Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Rocky Mountain High (AFC Week 16)
I figured this would happen. Week 15 saw three teams with a chance to clinch spots. Two of them did. Because that was the first week to have actual clinching scenarios, and also because 13 teams have been officially eliminated already, guess what? We have a lot of scenarios in Week 16. Nine teams can clinch spots this week! Nine! And for those who know my writing on Vocal, you know what that means. Split stories by conference this week.
By Clyde E. Dawkins4 months ago in Unbalanced
NFL Week 15 Recap: Tickets Punched
The NFL fandom celebrated one big elimination this week, but under that headline was something more positive: the first clinching scenarios of the season. Two teams had "win and in" scenarios, and one of them was the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams hosted the Detroit Lions, serving as the "Game of the Week" during the late window. I figured that this game would deliver big time; the Lions and Rams both have strong offenses, and it showed.
By Clyde E. Dawkins4 months ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Sic Semper Tyrannis
It happened. It actually, by God, happened. When an insufferable entity is taken down in sports, fans who have hate-watched said entity go through a number of stages. Denial's usually the first one, and it's not the "That didn't happen" denial, it's usually the "Is it real?" denial. Then comes the acceptance, and finally, the joy. The immense, immense joy. We've seen many instances of this in sports over the years, but this one clearly has to top a lot of them. And I'm speaking as a Yankees fan who enjoyed the news that the Houston Astros were eliminated.
By Clyde E. Dawkins4 months ago in Unbalanced
Where’d You Go, Time?. Content Warning.
We tend to live our lives one day at a time. In a world that never slows down, reflection is often the first thing we sacrifice. Deadlines replace daydreams, notifications drown out nostalgia, and before we know it, another year has passed. Yet there is one quiet, marvellous way to bend time; one simple trigger that can transport us back to the very beginning of our story.
By FT Sports4 months ago in Unbalanced
He's Back! A Kyle Schwarber Story
The MLB offseason has been filled with drama, mainly surrounding the New York Mets letting three of their best players sign to other teams, resulting in their fans expressing their anger towards David Stearns. However, there is some good news that will make everyone smile, especially for Philadelphia Phillies fans. The ever-talented Kyle Schwarber will be sticking around in Philly for a few more years. The three-time All-Star signed a five-year, $150 million deal and the news was music to the ears of baseball fans. Many thought he would return to the Chicago Cubs, where he won his first World Series title and was one of the main factors in snapping the team's 108-year-old championship drought. I knew he wasn't going anywhere, because he's too important of a player to just walk away. In other news, manager Rob Thomson will also be with the Phillies for a while longer. After the deal with Schwarber was made official, Thomson signed an extension through the 2027 season.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 4 months ago in Unbalanced
50 Shades of Orange
The 2025 Winter Meetings in Orlando has come to a close, but there is still a plethora of free agents who are waiting to see if any teams would claim them. However, the MLB offseason has been filled with drama. If you're a New York Mets fan, I feel your pain. I'll fill everyone else in on what has occurred for the last three weeks. The Mets traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for three-time All-Star and World Series champion Marcus Semien. Then, their closer Edwin Díaz signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But wait, there's more. The two-year-old question on whether or not Pete Alonso would return the team for the 2026 season had finally been answered. The 31-year-old, known as the Polar Bear, signed a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Once the news of him heading to Baltimore spread across the baseball world, Mets fans were absolutely furious. Furious might be an understatement but pissed off was an even better term to describe the outrage Mets fans have felt. Alonso was seeking a five-year deal with the Mets, but the ball club wasn't willing to offer him a deal that was more than three years. If you're keeping count, that's three players that the Mets let go of.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 4 months ago in Unbalanced
The REAL Great Eight
The Colorado Avalanche's four game road trip was quite interesting, to say the least. The trip started in NYC, with games against the Islanders and Rangers. The Isles were first, and they did something no one else had done all season: they took it to the Avalanche. The Avs were soundly defeated, 6-3, the first time we lost by more than one goal, and our second regulation loss all season. As the saying goes, it's how you respond to these fallbacks that makes the difference, and we responded with a clutch overtime win at MSG.
By Clyde E. Dawkins4 months ago in Unbalanced
Welcome to the Party, Pal! (Week 15)
We are now in the very pivotal stage of the season. No more bye weeks. Everyone plays. We are one week away from Saturday NFL action. Week 15 brings the season into mid-December; about two weeks away from Christmas, but very important. While some NFL teams look to get into the playoffs, in some fantasy football leagues, it is playoff time.
By Clyde E. Dawkins4 months ago in Unbalanced
Edwin Díaz Joins Los Angeles Dodgers
Edwin Díaz isn’t a Met anymore. The star closer has signed a massive three-year, US$69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers — a move that reshapes the late-inning dynamics of one of MLB’s top clubs and sends ripples through the free-agent and bullpen markets.
By KAMRAN AHMAD4 months ago in Unbalanced
The Good and the Downright Ugly
If you're having the case of the offseason blues, I know the feeling. With the Winter Meetings set to conclude on Wednesday and Spring Training starting in February, baseball will return before you know it. If you're new to the baseball community and unsure of what the point of the Winter Meetings, they are held the first full week of December, and teams aim to sign players to their respective teams. In case you haven't been up to speed on the happenings of the MLB offseason, here are a list of players who will be wearing different uniforms for the 2026 MLB regular season.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 4 months ago in Unbalanced
Vikes correct sluggish start
After a rough start, Northland High School Boys' basketball squad got its first win of the 2025-26 season. The International Lions showed up ready to play, hoping to catch the Vikings asleep at the wheel. The visiting Lions got off to a 6-0 start as CJ Foster, Michael Tucker and Abdoulaye Coulibaly all scored early baskets inside the paint.
By Winners Only4 months ago in Unbalanced
