Sports
Mookie Betts reveals what makes Brewers legit World Series contenders: ‘Good recipe over there’
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Another series, another sweep for the Milwaukee Brewers, as they took down the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12-5, on Wednesday night.
That win made it 12 in a row for the team with the best record in MLB at 76-44.
If you were to ask any baseball fan entering the season who would have the league’s best record as the year turns toward the postseason, it’s likely they wouldn’t have said the Brewers. But that’s the beautiful thing about the game – any team can emerge as not just a surprise winner, but a juggernaut poised for a World Series run.
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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (10) celebrates as Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins (16) prepares to cross home plate against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning at American Family Field. (Michael McLoone/Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts admitted Milwaukee wasn’t really on his mind at the start of the season. But after playing against them, he can totally understand where this success has come from.
“At first, you’re a little surprised like, ‘Wow, they’re doing really well. They do all facets well.’ But when you play against them, you really see why. They have starting pitching, they have relieving, and they have speed, defense, timely hitting. They have belief in each other – you can definitely see they believe in each other. That’s a close-knit group over there.”
While the Brewers may be considered a surprise team in 2025, Betts reminded everyone that they’ve been quite successful in recent seasons.
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“The Brewers have always been a really good ballclub. They’ve always been around the bubble, they’ve been in the playoffs a lot,” he said.
Milwaukee won the NL Central division in each of the last two campaigns and figures to make it three by the end of this regular season. And they’ve made the postseason in six of their last seven seasons.
So, the success has always been there, but the closest they have come to the World Series has been Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS, ultimately losing to the Dodgers. Betts wasn’t on the team at the time, but rather beat them as a member of the Boston Red Sox to secure his first of three World Series Rings.
Since that NLCS appearance, the Brewers have only made it as far as the NLDS. They’ve lost in the NL Wild Card round in each of the past two seasons, including a crushing Game 3 loss that came to the surging New York Mets, who made it all the way to the NLCS.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski throws to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Now, Betts thinks things are different in Milwaukee, and he pointed to one facet of the game in particular.
“They really have a good recipe over there, but their pitching staff is really, really good. When you have pitching, you can have a chance to win everything,” he said.
Pitching is key, especially when October rolls around. One great start, or shutdown pieces in the bullpen, can be the difference between moving on in a series or heading home.
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The Brewers own the league’s third-best team ERA (3.59), which isn’t far behind the league’s-best Texas Rangers (3.32) and San Diego Padres (3.55).
In the starting rotation, Freddy Peralta has been pitching like a true ace with a 2.90 ERA over 136.2 innings, striking out 148 batters while walking only 50 over that span. But 24-year-old Quinn Priester’s breakout season has been a joy to watch, as he owns a 3.49 ERA over a career-high 118.2 innings. Jose Quintana (3.44 ERA), Chad Patrick (3.52 ERA) and the flame-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski (2.70 ERA over 33.1 innings) have all been solid options for the Brewers in the rotation this year.
Then, when it’s time to shut the door on the opponent, the Brewers can count on closer Trevor Megill to end it. He has 28 saves in 44 games this season with a 2.20 ERA (41 innings). He earned himself his first career All-Star nod because of how great of a season he’s having, though he did post a 2.72 ERA in 2024 over 48 games.
“They just find ways to do it, they find ways to get things done. They play small ball, they hit home runs. They kinda do everything,” Betts added.
When it comes to hitting, Christian Yelich is playing like the bona fide All-Star he needs to be if the Brewers want to go far in the postseason. He’s slashing .266/.344/.456 with a team-leading 23 home runs and 81 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) and second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Truist Park. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
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But there’s young life in the lineup, too, as Jackson Chourio continues to shine with Yelich in the outfield, hitting .276 while slugging .474 with 17 homers and 29 doubles on the year. From Williams Contreras to Rhys Hoskins, to Brice Turang, to Sal Frelick, and the list goes on, these Brewers are relentless when it’s their turn to produce offense.
Will that last through an October postseason run? If it does, it won’t be a surprise to Betts and the rest of MLB.
The Dodgers have lost all six of their games against the Brewers this season.
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Making bold sporting statements without real repercussions can be fun, and fantasy baseball certainly is fun, so it is time again for us to combine these fun things into one column. Well, really it is two columns, as we get bold separately with the American League and the National League, making myriad predictions and hoping some (or several) may hit. Perhaps not, but at least they should make one think.
For example, a year ago we predicted that Athletics DH Brent Rooker would hit 50 home runs. He did not, but he did not struggle. We predicted Houston Astros RHP Hunter Brown would whiff 200 hitters and make the All-Star team. That did occur. Tampa Bay Rays OF Chandler Simpson very nearly stole 45 bases, but three Chicago White Sox did not hit 25 home runs. Byron Buxton and Mike Trout did play a lot! Grayson Rodriguez and Liam Hendriks did not.
Some (most) of these predictions will look a bit silly in six months, if not sooner. Still, there is a basis for making each of these bold statements, and perhaps it makes you think. Perhaps the player in question has a particular skill — or opportunity — that defies groupthink. Perhaps the statement is not a positive one. Fantasy baseball managers tend to follow rankings and projections but trusting your gut is important, too. Trust yourself. Take a few chances. Perhaps some of these bold picks will look wise in a few months.
With that in mind, let us get bold yet again for the pending season, starting with the American League.
Athletics: Could an Athletic hit 50 home runs this season? With reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz, anything seems possible. Let’s give Rooker 40 blasts. … SS Jacob Wilson trades some contact for pop, hitting .280 with 18 home runs. … RHP Luis Severino can’t be that bad again in home games (6.01 ERA): Overall, he wins 13 games with a 3.80 ERA. … RHP Justin Sterner saves 18 games.
Baltimore Orioles: 2B Jackson Holliday (hand) makes his season debut in mid-April and still reaches 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. … Two Orioles hit 40 home runs (SS Gunnar Henderson, 1B Pete Alonso). … OF prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. debuts in July. He steals 26 bases. … LHP Trevor Rogers surprisingly is for real: 15 wins, 2.80 ERA, All-Star appearance. … RHP Andrew Kittredge saves more games than Ryan Helsley.
Boston Red Sox: OF star Roman Anthony hits 40 home runs and he is not the primary leadoff hitter for long. … Seven Red Sox hit 20 home runs, including 1B Triston Casas. … LHP Garrett Crochet whiffs 275 hitters and earns the AL Cy Young Award. … RHP Sonny Gray fans 180 hitters for his fifth team, and he wins a career-high 15 games.
Chicago White Sox: New 1B Munetaka Murakami and SS Colson Montgomery each hit 31 home runs, although neither infielder hits above .220. … New 2B Luisangel Acuna steals 28 bases. … Staff ace RHP Shane Smith makes the AL All-Star team again! … RHP prospect David Sandlin debuts in July, and he posts a 3.40 ERA in 12 starts.
Cleveland Guardians: Three Guardians hit 30 home runs, with newcomer 1B Rhys Hoskins joining 3B Jose Ramirez and 1B Kyle Manzardo. … Brittle OF Chase DeLauter, new No. 2 hitter, bats 510 times. … DH David Fry earns his catcher eligibility in June, and he finishes as a top 15 fantasy catcher. … RHP Tanner Bibee makes his first All-Star game. He wins 15 games and strikes out 200.
Detroit Tigers: OF Kerry Carpenter hits 32 home runs, knocks in 99 runs. … Prospect Max Anderson takes the 3B job in late-May, hits .290 over 420 PA. … RHP Justin Verlander wins 13 games with a 3.40 ERA. He starts Game 2 of the playoffs. … RHP Kenley Jansen saves 36 wins, sailing past 500 saves for his career and he retires.
Houston Astros: 1B Christian Walker leads the team with 30 home runs, with OF Yordan Alvarez and 3B Isaac Paredes adding 28. … Year 2 goes better for OF Cam Smith. He hits .270 with 22 home runs. … New RHP Mike Burrows wins 12 games with 160 strikeouts. … RHP Bryan Abreu saves 25 games and makes the All-Star team. Be very careful about LHP Josh Hader.
Kansas City Royals: Four Royals hit 30 home runs, led by slugging OF Jac Caglianone and solid 1B Vinnie Pasquantino with 34. … OF Starling Marte, active leader in stolen bases (and caught stealing), adds 22 steals. … OF Isaac Collins becomes the every-day 2B and posts a .375 OBP with 22 steals. … RHP Stephen Kolek (oblique), not in the Opening Day rotation, still wins 12 games with a 3.40 ERA.
Los Angeles Angels: SS Zach Neto delivers the third 30/30 season in franchise history (Bobby Bonds, Mike Trout). … Healthy OF Josh Lowe rediscovers his 2023 numbers, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 28 bases. … Speaking of health, RHP Grayson Rodriguez posts a 3.50 ERA over 26 starts, with myriad strikeouts. … LHP Drew Pomeranz saves 20 games.
Minnesota Twins: 2B Luke Keaschall scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, batting .285 with 32 stolen bases. … OF Byron Buxton and 3B Royce Lewis each bat more than 500 times, and each reaches 30 home runs. … RHP Zebby Matthews breaks out with a 3.50 ERA and 170 strikeouts.
New York Yankees: OF Trent Grisham nearly does it again, hitting 30 home runs with 90 walks. … Grisham and C Ben Rice are among six Yankees who reach 30 home runs. … RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow) returns in May, and he wins 14 of his 22 starts with a 3.20 ERA. … LHP Ryan Weathers surprises with a 3.50 ERA in 24 starts.
Seattle Mariners: 2B Brendan Donovan scores 90 runs as leadoff hitter, while adding a .295 batting average. … SS prospect Colt Emerson debuts in May and he hits 15 home runs. … Five Mariners starting pitchers (Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller) make at least 28 starts with an ERA better than 3.50.
Tampa Bay Rays: An improved 3B Junior Caminero hits .280 with 50 home runs, and he ends up second in MVP voting. … OF Jonny DeLuca stays healthy enough to steal 30 bases, while OF Chandler Simpson steals 62 bases. … RHP Brody Hopkins debuts in July and dominates with a 2.80 ERA in 14 starts. … RHP Griffin Jax saves 28 wins.
Texas Rangers: OF Wyatt Langford stays healthy enough to appear in 152 games, reaching 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Ian Kinsler was the last Ranger to reach 30/30 (2011). … 1B Jake Burger and DH Joc Pederson bounce back and each delivers 28 home runs. … RHP Nathan Eovaldi leads the staff with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts and makes his third All-Star team.
Toronto Blue Jays: OF George Springer nearly does it again, hitting .280 with 28 home runs and 96 runs scored. … New 3B Kazuma Okamoto hits cleanup, protecting 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and he hits 28 home runs. … RHP Dylan Cease makes his first All-Star team, posts a 3.36 ERA. … RHP Louis Varland leads the team with 22 saves.
Sports
Pakistan qualify for Hockey World Cup 2026 after edging Japan in qualifiers | The Express Tribune
Pakistan hockey team’s sudden omission from prestigious Azlan Shah Cup has dismayed fans and critics. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan qualified for the Hockey World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan in the semi-final of the World Cup qualifying tournament on Friday.
The Men in Green continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, securing a 4-3 victory over Japan in Egypt to confirm their place in the global event and end an eight-year wait for World Cup qualification.
Pakistan scored one goal in the first quarter and added three more in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
For Pakistan, Imad Muhammad, Abubakar Mahmood, Sufyan Khan and Afraz each scored a goal.
Goalkeeper Ali Raza played a decisive role in the victory by stopping a penalty stroke late in the match. Japan were awarded the penalty stroke four minutes before the end of the game, but Raza blocked it to help Pakistan secure the win and advance to the final while also confirming their place in the World Cup.
The leadership of the Pakistan Hockey Federation congratulated the team on the achievement with President Mohiuddin Wani saying the athletes played “excellently in nervous competition”.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team.
“The players performed brilliantly in the tournament and qualified for the world cup after eight years. This success is the result of teamwork and hard work of the players. This win proves that Pakistan has hockey talent.
“The excellent performance of all the players, including captain Imad Shakeel Butt, is commendable. Hopefully the national team will return by winning the final,” he said in a statement.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 14 this year in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Pakistan had failed to qualify for the previous edition of the World Cup and had last secured a spot in the tournament in 2018.
Lionel Messi drew high praise from President Donald Trump as the Argentine superstar and his Inter Miami team were honoured at the White House on Thursday for winning the MLS Cup last year.
The president said: “It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: ‘Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.'”
Trump went on to reveal the affection his 19-year-old son Barron has for Messi.
“My son said, ‘Dad, you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘No, I got a lot of things going on today,'” Trump said. “He said ‘Messi!’ He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re just a great person. And I think you got to meet a little while ago. So he’s a big soccer fan, but he’s a tremendous fan of yours. And a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great. You’re great.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime rival in European soccer, attended a White House event with Trump last year.
Regarding Messi’s impact on Inter Miami, Trump said: “This guy won. There was tremendous fanfare, and he won. Leo, you came in and won. It’s hard to do. … You came in and won with all that pressure.”
Wading into the area of soccer history, Trump said to Messi, “You may be better than Pele,” and he asked those in attendance, “Who’s better?”
Trump said of the Inter Miami squad: “What a group of people. We could have a lot of fun with these guys. You can imagine how they celebrate.”
The president singled out Rodrigo De Paul, an Argentine midfielder who scored the go-ahead goal in the Herons’ 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final.
“Where the hell is Rodrigo?” Trump asked, causing De Paul to blush.
The president added: “Do you have any bad-looking players? I like the bad-looking players much better.”
Messi gave Trump a pink signed Inter Miami soccer ball, and club co-owner Jorge Mas and coach Javier Mascherano presented the president with a team jersey and a watch.
Mas said: “It’s our aspiration to continue breaking barriers and putting no limits, to making sure Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are considered among the elite in global football.”
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