Slant Pattern July 8, 2026
World Cup Odds and Ends
SC’s Kevin Beane laments how the World Cup brings out the worst and most arrogant among the Greek Chorus of sports fandom. He explains why you’re probably overreacting on anything to do with Folarin Balogun, why we need an offisde rule, and more in this edition of the Slant Pattern. Complete Story
NFL July 7, 2026
Natural Grass For 18 Games?
49ers tight end George Kittle would like to see the use of artificial turf end in the NFL. The NFL owners would like to see an 18th game added to the regular-season schedule. Why not do both? Complete Story
MLB July 6, 2026
Another Year, Another MLB All-Star Game
Despite being rendered nearly irrelevant, SC’s Jeff Kallman notes the usual issues, but decides it can’t hurt to watch the game. Complete Story
MLB June 30, 2026
Why the MLBPA Will Never Accept a Salary Cap
MLB’s owners have finally chimed in with a proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement. But will the players accept it? Doubtful, says SC’s Anthony Brancato. Complete Story
MLB June 29, 2026
The Gallows Poles
The Mets executed a manager, the Angels a General Manager. SC’s Jeff Kallman says both may have hanged the wrong men. Complete Story
MLB June 25, 2026
“Percentage Points” and the “Loss Column”
Remember not being able to figure out how one baseball team could be “percentage points” ahead or behind another? And, relatedly, why it mattered why one team was ahead of (or behind) another “in the loss column?” Let SC’s Anthony Brancato be your tour guide down memory lane. Complete Story
Slant Pattern June 24, 2026
What (Else) to Watch This Weekend
Tired of the World Cup and baseball? First off, what’s wrong with you, but also, you have options you surely didn’t realize you had. SC’s Kevin Beane has your options. Complete Story
MLB June 23, 2026
Song For My Father
SC’s Jeff Kallman remembers his father, who passed 60 years ago Monday. Complete Story
Other June 16, 2026
Horse Racing Must Break From Tradition
Horses that win the Kentucky Derby should never bypass the Preakness unless they are injured. How do you prevent that from happening? The answer’s obvious. Complete Story
MLB June 15, 2026
Slaughter on Sunday: The Mets and Nats
They both resembled threshing machines Sunday. But they still have issues to resolve, says SC’s Jeff Kallman. Complete Story
NBA June 11, 2026
The NBA’s Five Greatest Playoff Runs of All-Time
With the NBA Finals ongoing, and the Knicks’ 13-game playoff win streak just ending, SC’s Ross Lancaster counts down the NBA’s five greatest team playoff runs. Complete Story
Slant Pattern June 10, 2026
A Snowcapped Lament on the College World Series
In the Slant Pattern, SC’s Kevin Beane explains that while he loves the upsets in postseason college baseball, the lack of snow teams to root for, going back longer than you think, make him gnash his teeth. Complete Story
MLB June 9, 2026
Unexpected Teams Reshaping World Series Expectations
Every MLB season produces a few surprises, but 2026 has delivered more than most. Preseason conversations focused on familiar contenders, deep-pocketed organizations, and proven stars. However, several teams have rewritten the script. Complete Story
MLB June 8, 2026
What a Way to Make a Living
The bottom of the order doing the heavy lifting, that is. SC’s Jeff Kallman says that’s how the hapless Angels ducked a Dodgers season series sweep Sunday. Complete Story
MLB June 3, 2026
Expansion, Realignment in Baseball?
With the MLB owners and the union trading proposals on how to evade what would be a devastating lockout, people are starting to wonder what a 32-team MLB would look like. And while SC’s Anthony Brancato would prefer to hold off on the speculation, 32 does sound like a good number, as both the NFL and NHL already have that number. Complete Story
MLB June 1, 2026
MLB’s Coming CBA: The Battle Begins, Sort Of
SC’s Jeff Kallman examines the first proposals; or, salvos, if you prefer. Complete Story
MLB May 25, 2026
Walk-Off Sunday: Almost Louder Than Bombs
Three games won by walk-off home runs this weekend. SC’s Jeff Kallman couldn’t resist noticing a unique group of explosives turned up missing — by one. Complete Story
Slant Pattern May 21, 2026
How to Stop Worrying and Love the Expanded Playoffs
In this edition of the Slant Pattern, SC’s Kevin Beane tells you how to stop worrying and love the expanded playoffs in college basketball and football. It’s coming eventually whether you like it or not, so you might as well get used to the idea. Complete Story
More Sports Commentary
| 05.19.26 | NFL | Thoughts on Release of 2026 NFL Schedule |
| 05.18.26 | MLB | Some Rivalry Weekend Ups and Downs |
| 05.13.26 | NBA | Embrace it: Thunder Are NBA’s New Supervillain |
| 05.12.26 | MLB | Stop Blaming Pitching: MLB Offenses Are Real Problem |
| 05.11.26 | MLB | Bobby Cox, RIP: “Come on, Kid, You Got This!” |
| 05.08.26 | Slant Pattern | Musings on ESPN’s MLB Coverage |
| 05.07.26 | NBA | NBA Playoffs Proving to Be Doubly Unfair |
| 05.04.26 | MLB | April Into May: A Few Thorns in the Flowers |
| 04.28.26 | Other | Which Horses Can Handle Derby Distance? |
| 04.27.26 | MLB | As the Red Sox Turn: The Saturday Massacre |
| 04.23.26 | Slant Pattern | Heavyweight Boxing Pulse Check |
| 04.21.26 | NHL | What’s Wrong With Having Division Rivalries in NHL? |