As always, there’s a lot that went on in sports last week. We’ll start with Major League Baseball and end with the NFL. Check it out!
Weekly Sports Update – September 23rd Edition
MLB Postseason Update: Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, and Astros Look Formidable
The L.A. Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros have won their respective divisions. The Yankees and Astros are tied for the best record in baseball while the Dodgers are a couple of games behind.
The two teams in the National League who should play in the wildcard game are the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals. Why? Because the St. Louis Cardinals have a 3-game lead over the Brewers for the NL Central title.
Over in the AL, Minnesota has a 4-game lead over Cleveland for the Central Division. If the playoffs started today, the Tribe would play either Tampa or Oakland. Of the four likely wildcard teams, Cleveland looks like the top contender. The Indians’ starting rotation rivals the Dodgers’ starters if not the Astros’ rotation.
If Cleveland makes the postseason, look for them to create some noise either against the Yankees or Houston.
College Football: Georgia Gets By Notre Dame, Wisconsin Crushes Michigan
The Georgia Bulldogs beat Notre Dame but they didn’t come close to covering the spread. UGA beat the Golden Domers 23-17. It was a nice victory. It might not mean much in the long run. Georgia must battle Florida and Auburn later this season.
Both those SEC teams were much more impressive than the Bulldogs. Florida dominated Tennessee with a backup quarterback while Auburn beat Texas A&M straight up as a road dog. Auburn, especially, looks legit this season.
One team that did impress big time were the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin crushed Michigan 35-14. They averaged 6.3 yards per carry on their way to an incredible 359 rushing yards. Wisconsin battles Ohio State October 26. If the Badgers can get by the Buckeyes, they should go undefeated this season.
Liverpool Starts CL with a Loss, PSG Destroys Real Without Neymar
Liverpool started their quest for back-to-back Champions League titles with a loss. Favored over Italian Serie A squad Napoli, Pool failed to play their usual dominant brand of soccer, falling 0-2. The top team in the English Premier League bounced back with a great 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. Liverpool, and their fans, would like to win an EPL and CL championship this season, though. We’ll see if Liverpool steps it up in their second Champions League match.
While Pool underperformed, Paris St-Germain most definitely did not. Facing Real Madrid in their first CL match, PSG dominated even though Neymar sat the game out due to a suspension. Paris St-Germain beat Real 3-0. Angel Di Maria scored a couple of goals while Thomas Meunier kicked in the third score.
PSG has a real shot at winning the Champions League. They had a shot last season, but this season they look even more formidable. The reason? They can either start or bring Eric Maxim Choupo-Mouting off the bench. The 30-year-old has a foot for the goal. With Neymar now healthy, Choupo-Moting gives PSG two strikers who can dominate.
Stephens Can’t Go On After Eye Poke at UFC Fight Night Mexico City
The main event at UFC Fight Night Mexico City ended before it even began. Jeremy Stephens and Yair Rodriguez were supposed to battle it out in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year. Unfortunately, due to an eye poke 15 seconds in, Stephens had to retire. The ref declared a no contest, fans went nuts, and everyone began the process of doubting Stephens’ heart.
Doubting Jeremy Stephens makes no sense. He’s never ducked an opponent in his life. Not only that, he’s one of the true warriors in MMA, meaning that Stephens always fights each and every time he steps into the Octagon. The guy couldn’t see, which means calling off the fight was the right move.
Vettel and Leclerq Dominate for Ferrari at Singapore Grand Prix
Nobody expected Sebastian Vettel to win in Singapore. Nobody expected Charles Leclerq to finish second, but that’s what happened. Both Ferrari drivers offered excellent overlay odds to secure the top spot at the Singapore Grand Prix this past Sunday. Both finished 1-2, proving that even if F1 handicappers believe they know everything, they don’t.
Vettel breaking through at Singapore was huge for both he and his crew. But, the big news is that Ferrari took the top two spots with Max Verstappen finishing third. That means Lewis Hamilton’s and Mercedes’ stranglehold on the F1 title loosened greatly. 6 races remain. Ferrari doesn’t believe they’re out of the title chase just yet.
Truex Jr. Remains On Fire in Quest for NASCAR Monster Energy Cup
For the second straight race, drivers stared at Martin Truex Jr. as he led his Joe Gibbs Racing car over the finish line first. Truex Jr. has dominated the first couple of Monster Energy Cup Playoffs races.
What’s more impressive is that JGR grabbed the top four spots. After Truex Jr., Kyle Busch finished second with Denny Hamlin finishing third. Erik Jones finished fourth. But, Erik’s car failed a post-race inspection. That disqualified Jones.
Truex Jr. looks impossible to beat. We shouldn’t hand over the trophy just yet, though. Kevin Harvick is in second place after finishing 7th at Richmond. Not only that, but it’s a winner take all at Homestead on Nov. 17. So, the real goal, which is what Harvick is doing, is to move to the next round until Homestead.
NFL: Saints Win Without Brees
New Orleans lost Drew Brees in Week 3. The Saints headed to Seattle a +5 underdog because most felt that without Brees there was no way New Orleans could win in Seattle. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater proved them wrong. Bridgewater stepped it up and led the Saints to a 33-27 victory. Bidgewater’s stats weren’t exceptional, but he ran Sean Payton’s offense to perfection.
The Saints aren’t Super Bowl contenders without Brees. He should be back in 5 weeks. If Bridgewater can navigate those 5 weeks with one or even two losses, New Orleans should be formidable the rest of the way.
Have a great week!
****
About MyBookie.AG
MyBookie (www.MyBookie.ag/sportsbook/) was created in 2012 by online gaming pioneers that saw a need to improve services where so many other brands failed. As a new generation of gamers emerges across North America the difference between their old bookie and MyBookie is clear.
In addition to easier deposits, faster payouts, and the best customer service, MyBookie is simply the most accurate and trusted source for odds information, analysis and wagering opportunities on the internet.
Since launching, MyBookie has delivered on its promise of excellent service along with an always expanding selection of sports odds for players at all levels, as well as most unique and exciting internet casino available. Visit www.MyBookie.ag/sportsbook today for more information and to be a part of the action!