Sports
Column: 'I don't see why not.' Diamondbacks primed to take down Dodgers again
Torey Lovullo is L.A. through and through: born in Santa Monica, son of a Hollywood producer, played his high school ball at the old Montclair Prep in Van Nuys, starred at UCLA. He managed the Arizona Diamondbacks into the World Series last year, but he cannot persuade his friends and extended family to surrender their allegiance to the hometown Dodgers.
“About 80% of my family,” Lovullo said, “are Dodger fans.”
He goes to neighborhood holiday parties, where the talk is how great the Dodgers are going to be with Mookie Betts or Shohei Ohtani or whoever. His mother bleeds Sedona red, but the spouses of his siblings do not, and neither do most of his high school and college friends.
“There’s no conversion there,” Lovullo said. “They’re 100% bleeding Dodger blue.”
That could make for a lighthearted subplot this weekend, with the Diamondbacks within three games of the Dodgers in the National League West before Thursday’s action. The teams open a four-game series here Friday, with the postseason five weeks away.
The latest Baseball Prospectus projections give the Dodgers a 100% chance of making the playoffs, the Diamondbacks a 97% chance. The Diamondbacks eliminated the Dodgers from the playoffs last year, and they could do it again this year.
“I don’t see why not,” Arizona pitcher Merrill Kelly said. “I definitely think we’re a better team than we were last year, top to bottom.
“If we can beat them then, we can definitely beat them now.”
The Diamondbacks, remember, were the last team into the playoffs last year, a team that finished 16 games behind the Dodgers, a team that won 84 games in the regular season and then dismissed the Dodgers in three games in October.
When America says “fluke,” the Diamondbacks shrug.
“I think most people thought it was a fluke,” Arizona president Derrick Hall said. “We sort of limped and backed into the playoffs, and then we got hot at the right time. Look at the World Series matchup: It was two wild-card teams that barely got in.”
Said general manager Mike Hazen: “I think any reference I have heard for the last year — including when I talk about it — is that we were an 84-win team. That is automatically implying we were a fluke. And I get that. I think it’s fair. If you’re an 84-win team, you shouldn’t have the expectation that you are going to play in the World Series.
“We got hot, and we played well, but we wanted to springboard off that. We didn’t want the story to be that we were just a fluke. We worked hard at that this offseason, to ensure that what happened last season was hopefully the first of a few appearances in the postseason, and not just one and done.”
The Diamondbacks spent the money to get better, which is what you want. The results were not what you want, at least not at first: Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who vetoed a trade to the Dodgers last year, signed for $80 million, then suffered a shoulder injury in spring training. Pitcher Jordan Montgomery, signed for one year and $25 million, carried an ERA over 6.00 into the All-Star break. Outfielder Corbin Carroll, signed for $111 million during his 2023 rookie of the year campaign, was batting .210 with two home runs through June.
Montgomery is in the bullpen now, his ERA still above 6.00. Rodriguez finally made his season debut this month; he is undefeated in four starts. In July and August, Carroll has 15 home runs, and an OPS above .900.
The Dodgers have the superstars atop their lineup, but the Diamondbacks lead the major leagues in runs scored. They get on base more often than any other team in the NL, running up pitch counts and ousting starters early.
“The Dodgers have been the prime example of that,” Lovullo said.
Every Arizona player with at least 100 at-bats has an on-base percentage over .300. On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks won when their No. 8 and No. 9 batters drew two-out walks in the eighth inning against Edwin Diaz, the star New York Mets closer, and Carroll followed with a game-winning grand slam.
All that offense is all the more impressive at a time they are winning with arguably their three most productive hitters this season on the injured list: cleanup batter Christian Walker, catcher Gabriel Moreno and second baseman Ketel Marte, whom Lovullo chose over Ohtani as the NL leadoff batter in the All-Star Game.
The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll celebrates after hitting a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning against the Mets on Wednesday night.
(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
The reinforcements and the revived include a veteran platoon at designated hitter — Dodgers alum Joc Pederson (career-high .946 OPS) and Angels alum Randal Grichuk — third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who leads the NL in runs batted in since the All-Star break, outfielder and former first-round pick Jake McCarthy (.809 OPS) and catcher and former second-round pick Adrian Del Castillo (batting .354 in 14 games).
The Diamondbacks acknowledge Betts and Max Muncy have missed significant time and the Dodgers have won without a lineup at full strength, just as Arizona has.
Still, the national reaction hits different when the topic is Walker, Moreno and Marte here as opposed to Ohtani, Betts and Freeman in Los Angeles.
“The Dodgers have been a national brand for however long they have been around,” Arizona pitcher Zac Gallen said. “They have been the team in the NL West, and they have been in the playoffs for however many years.
“Not to take anything away from those guys — you’re talking about three of the best players in all of baseball — but I would be intrigued what Ketel Marte’s case would look like in terms of MVP if he didn’t play in Arizona. What does it look like if he is playing in one of those big markets? Is it as strong as some of those other guys?”
Ohtani leads the NL with 42 home runs. He is batting .295, leads the NL in OPS and ranks second in RBI and stolen bases. Marte is batting .298 with 30 home runs; he ranks third in OPS. He also plays a key defensive position; Ohtani is a designated hitter.
Baseball Reference has Ohtani leading the NL in WAR (6.7), followed by Marte (6.0). Fangraphs has the Mets’ Francisco Lindor leading the NL in WAR (6.6), followed by Ohtani (6.4).
Ohtani should win the MVP race, but the Diamondbacks would be fine if he won and they made back-to-back appearances in the World Series — this time, followed by a parade.
The Dodgers have seven pennants on display at Dodger Stadium, one for each of the seven World Series championships in franchise history.
The Diamondbacks proudly post 10 logos high above the outfield at Chase Field, in recognition of one World Series championship, two league championships, five division championships, and two wild-card berths.
Frankly, Lovullo said, he would like the Diamondbacks to display World Series championships only, just as the Dodgers do. That, of course, would require winning multiple World Series championships.
“That’s what great organizations do: the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Red Sox, to name a few,” he said. “They don’t just do it once. They validate it by doing it over and over. I hope we get to that point one day, but it’s still a young franchise. It’s only 25 years old. It’s going to take a little time to get to that level.
“In 100 years, I do hope that we have nothing but world championships up there, and that our group and our time was responsible for hanging a couple of those banners.”
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Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program’s first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. walks on the court against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated)
After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson “The Enforcer” and “Junkyard Dog,” a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after defeating the UConn Huskies 69-63 in the 2026 NCAA national championship game in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after scoring in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the 2026 NCAA national championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 6, 2026. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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Quarterback Ty Simpson arrived in Los Angeles on Friday — and the Rams’ first-round draft pick sounded as if he couldn’t wait to start learning from coach Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.
“The best head coach in the league, the best quarterback in the league, the best … franchise in the league — it’s a perfect situation,” Simpson said during a news conference at the Rams’ draft headquarters in Inglewood.
How the situation plays out — short and long term — remains to be seen.
Stafford, 38, will enter his 18th NFL season as the reigning NFL most valuable player.
With free agent Jimmy Garoppolo mulling retirement, McVay said Thursday night that Simpson would compete with Stetson Bennett to be Stafford’s backup.
The Rams used the 13th pick to select Simpson, 23, who started 15 games for Alabama.
McVay said that he had informed Stafford that the Rams would select Simpson.
“He was great,” McVay said of Stafford’s reaction. “He’s a stud. He’s always first class in every sense of the word.”
But McVay and general manager Les Snead were not their typically ebullient selves when discussing Simpson during their Thursday night news conference. Some observers perceived that as a break in what is regarded as one of the NFL’s best coach-general manager partnerships.
On Friday, Snead said in an interview with ESPN radio that he and McVay work “in lockstep.”
So their muted reactions Thursday might have been out of sensitivity, warranted or not, to not upset Stafford after drafting his heir apparent in the first round. McVay took pains to remind that the Rams are Stafford’s team, seemingly to not offend the Rams’ most important player.
After last year’s draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams went into the offseason with two first-round picks — their own at No. 29 and the one acquired from the Falcons at 13.
Ty Simpson poses for a photo with his family during a news conference in Inglewood on Friday.
(Caroline Brehman / Associated Press)
In March, the Rams used the 29th pick in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, so perhaps the 13th pick was regarded as a luxury.
They spent it on a player who was at Alabama for four seasons, but started only one.
Snead acknowledged that as Simpson pondered whether to remain at Alabama or make himself available for the draft, Snead spoke with Simpson’s father, Jason, who like Snead played college football in the Southeastern Conference and is now the coach at Tennessee Martin. Snead said it was in the role similar to the NFL’s College Advisory Committee, which evaluates prospects and lets them know in what round, if any, that they might be selected. Snead reportedly told Jason Simpson his son was first-round caliber.
“You try to get across it’s not about where you get drafted,” Snead said Thursday night. “It’s more about where you go and what situation you go and what you do with that opportunity after.”
A few months later, the Rams drafted Simpson, who was upbeat as he met with reporters, while his parents and his brother and sister sat nearby.
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The Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh.
Simpson, who passed for 28 touchdowns, with five interceptions last season, was in Southern California last January when Alabama lost to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide did a walkthrough at SoFi Stadium.
Now he will begin his NFL career there.
“I’m, I guess, like a redneck in Southern California,” he joked. “So we’ll see how that goes. But I’m super excited to be here. This is a great place, with great people and I can’t wait to get started.”
Simpson said that Rams safety Quentin Lake had texted him. He also received a social media message from Stafford’s wife, Kelly, inviting him and his family to reach out if they need anything.
“Can’t wait to talk to Matthew,” said Simpson, who characterized the veteran as “an assassin” on the field. “I’m super excited because I just want to pick his brain about everything.”
Simpson met with McVay on Friday.
“He’s got the juice, man,” Simpson said, “like that dude … he’s a fireball.”
Simpson said he benefited from the years he spent at Alabama before he got his opportunity to play last season.
“The years that I sat were … probably more important,” he said, “because I had to learn how to practice. I had to learn how to study when I wasn’t playing because I didn’t know when that time was going to come.
“And so whenever that time did come — it was this year — I made the most of it.”
Now he is ready for the next phase of his career.
He said his faith was his foundation, and that he aspires to be “not only be the best football player I can be,” but also a better teammate and person.
“I want people to come into the locker room and smile, knowing that ‘Hey, Ty’s here,’” he said. “I want to lead, influence people and I think at the quarterback position that’s what you need to do.”
His immediate goal is modest.
“My plan is just to get better each and every day,” he said, “so, eventually, I have a long career like Matthew.”
Sports
Olympic legend Kaillie Humphries signs with activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics amid political rise
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The most accomplished Olympic women’s bobsledder in history is now an official brand ambassador in the movement to “save women’s sports”.
Olympic bobsled legend Kaillie Humphries has signed with the activist sportswear company XX-XY Athletics, becoming the latest medal-winning Olympian to represent the brand.
“Being able to partner with a brand that believes in the same things I do, that’s willing to stand up and actively work on protecting the women’s space and women’s sports is huge,” Humphries told Fox News Digital.
Humphries first spoke out about her support for protecting women’s sports from biological male trans athletes in a Fox News Interview that went viral after the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
Humphries had just returned after winning bronze in women’s bobsled, marking her sixth career Olympic medal. She later revealed that she received backlash for coming out as a Republican with other conservative stances in that interview, but didn’t back down.
Humphries went on to be honored at a White House Women’s History Month event by President Donald Trump in March, and gave her Order of Ikkos medal to Trump, citing his actions to protect women’s sports.
“Being able to come back to the USA after the Olympics and then be able to make connections and meet some people, I was able to, when I went to the White House, I was able to meet people that were connected obviously in working with XX-XY and that’s how the conversation started,” Humphries said.
Humphries, who is originally from Canada and competed in her first three Olympics for Canada, moved to the U.S. in 2016 and then competed for Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
FEMALE ATHLETES ANXIOUSLY AWAIT SUPREME COURT DECISION TO TAKE UP TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
Kaillie Humphries, U.S. Olympic bronze medalist bobsled athlete, presents the Order of Ikkos to President Donald Trump during a Women’s History Month event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)
Just months after that, America was rocked by the news that male transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was winning championships for UPenn’s women’s swim team.
Humphries, who was following the story in the news, found it startling.
Now, as a California resident and the mother of a newborn son, she is energized to help combat the wave of trans athletes in girls’ sports in the state, as California has become the nation’s biggest hotbed for the issue.
XX-XY Athletics co-founder and former U.S. gymnast Jennifer previously told Fox News Digital one of her biggest goals for the brand was to land high-profile superstar women’s athletes as brand ambassadors, especially Olympic medalists.
Now, with Humphries, the brand has a three-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time Olympic podium finisher across her stints for Canada and the U.S.
Humphries joins Olympic silver medalist gymnast MyKayla Skinner and gold medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead on XX-XY Athletics’ growing roster of Olympians.
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USA’s Kaillie Humphries holds a USA flag after winning bronze in the bobsleigh women’s monobob heat 4 at Cortina Sliding Centre during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Feb. 16, 2026. (Marco Bertorello/AFP)
“Kaillie is the GOAT of her sport. She is the only Olympian to win gold for two different countries. She is an elite athlete and a courageous, fierce woman who has fought for female athletes to have equal opportunities in sport.” Sey told Fox News Digital.
“The women’s monobob event exists because of Kaillie’s leadership, and she has gold-medal proof that women have the skill, strength, and speed to compete at the highest level. She has driven meaningful change and expanded opportunities for women at the Olympic level — more female athletes represent Team USA because of Kaillie. And that’s exactly why we’re leading with her as we grow in how we support female athletes.”
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