Not One, Not Two, Not Three…

October 12, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Good Morning

It seems like we are beginning to see a new Autumn tradition unfold before our very eyes. The leaves change, we drink pumpkin spice coffee, and watch the Dodgers come up short in the playoffs. Last night, they ended up on the wrong side of one of the wildest innings in MLB history en route to another early elimination.

Letter Rip!

MLB PLAYOFFS

Not One, Not Two, Not Three…

Diamondbacks Complete sweep the 100-win Dodgers (4-2); Astros Advance to Seventh Straight ALCS (3-2); Phillies Put Braves on the Ropes With Game 3 Victory (10-2)

Nothing in the MLB makes sense, besides the Astros of course. While Houston took care of business last night to get back to yet another ALCS, the Dodgers joined the Orioles as another 100-win team that’s been eliminated in the Divisional Series thus far. The only team remaining that eclipsed the century mark is the Braves. But unless they figure out how to stop the Phillies from mashing home runs, they will very likely be eliminated later tonight. It\’s been upset city thus far, and I have no idea what to expect next.

NLCS Game 3: Diamondbacks def. Dodgers (4-2)

Another 100-win team bites the dust! Despite being the heavy favorites, the Dodgers have officially been swept by the young Diamondbacks, who are shockingly 5-0 this postseason. For the first time this series, LA made it out of the first inning unscathed, giving up zero runs. However, Arizona exploded for four solo homers in the third frame, making them the first team in MLB history to hit four homers in a single Postseason inning. Gabriel Moreno sent a ball oppo down the line for what was originally the historic fourth home run, but the umpires waived it off after review. On the very next pitch, he hit a tape measure shot 420 feet to cap off one of the most unbelievable innings in baseball history. The Dodgers rallied in the seventh to cut the deficit to two and had the tying run at the plate in the ninth, but they failed to capitalize. The Backs making the NLCS is surprising, but the Dodgers flaming out in the playoffs certainly isn’t. This defeat marks the third straight year that the Blue Crew has been eliminated by an opponent that finished with at least ten fewer wins than them in the regular season. ARI Wins Series (3-0)

ALDS Game 4: Astros def. Twins (3-2)

This game perfectly personified the Astros’ incredible run over the last seven years. Houston headed into a hostile environment against a Minnesota team that was fighting for their lives and soundly handled business. Jose Abreau hit his third homer in the last two games to put the ‘Stros ahead by two in the top of the fourth, and that was all the cushion they needed. After getting the ball with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Pressly struck out the side to once again punch the Astros’ ticket to the ALCS in a date with the Texas Rangers. With this being the seventh straight year the team has reached the league championship series, it’s clear that the AL still runs through Houston. HOU Wins Series (3-1)

NLDS Game 3: Phillies def. Braves (10-2)

With the series shifting over to Philadelphia at one game apiece, both the Braves and Phillies were looking to take control with a pivotal game three. Atlanta actually jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after an Ozzie Albies RBI single in the top of the third, but it was short-lived. Philly immediately punched back with a six-run frame in the bottom of the third. Nick Castellanos got things started by belting a solo shot to knot the game at 1-1. A few minutes later, a three-run blast by Bryce Harper had the city shaking as Philly stormed ahead and never looked back. Harper and Castellanos both ended up hitting additional home runs later on as Philadelphia ended up tying a postseason record with six home runs total. The Phillies are now in the driver’s seat and are on the brink of eliminating the favored Braves for the second year in a row. PHI Leads Series (2-1)

ESPN: Bryce Harper h\\Hits 2 of Phils\’ 6 HRs, Stares Down Orlando Arcia

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WNBA FINALS

On The Brink Of Perfection

\"\"/ — *Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images*

Aces Continue Dominant Postseason Run With Convincing Game 2 Victory (104-76)

Complete domination! Even though the Aces won by 17 in game one, it was at least competitive heading into halftime. However, game two saw Vegas jump out to a 19-2 lead early in the first quarter in a game where the outcome was never really in question. Jackie Young (24 points), Kelsey Plum (23 points), and A’ja Wilson (26 points) all eclipsed the 20-point mark while Chelsea Gray chipped in 11 assists. This tandem has been unstoppable all year long, and it doesn’t look like New York is going to figure out how to contain them any time soon. The Aces will look to complete a perfect postseason sweep to clinch the title on Sunday (3:00 pm ET). (Las Vegas Leads Series 2-0)

Watch: Liberty vs. Aces WNBA Finals Game 2 Highlights

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NCAABB

Kansas Avoids Serious Trouble

\"\"/ — *Photo: Chris Covatta / Getty Images*

Kansas Basketball Placed on Probation for three years, vacates wins & Final Four Banner from 2017-18

We are still a few weeks away from college basketball returning. However, the Jayhawks’ status for this season was up in the air as they awaited for the results of an investigation regarding illegal payments to former player Silvio De Sousa back in the 2017-18 season. Thankfully for KU fans, there won’t be any postseason ban. Their punishment consists of a three-year probation, vacating 15 wins from that season, as well as their banner for reaching the Final Four in 2018.

While at the surface these punishments seem minor, dropping from 2,385 to 2,370 wins means that Kansas is no longer the winningest team in men\’s college basketball history, as the Kentucky Wildcats now reclaim that spot with their 2,377 wins. That certainly stings, but the Jayhawks will surely take the punishment they got over being banned from the tournament this year, as they are currently the favorite to win the National Championship heading into the season.

Yahoo!: NCAA\’s Kansas Ruling Makes Kentucky the Winningest Men\’s Basketball Program

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HIGHLIGHTS

Connor Bedard\’s First Goal

The lamp has officially been lit! Rookie sensation Connor Bedard found the back of the net for the first time in his second career game during the Blackhawks’ 3-1 loss to the Bruins. Get used to it, there should be plenty more of this headline in the years to come.

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NEWS

Dolphins Put Rookie RB De\’Von Achane (Knee) on IR (ESPN)
Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Taken into Custody in the Murder of his Mother (CNN)
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (Ankle) Questionable to Play vs. Broncos (NFL.com)
2023-24 NBA GM Survey: 50 questions ahead of new season (NBA.com)
Hornets\’ Miles Bridges Facing Arrest Warrant for Allegedly Violating Protection Order (Bleacher Report)
Hornets Release Kai Jones After Absence, Concerning Social Media Activity (Yahoo!)

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SCHEDULE

Today\’s Must-Watch List

NFL (Thursday Night Football)

Broncos at Chiefs (8:15 pm ET, PRIME)

MLB Playoffs

NLDS Gm 4: Braves at Phillies (8:07 pm ET, TBS)

NHL

Rangers at Sabres (7:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

Blues at Stars (8:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

Golden Knights at Sharks (10:30 pm ET, ESPN+)

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