Baseball: 2 Dodgers bring in 15 runs. Scherzer throws complete game before birth of 3rd kid. Luzardo broke finger playing videogames. Kluber’s 100th win.
Basketball: Lakers lose 6 of 7. Luka on brink of suspension. Breanne Stewart adds another ring to her collections. Playoffs: Who’s in and who’s already out?
Football: NFL Draft results. 5 QBs in round 1.
Golf: Sam Burns wins first PGA Tour title.
Horse Racing: Medina Spirit brings home 7th Kentucky Derby win for Trainer Bob Baffert.
Olympic Sports: Verdejo in custody. Jenner says tranwomen in women’s sports is unfair. Team USA for Luge is set. Belarus Olympic Decathlete on hunger strike. Sumo Wrestler dies from injuries. Team GBR Gym’s new fashion statement.
Soccer: ManU vs Liverpool game postponed due to protest.
Baseball:
- The Dodgers had an impressive showing thanks to AJ Pollock and Matt Beaty who brought in 8 runs and 7 runs, respectively against the Brewers to win 16-4. They both hit grand slams in the first 2 innings. Pollock actually HR’d twice and doubled while at bat. Beaty got on base 4 of his 6 at-bats and scored 3xs. The poor pitcher they faced, Alec Bettinger, was in his big league debut and had never pitched above Double-A – hate to say it but it showed.
- RHP Max Scherzer had a lot of his mind on Sunday night. He threw a complete game for the Nationals win 3-1 over the Marlins through the ninth inning before hustling out of the park to rush to his wife’s side. She had their 3rd child on Sunday. The shutout was broken when in the 9th when Isan Diaz hit a HR.
- Always thought videogames were the perfect athlete pastime? Maybe not anymore as A’s LHP Jesus Luzardo broke his pinkie while playing a videogame. While playing a videogame, Luzardo bumped his hand against a table and gave himself a hairline fracture in his pitching hand. It was an accident and not out of anger (so the team and he claims). Luzardo has since been added to the 10 day IL but on the plus side, the A’s get 1B Matt Olsen back after being hit in the eye.
- Yankees RHP Corey Kluber achieved his 100th career win on Sunday against the Tigers 2-0. Kluber threw 74 strikes of 103 pitches, resulting in 10 Ks and only allowed 2 hits. This win also brought the Yankees back to 0.5 record.
Basketball:
- The Lakers have lost 6 of their last 7 games and now have a record of 36-28 falling to #7 in the West. This means that they will have to play for their spot in the playoffs, which of course LeBron complained about. #7 seed will play #8 and #9 will play #10. The winner of #7 vs #8 goes to the playoffs and then the winner of loser of #7 vs #8 plays winner of #9 vs #10 for the final spot. LeBron is battling a sore ankle and the Lakers have been down Anthony Davis for 9 weeks due to a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis.
- Dallas fans are nervous as their star player, Luka Doncic is only 1 more Technical Foul short of a suspension. In the game vs Kings on Sunday, Luka received his 14th and 15th technicals in the 111-99 loss. Before being ejected from the game, Luka had 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 turnovers. Although the HC for the Mavericks, Rick Carlisle, cant do too much talking as he was also ejected from the same game for 2 techincals.
- WNBA Storm star Breanna Stewart has a championship ring and now an engagement ring as she proposed to her GF Mercury G Marta Xargay. And they will potentially play each other in a preseason game this season – hopefully no fouls!
- Playoffs will start on 5/22. So here are the NBA Standings so far:
- East: 76ers, Nets, Bucks (43, 43, 40 Ws)
- Last in: Wizards (2 Ws over Raptors)
- West: Suns, Jazz, Nuggets (46, 46, 43 Ws)
- Last in: Spurs (2 Ws over Pelicans)
- Guaranteed a playoff spot: Suns, Jazz, Clippers, 76ers, Nets and Bucks
- The Bucks have clinched the East
- Eliminated from playoffs: Timberwolves, Rockets, Magic, Pistons and Thunder
- East: 76ers, Nets, Bucks (43, 43, 40 Ws)
Football:
- The NFL Draft started Thursday and it did not disappoint. We had the boos for the commish who even brought in his chair from the basement where he zoomed the draft from last year. Each pick, a fan from that team got to sit in the chair. And of course, player hugs were back as well as everyone inside the building was either vaccinated or tested beforehand. To no one’s surprise, Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence was the #1 draft pick to the Jaguars under the new HC Urban Meyer – that’s a lethal combo right there. #2 was BYU QB Zach Wilson. But in a surprise ND St QB Trey Lance was the #3 pick. He’s a natural talent but definitely more of a gamble than the other 2 QBs to go in the first round. 5 QBs in all went in the first round. Alabama had a record tying 6 players go in the first round of the draft (2004 Miami also holds that record). Bama did break a record with 8 players taken in the first 2 rounds. For the first time, the Big 12 had no one go in the first round and had the fewest players go over any conference. Michigan St had no player go in the draft at all this year which is noteworthy because they had had at least one player for the last 80 drafts, now only Florida, USC and Michigan are the only schools left with 1 player going in every draft.
- Next year’s draft is set for April 28 in Las Vegas.
- In case all those husbands out there say women don’t know anything about sports…
Golf:
- Sam Burns won the Valspar Championship over the weekend in his first PGA Tour win! Already 2xs this season, Burns had been in the lead after the 3rd round but had not been able to close it out. Keegan Bradley, who looked strong all week, gave Burns some help after being tied at the 12th, he hit one into the water to give back 2. Burns then took control, birding the next 2 holes. He ended up with a 4 shot lead going into the last hole and won by 3. Bradley and Burns had been tied through 36, 54 holes (2nd round and end of 3rd round) and for 12 of the final 18. Many younger players on the PGA Tour were thrilled for Burns – apparently this couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! Congrats Sam.
Horse Racing:
- The Kentucky Derby returned to its normal weekend this year and ran on Saturday. Bob Baffert adds another Kentucky Derby win to his resume when Medina Spirit won the race. Medina Spirit was only 12-1 odds when the favorite Essential Quality was 5-2. This is Baffert’s 7th Kentucky Derby win, the most wins ever by any trainer in the 147 year history of the race. The ‘best 2 minutes in sports’ was not disappointing but Medina Spirit made it look easy, leading almost the entire 2:01.02 race. The next race in the Triple Crown will be the Preakness on May 15th.
- Missed the race? No problem, check it out here.
Olympic Sports:
- Felix Verdejo, a lightweight boxer, is in federal custody charged with kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death and unintentional killing of an unborn child after Keishla Rodriguez’s body was found. Keishla was pregnant and her body was found in a lagoon in Puerto Rico. Verdejo allegedly punched Keishla in the face, injected her with an unknown substance, tied her up and threw her off a bridge with a heavy block tied to her. Oh and shot her body from off the bridge. Needless to say, not a good person. He has turned himself in.
- Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner the Olympic Gold medalist in the Decathlon in 1976, says allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports is unfair. And she’s transgender herself! Jenner is running to replace Governor Newsom as Governor of California.
- The USA Luge team for the 2021-2022 season is set. Chris Mazdzer, Jayson Terdiman, Tucker West, Summer Britcher, Emily Sweeney, Jonny Gustafson, Brittney Arndt, Ashley Farquharson, Dana Kellogg, Duncan Segger, Zach DiGregorio, Sean Hollander, Chevonne Forgan and Sophie Kirby. Congrats yall! Let’s get ready for Beijing 2022.
- Belarus Decathlon silver medalist in 2008, Andrei Krauchanka, is going on a hunger strike to protest political repression. He will also be selling his European indoor gold medal from 2011 to help political prisoners’ families. His hunger strike will last 10 days. President Lukashenka won his 6th term in an August 2020 election that was allegedly rigged and led to months of protests in the country. 34k people have been imprisoned and some were beaten including Krauchanka.
- A Japanese sumo wrestler has died almost a month after falling on his head during a bout. Hibikiryu died from respiratory failure and has brought into question the sport’s response to medical emergencies. Hibikryu was ranked #24 in his sandanme class (of 200).
- Team GBR Gymnastics is setting a new fashion statement
Soccer:
- The ManU game against Liverpool was postponed due to a protest that reached the stadium and the pitch. The protest was aimed to the Glazer family, who owns the team. Fans believe that the Glazer family is driven purely by money and is willing to exploit the club’s commercial branding power. The Glazer family also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fans basically want a change in ownership and a voice in football issues that would prevent owners from taking control of clubs that have been in that community for >100 years. Maybe why they have an issue with the Florida based brothers owning the historical team. More to come here for sure!
What to watch this week
Baseball-MLB:
- Tues 5/4
- Astros at Yankees @ 6pm on ESPN
- Greinke vs German
- Astros at Yankees @ 6pm on ESPN
- Wed 5/5
- Dodgers at Cubs @ 6:30pm on ESPN
- Bauer vs Arrieta
- Dodgers at Cubs @ 6:30pm on ESPN
- Sat 5/8
- Padres at Giants @ 3:05pm on FS1
- Musgrove vs Gausman
- Phillies at Braves @ 6:20pm on FS1
- Moore vs Anderson
- Padres at Giants @ 3:05pm on FS1
- Sun 5/9
- Phillies at Braves @ 6pm on ESPN
- Nola vs Ynoa
- Phillies at Braves @ 6pm on ESPN
Baseball/Softball–NCAA: (ranked vs ranked only)
- Mon 5/3
- NCAA Softball: 7. Arkansas at 14. LSU (doubleheader) @ 6pm on SEC
- Tues 5/4
- NCAA Baseball: 2. Vanderbilt at 15. Louisville @ 6pm on ESPNU
- Wed 5/5
- NCAA Softball: 4. Alabama at 22. Georgia @ 6pm on ESPNU
- Thurs 5/6
- NCAA Softball: 7. Arkansas at 14. LSU replay @ 4:30pm on ESPNU
- Fri 5/7
- NCAA Softball: 15. Mizzou vs 16. Tennessee @ 5pm on SEC+
- NCAA Baseball: 18. Florida St at 7. Notre Dame @ 5pm
- NCAA Softball: 1. Oklahoma vs 9. Oklahoma St @ 6pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Softball: 11. Arizona at 10. Oregon @ 6pm
- NCAA Softball: 20. Michigan at 24. Minnesota @ 7pm
- NCAA Baseball: 4. Mississippi St at 19. South Carolina @ 6pm on SEC+
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Texas at 3. TCU @ 7:30pm on ESPNU
- NCAA Baseball: 9. Arizona at 16. Stanford @ 8pm
- Sat 5/8
- NCAA Softball: 20. Michigan at 24. Minnesota @ 1:30pm
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Texas at 3. TCU @ 2pm on ESPNU
- NCAA Baseball: 4. Mississippi St at 19. South Carolina @ 3pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 11. Arizona at 10. Oregon @ 4pm
- NCAA Baseball: 9. Arizona at 16. Stanford @ 4:05pm
- NCAA Softball: 1. Oklahoma at 9. Oklahoma St @ 5pm on ESPNU
- NCAA Softball: 11. Arizona at 10. Oregon @ 6:30pm
- NCAA Baseball: 18. Florida St at 7. Notre Dame @ 6pm on ACC
- Sun 5/9
- NCAA Softball: 1. Oklahoma at 9. Oklahoma St @ 11am on ESPNU
- NCAA Baseball: 18. Florida St at 7. Notre Dame @ 11am on ACC
- NCAA Softball: 15. Mizzou at 16. Tennessee @ 12pm on SEC+
- NCAA Softball: 11. Arizona at 10. Oregon @ 2pm
- NCAA Baseball: 6. Texas at 3. TCU @ 1pm on ESPN+
- NCAA Baseball: 4. Mississippi St at 19. South Carolina @ 1pm on SEC
- NCAA Softball: 20. Michigan at 24. Minnesota @ 2pm
- NCAA Baseball: 9. Arizona at 16. Stanford @ 3pm
Basketball-NBA:
- Mon 5/3
- Warriors at Pelicans @ 6:30pm on ESPN
- Nuggets at Lakers @ 9pm on ESPN
- Tues 5/4
- Nets at Bucks @ 6:30pm on TNT
- Raptors at Clippers @ 9pm on TNT
- Thurs 5/6
- Nets at Mavericks @ 6:30pm on TNT
- Lakers at Clippers @ 9pm on TNT
- Fri 5/7
- Celtics at Bulls @ 6:30pm on ESPN
- Lakers at Trail Blazers @ 9pm on ESPN
- Sun 5/9
- Heat at Celtics @ 12pm on ESPN
- Knicks at Clippers @ 2:30pm on ESPN
Football:
- Sat 5/8
- D1 Football Championship Subdivision Semifinal 1 @ 11am on ESPN
- D1 Football Championship Subdivision Semifinal 2 @ 7pm on ESPN
Golf:
- Wed 5/5
- D1 Men’s Golf NCAA Announcement @ 4pm on Golf Channel
- Thurs 5/6
- Wells Fargo – Round 1 @ 1pm on Golf Channel
- Fri 5/7
- Wells Fargo – Round 2 @ 1pm on Golf Channel
- Sat 5/8
- Walker Cup – Foursomes @ 10am on Golf Channel
- Wells Fargo – Round 3
- @ 12pm on Golf Channel
- @ 2pm on CBS
- Walker Cup – Singles @ 4:30pm on Golf Channel
- Sun 5/9
- Walker Cup – Foursomes @ 10am on Golf Channel
- Wells Fargo – Round 4
- @ 12pm on Golf Channel
- @ 2pm on CBS
- Walker Cup – Singles @ 4:30pm on Golf Channel
Hockey:
- Mon 5/3
- Golden Knights at Wild @ 7pm on NBCSN
- Tues 5/4
- Penguins at Flyers @ 6pm on NBCSN
- Wed 5/5
- Capitals at Rangers @ 6pm on NBCSN
- Avalanche at Sharks @ 8:30pm on NBCSN
- Thurs 5/6
- Rangers at Bruins @ 6pm on NBCSN
Motorsports:
- Thurs 5/6
- NASCAR: Whelen Series – Stafford @ 3:30pm on NBCSN
- Sun 5/9
- F1: Spanish GP @ 8am on ESPN
Olympic Sports:
- Tues 5/4
- Diving: FINA World Cup Women’s Springboard Final @ 10:30pm on NBCSN
- Diving: FINA World Cup Men’s Platform Final @ 11:30pm on NBCSN
- Wed 5/5
- Diving: FINA World Cup Women’s Platform Final @ 10am on NBCSN
- Thurs 5/6
- Diving: FINA World Cup Men’s Springboard Final @ 12pm on NBCSN
- Fri 5/7
- Curling: World Championship USA vs RUS @ 10am on NBCSN
- NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals – Teams TBA @ TBD on TBD
- Sat 5/8
- NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals – Teams TBA @ TBD on TBD
- NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final @ 8pm on ESPNU
- Sun 5/9
- Curling: Gold Medal Match: Teams TBA @ 2pm on NBCSN
- NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals – Teams TBA @ TBD on TBD
- NCAA D1 Field Hockey Finals @ 7pm on ESPNU
- Louisville or Michigan vs Iowa or UNC
Soccer:
- Wed 5/5
- FA Women’s Super League: Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea @ 11:30am on NBCSN
- Fri 5/7
- Premier League: Leicester City vs Newcastle United @ 1:55pm on NBCSN
- Sat 5/8
- Premier League: Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur @ 6:30am on NBCSN
- German Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig @ 8:30am on ESPN
- Premier League: Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace @ 9am on NBCSN
- MLS: Orlando City vs NYC FC @ 5pm on ESPN
- Sun 5/9
- Italian Serie A: Genoa vs Sassuolo @ 5:30am on ESPNEWS
- Premier League: West Ham vs Everton @ 10:30am on NBCSN
- MLS: Inter Miami CF vs Atlanta United @ 12pm on ABC
- MLS: Portland Timbers vs STL Sounders @ 2pm on ABC
