The Little League Takeover

August 20, 2021

By: Carlos Alvarez

Happy Friday 

The weekend has arrived, and more sports have been introduced to the late-summer schedule. The Little League World Series, FedEx Cup Playoffs and a boxer’s return highlight the weekend ahead. We’ve got a full list of must-see events in today’s must-watch list.

Letter Rip!

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LLWS

The Little League World Series is Back

Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images

2021 Little League World Series Throws Out Opening Pitch in Williamsport, PA

 

Can’t get enough baseball? The little leaguers are about to steal the highlights for the next 10 days as 16 teams from throughout the United States compete for the title. Last year’s LLWS was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but baseball returns to Williamsport for the first time in over 700 days. And the scenes of baseball’s young stars are a sight for sore eyes.

 

You can catch all the LLWS action on ESPN through Aug. 29. Here are the scores and highlights from Day 1.

 

LLWS Scores (Day 1)

Hawaii def. Connecticut (9-1)

Nebraska def. New Jersey (5-2)

California def. New Hampshire (10-2)

Ohio def. Tennessee (1-0)*

*8th Inning Walk-Off

 

LLWS Teams

 

Group 1

West: Honolulu, HI

New England: Manchester, CT

Midwest: Hastings, NE

Mid-Atlantic: Toms River, NJ

Southeast: Palm City, FL

Great Lakes: Taylor, MI

Southwest: Abilene, TX

Northwest: Eastlake, WA

 

Group 2

West: Torrance, CA

New England: Hooksett, NH

Midwest: Sioux Falls, SD

Mid-Atlantic: Oaks, PA

Southeast: Nolensville, TN

Great Lakes: Westside, OH

Southwest: Lafayette, LA

Northwest: Lake Oswego, OR

 

LLWS Bracket | LLWS Schedule

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Little League World Series Players Say the Darndest Things

Sporting News: Why There Are No International Teams in the 2021 Little League World Series

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PGA

Thomas & Rahm Start Hot 🔥

Photo: Ross Parker / Getty Images

Justin Thomas & Jon Rahm Each Shoot 8-Under First Rounds to Open FedEx Cup Playoffs

 

The opening round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs saw two of the game’s biggest stars carve up Liberty National at the Northern Trust on Thursday. Both Justin Thomas (-8) and Jon Rahm (-3) fired opening-round 63s en route to a three-stroke lead after Day 1. Thomas strung together three straight birdies on the front nine and another three birdies on Holes 16-17-18 to close out the round. Rahm, meanwhile, played bogey-free golf and birdied four of his last six holes for a late surge up the board. Round 2 action continues today in New Jersey, and the stakes — $15 million on the line — get higher each day.

 

Northern Trust Leaderboard

J. Thomas (-8)

J. Rahm (-8)

H. Varner III (-5)

A. Scott (-4)

M. Hughes (-4)

 

Other Notable Scorecards: T. Finau (-4), C. Champ (-3), V. Hovland (-3), P. Cantlay (-3), H. Matsuyama (-2), B. Koepka (-1), X. Schauffele (-1), D. Johnson (-1), R. McIlroy (E), B. DeChambeau (E), J. Spieth (+1), C. Morikawa (+3) | Full Leaderboard

 

Round 1 Highlights | Round 2 Tee Times

 

Additional Storylines

PGA: FedEx Cup Scenarios to Make the Top 70 by Sunday

CBS Sports: Jon Rahm & Justin Thomas Way Out in Front After Round 1 at Northern Trust

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MLB

Yankees Win 7th for No. 70

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

New York’s 7-Game Win Streak Boosts Pinstripes to 70 Wins, Lead in AL Wild Card

 

The resurgent Yankees can’t stop winning. Thursday’s 7-5 victory of the Twins marked the Yankees’ seventh straight ‘W’ en route to 70 wins and a lead in the AL wild card race. Kyle Higashioka was last night’s star, raking a home run and driving in 3 RBIs in Game 1 of a four-game series with Minnesota. Giancarlo Stanton also went yard for his 20th HR of the season. New York’s seven-game streak is the best in baseball as the season inches toward the final month before playoffs.

 

Watch: Yankees Win 7th Straight to Reach 70 Wins

 

MLB’s Hottest Teams

Yankees: Won 7 Straight (70-52)

Dodgers: Won 7 Straight (76-46)

Braves: Won 6 Straight (65-56)

Rays: Won 4 Straight (75-47)

 

Additional Storylines & Highlights

MLB: Angels Beat Tigers (13-10) With 11-Run Rally in Final 4 Innings

ESPN: MLB Power Rankings: There’s A New No. 1… Again!

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🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

🏈 NFL: Pats Crush Eagles in Preseason Clash

The Patriots and Eagles met in a lopsided battle to open Week 2 of the NFL preseason on Thursday. New England crushed Philly 35-0 while the Pats’ QB competition got more interesting; Cam Newton (8/9, 103 yds, 1 TD) and Mac Jones (13/19, 146 yds) both looked outstanding.

 

⛳️ LPGA: Korda Shares Lead at Women’s Open

American Nelly Korda shot an opening-round 5-under to hold a share of the lead in the women’s British Open Thursday at Carnoustie. Korda — the Olympic gold medalist and No. 1-ranked player in the world — is searching for her seventh LPGA win at the age of 23.

 

🏀 WNBA: Bonner Boosts Sun to 5th Straight

Have a night, DeWanna Bonner! The Connecticut Sun forward tallied a season-high 31 points and 11 boards in Thursday’s 82-71 win over the Minnesota Lynx. It was the fifth straight win for the Sun (17-6) who vaulted into a tie with the Aces for first in the WNBA standings.

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THE STORYLINES

🥊 Pacquiao vs. Ugas

Manny Pacquiao will return to the Mecca of Boxing — Las Vegas, Nevada — once again Saturday night, looking to make more history in the process. Pacquiao will square up with Cuban veteran Yordenis Ugas, who is stepping in for the injured Errol Spence Jr. (FOX Sports)

 

🏈 10 Hardest Non-Conference Power-5 Schedules

In the era of the College Football Playoff, a high-quality win in non-conference play can mean the difference between breaking into the national semifinals and being one of the top teams left on the outside of the top four. (USA Today)

 

⚾️ The 2021 NL Cy Young Race

Walker Buehler, Zack Wheeler, Corbin Burnes, and more all have legitimate shots at this year’s Cy Young Award. But which one should win depends entirely on who you ask and what their methodology is. (The Ringer)

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📰 THE HEADLINES

🗓️ WEEKEND SCHEDULE

The Must-Watch List

The sports schedule is back on track after the post-Olympics lull. The weekend ahead includes non-stop football and soccer alongside a handful of marquee MLB series and the first leg of the PGA’s FedEx Cup Playoffs. Plus, Manny Pacquiao’s return to the ring. As always, we’ll run it back on Monday. Enjoy!

 

PGA Tour (FedEx Cup Playoffs)

Northern Trust, Rounds 2-4 (Today-Sunday)

 

MLB (Regular Season)

White Sox-Rays Series

Mariners-Astros Series

Giants-Athletics Series

Mets-Dodgers Series

Phillies-Padres Series

Full MLB Schedule

 

NFL (Preseason Week 2)

Chiefs at Cardinals (Fri. 8:00 pm)

Bills at Bears (Sat. 1:00 pm)

Titans at Bucs (Sat. 7:30 pm)

49ers at Chargers (Sun. 7:30 pm)

Jaguars at Saints (Mon. 8:00 pm)

Full Preseason Week 2 Schedule

 

Soccer

EPL: Arsenal vs. Chelsea (Sun. 11:30 am)

FRA: PSG vs. Brest (Fri. 3:00 pm)*

*Lionel Messi’s PSG Debut

 

Boxing

Manny Pacquiao vs. Yordenis Ugas (Sat. 9:00 pm)

 

NASCAR Cup Series

Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard (Sun. 1:00 pm)

 

WNBA

Mercury at Dream (Sat. Noon)

Storm at Mystics (Sun. 3:00 pm)

Full WNBA Schedule

 

LPGA

AIG Women’s British Open (Today-Sunday)

 

*All Times Eastern

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