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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Kathryn Xu

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal greets teammate center fielder Andy Pages (44) during the eighth inning of an MLB game against the Boston Red Sox.

If Baseball Is Ruined, Show Me The Ruins

Lauren Theisen

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers takes off his cap after recording his 1,000th strikeout during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park

The Dodgers Got Tarik Skubal

David Roth

President Donald Trump holds up a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey as he hosted 2025 World Series champions in the Rose Garden of the White House on July 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The Dodgers Went To Grandpa’s House!

Sarah Borus

Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies cannot field the ball on an infield RBI single

Trea Turner Is A True Two-Way Player

Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after pitching out of the sixth inning

Shohei Ohtani Is Illogical

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on in the dugout during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Los Angeles Angels on May 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. He has a smile on his face.

Shohei Ohtani Adds “Little League Home Run” To His Résumé

Ray Ratto

Daulton Varsho #5 of the Toronto Blue Jays collides into Victor Caratini #37 of the Minnesota Twins at home plate during the second inning at Target Field on May 1, 2026.

The American League Is Putting The Mid In Middling

Jose Altuve takes a swing at a pitch over two feet off the plate.

José Altuve Takes Mighty Rip At Pitch That Would Have Knocked A Lefty Batter’s Shoes Off

Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs celebrates a hit in Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2025.

It’s Nice To Have A Process, But It’s Better To Have Money

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers turns a game-ending double play to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Seven of the 2025 World Series.

The Dodgers Never Had It Made

Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays acknowledges the fans as he exits the game during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (

Living And Dying With Max Scherzer

Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 01: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tags out Isiah Kiner-Falefa #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays at home in the ninth inning during Game Seven of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday, November 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Toronto Will Never Get Over This

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is mobbed by teammates as they celebrate winning the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Will Not Be Denied

Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 31, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) leaps to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Enrique Hernandez (8) after the final out while Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (47) is out at second in the ninth inning and Los Angeles Dodgers Miguel Rojas celebrates during game six of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Roger Centre on Friday, October 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Six Isn’t Enough

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Blue Jays Make The Dodgers Look Fake And Silly

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after the final out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is A Canadian Hero

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They Can’t All Be The Most Memorable World Series Game Ever

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Teoscar Hernandez #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after popping out to end the twelfth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Every Dodgers Almost-Homer In Extra Innings, Ranked

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting an RBI double

The Blue Jays Won’t Let Shohei Ohtani Do That Again

Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a walk-off home run in the 18th inning during Game Three of the 2025 World Series presented by Capital One between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday, October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

If You Went To Sleep, Sorry But You Are Not Forgiven

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers points to the sky after pitching a complete game and winning Game Two of the 2025 World Series.

They Can’t All Be Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Shohei Ohtani rs rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Podcasts

No That’s Too Good, With Justin Halpern

Tom Ley

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning during Game Four of the National League Championship Series

Shohei Ohtani Plays The Greatest Baseball Game Of All Time

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series. He is making "the Tim Robinson face."

Night Of The Old Guy

Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. He's been doing a lot of "looking on."