Tigers, Royals even ALDS; Chiefs roll behind familiar faces; 2024-25 NHL predictions

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⚾ Good morning to everyone, but especially to…

THE DETROIT TIGERS AND THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS

For the first time ever, All four division series are tied 1-1.

Cleveland had no shortage of drama along the way. The Tigers deserved one 3-0 triumph in game 2their first ALDS win since 2013, powered by Kerry Carpenter's stunning three-run home run in the ninth inning Guardian Superstar closer Emmanuel Clase.

Carpenter is just the third Tiger to hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later of a playoff game Magglio Ordonez (2006) and Al Kaline (1972).

All in all, how surprising was this?

• Clase has appeared in 76 games this season. This is the only time he is allowed multiple runs.
• Carpenter's home run had an exit velocity of 110.8 mph, the hardest hit ball by Clase in his entire career.
• The Tigers had lost 15 straight playoff games when tied or trailing in the ninth inning.

Of course, hitting is only half the battle; for the other half, Tarik Skubal is as good as it gets. He went seven innings, allowing three hits and striking out eight. He is the fifth player ever to throw at least six scoreless innings in each of his first two career playoff appearances. Yes, pretty good.

In the nightcap, the Royals equalized their series against the Yankees with a Uncomplicated 4:2 win. New York took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, but Kansas City responded with all four runs in the fourth inning on both big balls – Salvador Perez's solo home run – and small ball: RBI singles from Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson And Maikel Garcia

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a home run in the ninth inning – the team's only extra-base hit of the night – but Lucas Erceg calmed down and took care of the matter.

This first week of playoff baseball was incrediblestates Matt Snyder, and the stakes only rise.

👍 Honorable Mentions

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 Chiefs Top Saints behind strong defense, familiar faces

It may not always be pretty, but this Chiefs Just keep going, even if they are still figuring out their crime. Kansas City defeated New Orleans 26-13thanks to a rotating cast of old and new characters Patrick Mahomes and a defense that continues to impress.

• Mahomes threw for 331 yards, 130 of which went to him JuJu Smith-Schuster. This is Smith-Schuster's highest value since 2018.
• Kareem Hunt ran for 102 yards – his most since 2020 – and a touchdown. Xavier Worthy also scored on the ground.
• The SaintsMeanwhile, he managed a measly 220 yards at 4.3 yards per play. Derek CarrWHO was left with an oblique injuryfell to 3-15 in his career against the Chiefs.

Kansas City rushed for a season-high 460 yards and never trailed for the first time this season. This could have been a much bigger win if the offense hadn't gotten stuck in the red zone (including). that incredible interception and return from a 324 pound defensive lineman Khalen Saunders), but all other signs were encouraging.

With Rashee Rice probably done for the season And Isiah Pacheco A few weeks later, the Chiefs are still finding answers. Smith-Schuster, cut from the Patriots About two months ago he took on part of the Rice role and Travis Kelce (70 yards) had a strong game for the second straight game in Rice's absence. Hunt, who was a free agent throughout the offseason, joined the practice squad just three weeks ago.

We have seen many teams struggling due to injuries this season. If you have Mahomes and Andy Reid Citing the crime and Steve Spagnuolo But when you're leading the defense, there are always plenty of solutions.

🏒 NHL season preview, Stanley Cup tips

The NHL is soooo back, the season starts tonight. (Okay, technically it started with this Devil that beat saber (twice in Prague, Czech Republic, but the North American portion of the season begins tonight.) We have three wonderful encounters to get us going:

• Blues at Kraken
• Bruins at Panthers (Florida's first game as reigning champions)
• Blackhawks at Utah Hockey Club (first game in Utah franchise history)

The Panthers are sticking with Austin Nivision Stanley Cup or bust stage.just like the team they beat a few months ago in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Oiler. The Maple Leafs, Rangers And Stars Join this group.

I'm really excited to watch the Oilers. How could it not be you? You have, in Austin's assessmentthe best of sport And fifth best player. Here are his top 5:

1. Connor McDavid, C, Oilers — “McDavid is in a stratosphere all his own… Over the last three seasons, McDavid led the NHL in assists (268), points (408) and power play points (159).”
2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche — “Last year, MacKinnon scored a career-high 140 points and won his first Hart Trophy as NHL MVP.”
3. Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs — “The Maple Leafs star missed nearly 70 goals last season, but his 69 goals were still the most since then.” Mario Lemieux That's how many goals he scored in the 1995/96 season.
4. David Pastrnak, W, Bruins — “Pastrnak is one of the few wingers in the NHL responsible for offensive zone play, and he has proven he can shoulder a heavy load in the 2023-24 season.”
5. Leon Draisaitl, C, Oilers — “Draisaitl may not be McDavid, but he doesn't take a backseat to anyone when it comes to his offensive ability.”

Here are Austin's full top 10.

However, great players alone do not make champions; Great teams, yes. Austin and Chris Bengel The Stanley Cup tips are here.

• Nivision: “Stars over devils – The Stars downgraded their defensive strength in the offseason, but that's partially offset by a forward group that packs more firepower than the Galactic Empire. That, along with elite goalkeeper from Jake Oettingerhelps them sneak past the Oilers in a rematch of last year’s conference finals.”
• Urchin: “Oilers over Rangers -Edmonton arguably has a larger roster than it did a year ago after adding experienced forwards such as B. added Jeff Skinner And Viktor Arvidsson to their top six. For the first time in several years, the Oilers also have a strong goaltender in the crease in the form of Stuart Skinner.”

They also selected awards. Here's everything else you should know:

🏈 Changes at the top of CBS Sports 134, Power Rankings

Welcome back to the top, Texas! The Longhorns reclaimed the No. 1 ranking CBS Sports 134and this is what the top 5 look like in the new look:

1. Texas (previously: 3)
2. Ohio State (2)
3. Penn State (6)
4. Oregon (8)
5. Miami (7)

The Longhorns are prepared for this too Quinn Ewers (abdominal tension) back for their Red River Rivalry game against No. 18 Oklahoma. Here they are biggest climbers and relegators in this week's 134th.

Texas is also number 1 in Brandon Marcello's power rankingsand the biggest climber there shares the same state…

• Marcello: “Texas A&M (not ranked 9th) – We're tired of sleeping on the Aggies. This defense is legitimate and we were shocked at the incredible accuracy Conner Weigman was on his return from injury. The Aggies punched Mizzou in the mouth and continued to outscore the Tigers in the second and third quarters en route to a dominant 41-10 victory…Texas A&M sits atop the SEC at 3-0 and looked like a force to be reckoned with. 10 team.”

Finally, in “The Monday Read” Richard Johnson wrote about Vanderbiltbecause who doesn't love these Commodores?!

📺 What we're watching on Tuesday

🏒 Blues at Kraken4:30 p.m. on ESPN
⚾ NLDS Game 3: Phillies at Mets5:08 p.m. on FS1
🏒 Bruins at Panthers7 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 WNBA Semifinals Game 5: Sun at Lynx8 p.m. on ESPN2
⚾ NLDS Game 3: Dodgers at Padres9:08 p.m. on FS1
🏒 Blackhawks at Utah Hockey Club10 p.m. on ESPN