Braves Have "IT" Factor

The Atlanta Braves are one win away from claiming a World Series title. Last night's 3-2 come from behind win put them at the doorstep of an MLB Championship. 

You know when a team has that "IT" factor; everything seems to somehow work out in their favor. Last night's game was proof of that theory when Braves starting pitcher, Dylan Lee, couldn't get out of the first inning. Lee was relieved by Kyle Wright with bases loaded and one out. Wright staunched the bleeding with a sac ground ball and a strike out. He went on to pitch 4.2 total innings, giving up one earned run.

In the seventh inning with the Astros leading 2-1, the Braves got back-to-back solo home runs by Dansby Swanson and pinch hitting Jorge Soler. Both hit balls seemed to barely get over the wall. The second looked as if Astros left fielder, Yordan Alvarez, could have snagged it. But after seeing replay of the angle and speed of the hit ball, it was obvious Alvarez never had a chance. And the Braves took a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

The play of the game, and perhaps the catch of the postseason, was by "mama there goes that man" Eddie Rosario. With the Braves holding on to a one run lead, Astros little big man, Jose Altuve, scorched a first pitch fast ball to left field. I'm sure everyone watching thought it was going out of the ballpark, including Altuve. Breaking on the ball goes Rosario, reaching out at the last minute to snag it out of the air on the run. He made an incredible catching feat look almost routine, like he does it all the time; it was much more than just routine.

The Rosario catch ended the 8th inning for the Astros, and likely was the moment Braves non-believers were converted to believers. That catch, and the out of control cheering Atlanta home crowd, felt like the Braves were blowing out the Astros, when in reality they led by only one run. The "IT" factor had reared its head, making the 9th inning almost seem like a needless afterthought. 

Today's WS Game 5 has already started, with the Braves getting a first inning grand slam. The Astros have added two runs in the top of the second inning. Looks like this possibly deciding game will come down to unmeasurable moments once again; the "IT" factor.

Go Braves!

Raiders Take Down Philly, Silence Doubters!

The Philadelphia Eagles visited Las Vegas, put their chips down on the table, and the house proceeded to drain them dry before placing their broke butts back on a flight home, winless.

Fly, Eagles, Fly

On The Road to Misery

Cry, Eagles, Cry

After a 34-24 whupping of the Eagles, which wasn't as close as the final score suggests, the Raiders find themselves atop the AFC West Division at 5-2, going into a bye week. 

The Silver and Black convincingly took care of a lesser team, dominating in all phases of the game. The score was 34-10 heading into the 4th quarter, garbage time. And although the Raiders played conservative down the stretch, giving up 14 points, I ain't mad at them. If the strategy is to keep players healthy and let backups get some reps during garbage time, I'm good with it.

Shout out to QB Derek Carr, who again put up 300+ passing yards, completing 31 of 34 attempts. The Offensive Line gave a staunch performance in protecting DC, keeping him upright throughout the afternoon. The running game was impressive, with Kenyan Drake spelling Josh Jacobs, who left the game with chest soreness. Even before Josh left, Drake was putting in good work. Defense keeps getting stronger, with backups knowing their roles.

An overall complete performance by the Raiders. This season is surprisingly looking up for the team, after withstanding a head coaching controversy that landed like a whack to the kneecaps. Yes Raiders fans, we have weathered the storm, come back stronger, and  "I pity the fool" who thinks a head coaching change would sink our ship.

Yes Raider Nation.

The Autumn Wind is still a Raider, Pillaging just for fun.

Knocking them 'round and upside down,

Laughing when we've conquered and won

Just Win Baby!

Of Note: The Eagles came out and tried an onside kick to begin the second half. Raiders FB Alec Ingold was right on it, recovering the kick, and almost busted through toward the goal line. Is it possible head coach Bisaccia, with all his special teams experience, gave the kick receiving team a heads up at half-time? 

Dodger Slayer Eddie Rosario NLCS MVP

The Dodgers brought their big bats, big arms and big egos to game 6 of the National League Championship Series. The Braves, leading the 7 game series 3-2, brought their fire-breathing dragon named Eddie Rosario. And after the Dragon smoked a Dodger fastball over the wall for a three run home run, the Dodgers World Series chances and favored odds, were toast. 

Braves pitching and defense closed down the bums the rest of the way, limiting them to a run in an inning that saw a Dodgers rally get snuffed out by pitcher Tyler Matzek and Braves defense. By games end, I must admit, the tomahawk chop never looked and sounded so good as when watching it applied to a dejected Dodgers team.

Congratulations Braves on your NL Championship!

New Coach - No Problem

Coach Bisaccia

"I Look Good"

Rich Bisaccia "looked good" in winning his first game as Raiders interim head coach. The win featured a solid silver & black performance in all facets of play. Pre-game expectations for the team were not all that positive heading into this divisional showdown, due in part to the Jon Gruden fiasco, and coming off two straight losses. 

Both teams came in with 3-2 records, knowing before kickoff the winner would have a share of the division lead after the Chargers lost badly to the Baltimore Ravens earlier.

The Raiders came out and took it to the Broncos in Denver, leading by as much as 34-17 late in the fourth quarter. But the Broncos bucked and hawed their way to a late touchdown before a Raiders interception put the donkey back in the barn. 

Defense came up with three interceptions, a forced fumble recovery and five sacks, three by #98 Mad Max Crosby. RB Kenyan Drake and WR Henry Ruggs had big offensive pass plays. Josh Jacobs is back and showed some flash, scoring a short yardage touchdown. Derek Carr looked unleashed, again throwing for over 300 yards. OC Greg Olson’s playbook mix utilized all the skills and talent that’s been idling to go since preseason. Play-action passes and screen plays finally came into play.

“Gruden was calling all the plays during his time as head coach, while Greg Olson was more of a strategist as the offensive coordinator. But with Gruden out, Olson stepped into the play calling duties. And the offense came to life.”

And so begins the post-Gruden era of Raiders Football 2021. For a change in leadership nobody saw coming, perhaps its a change to rekindle the fire that burns brightest in the Raiders Organization; "The Will to Win!" 

I wish Coach Bisaccia all the best as he grabs the bull by the horns and attempts to steer toward a winning outcome. 

Win, lose or tie Rich, we're Raiders til' we die!

Final Score

Raiders 34

Broncos 24

Raiders Take A Knee

 

What we as football fans are left wondering is how many more Jon Grudens are still knowingly a part of the NFL "and" ESPN culture. Thousands of emails are likely to show racist, misogynist, homophobic bones all through the bodies of these corporations. 

In a country with a modern day former President who openly espoused the same views as Gruden, we shouldn't really be all that surprised. What might be shocking to many, is how prevalent those views are throughout American culture.  

With the assault on truth in our country, only by exposing the lies and hatred can we move forward as a nation. Systemic racism and hatred of "other" is real ya'll!

Time to do away with "Alternative Facts" and those Foxy predators lying in wait to maul and devour human values and truths.

Dodgers Buzzard's Luck [Lux]

Giants Win Classic NLDS GM 3

Final Score

Giants 1

Dodgers 0

Giants beat L.A. on one run, on the road, against Sherzer, with a young new closer. 

Pitching and defense were on full display for both teams. The two teams with the best records in baseball didn't disappoint. And on a windy Monday night in Los Angeles, California, the San Francisco Giants take a 2 to 1 lead in the best of five games NLDS.  

Alex Wood pitched a heck of a game for SF. Evan Longoria smashed a crucial home run. Brandon Crawford snagged a run saving hit for a crucial out. 

Infield plays by Tommy La Stella, Donovan Solano and Crawford were clutch defense, while outfielders Yastrzemski,  Duggar and Latenight Lamont Wade, Jr. caught everything hit to the outfield. 

And let's not leave out our three closers: Rogers, McGee and "The Kid" Camilo Doval, battening down the hatches of this incredible win.

On a night my Raiders head coach resigns due to irreconcialable ugly email comments, this Giants win is a welcoming sports salve. 

Tomorrow features Game 4 of this rivals postseason series. If you love baseball, you won't wanna miss it. Bring something sharp to cut through all the drama. You'll need it!

Logan Webb Day in SF

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 8: San Francisco Giants’ starting pitcher Logan Webb reacts after striking out the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger with two outs in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., FrIday, Oct. 8, 2021. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Yes baseball fans, today is Logan Webb Day in sunny San Francisco, after the Giants starting pitcher stymied the L.A. Dodgers in their NLDS game 1 matchup. Throughout the city today are seen Giants fans proudly sporting team gear and colors, while there's hardly a sign of Dodger blue in sight. 

Last night's dominating 4-0 win was confirmation of the NL West Championship crown the Giants are deservedly donning throughout this MLB 2021 postseason. Though the standout performance of the night belonged to Logan Webb on the mound, you gotta give it to what amounted to a team effort. With Buster Posey behind the plate calling pitches, and also delivering a two run home run in the 1st inning, the gloves came off as the Giants pitched, batted, threw and gloved their way to a knockout performance. And need I remind you it was over an opponent who had won 106 regular season games.

Of the many great Giants plays from last night's win, my favorite was the Tommy LaStella to Brandon Crawford gloved ball flip that resulted in a spectacular double play. It reminded me, and many other Giants fans I'm sure, of the 2014 postseason Joe Panik to Crawford double play. 

I must keep reminding myself that it's only one game, but I can't help but feel that this "107 regular season wins" Giants squad is a team of destiny. And Logan Webb's performance was simply another launch phase to catapult the ship toward it's destination.

Let's Go Giants!!!

T.I. - Live In The Sky (Feat. Jamie Foxx)

 

What's Happening Man! This T.I.P. you know.

I like to dedicate this song to anybody who ever lost somebody. To the grave, to the streets, to the jail cell.

I done been in situations where I done had to Cope with all three, you know what I'm saying!

I feel like the only thing I ain't done yet is die, you know...

Just remember, where you live while you're here ain't half as important as where you're gonna live when you leave.

Lyrics

Let's Go Giants!

 

San Francisco Giants Win 107 Games

San Francisco Giants dethrone L.A. Dodgers as National League West Champions. They clinched with an 11-4 blowout of the San Diego Padres on the final day of regular season. And now its on to some Orange October baseball once again.  Torture never felt so good as watching the Giants in the postseason.