Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
The Numbers Say Lance Mccullers' Future Is in the Rotation
After stymying the Yankees offense over the course of four shutout innings in the decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, questions have arisen regarding Lance McCullers. Is he durable enough to be a starting pitcher? Is he effective enough over the course of a game to be a starting pitcher? If the answer to either or both of those is no, does that mean McCullers will end up being a reliever who can go multiple innings?
By Matt Mocarsky8 years ago in Unbalanced
Four College Football Teams That Are Better than Their Record
These four teams are playing at a higher level than their record indicates. Florida State (2-4) Florida State isn’t remotely close to the playoff contender it was expected to be. The loss of starting quarterback Deondre Francois in the very first game did nothing to help its cause, but it’s definitely not the only reason the Noles have already lost four times. That said though, this team is still better than its 2-4 record would indicate. Its four losses have come to teams that are a combined 25-4 (Louisville accounts for three of the losses), and three of them have been by six points of less. FSU has faced a daunting schedule, made more difficult by the hurricane that canceled its tune-up game against Louisiana-Monroe. Instead of that being backup quarterback James Blackman’s first start, it was NC State and one of the best front sevens in college football.
By Alec Lower8 years ago in Unbalanced
The 2017 Chicago Cubs Lacked That 'It' Factor
2017 wasn't necessarily a banner year for the Chicago Cubs. Well, for some teams, it would be considered a good year. But for the defending World Series champions, they fell short of their goal: to repeat. They just slid by the Washington Nationals in the Division series. Then come the NLCS, they weren't any competition for baseball's best team in the regular season: the LA Dodgers.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Nike Gets a Big Fat 10 for This Troll Job
What is a troll? No, not the short, pimple-faced imaginary creature that lives under a bridge. Wrong again, not the highlighter hair-colored, plastic figurines that were all the rage in the 90s. When I say “troll," I am talking about the new age kind, the one that hides behind a keyboard. I am referring to a character that the phrase “when Twitter fingers turn to trigger fingers” encapsulates perfectly. You know that guy or girl, with no “real” profile picture or image, who has something to say about everything and usually nothing positive. Yeah, that person. This person would be your troll.
By Kenneth Wilson8 years ago in Unbalanced
Aaron Judge Has Been Great in October. Umpires Have Failed Him.
After a record-setting rookie season that may earn him the American League Most Valuable Player award, Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has put himself in the record books in the postseason. The record he broke? Most strikeouts in a postseason series. Judge managed to do that in the five game ALDS against the Indians, striking out 16 times in only 20 at-bats. It’s incredible that he struck out 80% of the time in that series, and he’s continued that trend into the ALCS as well. Through five games, Astros pitchers have struck out Judge eight times in 16 at-bats, which is good for a 50% strikeout rate. Overall, he’s running a 60% strikeout rate in the playoffs, and yet he somehow has put up a .847 On Base+Slugging% (OPS).
By Matt Mocarsky8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Dodgers' Schedule will Win Them the World Series
If you've been a Dodgers fan since the last time the Dodgers won the World Series, you've been through a lot. You've seen Hershiser's career ruined by injuries, you've seen Jamie McCourt drive the team into financial ruin, and you've seen Manny Ramirez be, well, Manny. You've also had only three losing seasons in the past 25 years, so things haven't been all doom and gloom. But, in spite of eight postseason appearances since 1988, you've never seen the Dodgers win a pennant. And I can assure you, Dodgers fans — that long-promised World Series title is coming this year, too.*
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Conspiracy Theory: Phil Jackson Is Still Somehow Running (Ruining) The Knicks
The New York Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder for 30 cents on the dollar this summer, and ended up playing them in the first game of the season, ironically. Melo was looking to destroy the Knicks in the season opener, naturally, and ended up putting up a measly 22 points on a horrendous Knicks roster. Kristaps Porzingis, my large, beautiful dad, wowed everyone with an incredible 31 points and 12 rebounds. Michael Beasley injured his ankle a minute into the game, and my hopes and dreams of a Walking Bucket for this game were shattered. All around, it was basically everything I expected from the Knicks season opener, except I didn't think Phil Jackson was still running the Knicks.
By Stone Strankman8 years ago in Unbalanced
Justin Turner: Postseason Great
The Dodgers are going to the World Series for the first time since 1988. It's remarkable how potent their offense has been, or rather how good Justin Turner has been in the absence of Corey Seager in the NLCS. Yasiel Puig has frankly been just as good, and Kiké Hernandez put on a show for the ages, but Turner is continuing a stretch of postseason dominance that is rare.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Fader vs. Everybody
Click here to listen to the We're Working On It Podcast. Subscribe to the channel for weekly content. As a well respected music critic Anthony "Needle Drop" Fantano has built an online fan base with his outspoken opinion on various musicians over the years. To a base of over a million YouTube subscriptions, Fantano has become a sort of an enigma in the media circle. He has received praise for his in-depth look into the various sounds and styles artists may use to express their art. He is also criticized for his seemingly random grading system for their projects. Believing that School Boy Q's "Blank Face" should receive a comparable grade to something like Lil Pump's self-titled album.
By Justin Richards8 years ago in Unbalanced
