The March to October Part 2

David Rainey • July 29, 2022

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The March to October Part 2

A review of the first half of the MLB season (The NL)


            Once again, fall is coming, and the playoffs are just around the corner.  In my previous article we reviewed the American League standings and looked at some of the biggest surprises and disappointments.  I also gave my prediction for the Cy Young and MVP awards races.  So, just like we did in the previous article, let’s break down the National League in part two.


Current National League Playoff Standings


Reviewing the National League Playoff Standings


Unlike the American League, the playoff picture in the National League is a bit clearer.  The Dodgers, as everyone is aware, have the most loaded roster in the Majors.  Led by an arguably top three player in the MLB in Mookie Betts, Los Angeles will likely remain atop the National League standings.  The Padres will only get better with the return of Fernando Tatis, but I believe the West is still the Dodgers’ to lose. However, there are a couple of division races that are heading down an interesting path. 

            The most interesting division race in all of MLB is the National League East.  Specifically, the race between the Mets and Braves.  The Mets seemed to be the best team, not only in the National League, but in the entire league at the beginning of the season.  But, in true Met fashion they’ve started to blow that lead to the Braves.  The Mets do have the easier remaining schedule of the two, but I think the Braves are a better team.  At least as things stand today.  It sounds like the Mets want to be buyers at the trade deadline and could add someone like Willson Contreras.  Contreras would give them a nice offensive boost and a catching upgrade that I think would put them over the top.  However, if the Mets and Braves rosters remain the same, I’m picking the Braves to win the East.

            Overall, for the National League, I think these are the six teams that ultimately make the playoffs.  There may be some shuffling as far as seeding goes, but I think these teams will be the ones to grab a spot in the playoffs.  The team that is on the outside looking in right now that could make a run is the Phillies, but that is entirely dependent on when Bryce Harper comes back. 


Biggest National League Surprise: San Diego Padres

 

            This was a tough choice for me being that there haven’t really been any major surprises thus far in the NL.  Now, you could say the Mets I guess, because well, they are the Mets.  Did anyone really expect them to be this good and for this far into the season? Anyway, I’m going to go with the Padres here. Seems odd that a team expected to be good and currently sits in the second wild card spot could be the biggest surprise.  But keep in mind, they’ve done all this without their best player Fernando Tatis Jr. He has yet to play this season due to injury, but here the Padres sit in second place in one of the toughest divisions in baseball.  Tatis was taking batting practice the other day, so a return to actions seems to be near.  It seems unlikely that they could catch the Dodgers, but the loser of the NL East better keep their head on a swivel.


National League MVP Front Runner: Paul Goldschmidt


            The St. Louis Cardinals have arguably the top two players in the running for the National League MVP in Goldy and Nolan Arenado.  Goldy has been the better of the two, however.  Although, it has been a tight race.  He’s been the best hitter in the Majors this year, or at the very least, on par with Aaron Judge.  Goldy leads the league in batting average (.335) and on base percentage (.417).  He also leads the National league in slugging (.619) and OPS (1.036).  Add on 24 homers and 77 RBIs, and you have a recipe for one hell of a hitting display.  The only other player that I think could have a case in this race is Austin Riley.  He’s sitting right behind Goldschmidt with a .945 OPS and has four more home runs.  The Braves also have a better record than the Cardinals, but the Cardinals could be buyers at the trade deadline and could boost their record.  Regardless, unless Goldschmidt goes into a slump and allows Riley to catch him, I think he brings home the trophy. 


National League CY Young: Sandy Alcantara… obviously


            Listen, nothing needs to be said here.  No one has vouched for Sandy more than me this season.  If anyone else wins this award I think we should all boycott Major League Baseball.  Sandy is a unicorn, and I dove into his performance this season at length in this article.  So instead of regurgitating the same info, I’ll leave you with these series of tweets highlighting his greatness. 


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Football player in black and gold uniform catches a pass during a game

Cornerback Room Outlook: Youthful Breakout On The Horizon?

By Kaden Arkeder • June 23, 2026
Cornerback was one of the positions going into the offseason I thought could use another major infusion of talent. Outside of Marshon Lattimore’s time with the Saints the team has not had a bona fide number one caliber cornerback. We’ve seen the defense benefit from having one and what the defense looks like without one in recent years. The defense can still be very well be good and effective without a number one but knowing you have one who can take the opposing team’s best receiver out of the game is a game changer. So the Saints have gone through the offseason without any flashy additions to the cornerback room. I’m sure they would have liked to but with all the focus on upgrading the offense it seems like the plan will have to wait for another day. In the meantime though there is a major opportunity for the young cornerbacks on the roster to show they can be long term answers at the position. Kool-Aid McKinstry is entering his third year in the league and offers the best chance of these young corners to break out and become a number one corner. He’s been a reliable starter who has shown flashes of success but with the inconsistency you expect from a young player. Kool-Aid will look to make the patented third year jump a lot of young players tend to make. I’m sure the Saints would love to see it and they just might be with the feedback we have been getting from OTA’s and minicamp. 
Tulane Green Wave 2027 recruiting graphic with a huge green wave at Yulman Stadium and bold “June Commitment Wave” text

Tulane Green Wave Football Recruiting Surges in June:

By Patrick Harkness • June 23, 2026
Official Visits Fuel Wave of 2027 Commitments June 2026 has been a landmark month for Tulane Green Wave football recruiting under head coach Will Hall. The program hosted a series of official visits that translated directly into commitments, adding significant talent and momentum to the 2027 class. What started as steady growth earlier in the offseason (6 Commits) exploded into a flurry of pledges, with Tulane securing approximately 18 commitments during June alone. This surge has pushed the class size to around 23 commits (Was 24, DB Deshaun Wylie De-Commit), with a strong emphasis on local Louisiana prospects, trench players, skill-position athletes, and versatile defenders. The Green Wave are building depth and competition across multiple position groups while capitalizing on the growing appeal of the program in New Orleans and beyond. Official Visits Drive the Momentum Official visit weekends in June proved decisive. Prospects got an up-close look at Yulman Stadium, the Uptown campus, the coaching staff, and the culture, and many didn’t need long to decide. June Commits: • Joshua Sylvain (WR, Miami Carol City HS, FL) Visited Tulane on June 18 and committed shortly after. The 6’4”, 205 lb big-bodied receiver brings length, contested-catch ability, and red-zone mismatch potential. • Multiple defensive backs and local standouts, including James Tyson (CB, St. Charles Catholic, LaPlace, LA), who had a strong OV and pledged. • Other visitors and quick turnarounds in the defensive line, edge, and skill groups helped fuel the run of commitments. These visits, combined with strong evaluations from camps and prior relationships, created a snowball effect. Coach Hall and the staff have been aggressive and targeted, landing players who fit the scheme and bring high character/intangibles. The June Commitment Haul (2027 Class) Here is a compiled list of the June 2027 commitments for Tulane. Early-to-Mid June Additions: • Teddy Graff (TE, 6’5”/220, Ensworth HS, Nashville, TN) Committed June 5. Blocking tight end with size and upside. • Anquan Jackson (RB, South Jones HS, Ellisville, MS) June 6. • Kavarris Duncan (DL, Winterboro HS, Alpine, AL) June 6. Interior presence. • Ray’Quan Williams (WR, 6’0”/163, St. Augustine HS, New Orleans, LA) June 7. Local speedster and playmaker (#111 WR nationally per 247). • Peyton Perkins (RB, Eupora HS, MS) June 7. Versatile athlete. • James Tyson (CB, 5’11”/180, St. Charles Catholic, LaPlace, LA) June 7. Local DB with strong OV. • Jackson Shaw (OT, 6’6”/260, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA) June 7. Local offensive line help. • Gus Faulkner (S, 6’2”/212, Fairhope HS, AL) June 9. Athletic Hybrid LB. Mid-to-Late June Surge: • Ja’ir Burks (WR, Jesuit HS, New Orleans, LA) June 14. Another local New Orleans skill player. • Jaden Terrance (WR, Archbishop Rummel HS, Metairie, LA) June 14. Local versatile addition. • Hans Emery Julien (EDGE, 6’3”/235, Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN / Laval, Quebec) June 15. Explosive, high-motor pass rusher with length and Canadian prep background. • Malik Ward (EDGE, 6’4”/235, Gautier HS, MS) June 15. Long, athletic disruptor with Gulf Coast production. • Demetrius Terrell (DL, 6’3”/265, Parker HS, Birmingham, AL) June 16. High-upside interior lineman with two-way experience and violent hands. Strong scouting notes on pass rush and run defense. • Dallas Crescenzo (WR, 6’0”/183, Bastrop HS, TX) June 17. Became the 20th commit overall. Big-play vertical threat, excellent route runner, YAC creator, and return-game weapon. Previously decommitted from Purdue; polished and competitive. • Joshua Sylvain (WR, 6’4”/205, Miami Carol City HS, FL) June 19 (after June 18 OV). Imposing length, contested-catch specialist, deep-ball threat, and mismatch creator. One of the more physically dominant WRs in the class. • Aymaud Sykes (RB, 6’0”/180, Dry Prong HS, LA) June 21. Patient, decisive downhill runner with elite acceleration (4.29 40), long speed, contact balance, receiving versatility, and two-way/ATH traits. High-character leader with track pedigree and multi-sport background. Detailed scouting highlights vision, elusiveness, and finishing ability. These additions give Tulane notable strength at WR (multiple additions including local speed and big-bodied options), EDGE/DL (three impactful front-seven pieces in quick succession), secondary (DB/CB/S depth), and offensive line reinforcements, plus backfield and tight end help. Many bring Louisiana or regional ties, which resonates with the fanbase and aids retention/development. Class Outlook and What It Means Tulane’s 2027 class is taking shape rapidly and competitively for an American Conference program. The June haul demonstrates strong staff work in identifying fits, building relationships, and converting official visits into pledges. The emphasis on size/speed at skill positions, length and motor on the edges, and local talent creates a balanced foundation. Note: One earlier commit, DB De’Shawn Wylie, recently flipped to UConn, adjusting the net total slightly (class currently at 23 hard commits). This is normal in recruiting and doesn’t diminish the overall momentum or quality of the remaining group. Under Coach Will Hall, Tulane continues to raise its recruiting profile. The combination of on-field success, NIL/transfer portal activity, and genuine player development is attracting prospects who see a clear path. June’s official visit success and commitment wave position the Green Wave well for the rest of the summer, fall camps, and the 2026–27 cycle. #RollWave Tulane fans have plenty to be excited about. The wave is building. #RMFW Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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