Sports Update

Today is the end of the 2021 Supreme Court term, the new term starting the first Monday in October. It also has a few notable sports moments. 

The NFL is back in London (or as Joey said when he found out about Monica/Chandler -- IN LONDON!), so everyone can have some Sunday Morning Football. It's Vikings vs. Saints with Andy Dalton (who just seems to have been forever -- he is only in his mid-30s) filling in for the Saints.  And, it turned out to be a decent game, with an exciting back/forth finish.

As you know, long term QB what's his name is now doing stupid sports betting app commercials, his announcer gig not working out.  Jerry Blevins did do great filling in for Keith Hernandez, who is out with an injury. I'm not sure how excited the Brits are about American football, but hey, why not?  I remember back in the day when baseball was in Japan.  Let's have more of that.  Toss in Africa.  Baseball in Latin America would be logical with all the players come from there.  

Mark Sanchez (ah when the Jets was still relevant) was one of the announcers. The Giants under new head coaching started on a nice foot with them going for two late and hanging on (the other team had time to drive to a quite make-able FG) to win. They then was 2-0, but came back to earth versus the Eagles (back-up QB doing well).  This week it was the Bears, which some was hoping would be 4-0 territory before last weekend.

[3-1 is still very good given their recent seasons.]

The Jets had to deal with a back-up QB and would have had a worst time of it if they didn't have a remarkable comeback in Game 2 involving a late score, an onside kick, and another score.  Even then, they were maybe one good throw away from sweating it out with field goals made from real long distances these days.  A half-way good team will have a time to make you sweat even if they have less than thirty seconds these days.  

NY had a good day.  Bills looked bad early, but came back, leaving no time at the end for the Ravens (luckily they didn't muff the chip shot FG). The Giants were down to no QBs, both hurt and the one left setting up wildcats for the final minutes, helped by a muffed punt at the end.  The Jets came back from ten points down and had a win for Zach Wilson's return. 

Some fans are like "hey, they are in the playoffs, and that's great." This is sort of ridiculously low expectations.  They were divisional leaders nearly all season. Division wins aren't chopped liver, especially now that you get a bye.  The Padres are not a total gimmee and then you probably have to play the Dodgers and Braves.  I think division banner, Cards and Dodgers (again probably) with the aces lined up is a lot better.  

The Mets were one ahead coming into the final series versus the Braves. Win one and they would win the season series and a tiebreaker (Mets end with the Nats and the Braves with the Marlins).  They had their three studs lined up to pitch.  deGrom and Scherzer lost and Bassitt was out before the end of the third.  Multiple moments when nobodies had key at bats.  And, other choke jobs.  Some idea a call-up would suddenly click did not work.  Mets had six innings to catch up and did NOTHING.

One insult to injury is that only one of the games was with the usual television announcers. I know this still opens up radio, but still much rather have Gary and Ron here.  FOX and ESPN are rather painful. Some other booths are okay and MLB Network can have some good games there.  But, FOX on Saturday is especially painful.  I did other stuff, including watching Trilogy of Terror.  A somewhat too on the nose title perhaps.

So, the fucking losers are now two games back with no tiebreaker. A pathetic showing this weekend. Totally pathetic.  It's probably home wild card series versus the Padres (if not, Phillies).  The only way to avoid that is for the Marlins to sweep the Braves and the Mets to sweep the Nats.  Good luck with that.

Meanwhile, Seattle got a wild card spot, the Orioles clinched an above .500 record after a simply horrible 2021 season, and the Brewers kept on blowing a chance to at least be even with the Phillies in the wild card by being beaten late by sucky teams. But, they aren't eliminated yet.

In "other playoff teams" action, Seattle is clearly someone to root for, including with Paul Sewald.  One potential exciting team are the Guardians, who also have some Mets presence.  The Blue Jays might show some life and you never can totally count out the Rays.  I really do not care much about the Padres and Phillies or the Brewers for that matter.  And, sure, you have some final hurrah moments for Cardinals.   

As to the Dodgers and Braves, well, I rather them somehow be upset.  On the other hand, if it is not the Mets, really it is not like I like the Cardinals too much better.  If much at all.  I guess my "give someone else a chance" rule would mean the Cardinals should sneak in above the other two. 

And, regarding the Yankees and Astros, again, same.  Let someone else in though the Astros probably are favored since at the end they even found a way to beat the Orioles.  For the games before, the last few will have some influence on positioning.  There is no away games in the first round.