by sloppyvinyl | Oct 16, 2018 | SPORTS
Brew Crew Roll To Shutout Win In LA
Going on the road to play Game 3 of the NLCS in a tied series was something Milwaukee wanted to avoid.
Close to their first World Series birth since 1982 when they were an American League team, they weren’t going to back down now.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium in Game 3 of the NLCS to take a 2-1 lead.
Opportunistic, gritty, and persistent, the Milwaukee Brewers regained control of a entertaining NLCS to this point behind key hits and strong pitching.
Jhoulys Chacin (2-0), making his second postseason start, would give his club exactly what they needed coming off the Game 2 loss.
Flanked by stellar defense and pitching in a groove, Chacin befuddled the Dodgers bats and gave his team’s offense a chance to capitalize late in the game on Los Angeles’ miscues.
Both teams combined to go 1-for-16 with RISP, with Los Angeles coming away empty handed going 0-for-10 as they were shutout for the first time since September 16th.
It’s Milwaukee’s third shutout win of the postseason thus far.
The Brewers bullpen, which had surrendered eight runs in the first two games of the series after only giving up two runs in the NLDS vs Colorado, bounced back in Game 3.
The Brewers bullpen would combine to throw three and two-thirds scoreless innings as they allowed two hits and one walk while striking out eight.
The Milwaukee Brewers would jump out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after a one-out RBI double by Ryan Braun scored Christian Yelich from first base.
Jhoulys Chacin would provide Milwaukee with a steady performance as he took the mound for the second time this postseason.
The left-hander would strand runners on second base in the second and fifth inning to preserve Milwaukee’s one-run edge.
Jhoulys Chacin would be relieved after five and one-thirds innings in which he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out six Dodgers in a scoreless start.
Corey Knebel would come in and strike out four batters over one and two-thirds innings for the Brewers.
Walker Buehler (0-1) gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a solid effort throughout most of Game 2, but the rookie right-hander would stumble late in the game for the Dodgers.
Milwaukee, looking to take back home-field advantage, scored a run in the sixth inning on a wild pitch by Buehler as second baseman Travis Shaw, who tripled with two outs, scored from third base to make it a 2-0 Brewers lead.
Shortstop Orlando Arcia would pad the lead with a huge two-run homer off Buehler in the seventh inning to give Milwaukee a 4-0 lead on the road.
Buehler finished the game allowing four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight or seven gritty innings.
With Milwaukee’s bullpen moving on from Knebel in the seventh, Joakim Soria and Josh Hader would combine to get three outs in the eighth inning as another inning went by without a Dodgers hit or baserunner.
Jeremy Jeffress would come on to get the final three outs of the game in the ninth. Much-like his entire postseason run to this point, Jeffress would make an appearance that didn’t disappoint making Brewers fans heart race.
The Dodgers would begin the ninth inning with a single by Justin Turner and a double by Manny Machado. Yasiel Puig would walk after a pop-up by Cody Bellinger.
Facing the Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, Jeffress would punchout Grandal on three pitches to get the Dodgers to their final out in the form of second baseman Brian Dozier.
After three curveballs to start the at-bat, Brian Dozier would be frozen on a 1-2 fastball low and away to end the game as Jeffress survived a late rally from the Boys in Blue.
It’s a sigh of relief for Craig Counsell to watch his bullpen not produce another erratic display (Although it got a little scary there in the ninth) as they had through the first two games of the NLCS.
The Milwaukee Brewers felt like they should’ve been up 2-0 coming into Los Angeles for Game 3 after letting a 3-0 lead slip away late in Game 2.
Looking to assert themselves after having their 12-game winning streak snapped, they did exactly that with a win reminiscent of what we’ve seen from them during their 96-win regular-season.
Craig Counsell’s ball club now has an opportunity over the next two games of either ending the series and advancing to the World Series or taking a 3-2 series lead back to Miller Park.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, offense was not a premium on this night for Dave Roberts’ team.
In somewhat of a shock, Los Angeles continues to get absolutely little done against the starters of the Brewers as they have scored a grand total of two runs vs them in the first three games.
Opportunities were few, but those opportunities missed during this game before the sixth and seventh inning where Milwaukee assumes control were Los Angeles’ chance to change the momentum of this game.
Now down 2-1, they will have to win Game 4 on Tuesday night to avoid a 3-1 hole against the Milwaukee Brewers.
What are your thoughts on Milwaukee’s Game 2 win? Leave your comments below!
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 15, 2018 | SPORTS
Sports Talk Show Personality Convinced By Chiefs
Kansas City’s first loss of the season has Stephen A. Smith confident.
That they’ll reach the Super Bowl.
Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith believes that Kansas City will reach Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta in February.
“For them to take their offense on the road the way that they did (last night) … Patrick Mahomes is the real deal, we all know that by now. Tyreek Hill is something special to behold. They can run the football. They can throw the football. They have a quarterback that can do both, obviously, and that matters,” Smith said on Monday.
“I believe based off what I saw last night, I don’t think the Chiefs are losing more than two games this year. That means that the road to the Super Bowl is coming through Arrowhead.”
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) are coming off a 43-40 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium, their first of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes dazzled after a tough first half as he finished the game with 352 passing yards with 4 TDs and 2 INTs.
Chiefs’ starwide receiver Tyreek Hill exploded in the second half to finish with 7 receptions for 142 receiving yards and 3 TDs.
New England led 24-9 at the half but were unable to hold the lead as Kansas City used a fierce second half push to take a 33-30 lead in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City’s defense came up with stops in the second half and a key fumble recovery, but failed to close the deal. The New England Patriots scored a go-ahead touchdown with under five minutes to play and would get in position for a 28-yard game-winning field goal by Stephen Gostkowski, who booted the kick as time expired.
Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs statistically have one of the worst defenses in football, but they are being cancelled out by the offensive brilliance of the Chiefs offense led by Mahomes.
Kansas City is averaging 35.8 PPG (2nd in NFL) and 418.5 yards per game (3rd in NFL).
They will host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Is Kansas City your pick to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 53? Leave your comments below!
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 15, 2018 | SPORTS
Dagestan Grappler Wants Money May In Boxing Ring
After dominating Conor McGregor at UFC 229, it appears as if Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to try his luck in the squared circle.
Khabib Nurmagomedov called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. at a event in Russia on Monday with Mayweather Promotions CEO standing by.
“Let’s go Floyd, we have to fight now,” Nurmagomedov said. “50-0 vs 27-0, two guys who never lose. Let’s go, why not? Because in the jungle, there’s only one king. Of course I’m the king because he cannot drop McGregor, but I drop him easily. Let’s go.”
The pound-for-pound great would later respond on social media with a post on Instagram saying, “CBS, Showtime and MGM Grand get the checkbook out!”
A boxing matchup with Nurmagomedov would be the second MMA fighter that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has competed against in his career.
Mayweather last fought on August 26th, 2017 when he beat Conor McGregor by 10th-Round TKO at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The fight generated a $100 million purse for Floyd Mayweather Jr. while McGregor walked away with $30 million guaranteed.
He became the first fighter in boxing history to reach the 50-0 plateau, breaking a tie between him and heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano, who went 49-0.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is coming off a 4th-Round submission win over Conor McGregor on October 6th at the T-Mobile Arena as he defended his UFC lightweight title successfully.
What are your thoughts on Nurmagomedov’s fallout of Floyd Mayweather Jr.? Leave your comments below!
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 15, 2018 | SPORTS
What Are The Expectations For These Fringe Contenders?
We’re only one day 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 18 through 13 and today we will pick up with teams 12 through 7. The list today includes two teams who failed to make the playoffs last season but are expected to make it this season, one Eastern Conference contender, and three Western Conference playoff teams from a season ago.
LeBron James’ move to the West shifts the balance of power in a conference that from the third seed to the eighth seed were separated by only 2 games last season. That’s a reality that the West outside of Golden State and Houston is anyone’s guess in terms of finishes in the standing.
What is the outlook for LeBron’s Lakers, Popovich’s new-look Spurs, and the surging Indiana Pacers?
Without further or do, let’s get started!!!
12. Denver Nuggets
Photo by Getty Images
Record last season: 46-36
Win projection for 2018-19: 43.9 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Finish 5 wins better than win projection, Make Playoffs, Finish in top 20 in FG percentage allowed, Finish in top 20 in 3-point FG percentage allowed
Prediction: Nikola Jokic Makes First All-Star Team
The Denver Nuggets big man floats under the radar for his below the rim style of play, but he’s among the best at his position. Jokic will have an easier time making the Western Conference frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins injured. The frontcourt in all likelihood will be made up of Karl-Anthony Towns, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic this season.
11. Indiana Pacers
Photo via wishtv.com
Record last season: 48-34
Win projection for 2018-19: 49 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Make Eastern Conference Finals, Win Central
Prediction: Victor Oladipo repeats his 2017-18 season
The Indiana Pacers stunned the NBA when they finished 48-34 last season after the departure of Paul George in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. A huge reason why was because of the breakout season by Victor Oladipo, who won the Most Improved Player award last season.
If there’s pessimism as to whether Victor Oladipo can replicate what he did last season — averaging 23.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 2.4 SPG — that’s reasonable.
One reason why he will though is because Indiana’s offense doesn’t rely on Oladipo to play out of character. Most of his shot attempts last season were in the flow of coach Nate McMillan’s offense, which bodes well for this upcoming season.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
Photo by Associated Press
Record last season: 49-33
Win projection for 2018-19: 44.1 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make Western Conference Finals, Win Northwest Division, Make Playoffs, Finish Top 5 in FG percentage defense, Finish Top 10 in assists
Prediction: Damian Lilliard finishes in Top 5 in PPG
Last season was the first time that Damian Lilliard, one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, finished in the top 5 among scoring leaders. He averaged 26.9 PPG, heating up in the second half like usual with 28.6 PPG after the All-Star break.
There is still a burden for him to carry the scoring load on most nights even next to an outstanding marksmen like C.J. McCollum. With that being the case, expect Lilliard to continue his high usage rate as a scorer.
9. San Antonio Spurs
Photo by Darren Abate/Associated Press
Record last season: 47-35
Win projection for 2018-19: 49.9 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season:
Prediction: The Spurs Finish No Better Than 6th In Western Conference
The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the most dominant sports franchises in the last 20 years, but times are a changing in the Alamo. This Spurs team will likely take a step back with the influx of rising Western Conference teams that now includes the Los Angeles Lakers.
While a playoff spot is a lock for Gregg Popovich’s club, don’t expect to see this very new-look Spurs roster that no longer has Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker or Kawhi Leonard gell like Popovich’s past teams.
8. Utah Jazz
Photo by Kristin Murphy/Deseret News
Record last season: 48-34
Win projection for 2018-19: 46.3 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make Western Conference Finals, Win Northwest Division, Make Playoffs, Lead NBA in points allowed and FG percentage defense, Finish top 5 in FG percentage offense
Prediction: Utah Jazz Finish 3rd In Western Conference
The Utah Jazz play a brand of basketball on a nightly basis that’s tough on teams to combat. A styming style of defense in halfcourt sets combined with a very slow and methodical halfcourt offense can get teams out of their comfort zone.
While they will have nights where they can’t score offensively, there aren’t many teams that will be having great shooting nights vs this team. Finishing a spot higher than they did last year, Utah will have a strong regular-season.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
James hopes to build with a young cast in his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 35-47
Win projection for 2018-19: 50.9 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Make Western Conference Finals, Make Playoffs, Finish top 5 in points, Finish top 20 in points allowed
Prediction: LeBron James Wins NBA MVP
It’s been a while since LeBron James has won the NBA MVP award. You’d have to go back to the 2012-13 NBA season for the last time James won the NBA’s most prestigious individual award.
Now in Los Angeles and likely playing with a chip on his shoulder from not winning the award last season, James will dominate. Under the bright lights of Hollywood, James will flirt with averaging a triple-double this season as he brings home his fifth NBA MVP award.
What are your thoughts on the teams listed here heading into the 2018-19 season? Leave your comments below!
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 15, 2018 | SPORTS
Patriots Victory Highlights Week 6 Slate
Week 6 of the NFL Season was in no better way to explain it … strange.
In Denver, we got a 25 degree game at kickoff between the Rams and Broncos … on October 14th. Had the game happened a day later, we may have seen a snow game as the City of Plains welcomed snowfall this past weekend.
Nathan Peterman threw a game-winning touchdown to … the other team. The Cowboys found an NFL offense vs Jacksonville, Baltimore turned Marcus Mariota into a human piƱata and Miami pretty much kept it a tight to the vest that their secret weapon on Sunday would be Brock Osweiler (No kidding).
With so many headlines to cover from Sunday’s action, these four in particular standout (Steelers-Bengals didn’t make the cut, we’re on time constraints here).
Here is my recap of the Sunday that was in the NFL.
Brady Leads Pats To Wild Win Over Chiefs
Just as many fans tuning in would’ve expected, we got a barn burner of a game between two of the most prolific offenses in the NFL.
The New England Patriots were opposed by this upstart, dynamic offense led by 23-year-old quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was leading a 5-0 football team into New England guns blazing.
The old guard vs the team looking to stake their claim to the throne. That’s what we saw in the New England Patriots 43-40 victory over Kansas City on Sunday night.
After Patrick Mahomes’ (352 passing yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs) late game heroics to Tyreek Hill tied the game at 40-40 with 3:03 left to play, it would put the ball into a man all too familiar with just that.
Driving into Kansas City territory, Tom Brady would find Rob Gronkowski deep on a 39-yard reception to set up New England at Kansas City’s 9-yard line with with under a minute to go.
Stephen Gostkowski would nail a game-winning 28-yard field goal for the Patriots as time expired to hand Kansas City their first loss.
Tom Brady finished the game with 340 passing yards and 2 TDs (1 rushing). Rookie running back Sony Michel would rush for 106 rushing yards and 2 TDs.
Kansas City’s defense on third down to begin the season was among the best in the NFL through the first five weeks but the team took a step back by surrendering seven third down conversions.
New England dominated much of this game during the first 30 minutes as they held Kansas City to three field goals while intercepting Patrick Mahomes twice as they led 24-9 at the half.
Andy Reid’s Chiefs battled back in the second half, using a 67-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown reception, forced fumble deep in New England territory, and 97-yard kickoff return to take a 33-30 lead in the fourth quarter.
The play of the game that everyone will be talking about is backup linebacker Breeland Speaks, appearing as if he didn’t want to pick up an unnecessary roughness penalty on third and goal, pulling back on trying to hit Brady as he thought Brady would release the ball.
Brady was dead to rights by Speaks, who had him wrapped up, but he let him escape to scramble for a 4-yard touchdown run which gave New England a 37-33 lead with 5:25 to play.
That play was huge as a field goal changes Kansas City’s offensive game-plan dramatically from going to the air to try to take the lead to trying to run out the clock for a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker.
However, the play did happen and a game that produced high-drama saw missed opportunities on both sides.
A regular-season game that lived up to the expectations may provide viewers with a even greater piece of theater if Kansas City gets back Eric Berry and Justin Houston at full strength.
For the Patriots, so much for that 1-2 start.
Jaguars Humbled In Big D
No, the Dallas Cowboys offense was miserable through the first five games of the season.
One of the NFL’s worst units were expected to continue their trying start to the season vs the Jacksonville Jaguars top ranked defense on Sunday.
That didn’t happen.
Dallas dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars from start to finish in a emphatic 40-7 win at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys chose a great day to wake up offensively vs a Jaguars team that suddenly finds itself in a troubling stretch.
Dallas jumped all over Jacksonville early, establishing a 24-0 lead at the half. Dak Prescott channeled his inner-Michael Vick with s career-high 82 rushing yards.
The third year quarterback would have a stellar day through the air with 183 passing yards and 2 TDs.
Running back Ezekiel Elliot would finish the game with 106 rushing yards and 1 TD while wide receiver Cole Beasley had a season-high 101 receiving yards and 2 TDs.
It’s the first time Jacksonville’s defense has allowed back-to-back 30-Point games since the start of the 2017 season.
Jalen Ramsey and the Jaguars defense looked to be frustrated as a defensive unit as miscommunications on defense led to Dallas’ 28th ranked offense racking up their most points since Week 7 of last year.
Jacksonville’s problems along the offensive side of the ball are alarming as injuries to that side of the ball have affected them.
Blake Bortles can be a issue for Jacksonville when he feels uncomfortable in the pocket and in each of the last two weeks that’s been the case. The offensive line’s struggles have led to a total of six turnovers in by Bortles over the past two games.
Dallas on the other hand picks up a key victory in a crowded NFC East as the division has no clear favorite to win it through the first six weeks.
Todd Gurley, Rams Hold Off Broncos Late
The Rams got a scare late from the Denver Broncos, but in the end, they remain the same as they entered.
Undefeated.
The Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Denver Broncos 23-20 on Sunday in a bitterly cold day at Sports Authority Field.
Behind a career-high 208 rushing yards from running back Todd Gurley, Los Angeles extended their unbeaten record to 6-0.
It wasn’t a pretty win for Los Angeles as they nearly squandered a 17-point second half lead, but Sean McVay understands the difficulty in playing in Mile-High and that this would never be a easy game.
Denver chipped away at Los Angeles’ lead with Case Keenum going for 322 passing yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT, but it would not be enough.
A late drive in the fourth quarter that ended in a 21-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos would give Los Angeles a 10-point cushion with under four minutes to play with Denver without a timeout.
The Los Angeles Rams are 6-0 for the first time since 2001, the last time they reached the Super Bowl.
They will look to make it a perfect 3-0 on a difficult three-game road trip with a win next Sunday vs the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Osweiler, Dolphins Shock Bears In OT
For the Miami Dolphins, the next man up was the best man up vs the Chicago Bears.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Chicago Bears 31-28 in overtime on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium to snap their two-game skid.
Miami Dolphins’ kicker Jason Sanders would nail a 47-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to hand Miami the dramatic victory.
Brock Osweiler (380 passing yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) would guide the Miami Dolphins in place of an injured Ryan Tannehill.
Miami survived a fumble down on the goal line by running back Kenyan Drake on the first possession of overtime to squeak by Chicago as Miami is now 3-0 at home this season.
Playing for his fourth NFL team, Osweiler would lead Miami to a season-high 541 total yards and end the Chicago Bears’ three-game winning streak.
The Dolphins announced right before kickoff that quarterback Ryan Tannehill would be out for Sunday’s game vs the Chicago Bears with a undisclosed injury.
After the game, Adam Gase would not address just exactly what injury Ryan Tannehill sustained that resulted in him not playing today.
While getting 541 yards of offense and 31 points with Brock Osweiler might serve as more of an anomaly than anything else, beating a red-hot team coming off a bye week says a lot about the Miami Dolphins.
Miami used a fourth quarter surge that included two touchdowns by wide receiver Albert Wilson (6 receptions, 155 receiving yards, 2 TDs) to tie the game in regulation.Chicago had numerous opportunities to seal this game.
The Bears would commit three turnovers on offense, with two coming down in the redzone. Head coach Matt Nagy will be second guessed for seemingly taking the ball out of Mitchell Trubisky’s hands on Miami’s side of the field.
Keeping the ball on the ground would lead to Chicago settling for a 53-yard field goal attempt by Cody Parkey, who missed wide right following the two-minute warning of overtime.
The Bears may have been caught looking ahead to New England as their defensive performance on Sunday was uncharacteristic and surprising, but Miami deservingly won this game in the end.
What are your thoughts on Sunday’s NFL Week 6 games? Leave your comments below!
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 15, 2018 | SPORTS
Betts, Bradley Jr. Key Red Sox Game 2 Win
Boston remained a team confident and sure heading into Game 2 following a disappointing loss to open the series.
Making up for their failed opportunities in Game 1, Boston won their most important game of the 2018 season.
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros 7-5 on Sunday night at Fenway Park in Game 2 of the ALCS to tie the series at 1-1.
The Red Sox offense had a breakthrough against the Astros arms, tallying seven runs on nine hits.
Mookie Betts would lead the way for Boston with two hits, driving in one run while scoring two.
Boston, in a spot where they could ill afford to fall behind 0-2 in the series, jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead vs Gerrit Cole and the Astros.
The Red Sox would get five men on base in the inning with Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers driving in runs with RBI singles.
Just as was the case in Game 1 vs the Boston Red Sox, George Springer would deliver with two outs in the second inning.
The center fielder would tie the game at 2-2 with a two- run double off David Price to silence the Fenway Park faithful.
Like cardiac cats, the Astros would strike again vs Boston in the third inning as Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run home run to give Houston a 4-2 lead.
In need of a response, Jackie Bradley would deliver one in the third inning as he hit a two-out bases clearing double to put Boston back ahead 5-4 in a wild start to Game 2.
David Price would exit the game after four and two-thirds innings after a walk to Tyler White. Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes would keep Boston in front after striking out Marwin Gonzalez to end the fifth inning.
Gerrit Cole would make it through six innings as he failed to continue his strong postseason in a rough outing at Fenway Park.
Boston would add a run in the seventh inning as Mookie Betts would score from third base on a passed ball by Astros’ reliever Lance McCullers Jr. to make it a 6-4 game.
Mookie Betts would give Boston a 7-4 lead on a two-out RBI double in the eighth inning. After Rick Porcello pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth, Red Sox’ closer Craig Kimbrel would enter in the ninth.
Kimbrel would record the save as he got third baseman Alex Bregman to fly out to end the game after surrendering a two-out RBI single to Jose Altuve.
After a quiet offensive night in Game 1 where they failed to get a hit with runners in scoring position, Boston would show up clutch in a game they had to win.
Boston would go 4-for-10 with RISP with Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr.’s two-out RBI hits huge for them.
Alex Cora’s team will have their work cut out for them heading to Houston for three games as they look to take back home-field in the series.
The Houston Astros failed to make much happen offensively after the third inning as they were limited to only one run from the fourth inning while going 1-for-6 with RISP.
Houston accomplished the goal of winning a game in Boston to take home-field advantage from the Red Sox going to Minute Maid Park.
A.J. Hinch will hope for a bounce back for his club in Game 3 when they send Dallas Keuchel to the mound looking to take a 2-1 series lead.
What are your thoughts on the Boston Red Sox Game 2 win? Leave your comments below!