Chiefs atop NFL Energy Rankings; USMNT lastly makes Mauricio Pochettino rent official

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⚾ Good morning to all, however particularly to …

KYLE SCHWARBER AND MANNY MACHADO

Welcome to the historical past books, Kyle Schwarber! The Phillies star cranked his 14th leadoff home run of the season, breaking the report he had been sharing with Alfonso Soriano (2003).

• Schwarber now has 4 seasons with 35+ house runs. Solely Aaron Choose, Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton and Nolan Arenado (all with 5) have extra amongst lively gamers.
• The Phillies (87-58) beat the Rays, 9-4, due to a five-run eighth inning that additionally included the benches clearing after Rays reliever Edwin Uceta hit Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos.
• The Phillies lead the Dodgers by one recreation for one of the best report in baseball.

On the opposite facet of the nation, Manny Machado grew to become the Padres‘ all-time home run leader along with his 164th profession lengthy ball for the Friars. It was a giant one within the context of this recreation and season, too: a two-run shot within the sixth inning to increase San Diego’s lead over the Mariners to 5-2. The Padres went on to win and at the moment occupy the highest NL Wild Card spot.

Machado broke a tie with Nate Colbert. 

😃 Honorable mentions

🏈 And never such an excellent morning for …

THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

We have tiptoed across the topic, however let’s hit it head-on: Michigan does not look good. In any respect. After years of quarterback struggles, the Wolverines struck gold in J.J. McCarthy for 2 years, however they’re again in quarterback purgatory. Former walk-on Davis Warren surprisingly won the job over Alex Orji coming into the season, however after an underwhelming win over Fresno State and a blowout loss to Texas, issues are … not nice.

Chris Hummer checked out how the reigning champs got here, and it begins with Jim Harbaugh‘s premature exit.

• Hummer: “The Wolverines gained the nationwide championship on Jan. 8. The Chargers did not rent Harbaugh till Jan. 24. The Wolverines promoted Sherrone Moore to move coach on Jan. 26. That is greater than two weeks in principally no-man’s land for Michigan … In any case, what prime switch QB would decide a faculty with out figuring out who the pinnacle coach and coordinators can be?  … It [also] would have been troublesome for Michigan to place collectively the cash for a top-level QB with so many unknowns atop this system.”

There’s not a lot time for Moore and Co. to determine issues out, Tom Fornelli writes in his weekly B1G Time column. The Wolverines are exterior Brad Crawford’s latest projected College Football Playoff field.

Two extra Michigan-related issues:

😞 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 NFL Energy Rankings: Chiefs maintain sturdy, Packers fall off

As has been the case for the previous two seasons, everybody’s nonetheless wanting up on the Chiefs. Kansas Metropolis stays No. 1 in Pete Prisco’s NFL Power Rankings, however there was loads of motion behind the two-time reigning champs. This is the highest 5:

1. Chiefs (earlier: 1)
2. 49ers (3)
3. Payments (4)
4. Lions (7)
5. Texans (8)

The Chargers (18th to eleventh), Steelers (nineteenth to twelfth) and Vikings (twenty fifth to 18th) all tied for the most important bounce. The Patriots (thirtieth to twenty fourth) had been shut behind.

I am not right here to rain on anybody’s parade, however let’s maintain issues in perspective. The Steelers gained with out scoring a landing for the primary time since 2008. They will not pressure three turnovers (together with a snap that deflected off a participant in movement) and commit zero each recreation. Fields’ historical past tells us as a lot. Equally, the Patriots will not win each turnover battle 2-0 with fumbles pressured at their very own aim line and on a punt return. The Chargers and Vikings will not get to face the Raiders‘ and Giants‘ anemic offenses, respectively, each week.

However wins are wins, proper? You possibly can’t be higher than 1-0.

On the opposite finish, the Packers (2nd to fifteenth) and the Bengals (fifth to sixteenth) had been the most important fallers.

All proper, my fast ideas:

• Underrated: The Cardinals went on the street and took a double-digit lead earlier than barely shedding to the Payments, Pete’s third-ranked group. But Arizona fell to twenty seventh in Pete’s rankings. I feel they’re nearer to the center of the pack.
• Overrated: The Buccaneers cruised previous the Commanders and are as much as ninth in Pete’s rankings. I feel they’re nearer to the center of the pack, too.

⚽ USMNT finalizes Mauricio Pochettino rent, then attracts New Zealand to finish dreadful on-field summer time

Practically a month after reports first broke that the USMNT was set to rent Mauricio Pochettino, the sides officially sealed the deal, shortly earlier than the US drew New Zealand, 1-1.

Christian Pulisic scored within the 69th minute (and moved into fifth on the USMNT objectives listing), however one other back-line blunder — Mark McKenzie‘s 89th-minute clearance deflecting off Ben Waine and getting into — triggered the equalizer. (takeaways here)

We covered Pochettino in-depth when he grew to become the first goal, however as a refresher, he performed in Europe after which coached in Europe for a number of the world’s largest golf equipment. Although the trophy case hasn’t crammed up fairly as he’d like, he led Tottenham to a UEFA Champions League Remaining, guided PSG to a Ligue 1 title and several other home cups and was most lately with Chelsea, which completed sixth within the Premier League — and second in objectives scored — in his lone season.

He takes over a program that’s, frankly, in dire want of change after a dismal summer time. To evaluate, the US …

• grew to become the primary host nation to not advance from the Copa America group stage;
• fired Gregg Berhalter;
• misplaced to Canada at house for first time since 1957;
• drew New Zealand, the No. 94 group on this planet rankings;
• gained one among its seven matches, included none of its previous 4

So, yeah, Pochettino has his work reduce out for him with the 2026 World Cup — co-hosted by the USA — looming. Chuck Sales space outlined the biggest issues for the new boss to fix, together with …

• Sales space: “Defensive rotations will probably be key — Chris Richards has emerged as the highest heart again on the roster whereas Antonee Robinson has develop into the highest left again, however each remaining place is up for grabs. Sergiño Dest was shut to creating the correct again spot his personal and nonetheless might, however after struggling an ACL damage, he’ll must get again to prime type … The place issues get regarding is at heart again. … McKenzie, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty are all choices, however Pochettino might want to determine one of the best pairing on the ball that may make his system tick.”

Chuck additionally outlined winners and losers from the transfer.

I feel USMNT followers are massive winners. Pochettino coached a number of the world’s finest gamers and golf equipment on this planet’s finest leagues — locations extra Individuals play than ever earlier than. He’s an excellent rent, one who brings expertise, tactical prowess and aptitude. I am excited to see what he can do for Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun and a gifted midfield.

It is now or by no means for the USMNT’s underachieving “golden era,” and the federation took a giant swing to get the correct particular person main it.

📺 What we’re watching Wednesday

🏀 Aces at Fever, 7 p.m. on NBA TV
⚾ Royals at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. on Prime Video
⚾ Padres at Mariners, 9:40 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Storm at Sparks, 10 p.m. on NBA TV