2-for-1 October Sports Launch
10/01/2024By: Jeff Yoder
Happy October!
Monday’s sports featured two-for-one doubleheaders of content, and that’s the cadence we expect throughout the rest of October. The Mets and Braves brought champagne and drama to the Wild Card party. Jared Goff and the Lions were perfect, and that’s not hyperbole. Goff was historically perfect (18-for-18). We’re getting into MLB Playoffs, NFL Picks, Game Balls and much more in today’s edition before the WNBA Playoffs and Champions League return.
On a much sadder note, sports legends Pete Rose and Dikembe Mutombo passed away yesterday. We’ll remember both at the bottom of today’s edition.
Letter Rip!
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MLB
MLB 2-for-1: The Wild Card Frenzy
Mets & Braves Split Doubleheader to Both Reach Playoffs & Knock Out D-Backs
My, oh my. Monday’s Braves-Mets twin bill was one for the ages. The Hurricane-delayed doubleheader made it an unofficial win-and-in regular-season finale, and the pair of NL East rivals split wins to cap one of the craziest Wild Card finishes in recent memory. The Mets came from behind to take Game 1 (8-7) in an instant classic. New York trailed 3-0 before a six-run top of the 8th inning. The Braves retook the lead, but Franciso Lindor hit a go-ahead HR in the 9th. Pure bedlam for Mets fans. That win secured a Wild Card bid for the Mets and forced the Braves to make a critical decision for Game 2 — start Chris Sale or save him for the playoffs? Well, neither.
It was later announced Sale was dealing with back spasms. Instead, six arms from the Atlanta pen pulled off a 3-0 shutout in Game 2 to get Atlanta through. It’s the Braves’ seventh straight trip to the postseason despite injuries galore in 2024. And with the split, the Diamondbacks got left out in the cold. This Wild Card race couldn’t have been any closer (see records below).
NL Wild Card Race (Final Standings)
WC2: Braves (89-73)
WC3: Mets (89-73)
Eliminated: Diamondbacks (89-73)
Game 1: Mets Rally to Beat Braves (8-7)
Game 2: Braves’ Pen Pitches Shutout (3-0)
Read More
MLB: ‘Destiny Was On Us’: Mets Prevail in All-Time Classic to Clinch WC Berth
Yahoo! Sports: Braves Star Chris Sale Secures NL Triple Crown, But He’ll Miss Wild Card Series
October Has Arrived!
The MLB Playoff Bracket is Set
And with that wild finale in Atlanta, the playoff picture is crystal clear. Both the Braves and Mets hopped on planes immediately after the doubleheader to get set for today’s NLWC Game 1s. It’s a four-pack today to launch playoff baseball. October is here!
Wild Card Schedule (Today)
AL, G1: Tigers at Astros (2:30 pm ET, ABC)
AL, G1: Royals at Orioles (4:00 pm ET, ESPN2)
NL, G1: Mets at Brewers (5:30 pm ET, ESPN)
NL, G1: Braves at Padres (8:30 pm ET, ESPN)
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NFL
MNF 2-for-1: Goff’s Perfect Game
Lions QB Jared Goff (18-for-18) Breaks NFL Record for Most Passes Without an Incompletion as Lions Hand Seahawks 1st Loss
If one 2-for-1 wasn’t enough, the NFL featured two more games in the sports nightcap. One wasn’t so thrilling, though. The Titans beat the Dolphins (31-12) in a snoozer between backup QBs Mason Rudolph and Tyler Huntley. But the scene in Detroit was highlight heaven. Jared Goff broke the NFL record for the most passes in a game without throwing an incompletion (18), and the Lions hung 42 on the stout Seattle defense in a shootout. We’ll recap both games in less than 30 seconds.
History in the Motor City! The Seahawks went into Detroit last night as one of the last three undefeated teams, but that defense got exposed by the Lions. We already mentioned Goff’s perfect night, but this game had must-see highlights on both sides of the ball. It was the highest-scoring game of Week 4 (71 points) by 11 points. Goff threw for 292 yards and 2 TDs, but he also caught a TD from Amon-Ra St. Brown. All of the Lions’ playmakers got in on the action. Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III scampered for 3 TDs, including one epic topsy-turvy first down. These highlights will not disappoint. Lions (3-1) / Seahawks (3-1)
Okay, okay. So the BOGO (buy one get one) came with one less desirable item. Sorry, Dolphins and Titans fans. With Tua Tagovailoa still recovering and both teams in complete tailspins, this game was ugly. It had three turnovers, four field goals and five punts in the first half (no touchdowns). Tennessee backup QB Mason Rudolph replaced an injured Will Levis, but neither team had more than 250 yards of total offense. It was the Titans’ first win of the year, though. The only player with noteworthy stats over 100 yards was Titans RB Tony Pollard (24 touches, 108 yards, 1 TD). Both teams are now 1-3, and we can safely put them in the bottom of tomorrow’s NFL Power Rankings. Dolphins (1-3) / Titans (1-3)
Read More
SI: Jared Goff Made NFL History With Perfect Game on Monday Night Football
B/R: Dolphins’ HC Mike McDaniel Roasted by NFL Fans for Struggles Without Tua Tagovailoa
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STORYLINES
The WNBA’s 60 Minutes Interview
It’s been a year unlike any the WNBA has seen. Players Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, and Aliyah Boston talk about sold-out arenas and the physicality of the league. (60 Minutes, Video)
Week 4 answered some early-season questions for teams off to questionable starts. The Ravens are back as Super Bowl contenders. The Jets? Not so much. And they’re not alone. (The Ringer)
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NEWS
Italy Probe Eyes Mafia Link to AC Milan & Inter Milan Fan Clubs (ESPN)
Giants Promote Buster Posey to President of Baseball Ops After Firing Farhan Zaidi (Yahoo! Sports)
Knicks Players & Coaches Dance Around Karl-Anthony Towns Questions at Media Day (CBS Sports)
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Reportedly Gained 25 Pounds in Offseason (B/R)
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey Reportedly Has Achilles Tendinitis in Both Legs (SI)
MLB Reverting to Old Uniforms Next Season After Player Complaints (CBS Sports)
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SCHEDULE
Tonight’s Must-Watch List
MLB Playoffs (Wild Card)
AL, G1: Tigers at Astros (2:30 pm ET, ABC)
AL, G1: Royals at Orioles (4:00 pm ET, ESPN2)
NL, G1: Mets at Brewers (5:30 pm ET, ESPN)
NL, G1: Braves at Padres (8:30 pm ET, ESPN)
UEFA Champions League (Matchday 2)
Arsenal vs. PSG (3:00 pm ET, Par+)
Barcelona vs. Young Boys (3:00 pm ET, Par+)
Leverkusen vs. AC Milan (3:00 pm ET, Par+)
Borussia Dortmund vs. Celtic (3:00 pm ET, Par+)
WNBA Playoffs (Semifinals)
G2: Aces at Liberty (7:30 pm ET, ESPN2)
NY Leads Series (1-0)
G2: Sun at Lynx (9:30 pm ET, ESPN2)
CONN Leads Series (1-0)
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IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Pete Rose
MLB’s Hit King, 3X World Series Champ, And Ultimate Hustler Passes Away at Age 83
The baseball world lost one of its all-time greats and most controversial players on Monday. Pete Rose, the MLB all-time leader in hits (4,256), games (3,562) and at-bats (14,053) died at age 83. The cause of his death is still unconfirmed. Rose was undoubtedly baseball’s main attraction for the better part of a quarter-century (1963-1986). He won three World Series titles, including two with the Reds (1975-76) and one with the Phillies (1980), along with 17 All-Star nods in 24 seasons.
Most notably, Rose’s legacy became synonymous with his actions as the Reds’ manager in the 80s. He received a lifetime ban for betting on baseball. He was never reinstated, and he never reached the Hall of Fame. Regardless, “Charlie Hustle” was still a key chapter in baseball’s lengthy history.
Read More
ABC News: Baseball Legend Pete Rose Dies at the Age of 83
NY Times: Pete Rose, Baseball Star Who Earned Glory & Shame, Dies at 83
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Dikembe Mutombo
The NBA’s Finger-Wagging, Shot-Blocking Legend Passes Away From Brain Cancer at Age 58
One of the NBA’s larger-than-life personalities passed away on Monday. Dikembe Mutombo, 58, died from brain cancer after spending the last two years undergoing treatments. Famous for being one of the league’s greatest shot-blockers, his deep booming voice and that iconic finger wag, Mutombo was a basketball icon. The 7-foot-2 Congo native played 18 seasons for six teams before retiring in 2009. He was an eight-time All-Star who ranks 20th all-time in rebounds and second in blocked shots (3,289) to only Hakeem Olajuwon. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Beyond the court, Mutombo was the NBA HQ’s first Global Ambassador. He was a true humanitarian and a major role model for numerous players impacted by the NBA’s Africa League.
Read More
Yahoo! Sports: Basketball World Reacts to Loss of Mutombo: ‘Just a Great Human Being’
SI: Relive the Classic Exchange Between Dikembe Mutombo & Michael Jordan at the All-Star Game