Central Struggles

By Mike Rifkin

It’s still April, and there is still a lot of Baseball to be played. But there are two teams I am considering pushing the panic button on. 

The White Sox were arguably the biggest disappointment in Baseball last season. They have carried that over into 2023. The White Sox have lost seven consecutive games, including being swept by the Blue Jays this week. The Blue Jays outscored them 20-2 in the three games and 15-0 in the final two. The White Sox team has a slash line of .232/.292/.373. Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson, the team’s top two hitters, have been limited due to injuries; Anderson should be starting a rehab assignment this weekend. As a team, they are averaging four runs per game. The pitching could be better, too. The White Sox are 29th in ERA with a 5.53 ERA; the only team behind them is the Athletics. Last year the White Sox had a 3.92 ERA, and in 2021 they were seventh with a 3.83 ERA. Dylan Cease is the only starter with an ERA under three. Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, who both needed to have a bounce-back season, currently have ERA’S of 4.50 and 7.52, respectively, and the two have combined for three out of a possible ten quality starts. The White Sox are currently seven games back of the Twins in the AL Central, and upcoming they have a four-game set against the Rays and a three-game set against the Twins; if they can stay afloat, they then have seven games against the Reds, and Royals with potential to make some noise in the standings. 

In the National League, I’m starting to worry about the Cardinals, who will look to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Giants on Thursday. The Cardinals are 9-16 and eight games back of the Pirates in the NL Central, just like everyone suspected. The Cardinals are 3-7 in their last ten games. Last year the Cardinals won the NL Central before losing to the Phillies in the Wild Card series. The Cardinals’ offense is doing its part, averaging 4.50 runs per game. They have a slash line of .267/.341/.425. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado have done their job combining for six home runs and 27 RBIs. Nolan Gorman has six home runs and 22 RBI with a slash line of .295/.378/.590. The Cardinals have a team ERA of 4.38. Cardinals starters have four quality starts in the team’s 25 games, three of which belong to Jordan Montgomery. Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz have combined for 32 walks in 53 innings. The rest of the staff has combined for 20 in 77.4 innings pitched. Adam Wainwright is yet to throw a pitch this season, but you can’t expect a 40-year-old pitcher to come to save the entire staff. After Thursday’s game against the Giants, the team will travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers before returning home to play the Angels. 

Yes, it’s early in the baseball season, and both teams can get hot. But if they don’t pick it up soon, they could have a disappointing 2023.

2023 NFL MOCK DRAFT

BY MIKE RIFKIN

  1. Panthers – Bryce Young QB – Alabama – The Panthers moved up to number one to get their franchise guy that they haven’t had since Cam Newton left.
  2. Texans – Will Anderson Jr. EDGE- Alabama – I believe the noise that the Texans are passing on a quarterback if Young isn’t here. Anderson is the best edge rusher in the draft and gives new coach Demeco Ryans a shiny new toy on defense. 
  3. Colts (Via ARI) – CJ Stroud QB – Ohio ST. I know it’s one spot, but the Colts cannot have this opportunity slip through their fingers. Stroud could be the franchise guy they’ve been searching for since Andrew Luck retired.
  4. Cardinals (via IND) – Tyree Wilson – Edge Texas Tech – Wilson had 16.5 sacks in four seasons at Texas Tech. The Cardinals lost their sack leader JJ Watt, to retirement.
  5. Seahawks – Jalen Carter – Georgia – Yes, there is off the field troubles with Carter, but if there is a guy who can help him, it’s Pete Carroll. The Seahawks take arguably the best defensive player in the draft with the pick they got in the Russell Wilson trade. 
  6. Lions – Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois – Jeff Okudah was traded to Atlanta, so there’s a hole at the corner. Witherspoon had 160 tackles and five interceptions in his four years at Illinois.
  7. Raiders – Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon – The Raiders play in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Justin Herbert. Gonzalez had a solid career at Oregon, including four interceptions last season. 
  8. Falcons – Lukas Van Ness – EDGE -Iowa – The Falcons were 31st in the NFL in sacks last season. The Falcons might have something on the defensive line by combining Van Ness with Grady Jarrett and the recently added Calais Campbell.
  9. Bears – Peter Skoronski – OT Northwestern – I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a trade if one of the quarterbacks falls. Justin Fields was sacked 55 times last season; that can’t happen. The Bears stay in the city and take one of the top offensive linemen in the draft.
  10. Eagles- Myles Murphy – EDGE – Clemson – Brandon Graham is on a one-year deal, and the Eagles love working in the trenches. 
  11. Titans- Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida – There’s a report the Titans have lost faith in Malik Willis, and they can get out of Ryan Tannehill’s contract after this season. Richardson has raw ability and will have to wait on the bench.
  12.  Texans – Jaxson Smith -Njigba – WR -Ohio St – Again, I have the Texans bypassing quarterback because they could have something up their sleeve (Trey Lance). Whoever the quarterback is, they need receivers to throw to, especially after the Brandin Cools trade. Smith-Njigba was a beast in 2021, with 95 catches, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns. 
  13.  Packers – Dalton Kincaid – TE – Utah – The irony of using a first-round pick you got for trading Aaron Rodgers and using it on a pass catcher. Kincaid gives Jordan Love an excellent safety valve. Just watch the USC game from October.
  14.  Vikings – Will Levis – QB – Kentucky – The Vikings won the NFC North last year but have to look to the future past Kirk Cousins. They could move up and take the Kentucky QB if Levis is still around.
  15.  Jets – Paris Johnson – OT – Ohio ST.- The Jets just brought in Aaron Rodgers. Now the goal is to protect him. The other factor for this is Mekhi Becton has yet to be able to prove he can stay healthy. 
  16.  Commanders – Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Penn St. – Could fit with Ron Rivera. Porter is a very physical corner and is very long. 
  17. Steelers – Broderick Jones – OT -Georgia – Steelers offensive line gave up 38 sacks last season. Jones is very athletic and can develop into a cornerstone at left tackle.
  18.  Lions – Bijan Robinson – RB -Texas – I know the Lions need help on defense and added David Montgomery during the offseason, but I can’t pass this up. The Lions last had an elite running back when, Barry Sanders. Robinson will have the Motor in the Motor City.
  19.  Bucs – Darnell Wright – OT – Tennessee – The Tom Brady era is over in Tampa. But over the last two years, he was sacked 44 times; Wright can slot in on the right side as they try to fix the offensive line. 
  20. Seahawks – Nolan Smith – EDGE- Georgia – Nolan Smith can be to this Seahawks team what Bruce Irvin was to the teams that were great in the 2010s. So the Seahawks, with their two firsts, take two defensive players from Georgia, alright.
  21. Chargers – Jordan Addison – WR – USC – Keenan Allen missed some time last season with a hamstring injury, and Mike Williams has also had injury issues. Addison, a former Bilentikoff award winner, could stay in California after one year at USC.
  22.  Ravens – O’Cyrus Torrence – Everything here hinges on what happens with Lamar Jackson. Torrence can replace Ben Powers, who left for the Broncos. Torrence could also benefit from the new system new offensive coordinator Todd Monken wants to implement.
  23. Patriots – Deonte Banks – CB- Maryland – This could easily be a weapon for Mac Jones, but Bill Belichick opts for defense against the offenses of the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets. Banks will bring in great size and length.
  24. Jaguars – Brian Branch -DB – Alabama – The Jags could use another corner cutting Shaq Griffin. Brian Branch played inside at Alabama and has excellent instincts. 
  25.  Chiefs (Via NYG) – Zay Flowers – WR – Boston College – Zay Flowers has been working out with Patrick Mahomes. Flowers is a smooth route runner and would give the Chiefs a serious deep threat. So if the Chiefs want him, they must come up to get him.
  26. Cowboys – Anton Harrison – OT – Oklahoma – Tyron Smith is another year older and has had some injuries over the past few seasons. If there’s one thing the Cowboys have done well with, it’s drafting O linemen. Harrison could be the Left Tackle of the future.
  27.  Bills – Jack Campbell – LB- Iowa – Might not be the most popular pick, but Campbell replaces Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the Bears. Campbell, 2022, won the Dick Butkus Award for best Linebacker in the country. In four years at Iowa, Campbell had 305 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, 15 passes defended, and five interceptions.
  28.  Bengals – Michael Mayer- Do the Bengals need another weapon on offense? Mayer will provide a big-time red zone threat and open up the middle of the field. Mayer is also a good run blocker which could open that up for the Bengals.
  29. Saints – Will McDonald – Edge – Iowa ST.- The Saints need a guy opposite Cam Jordan, and McDonald gives them just that. McDonald is very explosive, and he and Cam Jordan could create a dynamic duo for the Saints’ defense.
  30. Eagles – Calijah Kancey- Fletcher Cox is back on a one-year deal. Kacey crushed it at the combine and posted 14.5 sacks in two years as a starter. Kacey and Jordan Davis in the middle for a long time could be why the Eagles stay in a state with this pick.
  31. Giants (Via KC) – Quentin Johnston – WR – TCU – Johnston is very athletic and has good speed and size. The Giants can give Daniel Jones everything they thought Kenny Golladay was going to give them.

The 2023 NFL Mock Draft 

By Bill Murphy

  1.  Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young QB Alabama- The Panthers have been searching for a franchise Quarterback since Cam Newton left. They tried Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and PJ Walker last year, and they’re gone. Frank Reich has succeeded with QBS, such as Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, and others. 
  2. Houston Texans – CJ Stroud – QB Ohio State -Demeco Ryans might want A QB that is not Davis Mills.
  3. Arizona Cardinals Will Anderson – Alabama Edge Rusher The Arizona Defense will have some holes in its season with the absence of their sack leaders of the last three seasons (Heason Reddick, Marcus Golden, and JJ Watt ). There is also a chance this pick will be traded. Anderson has a stat of 24.5 sacks at Alabama. 
  4. Colts – Will Levis QB – Kentucky – Let’s Just admit the Matt Ryan Experiment was a failure. Since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have been searching for a long-term solution at Quarterback. With Shane Steichen at the reigns of the Colts, he has a good track record with young QBS, such as Phillip Rivers, Justin Herbert in San Diego / Los Angeles, and Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. 
  5. Seattle Seahawks -Tyree Wilson EDGE -Texas Tech Last year, Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor both had 9.5 sacks which led the Seahawks. Wilson, in his 23 games at Texas Tech, wracked up 14 sacks, 62 solo tackles, and 27.5 tackles for loss. If the Seahawks draft Wilson and the free agent signings of Bobby Wagner, Devin Bush, and Dre’mont Jones, the Seahawks defense could be a force to be reckoned with.  
  6. Detroit Lions -Christian Gonzalez CB – Oregon- Christian Gonzalez stats from last year he had four interceptions. In his three years at Oregon, he had 17 passes defended. 
  7. Las Vegas Raiders -Peter Skoronski OT Northwestern – Skoronski can play all five offensive-line positions, making him the most flexible player in the draft. Skornoski can be the best protection for Jimmy Garroplo, only giving up on pressure 2.1 %of the time at Northwestern.
  8. Atlanta Falcons- Nolan Smith Edge Rusher Georgia -Smith would be under the mentorship of veteran Calais Campbell. The Falcons could keep the Georgia boy at home. 
  9. Chicago Bears – Paris Johnson Ohio State OT – The Chicago Bears have the worst pressure allowed percentage at 39.5 percent, and Field was sacked 55 times last year despite his running abilities. Johnson could protect Fields from opponents’ defense and Reunite Justin Fields with his old college teammate. 
  10. Philadelphia Eagles- Jalen Carter – The Eagles are in a position where they don’t have a lot of holes. The Eagles could boost up their Defensive Line with the best player available. So despite Carter’s off-field escapades, he can be a real asset to the Eagles Defensive line. 
  11.  Tennessee Titans -Anthony Richardson QB – Tannehill’s fate is uncertain with him heading into the final year of his contract. The Titans have reportedly lost faith in Malik Willis, who had a lackluster rookie season scoring no touchdowns and throwing three interceptions. Richardson threw 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
  12. Houston Texans -Quentin Johnston WR TCU – Johnston had his best season last year with 60 catches, 1,069 yards, and six touchdowns. With the Texans losing Brandin Cooks to Dallas, they need another weapon. 
  13. Green Bay Packers- Lukas Van Ness Edge Iowa – Over the last two seasons, Van Ness put in 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss and blocked two punts last year against Iowa State. Van Ness would help a Packer defense that underachieved last year. 
  14. New England Patriots – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State- He gives Mac Jones a new weapon in 2021. Smith – Njigba wracked up 95 receptions, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns. In 2022 he played three games before hurting his hamstring, and he decided to sit out the rest of the season. 
  15. New York Jets- Georgia – Broderick Jones OT – With the addition of Aaron Rodgers, the Jets would need a solid offensive line to protect him. Last Year Jones didn’t give up a sack. 
  16. Washington Commanders Joey Porter CB -Last year, Porter wracked up 21 solo tackles with six assists, the most tackles in a season. 
  17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Calijah Kancey Pittsburgh DL – Cam Heyward will be 34 years old next month. Kancey was unbelievable at the combine. After taking the Pitt QB last year, the Steelers could stay in the same area here. 

18. Detroit Lions -Myles Murphy Clemson edge – During his last two seasons in Clemson, he had 14.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss. He would be dangerous to quarterbacks, along with Aidan Hutchinson  

19 Tampa Bay Bucs, Brian Branch, Alabama Safety – The Bucs dropped from 3rd to 15th in run defense in the league. With the Bucs losing Keanu Neal, Mike Edwards, and Logan Ryan to free agency, Branch missed four out of 174 tackles. 

20. Seattle Seahawks – Jordan Addison WR-USC -Addison would be an excellent addition to Lockett and Metcalf as a wide receiver. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021, given to the best receiver in College Football.

21. Los Angeles Chargers -Bijan Robinson RB Texas- Austin Eckler requested a trade; Robinson would be the best replacement with 1,580 yards and eight touchdowns last year. 

22. Baltimore Ravens -Jaxson Kirkland- OT- Washington – The key to the Ravens is having Lamar Jackson back. With the addition of Odell Beckham, if the Ravens want to keep Lamar upright, Kirkland can help.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Cedric Tilman – WR – Tennessee – Adam Thielen was cut during the offseason. Tillman gives Kirk Cousins another weapon across from Justin Jefferson. 

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Darnell Wright OT -Tennessee – Wright, along with Cam Robinson, will be the premier tackle for Trevor Lawrence.

25. New York Giants – Zay Flowers- WR – Boston College Flowers will add to the wide receiver group of Darius Slayton, Isiah Hodgins, and Sterling Shepard. This pick gives Daniel Jones another weapon. 

26. Dalton Kincaid TE – Utah Dallas Cowboys – Dalton Schultz walked in free agency. Kincaid gives Dak a nice security blanket. 

27. Buffalo Bills Deonte Banks CB Maryland – 83 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He’s a strong and versatile tackler. He has a good size for a corner.

28 Cincinnati Bengals – Keion White – EDGE Georgia Tech – An athletic edge rusher to play with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. 

29. New Orleans Saints – Parker Washington WR – Excellent after the catch, similar to his former teammate Jahan Dotson. Pairing him with Chris Olave could give Derek Carr two solid young receivers. 

30. Philadelphia Eagles-Will McDonald IV Edge Iowa State – Brandon Graham signed a one-year deal but is another year older. McDonald could benefit from playing for a team with a ton of depth. He is very explosive, and the Eagles could mold him. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jahmyr Gibbs RB – Alabama -The benefit of being Super Bowl Champs. Clyde Edwards – Helaire hasn’t panned out, and Jerrick Mckinnon is a free agent. Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco could be a tremendous running-back duo.

2023 Mock Draft: WWE Edition (Allison’s Version)

By Allison Weiner

As the draft begins this week for WWE, I would like to prepare my version of the 2023 WWE Draft. There is a chance that some stables may split, some superstars get drafted to NXT, and chances of some WWE superstars getting released. I will not do all of the NXT roster as there are too many superstars, but I will put in the ones I feel will get a call-up to the main roster. I will also put out there that the undisputed tag titles will split, so wherever Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens go, they will vacate the other titles. If I am missing any, please let me know. Stay tuned for the mock draft for AEW in May. Without further ado, here is my 2023 WWE mock draft for the roster:

RAWSmackdownNXTReleased/Other
Cody Rhodes (1st Overall Draft Pick)Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman (WWE Undisputed Universal Champion/Bloodline)Mustafa AliAngel
Sami Zayn (Raw Tag Team Champion)Austin Theory (U.S. Champion)Xia LiHumberto
Kevin Owens (Raw Tag Team Champion)Jimmy Uso (Bloodline)Lacey EvansAkira Tozawa
Gunther (I.C. Champion/Imperum)Jey Uso (Bloodline)Jinder MahalDrew McIntyre (Contract expiring)
Ludwig Kaiser (Imperium)Solo Sikoa (Bloodline)ShankyDana Brooke
Giovanni Vinci (Imperium)Rhea Ripley (SD Women’s Champion/Judgement Day)Veer MahanAliyah
Erik (Viking Raiders)Finn Balor (Judgement Day)Cedric AlexanderB-Fab
Ivar (Viking Raiders)Damian Priest (Judgement Day) Ashonte Adonis
Valhalla (Viking Raiders)Dominick Mysterio (Judgement Day)Top Dolla
Bianca Belair (Raw Women’s Champion)Angelo DawkinsShelton Benjamin (Retirement)
Montez FordBecky LynchDolph Ziggler (Move to Coach Role)
Charlotte FlairSeth RollinsRobert Roode (Move to Coach Role)
BayleyLiv Morgan (WWE Womens Tag Team Champion)R-Truth (Retirement)
Iyo SkyRaquel Rodriguez (WWE Womens Tag Team Champion)Bray Wyatt (Unsure if he will be cut, but might be off again for a while)
Dakota KaiZelina Vega (Legado Del Fantasma/LWO)Alexa Bliss (Same reason as Bray Wyatt)
ShotziSantos Escobar (Legado Del Fantasma/LWO)Uncle Howdy (Same reason as Bray Wyatt)
Tegan NoxJoaquin Wilde (Legado Del Fantasma/LWO)
NatalyaCruz Del Toro (Legado Del Fantasma/LWO)
Candice LeRaeElektra Lopez (NXT/Legado Del Fantasma/LWO)
Johnny GarganoShayna Baszler
Tomasso CiampaRonda Rousey
Dexter LumisChad Gable (Alpha Academy)
CarmellaChelsea Green
Meiko Satomura (NXT)Sonya Deville
AsukaTrish Stratus (WWE HOF)
Indi Hartwell (NXT)Beth Phoenix (WWE HOF)
Piper NivenNikki Cross
Katana Chance (NXT)Wendy Choo (NXT)
Kayden Carter (NXT)Tamina
AJ Styles (The O.C.)Brock Lesnar
Luke Gallows (The O.C.)Bronson Reed
Karl Anderson (The O.C.)Logan Paul
Bobby LashleyCameron Grimes (NXT)
EliasBraun Strowman
Rick BoogsMia Yim
Shinsuke NakamuraRidge Holland
Omos with MVPButch/Pete Dunne
RicochetSheamus
Lita (WWE HOF)Tyler Bate (NXT)
LA KnightRey Mysterio (WWE HOF)
Bron Brekker (NXT)Edge (WWE HOF)
Randy OrtonKarrion Kross with Scarlett
The MizMadcap Moss
Mace (MMM)Emma
Mansoor with Maxxine Dupri (MMM)Kofi Kingston (New Day)
Otis (Alpha Academy)Xavier Woods (New Day)
Ilja Dragunov (NXT)Big E (New Day)
Matt RiddleElton Prince and Kit Wilson (NXT/Pretty Deadly)

Era Of Love 

By Lawrence Lang 

The Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay has ended as Rodgers will be heading to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to be the new quarterback of the New York Jets. On Monday, the deal everyone had waited for was finally completed. The Packers traded the future Hall of Famer along with the 15th overall pick and a 5th rd pick (170) in exchange for the 13th overall pick, 42nd pick, pick 207, and a conditional second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays this season. 

After what was a dismal season for the Green Bay Packers, where they went 8-9 and had a shot of making the playoff the last week of the season but would lose to the Detroit Lions 20-16 ending their season about what was supposed to be a promising season. 

Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, found himself with his star wide receiver Davante Adams who went to Las Vegas Raiders in the off-season and had to go with two rookies at wide receiver. Christian Watson and Romeo Dobbs to go along with veteran wide receivers Adam Lazard and Randall Cobb. Rodgers would have himself a subpar season. He would average 217.4 passing yards per game, have 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and was sacked 32 times. The 12 interceptions from Rodgers this season also put him over 100 career (105) interceptions in his 17 years in the national football league. 

What’s the season behind us? The Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay Packer saga has also ended. This turmoil has grown since Jordan Love was taken in the 2020 NFL draft 26th overall pick. Rogers has always wanted to say who the Packers should get or sign, and they would never really listen with Love being drafted; it seems to be the Titanic hitting the iceberg with the relationship with Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, front office. Packers had plenty of opportunity to try and keep Davante Adams, but they ended up trading him. He also had opportunities to get one receiver, such as Odell Beckham Jr. Even though I was hurt at the time, signing him could’ve kept Rogers on the Packers. Who wouldn’t want OBJ on your team? 

Aaron Rodgers was a constant in Green Bay, bringing the team numerous NFC North division titles for NFC championship appearances. The team won the Super Bowl when they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 45; he was also named Super Bowl MVP. 

We can also ask what happened here in 17 years with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. A quarterback who, in the words of certain sports personnel, says he’s a bad man to have only won. Super Bowl win an appearance in 17 years. It’s pretty shocking Rogers, in 17 years, is a four-time NFL MVP and has the highest single-season QBR in 122.5, which he set in 2011. He is also 25 touchdowns away from being in the 500 passing touchdown club and is 945 passing yards away from the 60,000 passing club. He would have at least 2 to 3 Super Bowls. But it seems over the last 17 years. The Packers have only been focused on defense instead of trying to build the office because we’ve seen numerous times the Packers use that first-round pick to draft a defensive player. Instead of an offensive player, granted, we have seen a few offensive players drafted by the Packers in the first round, Eddie Lacy and Christian Watson. We know how to Lacey experiment went to a fat dead end, and Watson had a solid rookie season.

But we can’t relish in the past time to look towards the future in the future for the Green Bay Packers is Jordan Love. In one game in the 2022 season, he completed 14 passes on 22 attempts at 193 passing yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. If you need to know who Love is, he was Utah State’s quarterback. From 2017 to 2019, he had 8600 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. Like Rodgers, Love has been sitting and waiting for his time to be a full-time starter as the Green Bay Packers quarterback.

Love could be the third franchise quarterback. A team has had an inevitable backlash for 30 years. It was Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. I didn’t know 30 years, we’ve only seen two Super Bowl wins, one from each. Love could be the one to break that and get the Packers a couple of Super Bowl wins. We hear very little from Love. He stays low-key and out of the media, and during this whole Rogers Packers fiasco, he’s not had much to say focus on the game. If you can keep that mentality for the last three years, he should easily transition into being a full-time Packer quarterback. We only quite well the Packers build around him, or will history repeat itself for a third time? 

Sticky To The Max

By: Mike Rifkin

In the Third inning of the Mets – Dodgers game, Mets starter Max Scherzer was forced to switch gloves due to a sticky substance. Before the fourth inning, Scherzer was rechecked and ejected from the game. Scherzer was adamant during his post-game that the only thing he was using was Rosin and sweat. It should be noted that Rosin is legal in Baseball. 

In 2021 MLB banned sticky substances for pitchers. Pitchers caught with sticky stuff are then suspended for ten games. So far, there have been two instances with the sticky, both in 2021. Hector Santiago of the Mariners and Caleb Smith of the Diamondbacks were suspended. Both ejections came from Umpire Phil Cuzzi, the same umpire who ejected the other two. Scherzer announced on Thursday that he was dropping his appeal. 

Here’s my issue with what took place. Last Saturday, Yankees pitcher Domingo German was checked multiple times, which did lead to the ejection of Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. If Scherzer was checked multiple times and ejected, why was German checked and not ejected if it was the same thing? Why is there only one umpire who has enforced the rule?  

In 2021 Rays ace Tyler Glasnow blamed the banned sticky substance for why he had to undergo Tommy John Surgery. Glasnow said, “ I just threw 80-something innings & you just tell me I can’t use anything. I have to change everything. I truly believe 100% that’s why I got hurt. I’m frustrated MLB doesn’t understand. You can’t just tell us to use nothing. It’s crazy.”  Instead of slowly trying to change the rule, MLB has expected pitchers to go Cold Turkey. At the same time, pitchers are allowed to use Rosin, but they don’t say how much Rosin is too much. Pitchers cannot put the Rosin in their gloves, but they can use it for a better grip. 

MLB hasn’t figured out a solution for this issue. MLB didn’t have a solution, and they expected the umpires to police the issue. Now they’re blaming a problem on the players that is an MLB problem. Rob Manfred has to work with the players to devise a solution because the umpires don’t know how to police the rules except for Phil Cuzzi. 

Taking Center Stage

By: Mark Halpern

Steve Cohen has done more in his first two years as the New York Mets owner than the Wilpons ever did. He has said, “He won’t back down from spending money if it brings Championships to this club.” what is that, you may ask? Well, bringing talent to this team and recognizing what the needs and wants are is part of his bankroll helps; however, it’s his passion for the sport and his love of the Mets and its fan base. Free Agency is not something many teams look forward to

because they realize that other teams will steal their talent by way of the all-mighty dollar. Over the last two years, Steve Cohen brought in talent like Francisco Lindor, Starling Marte, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Edwin Diaz (Resigned), Mark “Can Do” Canha, and many more to make this team great. However, there is one name that fans know drives this team’s personality and energy: Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo was drafted 13th overall in the 2011 draft. He progressed through the team’s farm system very quickly to AAA. In 2016 Nimmo got his first taste of action as he was called up to play 32 games in his first year, getting a taste of the MLB. In 2017 he started in AAA and was called up again during the dog days of summer to play 67 games in CF and was impressive on all fronts. In 2018 he was named the Mets starting Center Fielder and had an excellent offensive year batting .263 with 17 home runs and 47 RBI’s but his most impressive number was his OBP (On Base Percentage) of .407 and as a leadoff hitter. OBP is an important stat. He has a fantastic amount of patience at the plate and is in complete control. The reason Nimmo’s OBP was so high because he generates walks and gets on base. He sets the tone for the lineup, which is how you score runs, and in his first year, he scored 77 runs. He had an injury year in 2019, then the 2020 covid year, and a late start to 2021; we didn’t get a good sample size, but it wasn’t just his offense that was getting better. He was getting better defensively. In 2022 when things got back to normal somewhat, so did Nimmo by having a monster year, Batting .274, with 16 home runs, generating 64 rbi’s, scoring 107 runs, and recorded 7 (which he led the majors in) triples as the leadoff hitter for the Mets. Nimmo also had eight triples in 2018. The Mets club record for a season is 21, set by Lance Johnson, who had 21 in 1996. Nimmo had an OBP of .367 and 71 walks. Yes, he also struck out 116 times, but that can show he is trying to be more aggressive at the plate but still has excellent patience and helps generate runs. The Mets had a lot of holes to fill on this squad after the 2022 season, and one of their top priorities was Nimmo. There were rumors of other teams showing interest, but Cohen ended all of the worries when the Mets announced they had signed Nimmo to an 8-year deal worth $162 million. Nimmo is the most energetic and passionate player on this team. Nimmo is off to a hot start to the 2023 season by batting .349 with a .481 OBP and 10 Rbi, and 15 walks in just the first 19 games. I don’t doubt that Nimmo will only get better at every facet of the game. No matter what is happening, Nimmo is always smiling, and his offense and defense are getting better as he has become a featured player on a team with enormous talent. Nimmo keeps on impressing not only the fans but other top players as well, and I won’t be surprised if he is the starting Center Fielder for the 2023 NL All-Stars at the All-Star game this summer, and that is how the old man sees it.

Need More 

By: Mike Rifkin

Despite losing in game two, the Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden tied 1-1 in their first-round series with the Cavaliers. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, who missed the last couple of weeks with a sprained ankle, have done their part. Brunson is averaging 23.5 points, four assists, and 3.5 rebounds. Randle is averaging 20.5 points, nine rebounds, and 2.5 assists. 

There are two other players that the Knicks will need more from if they are to win this series. Those players are Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Quickley, a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man Of The Year, averaged 14.9 points per game and shot 44.8 % from the field and 37% from three. Quickley, through two games in this series, is averaging 7.5 points per game and is shooting 30.8% from the field and 16.7% from three. Quickley, who had a significant impact on the regular season for the Knicks, needs to start impacting this series. 

RJ Barrett also needs to pick it up for a different reason. Before the season, Barrett was signed to a four-year 107 million dollar contract, and not just the contract, but Barrett was one of the pieces the Utah Jazz wanted in exchange for Donovan Mitchell, who is now a Cavalier. Barrett averaged 19.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the season. Through two games in this series, Barrett is averaging 10.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 2..5 steals per game. Barrett shot 43.4 percent from the field during the regular season. In this series, he is shooting 24 percent from the field. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points per game through two games. If the Cavs win this series, people will look and say if the Knicks had gotten Mitchell, they would’ve won. If Barrett plays well and the Knicks win the series, it becomes a non-issue, if they lose, people will look at Knicks management and ask why they didn’t make the deal.

If these two give the Knicks more, their chance of winning goes up. But for now, this series has turned into a best-of-five. Friday night, the Garden will be rocking.

Heavyweight Battles 

By: Mike Rifkin

It’s April and early in the Baseball season, but the schedule makers gave us a great week of Baseball. Three series stand out above the rest this week. In the American League, the Blue Jays travel to Houston to play the defending World Series Champs, Houston Astros, in what could be an ALCS Preview. In the National League, these two series could be NLCS Previews; the Mets travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers, and the Braves travel to San Diego to play the Padres. 

The Blue Jays are coming off winning two of three from the Rays. The Blue Jays are currently third with a .277 batting average, led by Matt Chapman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., currently the top two hitters in the American League. Blue Jays starting pitching outside of Kevin Gausman has been underwhelming. Gausman, who the Astros will see Monday night, is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA. The Astros are off to a 7-9 start and just lost two of three to the Texas Rangers. Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez have been great offensively, but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Two players in particular, Jose Abreu and Jeremy Pena, have struggled. Abreu, who signed a three-year contract in the offseason, has a slash line of .239/.282/.269 and doesn’t have a home run yet. The ALCS and World Series MVP, Pena, has a slash line of .227/.301/.409. They will also need Alex Bregman to hit better than .194, especially with Jose Altuve out. 

Pitching Matchups : 

Monday: Kevin Gausman vs. Cristian Javier

  Tuesday: Chris Bassitt vs. Jose Urquidy 

Wednesday: Jose Berrios vs. Luis Garcia.

The Braves and Padres are meeting for the second time this season. The Padres took three of four from the Braves in Atlanta last weekend. The Padres outscored the Braves 25 to 14 in that series. The Padres are coming off losing three of four to the Brewers, while the Braves swept the Royals. Manny Machado was 7-19 (.368) in the four-game series in Atlanta, with two doubles and four runs scored. Ha-Seong Kim and Jake Cronenworth each had a home run in the series. The Padres so far are hitting .231, which is 26th in Baseball. The same cannot be said for the Braves’ offense, tied for fifth in average hitting.274. Matt Olson leads the team with five home runs. Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies have three homers each. Acuna has a slash line of .373/.455/.567. The Braves will get ace Max Fried back to start Monday. Fried, who injured his hamstring on Opening Day, has been excellent for the Braves since they acquired him from the Padres in the Justin Upton trade. 

Pitching Matchups :

 Monday Max Fried vs. Ryan Weathers

 Tuesday: Spencer Strider vs. Blake Snell

Wednesday: Charlie Morton vs. Nick Martinez

Two of the top five payrolls in Baseball will share the field starting Monday in Los Angeles when the Mets play the Dodgers. The Mets just swept the Oakland Athletics, and the Dodgers are coming off, losing two of three to the Cubs. Neither team has gotten going offensively. The Dodgers are 25th in average, hitting .231, and the Mets are 28th, hitting .217 as a team. Both teams are middle of the pack with their pitching. The Dodgers are second in Baseball with 27 home runs. Max Muncy leads them with six. Freddie Freeman has a .302 average with 28 home runs and 112 RBI in his career against the Mets. Pete Alonso has seven home runs and 16 RBI against the Dodgers for the Mets; Starling Marte had three home runs in the seven meetings last season, while Francisco Lindor hit .348 in those games. 

Pitching Matchups

Monday: David Peterson vs. Dustin May

Tuesday: Tylor Megill vs. Clayton Kershaw

Wednesday: Max Scherzer vs. Noah Syndergaard

Six outstanding teams in these three series, all of which could be an October preview. Sit back and enjoy the Baseball.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PREVIEW: WESTERN CONFERENCE 

By: Mike Rifkin

Central Division

  1. Avalanche vs. (WC1) Kraken: The defending Stanley Cup Champions start their quest to repeat against the second-year franchise, making the playoffs for the first time. The Kraken did win two of three meetings during the regular seasons. Both teams will be without essential players as Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog will not play in the playoffs recovering from knee surgery. Andre Burkaovsky, an Avs Cup-winning team member last season, underwent surgery for a lower-body injury, which will be a big blow for Seattle. Jaden Schwartz had a goal and three assists in two games against Colorado. Former Avs goalie Phillippe Grubauer was 1-0-1 with a 1.70 GAA and a .928 save percentage against his former team. One key for the Kraken during the regular season was they contained Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen to a combined one goal. They don’t do that during this series. Alexander Georgiev gave up three goals on 35 shots in his only start against Seattle.

Prediction: Avs in five 

(2) Stars vs. (3) Wild: These two teams split their four regular-season meetings. Roope Hintz led the way for the Stars by having four goals and seven points in the four meetings. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, both of whom had bounce-back seasons combined for five goals. Jake Oettinger went 2-0-1 with a 1.87 GAA and a .937 save percentage against the Wild. Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov combined for three goals in the season series. Joel Eriksson Ek also had two goals. Marc Andre Fleury was 1-1 with a 3.87 GAA and a.896 save percentage against the Stars, while Filip Gustavsson was 1-1 with a 1.97 GAA and a.939 save percentage.

Prediction: Stars in six

Pacific 

  1. Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Jets: This is a rematch of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, where the Golden Knights won. Vegas won all three meetings during the regular season, but the two teams last played each other in December. Jack Eichel had three goals in his two games against the Jets. Jonathan Marchessault also had three goals in the three meetings. Laurent Brossoit, who played for the Jets for three seasons, will get the start in game one. Mark Schieffle had three goals in the three meetings for the Jets. Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor were held to an assist each against the Golden Knights. In two starts against Vegas, Connor Hellebuyck was 0-1-1 with a 3.40 GAA and a .913 save percentage. Vegas captain Mark Stone has been practicing with the team, so we’ll have to wait to see if he appears in the series.

Prediction: Jets in seven

(2) Oilers vs. (3) Kings: This is a rematch from last year’s first round, which saw the Oilers beat the Kings in seven games. The Oilers enter the playoffs as the hottest team in the NHL. Edmonton is 9-0-1 in their last ten games. The teams split their four regular-season meetings. Connor McDavid, the Art Ross trophy, Rocket Richard, and presumed Hart Trophy winner had two goals in the four meetings. Leon Draisaitl had a goal and three assists in the four meetings. Stuart Skinner, who has been impressive for the Oilers this season, was 2-1-0 with a 1.78 GAA and a .950 save percentage against the Kings. Adrian Kempe and Viktor Arvidsson had two goals in the four meetings for the Kings. Joonas Korpisalo was 2-1 with a 3.01 GAA and a .925 save percentage, while Pheonix Copley was 1-1 with a 2.51 GAA and a .921 save percentage against the Oilers this season.

Prediction: Oilers in six