The Pelicans’ search for a new head coach has led them to Stan Van Gundy, a modern coach that was before his time in Orlando.
Pelicans Coaching Search: Would Stan Van Gundy bring a modern mentality to New Orleans? — Lonzo Wire
Less than 20 years after Major League Baseball was stifled by the steroid era, one of the biggest hurdles in the sport’s history, the same doctor who helped clean up the mess was presented with another one. Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, could MLB police itself again? Could the league avoid distraction from its financial…
MLB’s chief medical director: Zero on-field COVID-19 transmissions during 2020 season — Boston Herald
Before each season, Iowa State men’s basketball coach Steve Prohm meets with each player in his office to discuss their role. Though most college athletes with a dream of being an NBA lottery pick have to be convinced to shoot less, Prohm’s meeting with Tyrese Haliburton was the opposite. After losing his top three scorers from…
Tyrese Haliburton could be an immediate help to the Warriors at No. 2 — East Bay Times
“Everything we’re doing is outside of the collective bargaining agreement,” Adam Silver said.
Once again, NBA, players’ union agree to extend deadline to terminate CBA — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
ARLINGTON, Texas — After losing the first two games of the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers didn’t think it was time to worry. “We all know who we are,” Max Muncy said. Looking at three consecutive pitching matchups that seemed to tilt heavily in their favor, the Dodgers weren’t worried. “Just win a game…
Dodgers on brink of elimination after another Braves rookie stifles them in NLCS — Pasadena Star News
The Dodgers are scheduled to send Clayton Kershaw to pitch Game 4 against the Braves’ Bryse Wilson. Kershaw was originally schedule to start Game 2, but was scratched because of back spasms. GAME 4 Braves lead Dodgers 2-1 in best-of-seven NLCS When: Thursday, 5:08 p.m. PST Where: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas TV: FS1 Can’t…
NLCS Game 4 live updates: Dodgers vs. Braves — Pasadena Star News
I DON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW: The Dodgers crushed the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLCS last night, setting franchise Postseason records for runs scored (15) and homers (5) and tying the club record for playoff hits (16) in their 15-3 laugher. The club still has not lost three games in-a-row all year and now trials the series 2-1 heading into tonight. Los Angeles is playing in its fifth
National League Championship Series in the last eight years and fourth in the last five seasons. The Dodgers and Braves had never met in a Postseason series with a World Series berth on the line, but have met three previous times, all in the NLDS (1996, 2013 and 2018). Los Angeles beat the Braves 3-1 in both the 2013 and 2018 NLDS. Atlanta swept the Dodgers in the 1996 NLDS.
The Boys in Blue jumped the Braves for 11 runs in the first frame, which was a record for runs scored in any inning of a Postseason contest. The Dodgers tied a litany of other playoff records, including runs scored in an NLCS game
and homers in an LCS contest. The 12-run winning margin was the largest in club history and Los Angeles became the first team ever to hit five home runs in the first 3.0 innings.
The Dodgers are 20-21 in Game 4s all-time and 6-7 in the NLCS. The last time the club was down 2-1 in the LCS was 2018, when they ended up beating Milwaukee in 7 games. Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was
introduced to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have appeared in the LCS 14 times, which is tied with the Cardinals for the most in the National League. The Dodgers and Braves (11) are two of seven franchises that have
appeared in the LCS 10+ times.
SEAGER STRONG: Dodger shortstop Corey Seager went 3-for-4 with a double, homer, three runs scored and three RBI in just 4.0 innings last night, raising his 2020 Postseason average to .367 (11-for-30). His 1.244 OPS ranks fifth among all playoff performers with at least 20 AB. Seager became the second player in Postseason history to collect an RBI in five consecutive at-bats (last two of
Game 2 and first three of Game 3), joining Carlos Beltran (2004). Yesterday, it was announced that Seager was one of seven National League finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, given to the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each league.
POSTSEASON POWER: The Dodgers hit a Postseason franchise record five home runs last night with five different players turning the trick. Among the homers was a grand slam by Max Muncy and a three-run shot by Joc Pederson, who are now both tied for fourth all-time on the Dodgers’ Postseason home run list. The list: Duke Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10), Justin Turner (9), Muncy (8), Pederson (8), Kiké Hernández (7) and Adrían González (7).
EIGHT’S NOT ENOUGH: The Dodgers went 43-17 in the 60-game season to win their record eighth straight NL West title with the best record in the Majors. The club’s .717 winning percentage was the best in franchise history and marked the seventh time in club history that the Dodgers posted the Majors’ best mark (last: 2017).
RIGHT MAN, RIGHT SPOT: Dodger left-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will take the ball in Game 4 of the NLCS, making his third appearance this Postseason, following a dominant performance against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round (8.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 13 K) and a victory over the San Diego Padres in the NLDS (6.0 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 6 K). He last made a start on Oct. 7 as his turn this series was delayed due to back spasms suffered this weekend. Kershaw is 10 strikeouts away from
tying FOX broadcaster John Smoltz for second on the all-time Postseason list and with a victory tonight, he would tie Roger Clemens for fifth on the Postseason wins list. Kershaw holds Dodger Postseason records in wins (11), starts (27), innings pitched (172.1) and strikeouts (189). He currently ranks among the all-time MLB leaders in many postseason categories, including wins (T-6th), innings pitched (7th), strikeouts (3rd), starts (T-6th). He is 11
strikeouts shy of becoming the second player in MLB history with 200 career postseason strikeouts.
On the season, he went 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA while ranking
among the league leaders (min. 50 IP) in wins (T-4th), ERA (5th), opponents’ batting average (.194, 5th) and WHIP (0.84, 2nd).
YOUNG STAFF: Bryse Wilson starts tonight’s game for Atlanta at 22 years, 300 days old…Wilson becomes the fourth pitcher under the age of 27.000 to start for
Atlanta this postseason.
• Max Fried is the oldest Braves starter in the playoffs, pitching Game 1 of the NLCS at 26 years, 268 days.
• Atlanta is just the sixth team in playoff history to have four pitchers Fried’s age or younger start in the postseason, and the first since both the Reds and
A’s in 2012…The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers and 1916 Boston Red Sox each had four such starters as well.
• All nine of Atlanta’s starts this postseason have come from starters younger than 27 years old…Just eight teams in history have gotten more such starts in a
single postseason, with the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays getting a majors-most 16.
• Wilson and Game 2 starter Ian Anderson are just the second set of teammates in history to start games in the LCS prior to turning 23…Don Gullett started
Games 1 and 5 for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1972 NLCS versus Pittsburgh, while Ross Grimsley started Game 4.
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers continue their best-of-seven National League Championship Series tonight with their fourth meeting
of the season…The 2020 NLCS marks the fourth postseason series between the two clubs.
• Atlanta and Los Angeles did not play during the
regular season, and last met in 2019…The Braves went 2-4 in six games against the Dodgers last season, getting swept at Dodger Stadium and
winning two-of-three in Atlanta.
• The Braves’ series win against the Dodgers last season was their first since also taking two-of-three from Los Angeles in 2015…In 33 games between
the clubs since the start of 2016, including the postseason, Atlanta is 11-22 (.333) vs. Los Angeles.
• The Braves and Dodgers have met three times in postseason play, all of which have come in the Division Series…Atlanta swept Los Angeles in the
1996 NLDS, while Los Angeles has won each of the last two series, in 2013 and 2018, 3-1.
• RHP Bryse Wilson has never faced the Dodgers, and is set to make his postseason debut…In two starts for the Braves this season, the 6-foot-2, 230-
pound native of Durham, NC allowed just one earned run in 8.0 combined innings, fanning nine.
• LHP Clayton Kershaw is set for his 35th career playoff appearance and his third of this postseason…The 6-foot-3, 228-pound native of Dallas, TX is
2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his two postseason starts this year, and is 11-11 with a 4.23 ERA in his career…Kershaw has made three career postseason
appearances against Atlanta, and has allowed just
one earned run in 21.0 innings (0.43 ERA).
2-0 LEAD: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 5-1, in Game 1 of this series on Monday night, before an 8-7 win on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
• The Braves have previously gone 2-0 in a postseason series 14 times in franchise history, and are 12-2 (.857) in these sets…They have never lost
a Championship Series when taking a 2-0 lead.
• Following last night’s loss, the Braves are now 8-6 (.571) in Game 3 after taking a 2-0 series lead… They last loss a Game 3 with a 2-0 lead in the 1996
World Series against the Yankees.
• The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the 1992 LCS vs. Pittsburgh and won in seven games, swept Cincinnati in 1995, and went up 2-0
.
Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is stepping down on his own accord, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
AP source: General manager Daryl Morey leaving Rockets — Lowell Sun
Editor’s note: This is the introduction to the Southern California News Group’s commemorative book on the Lakers’ 2020 championship, “Legacy: The Los Angeles Lakers’ unforgettable run to the 2020 NBA title.” Before satellites and television, there were just the seats and the people in them. There was the hardwood and the lines and the hoops,…
No NBA champion worked longer or harder, but Lakers celebrated title without fans in the bubble — Daily News
TODAY’S GAME 5: The Astros will try to stave off elimination again today in Game 5 of the ALCS at Petco Park against the Rays…Houston is trying to become
just the second team in MLB history to rally back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series…the only other team to do so were the 2004 Red Sox, who came back to beat the Yankees in a thrilling ALCS.
GARCIA GETS THE NOD: The Astros will start rookie RHP Luis Garcia today in what will be his first career postseason appearance…Garcia impressed in
his first five MLB appearances in 2020, all coming in September, including a 5.0-inning scoreless start on Sept. 9 at OAK, in which he allowed just one hit…prior to this season, Garcia had not appeared in a game above Class A, where he spent all of 2019…he did post monster numbers at the level, compiling 168 strikeouts in 108.2 innings and a .172 opponent batting average.
ROOKIE HURLERS: The Astros matched the Marlins by using an Major League-high 15 rookie pitchers in 2020…they have nine rookie pitchers on
their ALCS roster and have used six rookies so far this postseason, who have combined for a solid 2.97 ERA (12ER/36.1IP) in 23 appearances (three starts)…RHP Cristian Javier has led this group, going 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA (1ER/8.1IP) in four appearances.
STARTING STRONG: RHP Luis Garcia has big shoes to fill, following the four other Astros starters this series, which have combined for a 2.25 ERA (6ER/24IP)…they’ve posted 30 strikeouts in 24.0 IP.
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: This is the Astros 14th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 59th year of the franchise that began in
1962…this group of Astros has won a postseason series in four straight seasons (2017-20), leading all MLB teams in postseason games (54) and wins (31) in
that time frame…in both categories, the Astros top the Dodgers (44g, 26 wins) and Yankees (34g, 18 wins).
LCS HISTORY: This marks the Astros fourth straight trip to the ALCS and their eighth appearance overall in an LCS (1980, 1986, 2004-05, 2017-20)…they are the third team in AL history and the fifth team in MLB history to advance to four straight LCS (since 1969)…the other clubs to do so: the Cardinals (2011-14), Yankees (1998-2001), Braves (1991-99) and A’s (1971-75).
GAME 4 WIN: The Astros played a clean ballgame last night, downing the Rays 4-3 to stay alive in the ALCS…RHP Zack Greinke was masterful, tossing
6.0 innings and allowing two runs, both coming on a homer, with seven strikeouts…he was backed by 2B Jose Altuve (2×4, 2RBI), who homered in the 1st
inning for the third time this series, and CF George Springer, who went 3×4, including a go-ahead homer.
TAG TEAMS: Per Elias, last night marked the fourth time for 2B Jose Altuve and OF George Springer to homer in the same postseason game…the only pair
of teammates in MLB history to do it more often is another Astros duo, Springer and SS Carlos Correa, who have turned the trick seven times.
ON THE CUSP—Today the Rays have a second opportunity to advance
to the World Series, after their 4-3 loss in Game 4…in postseason history,
teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven have gone on to win the series 37 of
38 times (97.4 pct.)…the only team to come back from a 3-0 deficit was the
2004 Red Sox, against the Yankees in the AL Championship Series…only
eight of the previous 38 series were extended to a Game 5, and no team
has taken the series to 6 games since the Red Sox completed the comeback
against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
– The Rays are a win away from their second AL pennant (2008),
but the only current Rays player or uniformed personnel who witnessed them winning it in 2008 from field level (Game 7, at Tropicana Field) was Kevin Cash, who was a Red Sox catcher at the time.
– The Rays have won six of their last eight postseason games since
losing Game 1 to the Yankees…the Rays are 24-23 all-time in the
postseason, 8-3 in 2020 and 10-4 since Game 3 of the 2019 ALDS…
including the end of the regular season, they are 17-5 since Sep 17.
– The Rays haven’t lost back-to-back games this postseason…the last
time in the regular season was Sep 7-10 at WAS, vs. BOS (0-3).
Ê Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost
once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.
– Happy 49th Birthday to Rays hitting coach Chad Mottola.
CLOSE SHAVES—Between the regular season and postseason, 39 of the
club’s 71 games (54.9 pct.) have been decided by 2 runs (or fewer)…the
Rays are 28-11 (.718) in them, going 5-1 in the postseason in addition to a
majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the Rays are 16-6 (.727) in
1-run games, including 2-1 this postseason and 15-4 (.789) since Aug 7.
– Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a major league-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 35-1, 32-0
and 39-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively.
– Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 62 straight games when
leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.
– The Rays have three comeback wins this postseason after an A-Lmost 20 come-from-behind wins during the regular season.
PITCHING PROPERLY—The Rays have allowed 10 runs in their last 5
games…last night the Rays snapped a club-record streak of allowing 2
runs (or fewer) in four consecutive postseason games…the Rays have allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in six of 11 postseason games (54.5 pct.), after doing
that in 21 of 60 games (35.0 pct.) during the regular season…the Rays have
a 3.15 ERA (97-IP, 34-ER) in the postseason, including a 3.48 ERA (51.2-IP,
20-ER) from their starters and a 2.78 ERA (45.1-IP, 14-ER) from relievers.
– Last night both Tyler Glasnow and Zack Greinke went 6 IP, only
the third time this postseason both starters went 6 IP (or more)…
the two previous instances came in NL Wild Card Series; the last
time in the AL was Game 1 of the 2019 ALCS (Tanaka vs. Greinke).
– The Rays have held the Astros to 9 runs and 6 HR (five solo) this
series, after the Astros scored 33 runs and hit 12 HR in the Division
Series (4 games vs. Oakland)…similarly, the Rays held the Yankees
to 24 runs and 10 HR in the 5-game Division Series, after the Yankees scored 22 runs and hit 7 HR in their Wild Card sweep at CLE.
– Opponents are batting .176 (12-for-68) against Rays pitching with
RISP this postseason…the Rays have held the Astros to .192 (5-for26) with RISP—and only one of these 5 hits has resulted in a run.
– The Rays bullpen has stranded all 21 IR this postseason…according
to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the longest streak of inherited
runners stranded to start a postseason, passing the 2006 Cardinals
(17)…in the last 8 games (beginning with Game 2 of the ALDS vs.
NYY), the Rays bullpen has pitched to a 2.06 ERA (35-IP, 8-ER).
PITCHING PLANS—Today’s game will be started by RH John Curtiss, his
fourth career start…he went 1.1, 1.1 and 0.2 IP in his first 3 starts, yielding
a combined 2 runs (1 ER) in 3.1 IP (Aug 20 at NYY, Sep 15 vs. WAS, Sept.
26 vs. PHI)…this is the third time in club postseason history the Rays are
using an opener to start, following RH Ryan Thompson in Game 4 of the
2020 ALDS at NYY (5-1 loss) and RH Diego Castillo in Game 4 of the 2019
ALDS vs. HOU (4-1 win)…the Rays used an opener seven times in the regular season and went 6-1 when doing so after going 26-17 (.605) in 2019.
– Including postseason, since the debut of the opener on May 19, 2018, the
Rays have used one 107 times and are 65-42 (.607) in those games.
POWER BALL—69.6 pct. (32 of 46) of the Rays runs this postseason have
come on home runs, compared to 41.5 pct. (120 of 289) during the regular season…the Rays have hit 18 HR this postseason, but only four in the
League Championship Series after hitting 11 in the Division Series.
After a couple of weeks of consideration, the Clippers on Thursday closed the deal with former assistant Tyronn Lue to replace his former boss Doc Rivers as the team’s head coach, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and confirmed by a league source. Lue’s coaching staff reportedly will include five-time All-Star Chauncy Billups and former…
Clippers find their new coach: Tyronn Lue — Daily Bulletin
The Golden State Warriors could have interest in Dwight Howard should be become available in free agency, a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania suggests. That’s only if he becomes available. According to Charania, Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers have a mutual interest in a new contract. The 6-foot-10 Howard, who will turn 35…
Report: Warriors might be among teams interested in Dwight Howard — East Bay Times
The view from left field 