Month: October 2020

San Francisco 49ers game preview: 49ers head to Seattle looking for third straight win

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San Francisco 49er corner Richard Sherman (25) takes a dive to stop the Arizona Cardinals run game in the opening week of the season Sun Sep 13, 2020 this was Sherman’s last game as he was placed on the IR and is eligible to return week 12 Oct 21st. (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off an encouraging week. Last Sunday they played the significantly less intimidating New England Patriots. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick, but not Tom Brady and it shows. The 49ers were able to pull out a big win 33-6.

This week the 49ers are faced with a more daunting task. They will travel to Seattle where they take on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is coming off a disappointing loss in a wild game last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are of course division rivals of the 49ers and sit at a record of 5-1 on the season.

The 49ers are still struggling with injuries. On the defensive side of the ball they are obviously feeling the loss of Richard Sherman who even at his advanced age plays a big role in the 49ers defensive scheme. The 49ers will hope to expose the weak defense of the Seahawks.

Week eight’s matchup will be enjoyable to watch nonetheless. It will be a strong defense in the 49ers going up against a weak defense for the Seahawks. Seattle has a strong offense that will rival the trickery the 49ers can present on that side of the ball.

The matchup is set for 1:25 PST on Sunday in Seattle.

My Pick: Although I believe the Seahawks will be motivated, I think the determination of the 49ers will win out. The 49ers have not been happy with where they sit in the division. Obviously injuries have played a big role in that, but I think a chance to match the first place Seahawks win total so far will be a motivating factor. 49ers win 24-17.

Jeremiah does the 49ers previews each Wednesday and 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The day the Manager became a Computer

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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash removes pitcher Blake Snell (4) in the sixth inning of game six on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at Globe Life Park in Arlington vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers (AP News photo)

The day the Manager became a Computer

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash will probably be named the Manager of the Year in the American League. These awards are given for the regular season. He managed his ball club to the best record in the American League, 40-20. With a team riddled with injuries during the season, Cash did a very good job. However, he made one inexcusable move in the deciding six-game of this World Series.

It was a do-or-die game for the Rays, as the Dodgers were leading the Series 3 games to 2. Cash sent his best pitcher to the mound, lefty Blake Snell in hope to get more than a few innings from the 2018 Cy Young Award winner. Snell was pitching a great game and after four innings had given-up no runs and two hits, while striking out nine. While the Dodgers were celebrating on the field, this is what Blake Snell said to the media. “I wanted to go the whole game”. And why would he not? He was on, executing pitches, dominating a very dangerous lineup.

Then the six inning happened. Snell gave up a soft single to center to Austin Barnes. Manager Cash immediately came out, bringing his best reliever during the regular season, Nick Anderson, who right away gave up a double to left field to Mookie Betts advancing Barnes to third base, followed by a grounder by Corey Seager to first-baseman Choi who threw to the plate, but was late, Barnes scored, a fielder’s-choice and the Dodgers within just a few minutes had tied the game 1-1.

Anderson then threw a wild pitch and Mookie Betts scored, the Dodgers had their first lead 2-1. Regarding why he took Snell out of the game who only had thrown 73 pitches, Cash said: “I didn’t want him/Snell to see Mookie or Corey for a third time”. With that decision by manager Kevin Cash, the game was lost right there and so the hopes of the Tampa Bay Rays to win their first World Series.

Mookie Betts homered in the eighth inning against righty Pete Fairbanks for the final score of 3-1 and the World Series title to the Dodgers for the first time since their huge upset of the Oakland A’s in 1988.

Tampa Bay Rays philosophy, has always been right from their front office is to play all the numbers, like a milk shake you put it in a blender and then you have the result. The problem is that sometimes a manager needs to have a “feeling” for the game and just because Nick Anderson was his best reliever during the 60-game season; it is simply stupid to bring him in a situation where his best pitcher was leading them to a victory and a tied Series. Anderson’s numbers in the regular season: 2-1 (0.55 ERA) in 19 games he saved six. Anderson’s Postseason numbers: ten games, 14 2.3 innings, 16 hits, nine runs, three home runs, four walks, nine strikeouts.

Rays reliever Nick Anderson’s said after the game: “I take a lot of the blame”.

Tampa Bay Rays was the first teams to do the “experiment” of having a pitcher start a game as an “opener” with the only mission of pitching the first inning. It was in 2018 and it was used by many teams, including the Oakland A’s during their one-game wild card playoff at Yankee Stadium, which they lost.

Manager Bob Melvin named Liam Hendricks his “opener”. During this 2020 World Series we saw Kevin Cash use four outfielders a few times, aside from the defensive shift, which is now common in the game.

All this is well and good, baseball has changed big time, but a manager gets paid to manage the game as it happens and he makes decisions that do not necessarily have to follow the statistics. Just because Nick Anderson is his best reliever, you must bring him in the sixth (6th) inning and remove your best pitcher that was pitching a heck of a game? Folks, Anderson is very good, but he is no Mariano Rivera.

You can call it stupid, dumb, without basis, whatever, but for me this move by Kevin Cash in the sixth inning can be criticized and analyze ’till the cows come home’, but the bottom line is that the Rays lost the game and lost the Series.

Kevin Cash now will have to live and deal with this decision for the rest of his career. He is  lucky. Why Lucky? Because he manages a small market team, with a small following and a short history. There were times in baseball when a manager makes such move and the next day is fired, in New York in the days of owner George Steinbrenner, he would have fired you in 30 seconds after you made the decision.

But this doesn’t happen today, because of the computer (who was invented by man) is now running man and obviously many in the game of baseball. Some now just look at the “cold blooded numbers” and forget that baseball is played by humans not robots/computers. It is a game of feeling and that includes the manager.

Unless the Manager becomes a Computer.

Stay well and stay tuned

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio play by play lead announcer for Oakland A’s baseball on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Antonio Brown will join Bucs next week ; Earthquakes battle Real Salt Lake FC tonight

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Antonio Brown wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will join the team on Sun Nov 8th. Here he is tuning up during his time with the New England Patriots. Some questions remain will there be a repeat of his problems when he returns with the Buccaneers?(file photo touchdownwire.com)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The Buffalo Bills (5-2) who lead in the AFC East won and played a close game last Sunday against the New York Jets (0-7) 18-10. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 307 yards. Despite being winless the Jets did play some good defense against Allen and the Bills.

#2 Tom Brady quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) shows a lot of faith in newest Buc wide receiver Antonio Brown after his abrupt departure from the Raiders last season and his suspension from the NFL when he was briefly with the Patriots last season how do you see him working out with the Bucs this time around?

#3 The Los Angeles Dodgers had a lot to celebrate last night with their World Series win but third baseman Justin Turner who had a Covid positive test and was pulled in the eighth inning of the deciding game added to the strange ending to the season for the Dodgers and the baseball bubble called Arlington.

#4 The San Jose Earthquakes after getting a 0-0 draw from the Seattle Sounders on Sunday the 18th lost in a 2-1 neutral site game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps Ali Adnan got a free kick and a 57th minute to tie it and got the go ahead goal from Tosaint Ricketts for the one goal win.

#5 The Quakes host Real Salt Lake FC at 7:30 at Earthquakes Stadium, the Quakes have gone winless in the three of their last four games and beat Real Salt Lake FC 5-2 in their last meeting July 27th can the Quakes do it tonight?

Join London for Headline Sports each Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Will Samuel and Wilson injuries lessen 49ers chances against Seahawks this Sunday?

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Deebo Samuel (19) wide receiver of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped by a New England Patriot defender during last Sun Oct 25th’s game at Foxboro (photo from Draft Kings Nation)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel has a hamstring strain injury that will keep him out for the next two games against Seattle on Sunday and Nov 5th’s game against the Packers which he got during the 49ers visit to New England last Sunday.

#2 Running back Jeffrey Wilson who will be out a month got a high ankle injury in the Patriots visit on Sunday. Wilson who scored three touchdowns suffered the injury moments right after he scored the third touchdown in the game.

#3 Dave the 49ers have a short turnaround after Sunday’s game at Centurylink and host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. With the injuries the 49ers have will the short turnaround effect the team in their recovery.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 32 Years later the Dodgers win the World Series

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Cory Seager swings for an RBI single in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game 6 of the 2020 World Series on Tue Oct 27, 2020 at Globe Life Field in Arlington (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers as they completed the mission, by winning the 2020 World Series in six exciting games against the Tampa Bay Rays. Game Six: Dodgers 3 Rays 1. There are a lot of stories to be told in every World Series, in this one that of the young Cuban-born Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Randy Arozarena who established a new postseason record with 10 home runs, 28 RBIs, the affable Cuban-rookie was a highlight reel by himself.

Corey Seager, Dodgers shortstop won the Willie Mays MVP Award he hit .400 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI and no errors. Seager had a tremendous postseason spearheading this great offensive Blue Machine; he is now a Free Agent. Dodgers are a very rich organization and he should be rewarded with a juicy contract.

Seager gets a World Series ring, and also said he is buying two more rings as he announced he is getting married, right after their victory. Mookie Betts who came alive offensively with a double and a home run driving all three runs in that game six, and told David (Big Papi) Ortíz an analyst for FOX, when Ortíz told him he (Ortíz) would buy a present for himself after winning a World Series, (Mookie) was going to do something similar: “I think I am going to buy a Rolls Royce”. His contract-extension with the Dodgers was around $380 million, so he could buy more than one Rolls if he so desires.

The Dodgers did not have a positive Covid-19 test during the whole season, the Dodgers had the best record in baseball winning their division again for the eighth time-in-a-row, this time with 43-17 record during an abbreviated 60 game season. Dodgers veteran third baseman Justin Turner was removed from the series-clinching game six in the seventh inning, due to positive Covid-19 test, he was not there after the game to join his teammates for the celebration. This was announced after the game.

One move that will haunt Ray’s manager Kevin Cash for the rest of his life was removing his best pitcher, lefty Blake Snell in the six inning with a 1 to 0 lead, after totally dominating the powerful and difficult Dodgers lineup. But with this manager (like many other managers in today’s game) you win with the bullpen and you lose with the bullpen. His decision will be like a ghost that would be with him until he gets to win a World Series for his team.

You might have been too young, or maybe not even born, but it was in 1988 when the Los Angeles Dodgers upset the baseball world by beating the much superior Oakland Athletics in five games. This Series is mostly remembered as the pinch-hit walk-off home run hit by Dodgers Kirk Gibson against the best closer in baseball at that time, Fremont’s own Dennis Eckersley in Game 1. Gibson would never bat again in that Series. I was there with the A’s, the first of three World Series in a row for Tony LaRussa’s A’s.

Kirk Gibson could barely walk after some injuries he suffered during the NL Championship Series. I remember saying on the radio after the game something like: “It was Game One, but it had a Game Seven feeling” and also a bad omen for the Athletics.

When you talk about that ’88 Series most people remember it as the “Kirk Gibson moment”. It was pitcher Orel Hershiser who would be the MVP. He won it all that year as he led the league with 23 wins and 267 innings pitched winning the Cy Young, setting the all time scoreless streak at 59 innings. He also won the Gold Glove.

Orel was Superman, he won Game 2 and Game 5, pitched both complete games (18) innings allowed a total of seven hits, struck out 17 and had a 1.00 earned run average. In today’s baseball and in World Series history, that is one of the most dominant pitching performances, against the excellent and powerful offensive Oakland A’s team.

The 1988 AL Champion Oakland Athletics won 104 games and was maybe the best Tony LaRussa A’s team he managed during his 10 years as manager at Oakland. The A’s would go on to win it the next season, 1989 against the SF Giants in a historic Series stopped by 11 days because of an earthquake. That was the last time the Athletics won anything of significance in October.

Fast forward to 2020, the Year of the Dodgers, but not as the underdogs this time. They had the best record during the Covid 60-game season, with 43-17. After winning their eighth consecutive Western Division, they went into the playoffs swept the Milwaukee Braves in the two game Wild Card Series then eliminated the Atlanta Braves in an exciting seven game NL Championship Series. Stayed at Globe Life Field in Arlington to host the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays.

In 1988 the Dodgers were not the best team, but they beat the Athletics. But now 32 years later, the Dodgers had the best team and they won the World Series. For the Dodgers franchise this was their six World Championship title, one in Brooklyn in 1955 the other five in Los Angeles. LA crowned the Lakers NBA Champs just a couple of weeks ago, now herer come the Dodgers. I picked the Dodgers in six, in a previous article on this website,

So, we say Adiós to this historic 2020 season and until next Spring Training.

Stay well and stay tuned

Join Amaury each week for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Rays Snell goes up against Dodgers Gonsolin in game 6 tonight

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Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy rounds the bases as he’s cheered on by Cody Bellinger (35) and the Dodgers dugout in the fifth inning of the World Series game 5 at Globelife Stadium in Arlington. Both teams had Monday night off before game 6 on Tuesday. (LA Times photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Amaury it might have been a brief 60 game schedule for the regular season and a different format for the post season, and the Dodgers didn’t play at Dodger Stadium for the post season but none the less after losing three of the last three World Series the Dodgers have one more game to get a shot at the ring.

#2 Amaury Joe Pederson added to the Dodgers run tally with a home run in game 5 it proved to be important as the Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays by two runs 4-2.

#3 The Dodgers got some great pitching from starter Clayton Kershaw pitching over five innings and giving up two runs striking out six.

#4 Max Muncy also hit for a key home run in the fifth inning a 406 foot shot to center right and it was enough for the Dodgers to come away with the two run victory.

#5 A crucial game for both teams tonight at Arlington as the Rays need to win game 6 to tie and stay alive in the series and for the Dodgers to win game 6 to wrap their first World’s Championship in their last four World Series tries.

Join Amaury each Tuesday for an edition of That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Raiders to review the defense after getting clobbered by Bucs

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The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) in the first half of play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into Vegas leaving very little doubt from the first half of Sunday’s game that they were going to make some noise all afternoon.

#2 The Bucs got to work early with quarterback Tom Brady carrying the ball for a yard for their first score at 5:41 in the first quarter and in the second quarter Brady threw to Ron Gronkowski and Scotty Miller for touchdowns and the Bucs came away with a 21-10 first half lead.

#3 The Raiders best defensive effort was the third quarter where they held the Bucs to only a field goal but the Bucs came out in the the fourth quarter with Brady throwing touchdown passes to Chris Godwin and Tyler Johnson and running back Ronald Jones II carried for a one yard touchdown and the Bucs came away with a convincing 45-20 win.

#4 The Raiders outside that third quarter just couldn’t contain Brady and the Buc O line gave Brady enough protection for him to accomplish four touchdowns in the game.

#5 The Raiders who dropped to 3-3 face the Cleveland Browns (5-2) next Sunday in Cleveland. The Browns after winning four straight games struggled in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-7 in week 7 and last Sunday just got by the Cincinnati Bengals 37-34

Join Barbara for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

2020 World Series podcast with Larry Crino: Dodgers breath some new life take 3-2 series lead

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Its a bang bang play at the plate when the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate to catcher Austin Barnes to beat the head first slide of the Tampa Bay Rays Manuel Margot who attempted to steal home in game 5 at Globelife Park in Arlington on Sun Oct 25, 2020 (AP News photo)

2020 World Series podcast with Larry Crino:

#1 Larry how big is that come back for the Los Angeles Dodgers with starter Clayton Kershaw held the Tampa Bay Rays to just two runs.

#2 Larry, will the bobbled ball in center by AJ Pollock and the relay throw to the plate that got away from catcher Will Smith that scored two runs that was going to be an anti Kurt Gibson/Bill Bunckner moment for the Dodgers in a World Series but coming back in game 5 might help not reliving that game 4 follie.

#3 Larry, the Dodgers didn’t want to waste this one getting runs early with two in first and one in the second to get a leg up for the eventual 4-2 win.

#4 Larry, talk about Joe Pederson he’s been key in this post season and he got a home run to help in the Dodgers bid for the game 5 win.

#5 The Rays Manuel Margot tried to steal hone but it backfired when the throw from pitcher Kershaw who stepped off to catcher Austin Barnes beat him at the plate tell us about that play.

Join Larry Crino did the MLB podcasts during the 2020 season each Monday Larry will be back for the 2021 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal/Stanford podcast with Morris Phillips: Pac 12 Commish Scott missed 8 game playoff opportunity; plus more on Cal and Stanford

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Pac 12 Commissioner Larry Scott stands in front of So Fi Stadium in Inglewood addressing the media back on Feb 26, 2020. Scott tried to get the Pac 12 an eight game playoff format in September but those plans got rejected (AP News photo)

Cal/Stanford podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the Pac 12 Commissioner Larry Scott made news today he was called incompetent by missing a change to have an eight team playoff.

#2 Scott could have had a better playoff that had eight teams but delayed and missed an opportunity and the deal he settled for got rejected in September by the College Football Playoff management committee.

#3 Morris how important is it when Cal Senior Associate Athletic Director Josh Hummel says it’s important to bring back student athletes for voluntary conditioning workouts?

#4 Morris Cal quarterback Chase Garbers has started 19 of his last 21 games with a 13-6 record is remarkably 13-2 in games he’s played more than half the game.

#5 Morris for Stanford quarterback Davis Mills has played in his last eight games and made six starts, throwing for 1960 yards and 11 touchdowns how solid do you see him at quarterback in the all six game Pac 12 schedule?

Join Morris each Monday for the Cal/Stanford podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers dismantle Patriots, 33-6, in Foxboro behind Jeff Wilson’s 3 TDs; four takeaways from the defense

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets the blocking in first half action against the New England Patriots on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in Foxboro. 49ers running back Jeffrey Wilson carried for three touchdowns in the contest. (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

FOXBORO, MA — The San Francisco 49ers should enjoy the plane ride back to Santa Clara, after earning a 33-6 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday evening at a fan-less Gillette Stadium.

The 49ers (4-3) keeps pace in a stacked NFC West as they will now enter a pivotal Week 8 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco may have to travel to Seattle without two key players in wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and running back Jeff Wilson (ankle), both leaving Sunday’s win with injuries and didn’t return to the game.

For the second straight game, the 49ers scored a TD on their opening possession. Last week, San Francisco marched down the field on the Los Angeles Rams and scored a TD to quickly claim a 7-0 lead.

This week, the 49ers set the tone of the game by finishing off a nine-play 75-yard drive with the first of Wilson’s three TDs in the game. In the first half, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense racked up 301 yards of production and claimed a 23-3 lead at halftime.

Wilson was the workhorse for the 49ers, who were thin at running back with both Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman out with injuries. San Francisco listed Wilson as questionable for the game after sitting out the previous two games with a calf injury. In a surprising move, Wilson got his third career start and didn’t disappoint as he posted a career-high in rushing yards.

All in the first half.

Wilson, whose previous career-best was 90 yards against the Denver Broncos late in the 2018 season, rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in 30 minutes of action. He finished with 17 carries for 112 yards and a career-best three touchdowns before exiting the game with an ankle injury in the middle of the third quarter.

Wilson was taken to the 49ers locker room on a cart. He was injured on a 7-yard scoring run that gave the 49ers a commanding 30-6 lead.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played good, but not great in his return to Foxboro. The former Patriot backup signal caller completed 20 of 25 pass attempts for 277 yards (with two interceptions in the first half).

Garoppolo made plays early, converting a third-and-3 after breaking a tackle in the backfield to pick up four yards. He also connected on sharp passes to Samuel for 23- and 14-yard gains to keep drives alive. Garoppolo had completions to six different receivers, but it was rookie wideout Brandon Aiyuk who benefited the most.

Aiyuk finished with a career-high six receptions for 115 yards.

San Francisco did a tremendous job in controlling the clock in the game, dominating the time of possession over the Patriots (38:23-21:37) while picking up 26 first downs to just 17 for New England, and racking up 467 yards of total offense.

The 49ers ran 63 offensive plays, compared to just 49 by the Patriots, who looked anemic for the entirety of the game.

Garoppolo got the better result in his head-to-head matchup with Cam Newton, who had a rough performance completing just nine of 15 pass attempts for 98 yards an three interceptions. Newton was benched in the second half and replaced by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

San Francisco’s defense put the clamps on Newton and the Patriots’ offense.

The 49ers limited New England to just 241 yards and 1 for 6 on third downs. New England’s scoring consisted of two Nick Folk field goals from 40 and 41 yards.

49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, who is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, has been a lifesaver for San Francisco this season. Warner was all over the field, leading the team with seven tackles and one of the four interceptions by the defense. Warner’s second quarter interception was his second on the season.

Cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley (one) and Jamar Taylor (two) had the other interceptions for the 49ers.

With the Niners holding a 20-point lead at halftime, the Patriots had just 59 yards of total offense.

Meanwhile, the Patriots (2-4) have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2002. The 27-point loss at home was the worse under head coach Bill Belichick.