Mets and Braves be part of 2024 MLB playoffs; Lions, Titans choose up wins on Monday Night time Soccer

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⚾ Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE NEW YORK METS, THE ATLANTA BRAVES … AND ALL THE OTHER MLB PLAYOFF TEAMS

October baseball is formally right here, and it was finalized through a wacky, dramatic remaining day of September, which doubled as the ultimate day of the common season.

The Braves and Mets are heading to the postseason because the NL’s No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively, after they split their doubleheader. The Diamondbacks had been eradicated because of this; they wanted both staff to win each video games.

Hurricane Helene compelled this day-after-the-last-day doubleheader, an possibility that could have been avoided with higher planning, Matt Snyder notes. Things got even wilder in the first game:

• Down 3-0, the Mets scored six runs within the prime of the eighth, highlighted by a two-run house run by Brandon Nimmo. New York led 6-3.
• The Braves hit again for 4 runs within the backside of the inning, powered by a bases-clearing Ozzie Albies double. Atlanta, 7-6.
• However again got here Francisco Lindor with a game-winning, playoff berth-clinching two-run house run within the prime of the ninth. New York, 8-7, final.

The Braves, then needing to win the second sport, deliberate to show to doubtless NL Cy Younger winner Chris Sale, however he was scratched with back spasms and is not expected to return for the Wild Card Sequence — one other twist in a day filled with them. However Grant Holmes delivered 4 scoreless innings, and Marcell Ozuna (two) and Gio Urshela drove within the sport’s solely runs within the Braves’ 3-0 win.

So, lastly, we’re right here. The playoffs are set.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

• Byes: No. 1 Yankees, No. 2 Guardians
• Wild Card Sequence: No. 6 Tigers at No. 3 Astros (winner performs Guardians) — preview here
• Wild Card Sequence: No. 5 Royals at No. 4 Orioles (winner performs Yankees) — preview here

NATIONAL LEAGUE

• Byes: No. 1 Dodgers, No. 2 Phillies
• Wild Card Sequence: No. 6 Mets at No. 3 Brewers (winner performs Phillies) — preview here
• Wild Card Sequence: No. 5 Braves at No. 4 Padres (winner performs Dodgers) — preview here

So, who’s successful all of it? Our expert picks are in, and there are 4 completely different title picks amongst six pickers. Dayn Perry says …

• Perry: “Phillies over Yankees — Final 12 months’s absurd narratives however, sure, being a bye staff confers a serious benefit within the playoffs. That is partially why I am predicting a Yankees-Phillies World Sequence. I just like the Phillies’ front-end starters, their balanced lineup, and their stable aid state of affairs. My confidence in these picks is low, in fact, as a result of baseball is inherently unpredictable. Nonetheless, it says right here the Phils will edge out the Yanks for the belt and the title.”

The Phillies are the most well-liked of our specialists’ picks, however they’re solely fourth in Matt Snyder’s playoff Power Rankings. This is extra:

😃 Honorable mentions

🏈 And never such an excellent morning for …

THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

It is ugly in Miami. The Titans cruised previous the Dolphins 31-12, marking Tennessee’s first win of the season and Miami’s third straight loss.

The Titans misplaced Will Levis (shoulder) early, however Mason Rudolph stuffed in capably — Levis is still the starter, says Brian Callahan — and Tennessee leaned on operating backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, who mixed for 147 complete yards and two touchdowns.

The Dolphins, beginning their third completely different quarterback in as many weeks with Tua Tagovailoa out, had no such solutions. Tyler Huntley, signed two weeks in the past, competed admirably however was largely ineffective, as was the run sport. Miami managed a paltry 184 yards. This is how dire it is gotten: The 12 factors are Miami’s most within the final three video games.

(Hey, bear in mind Miami’s final September sport of 2023 when the Dolphins put up 70 factors. They’ve scored 45 factors in 4 video games thus far this season.)

If the complete operation fully falls aside as a result of one participant — particularly an injury-prone one — is not there, it is a unhealthy operation. Tennessee was capable of put issues collectively in a second’s discover. The Dolphins have had weeks. Mike McDaniel cannot discover solutions, and the roster would not have the required personnel even when he can. The hope now’s the Dolphins someway squeeze out a couple of video games till Tagovailoa returns, however even that looks like a giant ask. Even when they do this, it could be too little, too late … already.

😕 Not so honorable mentions

• The Cowboys will be without Micah Parsons for no less than Week 5 and with out DeMarcus Lawrence for for much longer.
• Christian McCaffrey has Achilles tendonitis in both legs.
• The NFL and NFLPA are investigating a fan pouring a drink on Chase Brown.
• The Cardinals moved on from GM Mike Girsch.
• DJ Uiagalelei (finger) could miss time.
• Graham Harrell went from potential head teaching candidate to fired as Purdue‘s offensive coordinator.
• The Giants fired president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Franchise legend Buster Posey will take over.
• Kevin Gausman spoke on the Blue Jays‘ disappointing season.

🏈 Lions defeat Seahawks in high-scoring thriller

They name it the Motor Metropolis, and the soccer staff has the motor to match. The Lions bulldozed the overmatched Seahawks, 42-29, behind a record-breaking game by Jared Goff and a ferocious dashing assault.

• Goff went 18 for 18 — a report for most completions without an incompletion — for 292 yards and touchdowns to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Goff additionally caught — yes, caught! — a touchdown from St. Brown on a trick play.
• David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs mixed for 158 complete yards and three touchdowns.
• There weren’t many positives for the protection, however Kerby Joseph had an impressive interception to seal the win. He already has three picks this 12 months, second within the league.

Seattle was with no bunch of key defensive starters and didn’t get much help from the officiating, however Detroit’s offense seems to be superior. The offensive line was stable even sans middle Frank Ragnow — one thing that had brought on points beforehand — and the protection did sufficient. Each of those 3-1 groups look the half.

MLB all-time hits chief Pete Rose dies at 83

Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits chief, died at 83 years old, his household confirmed.

• Throughout 24 seasons, Rose accrued 4,256 hits, made 17 All-Star groups, gained three World Sequence and gained an NL MVP award. He is additionally MLB’s all-time chief in video games performed, at-bats and plate appearances. Rose served because the Reds’ player-manager (after which simply supervisor) from 1984-89.
• Recognized for his intense, all-out taking part in type, Rose earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” although there are different versions of how that nickname came to be.
• Rose, nonetheless, was positioned on the game’s completely ineligible checklist in 1989 amid allegations of playing on MLB video games. In 2004, when his autobiography got here out, he admitted to playing on video games as a supervisor, and in 2015, he admitted he gambled as a participant. He was by no means eligible for the Corridor of Fame.
• Rose’s post-baseball profession was marred by a number of elements, together with the playing scandal and time served in federal jail for tax evasion. In 2017, he was accused of statutory rape dedicated within the Nineteen Seventies.

Matt Snyder has a sensible, nuanced take a look at Rose’s complicated legacy.

Basketball Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58 years previous

Dikembe Mutombo, the long-lasting shot blocker, humanitarian, NBA international ambassador and Basketball Corridor of Famer, died from brain cancer at 58 years old, the NBA introduced Monday.

• Mutombo’s 3,289 profession blocks are second in NBA historical past (solely behind Hakeem Olajuwon), and plenty of had been adopted by his signature finger wag. He performed for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets; Denver and Atlanta retired his jersey.
• Mutombo made eight All-Star groups, gained Defensive Participant of the Yr 4 instances — tied with Rudy Gobert and Ben Wallace for many all-time — and was a three-time All-NBA choice.
• As a part of an announcement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated, “Dikembe Mutombo was merely bigger than life. On the court docket, he was one of many biggest shot blockers and defensive gamers within the historical past of the NBA. Off the ground, he poured his coronary heart and soul into serving to others.”

Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo — often known as Zaire when he was born — Mutombo arrived at Georgetown planning to develop into a health care provider. However 7-foot-2 college students have a tendency to stay out, and legendary Hoyas coach John Thompson pursued including Mutombo to the roster. Quickly thereafter, Mutombo paired with Alonzo Mourning to type a dominant frontcourt. Kyle Boone wrote on Mutombo’s impact at Georgetown.

Mutombo’s finger wag did not emerge till 1997, his sixth NBA season, however it will live on forever, Brad Botkin notes. So, too, Mutombo’s influence off the court docket, which incorporates opening a hospital close to his hometown of Kinshasa, the Congolese capital. Masai Ujiri, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and others reflected on Mutombo’s legacy.

📺 What we’re watching Tuesday

⚽ We’re watching the UEFA Champions League. Here’s how.
⚾ AL Wild Card Sequence Sport 1: Tigers at Astros, 2:30 p.m. on ABC
⚾ AL Wild Card Sequence Sport 1: Royals at Orioles, 4 p.m. on ESPN2
⚾ NL Wild Card Sequence Sport 1: Mets at Brewers, 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 WNBA semifinals Sport 2: Aces at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
⚾ NL Wild Card Sequence Sport 1: Braves at Padres, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 WNBA semifinals Sport 2: Solar at Lynx, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2