Category: External Sports (Page 55 of 821)

      Cards complete comeback

      October 29, 2011 /
      Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after the Cardinals won the 2011 World Series in St. Louis on October 28, 2011. The Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 6-2 winning game 7 of the World Series. The Cardinals won their 11th World Series after defeating the Texans 4 game to 3. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

      Tom Verducci speculated that this series might go to seven games and he was right. The St. Louis comebacks in game 6 will be remembered for years along with other classic World Series moments. You had the feeling that Texas needed to jump on the Cardinals early in order to win this game, but they only managed two runs in the early innings when Chris Carpenter was having trouble locating his fastball. Once Dave Duncan pointed out that Carpenter might want to try his curve ball, the ace of the Cardinals staff settled down and the Rangers watched their chances slip away.

      This one will be tough to swallow for the Rangers. Twice they came within one strike of a world title in game 6, only to see things fall apart. They have a great team, but they’ve been on the losing end two years in a row. The experts on ESPN are predicting that the Rangers will be active in free agency, perhaps going after Prince Fielder or even Albert Pujols. I think they need a dominant #1 starter, so perhaps C.C. Sabathia will be in their sites as well.

      External Sports, MLB, News

      Andre Johnson a game-time decision for Week 8 as optimism fades

      October 28, 2011 /
      Houston Texans Andre Johnson celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Redskins to tie the game in the fourth quarter during their NFL football game in Landover, Maryland September 19, 2010. REUTERS/Molly Riley (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Andre Johnson insists that if his injured hamstring isn’t ready by game time on Sunday, he will not play against the Jaguars this weekend.

      Johnson has been out since October 2 when he hurt his hamstring during the Texans’ 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught four passes for 36 yards before leaving the game after being attended to on the field by team trainers. While he returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday, Johnson doesn’t sound optimistic about his chances of returning this weekend.

      “I felt a lot better in practice, but not where I want to be,” said Johnson, who still feels a “tugging” in the back of his leg. “If I don’t feel like I can play, I’m not going to go out there. I definitely won’t do anything to put myself in any danger.”

      While that news might sound deflating to Houston fans (as well as fantasy football owners), it’s probably the mindset Johnson needs to have. If he pushes too hard too soon he could wind up aggravating the injury or making it worse, which would shelve him a lot longer than had he just let it heal. With the Texans in prime position to win the AFC South this year, they’re going to need Johnson down the stretch and into the postseason.

      External Sports, News, NFL

      Carpenter to start for Cardinals, Cruz and Holliday both expected to play in Game 7

      October 28, 2011 /
      St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Chris Carpenter pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of game 1 of the World Series in St. Louis on October 19, 2011. UPI/Brian Kersey

      Following their epic extra innings victory in Game 6 on Thursday night, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa announced that ace Chris Carpenter would start Game 7 of the World Series against the Rangers tonight.

      It was a move that has been anticipated since David Freese hit a walkoff home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Cardinals a 10-9 win on Thursday night. Carpenter last pitched on Monday and has worked on short rest before in this postseason. While technically it’s Kyle Lohse’s turn in club’s postseason rotation and Edwin Jackson would be working on a normal rest period, La Russa has to turn to his workhouse in this situation.

      In related news, both Matt Holliday (finger) and Nelson Cruz (groin) are expected to play in Game 7. Holliday suffered what Joe Buck called during the broadcast a “severely bruised little finger” when he dove back into third base during a pickoff attempt Thursday night. He jammed his hand into third baseman Adrian Beltre’s foot and was subsequently called out on the play. Holliday didn’t return to the game, leaving some to speculate whether or not he would play in Game 7.

      Cruz strained a groin muscle on his final at-bat in Game 6 and was shown limping down the clubhouse steps. But as long as he can still walk, one would expect him to be in the lineup. This is Game 7 of the World Series, after all.

      External Sports, MLB, News

      Epic World Series goes to Game 7

      October 28, 2011 /
      Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after David Freese hit a solo home run to win game 6 of the World Series in the 11th inning against the Texas Rangers in St. Louis on October 27, 2011. The Cardinals defeated the Rangers 10-9 and the series is tied 6-6. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

      David Freese was having a rough night, as were the rest of the Cardinals as they did their best Little League impersonation in the field last night. But they wouldn’t give up, and every time the Texas Rangers took another lead, often after St. Louis blunders in the field, the Cards somehow fought back to tie up the game. Several times they were down to their last strike, and somehow they kept coming through.

      In the bottom of the 11th, Freese hit a walk-off solo home run that sent this series to game 7.

      It was an amazing game, and now we have game 7. The ratings have sucked for this World Series, but hopefully more people watched last night.

      External Sports, MLB, News

      2011 NFL Week 8 Primer

      October 27, 2011 /
      Dallas Cowboys DeMarco Murray cuts upfield as St. Louis Rams Quintin Mikell defends during the first quarter at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on October 23, 2011. UPI/Ian Halpeirn

      Patriots @ Steelers, 4:15PM ET
      This is an intriguing matchup not only because of the two teams but also due to the individual matches within the game. The Patriots arguably have the most efficient passing attack in the league, but they’ve struggled defending the pass for much of the season. Thanks to Ben Roethlisberger and the big-play ability of Pittsburgh’s receivers, the Steelers could strike for a long score at any point. I think this one will live up to the hype and with a whole slew of garbage matchups on the Week 8 schedule, I hope it does.

      Cowboys @ Eagles, 8:20PM ET
      It’s time to see how many of the Eagles’ problems Andy Reid was able to iron out over the bye week. Philadelphia looked great against Washington the week before its bye, but Dallas will provide a more difficult challenge than the Redskins did. DeMarco Murray is coming off a breakout game and the Eagles haven’t been able to stop the run all season. If Murray can get going again, the Cowboys have a chance to potentially put the nail in the coffin of their bitter rivals.

      Lions @ Broncos, 4:05PM ET
      The Lions have more pressing issues to worry about than whether or not Ndamukong Suh is a dirty player. Matthew Stafford (ankle) is hobbled, Jahvid Best (concussion) is out for another week and the defense can’t stop the run. The Broncos might not be the better overall team in this matchup but Tim Tebow has breathed new life into Denver and will be fired up to play at home. This will not be an easy road trip this weekend for the Lions.

      Vikings @ Panthers, 1:00PM ET
      Rookie quarterbacks will be on display this Sunday in Carolina when the Panthers host the Vikings. Outside of the two interceptions he threw to Charles Woodson in the third quarter last week, the Vikings had to be pleased with Christian Ponder’s first professional start. If Minnesota wants to give Ponder an opportunity to notch his first win, then the Vikes better get Adrian Peterson revved up. Carolina’s run defense has been bad all year and it would be wise to keep Cam Newton on the bench considering how bad Minnesota’s pass defense is.

      Chargers @ Chiefs, 8:30PM ET Monday
      This matchup certainly got more interesting over the past few weeks. After starting the year 0-3 the Chiefs have rattled off three-straight and who can forget the beating they gave the Chargers on Monday night last season? Of course, they won’t have Jamaal Charles this time around but Jackie Battle is starting to come on as KC’s leading rusher. The Chargers’ offense was blanked in the second half last Sunday against the Jets, leading to speculation about whether or not Philip Rivers may be hurt. If he’s not, then it’s time for him to step up on Monday night in what has turned out to be a pretty big divisional game.

      Jaguars @ Texans, 1:00PM ET
      Blaine Gabbert has received most of the attention this year in Jacksonville, but it’s been the Jaguar defense that has stolen the show. They absolutely dominated the Ravens on Monday night and thanks to strong play out of linebackers Daryl Smith and Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville ranks sixth in yards allowed this season. The Jags’ defense will certainly be tested this weekend, especially if Andre Johnson returns from the hamstring injury that has held him out for nearly a month.

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      External Sports, NFL

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