Saturday’s 6-pack:
Over/under win totals for next season:
62.5— Oklahoma City
55.5— Cleveland
54.5— Houston
53.5— Denver
52.5— New York
51.5— Orlando
Quote of the Day
“The best thing we do here is practice. That’s the core of what we do.”
Mike Leach
Saturday’s quiz
Where did Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor play his college football?
Friday’s quiz
Since 1998, Cincinnati Reds (2) have the fewest wins in playoff games.
Thursday’s quiz
In the history of the New York Mets, David Wright has the most hits.
****************************************************
Thunder has signed its nucleus of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to contracts totaling $822M, which is a lot of cabbage.
By way of comparison, the Seattle SuperSonics, who were the Thunder before they moved to Oklahoma, the Sonics’ entire franchise sold for $350M in 2006.
— In case you’re wondering, the first athlete to earn $1M a year was Nolan Ryan, in 1979.
— Phoenix Suns’ star Devin Booker signed a two-year, $145M extension thru the 2029-30 season.
If you have a young son who is athletic and might be kind of tall, get him a basketball, a hoop and send him outside to practice. A lot.
— NBA Summer League is going on for the next week in Las Vegas; guys competing very hard to become NBA players. You need to be great at one or two things to have a shot at making a roster. Shooting is marketable.
— Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander doesn’t have a win in 15 starts this year; until this year, he had never had fewer than three wins in any 15-game span in his entire career.
Three of Verlander’s starts this year have gone into extra innings.
In his other 12 starts, Giants scored a total of only 25 runs.
— Best records this year in one-run games:
Astros 18-8
Tigers 14-7
Angels 18-11
Padres 20-13
Cubs 14-8
Mariners 19-13
— Worst records this year in one-run games:
White Sox 8-21
Braves 12-23
Red Sox 11-19
Diamondbacks 11-19
— Famous birthdays, July 12th
Cheryl Ladd, 74
Mario Soto, 69
Howie Kendrick, 42
Patrick Beverley, 37
LeSean McCoy, 37
Kellen Moore, 36
Bailey Ober, 30
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 27
— Mets 8, Royals 3
Kansas City led 3-1 after the 7th inning.
Mark Vientos’ bases loaded double was a game-winner.
Lindor/Soto homered for the Mets in the ninth inning.
— Twins 2, Pirates 1
Trevor Larnach hit a two-run home run for Minnesota.
Pirates scored 2 or fewer runs in seven of Skenes’ last eight starts.
Pittsburgh has lost seven games in a row, scoring 10 runs.
— Red Sox 5, Rays 4
Ceddanne Rafaela hit a walk-off, two-run homer for Boston.
Red Sox have now won eight games in a row.
As of right now, AL East would have four teams in the playoffs.
— Rangers 7, Astros 3
Wyatt Langford had four hits, including a home run.
Astros have lost four games in a row.
Texas bullpen got 11 outs, didn’t give up any runs.
— Angels 6, Diamondbacks 5
Travis d’arnaud had a pinch-hit, walk-off single to win the game.
Game was 4-4 in the second inning.
Randal Grichuk homered twice for Arizona.
— Mariners 12, Tigers 3
Cal Raleigh homered twice; he has 38 taters this season.
Tarik Skubal lost for the first time in his last 17 starts.
Mariners scored seven runs in 9th inning to break open a close game.
— Giants 8, Dodgers 7
Giants led 8-2 after five innings, held on for dear life.
Adames/Lee both drove in three runs for San Francisco.
Ohtani/Conforto homered for the Dodgers.
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Rays, Red Sox
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Mets, SD/SF
Over/under win totals for next season:
62.5— Oklahoma City
55.5— Cleveland
54.5— Houston
53.5— Denver
52.5— New York
51.5— Orlando
Quote of the Day
“The best thing we do here is practice. That’s the core of what we do.”
Mike Leach
Saturday’s quiz
Where did Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor play his college football?
Friday’s quiz
Since 1998, Cincinnati Reds (2) have the fewest wins in playoff games.
Thursday’s quiz
In the history of the New York Mets, David Wright has the most hits.
****************************************************
Saturday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud…….
— NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a new contract that will pay him $79M during the 2030-31 season; when a player makes $82M a year, which can’t be too far away, that means he will be earning $1M per game. A MILLION $$$$’s A GAME!!!!!Thunder has signed its nucleus of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to contracts totaling $822M, which is a lot of cabbage.
By way of comparison, the Seattle SuperSonics, who were the Thunder before they moved to Oklahoma, the Sonics’ entire franchise sold for $350M in 2006.
— In case you’re wondering, the first athlete to earn $1M a year was Nolan Ryan, in 1979.
— Phoenix Suns’ star Devin Booker signed a two-year, $145M extension thru the 2029-30 season.
If you have a young son who is athletic and might be kind of tall, get him a basketball, a hoop and send him outside to practice. A lot.
— NBA Summer League is going on for the next week in Las Vegas; guys competing very hard to become NBA players. You need to be great at one or two things to have a shot at making a roster. Shooting is marketable.
— Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander doesn’t have a win in 15 starts this year; until this year, he had never had fewer than three wins in any 15-game span in his entire career.
Three of Verlander’s starts this year have gone into extra innings.
In his other 12 starts, Giants scored a total of only 25 runs.
— Best records this year in one-run games:
Astros 18-8
Tigers 14-7
Angels 18-11
Padres 20-13
Cubs 14-8
Mariners 19-13
— Worst records this year in one-run games:
White Sox 8-21
Braves 12-23
Red Sox 11-19
Diamondbacks 11-19
— Famous birthdays, July 12th
Cheryl Ladd, 74
Mario Soto, 69
Howie Kendrick, 42
Patrick Beverley, 37
LeSean McCoy, 37
Kellen Moore, 36
Bailey Ober, 30
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 27
— Mets 8, Royals 3
Kansas City led 3-1 after the 7th inning.
Mark Vientos’ bases loaded double was a game-winner.
Lindor/Soto homered for the Mets in the ninth inning.
— Twins 2, Pirates 1
Trevor Larnach hit a two-run home run for Minnesota.
Pirates scored 2 or fewer runs in seven of Skenes’ last eight starts.
Pittsburgh has lost seven games in a row, scoring 10 runs.
— Red Sox 5, Rays 4
Ceddanne Rafaela hit a walk-off, two-run homer for Boston.
Red Sox have now won eight games in a row.
As of right now, AL East would have four teams in the playoffs.
— Rangers 7, Astros 3
Wyatt Langford had four hits, including a home run.
Astros have lost four games in a row.
Texas bullpen got 11 outs, didn’t give up any runs.
— Angels 6, Diamondbacks 5
Travis d’arnaud had a pinch-hit, walk-off single to win the game.
Game was 4-4 in the second inning.
Randal Grichuk homered twice for Arizona.
— Mariners 12, Tigers 3
Cal Raleigh homered twice; he has 38 taters this season.
Tarik Skubal lost for the first time in his last 17 starts.
Mariners scored seven runs in 9th inning to break open a close game.
— Giants 8, Dodgers 7
Giants led 8-2 after five innings, held on for dear life.
Adames/Lee both drove in three runs for San Francisco.
Ohtani/Conforto homered for the Dodgers.
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Rays, Red Sox
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Mets, SD/SF
JULY'S CFL BEST BETS !!
07/12/2025.................2 -.2 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/06/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%.............- 11.00
07/05/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%..............- 0.50
07/04/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%..............- 11.00
07/03/2025.................2 - 0 - 0.................100.00%.............+ 10.00
TOTALS........................5 - 7 - 0...................41.66%..............- 13.50
***********************************
JUNE'S TOTALS.........19 - 13 - 0..................59.37%..............+ 23.50
07/12/2025.................2 -.2 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/06/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%.............- 11.00
07/05/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%..............- 0.50
07/04/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%..............- 11.00
07/03/2025.................2 - 0 - 0.................100.00%.............+ 10.00
TOTALS........................5 - 7 - 0...................41.66%..............- 13.50
***********************************
JUNE'S TOTALS.........19 - 13 - 0..................59.37%..............+ 23.50
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Odds to win Monday’s Home Run Derby:
+280- Cal Raleigh
3-1- Oneil Cruz
9-2- James Wood
15-2- Matt Olson
9-1- Byron Buxton
10-1- Junior Caminero
10-1- Brent Rooker
14-1- Jazz Chisholm
Quote of the Day
“What a joke. That’s (bleep)ing terrible. I mean, that’s terrible, dude. If he’s not an All-Star then no one is.”
Trea Turner, talking about Cristopher Sanchez not being an NL All-Star
Sunday’s quiz
Who was the manager of the Phillies before Rob Thomson?
Saturday’s quiz
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor played his college football at North Carolina.
Friday’s quiz
Since 1998, Cincinnati Reds (2) have the fewest wins in playoff games.
*************************************************
First of all, in my opinion, five games doesn’t make you an All-Star, it just doesn’t.
Then when you consider that Cristopher Sanchez is 7-2, 2.59 in 18 starts, Ranger Suarez is 7-3, 1.94 in 13 starts, and you understand why people in Philadelphia are steamed.
— Sanchez has a $200,000 bonus in his contract for making the All-Star Game; the Phillies have apparently paid him $50,000 of that bonus, a solid gesture on their part.
— The ball/strike challenge system will be used at the All-Star Game Tuesday, as commissioner Rob Manfred continues to push the system to become activated for next season. It worked well during spring training, everyone seemed to approve of it.
— When the Bronx baseball team DFA’d DJ LeMahieu this week, they ate almost $22M that was left on his contract.
— Time flies: Red Sox SS Trevor Story, Mets OF Brandon Nimmo both played in their 1,000th career game this week. I remember trading for Story in our fantasy league when he was a rookie.
I was in Las Vegas and my team needed a shortstop; I was trying to trade for Story, who went on a heater that first week, hitting six home runs in his first four games. Every time he hit one I upped my offer via text and finally got him, but he was more expensive than I wanted him to be. He turned out to be really good for a few years.
— Detroit Tigers are doing really well, they’re 59-37, lead their division by 11.5 games, but a weird stat is that Detroit is only 6-12 when Jack Flaherty starts on the mound, and Flaherty is their #2 starting pitcher.
— Things have changed a lot over the years: Mets have already used 36 different pitchers this year, in 96 games; when the Mets won the World Series in 1969, they used 15 pitchers the entire regular season.
— Earlier this week, Orioles P Brandon Young threw an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters in one inning, on nine pitches- that doesn’t happen very often.
Young is only the 5th Orioles’ pitcher ever to throw an immaculate inning.
When the inning ended, Orioles’ catcher Jacob Stallings threw the ball down to first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who tossed it into the stands (as players often do) without realizing that it was an important baseball.
An 11-year old kid got the ball; couple innings later, an Orioles’ employee approached the kid and asked him if he would trade the baseball for one of Ryan O’Hearn’s bats; the bat was signed by O’Hearn, and the trade was made, and everyone was happy.
— Riddle me this: How is Juan Soto not an All-Star?
— Famous birthdays, July 13th:
Harrison Ford, 83
Danny Abramowicz, 80
Stu Lantz, 79
Cheech Marin, 79
David Thompson, 71
Bill Caudill, 69
Spud Webb, 62
Ken Jeong, 56
Yadier Molina, 43
DJ LeMahieu, 37
Ty France, 31
Cody Bellinger, 30
— Twins 12, Pirates 4
Byron Buxton hit for the cycle on his bobblehead day.
This was the first hit ever in the 16-year history of Target Field.
Pirates have lost eight games in a row.
— Astros 5, Rangers 4 (11)
Zack Short had the walk-off single for Houston.
Texas tied the game after trailing 3-1 in 8th inning.
Jose Altuve homered for the Astros.
— Padres 5, Phillies 4
Jackson Merill homered twice for San Diego.
Merrill hadn’t hit a home run since May 27th.
Five San Diego relievers combined to get the last 13 outs.
— A’s 4, Blue Jays 3
Brent Rooker hit a two-run homer for the A’s.
This was only the 2nd loss for Toronto in their last 13 games.
Mason Miller recorded his 18th save for the A’s.
— Brewers 6, Nationals 5
Milwaukee scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off.
Brandon Woodruff struck out 10 in 4.1 IP (81 PT), giving up two runs.
Washington is 1-4 since they fired their GM/manager.
— Red Sox 1, Rays 0
Garrett Crochet allowed only 3 hits in his 100-pitch complete game.
Red Sox have won nine games in a row.
Carlos Narvaez knocked in the game’s only run, with a 4th inning single.
— Braves 7, Cardinals 6
St Louis led 5-3 after seven innings.
Sean Murphy hit his 7th home run in his last 11 games.
Cardinals lost Erick Fedde’s last four starts, giving up 33 runs.
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners
NL: Mets, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Phillies, Padres
Odds to win Monday’s Home Run Derby:
+280- Cal Raleigh
3-1- Oneil Cruz
9-2- James Wood
15-2- Matt Olson
9-1- Byron Buxton
10-1- Junior Caminero
10-1- Brent Rooker
14-1- Jazz Chisholm
Quote of the Day
“What a joke. That’s (bleep)ing terrible. I mean, that’s terrible, dude. If he’s not an All-Star then no one is.”
Trea Turner, talking about Cristopher Sanchez not being an NL All-Star
Sunday’s quiz
Who was the manager of the Phillies before Rob Thomson?
Saturday’s quiz
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor played his college football at North Carolina.
Friday’s quiz
Since 1998, Cincinnati Reds (2) have the fewest wins in playoff games.
*************************************************
Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday……..
— Brewers’ rookie P Jacob Misiorowski has started only five major league games; he is 4-1, 2.81 in those starts, a solid start to his career, but when he was named to the NL All-Star team this weekend, it ruffled some feathers, especially in Philadelphia.First of all, in my opinion, five games doesn’t make you an All-Star, it just doesn’t.
Then when you consider that Cristopher Sanchez is 7-2, 2.59 in 18 starts, Ranger Suarez is 7-3, 1.94 in 13 starts, and you understand why people in Philadelphia are steamed.
— Sanchez has a $200,000 bonus in his contract for making the All-Star Game; the Phillies have apparently paid him $50,000 of that bonus, a solid gesture on their part.
— The ball/strike challenge system will be used at the All-Star Game Tuesday, as commissioner Rob Manfred continues to push the system to become activated for next season. It worked well during spring training, everyone seemed to approve of it.
— When the Bronx baseball team DFA’d DJ LeMahieu this week, they ate almost $22M that was left on his contract.
— Time flies: Red Sox SS Trevor Story, Mets OF Brandon Nimmo both played in their 1,000th career game this week. I remember trading for Story in our fantasy league when he was a rookie.
I was in Las Vegas and my team needed a shortstop; I was trying to trade for Story, who went on a heater that first week, hitting six home runs in his first four games. Every time he hit one I upped my offer via text and finally got him, but he was more expensive than I wanted him to be. He turned out to be really good for a few years.
— Detroit Tigers are doing really well, they’re 59-37, lead their division by 11.5 games, but a weird stat is that Detroit is only 6-12 when Jack Flaherty starts on the mound, and Flaherty is their #2 starting pitcher.
— Things have changed a lot over the years: Mets have already used 36 different pitchers this year, in 96 games; when the Mets won the World Series in 1969, they used 15 pitchers the entire regular season.
— Earlier this week, Orioles P Brandon Young threw an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters in one inning, on nine pitches- that doesn’t happen very often.
Young is only the 5th Orioles’ pitcher ever to throw an immaculate inning.
When the inning ended, Orioles’ catcher Jacob Stallings threw the ball down to first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who tossed it into the stands (as players often do) without realizing that it was an important baseball.
An 11-year old kid got the ball; couple innings later, an Orioles’ employee approached the kid and asked him if he would trade the baseball for one of Ryan O’Hearn’s bats; the bat was signed by O’Hearn, and the trade was made, and everyone was happy.
— Riddle me this: How is Juan Soto not an All-Star?
— Famous birthdays, July 13th:
Harrison Ford, 83
Danny Abramowicz, 80
Stu Lantz, 79
Cheech Marin, 79
David Thompson, 71
Bill Caudill, 69
Spud Webb, 62
Ken Jeong, 56
Yadier Molina, 43
DJ LeMahieu, 37
Ty France, 31
Cody Bellinger, 30
— Twins 12, Pirates 4
Byron Buxton hit for the cycle on his bobblehead day.
This was the first hit ever in the 16-year history of Target Field.
Pirates have lost eight games in a row.
— Astros 5, Rangers 4 (11)
Zack Short had the walk-off single for Houston.
Texas tied the game after trailing 3-1 in 8th inning.
Jose Altuve homered for the Astros.
— Padres 5, Phillies 4
Jackson Merill homered twice for San Diego.
Merrill hadn’t hit a home run since May 27th.
Five San Diego relievers combined to get the last 13 outs.
— A’s 4, Blue Jays 3
Brent Rooker hit a two-run homer for the A’s.
This was only the 2nd loss for Toronto in their last 13 games.
Mason Miller recorded his 18th save for the A’s.
— Brewers 6, Nationals 5
Milwaukee scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off.
Brandon Woodruff struck out 10 in 4.1 IP (81 PT), giving up two runs.
Washington is 1-4 since they fired their GM/manager.
— Red Sox 1, Rays 0
Garrett Crochet allowed only 3 hits in his 100-pitch complete game.
Red Sox have won nine games in a row.
Carlos Narvaez knocked in the game’s only run, with a 4th inning single.
— Braves 7, Cardinals 6
St Louis led 5-3 after seven innings.
Sean Murphy hit his 7th home run in his last 11 games.
Cardinals lost Erick Fedde’s last four starts, giving up 33 runs.
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners
NL: Mets, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Phillies, Padres
JULY'S CFL BEST BETS !!
07/13/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/12/2025.................2 -.2 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/06/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%.............- 11.00
07/05/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%..............- 0.50
07/04/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%..............- 11.00
07/03/2025.................2 - 0 - 0.................100.00%.............+ 10.00
TOTALS........................6 - 8 - 0...................42.85%..............- 14.50
***********************************
JUNE'S TOTALS.........19 - 13 - 0..................59.37%..............+ 23.50
07/13/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/12/2025.................2 -.2 - 0..................50.00%.............- 1.00
07/06/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%.............- 11.00
07/05/2025.................1 - 1 - 0..................50.00%..............- 0.50
07/04/2025.................0 - 2 - 0..................00.00%..............- 11.00
07/03/2025.................2 - 0 - 0.................100.00%.............+ 10.00
TOTALS........................6 - 8 - 0...................42.85%..............- 14.50
***********************************
JUNE'S TOTALS.........19 - 13 - 0..................59.37%..............+ 23.50
Tuesday’s 6-pack:
Results of the last six All-Star Games:
2024- American League, 5-3
2023- National League, 3-2
2022- American League, 3-2
2021- American League, 5-2
2019- American League, 4-3
2018- American League, 8-6 (10)
Quote of the Day
“Zalupski is expected to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, with a strong preference to be in Tampa rather than St. Petersburg.”
Unnamed source on the proposed sale of the Tampa Bay Rays, which could happen this fall
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, who was the MVP?
Monday’s quiz
In the movie Message In a Bottle, where Kevin Costner dies trying to save a family in a boating accident, Paul Newman played Costner’s father.
Sunday’s quiz
Joe Girardi was the manager of the Phillies before Rob Thomson.
***********************************
(thru All-Star break)
Diamondbacks (47-50)
Gallen 9-11 (over 8-1 last nine)
Kelly 10-10 (1-4 last five home starts)
Burnes 6-5 (under 5-1 last six)
Pfaadt 10-9 (over 9-2 last 11)
Rodriguez 6-10 (over 10-3 last 13)
Nelson 6-4 (under 7-3)
DeSclafani 0-1
— Braves (42-53)
Sale 8-7 (under 8-3 last eleven)
Schwellenbach 12-5 (over 9-4 last 13)
Smith-Shawver 5-4 (under 7-2)
Holmes 7-12 (under 10-4 last 14)
Elder 6-9 (under 9-3 last 12)
Strider 3-8 (under 9-2)
Daniel 0-1
Lopez 0-1
Fuentes 1-3 (over 3-1)
Bummer 1-1 (opener)
Blewett 0-1
— Cubs (57-39)
Imanaga 8-4 (under 9-3)
Steele 3-1 (over 4-0)
Taillon 8-9
Boyd 11-8 (won last four; under 7-2 last nine)
Brown 7-7 (over 11-3)
Rea 12-4 (over 3-1 last four)
Horton 7-4 (under 6-3 last nine)
Flexen 0-1
Pomeranz 2-1 (opener)
Keller 1-0 (opener)
— Reds (50-47)
Greene 6-5 (under 8-2 last ten)
Lodolo 10-9 (under 6-1 last seven)
Abbott 12-4 (over 4-1 last five)
Martinez 7-12 (over 7-2 last nine)
Singer 10-9 (under 12-3 last 15)
Burns 1-3 (under 3-1)
Miley 2-0 (over 2-0)
Petty 0-2
Suter 2-1 (opener)
Spiers 0-2
— Rockies (22-74)
Freeland 3-14 (over 6-2 last 8)
Senzatela 5-13 (under 3-1 last four)
Marquez 6-13
Dollander 4-11 (under 8-1 last nine)
Palmquist 1-6 (under 5-2)
Gomber 1-5 (under 3-1 last four)
Blalock 0-4
Feltner 1-5 (under 4-0 last four)
Gordon 1-2
Rolison 0-1 (opener)
— Dodgers (58-39)
Yamamoto 11-8 (under 4-1 last five)
Kershaw 7-3 (under 3-0 last three)
May 9-8
Ohtani 3-2 (opener)
Snell 2-0 (over 2-0)
Glasnow 3-3 (under 3-1 last four)
Sheehan 1-1
Sasaki 6-2 (over 6-2)
Knack 5-2 (over 5-2)
Gonsolin 3-4
Wrobleski 0-2
Miller 1-0
Casparius 1-2 (opener)
Dreyer 4-1 (opener)
Sauer 1-0 (opener)
Trivino 1-1 (opener)
— Marlins (44-51)
Alcantara 7-11 (over 3-0 last three)
Quantrill 10-8 (under 10-2 last 1)
EPerez 5-2 (3-0, 0.50 last three)
Cabrera 8-8 (under 11-5)
Junk 4-1 (under 4-1)
Weathers 2-3
Mazur 0-1
Bellozo 1-4
Meyer 5-7 (over 7-1 last eight)
Gillispie 1-5 (over 5-1)
Gibson 1-0 (opener)
Veneziano 0-1 (opener)
— Brewers (56-40)
Peralta 13-7 (won last six; over 5-0 last five)
Woodruff 2-0
Patrick 5-13 (under 13-5)
Quintana 8-3 (under 9-2)
Priester 6-6 (under 8-4)
Misioroski 4-1
Myers 2-3
Rodriguez 0-2 (over 2-0)
Alexander 2-2 (over 3-1)
Henderson 3-1 (over 3-1)
Hall 3-0
Zastryzny 1-0 (opener)
Civale 3-2
Cortes 1-1
Famous birthdays, July 15th:
Billy Truax, 82
Jesse Ventura, 74
John Stallworth, 73
Lolita Davidovich, 64
Brigitte Nielsen, 62
Carnell Lake, 58
Khalid Reeves, 53
Damian Lillard, 35
Tobias Harris, 33
Masataka Yoshida, 32
Ramon Laureano, 31
Landon Knack, 28
— Mets (55-42)
Holmes 12-7 (over 3-1 last four)
Megill 6-8 (over 9-2 last 11)
Senga 10-4 (under 12-2)
Peterson 10-8 (home team 17-1)
Montas 2-2 (over 3-1)
Canning 12-4 (over 5-2 last seven)
Blackburn 1-3 (under 3-1)
Tidwell 0-2
Brazoban 1-2 (opener)
Devenski 0-1 (opener)
Haberman 1-0
Waddell 0-1 (opener)
— Phillies (55-41)
Wheeler 13-6 (under 3-1 last four)
Luzardo 11-8 (over 6-2 last eight)
Suarez 8-5 (under 10-3)
Sanchez 14-5 (under 6-0 last six)
Walker 4-5 (under 4-1 last five)
Nola 3-6 (under 6-3)
Abel 3-3
Ross 0-1 (opener)
Banks 1-0 (opener)
— Pirates (39-58)
Skenes 9-11 (under 12-4 last 16)
Keller 6-16 (2-0, 2.11 last four; under 10-3 last 13)
Falter 10-9
Heaney 6-12 (over 3-1 last four)
Burrows 3-5 (over 3-1 last four)
Mlodzinski 3-6 (under 4-1 last five)
Harrington 0-1
Ashcraft 1-0
— Cardinals (51-46)
Gray 15-4 (under 7-2 last nine)
Fedde 5-14 (2-9 last 11; under 5-2 last seven)
Mikolas 9-9 (over 6-2 last 8)
Liberatore 9-9 (over 7-2 last nine)
Pallante 9-9
Matz 2-0
McGreevy 2-1 (over 3-0)
— Padres (52-44)
Cease 9-10 (0-3, 7.88 last three)
Vasquez 12-7 (under 12-7)
Pivetta 12-7 (2-0, 0.71 last four)
Darvish 1-1
Bergert 5-1 (under 5-1)
Hart 3-3 (over 4-2)
Kolek 4-8 (under 5-2 last seven)
Waldron 0-1
Reynolds 0-1
King 5-5 (1-5 last six) (over 3-0-1 last four)
Morgan 1-0 (opener)
— Giants (52-45)
Ray 15-5 (under 12-4 last 16)
Webb 11-9 (under 6-2 last eight)
Verlander 4-11 (2-9 last eleven)
Roupp 11-8 (under 9-2 last eleven)
Birdsong 4-5 (over 5-1 last six)
Harrison 3-1 (under 3-1)
Hjelle 0-1 (opener)
Hicks 4-5 (over 7-2)
— Nationals (38-58)
Gore 8-11
Irvin 10-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Parker 9-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Williams 6-11 (under 4-1 last five)
Soroka 4-9 (over 5-0 last five)
Okasawaga 0-2
Lord 2-4
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Mets, Padres
Results of the last six All-Star Games:
2024- American League, 5-3
2023- National League, 3-2
2022- American League, 3-2
2021- American League, 5-2
2019- American League, 4-3
2018- American League, 8-6 (10)
Quote of the Day
“Zalupski is expected to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, with a strong preference to be in Tampa rather than St. Petersburg.”
Unnamed source on the proposed sale of the Tampa Bay Rays, which could happen this fall
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, who was the MVP?
Monday’s quiz
In the movie Message In a Bottle, where Kevin Costner dies trying to save a family in a boating accident, Paul Newman played Costner’s father.
Sunday’s quiz
Joe Girardi was the manager of the Phillies before Rob Thomson.
***********************************
Tuesday’s Den: NL teams’ record with each starting pitcher
Teams’ records by starting pitcher:(thru All-Star break)
Diamondbacks (47-50)
Gallen 9-11 (over 8-1 last nine)
Kelly 10-10 (1-4 last five home starts)
Burnes 6-5 (under 5-1 last six)
Pfaadt 10-9 (over 9-2 last 11)
Rodriguez 6-10 (over 10-3 last 13)
Nelson 6-4 (under 7-3)
DeSclafani 0-1
— Braves (42-53)
Sale 8-7 (under 8-3 last eleven)
Schwellenbach 12-5 (over 9-4 last 13)
Smith-Shawver 5-4 (under 7-2)
Holmes 7-12 (under 10-4 last 14)
Elder 6-9 (under 9-3 last 12)
Strider 3-8 (under 9-2)
Daniel 0-1
Lopez 0-1
Fuentes 1-3 (over 3-1)
Bummer 1-1 (opener)
Blewett 0-1
— Cubs (57-39)
Imanaga 8-4 (under 9-3)
Steele 3-1 (over 4-0)
Taillon 8-9
Boyd 11-8 (won last four; under 7-2 last nine)
Brown 7-7 (over 11-3)
Rea 12-4 (over 3-1 last four)
Horton 7-4 (under 6-3 last nine)
Flexen 0-1
Pomeranz 2-1 (opener)
Keller 1-0 (opener)
— Reds (50-47)
Greene 6-5 (under 8-2 last ten)
Lodolo 10-9 (under 6-1 last seven)
Abbott 12-4 (over 4-1 last five)
Martinez 7-12 (over 7-2 last nine)
Singer 10-9 (under 12-3 last 15)
Burns 1-3 (under 3-1)
Miley 2-0 (over 2-0)
Petty 0-2
Suter 2-1 (opener)
Spiers 0-2
— Rockies (22-74)
Freeland 3-14 (over 6-2 last 8)
Senzatela 5-13 (under 3-1 last four)
Marquez 6-13
Dollander 4-11 (under 8-1 last nine)
Palmquist 1-6 (under 5-2)
Gomber 1-5 (under 3-1 last four)
Blalock 0-4
Feltner 1-5 (under 4-0 last four)
Gordon 1-2
Rolison 0-1 (opener)
— Dodgers (58-39)
Yamamoto 11-8 (under 4-1 last five)
Kershaw 7-3 (under 3-0 last three)
May 9-8
Ohtani 3-2 (opener)
Snell 2-0 (over 2-0)
Glasnow 3-3 (under 3-1 last four)
Sheehan 1-1
Sasaki 6-2 (over 6-2)
Knack 5-2 (over 5-2)
Gonsolin 3-4
Wrobleski 0-2
Miller 1-0
Casparius 1-2 (opener)
Dreyer 4-1 (opener)
Sauer 1-0 (opener)
Trivino 1-1 (opener)
— Marlins (44-51)
Alcantara 7-11 (over 3-0 last three)
Quantrill 10-8 (under 10-2 last 1)
EPerez 5-2 (3-0, 0.50 last three)
Cabrera 8-8 (under 11-5)
Junk 4-1 (under 4-1)
Weathers 2-3
Mazur 0-1
Bellozo 1-4
Meyer 5-7 (over 7-1 last eight)
Gillispie 1-5 (over 5-1)
Gibson 1-0 (opener)
Veneziano 0-1 (opener)
— Brewers (56-40)
Peralta 13-7 (won last six; over 5-0 last five)
Woodruff 2-0
Patrick 5-13 (under 13-5)
Quintana 8-3 (under 9-2)
Priester 6-6 (under 8-4)
Misioroski 4-1
Myers 2-3
Rodriguez 0-2 (over 2-0)
Alexander 2-2 (over 3-1)
Henderson 3-1 (over 3-1)
Hall 3-0
Zastryzny 1-0 (opener)
Civale 3-2
Cortes 1-1
Famous birthdays, July 15th:
Billy Truax, 82
Jesse Ventura, 74
John Stallworth, 73
Lolita Davidovich, 64
Brigitte Nielsen, 62
Carnell Lake, 58
Khalid Reeves, 53
Damian Lillard, 35
Tobias Harris, 33
Masataka Yoshida, 32
Ramon Laureano, 31
Landon Knack, 28
— Mets (55-42)
Holmes 12-7 (over 3-1 last four)
Megill 6-8 (over 9-2 last 11)
Senga 10-4 (under 12-2)
Peterson 10-8 (home team 17-1)
Montas 2-2 (over 3-1)
Canning 12-4 (over 5-2 last seven)
Blackburn 1-3 (under 3-1)
Tidwell 0-2
Brazoban 1-2 (opener)
Devenski 0-1 (opener)
Haberman 1-0
Waddell 0-1 (opener)
— Phillies (55-41)
Wheeler 13-6 (under 3-1 last four)
Luzardo 11-8 (over 6-2 last eight)
Suarez 8-5 (under 10-3)
Sanchez 14-5 (under 6-0 last six)
Walker 4-5 (under 4-1 last five)
Nola 3-6 (under 6-3)
Abel 3-3
Ross 0-1 (opener)
Banks 1-0 (opener)
— Pirates (39-58)
Skenes 9-11 (under 12-4 last 16)
Keller 6-16 (2-0, 2.11 last four; under 10-3 last 13)
Falter 10-9
Heaney 6-12 (over 3-1 last four)
Burrows 3-5 (over 3-1 last four)
Mlodzinski 3-6 (under 4-1 last five)
Harrington 0-1
Ashcraft 1-0
— Cardinals (51-46)
Gray 15-4 (under 7-2 last nine)
Fedde 5-14 (2-9 last 11; under 5-2 last seven)
Mikolas 9-9 (over 6-2 last 8)
Liberatore 9-9 (over 7-2 last nine)
Pallante 9-9
Matz 2-0
McGreevy 2-1 (over 3-0)
— Padres (52-44)
Cease 9-10 (0-3, 7.88 last three)
Vasquez 12-7 (under 12-7)
Pivetta 12-7 (2-0, 0.71 last four)
Darvish 1-1
Bergert 5-1 (under 5-1)
Hart 3-3 (over 4-2)
Kolek 4-8 (under 5-2 last seven)
Waldron 0-1
Reynolds 0-1
King 5-5 (1-5 last six) (over 3-0-1 last four)
Morgan 1-0 (opener)
— Giants (52-45)
Ray 15-5 (under 12-4 last 16)
Webb 11-9 (under 6-2 last eight)
Verlander 4-11 (2-9 last eleven)
Roupp 11-8 (under 9-2 last eleven)
Birdsong 4-5 (over 5-1 last six)
Harrison 3-1 (under 3-1)
Hjelle 0-1 (opener)
Hicks 4-5 (over 7-2)
— Nationals (38-58)
Gore 8-11
Irvin 10-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Parker 9-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Williams 6-11 (under 4-1 last five)
Soroka 4-9 (over 5-0 last five)
Okasawaga 0-2
Lord 2-4
If the baseball playoffs started today (they do not):
AL: Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros. Wild Cards: New York, Red Sox, Mariners
NL: Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Brewers, Mets, Padres
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Major League team payrolls:
$323,099,099—Mets
$321,287,291— Dodgers (doesn’t count Ohtani’s deferred $68M)
$293,488,972— Bronx
$284,210,820— Phillies
$239,642,532—Blue Jays
$220,541,332— Rangers
Quote of the Day
“That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis. It’s like showing up at the Masters every year; it’s like why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don’t know because, if I win, it’s going to be awesome for two minutes.”
Golfer Scottie Scheffler
Wednesday’s quiz
Which catcher has hit the most home runs in one season?
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, Elias Diaz was the MVP.
Monday’s quiz
In the movie Message In a Bottle, where Kevin Costner dies trying to save a family in a boating accident, Paul Newman played Costner’s father.
***************************************
(thru All-Star break)
— Orioles (43-52)
Eflin 6-6
Morton 8-7 (7-1 last eight; under 8-2 last 10)
Kremer 9-9 (under 11-3 last 14)
Sugano 11-7 (under 12-3 last 15)
Povich 4-8
Young 1-5 (over 4-2)
Gibson 0-4 (over 3-1)
Rogers 4-2
McDermott 0-1
Akin 0-3 (opener)
Blewett 1-0 (opener)
— Red Sox (53-45)
Crochet 13-7 (under 14-6)
Houck 2-7 (over 5-1 last six)
Buehler 9-7
Pitts 2-6 (under 6-2)
Newcomb 2-3 (over 4-1)
Dobbins 8-3
Bello 8-7
Giolito 9-4 (over 4-0 last four)
Bernadino 0-1 (opener)
— White Sox (32-65)
Burke 7-10
Cannon 4-9 (won last 3; over 7-2 last nine)
Smith 4-14 (0-5 last five)
Martin 3-10
Houser 6-3 (4-0 last four; under 9-0)
Wilson 3-2 (over 4-1)
Civale 0-6 (under 4-1-1)
Gilbert 1-2 (opener)
Eisert 1-2 (opener)
Shuster 0-2 (opener)
Vasil 0-3 (opener)
Taylor 0-1 (opener)
Leasure 0-1 (opener)
Perez 2-2
— Guardians (46-49)
Lively 7-2 (under 6-2 last eight)
Williams 9-10 (1-6 last 7; over 12-7)
Bibee 9-10
Ortiz 6-10 (under 9-3 last 12)
Allen 8-9 (under 6-2 last eight)
Cecconi 5-5 (under 8-2)
Cantillo 2-1
Nikhazy 0-1
Allard 1-0
— Tigers (59-38)
Skubal 13-5 (over 4-1 last five)
Flaherty 6-13
Olson 6-5
Jobe 9-1
Mize 11-5 (over 9-2 last 11)
Montero 6-1 (under 6-1)
Gipson-Long 1-1
Enns 1-1
Holton 2-3 (opener)
Hurter 2-2 (opener)
Guenther 0-1 (opener)
Brieske 0-1 (opener)
— Astros (56-40)
Valdez 14-5 (under 7-4 last 11)
Brown 13-6
Arrighetti 1-1
Blanco 5-4 (under 5-1 last six)
Wesneski 2-4 (under 5-1)
Gusto 6-6
McCullers 5-4
Gordon 7-3 (under 7-3)
Walter 2-5
Blubaugh 0-1
Alexander 1-0
— Royals (47-50)
Ragans 5-5 (over 5-1 last six)
Lugo 9-8 (under 5-1 last six)
Bubic 10-8 (under 11-4 last 15)
Lorenzen 10-8
Wacha 8-11 (1-6 last seven)
Cameron 4-8 (under 9-3)
Lynch 1-1 (opener)
Zerpa 0-1 (opener)
— Famous birthdays, July 16th:
Ron Yary, 79
Ron Brewer, 70
Gary Anderson, 66
Terry Pendleton, 65
Phoebe Cates, 62
Charles Smith, 60
Will Ferrell, 58
Barry Sanders, 57
Aaron Glenn, 53
— Angels (47-49)
Kikuchi 10-10 (over 5-2 last 7)
Soriano 8-12
TAnderson 12-7 (under 4-1 last five)
Hendricks 9-9 (over 6-2 last eight)
Kochanowicz 8-11
— Twins (47-49)
Lopez 7-4
Ryan 9-9
Ober 8-9 (over 7-1-1 last nine)
Paddack 5-14
Woods-Richardson 8-6 (under 5-1 last six)
Matthews 3-1
Festa 5-4 (under 4-1 last five)
Topa 0-1 (opener)
Sands 2-0 )opener)
Coulombe 0-1 (opener)
— New York (53-43)
Rodon 10-10 (over 3-0 last 3)
Fried 14-6
Warren 11-9 (under 5-2 last 7)
Carrasco 2-4 (under 4-2)
Schmidt 7-7 (under 7-2 last nine)
Stroman 4-2 (over 6-0)
Yarbrough 4-4
Schimmer 1-0
Winans 0-1
— A’s (41-57)
Severino 5-15 (over 10-3 last 13)
Springs 10-8 (under 5-1 last six)
Bido 4-5 (over 4-1 last five)
Sears 10-9
Lopez 6-4 (under 6-1 last seven)
Spence 2-5
Hoglund 2-4
Ginn 2-2 (under 3-1)
Estes 0-2
Sterner 0-1 (opener)
Holman 0-2 (opener)
— Mariners (51-45)
Gilbert 9-3 (over 6-2 last 8)
Castillo 11-8 (over 5-2 last seven)
Miller 4-6 (over 6-0 last six)
Woo 10-8
Kirby 6-4
Hancock 7-8 (over 4-1 last five)
Evans 4-5 (over 7-2)
JFCastillo 1-1 (opener)
Legumina 0-1 (opener)
— Rays (50-47)
Pepiot 8-12 (under 6-3 last nine)
Littell 10-9
Bradley 6-7
Rasmussen 7-6 (under 11-2)
Baz 12-7 (under 4-0 last four)
Boyle 1-0
— Rangers (48-49)
Eovaldi 9-7 (under 12-4)
Leiter 5-11
Mahle 7-7 (under 12-2)
deGrom 12-7 (over 5-1 last six)
Rocker 6-5 (under 6-2 last 8)
Corbin 7-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Armstrong 1-1
Latz 2-0
— Blue Jays (55-41)
Berrios 12-8
Gausman 11-8
Bassitt 12-7 (over 7-1-1 last nine)
Francis 4-10 (over 7-2 last nine)
Lucas 2-2
Scherzer 3-2 (over 4-1)
Lauer 6-2 (under 6-2)
Urena 1-1
Schultz 2-0 (opener)
Rodriguez 1-0 (opener)
Fisher 1-0 (opener)
Turnbull 0-1 (opener)
Major League team payrolls:
$323,099,099—Mets
$321,287,291— Dodgers (doesn’t count Ohtani’s deferred $68M)
$293,488,972— Bronx
$284,210,820— Phillies
$239,642,532—Blue Jays
$220,541,332— Rangers
Quote of the Day
“That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis. It’s like showing up at the Masters every year; it’s like why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don’t know because, if I win, it’s going to be awesome for two minutes.”
Golfer Scottie Scheffler
Wednesday’s quiz
Which catcher has hit the most home runs in one season?
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, Elias Diaz was the MVP.
Monday’s quiz
In the movie Message In a Bottle, where Kevin Costner dies trying to save a family in a boating accident, Paul Newman played Costner’s father.
***************************************
Wednesday’s Den: AL teams’ record with each starting pitcher
AL teams’ records, by starting pitcher:(thru All-Star break)
— Orioles (43-52)
Eflin 6-6
Morton 8-7 (7-1 last eight; under 8-2 last 10)
Kremer 9-9 (under 11-3 last 14)
Sugano 11-7 (under 12-3 last 15)
Povich 4-8
Young 1-5 (over 4-2)
Gibson 0-4 (over 3-1)
Rogers 4-2
McDermott 0-1
Akin 0-3 (opener)
Blewett 1-0 (opener)
— Red Sox (53-45)
Crochet 13-7 (under 14-6)
Houck 2-7 (over 5-1 last six)
Buehler 9-7
Pitts 2-6 (under 6-2)
Newcomb 2-3 (over 4-1)
Dobbins 8-3
Bello 8-7
Giolito 9-4 (over 4-0 last four)
Bernadino 0-1 (opener)
— White Sox (32-65)
Burke 7-10
Cannon 4-9 (won last 3; over 7-2 last nine)
Smith 4-14 (0-5 last five)
Martin 3-10
Houser 6-3 (4-0 last four; under 9-0)
Wilson 3-2 (over 4-1)
Civale 0-6 (under 4-1-1)
Gilbert 1-2 (opener)
Eisert 1-2 (opener)
Shuster 0-2 (opener)
Vasil 0-3 (opener)
Taylor 0-1 (opener)
Leasure 0-1 (opener)
Perez 2-2
— Guardians (46-49)
Lively 7-2 (under 6-2 last eight)
Williams 9-10 (1-6 last 7; over 12-7)
Bibee 9-10
Ortiz 6-10 (under 9-3 last 12)
Allen 8-9 (under 6-2 last eight)
Cecconi 5-5 (under 8-2)
Cantillo 2-1
Nikhazy 0-1
Allard 1-0
— Tigers (59-38)
Skubal 13-5 (over 4-1 last five)
Flaherty 6-13
Olson 6-5
Jobe 9-1
Mize 11-5 (over 9-2 last 11)
Montero 6-1 (under 6-1)
Gipson-Long 1-1
Enns 1-1
Holton 2-3 (opener)
Hurter 2-2 (opener)
Guenther 0-1 (opener)
Brieske 0-1 (opener)
— Astros (56-40)
Valdez 14-5 (under 7-4 last 11)
Brown 13-6
Arrighetti 1-1
Blanco 5-4 (under 5-1 last six)
Wesneski 2-4 (under 5-1)
Gusto 6-6
McCullers 5-4
Gordon 7-3 (under 7-3)
Walter 2-5
Blubaugh 0-1
Alexander 1-0
— Royals (47-50)
Ragans 5-5 (over 5-1 last six)
Lugo 9-8 (under 5-1 last six)
Bubic 10-8 (under 11-4 last 15)
Lorenzen 10-8
Wacha 8-11 (1-6 last seven)
Cameron 4-8 (under 9-3)
Lynch 1-1 (opener)
Zerpa 0-1 (opener)
— Famous birthdays, July 16th:
Ron Yary, 79
Ron Brewer, 70
Gary Anderson, 66
Terry Pendleton, 65
Phoebe Cates, 62
Charles Smith, 60
Will Ferrell, 58
Barry Sanders, 57
Aaron Glenn, 53
— Angels (47-49)
Kikuchi 10-10 (over 5-2 last 7)
Soriano 8-12
TAnderson 12-7 (under 4-1 last five)
Hendricks 9-9 (over 6-2 last eight)
Kochanowicz 8-11
— Twins (47-49)
Lopez 7-4
Ryan 9-9
Ober 8-9 (over 7-1-1 last nine)
Paddack 5-14
Woods-Richardson 8-6 (under 5-1 last six)
Matthews 3-1
Festa 5-4 (under 4-1 last five)
Topa 0-1 (opener)
Sands 2-0 )opener)
Coulombe 0-1 (opener)
— New York (53-43)
Rodon 10-10 (over 3-0 last 3)
Fried 14-6
Warren 11-9 (under 5-2 last 7)
Carrasco 2-4 (under 4-2)
Schmidt 7-7 (under 7-2 last nine)
Stroman 4-2 (over 6-0)
Yarbrough 4-4
Schimmer 1-0
Winans 0-1
— A’s (41-57)
Severino 5-15 (over 10-3 last 13)
Springs 10-8 (under 5-1 last six)
Bido 4-5 (over 4-1 last five)
Sears 10-9
Lopez 6-4 (under 6-1 last seven)
Spence 2-5
Hoglund 2-4
Ginn 2-2 (under 3-1)
Estes 0-2
Sterner 0-1 (opener)
Holman 0-2 (opener)
— Mariners (51-45)
Gilbert 9-3 (over 6-2 last 8)
Castillo 11-8 (over 5-2 last seven)
Miller 4-6 (over 6-0 last six)
Woo 10-8
Kirby 6-4
Hancock 7-8 (over 4-1 last five)
Evans 4-5 (over 7-2)
JFCastillo 1-1 (opener)
Legumina 0-1 (opener)
— Rays (50-47)
Pepiot 8-12 (under 6-3 last nine)
Littell 10-9
Bradley 6-7
Rasmussen 7-6 (under 11-2)
Baz 12-7 (under 4-0 last four)
Boyle 1-0
— Rangers (48-49)
Eovaldi 9-7 (under 12-4)
Leiter 5-11
Mahle 7-7 (under 12-2)
deGrom 12-7 (over 5-1 last six)
Rocker 6-5 (under 6-2 last 8)
Corbin 7-10 (over 5-1 last six)
Armstrong 1-1
Latz 2-0
— Blue Jays (55-41)
Berrios 12-8
Gausman 11-8
Bassitt 12-7 (over 7-1-1 last nine)
Francis 4-10 (over 7-2 last nine)
Lucas 2-2
Scherzer 3-2 (over 4-1)
Lauer 6-2 (under 6-2)
Urena 1-1
Schultz 2-0 (opener)
Rodriguez 1-0 (opener)
Fisher 1-0 (opener)
Turnbull 0-1 (opener)
Prediction Time: CFL.ca writers’ Week 7 picks
TORONTO — We have two new leaders in the CFL.ca writer picks and in the CFL standings.
Vicki Hall and Pat Steinberg both went 3-0 in Week 6, vaulting them to the top of the writers’ leaderboard.
It was a similar story on the field with movement in the standings after the week was over. Calgary’s win over Saskatchewan pushed them into first in the West and Hamilton defeated Ottawa and now claim first in the East.
Three games only separate first from last in the writer picks, so it’s still anyone’s for the taking with plenty of football left to be played this year.
What happens in Week 7?
TORONTO AT MONTREAL
Thursday, July 177:30 p.m. ET
TSN/RDS/CBSCN/CFL+
Both the Argos and Alouettes are coming off a bye week as they get set to meet at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium to kick off Week 7. Montreal dropped their last two contests before their week of rest and will hope to reset with a win in front of a home crowd. There’s some good news for the Als as well, with their starting quarterback Davis Alexander set to make his return this week. Toronto, on the other hand, may need to wait a bit longer for their starting quarterback to return with Chad Kelly listed as limited and a non-participant to start the week of preparations. The writers are all rolling with the Als in this one.
WRITERS’ PICK: 100% Montreal
CALGARY AT WINNIPEG
Friday, July 188:30 p.m. ET
TSN/RDS2/CBSSN/CFL+
For the second week in a row, the Calgary Stampeders handed an undefeated team their first loss of the season. Before they beat the, at the time 4-0, Riders last week, it started with Winnipeg (3-0 at the time) two weeks ago, the same Bombers team they face in Week 7. Winnipeg had a taste of the Stampeders stellar defence in that meeting, scoring just 16 points and Zach Collaros throwing two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Winnipeg won’t want a repeat performance this time around at Princess Auto Stadium and Calgary will look to stay atop the west. The writers are mostly siding with Calgary to improve to 5-1.
WRITERS’ PICK: 60% Calgary
SASKATCHEWAN AT BC
Saturday, July 197:00 p.m. ET
TSN/CTV/CBSSN/CFL+
Nathan Rourke has tallied three 300-yard games in the four games he’s played this season, including a season-high 345 against the Elks last week. The Lions have won two straight and will be looking to go to three against a Riders team that lost their first contest of the season in Week 6. Saskatchewan won the meeting between these two teams in Week 4, but it was Jeremiah Masoli and not Rourke behind centre for the Leos. Both teams had differing outputs on the ground last week; James Butler is coming off a career-best 30 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown while AJ Ouellette only racked up nine yards on six carries. Could that make the difference? The pick makers aren’t on the same page.
WRITERS’ PICK: 60% BC
HAMILTON AT OTTAWA
Sunday, July 207:00 p.m. ET
TSN/RDS/CFL+
The final game of Week 7 is the second half of a home-and-home between Hamilton and Ottawa. With just about two minutes left in the game at Hamilton Stadium, Bo Levi Mitchell found Kenny Lawler in the end zone for the game-winning score. The loss pushed Ottawa to 1-5 on the season while Hamilton moved to the top of the East (3-1), moving above .500 for the first time since late in the 2021 season. It’s a unanimous selection in Sunday night’s matchup, with the writers taking the visitors.
WRITERS’ PICK: 100% Hamilton
Thursday’s 6-pack:
NBA players who made the most $$$ last year, on/off the court:
$155.8M- Stephen Curry
$133.7M- LeBron James
$103.8M- Giannis Antetokounmpo
$97.9M- Kevin Durant
$66.8M- Damian Lillard
$59.4M- Joel Embiid
Quote of the Day
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it, and hang on.”
Franklin D Roosevelt
Thursday’s quiz
Where did Stephen Curry play his college basketball?
Wednesday’s quiz
Salvador Perez hit 48 home runs in 2021, the most home runs in one season by a catcher; he was a DH for some of those home runs. Javy Lopez (2003) holds the record for most home runs in a season by guys who were catchers when they homered.
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, Elias Diaz was the MVP.
****************************************
Home Run Derby is a good way to decide the outcome of an exhibition game, especially since one of the teams was out of pitchers. What was weird is that apparently, the players didn’t know the Home Run Derby was going to happen, until like 10 minutes before it happened.
Would’ve been better TV if Aaron Judge/Shohei Ohtani had been in the Home Run Derby, but they were long gone by then. Tough loss if you bet on the American League, losing a bet that way, when no one even knew Home Run Derby was an option.
In the future, I’d kind of want the option to take a push on the bet if the game goes to extra innings. With live betting so prevalent, that should be a choice.
— Dan Iassogna was the home plate umpire for the All-Star Game; does that mean he has graded out the best out of all the umpires this season?
— Corbin Carroll is the first Diamondback to homer in an All-Star Game; Brett Rooker is the first A’s player since Terry Steinbach in 1988 to homer in an All-Star Game.
— In the history of the Chicago Cubs, three players have hit three home runs in a game against the St Louis Cardinals:
1939- Hank Leiber
2003- Moises Alou
2025- Michael Busch
I mention this because all three of those games happened on the 4th of July.
— If you’re looking for a hitter to add in your fantasy baseball league, Giancarlo Stanton has four homers, 10 RBI in his last nine games, with six runs scored, two walks. He is rostered in only 47% of CBS fantasy leagues.
— Major League home run leaders, over the last 365 days:
59- Aaron Judge
57- Shohei Ohtani
52- Cal Raleigh
51- Eugenio Suarez
49- Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber is the first Phillies player since Johnny Callison in 1964 to be MVP of an All-Star Game.
— Famous birthdays, July 17th:
Don Kessinger, 83
David Hasselhoff, 73
Scott Norwood, 65
Bobby Thigpen, 62
Frank Stams, 60
Calbert Cheaney, 54
Kevin Curtis, 47
Mason Rudolph, 30
OG Anunoby, 28
Noah Cameron, 25
Today would’ve been the great actor Donald Sutherland’s 90th birthday.
— It takes ten fouls to foul out of an NBA Summer League game, which is a lot, but it has happened this year.
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jahmai Mashack, who played college ball at Tennessee, played 23:00 in a summer league game this week, scoring 5 points, dishing out 9 assists, grabbing 4 rebounds, all while he committed 10 fouls. It was a very busy 23 minutes for him.
It was also a productive 23:00-; Memphis was +6 in the 23:00 that Mashack played.
— Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo is also coaching their summer league team, which is very unusual, but Iisalo only coached nine games with Memphis last year, so he is getting his footing as an NBA head coach.
— Dallas Mavericks rookie Joan Beringer has looked pretty good in summer league, but he’s only played basketball for four years, starting when he was 14 years old and grew out of his soccer cleats while growing up in France.
— Mavericks shut down rookie Cooper Flagg after his second summer league game, after h scored 31 points in that game, after he shot 5-for-21 in his debut. Not really sure why they shut him down; he could use the experience, but maybe they just used his 31-point game to try and promote their new star get fans to buy season tickets
— Wednesday, Bulls beat Milwaukee 102-96 in a Summer League game.
Chicago’s coach was Billy Donovan III, whose father is the Bulls’ head coach.
Milwaukee’s coach was Spencer Rivers, whose father is the Bucks’ head coach.
— Former Marquette/Indiana coach Tom Crean is great as an analyst on TV; has been fun listening to him on summer league games, Sean Farnham, Isiah Thomas have been good too; they just talk about basketball, with a minimum of nonsense.
— It has been hot around here the last couple weeks; there is a convenience store near my house that makes great milkshakes, so I go there a few times a week. Was in there Tuesday and there is a guy in there wearing a Willie Stargell Pirates’ number 8 jersey.
There is no way this guy was alive when Stargell was playing (he retired in 1982) but it was pretty cool to see anyone wearing a Pirates’ jersey these days.
— I love game shows; was glad to see that ABC is bringing Match Game back, with Martin Short as the new host.
— Notes for the Cleveland Browns:
Kevin Stefanski is 40-44 in four years with the Browns, 3-14 last year.
Browns has only 12 takeaways last year, were minus-22 in turnovers.
Browns gave up 66 sacks last year, were minus-25 in sacks.
Former college QB Tommy Rees is the new OC; he was with Cleveland last year, was with Nick Saban at Alabama before that.
Last year, Browns were 3-4 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cleveland was 0-10 in games decided by more than 8 points.
Browns are 7-13 ATS in last 20 games as an underdog.
Cleveland is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 road games.
Under is 11-5 in their last sixteen home games.
This year, Browns are #19 in NFL in $$$ spent on offensive players.
This year, Browns are #6 in NFL in $$$ spent on defensive players, #1 on CB’s.
— It is July 17th, NFL training camps will all be open soon, and the Saints/Browns don’t seem to know who their starting quarterback is going to be. Both teams have rookie QB’s who figure to take over at some point, but when? It is a difficult decision.
— Only two of 32 second round draft picks have signed their contract; Cincinnati is the only team that hasn’t signed its first round pick yet.
NBA players who made the most $$$ last year, on/off the court:
$155.8M- Stephen Curry
$133.7M- LeBron James
$103.8M- Giannis Antetokounmpo
$97.9M- Kevin Durant
$66.8M- Damian Lillard
$59.4M- Joel Embiid
Quote of the Day
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it, and hang on.”
Franklin D Roosevelt
Thursday’s quiz
Where did Stephen Curry play his college basketball?
Wednesday’s quiz
Salvador Perez hit 48 home runs in 2021, the most home runs in one season by a catcher; he was a DH for some of those home runs. Javy Lopez (2003) holds the record for most home runs in a season by guys who were catchers when they homered.
Tuesday’s quiz
Two years ago, when the NL beat the AL in the All-Star Game, ending a 9-game losing skid to in the All-Star Game, Elias Diaz was the MVP.
****************************************
Thursday’s Den: Clearing out a cluttered mind…….
— Tuesday was a good night for baseball; the All-Star Game was interesting, the new ball/strike challenge system was a success and the game had an interesting, albeit weird ending.Home Run Derby is a good way to decide the outcome of an exhibition game, especially since one of the teams was out of pitchers. What was weird is that apparently, the players didn’t know the Home Run Derby was going to happen, until like 10 minutes before it happened.
Would’ve been better TV if Aaron Judge/Shohei Ohtani had been in the Home Run Derby, but they were long gone by then. Tough loss if you bet on the American League, losing a bet that way, when no one even knew Home Run Derby was an option.
In the future, I’d kind of want the option to take a push on the bet if the game goes to extra innings. With live betting so prevalent, that should be a choice.
— Dan Iassogna was the home plate umpire for the All-Star Game; does that mean he has graded out the best out of all the umpires this season?
— Corbin Carroll is the first Diamondback to homer in an All-Star Game; Brett Rooker is the first A’s player since Terry Steinbach in 1988 to homer in an All-Star Game.
— In the history of the Chicago Cubs, three players have hit three home runs in a game against the St Louis Cardinals:
1939- Hank Leiber
2003- Moises Alou
2025- Michael Busch
I mention this because all three of those games happened on the 4th of July.
— If you’re looking for a hitter to add in your fantasy baseball league, Giancarlo Stanton has four homers, 10 RBI in his last nine games, with six runs scored, two walks. He is rostered in only 47% of CBS fantasy leagues.
— Major League home run leaders, over the last 365 days:
59- Aaron Judge
57- Shohei Ohtani
52- Cal Raleigh
51- Eugenio Suarez
49- Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber is the first Phillies player since Johnny Callison in 1964 to be MVP of an All-Star Game.
— Famous birthdays, July 17th:
Don Kessinger, 83
David Hasselhoff, 73
Scott Norwood, 65
Bobby Thigpen, 62
Frank Stams, 60
Calbert Cheaney, 54
Kevin Curtis, 47
Mason Rudolph, 30
OG Anunoby, 28
Noah Cameron, 25
Today would’ve been the great actor Donald Sutherland’s 90th birthday.
— It takes ten fouls to foul out of an NBA Summer League game, which is a lot, but it has happened this year.
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jahmai Mashack, who played college ball at Tennessee, played 23:00 in a summer league game this week, scoring 5 points, dishing out 9 assists, grabbing 4 rebounds, all while he committed 10 fouls. It was a very busy 23 minutes for him.
It was also a productive 23:00-; Memphis was +6 in the 23:00 that Mashack played.
— Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo is also coaching their summer league team, which is very unusual, but Iisalo only coached nine games with Memphis last year, so he is getting his footing as an NBA head coach.
— Dallas Mavericks rookie Joan Beringer has looked pretty good in summer league, but he’s only played basketball for four years, starting when he was 14 years old and grew out of his soccer cleats while growing up in France.
— Mavericks shut down rookie Cooper Flagg after his second summer league game, after h scored 31 points in that game, after he shot 5-for-21 in his debut. Not really sure why they shut him down; he could use the experience, but maybe they just used his 31-point game to try and promote their new star get fans to buy season tickets
— Wednesday, Bulls beat Milwaukee 102-96 in a Summer League game.
Chicago’s coach was Billy Donovan III, whose father is the Bulls’ head coach.
Milwaukee’s coach was Spencer Rivers, whose father is the Bucks’ head coach.
— Former Marquette/Indiana coach Tom Crean is great as an analyst on TV; has been fun listening to him on summer league games, Sean Farnham, Isiah Thomas have been good too; they just talk about basketball, with a minimum of nonsense.
— It has been hot around here the last couple weeks; there is a convenience store near my house that makes great milkshakes, so I go there a few times a week. Was in there Tuesday and there is a guy in there wearing a Willie Stargell Pirates’ number 8 jersey.
There is no way this guy was alive when Stargell was playing (he retired in 1982) but it was pretty cool to see anyone wearing a Pirates’ jersey these days.
— I love game shows; was glad to see that ABC is bringing Match Game back, with Martin Short as the new host.
— Notes for the Cleveland Browns:
Kevin Stefanski is 40-44 in four years with the Browns, 3-14 last year.
Browns has only 12 takeaways last year, were minus-22 in turnovers.
Browns gave up 66 sacks last year, were minus-25 in sacks.
Former college QB Tommy Rees is the new OC; he was with Cleveland last year, was with Nick Saban at Alabama before that.
Last year, Browns were 3-4 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cleveland was 0-10 in games decided by more than 8 points.
Browns are 7-13 ATS in last 20 games as an underdog.
Cleveland is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 road games.
Under is 11-5 in their last sixteen home games.
This year, Browns are #19 in NFL in $$$ spent on offensive players.
This year, Browns are #6 in NFL in $$$ spent on defensive players, #1 on CB’s.
— It is July 17th, NFL training camps will all be open soon, and the Saints/Browns don’t seem to know who their starting quarterback is going to be. Both teams have rookie QB’s who figure to take over at some point, but when? It is a difficult decision.
— Only two of 32 second round draft picks have signed their contract; Cincinnati is the only team that hasn’t signed its first round pick yet.
CFL
Dunkel
Week 7
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR TORONTO AT MONTREAL
Date: July 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 105.244; Montreal 118.785
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 13 1/2; 47
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal by 10; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-10); Under
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR CALGARY AT WINNIPEG
Date: July 18, 2025
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 111.319; Winnipeg 121.862
Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 10 1/2; 48
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg by 3; 50
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-3); Under
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR SASKATCHEWAN AT BC
Date: July 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Saskatchewan 115.033; BC 113.198
Dunkel Line & Total: Saskatchewan by 2; 58
Vegas Line & Total: BC by 2 1/2; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Saskatchewan (+2 1/2); Over
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR HAMILTON AT OTTAWA
Date: July 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 110.057; Ottawa 113.201
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 3; 57
Vegas Line & Total: Hamilton by 1 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+1 1/2); Over
CFL
Week 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 17
Toronto VS Montreal
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games.
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games against Montreal.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games against Toronto.
Montreal is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home.
Montreal is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto.
Friday, July 18
Calgary VS Winnipeg
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 9 games.
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games.
Calgary is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games against Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games.
Winnipeg is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home.
Saturday, July 19
Saskatchewan VS British Columbia
Saskatchewan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 6 games.
Saskatchewan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Saskatchewan is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against British Columbia.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of British Columbia's last 10 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 6 games against Saskatchewan.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of British Columbia's last 8 games at home.
British Columbia is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Saskatchewan.
Sunday, July 20
Hamilton VS Ottawa
Hamilton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Hamilton's last 12 games.
Hamilton is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games.
Hamilton is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games against Ottawa.
Ottawa is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ottawa's last 9 games.
Ottawa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games at home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dunkel
Week 7
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR TORONTO AT MONTREAL
Date: July 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 105.244; Montreal 118.785
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 13 1/2; 47
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal by 10; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-10); Under
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR CALGARY AT WINNIPEG
Date: July 18, 2025
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 111.319; Winnipeg 121.862
Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 10 1/2; 48
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg by 3; 50
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-3); Under
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR SASKATCHEWAN AT BC
Date: July 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Saskatchewan 115.033; BC 113.198
Dunkel Line & Total: Saskatchewan by 2; 58
Vegas Line & Total: BC by 2 1/2; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Saskatchewan (+2 1/2); Over
DUNKEL INDEX PREDICTION FOR HAMILTON AT OTTAWA
Date: July 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Hamilton 110.057; Ottawa 113.201
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 3; 57
Vegas Line & Total: Hamilton by 1 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+1 1/2); Over
CFL
Week 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 17
Toronto VS Montreal
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games.
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games against Montreal.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Montreal's last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games against Toronto.
Montreal is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home.
Montreal is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto.
Friday, July 18
Calgary VS Winnipeg
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 9 games.
Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games.
Calgary is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games against Winnipeg.
Winnipeg is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games.
Winnipeg is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Winnipeg's last 6 games at home.
Saturday, July 19
Saskatchewan VS British Columbia
Saskatchewan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Saskatchewan's last 6 games.
Saskatchewan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Saskatchewan is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games against British Columbia.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of British Columbia's last 10 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 6 games against Saskatchewan.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of British Columbia's last 8 games at home.
British Columbia is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Saskatchewan.
Sunday, July 20
Hamilton VS Ottawa
Hamilton is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Hamilton's last 12 games.
Hamilton is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games.
Hamilton is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games against Ottawa.
Ottawa is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ottawa's last 9 games.
Ottawa is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ottawa's last 6 games at home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game Day July 16, 2025
MONTREAL – The Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes meet for the second time this season when they square off at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.
Montreal secured an impressive 28-10 win over Toronto in Week 1.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, CFL+ internationally and on CBSSN in the U.S.
The Argos’ run game has struggled so far this season, and if they hope to get it going, it’ll be up to Deonta McMahon to get comfortable quickly after being out since Week 2 with an ankle injury. Without quarterback Chad Kelly for at least another week, McMahon should see consistent handoffs as head coach Ryan Dinwiddie tries to keep the Als’ defence off balance. Montreal won’t make it easy, as they lead the league in average rushing yards allowed per game.
2. HOLDING STRONG UP FRONT
As much as their own run game needs to get going, the same could be said for stopping opposing rushers. Alouettes running back Sean Thomas Erlington is having a respectable season, putting up 5.2 yards per carry, so the offensive line – led by Andrew Chatfield – needs to be ready.
3. THE ARM OF NICK ARBUCKLE
It seems like everyone is waiting on Kelly’s return, but current starter Nick Arbuckle has held his own with 1,449 yards and seven touchdowns, totals that rank third and tied for second in the league. He’ll have to take care of the ball this week against a talented Als secondary that has seven interceptions, the same number Arbuckle has thrown.
The Alouettes’ offence will get a much-needed boost with quarterback Davis Alexander returning. Alexander has been out since Week 3, and in the two games he missed, the Als averaged 18.5 points. Over his three starts this season, they’ve put up an average of 35 points per game.
2. GETTING OPEN FOR DAVIS ALEXANDER
As Alexander gets comfortable in the pocket, it’s the job of star receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, along with the supporting cast of Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker and Charleston Rambo, to give him open targets.
3. PROTECTING THE PIVOT
With their quarterback working his way back from an injury, limiting the contact he faces is imperative. Montreal’s seven sacks allowed are the fourth most. At a position that rarely gets the glory but is necessary for scoring points, offensive linemen Nick Callender, Justin Lawrence, Pier-Olivier Lestage, Jamar McGloster and Donald Ventrelli have to be on their game to stop the Argos pass rushers.
3 keys to victory for Toronto, Montreal in Week 7
MONTREAL – The Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes meet for the second time this season when they square off at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.
Montreal secured an impressive 28-10 win over Toronto in Week 1.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, CFL+ internationally and on CBSSN in the U.S.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
1. DEONTA MCMAHON MAKES HIS RETURNThe Argos’ run game has struggled so far this season, and if they hope to get it going, it’ll be up to Deonta McMahon to get comfortable quickly after being out since Week 2 with an ankle injury. Without quarterback Chad Kelly for at least another week, McMahon should see consistent handoffs as head coach Ryan Dinwiddie tries to keep the Als’ defence off balance. Montreal won’t make it easy, as they lead the league in average rushing yards allowed per game.
2. HOLDING STRONG UP FRONT
As much as their own run game needs to get going, the same could be said for stopping opposing rushers. Alouettes running back Sean Thomas Erlington is having a respectable season, putting up 5.2 yards per carry, so the offensive line – led by Andrew Chatfield – needs to be ready.
3. THE ARM OF NICK ARBUCKLE
It seems like everyone is waiting on Kelly’s return, but current starter Nick Arbuckle has held his own with 1,449 yards and seven touchdowns, totals that rank third and tied for second in the league. He’ll have to take care of the ball this week against a talented Als secondary that has seven interceptions, the same number Arbuckle has thrown.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
1. DAVIS ALEXANDER BACK UNDER CENTREThe Alouettes’ offence will get a much-needed boost with quarterback Davis Alexander returning. Alexander has been out since Week 3, and in the two games he missed, the Als averaged 18.5 points. Over his three starts this season, they’ve put up an average of 35 points per game.
2. GETTING OPEN FOR DAVIS ALEXANDER
As Alexander gets comfortable in the pocket, it’s the job of star receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, along with the supporting cast of Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker and Charleston Rambo, to give him open targets.
3. PROTECTING THE PIVOT
With their quarterback working his way back from an injury, limiting the contact he faces is imperative. Montreal’s seven sacks allowed are the fourth most. At a position that rarely gets the glory but is necessary for scoring points, offensive linemen Nick Callender, Justin Lawrence, Pier-Olivier Lestage, Jamar McGloster and Donald Ventrelli have to be on their game to stop the Argos pass rushers.
NEED TO KNOW
- Montreal can retake the East Division lead with a win.
- Toronto’s only win this season came on the road in Week 4 against Ottawa.
- Argos linebacker Wynton McManis will play in his first game since Week 2 after missing three games with a knee injury.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, CFL+ internationally and on CBSSN in the U.S.
Friday’s 6-pack:
Baseball teams with smallest payrolls this season:
$67,412,619— Marlins
$73,118,981— A’s
$79,216,312— Rays
$82,279,825— White Sox
$87,645,246— Pirates
$100,522,729— Guardians
Quote of the Day
“It is never too late to do the right thing.”
Nelson Mandela
Friday’s quiz
Other than the Chiefs, who was the last team to win the AFC West, and who was their QB that season?
Thursday’s quiz
Stephen Curry played his college basketball at Davidson.
Wednesday’s quiz
Salvador Perez hit 48 home runs in 2021, the most home runs in one season by a catcher; he was a DH for some of those home runs. Javy Lopez (2003) holds the record for most home runs in a season by guys who were catchers when they homered.
**********************************************
It is good gimmick for exhibition games, that’s it.
Umpire trends for the baseball season so far:
Home plate umps with lot of runs scored in their games:
over 13-4- Hanahan
over 12-4- Barrett, Barry
over 13-5- Livensparger
over 12-6- Johnson
over 12-7- Fletcher
over 10-5- Bellino
over 10-6- Additon
over 12-8- Wolcott
Home plate umps with not a lot of runs scored in their games:
under 11-1- Ramos
under 14-4- Hudson, Blaser
under 13-4- Libka
under 12-4- Emil Jimenez
under 12-5- Bacchus, Segal, Tichenor
under 13-6- Lentz
under 12-6- Cuzzi
under 11-5- Scheurwater
Home plate umps where home teams have done well:
home 15-4- Clemons
home 13-3- Ceja
home 12-4- Bucknor, Ramos
home 12-5- Blakeney
home 13-6- Diaz
home 12-6- Gibson, Hudson
home 11-5- Barry
Home plate umps where road teams have done well:
road 13-6- DeJesus
road 12-6- Blaser
road 8-3- Valentine
road 11-6- Edwin Jimenez
road 13-8- Carapazza, Morales
road 10-6- Dreckman
Movie of the Day: The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)- The lives of two struggling musicians, who are brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.
Jeff/Beau Bridges are the brothers, Michelle Pfeiffer is the singer, and she sings all her own songs in the movie. This is a very good movie.
— Notes for the Dallas Cowboys:
Dallas went 7-10 LY, fired Mike McCarthy, after they made the playoffs the three years before that. Brian Schottenheimer is the new head coach. Dallas hasn’t played in the NFC title game since 1995.
This year, Dallas is #1 in NFL in $$$ spent on offensive players (#2 at QB).
Dallas is #13 in NFL in $$$ spent on defensive players
Last year, Cowboys were minus-6 in turnovers (22-28)
Last year, Cowboys were +14 in sacks (52-38)
Dallas was 2-5 LY in games decided by 9+ points, 5-5 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cowboys were favored in only 3 of 17 games last year.
Last two years, Dallas is 6-12 ATS as an underdog.
Last two years, over is 11-6 in their home games.
— Famous birthdays, July 18th:
James Brolin, 85
Joe Torre, 85
Dick Shiner, 83
Wally Walker, 71
Audrey Landers, 69
Mike Greenwell, 62
Jeff Lageman, 58
Anfernee Hardaway, 54
Torii Hunter, 50
Eugenio Suarez, 34
Dinelson Lamet, 33
Kyle Manzardo, 25
— Pittsburgh Steelers signed TJ Watt to a 3-year deal oath $123M, making him the highest paid non-QB in NFL history.
— Washington Commanders signed 36-year old Von Miller to a one-year deal; he played for the Bills the last three seasons. Washington already had the oldest roster in the NFL, now they’ve gotten a little bit older.
— Damian Lillard signed a 3-year, $42M deal to return to the Portland Trailblazers, where he played the first eleven years of his career. Lillard is rehabbing from a torn Achilles he suffered in the first round of the playoffs, so he’ll be out next season.
— If you hear that an NBA player signs a “two-way contract” with a team, it means he will be paid $578,577 for that season, which is half the minimum salary for an NBA player. He’ll split his time between the G League and the NBA.
— If the Tampa Bay Rays make the playoffs, they can host playoff games at their temporary home, a minor-league stadium with a seating capacity of 10,046 that the Bronx Bombers use for their spring training games.
Baseball teams with smallest payrolls this season:
$67,412,619— Marlins
$73,118,981— A’s
$79,216,312— Rays
$82,279,825— White Sox
$87,645,246— Pirates
$100,522,729— Guardians
Quote of the Day
“It is never too late to do the right thing.”
Nelson Mandela
Friday’s quiz
Other than the Chiefs, who was the last team to win the AFC West, and who was their QB that season?
Thursday’s quiz
Stephen Curry played his college basketball at Davidson.
Wednesday’s quiz
Salvador Perez hit 48 home runs in 2021, the most home runs in one season by a catcher; he was a DH for some of those home runs. Javy Lopez (2003) holds the record for most home runs in a season by guys who were catchers when they homered.
**********************************************
Friday’s Den: Umpire trends, and some other stuff…….
Before I start today, the Home Run Derby after the All-Star Game was fun, but there is no way on God’s green earth that this should become a permanent thing in baseball. No chance.It is good gimmick for exhibition games, that’s it.
Umpire trends for the baseball season so far:
Home plate umps with lot of runs scored in their games:
over 13-4- Hanahan
over 12-4- Barrett, Barry
over 13-5- Livensparger
over 12-6- Johnson
over 12-7- Fletcher
over 10-5- Bellino
over 10-6- Additon
over 12-8- Wolcott
Home plate umps with not a lot of runs scored in their games:
under 11-1- Ramos
under 14-4- Hudson, Blaser
under 13-4- Libka
under 12-4- Emil Jimenez
under 12-5- Bacchus, Segal, Tichenor
under 13-6- Lentz
under 12-6- Cuzzi
under 11-5- Scheurwater
Home plate umps where home teams have done well:
home 15-4- Clemons
home 13-3- Ceja
home 12-4- Bucknor, Ramos
home 12-5- Blakeney
home 13-6- Diaz
home 12-6- Gibson, Hudson
home 11-5- Barry
Home plate umps where road teams have done well:
road 13-6- DeJesus
road 12-6- Blaser
road 8-3- Valentine
road 11-6- Edwin Jimenez
road 13-8- Carapazza, Morales
road 10-6- Dreckman
Movie of the Day: The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)- The lives of two struggling musicians, who are brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.
Jeff/Beau Bridges are the brothers, Michelle Pfeiffer is the singer, and she sings all her own songs in the movie. This is a very good movie.
— Notes for the Dallas Cowboys:
Dallas went 7-10 LY, fired Mike McCarthy, after they made the playoffs the three years before that. Brian Schottenheimer is the new head coach. Dallas hasn’t played in the NFC title game since 1995.
This year, Dallas is #1 in NFL in $$$ spent on offensive players (#2 at QB).
Dallas is #13 in NFL in $$$ spent on defensive players
Last year, Cowboys were minus-6 in turnovers (22-28)
Last year, Cowboys were +14 in sacks (52-38)
Dallas was 2-5 LY in games decided by 9+ points, 5-5 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cowboys were favored in only 3 of 17 games last year.
Last two years, Dallas is 6-12 ATS as an underdog.
Last two years, over is 11-6 in their home games.
— Famous birthdays, July 18th:
James Brolin, 85
Joe Torre, 85
Dick Shiner, 83
Wally Walker, 71
Audrey Landers, 69
Mike Greenwell, 62
Jeff Lageman, 58
Anfernee Hardaway, 54
Torii Hunter, 50
Eugenio Suarez, 34
Dinelson Lamet, 33
Kyle Manzardo, 25
— Pittsburgh Steelers signed TJ Watt to a 3-year deal oath $123M, making him the highest paid non-QB in NFL history.
— Washington Commanders signed 36-year old Von Miller to a one-year deal; he played for the Bills the last three seasons. Washington already had the oldest roster in the NFL, now they’ve gotten a little bit older.
— Damian Lillard signed a 3-year, $42M deal to return to the Portland Trailblazers, where he played the first eleven years of his career. Lillard is rehabbing from a torn Achilles he suffered in the first round of the playoffs, so he’ll be out next season.
— If you hear that an NBA player signs a “two-way contract” with a team, it means he will be paid $578,577 for that season, which is half the minimum salary for an NBA player. He’ll split his time between the G League and the NBA.
— If the Tampa Bay Rays make the playoffs, they can host playoff games at their temporary home, a minor-league stadium with a seating capacity of 10,046 that the Bronx Bombers use for their spring training games.
