Eric Smithling

New Orleans

Writer at Athlon Sports

Contributing Writer at Yardbarker

Writer at Yardbarker, Athlon Sports

Articles

James Harden adds another chapter to ugly Game 7 history in Clippers' blowout loss

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Another Game 7, another James Harden disasterclass. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Denver Nuggets, 120-101, for an underwhelming finish to an epic first-round series. It was particularly rough for Harden, who repeated his history of awful Game 7s. Harden scored seven points, his fewest ever in a Game 7, on 2-of-8 shooting (1-of-4 on threes). His 13 assists saved him from a truly horrid box score, but that baker's dozen can't mask the stench of his putrid performance.
Watch: Guardians' Daniel Schneemann plays hero with two-out grand slam

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Per Baseball Savant, the ball had an exit velocity of 111.2 mph and would have been a home run in all 30 MLB ballparks. It was Scheeman's hardest hit of the season, surpassing a single on April 28 off Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober that had a 107.1 mph exit velocity. Schneeman drove in all five on Cleveland's runs, also hitting a solo home run in the eighth, making Saturday his first multi-home run game and also his first with a grand slam.
Watch: Astros' Jake Meyers has unbelievable performance vs. White Sox

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

The Astros saved their best for last on Saturday. Centerfielder Jake Meyers, batting ninth, hit two home runs and drove in Houston's first six runs in an 8-3 win over the White Sox. Meyers got the Astros on the board with a solo blast to left field off an 84 mph slider from White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin, driving the home run 386 feet.
Valkyries' surprising Shyanne Sellers decision raises plenty of questions

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

The Valkyries are already dealing with questions before tipping off their inaugural WNBA season. On Saturday, Golden State announced it had waived rookie guard Shyanne Sellers, the team's second-round pick (No. 17 overall) of the 2025 WNBA Draft. A former four-year Maryland star, Sellers appeared in 130 games (103 starts) from 2021-25.
Watch: Aaron Judge hits another first-inning home run as scorching start to 2025 continues

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Judge blasted the first pitch he saw from Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell, an 88 mph slider, 377 feet to right centerfield. Per the YES broadcast, it was Judge's sixth first-inning home run this season, the most in the majors. He has been simply unbelievable through the first full month of the Yankees' season, entering Saturday with a .430/.521/.777 slash line, 10 home runs and an MLB-high 32 runs batted in.
Three burning questions for 2025 Falcons

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

With the dust settled following free agency and the draft, we have a clearer idea of where the Falcons stand heading into 2025. However, questions remain. Here are the three most pressing. What happens with quarterback Kirk Cousins? After being benched for 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. late last season, Cousins reportedly requested a trade from Atlanta to an organization where he'd have a chance of starting this fall.
Watch: Mets OF Juan Soto blasts two home runs to snap Citi Field drought

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

While New York might want to work on getting runners on base when Soto is at the plate, it's a good sign that its highest-paid player has snapped out of his home-field slump. It's been jarring to see Soto put up mediocre numbers at Citi Field after owning the ballpark as an opponent with the Yankees, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres.
Diamondbacks in danger of falling further back in NL West after injury double whammy

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Puk hasn't pitched since April 17 but had four saves and a 3.38 ERA when healthy. He was initially placed on the 15-day IL, but now Arizona won't have him back on the mound until at least summer. Martinez suffered his injury on Wednesday in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 4-3 win against the New York Mets. Before exiting with no outs, he allowed a solo home run and two walks for his worst outing of the season.
NBA insider rips 'immature' Lakers head coach JJ Redick following first-round exit

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

"He was still seething and upset about the previous game," Windhorst added, before resharing an anecdote from TNT color commentator Reggie Miller, who said during Wednesday night's broadcast that he had to calm Redick down during a pregame meeting. "JJ was acting, frankly, childishly," Windhorst said.
Latest Bills free-agency signing is low-risk, potentially high reward

2 weeks ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Perhaps the third time will be the charm. On Wednesday, the Bills signed free-agent wide receiver Elijah Moore to a one-year contract with a max value of $5 million, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Source: Bills are signing former Browns WR Elijah Moore to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.