New York Mets fans said their final good byes to one of the franchise’s best players ever.
New York Mets’ third baseman David Wright finished his MLB on Saturday vs the Miami Marlins at Citi-Field.
Wright, who a few weeks ago announced that he will retire from baseball at season’s end, went 0-for-1 with a walk, fouling out to first base to open the fourth inning vs Miami Marlins’ right-hander Trevor Richards.
The seven-time MLB All-Star would be pulled from the game to begin the fifth inning where he would be subdued by a thunderous ovation from a sellout crowd at Citi-Field that chanted his name.
Wright, with tears in his eyes, held his baseball cap up with his right hand to salute and thank the fans that for 14 years had the pleasure to watch him play in a Mets uniform.
It was in a way the most satisfying moment this season for New York Mets fans during a trying season in which the team will finish in fourth place disappointingly.
David Wright pinch-hit on Friday night vs the Miami Marlins and was greeted with a standing ovation at Citi-Field in his much anticipated return.
Wright, not wasting anytime, hit a 96 mph fastball by Miami Marlins’ right-hander Jose Urena on the ground to third base and would be thrown out at first base.
It was Wright’s first at-bat in two years as he’s battled spinal stenosis and a right shoulder injury in his long rehab and time away from the field.
For New York Mets fans, it’s the last time they’ll get a chance to see David Wright in a batter’s box and toeing the rubber, but it may not be the last they’ve seen of the beloved third baseman.
Earlier this week SNY’s Andy Martino asked David Wright if he would be interested in working in the Mets front office and Wright responded, “I’d love to stay involved. I love being around the game. I obviously love the organization. So I think I could provide value.”
David Wright will retire with his legacy in New York cemented. Wright is first all-time in New York Mets franchise history in hits (1,777), home runs (242) and RBIs (970).
Where does David Wright rank all-time among players in New York Mets history? Leave your comments below!
Predicted to be a year of the dingers in the Bronx, it was a historical season hitting them for the Bronx Bombers.
The New York Yankees broke the 2001 Seattle Mariners team home run record of 264 home runs on Saturday vs the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
In the fourth inning New York Yankees’ second baseman Gleyber Torres sent a opposite field blast off left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to right field for a three-run to give the Yankees the team record for home runs. The feat comes a night after hitting four home runs to tie the mark in a 11-6 victory over their AL East rivals.
The Yankees added to that total with another home run by Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth inning as the Yankees won the game 8-5.
The Yankees tied the 2003 Boston Red Sox as the only team to have five players with 25+ home runs. The Yankees also have six players with at least 20 home runs this season.
New York (100-61) clinched home-field for their AL wildcard game next week vs the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium.
Should they win the AL wildcard game, the MLB world will be on tap for a barnburner of a matchup in the ALDS between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
What are your thoughts on the Yankees breaking the all-time regular-season team home run mark? Leave your comments below!
Ravens-Steelers AFC North Showdown Headlines Week 4 Slate
Week 3 Results: 8-8
Record This Season: 25-23
One word to describe the first three weeks of the NFL season: Overtime
For a third straight week we got an overtime game, but this time we got a winner as the New Orleans Saints used a 15-play/80 yard touchdown drive at the beginning of overtime to upend the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 in OT.
So with there being three straight weeks with a pair of teams playing into overtime, it’s almost certain we’ll get a fourth consecutive week with football past 60 minutes.
The Week 4 slate features four non conference games which will be headlined Philadelphia Eagles road test vs the Tennessee Titans.
There will be two intriguing AFC divisional matchups on tap as the New England Patriots look to avoid a third consecutive defeat to begin the season vs the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs will look to take the wind out of the Broncos cells in Mile High.
Before then, we’ll take a look at each matchup and who I think will come out on top. Here are my predictions for Week 4 of the 2018 NFL regular season.
*Drum roll please*
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are ailing at cornerback, but one thing making Wade Phillips and the Rams smile is the Minnesota Vikings offensive line. The Vikings have failed to run the ball effectively to start the year and that’s put pressure on Kirk Cousins to perform behind a suspect offensive line that allows interior pressure.
Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh haven’t gotten off to a roaring start. That changes here vs a Vikings team traveling to the West Coast on a short week.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 24 Minnesota Vikings 19
Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
The Bengals run defense looked the part of a team that fielded only seven men on the field, not 11 last Sunday in a 31-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
That may be harsh considering Bengals at the second and third levels also struggled to contain the run. Atlanta — who will likely get back Devonta Freeman — is running the ball better and Matt Ryan has 9 touchdowns in his last two days. With injuries in the secondary for Atlanta, expect another shootout.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 36 Cincinnati Bengals 30
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a run heavy team. Facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the NFL’s worst ranked run defense, is exactly what Jason Garrett and the Cowboys want to see.
Matthew Stafford will have his hands full trying to find open men down the field as Dallas has been stingy in allowing passes down field. Cowboys bounce back here.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 21 Detroit Lions 20
Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is lacking in a reliable go-to option for Aaron Rodgers as the Packers have had a different leading receiver each of the first two weeks. That doesn’t speak to how deep they are considering the drop off in production from those leading receivers in other games.
Against a Buffalo Bills defense that finally came to life against the Minnesota Vikings in a 27-6 win, protecting Rodgers better than they have will be the key.
Considering Buffalo has not forced a interception through the first three weeks and a still formidable Packers pass rush, it’s a bounce back for Rodgers and the Packers.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 37 Buffalo Bills 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears defense faces their toughest test in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense that leads the NFL in total yards. Generating pressure is of most importance, with the Pittsburgh Steelers laying out a blueprint in a 30-27 win vs Tampa Bay last Monday.
The question is who will start at quarterback for Tampa Bay?
Head coach Dirk Koetter is keeping his decision tight to the vest. It certainly looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick will get another start after his amazing three-game stretch in place of a suspended Jameis Winston.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26 Chicago Bears 17
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
A rookie quarterback with 5 interceptions in his first three NFL starts is exactly what the doctor ordered if you’re the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville will look to exercise some demons a week after losing yet another game to the Tennessee Titans.
Don’t underestimate this Jets defense, however. Todd Bowles’ unit is playing at a high level to begin the season, ranking 7th in total defense. Unfortunately, their run defense is a source of weakness (allowing 102.3 rushing yards per game).
Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars 20 New York Jets 10
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
The Philadelphia Eagles first road game didn’t go too well back in Week 2 vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and now they must face a formidable Tennessee Titans defense that ranks 11th in total defense and 8th in pass defense.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense received encouraging news when wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice this week after being cleared. Despite his return, it’s unlikely he produces at a high level and that’s needed for a team who just lost safety Rodney McLeod for the rest of the season.
Prediction: Tennessee Titans 23 Philadelphia Eagles 16
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Houston has been incapable of getting off to a strong start to begin their games. The Texans are being outscored 55-19 in the first half in their first three games and have only scored one touchdown in the first half.
That may not change on Sunday vs Indianapolis’ surprising 5th ranked defense. Andrew Luck has finished under 190 passing yards in his last two games. That will change vs a Texans defense allowing 271.1 passing yards per game.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 28 Houston Texans 20
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Over their last 10 quarters the New England Patriots have only scored 36 points and three touchdowns. Tom Brady’s hair will be grey by season’s end of that continues.
The question if you’re Adam Gase watching the Detroit Lions film, particularly on offense, why can’t we do the same thing? Miami ranks near last in the NFL in time of possession, but a run-dominated gameplan could help them pull the upset here.
I look at this stat, however, and tend to go with history. Tom Brady is 27-1 vs the AFC East at home in his last 28 starts. That one loss came in a meaningless Week 17 game vs the Buffalo Bills during the 2014 regular-season where he played one half.
Prediction: New England Patriots 24 Miami Dolphins 18
Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders
The Cleveland Browns may have won a game this season, but we can’t discount their long drought without a road win.
The last time the Cleveland Browns won a road game was back on October 11th, 2015!!! Josh McCown was the quarterback that day and he went for 457 passing yards in a 33-30 OT win vs the Baltimore Ravens.
Baker Mayfield in his first career start will face a Raiders defense that’s been scuffling, mostly in the second halves of games.
What tilts the edge in Cleveland’s favor is Derek Carr, who has been inconsistent with just 2 TDs and 4 INTs in the first three games.
Against Cleveland’s opportunistic defense that leads the NFL in takeaways with 11, I expect quite a few turnovers coming from his throwing hand this Sunday.
Prediction: Cleveland Browns 13 Oakland Raiders 9
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are moving along with Josh Rosen as their starting quarterback, and the brash and confident Rosen will get a stiff test vs the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle’s defense is 2nd in the NFL in takeaways (8) and 7th in third down defense (32.4). The stats won’t show it, but Seattle is generating pressure with linebacker Frank Clark leading the charge.
The New Orleans Saints bring their high-powered offense which is averaging 36.5 PPG to East Rutherford vs a team averaging only 18.3 PPG. The problem for New Orleans? Their defense has been near the bottom of the league to start the season.
Bright spots last season, Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley and Marcus Williams have all struggled in the Saints secondary to begin the season.
That’s inviting news for a Giants offense that finally showed some signs of life vs the winless Houston Texans in a 27-22 victory on the road. Odell Beckham Jr. will end his touchdown-less season here.
Prediction: New York Giants 35 New Orleans Saints 33
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers in just the first three weeks faced two of the scariest offenses in the NFL. They’ll get a much needed change of pace this Sunday vs a San Francisco 49ers team that lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a torn ACL last Sunday.
C.J. Beathard will start for the 49ers, and last season the second-year pro completed only 54.9 percent of his passes while throwing 4 TDs to 6 INTs with a Passer Rating of 69.2. That’s all you need to know for how this game will go
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 30 San Francisco 49ers 13
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Baltimore Ravens pass defense gave up four touchdown passes in the first half to Andy Dalton in Week 2 in a 34-23. Outside of that, this defense as a whole has been smothering.
They’ll be tested by their arch nemesis Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers as Pittsburgh has one of the best cast of pass catchers in the NFL.
What Baltimore has working in its favor going on the road? The Pittsburgh Steelers are far and away the NFL’s most penalized team with 37, the next closest team are the Buffalo Bills with 28.
In a close football game, that’s the difference between winning and losing in this rivalry game.
The Denver Broncos blitz getting to Patrick Mahomes is Denver’s best chance at victory, but considering Denver’s blitz is resulting in few results, it may be best for Denver to rely on a four man rush.
Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs through the first three weeks are the NFL’s worst ranked defense, but are they as bad as people truly say? Kansas City is allowing only 25.8 percent of third downs to be converted, the best mark in the NFL.
That could come in handy on the road vs a Broncos offense converting 42.9 percent of their third downs, 10th in the NFL.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 36 Denver Broncos Denver Broncos 22
What are your thoughts on the Week 4 slate? Leave your comments below!
There isn’t another receiver Jared Goff trusts quite like Cooper Kupp and the Minnesota Vikings learned that the hard way on Thursday night.
In a high-scoring shootout, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38-31 on Thursday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
Behind Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff’s career-high 465 passing yards and 5 TDs and wide receiver Cooper Kupp’s 162 receiving yards and 2 TDs, the Los Angeles Rams remained unbeaten.
It was a huge night for the quarterback-wide receiver connection as Goff looked Kupp’s way early and often.
Jared Goff followed a 354-yard, 3-TD performance by lighting up the Minnesota Vikings defense on Thursday night.
Goff, 23, completed 26 of his 33 pass attempts (78%) en route to a perfect Passer Rating of 158.3.
The first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff is living up to the billing for the Los Angeles Rams franchise in just his third NFL season as he guides what many feel is the NFL’s best team to new heights.
In a exciting offensive showcase by both teams, the two would combine for 1,002 total yards of offense in a venue that seemed split in terms of crowd noise with Vikings fans making the trip West.
The Rams had three receivers break the 100-yard plateau on the night vs a suddenly scuffling Vikings defense.
It’s the 13th time since the beginning of last season that the Los Angeles Rams have scored 30+ points in a game. They’ve scored at least 33 points in each of their first four games.
In a odd stat, the Rams went 1-for-6 (16%) on third down on a night where they picked up 25 first downs. The Minnesota Vikings went 8-for-16 (50%) on third down while picking up 25 first downs as well.
It wasn’t a penalty plagued game as the Los Angeles Rams committed only two penalties for 15 yards while the Minnesota Vikings picked up four penalties for 35 yards.
The Rams would be forced to punt only 2 times on the night.
Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins finished the game with 422 passing yards and 3 TDs. It’s his second game with at least 400+ passing yards and at least 3 TDs this season.
Minnesota failed to establish much on the ground as running back Dalvin Cook finished with a team-high 38 rushing yards on 10 carries.
The 38 points are the most allowed by Mike Zimmer’s Minnesota Vikings since December 24th, 2016 vs the Green Bay Packers when they lost 38-25 at Lambeau Field.
The Vikings got off to an encouraging start as they put together a 13 play/75 yard drive to open the game. Kirk Cousins — who went 6-for-8 with 68 passing yards on the drive — connected with wide receiver Aldrick Robinson on a 16-yard touchdown to go up 7-0 to begin the game.
Going up-tempo, the Rams would respond quickly as they went on a 12 play/75 yard drive that ended in a 8-yard touchdown reception by Todd Gurley.
The Rams would follow their touchdown on their first drive with a long touchdown from wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who beat linebacker Anthony Barr for a 70-yard touchdown to give Los Angeles a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.
The Minnesota Vikings offense wouldn’t back down from the Rams offensive challenge as they continued to exploit a Rams defense that coming in allowed the fewest points in the NFL through three weeks (12.0 PPG).
The Vikings took a 17-14 following another touchdown reception by Aldrick Robinson, who got behind two colliding defensive backs to secure a touchdown in the back of the endzone on a 17-yard touchdown.
Both defenses would give their offenses a much needed breather from having to answer a score as they forced three-and-outs against one another on the next two possessions.
Getting the ball back after the Rams defense would force a three-and-out, the Rams jumped back in front 21-17 after a sensational 19-yard touchdown grab by Cooper Kupp near the right corner of the endzone over double coverage.
The scoring parade for Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams would continue as Jared Goff launched a 47-yard touchdown to wide receiver Brandin Cooks before the end of the half, the fourth of the first half for Goff as Los Angeles took a 28-17 lead.
Coming out to begin the third quarter with a 28-20 lead, the Rams would take a gamble on fourth down and fail as a fake punt pass by punter Johnny Hekker fell incomplete which gave the Vikings the ball at their own 36-yard line.
In a quarter in which the offenses slowed after a rapid pace in the first half was established, the third quarter would end with fireworks.
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings would make it a 31-28 game after Cousins found wide receiver Adam Thielen down the seam for a 45-yard touchdown at the 3:44 mark of the third.
Los Angeles, as they did throughout the night, answered the Vikings haymaker with one of their own as two minutes later Jared Goff tossed another touchdown pass, this time to wide receiver Robert Woods on a 31-yard touchdown score to make it a 38-28 game.
The Rams would drive early in the fourth quarter following a punt by the Vikings, but the drive would end in disappointment as kicker Sam Ficken missed a 28-yard field goal to keep it a 38-28 game.
The Vikings would make it a 38-31 game with at the 3:46 mark of the fourth quarter following a 40-yard field goal by Dan Bailey.
The Rams would fail to ice the game, allowing the Vikings an opportunity to have the football back with a chance to tie.
On the Rams first play from scrimmage before the two minute warning Kirk Cousins would be sacked for the third time in the fourth quarter as defensive tackle Aaron Donald knifed through for his second sack of the quarter.
After the Vikings converted a 3rd and 9 play, rookie John Franklin-Myers would beat left tackle Riley Reiff off the edge for a strip sack of Kirk Cousins that would be recovered by the Rams and allow Los Angeles to walk away with the victory.
A Minnesota Vikings defense that finished 1st in the NFL in points allowed has taken a major step back to begin the 2018 season.
Minnesota allowed only 15.7 PPG a season ago, but through the first four games of 2018 are allowing 27.5 PPG, 22nd in the NFL.
While the Vikings offense fought to stay in the game to the bitter end after not showing up last Sunday vs the Buffalo Bills, they too have questions on offense.
Minnesota is abandoning the run, putting it in Kirk Cousins’ hands far too often to find the Vikings playmakers which before tonight consisted of only Steffon Diggs and Adam Thielen in terms of production.
The Vikings 74.6 percent pass rate on Thursday night is an improvement over last Sunday’s 90 percent pass rate, but still is far too unbalanced for a team that last season under different direction had success being a balanced team.
Minnesota will have 10 days to prepare for a NFC Championship rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
For the Los Angeles Rams, you expect to score with your wide array of offensive firepower and offensive schemes. That’s exactly what Los Angeles does under head coach Sean McVay, who since becoming the head coach last season has transformed the Rams into offensive juggernauts.
It was a night in which Todd Gurley’s 156 yards from scrimmage were a mere foot note because of how dynamic this offense is at every turn.
The questions for the Los Angeles Rams coming in were on the defensive side of the ball.
The Los Angeles Rams defense — limping into the game with injuries at cornerback — was tested vs the Minnesota Vikings, who were embarrassed in their previous game 27-6 at home vs the Buffalo Bills.
The Rams suffered a big blow to their secondary after cornerback Aqib Talib was placed on IR this week after suffering a ankle injury vs the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday that required surgery.
While Marcus Peters played on after suffering a calf injury vs the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, he looked a step behind in coverage as he gave up plays throughout a high-scoring game.
With Talib out for at least 8 weeks but eligible to return later in the season, the Rams will have to rely on cornerbacks Nickell Robey-Coleman and Sam Shields.
Sam Shields, filling in for Aqib Talib, struggled mightily on the night as he surrendered two touchdowns on the night. That’s a issue that Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will have to make adjustments to in the coming weeks.
While the pass rush came to life late when it had to, the Rams aren’t consistently disrupting a quarterback’s timing in the pocket. The Rams are not blitzing as much as they did in 2017, and it’s likely that will only continue with the injuries in the secondary.
If that’s the case, the Rams at least have encouraging signs based off the fourth quarter in which they got to Kirk Cousins four times for sacks after zero in the first 45 minutes of the game.
The Los Angeles Rams are 4-0 for the first time since 2001, a season in which they advanced to the Super Bowl.
Jared Goff’s 465 passing yards are the most all-time in a Thursday night game.
They will have 10 days to prepare for a visit to CenturyLink Field vs the Seattle Seahawks.
What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Rams victory on Thursday night? Leave your comments below!
Tristan Thompson has found his way back in the news, and for all the wrong reasons per usual.
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward made a statement on Thursday following the Cleveland Cavaliers practice when he declared the Cleveland Cavaliers as ‘the team to beat’.
In spite of LeBron James departure back in July, Thompson is plenty confident when it comes to the subject of Eastern Conference landscape.
“We’re still four-time Eastern Conference champions, so until you take us down from that, teams ain’t got much to say,” Thompson told reporters. “Boston, Philly, they ain’t got much to say. Boston had homecourt (for) Game 7 (last season) and lost. Philly, you guys almost got swept. Toronto — we already know that story l. So until someone takes us down, there’s not much they can really say.”
Here is the video below
Tristan Thompson has a message for the @NBA Eastern Conference 👀💨
Tristan Thompson may be the only one who feels as confidently about Cleveland’s chances of winning the Eastern Conference because the Las Vegas Superbook certainly doesn’t.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are listed at 100-1 to win the Eastern Conference this season. Only the Brooklyn Nets (250-1) have worse odds.
What are your thoughts on the Eastern Conference this season? Leave your comments below!
You can say this performance from ‘King’ James marked his official arrival and the first of many signature moments in his career.
On May 31st, 2007 a 22 year-old LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers headed into The Palace of Auburn Hills in a 2-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It was the second straight year that the Cavaliers once again were locked in a tough playoff series with Detroit Pistons. The previous year the Cleveland Cavaliers lost in seven games to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
In familiar territory as was the case the previous year, Cleveland erased a 0-2 series deficit after winning two games on their home floor in Northeast Ohio.
What would happen in Game 5 as the veteran Detroit Pistons unit led by Chauncey Billups tried to hold off James’ Cavaliers from taking control of the series?
Take a look
Game 5 was a night to remember for LeBron James, who carried his team as he scored the last 25 points for Cleveland from the fourth quarter on to send them to a thrilling 109-107 double overtime.
James’ epic 48-point night in Game 5 would prove to be a dagger for the Pistons, as Cleveland would go on to wrap up the series in six games, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Where does this moment rank in LeBron James’ NBA career? Leave your comments below.
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