the Worcester Red Sox in the third, when after securing two outs, he walked a batter, allowed a single, walked another, then surrendered a grand slam.

Zach Pop has seen the most action with the Jumbo Shrimp of those on the 40-man. He’s made three appearances, tossing 4.2 innings total. Pop’s allowed seven hits, though, with three walks, allowing inherited runners to score twice. Batters are hitting .368 off him early on.

The worst of the bunch so far has been Paul Campbell. He’s pitched in two games, with one start, and over eight total innings so far, Campbell’s allowed 10 earned runs, with nine hits, five walks and a hits batsman. He’s surrendered two homers, though he does have nine strikeouts.

Jacksonville’s gone with a 6-man rotation early on, keeping close tabs on the development and stress on these young arms.

Double-A with a Surprise

Miami’s Double-A affiliate, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, sports seven of the Marlins’ top-30 prospects, including one from the top-5. Soon-to-be 19-year-old Eury Perez made the leap to Double-A this year and continues his rocket ascent among prospect rankings.

Perez toss 4.1 innings in his season debut last week, allowing three hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. Four of the first eight outs he registered came via the K and he didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning. He ran into trouble in the fifth following a hits batsman and a single. His replacement, Will Stewart, allowed both of those inherited runners to score, giving Perez three earned runs on the night.

The only Blue Wahoo on Miami’s 40-man roster is 24-year-old outfielder Jerar Encarnacion, who’s getting work at first base defensively this season. Encarnacion’s off to a slow start at the plate, hitting just .111 with a .158 on-base percentage. He has 10 strikeouts over 18 at-bats and zero RBI.

The big surprise among Marlins prospects in Pensacola has been the play of Paul McIntosh. The 24-year-old catcher started the season 8-for-12 with two homers, a double, triple, and four RBI. He has two walks as well and leads the Southern League with a 1.417 OPS.

Some of the other notable names in Pensacola include Hayden Cantrelle, Griffin Conine, and Victor Victor Mesa. None have impressed as of yet, and Conine’s off to a particularly slow start. He’s 3-for-20 with a homer but nine strikeouts and no walks through four games.

Single-A Sees a Star

Miami has two Single-A affiliates, High-A Beliot Sky Carp and Low-A Jupiter Hammerheads. Six of the Marlins top-30 prospects started the season in High-A, with left-handed pitcher Dax Fulton being the highest-rated (No. 9). Fulton tossed 3.2 innings in his first start, allowing six runs on four hits and four walks. He struck out four.

The Marlins top hitting prospects in Wisconsin include Victor Mesa Jr. (No. 14), Cody Morissette (No. 16), and Nasim Nunez (No. 18). These players are a combined 5-for-44 to start with just one RBI and 21 strike outs between them.

But in Low-A Jupiter, as star has been born. Atop the Marlins prospects list stands shortstop Kahlil Watson. He’s 5-for-15 with two homers, two doubles, five RBI and five runs scored to start 2022. He sports a 1.242 OPS early on and figures to fly through Miami’s system.

Jose Salas, the No. 8 prospect for the Fish, has started 3-for-15 with a double, a homer, and RBI and two walks early on.

The surprise here among Marlins prospects has been 20-year-old starting pitcher Sandro Bargallo, who tossed five scoreless innings in his season debut, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out eight.

Here’s More on the Marlins Top Prospects

5 Tips to Profit while Betting on Basketball

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Professional basketball bettors have developed a keen capacity to identify value in betting lines, which they have developed over hundreds of hours of practice and experience. The experts have a couple of behaviors that are simple for amateur sports bettors to adopt and will immediately result in more profitable NBA wagers.

 

You will be able to approach betting on basketball with greater confidence if you use profitable basketball tips to your advantage. By using certain tips, rather than making simple estimates based on chance observations, you will be able to put together and execute a strategy that will increase your chances of winning.

 

There is no reason to settle for ineffective and simplistic methods of engaging the NBA betting game. Following legitimate NBA betting tips can assist you in making better informed, profitable wagers and determining which NBA games to wager on.

Check the Schedule

Depending on rest spots, travel, and motivation, the calendar can occasionally affect a team’s performance on the court. Situational betting, commonly called spot betting, is an effective strategy for identifying underlying value while betting on or against a team.

 

The schedule may require a team to play numerous games in a short time, leaving them depleted for the final games of that period. Additionally, the schedule can include an extended break from the action to allow coaches and players to change their game plans and recover injured bodies. And, as always, keep an eye out for lookahead and letdown spots surrounding key games and significant wins.

Always Track Your Results

While everyone can win a bet or two, individuals seeking long-term success must keep accurate records of their wagers. Consider making a spreadsheet that tracks the date, the wager, the sportsbook, the odds, the final score, and your profit or loss. Include another column for notes and remarks about the action. This information will assist you in fine-tuning your approach and making more informed wagering decisions of your Odds to Win NBA Finals bets. 

 

As you track your profitability over time, you’ll discover the value of devoting time to conducting thorough research on each wager. Keep an eye on your NBA betting to stay current on news and trends and simply enjoy the game.

Bet Early

One of the most effective strategies for gaining an edge when betting on NBA games is to begin betting immediately after the markets open each morning. As oddsmakers and bettors gain more knowledge about games as the match approaches, betting early helps you profit from any first line errors released by oddsmakers before they are corrected.

 

Since bookmakers update their lines in real-time depending on activity received, injury news, and other variables, the lines grow more accurate and more difficult to overcome as the day progresses. 

 

Betting on sports is the ultimate multi-player game. You are not only up against the bookmaker; you are up against thousands of other sports bettors whose opinions shape the market. Considering what the great majority of the public and seasoned professionals think about a game enables you to correctly read the market and choose the optimal time to place your bets.

Take Note of Injury Reports

When it comes to NBA betting, the importance of injuries cannot be overstated. Bet early in the morning, but be accessible in the afternoon to monitor injury news and watch for games where an injury could significantly impact the outcome.

 

It is usual for top players to sit out back-to-back games in the era of load management. You must predict which players will sit out based on the previous play, press reports, and betting markets. There are slower-moving sportsbooks that are slower to adjust their spreads and totals in response to injury news, which is one immense opportunity for bettors to gain an edge.

Pace Factor and Scoring

There are two critical stats to review before betting on the over or under for a game’s total. The first is the Pace Factor, which estimates a team’s possessions per 48 minutes. The second is team scoring. Team scoring keeps track of a team’s total points scored in a game, including regulation and overtime points.

 

If you check both statistics thoroughly, you’ll discover that the teams with the highest scoring averages are not usually the ones with the highest Pace Factor and vice versa. This is because a fast pace frequently results in turnovers and inconsistent shooting. Conduct a side-by-side analysis to determine which teams excel at both. Teams that excel on both fronts will average a high number of possessions each game and score efficiently with those possessions.

 

Final Thoughts

By following the several tips above, such as checking the schedule, betting early, paying attention to injury reports, scoring, and recording your results, you can take the first step toward being an expert bettor. With sufficient knowledge, you may place a confident wager and enjoy the NBA.

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The Vincent-Strus-Martin Ascension Spiraled into a Miami Heat Ascension

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When covering the Miami Heat’s scrimmage during training camp, there were two names that I walked away from that game with that were clearly playing at another level.

Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin.

One guy fresh off a two-way contract, and the other brand new to it.

Martin came as a surprise for many, as this athletic kid, that recently played for Charlotte, was showcasing to be much more than just a simple “athlete.”

He showed that his jumper was becoming more consistent, and wasn’t just some isolation player that some seemed to perceive him as coming in.

More than anything, he was a legitimate defensive piece that showed flashes of being a real rotation piece.

Then the month of January hit in the year 2022. His name was already getting more buzz after an electric performance against the Bucks mid-way through December, where his 28 points without Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo led to a much needed win over the defending champs.

But well, the calendar flip was pretty much a defensive tour.

He made De’Aaron Fox’s night uneven with a 5 of 12 night, but it was clear that they had something aside from the Adebayo and Tucker switches. Martin followed the Fox night up with the assignment of Steph Curry, which he bothered enough to shoot 3 of 17 from the field at home.

Yes, they ended up dropping both of those games, but something was brewing.

Shortly after that two-game stretch, he held Chris Paul to a 3 of 9 night, Trae Young to a 4 of 15 game, and Fred VanVleet went 6 of 16 from deep with only one 2 attempted.

The point guard tour was real, but it was the true understanding of what he could be on this team, combined with the overall improvements in his offensive game.

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Rewinding back to Gabe Vincent, there weren’t a ton of expectations coming into the season. He was a situational piece when guys went down, leaving many saying that a back-up point guard may be a neccessity.

People were right, they did need a back-up 1. But that guy was Vincent himself.

When he first signed with Miami, he appeared to be an undersized shooter who would play mainly off the catch, which he showed flashes of. But last season, he had an uneven year shooting the ball from deep due to some mechanical shifts.

Yet while some focused on those numbers, he was rapidly excelling at the all around parts of his game.

He became the staple of Miami’s 2-2-1 press that debuted last year next to Andre Iguodala, just due to the fact that his perimeter lateral quickness was for real, and he had a clear knack for the ball.

Coming into this season, he just bounced off that two-way contract, and the next step would be could he make minor improvements on the ball.

Well, the improvements weren’t minor.

He was pretty much thrown into the fire of point guard reps, and he proved that the off-season did a lot for his game. The pick and roll savviness was really something, the catch and shoot numbers jumped up from under 30% last season to 39% this year, and his mid-range/driving game had surged.

His mid-range pull-up stalled out at 29% last year, which spiked to 43% this season. That isn’t gradual improvement. That’s turning the whole page.

Plus, speaking of big games mid-way through December, Vincent led Miami to back-to-back wins with a 26 point performance in Philly, then a 27 point night against the Magic. As the top guys kept dropping out of the lineup, these guys were ready to step up.

Not only are they great fillers, but they’re now potentially in a playoff rotation.

And when talking about certain guys stepping up, Vincent’s two-way companion Max Strus is the perfect example of that.

I wouldn’t exactly say Strus’ scenario was completely aligned with the other two, since it was more about situation and opportunity for him. He constantly would get the same looks no matter if it was last year or this year, but the sample size being greater this time around allowed for a true evaluation period.

Among the top 50 players in 3 point attempts a game this season, which includes around 50 players, only one player shot a better percentage from deep than Strus, with the stipulation of playing at least half of the regular season games.

Desmond Bane edged him out, but Max Strus trailed him with a 41% shooting season from beyond the arc.

It’s not easy to be that spark shooter who has to consistently perform as a guy with zero rhythm prior to entering, but he proved himself. Now he finds himself sitting in the starting lineup less than a week away from the start of the playoffs.

These 3 guys are extreme success stories for this Miami Heat developmental program, but they’re also examples of putting in the work, and performing at the highest level.

From fillers to playoff rotation.

It isn’t everyday that you see that, but from the Heat’s perspective, they aren’t surprised when it happens.

 

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Marlins in San Francisco

5 Takeaways from Marlins Opening Series in San Francisco

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The Miami Marlins opened the 2022 season in San Francisco, and found themselves in a tightly contested three-game series to start. Each of the three contests against the Giants finished with one-run margins, but Miami dropped two of the three. San Francisco sported the best record in baseball last season, and looks very much like a championship contender, so it’s heartening for Marlins fans to see Miami compete on the road with a team of that caliber.

That said, the Marlins still lost their opening series in San Francisco. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said early Sunday that the team moved past moral victories, but there were still positive developments for the team in the losses. Here are five takeaways.

Bullpen Bounce Back for Marlins in San Francisco

Much was made of Miami’s delayed addressing of its reliever corps this offseason. Although the Marlins bullpen sported a 3.81 ERA, seventh-lowest in MLB, and a 1.26 WHIP, eighth-lowest, last season, there still seemed to be a glaring need for a high-leverage reliever. But late in spring training Miami bolstered the bullpen in a trade with Baltimore.

The Marlins bullpen failed with its first attempt at a save in San Francisco, though. On Opening Day, key relievers surrendered runs, including Anthony Bender serving up a game-tying homer in the ninth to the first batter he faced as a closer this season. Richard Bleier and Anthony Bass also struggled in their first turns.

But the Marlins bullpen bounced back in the final two games of the series in San Francisco. Miami relievers pitched seven innings over those last two contests and did not surrender a run. The bullpen combined to allow just three base runners (two hits, one walk) with 10 strikeouts over those seven frames.

Marlins left-handed reliever Steven Okert, who spent his first three MLB seasons in San Francisco, struck out four of the six batters he faced, each with a slider. Tanner Scott and Cole Sulser, the players Miami acquired from the Orioles, also looked good in their Marlins debuts in San Francisco. The two relievers combined to pitch 2.2 innings in the series, striking out three and giving up one hit and one walk.

But perhaps the most important bounce backs came from Bender, Bleier, and Bass. Bender nailed down the save, and Bleier struck out the side in the eighth inning on Saturday. Bass tossed 1.1 innings on Sunday without allowing a baserunner.

Miami’s presumptive closer, Dylan Floro, started 2022 on the IL, but traveled with the team and tossed a 25-pitch bullpen session this weekend.

Surprisingly Solid Defense

The Marlins sought to upgrade their lineup this offseason, seemingly at the expense of their defensive makeup. Miami opted not to carry a natural centerfielder on its roster, choosing instead to bring in the best possible bats and having the defense sort itself out.

Although Avisail Garica and Jorge Soler were brought in to be among the big bats in the lineup, both players provided impressive plays on defense for the Marlins in San Francisco. Garcia cannoned a relay throw into the infield in the 10th inning on Opening Day that caught the Giants’ placed runner flatfooted. On Sunday, Soler robbed a homer from San Francisco first baseman Darin Ruf.

But the defensive highlight of the weekend for the Marlins in San Francisco came from Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jacob Stallings demonstrated his defensive value on Opening Day by picking off a runner at second and throwing out a would-be base-stealer. Stallings also called great games for both Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez. Jesus Sanchez looked comfortable in the spacious center field in Oracle Park.

That said, outfield shifts seemed to afford San Francisco too many scoring opportunities this weekend. On two different occasions, including during the game-winning hit on Opening Day, the outfield shift opened pathways for the Giants to turn singles into extra-base hits and score runs.

Soler Breaks Out on Sunday

Not much was expected of Jorge Soler as a defender, so his homerun-robbing grab provided an added bonus to the day. Entering the 2022 season, Soler sported a minus-5 defensive runs saved as a left fielder in his career. But he saved a run for the Marlins in San Francisco on Sunday with this catch:

The Marlins brought Soler to Miami for the added pop to the lineup. Soler once led the American League in home runs. He earned a World Series MVP with the Atlanta Braves last year thanks to clutch postseason hitting. But Soler’s Marlins tenure started quietly.

Soler went hitless with four strikeouts in his first seven at-bats for the Marlins in San Francisco. But he worked a pair of walks on Saturday in his final two plate appearances and followed that with three hits and a walk on Sunday. Soler reached base in six straight plate appearances, which is exactly what the club is looking from a leadoff hitter.

Pablo Impresses in His First Turn

Pablo Lopez made his first start of the season for the Marlins in San Francisco. The 26-year-old righty entered his fifth season in MLB after injury issues limited the end of his 2021 season. But in his first start, Lopez limited San Francisco to one run, surrendering three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six, and retired 12 straight Giants at one point on Saturday.

This was an impressive outing for Lopez following the struggles he had this spring. Over three Spring Training starts, Lopez allowed nine earned runs over eight innings pitched. He surrendered 12 hits, five walks, and two homers, while striking out 11. What concerned the most about these outings wasn’t the ineffectiveness, but the dramatic drop in fastball velocity following his injury.

But on Saturday, all looked right for Lopez. He velocity ticked back up to its normal range, and his changeup garnered several whiffs. Over the five innings, Lopez induced 15 swing-and-misses, with a 39 percent CSW rate on his 79 pitches. CSW, or called plus swinging strike percentage, is a predictive and descriptive measure of a pitcher’s true skill. League average sits around 29 percent, and anything above 35 percent is considered elite.

Marlins Struggle with RISP in San Francisco

The Marlins front office opted to focus on the lineup this offseason, seeking to add bats to last year’s flounder offense. But the early returns for the Marlins in San Francisco showed a disappointing trend continuing for the Fish.

Last season, the Marlins ranked 24th in MLB, hitting just .239 with runners in scoring position. Through the three-game set against the Giants, Miami managed just two hits in 22 tries with runners in scoring position. That .091 average checks in at 29th in baseball, trailing just the Baltimore Orioles (.083).

During the 3-2 loss on Sunday, the Marlins put the leadoff runner on base in six different innings. Miami registered 11 hits on Sunday, but plated just two runs.

The middle of Miami’s order struggled in particular. Jesus Aguilar, Garrett Cooper, and Garcia combined to go 6-for-37, with nine strikeouts and only one RBI (which came on a hit-by-pitch).

“Offensively, I think this is not really an indication of what we’re going to be,” Mattingly said after the game on Sunday.  “I think we’re going to be a dangerous club as the summer goes on.”

For the series, the Marlins stranded 22 runners on base. Considering Miami’s two losses each came by just one run, that’s something that must improve going forward. Last season, the Marlins sported a 21-29 record in one-run contests.

The Marlins look to build on these positives during their quick two-game trip to Los Angeles. They face the Angels on Monday and Tuesday.

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Here’s More on the Marlins in San Francisco

Five Takeaways from this Miami Heat Season

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On a pretty meaningless night of Miami Heat basketball, I wasn’t going to dissect the play of Sioux Falls against the Magic.

Instead, I wanted to zoom out a bit and go big picture.

So, here are some mainstream takeaways from the Heat this regular season…

#1: Tyler Herro’s leap, a Miami Heat leap.

Coming into the season, there were some decently high expectations for Tyler Herro on this team. He had a lot against him heading in with trade rumors and things of that nature, yet people still were projecting that 6th man of the year was in reach. But as we’ve seen, not only was he in reach, he’s the runaway favorite. And to that point, he’s exceeded all expectations since that first game in October, even after putting a target on his back that he was in similar “conversations” as some of the league’s best young talent. From a basketball perspective, we constantly look at the stuff he’s doing now under a microscope, but it’s pretty obvious that his leap has elevated this Heat team. On the offensive end, he’s allowed everything to gel together due to his shot creating surge. Yet when hearing the word “surge,” it feels like it applies to him in different ways week after week.

#2: Bam Adebayo capping off the staple of this team: a top defense.

After looking back at Herro’s play leading to offensive flexibility, that’s been the case for Bam Adebayo on the defensive end to an even further degree. Yes Miami added defensive talent, in guys like PJ Tucker, and lost certain liabilities, like Kendrick Nunn or Goran Dragic, but defense is very similar to offense: you can have skillful players, but you need the puzzle pieces to fit together. Bam Adebayo is the reason that they fit. The Miami Heat have won regular season games this year behind Bam’s impact on switches, weak-side help, or the pure fear factor. That’s why it just works, and ultimately why he should be the defensive player of the year. In terms of expectations, it’s fair to say that some expected he could potentially obtain that award, but becoming Spoelstra’s shifting defensive design isn’t normal. But he’s made it look as such.

#3: Jimmy Butler’s consistency and Kyle Lowry’s control providing positive signs.

In the off-season, we heard a lot of talk about timelines. The Herro-Adebayo timeline or the Butler-Lowry timeline. And well, they’re riding the line of both at this very moment in time, landing them in the 1 seed. I talked about that young pairing already, but that veteran combo shouldn’t be pushed to the side. Through pure numbers, there hasn’t been much change for them, but they’ve allowed this all to work. Lowry has led to a major shift in offensive schematics, as Miami has abandoned pure reliance on DHO’s, and relied much more heavily on ball screen sets and heavy movement actions. How can they quickly transition? Well, just credit Lowry’s passing. Butler also deserves credit for his overall consistency, not just in numbers, but in role. His rim pressure asset is nothing to play with, and we’re now seeing him taking a hypothetical step back for the young duo to shine. We know about the Lowry-Butler relationship off the floor, but the on-court duo is peaking at the right time.

#4: Do the Miami Heat have depth? Oh yeah, the Miami Heat definitely have depth.

The question that was posed often before the season when talking about this Heat team was: do they have enough depth? Not only rotationally, but to get through a regular season. Looking back at it now, both of those things are laughable. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Caleb Martin ascending together this season has played a big part in that, which is where “getting through the regular season” comes into play. Lowry goes out, oh Vincent steps up big. Robinson goes out, Strus steps up big. Butler goes out, Martin steps up big. Adebayo goes out, Yurtseven steps up big. It was a never ending process that quickly blended into rotation strength. These guys were no longer fillers. They were legitimate playoff level bench pieces. Now fast forward a bit more, you have some other guys on the outside looking in, with Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo, as Dipo goes off for 25 in the first half on game 82. Depth quickly shifted from weakness to strength, and now it’s leading to constant debates of who should play over who.

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#5: A 1 seed built for the playoffs.

Moving the goal posts is a common occurrence in the sports world. As many proclaimed before the season, this gritty Heat group would be one of those “tough outs” in a playoff setting, since they will be one of those middle of the pack teams nobody wants to play. All of a sudden they land in the 1 seed, due to the previous section of depth, and now they’re a regular season team that have questions surrounding entering true contention? Yeah, like I said, the goal posts move. But it’s pretty clear when watching this team that they are built for a playoff setting. For one, they have a coach of the year candidate that I haven’t touched on a lot here, who is better at mid-game, or mid-series, adjustments than most opponents he faces. But more importantly, they’ve found their identity at the right time. They’ve known what they are defensively, but discovering this new look offense with more spacers, expanded sets, and a changing rotation has broadened this team’s ceiling in my view.

 

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Miami Hurricanes land key offensive lineman in Jonathan Denis

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The Miami Hurricanes were able to land a commitment on Saturday evening. Interior offensive lineman Jonathan Denis committed to the program.

Denis has four seasons of eligibility remaining. He made his commitment announcement on Twitter Saturday evening.

As a prospect, Denis was a four-*recruit. He was the 14th overall offensive guard in his class, and the 53rd overall player in the 2020 class from the state of Florida per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He committed to Oregon on July 27,2019.

A good get for Miami Hurricanes

This is another example of the coaching staff getting one of their guys. Denis was recruited by Alex Mirabal at Oregon. Denis has the ability to strike as soon as the ball is snapped. In particular, his ability to stand firm while pass-blocking should be an asset for the Hurricanes.

Not only does he block, he finishes them with force. That type of physical play style will be helpful to Miami in terms of the running game especially. In terms of pass-blocking, this allows him to give a clean pocket to the quarterbacks.

This marks the second Oregon offensive lineman that the Hurricanes have landed from the transfer portal. Miami was also able to grab Logan Sagapolu in January.

This is certainly a good depth get for Miami. The Hurricanes have experience on the line for 2022. D.J. Scafie Jr. Jakai Clark, Jalen Rivers, Justice Oluwaseun and, Zion Nelson, and John Campbell should all be a huge part of the line. Denis should add depth to the group, and he gives the coaching staff another player they are familiar with.

Overall, this is a strong get for the Miami Hurricanes. As they continue to build the program, the coaches  added some familiarity to the roster. Depth is the name of the game in college football. The Miami Hurricanes recognize that.

 

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Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Hawks

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The Miami Heat faced the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night after already locking up the 1 seed, and it had a real playoff feel to it late.

All the main guys played, and they got crucial late game offense reps.

Big Tyler Herro shot, nice Bam Adebayo control, and a major set up from Kyle Lowry late.

A clear confidence booster.

Even if the Heat are still not among the four favorites to win the East in the playoffs, according to Betway.com.

 

Some takeaways:

#1: Tyler Herro’s passing vision continues to spike.

Tyler Herro enters for Jimmy Butler, as the new substitution pattern sticks. Like most games, the first couple possessions look similar. Herro-Adebayo pick and roll, Herro draws two to the ball, and Bam gets a bucket. That happened immediately as he checked in once again. But then it was copied and pasted immediately after as a highlight lob pass for the Bam dunk. That combo is one conversation, but this version of Herro is the true conversation. It’s one thing to get to the point where you’re consistently drawing two, but it’s another thing to continually drop dimes out of that double since multiple guys are dropping down. They’re surrounding him with other shooters, since there’s always an awaiting Robinson, Strus, or Vincent on that weak-side. And that’s a post-season half court offense gift.

#2: Caleb Martin allows for defensive versatility.

Watching the defensive alignments early on, it could be foreshadowing something more meaningful down the road. In this instance, Caleb Martin is guarding the talented point guard, in Trae Young, which could also be the PJ Tucker role when he’s playing. But if the power forward is guarding the opposing 1, who is 6 foot Kyle Lowry guarding? Well, in this case, it’s the stretch 4 named Danilo Gallinari. It’s been clear this season that Miami likes to stick Martin or Tucker on those type of guards, but the issue is if the opposing front-court allows for Lowry to match-up with. Like I said, one that isn’t an interior threat like Gallinari is the perfect example. Sub John Collins in for him, and you must go in a different direction. But the point is that this allows for some defensive versatility, and that starts with these versatile wings like Martin.

#3: The Trae Young effect.

In a game like this, it’s more about projecting forward as Miami had the 1 seed locked up before even walking into the building. But the truth is that there are four teams who could potentially land in that 8 spot. And well, Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks are one of them. Yet when watching tonight, it’s clear that he forces you to empty the defensive playbook with a bunch of different surprises. As much as I talk about the match-ups from Miami’s perspective, Young is just that talented to bypass those things at times. Looking at the second quarter for example, there was a play in which Young tried to take Martin off the dribble for the entire possession. Martin wasn’t biting on any fake or cross. He locked him up for about 22 seconds, yet Young somehow slipped by at the last two for the lay-in. Those are the problems that he presents. It’s all about that 24 second clock, since he only needs that one second advantage to make a play.

#4: Bam Adebayo putting together a nice offensive night.

Instead of looking so far into X’s and O’s or stats, it should be mentioned that Bam Adebayo put together a nice little performance in this one on the offensive end. I’ve already touched on the stuff next to Herro, which is a major part of his scoring success, but his inside game seems to be growing night to night. There are plenty of bigs that he faces that clearly overpower him in size, but these slight fakes and baseline drives to get under the rim has gotten him to the line quite often as of late. As I said before the season when many were chanting for Bam threes, the better option would be his inside game to take a major step. We aren’t at the “major” point yet, but there’s definitely been a step. And that improvement could win Miami a playoff game.

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#5: So, all eyes on that 8 spot.

The Brooklyn Nets took down the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, which are the current 7 and 8 seeds. Since the Nets have the tiebreaker over them, that jumps them up to the 7 seed as we speak. The Hawks sit right behind, with the Charlotte Hornets sitting nice as well as they destroyed the Chicago Bulls tonight. Now it just comes down to eyeing the Nets final game, as that’s the team most people are worried about. They win that game, then they’ll find themselves in an elimination game at home in the play-in, meaning they’re one win away from landing themselves in the 7 seed officially. There are a ton of tiebreaker elements to this right now, but the Nets road to that seeding now leans in their favor. Should be an interesting week as Miami charges up at home for that first round series.

 

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