It’s no secret that the 2024 Detroit Tigers were dead in the water, at least until a surprise late-season push propelled them to the second round of the playoffs. And, as with any sport, the players deserve the lion’s share of the credit-after all, they are the only ones who play the game. However, manager AJ Hinch deserves a lot of the credit too; it could be argued that his mixing and matching of the lineup is what pushed the Tigers over the hump.
Every player on the team can hit the ball, that is absolute, but batters generally see the ball better and hit the ball better when the pitcher throws from the opposite side of his body. That said, given the league-mandated limits on roster size, it is nearly impossible to stack a lineup in a way that can be all right-handed and then seamlessly switch over to all lefties. Nor is it effective; when a lineup is loaded with batters of the same handedness, opposing pitchers can throw to the same spots without having to change their line of sight or their release points. A few left-on-left or right-on-right matchups, however, force the pitcher to constantly adapt, working harder and tiring quicker.
Perhaps nobody quite epitomizes Hinch’s plug-and-play style like Andy Ibanez. Primarily a second baseman, the right-handed batter often played second in lieu of the lefty Colt Keith. Ibanez can and did play first, and occasionally stayed at DH, depending on who he was playing for. While Ibanez’s defensive versatility was a big piece of the flexibility he provided, his offense, particularly against left-handed pitchers, is the reason he was such a key player for the Tigers. More often than not, Ibanez would enter a game in the late innings to face a left-handed relief pitcher, and after visualizing his at-bat for most of the game, he was always ready. Arguably his biggest at-bat of the year came in the playoffs against the Astros Josh Hader. Down by three runs with the bases loaded, Ibanez hit a screamer of a game-tying triple in a game that the Tigers ultimately won.
The other side of Hinch’s lineup maneuvering coin is rookie shortstop Trey Sweeney. The lefty, acquired at the deadline in the Jack Flaherty deal, became the starting shortstop when Javier Baez was put on the shelf. Sweeney naturally started the majority of games opposite right-handed pitchers. Sweeney’s only backup without Baez, however, was fellow lefty Zach McKinstry. As the two shortstops hit from the same side of the plate, Hinch usually left Sweeney in the lineup against left-handed pitchers. And Sweeney, despite acting as a “token lefty” against southpaw pitchers, came up with some key left-on-left hits late in games, paying off Hinch’s decision to leave him in the game.
AJ’s constant lineup maneuvering of course wasn’t only applied to these few players, but up and down the lineup card. Many Tigers hitters were soon feared league-wide for the damage they could do against pitchers of one hand or the other, and Hinch and the Tigers frequently took advantage of this hesitation, and, in part, rode it all the way to the playoffs.
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Pitching, to say the least, has been a throbbing headache for the Atlanta Braves over the course of the 2025 season. The starting rotation, outside of Chris Sale, is unrecognizable from Opening Day, and the bullpen has been a revolving door except for a couple of mainstays. However, some younger arms who are coming through the system provide an opportunity to ease the pressure as soon as next season. More options mean the Braves will be better able to absorb the next blow. At this point, the assumption can’t be that the team can just get healthy and get going. Triple-A Gwinnett features some arms that should be ready to step up in 2026. Standouts include prospect JR Ritchie, Dider Fuentes, Hayden Harris, Rolddy Muñoz, Lucas Braun and Blake Burkhalter. Ritchie has been a rising prospect in the making throughout the season. After starting the season in High-A Rome, he’s made his way up to Triple-A and represented the organization in the All-Star Futures Game. Fuentes made his debut this season. Some who watched him might be hesitant to include him on the list, but keep in mind he was called up prematurely. Before his season ended due to a shoulder injury, he was starting to find his footing in Triple-A In the short term, these are young options to turn to. Eventually, the plan is that they become mainstays. Braun and Burkhalter both made their way to Triple-A this season and have put on solid performances. The tricky thing will be to find spots for them in the rotation. Ritchie and Fuentes appear to be the first two in line, but having options isn’t a bad thing. At any time, they could need the extra help. However, if they want to see Major League action, their services could be more useful in the bullpen. The Braves have been using certain relievers as long relief options, most notably former prospect Dylan Dodd. These two could become young additions to the bullpen and provide an option as a spot starter if need be. Harris and Muñoz recently made their Major League debuts and provide potential additions to the bullpen long term. Unlike Braun and Burkhalter, these two are already used as relievers, even in the minor leagues. This fast-tacks them to a spot in the majors. They could help provide stability to a team that’s been shuffling the deck and seeing the bullpen get up there in age. All the key arms in the bullpen are 30 years or older. Raisel Iglesias and Pierce Johnson are 35 and 34, respectively. It could help to have some youngblood added to the backend of the bullpen. Both arms, especially Harris, have developed a solid track record. Harris has had a sub-1.00 ERA for virtually the entire MLB season. Like Ritichie, he took part in the Futures Game. This isn’t meant to be a full substitute for getting external help, nor should it. If the Braves have a chance to bring in proven options, it’s the wise move to make. However, having the depth built in-house creates a more stable game plan for the pitching staff. There are fewer reasons to scramble since there is help ready and waiting that will eventually become Plan A as well. The headache is relieved en route to them becoming normal contributors. It’s a bit of an idealistic way to view the situation, but it’s still a potential luxury they haven’t exactly had as of late. More From Atlanta Braves on SI
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Packers TE Tucker Kraft had “a little scare but all good” regarding the knee injury he suffered during Thursday’s practice squad. “I think he will be OK,” Schefter’s source added. The Packers were optimistic that Kraft’s knee injury wasn’t a season-threatening issue, but they had to get tests run before saying for certain. It’s still unclear whether he will be able to play in Week 3. Kraft, 24, was a two-year starter for South Dakota State and earned first-team All-American honors in 2021 and third-team in 2022. The Packers selected him in the third round with the No. 78 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s in the third year of a four-year, $5,537,934 rookie contract that included a $1,027,588 signing bonus. In 2025, Kraft has appeared in two games for the Packers and caught eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
The NFL’s Week 3 action begins with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Following Thursday Night Football, Sunday’s slate presents some fun matchups for fantasy football. Ending the Week 3 lineup will be an exciting matchup featuring the Detroit Lions vs the Baltimore Ravens. Who’s worth a start and who’s worth benching this week? Here are five players to start and sit entering Week 3. Five Players to Start 1. Rome Odunze vs. Dallas Cowboys – No. 30 vs WRs (NFL Fantasy) Considering the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants had a thrilling 40-37 showdown last week, definitely start Rome Odunze. Last week, in a 52-21 loss against the Lions, Odunze was targeted 11 times and caught seven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. In the Cowboys’ matchup against the Giants, New York’s receivers did very well. Malik Nabers scored 37.70 points. He caught nine passes on 13 targets for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Their secondary wide receiever, Wan’Dale Robinson, scored eight passes on 10 targets for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Bears feature two receivers in Odunze and D.J. Moore, but Odunze has been the alpha between the two early on this season. He can contribute mightily to fantasy teams in Week 3. 2. Drake Maye vs Pittsburgh Steelers – No. 28 vs QBs (NFL Fantasy) After allowing Justin Fields (29.52) and Sam Darnold (15.80) to some solid performances in the first two weeks, starting Drake Maye is a good idea. To start the season the Steelers have let up 200+ yards in the passing game and have struggled to guard the middle of the field. With weapons like Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas, Maye could have a big day and potentially throw for multiple touchdowns. Even with the Steelers having Ramsey in the secondary, their safety play has allowed big plays across the field. Until the Steelers fix their defensive miscues, starting the quarterback facing them makes sense. According to StatMuse the Patriots are 8-2 against the Steelers in their last 10 matchups. 3. Jonathan Taylor vs. Tennessee Titans – No. 22 vs RBs (NFL Fantasy) After a 165 yard performance vs the Denver Broncos, Jonathan Taylor will face the Tennessee Titans in a AFC South matchup. His 165 yard game netted him 29.5 points against a good Broncos defense. The Titans are currently giving up an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Seeing these numbers should give fantasy owners plenty of confidence to start Taylor against the Titans. Last time the Colts played the Titans on Dec. 22, 2024, Taylor rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns. 4. James Cook vs Miami Dolphins – No. 27 vs RB’s (NFL Fantasy) James Cook is another running back on this list that’s coming off another 100+ yard performance. Not only did he score two touchdowns but he rushed for 132 yards vs the New York Jets. The Dolphins are coming off another bad game and are on a short week. With little time to truly fix their run game, Cook can take advantage of a good situation. Though he’s only averaged 37.3 rushing yards vs the Dolphins, there’s optimism he can have his first big game against Miami on Thursday night. 5. Kyle Pitts vs Carolina Panthers – No. 30 vs TEs (NFL Fantasy) With Michael Penix and Kyle Pitts’ chemistry continuing to grow, Pitts is finally inching towards becoming a trustworthy start. Though he hasn’t had a big game yet this season, Week 3 looks to be ideal against the Panthers. His four catches for 37 yards in a 22-6 win may seem disappointing, but there’s hope that he can bounce back. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride averaged 13.0 yards per catch in Week 1 against the Panthers. Even Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange average 14.8 yards per catch against the Panthers defense. If Pitts gets big receptions in space he could be a threat in fantasy football this week. Five Players to Sit 1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Las Vegas Raiders – No. 5 vs RBs (NFL Fantasy) Even with his expectation to take more snaps in the absence of Austin Ekeler, sitting him this week may be the best option. The Raiders are only allowing an average of 13.20 points to running backs. Having to face Maxx Crosby should caution fantasy owners from starting Croskey-Merritt. Last week, Chargers backs Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton combine for 10.3 fantasy points. 2. Garrett Wilson vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – N0. 5 vs WRs (NFL Fantasy) With Justin Fields missing Week 3 due to his concussion, there’s a reason to feel unsure about starting Garrett Wilson. After last weeks disappointing performance against the Bills, Wilson will face a well-rounded Buccaneers secondary. Facing a secondary of Antoine Winfield, Jamel Dean, Tykee Smith, Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish makes it a difficult decision to start Wilson. With Tyrod Taylor starting this week, his unstable chemistry with the receiving core as a whole may limit the production of Wilson. 3. Tyreek Hill vs Buffalo Bills – No. 6 vs WRs (NFL Fantasy) With Tua Tagovailoa‘s shaky performance to start the season, sitting Tyreek Hill vs. the Buffalo Bills is best. Despite Jaylen Waddle being questionable, the Bills defense could wreck the game for everyone on Miami. According to StatMuse, Hill has not had over 100 receiving yards against the Bills since starting his Dolphins tenure in 2022. The Bills defense has proven they can contain him and prevent him from having big time games. 4. Matthew Stafford vs Philadelphia Eagles – No. 11 vs QBs (NFL Fantasy) Matthew Stafford against the Philadelphia Eagles is a must avoid matchup. The Eagles have a fierce defense, including Jalen Carter and rookie safety Andrew Mukuba. Last week, Stafford struggled in the first half against the Titans before exploding in the second half in a 33-19 win. In the first two weeks, quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott have struggled against against the Eagles defense. In Week 2, Mahomes went 16-of-29 for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He had to produce a lot with his legs, which Stafford cannot do. In Week 1, Prescott went 21-of-34 for 188 yards. 5. Ashton Jeanty vs Washington Commanders – No. 6 vs RBs (NFL Fantasy) Ashton Jeanty is worth the consideration of a sit this week. In his first two weeks, Jeanty has not cracked 50 rushing yards on 10+ carries. Since he is still adjusting to the NFL from Boise State, it’s okay to let him set on the bench this week or until he proves to be fantasy worthy.
The Chicago Bears are 0-2 to begin the 2025 NFL season and the new era with head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears lost a heartbreaker in Week 1 to the Minnesota Vikings, 27-24, in Chicago. Week 2 was much, much worse, as the Detroit Lions – Johnson’s former employer- blew the Bears out with a 52-21 final score. Johnson is not happy early on, and he held nothing back while discussing the Bears’ practice habits. “Our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship caliber team,” Johnson said ahead of Week 3. Well, veteran defensive lineman Grady Jarrett heard that feedback and had a response on Thursday, via CHGO Bears. “As a coach, you always want to challenge them to be better. We always want to put our best foot forward…Up to this point, we haven’t won a game,” Jarrett said. “He our head coach, he our leader, and if he said it wasn’t good enough, then we had to answer the call.” The Week 2 loss was so lopsided that Caleb Williams was removed in the fourth quarter in a surprising turn of events. Still, Johnson made his feelings clear about the way the team has practiced so far this season. Jarrett, on the other hand, is a veteran end who entered the thing in 2015, and he took the high road and showed support for his head coach despite the comments. In Week 3, the Bears face the Dallas Cowboys at home, which will be a tough test. It will be interesting to see how the team responds, especially after the new head coach just threw his players under the bus not even one month into the regular season. After that, the Bears face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road before a Week 5 bye, and the hope is that Chicago can find a way to get a victory sooner rather than later.
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