Weekly Update – Week of August 24, 2020 (COVID Week 24)

Baseball: Sox Abreu 4 straight HRs. Dodgers score 7 HRs in one game. Mets COVID free. Trout’s card breaks record.

Basketball:Kobe’s bday was yesterday. Killer bball day of close games.

Football: 77 False positives. TCU QB heart condition found during COVID testing. NCAA gives fall athletes another year. Miami with fans. Releases/pick ups. Hurts’ winning gesture.

Golf: DJ wins 3rd Northern Trust back to World #1. Scheffler joins the 59 club.

Olympic Sports: London Marathon’s veteran pacemaker. GBR T&F wins. TdF on Saturday! Tennell changes coach. Skiing season to skip US and Canada.

Baseball:

• White Sox 1B Jose Abreu has tied the MLB record for 4 straight plate appearances being HRs after his first at-bat on Sunday. He had 6 HRs in the series. Despite his efforts, the Sox still lost to the Cubs 2-1. Abreu’s HR was the only score that game and the Sox have scored their last 20 runs off of HRs. they are 3 runs shy of the Brewers’ record set last season. Abreu entered the Cubs/Sox series T-20^th in the American League for HRs – he now leds the AL.
• Speaking of HRs… the Dodgers had 7 HRs in their 11-3 win against the Rockies on Sunday. Enrique Hernandez hit a 3-run HR and Betts hit 2 HRs later in the game. Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith and Max Muncy all hit HRs. That’s not counting the 3 HRs that were scored by the Rockies! The Dodgers are the only team in the MLB to not lose a series in this restart. Their record is currently 22-8. The team also had a tribute to Kobe before their highly prolific win and when Hernandez came across the plater after his HR, he did a shooting motion and said ‘Kobe!’
• Following up on the Mets after last weeks’ games were postponed, the team has all now tested negative and they are back to play on Tuesday against the Marlins. The make up games against the Yankees will be played as double headers on Fri and Sun and on Sept 3.

• Mike Trout’s rookie card set the highest selling sports card of all time on Saturday night in an auction and went for $3.936MM. The previous record holder was Honus Wagner T-206 card for $3.12MM.
• After letting fans back into the stadium, the KBO is now saying that just finishing the season will be a win. South Korea has seen a spike in COVID cases again and went back to no fans in the stadium, after previously getting up to 30%. This is affecting both baseball and soccer leagues in the country.

Basketball:

• Kobe’s birthday was yesterday which was fitting because it was also an amazing night to watch basketball! 3 of the 4 games played on Sunday were determined by less than 5 points.
  • Epitomized by the Mavericks tying their series against the Clippers by a 3-pointer buzzer beater in OT by Luka Doncic! All this just 40 hours after spraining his ankle and the Mavs were already down Kristpas Porzingis due to knee soreness.
  • The Jazz lead their series against the Nuggets 3-1 after last night with a huge helping hand from Donovan Mitchell who scored 51 points in the game. They needed every point too as the Jazz only won by 2 and were losing at halftime.
  • The Celtics and Raptors swept their opponents and are onto the next round already. The only team that can do that tonight is the Heat if they beat the Pacers.

Football:

• 11 teams and 77 individuals had false positive test results over the weekend: the most being 12 at the Vikings, 10 at the Jets and 9 at the Bears. The tests were all from the same lab in NJ and it was due to contamination during test prep. This is a positive and a negative; a positive that those players weren’t actually positive and don’t have COVID, however its extremely concerning that this even happened and the season is right around the corner. The teams took it in stride however and shook things up including one team who practiced their kicker at safety. Get ready for a crazy season people!
• TCU QB Max Duggan discovered he had a heart condition he has had since he was born but didn’t know it until it came up during some of his testing for COVID. He had a procedure on it and is resting comfortably. Obviously, he is out indefinitely for this season but hopes (and is expected) to make a full recovery. Matthew Downing, a transfer from Georgia, is expected to start at the position for TCU when the season starts with their game against SMU on 9/12.
• Despite 6 conferences in the FBS continuing with football season so far, the NCAA voted to give fall athletes an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID19 concerns. Schools cannot cut scholarships if an athlete chooses not to participate due to COVID and cant waive their legal rights.

• The new AP Poll is out and here are the pre-season Top 25!
• The Miami Dolphins and the U will have fans at their first home game at 20% capacity. Groups of spectators will be 6 ft apart, have staggered gate entry, more points of entry and contactless bathroom installments and tickets. However the plan is still deemed risky as Florida remains a hotspot for the virus. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard on this subject.
• There have been some changes on some of the teams this week:
  • Chargers WR Mike Williams suffered a shoulder sprain during practice on Sunday when diving to catch a pass and is now considered week to week.
  • Ravens released S Earl Thomas after a 2^nd altercation with a teammate on the field within a year. He has also been late and missed meetings during his time with the team.
  • The Saint released LB Nigel Bradham
  • The Patriots resigned K Nick Folk
  • Raiders signed DE Chris Smith. Smith has had a rough year after his GF was hit by a car the month after she had a baby with him. So we hope this year will turn around for Smith!
• Need a pick-me-up on this Monday? Check out Jalen Hurts making some boys dreams come true by giving them a shout out and some jerseys

Golf:

• In a complete domination of the field, Dustin Johnson won his 22^nd PGA Tour victory and his 3^rd title at the Northern Trust this weekend. He won by 11 strokes…. With this win, he moves back to #1 in the world and leads the FedEx Cup playoffs with 2 tournaments to go in the season.

• Scottie Scheffler became the 12^th player in PGA Tour history to shoot a 59! Par was 71 so if you do the math, that’s -12.
  • On the same day, Dustin Johnson went -11 through the first 11 holes and was on 57 watch (no one has ever shot a 57 and there’s only been one 58 in history). However it was not meant to be after he shot 7 straight pars on the back 9 and needed just 1 more birdie. DJ still ended the round with his career low of 60 and ultimately won the tournament so don’t feel too bad for him!

Olympic Sports:

• If you’re running in the London Marathon in October, you will have the most qualified pacesetter in Sir Mo Farah. Mo has agreed to run at the Olympic qualifying time pace for the event even though he will not be competing in the marathon and instead will be headed back to the track for Tokyo 2020 (now 2021). Good luck keeping up with him! Ken Eliud Kipchoge will also be in the race as well as Brigid Kosgei (WR holder) and World Champ Ruth Chepngetich.
• The GBR Track and Field women had a good day at the Stockholm Diamond League meet with Jemma Reekie and Laura Muir winning the 800m and 1500m, respectively. Muir’s 3:57.86 time is the leading time in the world right now. The 1500m was a British women sweep with Laura Weightman and Melissa Courtney-Bryant to round out the podium.
• The Tour de France is set to begin this week on 8/29 but teams that have 2 positive COVID cases within the week will not be allowed to compete. Riders and team staff are in the bubble for testing purposes and will receive 2 tests before the race begins. If a racer tests positive during the race, he would simply be isolated along with his roommate and not automatically DQ’d.
  • One name you wont see this go around is Chris Froome who basically didn’t reach the qualifying minimum for the TdF this year after his horrific crash last year. Froome has won the TdF 4xs.
• Ice Skating bronze medalist, Bradie Tennell, has switched coaches joining Tom Zakrajsek (from Denise Myers and Jeremy Allen).
• The World Cup ski circuit will not be competing in the US and Canada this year. They are slated to be back for the 2021/2022 season. The World Cup circuit will begin 10/17 in Austria.

Baseball:

• Mon 8/24
  • Cubs at Tigers @ 6:10pm on FS1
    • Mills vs Mize
  • Rockies at Diamondbacks @ 8:30pm on ESPN
    • Castellani vs Kelly
• Tues 8/25
  • Orioles at Rays @ 5:40pm on FS1
    • Milone vs Glasnow
  • Dodgers at Giants @ 8:45pm on FS1
    • Urias vs Cueto
• Wed 8/26
  • Yankees at Braves @ 6pm on ESPN
    • Tanaka vs Fried
  • Dodgers at Giants @ 8:45pm on ESPN
    • Kershaw vs Gausman
• Thurs 8/27
  • A’s at Rangers @ 5:37pm on Fox
    • Bassitt vs Lyles
  • Phillies at Nationals @ 5:37pm on Fox
    • Howard vs Scherzer
• Fri 8/28
  • Rays at Marlins @ 6:10pm on FS1
  • Indians at Cardinals @ 7:15pm on FS1
    • McKenzie at Ponce de Leon
• Sat 8/29
  • Braves at Phillies @ 12:15pm on Fox
    • Erlin vs Eflin
  • Indians at Cardinals @ 12:15pm on Fox
    • Carrasco vs Flaherty
  • Royals at White Sox @ 1:10pm on FS1
    • Bubic vs Cease
• Sun 8/30
  • Giants at Diamondbacks @ 3pm on ESPN2
    • Cueto vs Young
  • Braves at Phillies @ 6pm on ESPN
    • Tomlin vs Arrieta

Basketball:

• Mon 8/24 – 1^st Round – Game 4s
  • Rockets at Thunder @ 3pm on TNT
    • HOU leads 2-2
  • Pacers at Heat @ 5:30pm on TNT
    • MIA leads at 3-0
  • Lakers at Trail Blazers @ 8pm on TNT
    • LAL leads 2-1
• Tues 8/25 – 1^st Round – Game 5s
  • Jazz at Nuggets @ 5:30pm on TNT
    • UTAH leads 3-1
  • Mavericks at Clippers @ 8pm on TNT
    • Series tied
• Wed 8/26 – Game 5 if necessary
  • Heat at Pacers @ 12:30pm on NBATV
  • Magic at Bucks @ 3pm on NBATV
  • Thunder at Rockets @ 5:30pm on TNT
  • Trail Blazers at Lakers @ 8pm on TNT
• Thurs 8/27
  • Round 1 Game 6: Nuggets at Jazz @ 3pm on ESPN
  • East Semifinals Game 1: Celtics at Raptors @ 5:30pm on ESPN
  • Round 1 Game 6: Clippers at Mavericks @ 8pm on ESPN
• Fri 8/28 – 1^st Round – Game 6s if necessary
  • Bucks at Magic @ TBD
  • Lakers at Trail Blazers @ TBD
  • Rockets at Thunder @ TBD
  • Pacers at Heat @ TBD
• Sat 8/29
  • Round 1 Game 7: Mavericks at Clippers @ TBD
  • Round 1 Game 7: Jazz at Nuggets @ TBD
  • East Semifinals Game 2: Celtics at Raptors @ TBD
• Sun 8/30 – 1^st Round – Game 7s if necessary
  • Magic at Bucks @ TBD
  • Trail Blazers at Lakers @ TBD
  • Thunder at Rockets @ TBD
  • Heat at Pacers @ TBD

Football

• Fri 8/28 – High School Football: Teams TBA @ 9pm on ESPN

Golf:

• Thurs 8/27 – BMW Championship – Round 1 @ 2pm on Golf Channel
• Fri 8/28 – BMW Championship – Round 2 @ 2pm on Golf Channel
• Sat 8/29 – BMW Championship – Round 3
  • 11am on Golf Channel
  • 2pm on NBC
• Sun 8/30 – BMW Championship – Round 4
  • 12pm on ESPN
  • 2pm on CBS

Hockey:

• Mon 8/24 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 1: Islanders at Flyers @ 6pm on NBCSN
  • Game 2: Stars at Avalanche @ 8:45pm on NBCSN
• Tues 8/25 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 2: Bruins at Lightening @ 6pm on NBCSN
  • Game 2: Canucks at Golden Knights @ 8:45pm on NBCSN
• Wed 8/26 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 2: Islanders at Flyers @ 2pm on NBCSN
  • Game 3: Lightening at Bruins @ 7pm on NBCSN
  • Game 3: Avalanche at Stars @ 9:30pm on NBCSN
• Thurs 8/27 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 3: Flyers at Islanders @ 6pm on NBCSN
  • Game 3: Golden Knights at Canucks @ 8:45pm on NBCSN
• Fri 8/28 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 4: Lightening at Bruins @ 6:30pm on USA
  • Game 4: Avalanche at Stars @ 9pm on NBCSN
• Sat 8/29 – 2^nd Round
  • Game 4: Flyers at Islanders @ 11am on NBC
  • Game 4: Golden Knights at Canucks @ 7pm on NBCSN
  • Game 5 if necessary: Bruins at Lightening @ TBD on NBCSN
  • Game 5 is necessary: Stars at Avalanche @ TBD on NBCSN

Motorsports:

• Fri 8/28
  • NASCAR Xfinity: Wawa 250 @ 6:30pm on NBCSN
• Sat 8/29
  • IndyCar: Bommarito Auto Group Race 1 @ 3:30pm on NBCSN
  • NASCAR: Coke Zero Sugar 400 @ 6:30pm on NBC
  • Motorcross: Ironman National: Moto 2 @ 11:30pm on NBCSN
• Sun 8/30
  • Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix @ 8:05am on ESPN
  • IndyCar: Bommarito Auto Group Race 2 @ 3:30pm on NBCSN
  • MotoAmerica: Ridge Motorsports Park @ 5pm on FS1

Olympic Sports:

• Sat 8/29
  • Track & Field: Blue Oval Showcase @ 12:30pm on MSN
  • Cycling – Tour de France: Stage 1 @ 2:30pm on NBCSN
• Sun 8/30 – Cycling – Tour de France: Stage 2 @ 2:30pm on NBCSN

Soccer:

• Sat 8/29 – MLS: NY Red Bulls at NE Revolution @ 7pm on FS1
• Sun 8/30 – MLS: LA FC at Seattle Sounders @ 9pm on FS1

Tennis :

• Tues 8/25
  • ATP/WTA Tennis: Western & Southern Open: Round 16 @ 10am on ESPN2
  • ATP/WTA Tennis: Western & Southern Open: Round 16 @ 6pm on ESPN
• Wed 8/26 – ATP/WTA Tennis: Western & Southern Open: Quarterfinals @ 10am on ESPN2
• Thurs 8/27 – ATP/WTA Tennis: Western & Southern Open: Semifinals @ 10am on ESPN2
• Fri 8/28 – ATP/WTA Tennis: Western & Southern Open
  • Women’s Final @ 1pm on ESPN2
  • Men’s Final @ 3pm on ESPN2