Ohtani and De La Cruz continue to change the game
The Sporting Tribune's Doug Padilla wonders if there's a way Shohei Ohtani and Elly De La Cruz could be on the same field more often or share the same clubhouse one day?
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1. Ohtani and De La Cruz continue to change the game
The Sporting Tribune's Doug Padilla wonders if there's a way Shohei Ohtani and Elly De La Cruz could be on the same field more often or share the same clubhouse one day?
A weekend to savor already has started at Dodger Stadium, where a pair of players who are changing the game get to share the same field.
The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani, who continues to draw attention on a daily basis, even while his is not in his full two-way glory. He won’t pitch again until next season after he recovers from an elbow procedure.
Also getting fully stretched out at Chavez Ravine through Sunday is Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz, with the build of a football edge rusher, the agility of a basketball star and the talent to play baseball that has few equals.
There was a playoff atmosphere at Dodger Stadium on Thursday when 40,000 Shohei Ohtani bobbleheads were handed out to the paying customers. A crowd of 53,527 showed up. The remaining 13,000-plus, who went home without the shimmy-head likeness of baseball’s most expensive talent, were not left empty-handed.
2. Scratch of Muth, rain caused Preakness to lose raceday luster
The Sporting Tribune's Louie Rabaut offers his reflections on Preakness 149 on Saturday that provided another thrilling finish.
Another Preakness come and gone. This weekend always passes so quickly.
I’ve expressed my affection for this weekend of races at Pimlico Race Track many times. The old building at Pimlico reminds me of the feel of old Tiger Stadium in Detroit, of many Big Ten football stadiums before they were renovated.
There’s something charming about decay when you grow up in the Rust Belt.
This Preakness lost some of its intrigue when the favorite, Muth, was scratched mid-way through the week after he had spiked a fever. Then, a new twist — the rain — reared its ugly head again, as it commonly does in Baltimore.
Heck, the Counting Crows wrote a song called “Raining In Baltimore.” It’s a thing.
All signs pointed to Mystik Dan, the Derby winner, being the biggest beneficiary of the wet weather. He had won previously — and impressively — in the Southwest Stakes in similar conditions at Oaklawn Park.
3. Soriano dazzles as Angels take series from Rangers
Angels starter Jose Soriano kept the Rangers under control to propel Los Angeles to its third series victory of the season, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Holdenn Graff.
Starter Jose Soriano allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings and was supported by a four-run seventh inning, paving the way for the Angels to a 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday at Globe Life Field.
It was a much-needed performance from Soriano, who was working on six day’s rest. The right-hander (2-4) lowered his ERA to 3.30 this year in his eighth career start, reaching 93 pitches for the first time this season.
Kevin Pillar delivered the go-ahead single with the bases loaded in the seventh. Mickey Moniak and Luis Rengifo also had RBI hits. Los Angeles delivered four of its six hits during the inning.
The Angels (18-29) are 12-13 on the road and they won their first series this season against a team with a winning record. The Rangers (24-24) lost two of three.
4. Galaxy secure fourth consecutive draw in Charlotte
Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Mićović earned a clean sheet in his first start of the season, a scoreless draw against Charlotte FC, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Anthony Bautista.
Capping off a three-match, cross-country, weeklong road trip, Novak Micovic managed a clean sheet in his first start of the season for the Los Angeles Galaxy (5-2-7) in a scoreless draw against Charlotte FC (6-5-3) Saturday night.
The result marks the fourth straight draw for the Galaxy and makes the team’s road record 3-3-3, despite a handful of meaningful chances that could’ve swung the pendulum in favor of LA against Charlotte.
“I thought we managed the game pretty well. I thought our possession play was pretty solid. We were able to move the ball around,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “I feel like we rushed crosses and we rushed moments that weren’t really great and we didn’t really give ourselves a chance to get numbers in the box.”
On the decision to start Micovic in goal, Vanney explained, “It was pre-planned. It’s a road trip, third game of the week, Eastern Conference. Courtesy of MLS, we don’t have the Open Cup this season to be able to get both of our keepers in games, so we have to kind of manufacture some experience.”
5. Aces top Sparks as league opens investigation
The Aces defeated the Sparks 89-82 on Saturday as news broke that the team's endorsement deal was under investigation by the league, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Will Despart.
It took less than two games, but the Aces are ruffling feathers among WNBA brass once again.
They overcame a career high 29-points from ex-Ace Dearica Hamby, beating the Sparks 89-82 on Saturday afternoon. A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young were the stars of the show for the Aces, with each recording 22 points in a double double. Wilson got hers via the ten rebounds while Young tallied 11 assists to push the Aces to 2-0.
However, news began to filter through social media midgame that the WNBA was opening an investigation into $100,00 endorsement checks given to each player yesterday by the LVCVA in a highly publicized endorsement deal.
Speaking about the investigation, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill told The Sporting Tribune’s Willie G. Ramirez, “We did this the right way. We did something that we think works for Las Vegas and I think great for the players. We did this without the team. It was our idea and any questions they ask they’ll find that out.”
6. Angel City make history despite 4-2 loss to Washington
Angel City make history despite a 4-2 loss to Washington Spirit, as the Thompson sisters start and Sydney Leroux scores historic goal, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Chandrima Chatterjee.
Despite a 4-2 loss to a formidable Washington Spirit on Saturday night, Angel City FC made history.
Veteran of the game, Sydney Leroux, the only Angel City player to score during the match, became the first to score at least 5 goals for 5 different clubs in the league. NWSL’s Los Angeles-based team was the first ever to have two sisters, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, in their starting lineup – it was Gisele’s first start in the league.
“She was dynamic in the attacking third,” head coach Becki Tweed said. “A first start in the NWSL is never easy, especially away to the Washington Spirit against Trinity Rodman. Those are all boxes she checked tonight in her career, and her performance was the reason that she started the game. For her first performance, as an eighteen year old, it was incredible.”
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 today:
7:00 p.m. – Diamondbacks at Dodgers – $30
9. On the Air
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
5:00 p.m. – Angels at Astros – Bally Sports West
7:00 p.m. – Diamondbacks 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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