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NWSL Challenge Cup Preview: Kansas City Current (1-0-0) at Racing Louisville FC (0-0-0)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Challenge Cup Preview: Kansas City Current (1-0-0) at Racing Louisville FC (0-0-0)

Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville, Kentucky – Wednesday, May 17 at 7:30 PM ET

Players to watch:

Racing Louisville defender Abby Erceg notched goals in both the 2020 and 2022 Challenge Cups (both for North Carolina) and will now embark on a new road in the competition in new colors. The goal in 2020 was her only goal in any NWSL competition that year as Erceg has scored at least one goal in NWSL competitions in every season since 2016, making her the only defender to do so. In the regular season, midfielder Savannah DeMelo leads the way in scoring with two goals.

Former Racing Louisville forward and now Kansas City Current star Cece Kizer scored the first goal in Kansas City’s 2-0 Challenge Cup win over Houston on April 19. Kizer, who joined the Current from Louisville last season, joins Washington’s Ashley Sanchez as the only players with at least one goal in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Challenge Cups. In the regular season, Kizer (3) is just one goal shy of midfielder Debinha for the team lead. The Brazilian has scored four goals on 13 shots, 8 of which have been on target.

Match facts: Racing Louisville FC begins its 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup run against the Kansas City Current on Wednesday night when the two clash at Lynn Family Stadium. Last year, Louisville went unbeaten against Kansas City in the Challenge Cup, producing a 1-1 draw at home and 3-0 win on the road, though this year’s respective sides will line up with a different look. 

Last year’s win at the Current is Louisville only win in the Challenge Cup (D5 L4) as Racing is the only current NWSL team without a home victory in the competition. In five home games in the cup, Louisville has scored eight goals while allowing 10, compared to four scored and three allowed in its five road games. Momentum is in the club’s favor right now though, with Racing picking up its first win of the regular season – a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars – last Saturday. 

Kansas City is unbeaten in its last five road Challenge Cup matches (W3 D2) with the last three of those all being wins. That is tied for the longest road win streak in the competition’s history with the OL Reign, who did so between the 2021 and 2022 Challenge Cups. The Current will look for a pick-me-up result now after dropping their last two games in what has been an up and down start to the season in the Midwest.

Racing Louisville is unbeaten in four all-time home games against the Current (W2 D2) and have two shutouts in those games, including a 1-0 win in league play last October. Louisville also scored a 3-0 road win over Kansas City the last time these teams met in the Challenge Cup (April 2 of last year). After this match, the two will then meet in the league on Saturday, May 20.

MLB Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (22-20) at Detroit Tigers (19-21)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (22-20) at Detroit Tigers (19-21)

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: Were shut out 4-0 in the opener of their two-game series against the Tigers Tuesday night…Ended their four-game losing streak with Sunday’s win at Baltimore…Won seven straight games from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are 2.0 games out of first place coming into today in the National League Central.

RICH ON THE HILL: Lefthander Rich Hill gets the start this afternoon in the finale of this two-game series and five-game road trip for the Pirates…Hill had a no-decision (3.2ip/3r/1er) in his last start that came one week ago today against the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park in a 4-3 loss.

MORE ABOUT RICH: Rich Hill has gone 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA (26.1ip/8er) in his last five starts coming into today…Prior to that, he went 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA (15.0ip/12er) in his first three starts as a member of the Pirates…Hill’s 2.73 ERA since April 17 ranks 13th among all National League pitchers.

MICHIGAN MAN: Rich Hill has gone 4-0 in 19 career appearances (six starts) in his career against the Tigers…He is also 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA (21.0ip/9er) in nine appearances (three starts) here at Comerica Park…Hill played baseball at the University of Michigan from 2000-02, where he tossed eight complete games, including two shutouts, as a junior in 2002.

BACK TO THE BURGH: The Pirates will return to Pittsburgh following the conclusion of today’s game that will wrap up a six-day, five-game road trip to Baltimore and Detroit….The Pirates will be off for the third time in a week tomorrow before starting a six-game homestand Friday night against the Diamondbacks and Rangers…Monday’s visit by the Rangers will be just the fourth series the Rangers have played at PNC Park (also 2002, 2007 and 2019).

ON THE MEND: Last night left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis… Zastryzny threw a total of 20 pitches (12 strikes) while working 1.0 scoreless inning in Indianapolis’ home game against Iowa…Zastryzny has been on the 15-day injured list since April 16 with left elbow discomfort.

SOUTHPAW SUCCESS: This afternoon will be the 12th time the Pirates are opposed by a starting left-handed pitcher (Pittsburgh has gone 7-4 in games started by lefties this season)…Connor Joe ranks fourth in all of MLB with a 1.216 OPS against lefties while Rodolfo Castro ranks 10th with a 1.067 OPS…As a team, Pittsburgh’s .434 slugging percentage against southpaws ranks seventh in all of Major League Baseball.

MAKE THAT A DOUBLE: Carlos Santana doubled in his second at-bat last night while reaching base safely twice in four plate appearances…Since recording his first double of the season on April 5, Santana’s 12 doubles are tied for the fifth-most among all National League players (teammate Bryan Reynolds also has 12 in that time).

RAMIREZ IN RELIEF: Yohan Ramirez struck out a career-high tying four batters in relief Tuesday night while also throwing 2.1 scoreless innings against the Tigers…Ramirez has now tossed 7.1 consecutive scoreless innings while compiling a 1.46 ERA (12.1ip/2er) and 15 strikeouts in eight appearances with the Pirates this season.

THE RENEGADE: David Bednar comes into today with the third-lowest ERA (0.56) among all relievers in MLB…The only two relievers to produce lower earned run averages in MLB are Baltimore’s Yennier Cano (0.00) and David Robertson of the Mets (0.53)…Bednar also ranks fourth among all relievers in MLB in walks per 9.0 innings (0.56).

TAMING THE TIGERS: Carlos Santana has hit 27 home runs in his career against the Tigers (the only two teams he has homered against more are the Royals and Twins with 31 apiece)…Santana’s 27 home runs vs. Detroit are tied for the second-most among all active players along with Jose Abreu and Nelson Cruz…The only active player to hit more home runs against the Tigers is Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez.

PIRATING: The Pirates come into today leading all of MLB with 50 stolen bases…The next closest teams are the Guardians and A’s with 42 apiece..Pittsburgh hasn’t led all of MLB in stolen bases since swiping 260 bags in 1977.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – 44 – LHP RICH HILL
YEAR W-L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
2023 3-3 4.35 8 8 0 0 41.1 48 24 20 13 36

RICH HILL: The 43-year-old lefthander is making his ninth start this afternoon…Had a no-decision (3.2ip/3r/1er) in his last start on 5/10 vs. Colorado at PNC Park.

vs. DETROIT: 4-0 with a 4.19 ERA (43.0ip/20er) in 19 appearances (six starts)…Started twice against the Tigers in 2022…Had a no-decision (4.1ip/3er) at Comerica Park on 4/12 and won a 5-4 decision against Beau Brieske at Fenway on 6/21.

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS SHUT OUT PIRATES IN SERIES OPENER: The Tigers opened their series against the Pirates with a 4-0 win on Tuesday. Michael Lorenzen started and tossed 6.0 scoreless frames, allowing five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Will Vest fanned three over 2.0 innings, while José Cisnero struck out two in the ninth. Offensively, Riley Greene had three hits, including a double, while Spencer Torkelson had a pair of doubles and a RBI. Javier Baez also added a hit and a RBI.

GREENE MACHINE: Riley Greene posted his second consecutive three-hit game and his fifth of the season last night against the Pirates. His five three-hit performances this season is tied for the American League lead. Greene has recorded at least one hit in 16 of his last 18 games, batting .375/.416/.500 with six doubles, a homer and nine RBI. Since April 26, Greene ranks third in the American League and sixth in the Majors in batting average.

IN THE ‘ZEN DEN: Michael Lorenzen continued his impressive stretch of pitching last night, twirling 6.0 scoreless innings with five hits
allowed, two walks and a season-high seven strikeouts. Lorenzen has allowed one run-or-fewer in three consecutive starts, the longest streak of his career. Over his last three outings, Lorenzen has a 2-1 record with a 0.90 ERA (20.0IP/2ER) and 11 strikeouts.

TIGERS AND PIRATES: The Tigers and Pirates conclude their first series of the season tonight. After today’s game, the two teams will next meet
in Pittsburgh on August 1-2. The Tigers went 3-1 against the Pirates last season, including splitting a two-game series at Comerica Park.

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: The Tigers continue their interleague schedule today against the Pirates. Detroit is 10-2 against National League foes this season, including a 5-2 record against NL Central teams. The Tigers have finished with a winning record against NL opponents in each of the last two seasons.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 2-2 on their current five-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Seattle (2-2) and two games vs. Pittsburgh (1-0). Detroit has a 10-9 record at home this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .244/.309/.378 at Comerica Park, while
the pitching staff has a 4.27 ERA (175.0IP/83ER).

ON DECK: After an off day tomorrow, the Tigers open a six-game road trip, which starts with three games against the Nationals. Detroit and Washington last met in 2019 with the Nationals winning two-of-three games at Comerica Park. The Tigers have a 12-10 lead in the all-time series, including a 4-5 record in our nation’s capital.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

  • RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 60-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
  • OF Kerry Carpenter (right shoulder sprain, 10-day IL on April 29, retroactive to April 28)
  • RHP Matt Manning (right foot fracture, 60-day IL on April 12)
  • OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
  • RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
  • RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
  • LHP Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain, 60-day IL on March 14)
  • RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 15-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
  • RHP Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis, 15-day IL on April 22, retroactive to April 19)

TODAY’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

57 Eduardo Rodriguez • 4-2, 1.57 ERA (51.2IP/9ER)

  • Rodriguez will make his ninth start of the series today in the series finale vs. Pittsburgh.
  • Picked up his fourth win of the season on Thursday at Cleveland, throwing 7.0 shutout innings with four hits allowed, two walks and eight strikeouts…has thrown at least 5.0 innings and given up one run-or-less in six consecutive starts, the longest streak of his career, and tied with Michael Fulmer (May 21-June 17, 2016) and Al Benton (April 19-May 20, 1945) for the second-longest streak in franchise history…Justin Verlander holds the longest streak in club history with seven straight from June 9-July 10, 2011…over his last six starts,
    he has compiled a 4-0 record with a 0.43 ERA (41.2IP/2ER) and 41 strikeouts.
  • Named Tigers Pitcher of the Month for April, starting five games during the month and posting a 2-1 record with a 1.72 ERA (31.1IP/6ER) and 25 strikeouts…among AL pitchers (min. 25.0 IP), he ranked fourth in ERA, while he was sixth in WHIP (0.86).
  • Has faced the Pirates just once in his career, receiving a no decision on April 13, 2017 after allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings…in 15 career starts at Comerica Park, he has an 8-4 record with a 2.79 ERA (84.0IP/26ER) and 80 strikeouts.
  • Since 2018, he has a .675 winning percentage, which ranks eighth among all active Major League pitchers over that span (min. 100 starts).

Blue Bombers transactions

CFL Editor
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Blue Bombers transactions

WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:

Added to roster:
American wide receiver Sean Coyne (5-10, 185,  UNH, July 14, 1998 in Portsmouth, RI)
American defensive tackle Keenan Agnew (6-0, 290, Southern Illinois, January 3, 1999 in Chesterfield, MO)

Released from roster:
American defensive tackle Julius Turner
American quarterback Billy Hall
Global receiver Timothy Knuettel
National offensive lineman Brandon Sanford
American defensive lineman Jadrian Taylor
American linebacker Christian Dixon
American offensive lineman Payton Muljo
American punter Devin Anctil
American defensive back Deuce Wallace
American defensive back Gee Stanley
National defensive back Charles-Antoine Beaulieu

Transferred to suspended list:
Receiver/returner Janarion Grant

Boxing: Emmanuel Rodriguez Takes on Carlos Mujica for WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Title

Fight Editor
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Boxing: Emmanuel Rodriguez Takes on Carlos Mujica for WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Title

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – This Saturday night, championship boxing returns to The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City as Emmanuel “Salserito” Rodriguez takes on Carlos Mujica in the main event of a 12-bout card promoted by R and B Promotions.

Rodriguez of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico via Newark, New Jersey is 13-1 with seven knockouts. The 30 year-old is a six-year professional and has quality wins over Bryan Alvraez (4-0-1) & Delvin McKinley (4-1-1). On August 20, 2022, Rodriguez stopped Frank Gonzalez (9-2) to win the WBO Latino Bantamweight title. Rodriguez is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over Sharone Carter on February 11th at The Showboat Hotel.

Mujica of Las Vegas has a record of 7-2 with one knockout. The 27-year-old has a victory over Agustin Perez Balbuena (5-1-1). In his last outing, Mujica scored a six-round unanimous decision win over George Navarro (8-2-1) on April 1st in Long Beach, California.

In a six-round bout, Elon De Jesus (5-1-1, 4 KOs) of Orlando, Florida fights Gabriel Bernardi Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) of Cidra, Puerto Rico in a super bantamweight bout.

In Four-Round Bouts

Justin Figueroa (4-0, 4 KOs) of Atlantic City, NJ takes on debuting Antowion McCollough of Kalamazoo, MI in a junior middleweight contest.

Eliezer Olmeda (3-2) of Gloucester, NJ takes on Michael Crain (4-6-2) of Smyrna, DE in a junior welterweight bout.

Daniel Bean (1-0, 1 KO) of Old Bridge, NJ fights debuting Isaiah Cobbs of Kalamazoo, MI in a heavyweight bout.

Francisco Rodriguez (1-0, 1 KO) of Pleasantville, NJ fights Jose Luis Fracia Baron (0-3) of El Vega, Venezuela in a lightweight fight.

Deyshawn Williams (2-0, 2 KOs) of Elmhurst, NY boxes Anthony Dill (2-0, 2 KOs) of New Philadelphia, PA in a welterweight fight,

James White (1-0, 1 KO) of Warwick, PA squares off with debuting Ratavious Thrasher of Poughkeepsie , NY in a light heavyweight battle.

Juan Marrero of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Donquay White (0-1) of Kalamazoo, MI in a lightweight battle

Miguel Garcia (1-0) of Somers Point, NJ takes on Michael Ruiz (PD) of Toms River, NJ in a lightweight contest.

Junior middleweight, Ghandi Romain of Union City, NJ fights an opponent to be named.

Cali Box (1-0, 1 KO) of Franklin Township, NJ takes on an opponent to be named in a super middleweight fight.

MLS Preview: New York Red Bulls (2-4-6) at Toronto FC (2-4-6)

MLS Editor
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MLS Preview: New York Red Bulls (2-4-6) at Toronto FC (2-4-6)

The New York Red Bulls have lost only one of their 10 matches against Toronto FC since the start of the 2018 season (W7 D2). New York Red Bulls have scored in its last 16 matches against Toronto FC (including playoffs), the longest scoring streak for the Red Bulls and run of games without a clean sheet for Toronto FC in each club’s MLS history.

After a run of five straight unbeaten at BMO Field (W2 D3), Toronto FC has lost consecutive home matches in all competitions. The Toronto FC Reds haven’t lost three straight home matches in all competitions since a five-match losing streak in March-May 2012.

The New York Red Bulls have won each of their first matches under Troy Lesesne in all competitions, including a Hudson River Derby win over New York City FC on Saturday. Lesesne is the second coach in the New York Red Bulls history to win his first two matches in charge of the club, after Hans Backe in 2010.

The two shots Toronto FC attempted against CF Montreal Impact on Saturday were its fewest in any league match since 2010. It also equaled the fewest by any team in a match this season (Atlanta United FC at Columbus Crew SC in March and Portland Timbers at Vancouver Whitecaps FC in April).

The New York Red Bulls held 31.5 percent possession in their win over New York City FC on Saturday, the seventh time since the start of the 2021 season that the New York Red Bulls has won a match while holding less than 33.0 percent of the ball. No other team has more than four such wins in that time.

Atlanta Dream Acquire 2025 Third Round Draft Pick for Brown

WNBA Editor
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Atlanta Dream Acquire 2025 Third Round Draft Pick for Brown

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Atlanta Dream have acquired a 2025 third round Draft pick from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for guard Leigha Brown, the organization announced today.

Brown averaged 5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Dream’s two preseason games this year.

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 17, 2023

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 17, 2023

* The new-look Conference Finals open Thursday and are set to feature a mix of notable players either returning to the round before the Stanley Cup Final or reaching the final-four series for the first time in their NHL career.

* The 2023 Conference Finals will mark the second time in Stanley Cup Playoffs history that the round before the Final features multiple head coaches facing a franchise with whom they previously held the same role.

* The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Interactive Information Guide has been updated through the Second Round.

FINAL FOUR FEATURES PLENTY OF PLAYERS WITH CONFERENCE FINALS EXPERIENCE

Players that have dressed at least one contest in the 2023 playoffs with the four remaining teams have combined for nearly 500 games played in the Conference Finals/Semifinals and over 200 in the Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, 88% (82/93) of players remaining in the 2023 postseason (min. 1 GP dressed) are in search of their first championship.
 


* William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, Brayden McNabb, Reilly Smith and Shea Theodore have appeared in all 16 Conference Finals/Semifinals games contested by the Golden Knights and can become the first players to play in each of a franchise’s first 20 games during the round before the Stanley Cup Final since Patrick Marleau with the Sharks from 2004 to 2016 (21 GP). Mark Stone has skated 18 career Conference Finals/Semifinals games, which trail only his former Senators teammate Jean-Gabriel Pageau (20 GP) for the most among active players who have never appeared in the championship series.

* Derek Stepan (18 GP), Paul Stastny (16 GP), Jordan Staal (13 GP), Brent Burns (12 GP) and Teuvo Teravainen (10 GP) are the Hurricanes players that have at least 10 games of Conference Finals/Semifinals experience. Teravainen, who is expected to return to the lineup, is one of six current Carolina players that dressed at least one game with the Hurricanes during the 2019 Eastern Conference Final (also Staal, Sebastian Aho, Jordan Martinook, Brett Pesce & Jaccob Slavin, min. 1 GP in 2023 playoffs).

* Marc (19 GP) and Eric Staal (17 GP), the latter of whom spent parts of his first 12 seasons with Carolina, have the most games of Conference Finals/Semifinals experience among current Panthers players. The 2023 Eastern Conference Final is set to be the first Stanley Cup Playoffs series to feature three siblings each dressing at least one game since the 1992 Division Semifinals between the Blackhawks and Blues (Brent, Rich & Ron Sutter).

* Joe Pavelski (25 GP) has appeared in the most career Conference Finals/Semifinals games among all remaining players, with Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez (24 GP) ranking second. Pavelski has posted career totals of 6-13—19 in those contests, including 1-1—2 in five games versus Vegas during the 2020 Western Conference Final.
 

ROOKIES, VETERANS VYING FOR FIRST CUP SET TO MAKE CONFERENCE FINALS DEBUT
The 2023 Conference Finals also feature no shortage of players who will make their first career appearance in the round before the Stanley Cup Final, with the cohort ranging from rookies that just celebrated their 20th birthday to 1,400-game NHL veterans.

* Wyatt Johnston scored the clinching goal in each of the Stars’ first two series, with the latter winner ensuring that him and teammate Ryan Suter will appear in the Conference Finals for the first time in their NHL career.Suter (1,470 GP) is set to eclipse Roman Hamrlik (1,317 GP before 2010 CF) for the highest combined games total by a player before his first career appearance in a Conference Finals/Semifinals.

* Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart reached the NHL’s final four for the first time after skating 368 games together with the Sabres from 2015-16 to 2020-21. Eichel (476 GP) will be the sixth player in League history to reach the Conference Finals/Semifinals during his first trip to the postseason after appearing in 475 or more regular-season games, joining Ron Hainsey (907 GP before 2017 CF), Zach Bogosian (644 GP before 2020 CF), Justin Faulk (559 GP before 2019 CF), Aaron Broten (519 GP before 1988 CF) and Nathan Horton (502 GP before 2011 CF).

* Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Shayne Gostisbehere, Jason Robertson and Matthew Tkachuk are also among the group of notable players set to skate in the Conference Finals/Semifinals for the first time. Barkov and Ekblad have spent their entire career with the Panthers after being selected at No. 2 and No. 1 in the 2013 and 2014 NHL Draft, respectively, while countrymen Robertson and Tkachuk each had a career-high 109 points during the regular season.
 

Photo via @s_ghost14


DeBOER, MAURICE SET TO FACE FORMER FRANCHISES IN CONFERENCE FINALS

Peter DeBoer of the Stars and Paul Maurice of the Panthers will face the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, respectively, in the 2023 Conference Finals. It will mark the second time in Stanley Cup Playoffs history where the round before the Final features multiple head coaches facing a franchise with whom they previously held the same role, following the 2014 Conference Finals (Alain Vigneault vs. MTL & Darryl Sutter vs. CHI).

* DeBoer served as head coach of the Golden Knights for parts of three seasons from 2019-20 to 2021-22 and guided Vegas to the 2020 Conference Finals and 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals. His longtime colleague Steve Spott, currently an assistant coach for the Stars, served in the same capacity with the Golden Knights during that timeframe.
 

* Maurice was hired as an assistant with the Hartford Whalers on June 8, 1995, and named head coach of the club just five months later – he guided the Whalers to victory in his NHL head coaching debut and remains the fifth youngest bench boss in League history at the time of his first career game and win. Rod Brind’Amour played 406 regular-season contests and 47 playoff games with the Hurricanes while Maurice was head coach.

QUICK CLICKS


*Bill King profiles SBJ Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Gary Bettman
* Stars coach says facing former team in West Final ‘means a little more’
*Connor McDavid says expectation for Oilers is ‘it’s Cup or bust for this group’
* ESPN ratings for Game 6 between Vegas-Edmonton and Dallas-Seattle
* Kraken-Stars Game 7 delivers impressive viewership for ESPN

NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Preview: Miami Heat (0-0) at Boston Celtics (0-0)

NBA Editor
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NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Preview: Miami Heat (0-0) at Boston Celtics (0-0)

Heat star Jimmy Butler is known for speaking his mind, and he didn’t disappoint Tuesday, one day before eighth-seeded Miami visits the second-seeded Boston Celtics for the opener of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday.

Butler insisted this Miami team will not be deterred on its way to the NBA title.

This is the third time in the past four seasons that the Celtics and Heat have met in the East finals. And it will be a different Boston coach on the sideline for the third occasion.

Miami eliminated Brad Stevens’ Boston team in six games in 2020 before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Last season, the Ime Udoka-coached Celtics ousted the Heat in seven games before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the championship round.

Udoka was fired prior to the season due to a workplace affair and was replaced by Joe Mazzulla, a first-time head coach who gets to match wits against Miami’s well-respected Erik Spoelstra.

Brown averaged 24.1 points in last season’s matchup with the Heat, just behind star Jayson Tatum’s 25 per game.

Tatum is coming off a performance for the ages. He poured in a Game 7-record 51 points as the Celtics pounded the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 to reach the Eastern finals.

Tatum has quickly put that epic effort behind him and is focused on competing against the Heat.

The intensity level is always high when Butler is on the floor. He averaged 25.6 points against Boston in last season’s series.

He also produced a milestone effort in this season’s playoffs with 56 points in a first-round victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The 56 points tied for fourth most in an NBA playoff game.

Butler was plagued by an ankle injury in the conference semifinal series win over the New York Knicks. The ankle is feeling better, and so is Butler’s outlook about Miami’s supporting cast.

Heat center Bam Adebayo hasn’t forgotten the critics that pounced when the team lost to the Atlanta Hawks in its first play-in game before beating the Chicago Bulls to move into the playoffs.

Boston and Miami split four regular-season meetings. Each club went 2-2 on its home floor.

MLS Preview: D. C. United (4-5-3) at Philadelphia Union (5-4-2)

MLS Editor
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MLS Preview: D. C. United (4-5-3) at Philadelphia Union (5-4-2)

The Philadelphia Union won their two matches against D.C. United by a total score of 13-0 last season. The 13 goals scored and the plus – 13 goal difference are both the best in any two-match span against a single opponent in MLS history.

The Philadelphia Union fell behind on a penalty kick before answering with two goals in the team’s 2-1 road win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. It was the third time Philadelphia has conceded a penalty kick this season (tied for most in the league) but the team had lost the previous two games when doing so.

D. C. United conceded first in its 1-1 draw with Nashville SC, the 27th time the team has allowed the first goal in a regular season match since the beginning of 2022. That is tied for the most such games in that time (Inter Miami FC, Toronto FC) with Saturday being just the sixth time D. C. United earned points in those games (W2 D4 L21).

Julian Carranza scored hat-tricks in both of the Philadelphia Union’s wins over D. C. United last season, becoming the second player to score two hat-tricks against a single opponent in a single season (Cobi Jones vs Colorado Rapids in 1998). No other player has ever scored three hat-ticks against a single opponent in MLS history.

Theodore Ku-Dipetro’s tying goal in the 83rd minute against Nashville SC was D. C. United’s seventh goal in the 80th minute or later this season. That is the most such goals in MLS this season and equals their total from all of last season.

MLS Preview: New York City FC (4-5-3) at Orlando City SC (4-4-3)

MLS Editor
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MLS Preview: New York City FC (4-5-3) at Orlando City SC (4-4-3)

Orlando City SC hasn’t lost any of its last six home matches against New York City FC in all competitions (W1 D5, including two penalty shoot-out wins), having drawn five straight before winning, 2-1, last August. New York City FC’s last win at Orlando City SC was a 2-0 victory in July 2018.

Orlando City SC played to a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew SC on Saturday despite having an expected goals value of 1.31 to Columbus’ 3.50. Orlando City SC is unbeaten in league play this season when having a lower xG than its opponent (W2 D3) compared to having four losses in the six games when having a higher xG (W2).

New York City FC is on a four-game losing streak in all competitions with all of those games being on the road. The club’s only longer all-competition losing streak happened between February and July 2020 with five straight losses, the last of which was to Orlando City SC in the MLS is Back group stage.

Duncan McGuire, ho was drafted by Orlando City SC in the 2023 SuperDraft, scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 92nd minute against the Columbus Crew SC to salvage a 2-2 draw. It was McGuire’s second goal as a substitute this season with the Lions having no other goals from players off the bench this year.

Despite completing 544 passes against the New York Red Bulls, New York City FC mustered six shots in the 1-0 loss. It was the second time this year that New York City FC had completed at least that many passes in a match and attempted 6 or fewer shots (5 vs Toronto FC in April), something that has happened only two other times in MLS since 2010.

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