Happy Friday đ The back half of the MLB season picked up last night, and the Astros made a statement yesterday to the Yankees and the rest of the American League. With pennant and division races in the near future, the home stretch of the MLB season looks to be an exciting one.
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Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images |
Houston Takes Both Games of Doubleheader Against Yankees
The two best teams in the MLB faced off in a doubleheader yesterday as the Astros took both games over the Yankees, winning the first 3-2 and the second 7-5.
In the first game, the Astros headed into the ninth with a 2-1 lead, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa tied the game up in the top of the ninth with an RBI single. However, Houston immediately answered thanks to J.J. Matijevicâs walk-off single for the win. The second game on the other hand wasnât nearly as close. Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman hit back-to-back homers in the first inning to set the tone and complete the wire to wire victory over New York. Trouble Brewing in New York
While this has for the most part been a magical season for the Yankees, they cannot seem to exercise their demons in Houston. After crushing playoff defeats to them in 2017 and 2019, they are just 2-5 against the Astros this year, with their only wins coming via walk-off. If New York wants to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2009, they are very likely going to have to figure out a way to beat Houston, because they are still the team to beat in the American League until proven otherwise.
Additional Storylines
ESPN: Sweep Gives Astros Season Series vs. Yankees, but Aaron Boone says 'it's not going to matter unless' it's October
NY Post: Yankees Get Reality Check in Humbling Doubleheader Sweep by Astros |
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Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images |
Cardinals and Kyler Murray Agree on 5 Year Extension
While there have been rumblings about an extension not getting done due to him missing voluntary OTAs in May and scrubbing his instagram account clear of any Cardinals-related content, the Cardinals and Kyler Murray seemed to have reconciled. 9 days before their training camp is scheduled to begin, Arizona locked up their quarterback of the future, as they agreed on a five year, $230 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2028 season. This extension gives the 24 year old quarterback the second highest annual salary in the NFL at $46.1 million, trailing only Aaron Rodgers.
After being drafted first overall in the 2019 draft, Murray has led the Cardinals to an improved record in each of his three seasons. Last year, Arizona started off 7-0 and briefly looked like Super Bowl contenders, but a Murray ankle injury derailed their season, as they finished just 4-6 and were ultimately blown out in the Rams in the Wild-Card round. Now that the extension is done, the Cardinals now look towards Murray to continue leading them all the way from the bottom of the league to becoming a true force for years to come.
Additional Storylines ESPN: Why the Arizona Cardinals had to Give Kyler Murray Whatever he Wanted
Yahoo!: Kyler Murray's $46 Million Annual Salary is Almost the Same as the Athletics' 2022 Payroll |
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Vingegaard Separates Himself |
Photo: Michael Steele / Getty Images |
Jonas Vingegaard's Big Day Puts him in Prime Position to win Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar came into the 2022 Tour de France looking to win it for the third straight year, but those hopes are all but insurmountable after stage 18 yesterday. Heading into the stage, Pogacar trailed Jonas Vingegaard by 2 minutes and 18 seconds, and needed to cut into the lead at least a little bit before the final three stages. However, Vingegaard only built upon his lead, winning yesterday by 1:04. His big day puts him in prime position to win his first Tour de France this weekend as it wraps up this Sunday.
Watch: Stage 18 Highlights
Tour de France Standings 1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma): 71H, 53M, 34S 2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates): 71H, 57M, 00S
3. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers): 72H, 01M, 34S Full Standings Additional Storylines
VeloNews: Tadej PogaÄar Crashes on Descent and Jonas Vingegaard Waits: âWe Respect Each Other a lotâ
Yahoo!: 'Best Man Won': Pogacar Hails Vingegaard as Tour de France Slips Away |
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âžď¸ 7 Biggest Storylines for MLBâs 2nd Half
The All-Star break didnât turn out to be much of a break for major baseball news. From Juan Soto trade rumors to the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani, these are the biggest storylines to know for the MLBâs second half. (Yahoo! Sports)
đ Ranking the Highest-Paid QBs in the NFL
After Kyler Murrayâs massive extension, the leagueâs top young signal-callers are securing the bag. Here is Over The Capâs top 10 list of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league â the highest paid. Period. (USA Today)
đ The Donovan Mitchell Trade Market
The Knicks have all the pieces to bring Utahâs All-Star guard to Broadway, but it should be hesitant to go all in. As good as Mitchell is, questions remain about his ability to carry a team. (The Ringer) |
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Tour de France Stage 19: Castelnau-Magnoac > Cahors (Friday)
Stage 20: Lacapelle-Marival > Rocamadour (Saturday) Stage 21: Paris la Defense Arena > Champs-Elysees (Sunday) MLB Dodgers-Giants Series Padres-Mets Series Astros-Mariners Series Blue Jays-Red Sox Series Full MLB Weekend Schedule Womenâs EUROs (Quarterfinals)
Sweden vs. Belgium (Fri. 2:00 pm) France vs. Netherlands (Sat. 2:00 pm) WNBA
Storm at Mercury (Fri. 9:00 pm) Sparks at Aces (Sat. 9:00 pm) Full WNBA Schedule PGA Tour 3M Open (All Weekend) *All Times ET |
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