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MLB The Show 2019 Postseason podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cole enjoys what could be his last days in Houston; Yanks in front of Twins with 2-0 lead; plus more

Published on October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from latimes.com: The Astros’ Gerrit Cole struck out 15 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rays in Game 2 the ALDS.

On the MLB The Show 2019 Postseason podcast with Daniel:

1 Astros’ Gerrit Cole making the most of what might be his last days in Houston

2 Yankees in the driver’s seat with 2-0 lead over Minnesota in ALDS

3 NLDS – Braves, Cards even at 1-1, Nats unsure if Max Scherzer will start game 3 vs. Dodgers

4 A’s Bob Melvin, Billy Beane believe Khris Davis will bounce back

5 Giants working to get GM in place while searching for manager

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Oakland A’s after 2019

Published on October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 by Sports Radio Service1 Comment

photo from bleacherreport.com: Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin says a game could go right down to a home run or a strikeout.

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

There are basically four ways of building a championship team:
1. Farms system
2. Free Agent signings
3. MLB Draft
4. Trade of players

Of course not one is always the easiest, but instead, a combination of all four.

“The focus next year will be winning more games and trying to win our division,” said manager Bob Melvin after the A’s lost the Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 at the Oakland Coliseum.

For the second year in a row, the A’s ended 97-65 in second place behind the Houston Astros. The last game of the season this year at the Coliseum had a record 54,005 attendance, a record for a Wild Card game in all of baseball. Unfortunately, the same results for the Green and Gold dating back to 2000. The A’s have lost nine consecutive winner-take all games. We have to go back to the team of the 1973 World Series’ Game 7 against the New York Mets. That was the last time the A’s won a do or die game.

In today’s baseball, things are much different. We are now in a game where is down to “home-run” or “strikeout” — both keep going up each season. For the record, winning the division is important, like Melvin mentioned, but let’s not forget that in 2005 the Atlanta Braves won the Division championship for the 14th consecutive year (1991-2005). That is the current MLB record for winning consecutive division titles. However, during that record-setting streak the Braves, under manager Bobby Cox, only won one World Series in 1995 over the Cleveland Indians. In 2014, Cox was elected to the Hall of Fame as a manager by the veterans committee.

Under the current system, it is much difficult to make it all the way to the October Classic — especially for a wild card team — with the goal of winning 12 games in the postseason to bring home the hardware.Winning your division is definitely a better way of going into the postseason for obvious reasons. A one-game Wild Card playoff is basically a “coin flip” on who is going to win. In the case of the game against Tampa Bay, I did agree with starting Sean Manaea, who was pitching great after his return, but we also have to respect Rays pitcher Charlie Morton, an established mainstay in their rotation with experience, a guy that made the last out of the World Series giving the Astros the title two years ago.

The last handful of games during the regular season the A’s were not hitting, scoring one to three runs per game and unfortunately that carried into the October 2 Wild Card game against the Rays in a 5-1 loss. The future is bright for the young A’s who are getting younger in their rotation for 2020 with Luzardo. Montas. AJ Puk joining Sean Manaea and Mike Fiers. Minus a couple of relievers and possibly Jurickson Profar the A’s position players will be mostly the same as this year. They will not need the services of veteran pitcher rentals Homer Bailey and Roark. Piscotty and Ramon Laureano now could be joined in left field by Seth Brown a young player with talent who hits left-handed. Khris Davis could use this off season to clear his mind and work toward adjusting his batting so he can have a new approach to hitting and be the Khris Davis that we all know.

Do not expect the A’s to be actively trading this winter because they do not need to They still have the core of the young players under contract. In my opinion, Marcus Semien — the team’s MVP this season — should win in arbitration.

I picked the Houston Astros to win the World Series before the season began. After they picked up starter Zack Greinke on July 31, my opinion became much more easy to make. But it is baseball, and it is not perfect science. I remember the 1988 World Series all too well, when the A’s lost to the Dodgers. I worked that series, and after that series, I learned that anything is possible in baseball so the main thing is to make it to the World Series and bring home the trophy. That should be every team’s goal. Postseasons are nice, the fans love it and get into it, but sometimes you have to deliver and go much deeper into October.

As for the A’s, they will have to wait another year for that chance and hopefully in 2020 they could be playing at the end of October.

Amaury Pi-González is the pioneer in establishing Spanish radio play-by-play broadcasts in the Bay Area since the middle of the 1970’s with the Oakland Athletics. He has been a longtime contributor to sportsradioservice.com

Raiders come up with huge win in London 24-21

Published on October 6, 2019October 6, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from sfgate.com: Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) goes in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in London.

By Jeremy Kahn

After seeing the Chicago Bears come all the way back to a take 21-17 lead, the Oakland Raiders showed absolutely no quit in their offense.

Josh Jacobs scored on a two-yard run with just 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, helping the Raiders to a 24-21 victory over the Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

With the victory, the Raiders have won back-to-back games for the first time since the 2017 season.

After the touchdown, the Bears began to drive the ball down the field, but Chase Daniel, playing quarterback for the Bears for the injured Mitchell Trubisky threw an interception that Gareon Conley snared at the Raiders 23-yard line that gave the ball to the Raiders; however, the Raiders could not run the clock and were forced to give the ball back to the Bears with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

Maurice Hurst came up with the biggest play of the game, as he sacked Daniel to end the game and Raiders swarmed the field in jubilation.

The Raiders got on the scoreboard with just five seconds gone in the second quarter, as Jacobs scored from 12 yards to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

It turned out to be a big day for Jacobs, who scored two touchdowns on 26 carries and eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time, as he ran 123 yards.

The eventual game-winning drive for the Raiders saw everything, as they started on their own three-yard line, eventually were forced to punt the ball on fourth-and-6; however, the Bears were called for running into the kicker, giving the Raiders a second chance. With a short fourth-and-1, the Raiders took a gamble and faked the punt and got the first down; however, Erik Harris gained three yards to give the Raiders the first down.

Derek Carr came up with a 23-yard completion to Foster Moreau on third-and-1 to extend the drive that ended with Jacobs getting into the end zone for the second time on the afternoon.

Former Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack was held in check by the Raiders offensive line, as he came with a fumble that saw Carr and Jacobs miscommunicate on a pitchout.

That fumble turned into a touchdown, as David Montgomery scored from a yard out to get the Bears on the board.

Daniel got going after Montgomery touchdown, as he then threw two touchdowns to Allen Robinson that gave the Bears a 21-17 lead.

The Raiders drove down to the Bears one-yard line, but Trevor Davis fumbled the ball and the ball was recovered by Prince Amukamara at the Bears own one-yard line.

Luckily, for the Raiders, who were called for a roughing the passer on Hurst, the Bears could not put the game away and the Raiders took over on their own three-yard line and it culminated in the Jacobs two-yard touchdown run in the waning moments.

Carr went 25-for-32 for 229 yards on the evening, as the Raiders go into the bye week on a high note.

Moreau led the Raiders with 46 yards receiving, as he was one of three Raiders to have four catches, as Davis and Darren Waller also caught four passes.

UP NEXT: Following the bye week, the Raiders return to the road, as they will travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers on October 20.

Warriors drop opening pre-season game to Los Angeles Lakers 123-101

Published on October 5, 2019October 6, 2019 by rxsluggerLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo

by Jerry Feitelberg

SAN FRANCISCO- The new-look Golden State Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 123-101 Saturday night at the Chase Center. It was the first pro basketball game in the new arena, and since it was a pre-season game, the results do not count. The Warriors are missing several players from their championship run.

Kevin Durant has gone to Brooklyn even though he will not play this season due to injury. Klay Thompson will not be available until after the All-Star game in February. His scoring and defensive play will be missed. The Warriors traded Andre Iguodala to Memphis, and Shaun Livingston retired. Backup guard Quinn Cook, who was a free agent, signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers are also a new-look team. They traded for Anthony Davis. They signed Dwight Howard. They re-signed former Warrior JaVale McGee. They also have Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo returning.

The Lakers won the first quarter 33-20. The Warriors outscored them in the second quarter 31-26. The Lakers won the third and fourth quarters to win easily 123-101.

Game Notes and Stats- The Warriors’ starters, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and D’Angelo Russell, each played about 17 minutes in the game. Draymond did not score, but he had 7 boards and 5 assists. Russell scored four points in his time on the court. Curry had 18 points and made one three in five attempts.

The Warriors bench players had the following results. Rookie Eric Paschall played 24 minutes and had 11 points, 3 boards, and an assist. Rookie Jordan Poole helped out with 17. Glen Robinson had four points. Jacob Evans III played 18 minutes and had 9 points. Damian Lee knocked down 9 in 15 minutes of action. Third-year veteran Marquese Chiss had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 13 minutes of play.

The W’s were missing Willie Cauley-Stein due to an ankle injury. Kevon Looney did not play either.

The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis. Davis scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds in 18 minutes of work. LeBron James had 15. Former Warrior JaVale McGee had 10 points and 16 boards in his 16 minutes on the floor. Dwight Howard added nine, and guard Alex Caruso had 10.

The Warriors have their work cut out for them as they are trying to rebuild. It will take time for the new players to mesh with the veterans. Many questions are surrounding the Warriors. Will the new players fit in? Will the Warriors be good on defense? Can coach Kerr and the coaching staff get them ready for the regular season? Will they make the playoffs?

The Western Division has improved. The Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets as well as the Lakers have all made significant improvements. Will the Warriors be competitive? These questions will be answered throughout the 82-game season. One pre-season loss does not make a season. Those questions will be answered when the bell ring to start the 2019-2020 season.

Cardinal use ferocious defensive attack for huge upset over No. 15 ranked Huskies 23-13

Published on October 5, 2019October 6, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo from sfgate.com: Stanford’s Simi Fehoko leaps in front of Washington’s Elijah Molden to catch a first-quarter pass. Fehoko had three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.

by Marko Ukalovic

PALO ALTO–The Stanford Cardinal football team used a stifling defense and a balanced offensive attack to execute a huge upset over the number 15th ranked Washington Huskies 23-13 on Saturday evening at Stanford Stadium.

Stanford came into the game as a 16.5 point underdog. The victory is their second in a row after after a three-game losing streak.

Stanford (3-3, 1-2) received the opening kickoff and marched down the field led by junior quarterback David Mills, who was making his second start of the season after replacing K.J. Costello last week against Oregon State. Mills led an 11 play, 82 yard drive, that chewed off 5:09 off the clock, only to have it stall out at the Huskie two yard line. Kicker Jet Toner easily made a 20 yard chip shot to give the Cardinal an early 3-0 lead.

Washington (4-2, 1-2) junior quarterback Jacob Eason was supposed to have a breakout game against a Stanford defense that was giving up an average of almost 35 points a game in their previous four contests.

However, Stanford was able to put consistent pressure on Eason, forcing him out of the pocket which resulted in incompletions from errant throws. Even when Eason did have time to throw the ball. the Cardinal secondary were up to the task knocking balls away from the hands of Huskie receivers.

Down 7-6 five minutes into the second quarter, Mills connected on a 42 yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Simi Fehoko, who was wide open down the right sideline and glided in for the touchdown and a 13-7 lead that Stanford never reliquished.

Washington kicker Peyton Henry kicked a 25 yard field goal with 5:59 remaining in the second quarter to pull the Huskies to within 13-10 at halftime. That was as close as they would get to Stanford on the scoreboard.

Stanford controlled the time of posession by a six and half minute margin in the first half 18:36 to 11:24. They finished the game with a nearly two-to-one margin 39:01 to 20:59.

“So to always quote the great Chip Kelly”, said Stanford head coach David Shaw. “Time of possession means nothing unless you score touchdowns. Usually at the end of the game, time of possession means one thing to me: Means we have the lead and we’re running the ball well.”

In the opening drive of the second half, it looked like Washington was going to make a run as a big play from Eason to Aaron Fuller for 35 yards setup the Huskies inside the Stanford defensive zone. However the Cardinal made a huge stop on 4th and 2 from their own 13 yard line to take over on downs. It set the tone for the rest of the evening as the defense kept Washington big play offense from making any kind of an impact down the stretch.

The Cardinal offense controlled the game with a career rushing game from running back Cameron Scarlett. The fifth year senior ran for 92 of his 151 yards in the second half, including a four-yard touchdown with 6:02 remaining in the third quarter to give the Cardinal a two-score lead essentially putting the game out of reach for the Huskies.

“Just an outstanding game by Cameron Scarlett”, said Shaw. “Probably one of the biggest plays of the night was in pass protection and if you know the truth about that, was the biggest challenge we gave Cam this year was that he needs to be a great pass protector.”

Scarlett had never had a 100-yard rushing game in his career, with his previous best at 97 yards.

“Yeah I knew today was going to be the day”, said Scarlett when asked if he thought tonight was going to be the night he broke the 100-yard threshold. “I’ve been sick and tired of rushing for 90 yards, the 92, 97 I see that. One thing I wanted to get over a hundred for sure and wanted to do whatever I could to make sure the offense could move the ball and I did that.”

Eason finished the game 16-36 for 206 yards and one touchdown, his first in Pac-12 play this season, a 3 yarder to sophomore tight end Cade Otton. The lone bright spot for the Huskie’s offense was Fuller’s performance of nine catches for 171 yards.

“A quarterback like that, you let him sit back there, he’ll pick you apart”, said Shaw regarding Eason’s abilities. “Thankfully we made him move and throw the ball away a couple of times and made him tuck it a couple of times. We were able to rush the passer with some regularity.”

Mills, who left the game midway throug the fourth quarter with some discomfort, finished 21-30 for 293 yards and one touchdown. Fehoko finished the game with three catches for 91 yards.

GAME NOTES: Stanford was penalized 9 times for 70 yards. Washington was 4 for 34 yards.

3rd Down Conversions: Stanford 6/14 Washington 2/12 and never converted a third down in the second half (0-7).

The Huskies have lost six consecutive games at Stanford Stadium. Their last win in Palo Alto was back in 2007.

Stanford’s senior right guard Henry Hattis suffered a lower body injury with 6:20 left in the third quarter and had to be carted off the field. He did not return to the game.

Washington’s redshirt freshman running back Richard Newton, who led the team in rushing with 64 yards on 10 carries, was injured after a rushing play with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter.

The announced attendance was 33,225.

UP NEXT: The Cardinal have a bye next weekend and return back to action on Thursday 10/17 when they host UCLA in a Pac-12 matchup.

Sharks’ offense + defense don’t = a win in 3-1 loss

Published on October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 by smallforceLeave a comment

mercurynews.com photo: San Jose Sharks goaltender Aaron Dell (30) who saved 30 shots but allowed three in the Sharks third consecutive loss in Anaheim to the Mighty Ducks

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ ANAHEIM– It was roughly more of the same all around, including another injury, as the Ducks (2-0-0) handed San Jose (0-3-0) zero points Saturday.

There were giveaways, the first coming from Sharks’ goalie Aaron Dell, the same number one in the goal column and Marcus Sorensen left in the second after 7:27 of ice time.

San Jose Coach Peter DeBoer replied regarding tonight’s effort, “…I thought for three in four nights and being on the road, I thought especially our big guys played really hard…The first goal is a tough one…changes the mindset early. Especially against a guy like (John) Gibson at the other end.”

Anaheim has averaged two goals in their last four games, going back to the preseason and in contrast, the Sharks have only had a goal in each of their last four games.

Special teams followed suit with the way its been with the Ducks killing their last 24 penalties and San Jose 0-for-33 on their power plays. Players postgame had some positives compared to the last two games, “some good shifts,” and the “power play.” The Sharks had four opportunities on the night offensively with five shots during their third power play.

A day after San Jose recalled Jacob Middleton from the San Jose Barracuda, they had to call up Trevor Carrick pregame after Middleton was hurt Friday.

The Sharks gave up their first goal by way of another defensive lapse. The puck went from Dell to Ondrej Kase and Michael Del Zotto. Dell was recovering the puck from the boards.

The fight of the game came at 11:28 between San Jose’s Brenden Dillon and the Ducks’ Nicolas Deslauriers.

Anaheim had a two-man advantage for one second when after Lean Bergmann was called for slashing, Kevin Labanc was whistled for hooking with one second left. San Jose was able to fend off six shots and two missed ones.

The Sharks evened the shot total at 22 in the second period with a 15-10 advantage but found themselves down 3-1.

San Jose had three straight shots to start off the second, one at 33 seconds and two 42 seconds onto the ice.

They then got a power play at 2:22. Dell ended up giving the puck away again, this time to Adam Henrique, but Dell was able to get back in place to block his shot.

The Sharks tied it up when Dillon, who looked to take a shot from the point, instead passed it off to Erik Karlsson who fed Logan Couture. The captain took aim from the right faceoff circle and found a friendly place for the puck at 5:44.

San Jose’s lead lasted just under a minute when Ryan Getzlaf was found without a defender. He skated right up to Dell and made it 2-1 with the puck around Dell’s left side.

Dell ended up making a quality save versus Carter Rowney, but it came as as result of a Mario Ferraro giveaway.

Another injury occurred when Sorensen ended up in the end boards after taking a shot at Gibson.

Henrique ended up having success against Dell when he gave the Ducks their final two-goal lead at 18:48. Featuring tired Sharks, a neutral zone giveaway by Tomas Hertl started the play and then it looked like Labanc gave up midway while defending Henrique, giving him time and space.

Up Next: Karlsson had the most shift ice time with an average of 1:09. San Jose will now have their most rest of the regular season and Evander Kane back as they head to Nashville for the second of their three-game road trip to take on the Predators Tuesday at 5pm.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Will four former Sharks be missed from this year’s team?

Published on October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: defendingbigd.com

On the Sharks podcast with Mary:

#1 With former San Jose Sharks Gustav Nyquist, Justin Braun, Joe Pavelski, and Joonas Donskoi no longer with the team, has their absence been a pretty obvious issue with their rough preseason and opening game in Vegas and Friday night at SAP or is it an adjustment with this season’s roster?

#2 The Sharks played the Vegas Golden Knights three times, two in preseason and once in regular season. Was their play in the opener reflective of who this team is? It’s early, but are they trying to fill holes or are they trying to find their chemistry?

#3 The Sharks lost to the Knights by three goals. The Knights came out in the first period scoring twice and once in each of the second and third periods. The Knights looked like the dominant team on Thursday night. Sharks lost by four on Friday night and starter Marty Jones was pulled in the third period for goalie Aaron Dell.

#4 Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer said that the Knights are a fast starting team and the goal is not to get behind early and the Knight are noted for their potent offense. The Knights virtually could have shutout the Sharks on Friday night but got a four goal win 5-1 at SAP Center on San Jose ice.

#5 One thing the Knights haven’t forgotten is how they lost a 3-0 lead in Game 7 of last year’s playoffs and lost the first round of the playoffs.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show 2019 Postseason podcast with Matt Harrington: Verlander throws Hall of Fame stuff as Astros take Game 1; Yankees, Braves and Nats win

Published on October 5, 2019October 5, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo: The Houston Astros’ Justin Verlander, who struck out eight Tampa Bay Rays hitters on Friday night in Houston, picked up his first win in the ALDS.

On the MLB The Show 2019 Postseason podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is doing his Dizzy Dean or Hall of Fame best as he shuts the door on the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Verlander has a career 14-7 record in postseason play.

#2 Verlander threw for seven solid innings, giving up only one hit and eight strikeouts. He looked like he could have pitched well enough to complete the game.

#3 Verlander got some run support a home run from Jose Altuve and the Astros scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to add onto their run production.

#4 Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Foltynewicz threw shutout ball for seven innings giving up three hits, and seven strikeouts. He looked good enough to complete the game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

#5 After the Dodgers shutout the Washington Nationals on Thursday night, the Nats came right back and defeated Los Angeles by two runs 4-2 to tie the series at 1-1. Strasburg, who started for the Nats, pitched six, for three hits, one run, and 10 strikeouts.

#6 The New York Yankees win with a defeat over the Minnesota Twins 10-4 on Friday. The Yankees’ DJ Le Mahieu drove in four runs and hit a home run to provide some offense.

Golden Knights spoil Sharks’ home opener 5-1

Published on October 4, 2019October 5, 2019 by rxsluggerLeave a comment

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Jose- It was the second game of the season and the first one at home for the San Jose Sharks Friday night. The Vegas Golden Knights downed the Sharks 4-1 Wednesday night in Las Vegas, and they stopped the Sharks cold 5-1 Friday night in San Jose. The Sharks were outplayed at both ends of the ice and didn’t score until there were just five minutes and fifty-five seconds left to play in the third period. Sharks’ head coach Pete DeBoer had to be disappointed with the play of his team for the first two games of the season. The Sharks play the Anaheim Ducks Saturday night in Anaheim, and they are hoping to recover and get on the winning track.

The Golden Knight scored twice in the first period. With 5:01 played, William Carrier scored the Knights’ first goal of the game. He was assisted by Tomas Nosek and Valentin Zykov. Jonathan Marchessault made it 2-0 with a tip-in at 14:09. The assist went to Shea Theodore.

In the second period, the Sharks allowed two short-handed to goals to fall behind 4-0. The Knights’ Brayden McNabb beat Sharks’ goalie Martin Jones for the score. William Karlsson and Reilly Smith assisted. Tomas Nosek scored his first goal of the night at the 16:50 mark. Brandon Pirri and Mark Stone earned points for the assist.

Aaron Dell started the third period in goal for the Sharks. Nosek scored his second goal of the night with 9:43 played. Mark Stone picked up his second assist of the night. Nosek had quite a night with two goals and an assist. The Sharks finally got on the board with five minutes and fifty-five seconds left to play. Barclay Goodrow put a bach-handed shot past Marc-Andre Fleury for the score. After the goal was scored, three players from each team were involved in a fight. After the penalties were assessed, three Golden Knights, William Karlsson, Nicolas Hague, and Deryk Engelland were given 10-minute gross misconduct penalties. The Sharks’ Joe Thornton and Barclay Goodrow were also given 10-minute gross misconduct penalties. Marcus Sorenson received a two-minute penalty for roughing. The Golden Knights won the game 5-1.

Game Notes- The Golden Knights dominated the Sharks in the first two games of the season. They are starting their third season of play in the NHL, and they appear capable of continuing their excellent play. They went to the Stanly Cup finals in their first year of existence. Last year they were eliminated by the Sharks. The Sharks have work to do. They lost their captain, Joe Pavelski, to the Dallas Stars. Pavelski scored a lot of goals for San Jose, and he is missed. The Sharks will have to find a way to replace him. While it is early in the season, they cannot afford to go down 0-3 to start the year. They have players that can put the puck past the opponents’ goalie. It’s time for them to get going.