[baseball]
A 5-1 north a' the border road win for the Damn Yankees over the Blue Jays this Saturday tallied for them their 86th victory and clinched an American League Wild-card spot. Each rather surprising bits a' behaviour for a squad supposedly mid-rebuilding. Their youth (Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge), and a juiced MLB ball are on-par MVP considerations. Lo, perchance I am only slightly bias. The Damn Yankees remain mathematically and technically in the running to capture the AL East pennant. But they remain behind their BoSox rivals by five games with just seven left. I don't see 'em going past the wild-card game, even though they'll host and play I-don't-know-whom.
Juxtaposed is a ball club which I've already pegged for going deep into the post-season. Namely the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team qualified for the MLB play-offs for the first campaign since 2011's this Sunday, up-on both the Brew Crew and Cardinals losing to the White Sox and Pirates, respectively. Then, the D-backs out-paced Stanton's Marlins 3-2 to clinch hosting advantages in the NL wild-card meeting. Since the floundering-for-the-ages Trolley Dodgers already clinched the NL pennant on the back of their en fuego most-of-season -- Arizona has nada at stake either-way during the season's final week. They shall, humsoever, be hitting the big time at a big stride.
[boxing]
In a well-contested bout Saturday before four-thousand-plus at The Forum in Inglewood, Jorge Linares (43-3, 27KO) retained his Lightweight championship via split-decision over Luke Campbell (17-2, 14KO). This marks the Venezuelan pug Linares' second successful defense, coming here against the mandatory challenge of a lanky south-paw Brit.
Linares looked startlingly sharp 'gainst the Olympic champ in the opening three stanzas, outclassing Campbell via hand-and-foot-speed. This included scoring a second round knock-down and opening a cut under Campbell's right eye. The cut-man is quite responsible for this fight seeing its way to decision, via his expert Enswell efforts.
Come the fourth, and through much of the prize-fight's meat, Campbell put forth a courageous effort, allowed by Linares seemingly unable or uninterested in stringing together a cohesive attack. Then, come the championship rounds, Linares returned inexplicably to his opening form.
Two judges ring-side scored for Linares: 115-112, 114-113. The third had it 115-113 for Campbell. Essentially, the knock-down was too much to overcome on points. This is Linares', 12th in a row triumph. He later stated: "Mikey Garcia at 135. If we need to go to 140, we'll go to 140." Best of luck to sir, as sir shall need it methinks. Linares has an uncanny ability to at once be beautiful, as he makes a bout ugly.
[horse racing]
Running for first time in seven months, Eclipse Award winning filly Champagne Room out-classes $200K Remington Park Oaks field.
Aussie gelding Turbo Street, owned by OK's Mr. Brewster out-paces stable-mate Paternal Pride in the $100K Remington Green at Remington Park.
Four year-old bay C.E.C. Farms’ Sparkles’ Girl wins Woodbine's $125K Classy 'n Smart Stakes under Emma-Jayne Wilson's smart ride.
Archaggelos, Monticule LLC’s well-regarded Juvie home-bred, beats strong Laurel Park dozen-deep field in second race feature.
Coal Front's trainer Pletcher: Gallant Bob win, staving off American Pastime Saturday at Park Racing, included a condylar fracture set-back.
IN ADDITION:
"You've Eaten my Socks" Kaplowitz Radio: September 24, 2017