Four Aces picked for Team USA while Clark is rightfully left off
The Sporting Tribune's Will Despart explains why the Aces' four core members made the US Olympic team over Caitlin Clark.
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1. Four Aces picked for Team USA while Clark is rightfully left off
The Sporting Tribune's Will Despart explains why the Aces' four core members made the US Olympic team over Caitlin Clark.
Saturday morning, the United States Olympic women’s basketball roster was revealed by various sources. This roster includes Las Vegas Aces stars A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum. All of whom have rightfully earned their spot among the 12 American women’s basketball players who will be representing the country.
It will be the second trip to the Olympics as national team members for Wilson and Gray, who were gold medal winners in 2021. Young and Plum were gold medalists for the United States’ 3×3 team, but will be making their debut on the big 5×5 stage in the Olympics for the first time in August.
2. The Sporting Tribune’s 2024 MLB Mock Draft 1.0
The Sporting Tribune's Taylor Blake Ward gives his first version of the MLB Mock Draft.
Many ask why I wait until June to start writing mock drafts -- which is a pretty reasonable question. To keep it simple, there just isn't enough information about club's real interest in players until around this point in the draft, which is evidently later in the calendar than in years prior due to the draft date.
The rumor mill can start as early as it wants to and it's up to whomever will listen to the rumors as to how much they'll believe what they're told or hear. Though it remains a constant cycle of information (and misinformation), we are in the late stages of the grapevine chatter and getting into more concrete material. That comes with the caveat that it is still scuttlebutt, which doesn't merit fact.
Super Regionals are over and teams destined for Omaha have been decided. For the youngsters, they're sporting caps and gowns as opposed to ballcaps and stirrups. Most players have seen their seasons conclude with a few exceptions, whether on the collegiate or prep side, while some will head off to wood bat leagues before the draft.
3. Sparks score upset against two-time defending champion Aces
The Sparks upset the Aces and win their second straight game in a loud Crypto.com Arena crowd, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Rey Morade.
The Sparks suddenly have it going.
In front of nearly 14,000 people in Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Sparks defeat the Las Vegas Aces, 96-92, in an emotional roller coaster of a contest.
The Aces were already down Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. But it didn’t seem to matter early when they put the Sparks in a 14-0 hole.
Still, Coach Curt Miller emphasized crashing the glass and the Sparks did that by limiting the Aces on the offensive boards. L.A. won the overall rebounding battle, 36-23, and the offensive glass, 8-4. Las Vegas being limited to one shot helped Los Angeles get back and then ahead in the game.
4. Angel City drop points again, Gotham wins
Angel City is winless in four straight matches after losing to Gotham, 2-1, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Kamran Nia.
Another week. Another game without a win. Another close, but not a good enough performance for Angel City. The team is looking to get back to winning ways.
Angel City lost 2-1 to Gotham, marking their fourth straight match without a win.
Gotham created higher-quality looks by capitalizing on Angel City’s lapses, generating 1.82 expected goals (xG) compared to 0.45 xG for Angel City. That helped them find the back of the net twice through a 26th-minute goal by forward Crystal Dunn and a 62th-minute score by midfielder Rose Lavelle.
Despite Gotham’s goals, Angel City could have matched their total. But Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger came up clutch, making five saves to seal the 2-1 victory.
Midfielder Clarisse Le Bihan was a catalyst in the Angel City attack, especially early in the second half. She mostly made an impact through her playmaking, completing 24-of-27 accurate passes and making two key passes, according to Sofascore.
5. O’Hoppe’s walk-off home run launches Angels over Astros
Logan O’Hoppe’s first walk-off home run secured the Angels a 9-7 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday and a series victory, writes Taylor Arrey.
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe hit a walk-off two-run offer, propelling the Angels to a 9-7 victory against the Houston Astros on Sunday at Angel Stadium.
The Angels catcher launched his first career walk-off homer against Astros closer Josh Hader, but that was part of his remarkable day. He also stole his first MLB base and recorded his second career four-hit game.
“Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on today,” O’Hoppe said. “I think it’s just about staying disciplined and keeping it simple.
“It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the situation and the things that could happen as a result of it. But keep it simple, stick to what you’re good at and then execute that plan.”
6. Dodgers fall short to Yankees in series finale
Tyler Glasnow was roughed up and the offense fell just short late as Los Angeles now heads back home with crucial series win, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Grant Mona.
Tyler Glasnow was roughed up and the Dodgers’ offense came up just short as the Yankees salvaged the last game of the series on Sunday, 6-4.
Gavin Lux had one of the best games of his season, going 3-for-4 with a run scored, however the Dodgers’ offense was 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Teoscar Hernandez continued his scorching hot play at the plate, launching his 16th home run of the season in the 6th inning off of Luis Gil.
The Dodgers put the tying run on first and the go-ahead run at the plate, but Clay Holmes struck out Mookie Betts to end the threat and the game.
Gil had one of his worst starts of the past month, but still got through five innings in a very solid effort. He gave up three runs and struck out five while walking one. ractice on Thursday. We talked about Los Angeles, Canada, how the team is doing, her health, and other things.
7. Video of the Day
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8. Ticket Time
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game Tuesday:
7:00 p.m. – Lynx at Aces – $29
7:10 p.m. – Rangers at Dodgers – $37
9. On the Air
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region Tuesday:
6:30 p.m. – Angels at Diamondbacks – Bally Sports West
7:00 p.m. – Sparks at Storm – Spectrum SportsNet
7:00 p.m. – Lynx at Aces – NBA TV
7:10 p.m. – Rangers at Dodgers – SportsNet LA
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher. You can also watch every Friday on BLEAV on FuboTV.
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That’s it for today. Talk to you tomorrow!