The Monday Show Prep

Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner

Do or die time in the American League divisional rounds yesterday, and both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are still clinging to life.

The Yankees got gems on the hill last night, as three pitchers, notably Masahiro Tanaka, combined for a 5-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians, extending that best-of-5 series to a 4th game tonight. Cleveland still leads the series 2 games to 1.

Indians manager Terry Francona has opted to go with Trevor Bauer tonight in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium, off just three days rest in what I think is a risky move going forward.

Meantime, the Red Sox stayed alive in Game 3 of their ALDS against the Houston Astros, punching home 6 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning on their way to a 10-3 triumph. Houston still leads the series 2 games to 1 with Game 4 tonight at Fenway Park.  

Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks

Manger Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers may have a lot more to smile about after tonight, as the Dodgers could be the first team in the 2017 postseason to sweep a divisional series.

The Dodgers are on the road in Arizona, leading 2 games to none over the Diamondbacks, and they've gotten to this position a number of different ways.

Clayton Kershaw, despite giving up 4 solo homeruns, won his first home playoff game in the series opener, while the Dodgers scored 8 runs (none through homeruns) in a 8-5 victory over the DBacks in Game 2.

Roberts has done a masterful job with the bullpen and in terms of lineup adjustments.

Meantime, the Washington Nationals will be in Chicago today to face the Cubs in the only series that is tied at 1 game apiece. 

The Cubs still have some issues in that bullpen while the Nationals appeared to find some new life with the bats of both Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, both of whom hit homeruns in a crucial home victory in Game 2.

The schedule of postseason games today: (All times MTN)
Houston at Boston, 11am, FS1
Washington at Chicago, 2pm, TBS
Cleveland at New York, 5pm, FS1
Los Angeles at Arizona, 8pm, TBS

New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The crushing, season ending injuries to both J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans as well as New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham, Jr., cannot be understated.

Not only are both players beloved (or in the case of Beckham, at least mildly so) with their respective fan bases, but both are pivotal pieces going forward, not only for this season but beyond.

Beckham's recovery from what appears to be a severe ankle injury will play a large factor in future contract discussions. And while we're never one to sit here and ponder over the financial statuses of millionaire athletes, his contract was/is a factor going forward and the Giants would be well advised to consider any and all choices in the future.

And while Watt's injury will largely effect Houston's defense this season, I have to admit, I'm quickly becoming a fan of rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson. If you're not impressed with this guy after just a few starts this season, then I don't know what to tell you.

He doesn't bring about an instant reminder of this guy or that guy, but what he does with his ability to get out of trouble and make plays down the field is something we rarely see from a rookie.   

The Watt injury may have Texans fans feeling glum this morning. Perhaps deservedly so, but Watson is a must-see, feast-or-famine quarterback who should provide plenty of highlights in his future.

So this happened yesterday...

Talk about spinning the narrative.

VPOTUS shows up at football game in his home state of Indiana, presumably knowing full well that members of the visiting San Francisco 49ers would be participating in the pregame ritual known as kneeling for the national anthem. And then he and his wife leave right after the incident.

Why do we believe that VPOTUS knew what was coming?

Because POTUS all but told us so, via Twitter.

POTUS tweeted yesterday: "I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLadyKaren."

VPOTUS played right into the narrative, and again, attempted to shift focus away from actual games and highlights and statistics in front of sold out stadiums and back onto his own creepy agenda.

And here's an equally creepy prediction for tonight...

The television ratings for tonight's Monday Night Football game are gonna suck.

The Chicago Bears will play host to the Minnesota Vikings tonight.

There are people freezing their asses off today in International Falls, Minnesota who won't watch tonight.

There are people just now waking up in an alley outside a bar in the south side of Chicago who won't watch tonight.

It's a bad football game between two rather lousy football teams. 

It's a bad football game that runs up against very intriguing matchups featuring teams representing top television markets in both the American League and National League divisional playoff series.

And somehow, tomorrow morning, POTUS will take credit for the anticipated poor ratings.

I ask you -- again -- to think for yourself. Look at and consider all facts and circumstances.

The narrative is there for you.

This is a photo of current Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Chris Foerster.

This (presumably) is also a photo of current Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Chris Foerster, apparently snorting a line of cocaine while recording a video to an unidentified woman.

The Dolphins, at this moment, still have no comment, but acknowledge they are aware of the video and the surrounding publicity.

Hey.... if it's good enough for offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, it's good enough for his coaches.

We'll recap a busy weekend in the NFL and college football.

We'll talk MLB playoffs.

We'll take your calls, texts, tweets and more on a busy Monday morning edition of FIRST SPORTS. Heard live across America (9am-Noon) on the I Heart Radio app right here and locally on the radio dial at AM1340/93.9FM.

You're welcome, America!


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