October is here and the MLB playoffs are in full swing. Not to be forgotten, the NFL and College Football are heating up, and the NHL season has faced off.
MLB
The Houston Astros were about to close out the favored Kanas City Royals Monday but fell apart in the 8th inning and lost 9-6. The teams meet Wednesday to determine who advances to the American League Championship Series. A similar story is playing out in the other ALDS where the Texas Rangers were up two games to zero but are now tied 2-2 with the Toronto Blue Jays. They play a deciding fifth game in Toronto Wednesday.
In the National League, the New York Mets took “Revenge” on the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose Chase Utley slid hard into the Mets’ Ruben Tejada and broke his leg Saturday, by pounding the Dodgers 13-7 to go up 2-1 in the series. The Chicago Cubs bashed a playoff record six home runs Monday to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 and go up 2-1 in their NLDS. Both the Mets and Cubs look to close out their series at home Tuesday.
NFL
Who is “Unbreakable?” There are six undefeated teams in the NFL. The New England Patriots kept rolling and dominated the undermanned Dallas Cowboys, while The Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders, relying on their defense to pick up the slack for an aging Peyton Manning. Another MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions (his first at home since 2012) and had a fumble but his team held on to beat the St. Louis Rams and their emerging star RB Todd Gurley II.
Too close for comfort. Two other unbeaten teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, needed overtime at home to defeat the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins, respectively, and move to 5-0. The Carolina Panthers had a bye and are looking to stay unblemished as they meet the tough Seattle Seahawks Sunday.
In the nationally televised games, “The Book of Eli” was written Sunday night as New York Giants’ QB Eli Manning threw for 441 yards and three TDs to lead a comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers, 30-27. The Pittsburgh Steelers were saved by the bell as star RB Le’Veon Bell scored on the game’s final play to beat the San Diego Chargers 24-20.
NCAA Football
The state of Texas was in focus this weekend in college football. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” took place as #3 Baylor crushed Kansas 66-7, and #2 TCU escaped Kansas State 52-45 behind Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin and his favorite target Josh Doctson. Struggling Texas beat #10 Oklahoma 24-17 in the Red River showdown, possibly saving coach Charlie Strong’s job. Major props to coach Jim Harbaugh for returning “The Program” to Ann Arbor as #18 Michigan crushed #13 Northwestern 38-0 in The Big House. Go Blue.
In other coaching news, USC fired coach Steve Sarkisian after rumored bouts with alcoholism, and South Carolina Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier (70 years old), unexpectedly announced his retirement, effective immediately.
NHL
“Frozen” – The 2015-2016 NHL season has begun, and these are the teams to watch:
In the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending conference champs and have two top-tier scorers in Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson. The Montreal Canadians look to ride their star goalie, Carey Price, to a deep playoff run as will the New York Rangers with their stud goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist. The New York Islanders, now playing in Brooklyn, and Washington Capitals turn to their All-Stars John Tavares and Alex Ovechkin to lead them to the playoffs
In the Western Conference, the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks are “The Usual Suspects” and set to make a deep run but star right winger Patrick Kane has off ice legal issues. The St. Louis Blues look to better last year’s first round exit, while the Anaheim Ducks are strong contenders. The Minnesota Wild also hope to challenge the perennial Western Conference powers.
Remember at TINK Sports we watch the games so you don’t have to.
See you next time…
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