The NBA is back! Rangers reach World Series, NLCS heads to Game 7. Plus, Kirk Cousins leads Vikings in upset
Vikings #Vikings
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⚾ Good morning to everyone but especially … Getty Images
THE TEXAS RANGERS
He started his career in Cuba. Then Japan. After defecting from Cuba, he bounced around the minors. He finally got called up in 2018, only to go back down and then get designated for assignment. He got traded for cash considerations. He spent a winter playing in the Dominican Republic. In 2020, he got six major-league at-bats, went hitless and was designated for assignment again.
Baseball has taken Adolis García many places. Now, he’s taking the Rangers to the World Series. García …
… as the Rangers hammered the Astros, 11-4, to win their first pennant since 2011.
My goodness is this team fun. We’re still waiting on whom the Rangers will face — more on that in a bit — but we know García and the rest of this loaded lineup will be bringing the noise in search of the franchise’s first championship.
As far as the Astros? This may be the beginning of the end of their AL dominance.
👍 Honorable mentions ⚾ And not such a good morning for … USATSI
THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The Phillies have been around since 1883. Tonight will be their first Game 7 ever after just about everything went wrong in a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.
The good news for the Phillies is they’ll start Ranger Suárez tonight, and he’s been lights out. Though Nola had been, too, so we’ll see. Here’s our preview.
👎 Not so honorable mentions 🏈 Kirk Cousins leads Vikings to upset with 49ers down bad USATSI
When Justin Jefferson went down, things could have gone completely sideways for the Vikings. Instead, they’ve won two straight and might have found another star wide receiver in the process. Minnesota capped a week full of upsets with a 22-17 triumph over the 49ers, handing San Francisco its second straight loss.
Cousins, Addison and Bynum will rightfully get the headlines, but the offensive line (Cousins wasn’t sacked) and the defensive line (San Francisco averaged under 3 yards per rush) were terrific. And what a win for the Vikings, who at 3-4 continue to hang around.
I’m not super concerned for the 49ers … yet. Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams missed the game with injuries, and those are two massive absences. The defense was surprisingly bad, but if every loss automatically made a team bad … well we haven’t had a good team since the undefeated 1972 Dolphins. The 49ers will be just fine.
🏀 NBA season preview: Power Rankings, predictions, more Getty Images
We are SO back, friends. The NBA returns tonight with two star-studded matchups: Lakers-Nuggets and Warriors-Suns.
This has all the makings of a memorable season. Nikola Jokic and friends defending their title. Stephen Curry trying to lead Golden State back. LeBron James against Father Time … again. The loaded Suns. Victor Wembanyama. And that’s just the West! In the East, Damian Lillard is in Milwaukee (alongside newly extended Giannis Antetokounmpo), Jrue Holiday is in Boston, and James Harden is … technically he’s on the 76ers, but he’s nowhere to be seen in Philadelphia. There’s no drama like NBA drama, and it’s already building. I love it. We already have 20 intriguing storylines before the season’s even begun!
One of the most drama-free teams, though, is No. 1 in Colin Ward-Henninger’s season-opening Power Rankings:
In his bold predictions, Brad Botkin has Jokic — No. 1 in our NBA Top 100 rankings — earning his third career MVP. But what about a second NBA championship? Our experts have made their predictions on champions, award winners and more, and here’s their title pick:
OK, now for the link dump, because our experts have done a fantastic job …
Phew. Enjoy!
🏈 Who’s hot in college football, plus what does Maalik Murphy brings to Texas? Kim O’Reilly, CBS Sports
Another week, another shuffle atop Dennis Dodd’s College Football Power Rankings. Here’s his latest top five:
Yes, that’s a new No. 1! Georgia slides down despite not losing. The Bulldogs didn’t win, either; they had a bye. Dennis has four reasons for the switch, including …
Michigan had already been atop the CBS Sports 133, but now there are two Big Ten teams in the top three with Ohio State rising to third.
Texas is seventh in the Power Rankings and eighth in the CBS Sports 133, but the Longhorns are turning to a new face behind center, Maalik Murphy, after Quinn Ewers went down with a shoulder injury. Will Backus has the outlook for the Longhorns, and Barrett Sallee explains why it’s Murphy, not Arch Maning, at quarterback.
📺 What we’re watching Tuesday
⚽ UEFA Champions League, streaming on CBS and Paramount+🏒 Maple Leafs at Capitals, 6 p.m. on ESPN🏀 Lakers at Nuggets, 7:30 p.m. on TNT⚾ Diamondbacks at Phillies, 8:07 p.m. on TBS🏒 Bruins at Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN🏀 Suns at Warriors, 10 p.m. on TNT🏒 Flyers at Golden Knights, 11 p.m. on ESPN