All articles tagged with #early season
The MLB Power Rankings reflect an early-season shake-up: several expected contenders (White Sox, Giants, Blue Jays, Astros, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox) are off to slow starts while surprise teams (Pirates, Braves, Athletics, Diamondbacks) are climbing. The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the team to beat at 11-4, but injuries and depth will test many rosters as the season unfolds.
The flu season has started early in California, driven by a new viral strain, with concerns it will be particularly severe for children. Wastewater data and rising hospitalizations indicate an early and potentially intense season, similar to experiences in the Southern Hemisphere. Vaccination remains effective, though rates are lower than pre-pandemic levels, and early diagnosis and vaccination are crucial to mitigate severe outcomes, especially among children.
Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and is expected to make a historic early-season landfall in Mexico, potentially as a Category 3 storm, with significant rainfall and wind risks along the Pacific coast, especially near Oaxaca and Acapulco.
The MLB Power Rankings reflect the early-season performances of teams, with overreactions for each club after the first few weeks. The Atlanta Braves' starting rotation looks weaker, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts is poised for an iconic season, and the New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe is off to a strong start. The Baltimore Orioles' Corbin Burnes impresses, while the Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen struggles. The Houston Astros have had a weird start, and the Texas Rangers' David Robertson may reach 200 career saves.
The Athletic asked its NBA staff to identify each team's biggest surprise of the early season. Some notable surprises include Joe Mazzulla's presence and coaching style with the Boston Celtics, Cam Thomas' scoring impact for the Brooklyn Nets, Mitchell Robinson's improvement for the New York Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr.'s performance for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the slow pace of the Toronto Raptors. Other surprises include Patrick Williams' regression for the Chicago Bulls, Evan Mobley's shooting struggles for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the offensive prowess of the Indiana Pacers.