Los Angeles, CA, Titletown, USA
LA sports fans are having a very good month. Just a little over two weeks after the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
On Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas, the Dodgers closed out Game 6 with a, 3-1, victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Rays fans will forever be scratching their heads after manager Kevin Cash pulled pitcher Blake Snell in the sixth inning, when he gave up only his second hit of the night to catcher Austin Barnes. The Dodgers proceeded to score off reliever Nick Anderson and the rest is history.
Dodgers’ third baseman Justin Turner was pulled from the game in the eighth after learning he tested positive for COVID-19. Turner isolated for the remainder of the game, but returned to the field to celebrate and take photos with his teammates once it was over. This behavior was disappointing and reckless from a man who was very much the heart of this Dodgers’ team.
Shortstop Corey Seager, who drove Mookie Betts in for the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and who hit .400 in the Series, was named MVP. Seager is the first player since 2014 to be named both the LCS and World Series MVP.
Trevor Lawrence, College Football and COVID-19
Clemson quarterback, and the likely #1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft (should he choose to leave for the pros), Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19. He will sit out tomorrow’s game against Boston College, while his status for next week’s game against #4 Notre Dame has not yet been decided.
Earlier in the week, Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out a minimum of 21 days, per Big Ten policy. Mertz was masterful in the Badgers’ win over Illinois to open the season, but fans will have to wait awhile to see him on the field again. The Big Ten will also require a cardiac screening before he can return to action.
Major League Baseball Welcomes New Managers
MLB’s 2020 Champs have been crowned, and the American League central is wasting no time in looking at 2021.
Yesterday, the Chicago White Sox hired Tony LaRussa to be their next manager, in a move that is baffling to many. LaRussa hasn’t managed a team in almost a decade, his managerial style does not lend itself to today’s game and, historically, his views on issues of social justice and peaceful protests have been problematic. He will be managing a team of young, talented and socially-minded players, including Tim Anderson, who is on the advisory board of the Players’ Alliance.
Meanwhile in Detroit, the Tigers named AJ Hinch their new manager. You may remember that Hinch was the manager of the Houston Astros, but was fired and suspended from Major League Baseball for 2020 after the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Guard your trash cans!
Are You Ready for Some AFC North Football?
If you like really good football, have we got a matchup for you. On Sunday at 1 pm ET/10 am PT, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) will be in Baltimore to take on the Ravens (5-1) in a highly anticipated AFC North matchup.
The Steelers boast the NFL’s number one defense, while also leading the league with 26 sacks. The Ravens’ passing game has been up and down all season and ranks 31st in the league. It’s not going to be any easier Sunday when facing cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steve Nelson. Did I mention safety Minkah Fitzpatrick? On the plus side, the Baltimore run game is averaging 164.3 yards per game, but running back Mark Ingram is doubtful for Sunday with an ankle injury.
Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be facing a Ravens’ front that has recorded 13 sacks in its last two game, while the Ravens’ secondary knows how to force a turnover. That being said, Juju Smith-Schuster in friends know how to catch a ball, so this will be fun.
49ers vs. Seahawks
We’ve got a NFC West battle in Seattle with the San Francisco 49ers (4-3) taking on the Seahawks (5-1) at Century Link Field at 1:25 pm PT.
The Seahawks are coming off an overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and they definitely don’t want to lose another division game. The 49ers need this win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
It’s unclear as to whether or not Seahawks’ safety Jamal Adams will play or how much, but either way, the Seattle defense is not having a good season, and that’s being nice, as it is allowing a NFL-worst 479.2 yards per game. So it’s a good thing for Seattle that QB Russell Wilson is having a MVP-like season, as they “Let Russ Cook.” 49ers’ cornerback Jason Verrett will also have his hands full with D.K. Metcalf, whose athletic ability is just next level.
The 49ers will be without WR Deebo Samuel and without running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, Jr. That being said, it will be an excellent opportunity for Jimmy Garoppolo to do some cooking of his own with TE George Kittle and WR Brandon Aiyuk.
The crowd noise won’t be an issue, but the Seahawks have Wilson and his fourth-quarter magic. The 49ers are banged up but the Seattle defense is a mess. Any given Sunday.
