Holy moly it’s Friday. It seemed like we’d never get here. That’s the same thought we had when Ronda Rousey announced her return to ring this week. We have that covered along with baseball, football, NASCAR and more. Now go forth and impress your friends with your sports talk.
You can do it,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - It's Friday and that means time for a tailgate treat. Check out the recipe for Nancy's easy game day wings. You won't regret it.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- California dreamin’. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals last night to win Game Five in the NLDS (National League Division Series) and advance to the next round of the playoffs. Game One and Game Four starting pitcher, Clayton Kershaw took one for the team and attained the last two outs. The Dodgers will take on the Chicago Cubs in a best-of-seven series starting tomorrow.
- A rivalry brewing? The Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays battle it out for the ALCS (American League Championship Series) starting tonight. If this match-up between cities seems familiar, it’s because the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers played each other in the NBA playoffs last season. The Cavaliers prevailed and we’ll see if the Indians can do the same.
NHL (National Hockey League)
- Leaving a mark. The number one pick of the draft, Auston Matthews, started his hockey career off doing something never before accomplished. Matthews scored four goals in his first game. Los Angeles Kings’ (hockey) Marian Gaborick tweeted “Since the start of this game I didnt (sic) even have a chance to drink 4 beers and hes (sic) got 4 goals #Matthews.”
UFC (ULTIMATE FIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIP)
- Don’t call it a comeback. In November 2015 the unbeatable Ronda Rousey was knocked out, losing the fight. Rousey hasn’t fought since. Until now. This week she announced that on December 30th she will step into the octagon to earn back her belt from current champion Amanda Nunes. (PS – You might recognize Rousey from the Entourage movie where she played Turtle’s love interest).
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Off to see the wizard. NASCAR’s “Chase for the Cup” (elimination-style playoffs) heads to Kansas this weekend. Driver Jimmie Johnson has already secured his spot in the next round of eight drivers. Which driver will follow the yellow brick road to claim their spot in the next round?
Overtime
- The San Francisco 49ers (football) starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick takes on the Buffalo Bills this weekend. Kaepernick gained notoriety by kneeling during the national anthem and wearing pig socks to protest “rogue cops.” Coincidentally, the Bills' LeSean McCoy is inviting a group of 20 police and inner-city kids to attend the game through his foundation.
Sideline stat
- Hurricane Matthew lead to the cancellation of LSU (Louisiana State) - Florida game last weekend and neither team had an open date to reschedule the game. Call it a miracle but the schools came to an agreement to play the game on November 19th, a date previously scheduled against other teams. LSU will buy out their previously scheduled opponent South Alabama for $1.5 million and Florida will pay $500,000 to Presbyterian.
Coaches’ Corner
- The Dodgers called on the starting pitcher from a previous game, Clayton Kershaw, to take the pitching mound and get the last two outs. Why is this a big deal? Starting pitchers’ arms are treated like royalty; they work one game and then typically rest for five days. A starting pitcher will usually throw around 100 pitches and many at 90+ mph so this gives them time to recover. Kershaw went in to pitch last night on one day of rest. It’s a big deal because he risked injury to win the game for his team. Although if he didn't, the Dodgers may have lost and been eliminated from the playoffs.
