Relief Pitcher’s Stunning Homer Helps Turn Tide To Begin NLCS
Brandon Woodruff is no stranger to rounding the bases for a home run in the Major Leagues.
Not even he could’ve envisioned he’d be doing it in the postseason vs one of the best pitchers of this generation.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 on Friday night at Miller Park in Game 1 of the NLCS to take a 1-0 series lead.
The Milwaukee Brewers call on right-hander Brandon Woodruff to pitch, but if you give him a bat, he’s shown in a small sample size he can swing it.
The Brewers’ reliever would stun the baseball world with a home run off Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NLCS which dramatically shifted the momentum of the game.
Milwaukee would take over the game following the improbable home run by, Woodruff, who bats lefty.
Woodruff became just the third reliever in MLB history to hit a home run in the postseason, and his home run to tie Game 1 was huge.
Josh Hader (1-0) would pick up the win out of the bullpen for the Milwaukee Brewers as he continued his dominant postseason.
Clayton Kershaw’s postseason career has been full of disappointing moments, but he may have been dealt the most unexpected one when he gave up the game-changing home run to a Brandon Woodruff in the third inning.
Woodruff, who entered the at-bat 4-for-18 lifetime with a HR, took the Dodgers ace deep from the left side as the homer tied the game at 1-1.
That homer would energize a roaring Miller Park, which turned into the beginning of a momentum shift in the game as the Brewers tacked on another run to make it a 2-1 game.
The Brewers would keep it rolling in the fourth inning vs a struggling Kershaw as Domingo Santana, pinch-hitting, would hit a two-run RBI single off the left-hander to chase him from the game.
Ryan Braun would add to that lead with Kershaw now out of the game as a he ripped a two-out RBI single to score Domingo Santana from second base to make it a 5-1 game.
Counsell would go to his to reliever Josh Hader to begin the fifth inning as Hader would dominate the Dodgers, striking out two in the inning.
Yasmani Grandal would have a forgettable night behind the plate as he would finish the game with two errors and two passed balls. The Dodgers would collect four total errors on the night.
Manny Machado, who homered in the second inning off left-hander Gio Gonzalez to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead, represented Los Angeles’ only hit in the game until a sixth inning single by left fielder Chris Taylor.
Los Angeles would mount a rally in the eighth inning, scoring three runs with two outs in the inning against reliever Joakim Soria. Jeremy Jeffress would relieve Soria with two outs and pick up a huge strikeout against pinch-hitter Yasiel Puig to end the inning.
The Dodgers would get a RBI triple by Chris Taylor with two outs in the ninth inning off Corey Knebel. The late rally would be halted, however, as Knebel recovered to strikeout Justin Turner to end the game.
Milwaukee would go on to out-hit the Dodgers high-powered offense 11 to 8 as Lorenzo Cain led the way with three hits for the Brew Crew.
Craig Counsell’s Brewers had a lengthy four days off after sweeping the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, but the team doesn’t appear to have cooled off in any way.
The only negative to take away from the game in Milwaukee’s side is the fact that their bullpen showed signs of cracking in letting a six-run lead turn into a one-run game in the ninth inning.
That’s uncharacteristic of this bullpen, which surrendered four runs over the final two innings.
Dave Roberts’ and the Dodgers knew that it would be a challenge having to start a best-of-seven series on the road. It’s going to be especially difficult for Los Angeles to now send this series back to Los Angeles tied at 1-1 vs a team that has now won 12 consecutive games dating back to the regular-season.
Though close to staging an improbable comeback win in Game 1, its a 0-1 series deficit for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Milwaukee’s ability to rally against Kershaw, even if it was under the most unusual of ways, sets the tone for this NLCS and puts the pressure on Los Angeles on the road.
Clayton Kershaw (0-1) fell to 8-8 lifetime in the postseason as he made his 21st career playoff start on Friday night at Miller Park. He surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings.
The southpaw thrower’s latest postseason setback isn’t as shocking as it is mind-numbing for Dodgers nation as he followed his best career playoff start vs the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NLDS with a stinker in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Not to dwell on his struggles, Los Angeles will have to rebound on Saturday left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound as Wade Miley will look to help turn back the Dodgers to give Milwaukee a 2-0 series lead.
What are your thoughts on Milwaukee’s Game 1 victory over the Dodgers? Leave your comments below!
Is A Team Out East or West On The Verge of A Breakthrough?
We’re only four days away from NBA tip off but before then I will be previewing and offering predictions for all 30 NBA teams for this upcoming 2018-19 season.
We last left off on teams 30 through 25 and today we will pick up with teams 24 through 19. One of these five teams in my mind has the opportunity to be a sleeper in the Eastern Conference.
Good enough to beat Boston, Philadelphia or Toronto? We won’t go that far, but it’s quite possible that the 2018-19 season is a return to familiar territory for a franchise going through a down period.
Without further or do, let’s get started!!!
24. Brooklyn Nets
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 28-54
Win projection for 2018-19: 33.5 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finishing 5 wins above win projection, Finishing in top 10 in assists, seeing development from young core
Prediction: Nets will finish fourth in Atlantic Division
It’s one stacked division when you think about having to compete with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors. That alone will result in a number of losses for the Nets, but not enough to finish below the Knicks in the standings. Nets are in the middle of a long rebuild and things don’t appear to be getting sunny anytime soon.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 50-32
Win projection for 2018-19: 25.6 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finish 10 wins better than projected win total, finish in top 20 in scoring defense, get consistent production from guard positions
Prediction: Kevin Love averages 23 PPG and double-digit rebounds.
Now that LeBron James is no longer in the fold, Cleveland is set to take a major tumble down the standings. What that also means however is that Kevin Love, who has had to sacrifice his game in his role with LeBron James, can finally play in his role as a No. 1 scoring option.
Love averaged 26 PPG in two of his six seasons in Minnesota, he’ll return back to form with a higher usage rate.
22. Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin is looking to leave a impact in his first full season as a Detroit Piston. Photo by Getty Images
Record last season: 39-43
Win projection for 2018-19: 41.7 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make Playoffs, Finish in top 10 in FG percentage defense, Lead NBA in dunks off lob passes
Prediction: Detroit finishes with winning record on the road.
The last time Detroit finished a season with a winning record on the road was during the 2007-08 regular-season. That team had Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rashad Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince still on it. This Pistons team is not on that level, but the Eastern Conference is substantially weaker with LeBron James’ depart.
Here’s one of my surprise teams for this upcoming season. DETROIT … BASKETBALL!!!
21. Dallas Mavericks
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Record last season: 24-58
Win projection for 2018-19: 42.1 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Finish 5 wins above win projection, Make Playoffs, Finish among top 5 in assists, balance out minutes with starters and bench
Prediction: Dennis Smith Jr. leads Mavericks in assists
Everyone seems to be expecting Smith Jr. to take a backseat to rookie Luka Doncic when it comes to running the offense. That wouldn’t be surprising, but Smith Jr. is more than a scorer. He’s a willing passer that per 36 minutes last year averaged 6.2 APG.
Smith Jr.’s minutes will increase from last season’s 29.7 during his rookie campaign. I fully believe Dallas has the potential under Rick Carlisle to be one of the NBA’s best passing teams.
20. Chicago Bulls
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 27-55
Win projection for 2018-19: 19.7 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Finish 10 wins over win project, see statistical improvement across the board from young core, improve as a fast break offense
Prediction: Bulls are a inconsistent team
It’s a team with question marks, one being leadership. Where does that come from? The Bulls are one of the youngest teams in the NBA and there will be growing pains there. Still, a healthy Jabari Parker to go along with Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn sounds promising for the Bulls.
19. Phoenix Suns
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Record last season: 21-61
Win projection for 2018-19: 27.6 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finish season with win projection, finish in top 20 in points allowed, finish in top 20 in 3-point field goal defense
Prediction: DeAndre Ayton wins Rookie of the Year
Phoenix won’t be good this season, no matter how much Devin Booker wants to make the playoffs. That may change sooner rather than later, however, with the number one overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft in DeAndre Ayton as I expect Ayton to showcase why he was the best decision for the Suns franchise.
I expect Ayton will average around 16 PPG and close to or around 9 RPG with a block as he takes home the annual honor this season.
What are your thoughts on any of these six teams going into the 2018-19 season? Leave your comments below!
Giants Fans Left In Awe By Barkley And Sick By Others
Saquon Barkley would run to history under the bright lights in his outstanding start to his NFL career.
Someone forgot to tell the rest of his teammates on offense that a game was going on.
In unsurprising news, the Giants sucked balls on Thursday night vs the Philadelphia Eagles. Not literally, I mean that would be funny trying to see a guy literally try to suck … OK, never mind.
The Giants just weren’t very good vs their NFC East division rivals, and in the midst of their embarrassment on national television in a 34-13 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium as they ruined a huge night by their rookie phenom.
Saquon Barkley finished the game 229 total yards from scrimmage with 1 TD on Thursday night.
The 229 yards from scrimmage is a New York Giants franchise-record for a rookie running back, but it would be wasted by the Giants ineptitude first on offense and soon enough on defense.
New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning would get the festivities rolling the opposite way with a interception on the Giants second play from scrimmage to linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, who returned the ball 24 yards to the Giants 16 yard-line.
Philly capitalized on the interception deep in Giants territory by getting a touchdown on a play where the Giants laughable pass rush allowed Wentz to scramble out to his right before finding wide receiver Alshon Jefferey on a broken play for a 13-yard touchdown to go up 7-0 in the first quarter.
The offensive line allowed their typical tour into the Giants offensive backfield with Nate Solder looking particularly off the ball. On the Giants third possession of the game Manning was sacked by shoulder padless super hero Michael Bennett near the Giants one yard-line, losing the ball but it would be recovered by Solder.
Manning would be sacked four times and hit a total of 13 times as he finished the game 24-for-43 for 283 passing yards and 1 INT.
The Giants offense went 0-for-3 on third down with 46 of their 75 total yards coming off a 46-yard run on the Giants second possession of the game by Saquon Barkley, who seems to be the only thing optimally pleasant about the Giants offensive unit these days.
Barkley once again would show off his amazing ability in the open field in the second quarter by making the Eagles miss tackles left and right on a thrilling 55-yard reception off a screen pass that may be his finest of the season to this point.
Saquon Barkley was great on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
The defense was fine, never great, but fine enough for New York to stay in the game until the offense continued to reward them with three-and-outs.
The stats won’t show that a Giants defense that surrendered their fair share of big plays forced the Eagles into three punts after Philadelphia’s touchdown with a short field to open the game.
The stats will rather show that they surrendered big plays on broken plays like Nelson Agholor’s 58-yard reception. Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz, almost dead to rights on a rollout to his right, fired a ball down the field to the wide open receiver who broke off his initial route and lost Giants’ cornerback Eli Apple on the play.
Wentz put together his finest outing since his return from a ACL injury last season as he finished the game with 278 passing yards and 3 TDs for the defending champs.
What led to the Giants defense being unable to slow Philadelphia after a fine start? It may have something to do with New York going 0-for-8 on third down as Eli Manning, under pressure as well as unwilling to throw down the field, had a ugly first half.
If you take out what was probably the millionth screen pass dialed up by head coach Pat Shurmer in the first half that turned into a highlight reel play for Barkley, Manning finished the half 9-for-22 for 107 passing yards and 1 INT as New York trailed 24-6 at the half.
It didn’t get better in the second half (Haha!!! Of course it didn’t!) as we got Odell Beckham Jr. — who finished the game with 6 receptions for 44 receiving yards — using his helmet against a cooling fan on the sideline before throwing some solid combinations against it.
He also left for the locker room early before the half as he shook his head in frustration over what many Giants fans in attendance and watching all season have been shaking their heads at as well.
The New York Giants (1-5) are all but done for the season. It’s arguably the most underachieving team in the NFL given their talent level and if it continues down this road, folks in the Big Apple will begin to start second guessing the coaching hire of Pat Shurmer.
Shurmer deserves some blame for New York’s inability to move past the stage of a Division II college offense, but not for their 1-5 mark. This has overall been a team-wide meltdown for New York.
No, it’s hard to say they’ve quit. The effort is there, but the difference between good teams and bad teams is execution in all phases of the game and the Giants aren’t remotely close to executing at a high-level in any phase.
Of course, Saquon Barkley deserves better, but so do Giants fans who have watched their team for three games now at MetLife Stadium score under 19 points.
The upcoming schedule is not particularly challenging as Big Blue’s next five opponents are all .500 or below, but that might not mean much for a team that’s arguably the worst team in the NFL at the moment.
Debate at your own risk.
What are your thoughts on the Giants falling to 1-5? Leave your comments below!
Model turned actress Ruby Rose has unveiled a first look at herself as Batwoman.
The first picture, which was released earlier this week, shows her in full costume, complete with a long red wig and a signature smirk.
After her casting was announced earlier this year, many fans actively voiced their displeasure, which led to Rose deleting her Twitter account. While she’s off of social media, that did not deter her from taking on the role.
Ruby Rose was thrust into the spotlight after appearing on the third season of Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black,” where she was able to show off her unique tattoos and badass persona as Stella. Other than her overt sexuality, however, Rose wasn’t an especially strong actress. This didn’t stop Hollywood from casting her in action movies like “John Wick: Chapter 2” “XxX: Return of Xander Cage” and “The Meg.”
Ruby Rose as Stella in the third season of “Orange is the New Black.” Photo courtesy of express.co.uk
While many probably hoped for a more experienced actress to take on the iconic role of Batwoman, the initial photo of Rose in costume seems like a much-needed bode of confidence for fans.
“Batwoman” is set to air on the CW in 2019. Will you be watching?
Maggie Gyllenhaal, star and executive producer of HBO’s period drama “The Deuce”, spoke with SiriusXM about the #MeToo scandals that surround costar James Franco, saying that shutting down the show because if it would be the wrong thing to do.
The show, which follows the sex industry from prostitution to the rise of pornography, is described by Gyllenhaal as being about “transactional sex. It’s about inequality in the entertainment business.” If anything, it seems as though Franco, who plays twins on the show, is underlining this point even more so.
Allegations of sexual misconduct have surrounded Franco for years. After directing and starring in last year’s “The Disaster Artist” many assumed he was a lock for Oscar nominations, however when allegations of inappropriate and sexual behavior resurfaced, he was snubbed.
Franco has adamantly denied all allegations, but last week, one of his former co-stars pained a different picture of him in her memoir.
A portrait of James Franco. Photo courtesy of latimes.com
Busy Philipps, who starred alongside Franco from 1999-2000 in the short lived “Freaks and Geeks,” described in her new memoir “This Will Only Hurt a Little” being assaulted by Franco, who violently pushed her to the ground on set.
Philipps says he was forced to apologize the next day, but that the actor never faced repercussions for his actions.
Franco and Philipps in “Freaks and Geeks.” Photo courtesy of pagesix.com
Gyllenhaal says that she and other producers spoke with every woman on the HBO set and asked if they all felt comfortable and respected, to which they all agreed they did. After that, they unanimously decided to keep production going.
After watching the first season of “The Deuce” last year, I became a huge Maggie Gyllenhaal fan. Previously, I’d seen her as inferior to her brother, Jake Gyllenhaal, but after watching her give such a raw and powerful performance, she’s cemented herself on my radar.
While I think the whole Franco situation is complicated to say the least, I’m not sure what the right move would be. However, I think that Gyllenhaal individually speaking with all women working on the show was a great move. This is a prime example of why more women need to be working behind the scenes.
Full disclosure, I have yet to start season two of “The Deuce” but I plan to binge it once the whole season becomes available on HBO Go. Gyllenhaal also has a new Netflix film, “The Kindergarten Teacher” which will be available to stream on October 12.
What do you think about the James Franco situation? Do you believe the allegations? Do you think the show should be shut down or do you think Maggie Gyllenhaal did the right thing? Let us know in the comments below!
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Photo via nba.com
Photo via nba.com
Blake Griffin is looking to leave a impact in his first full season as a Detroit Piston. Photo by Getty Images
Photo by Getty Images
Photo via nba.com
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