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MNF: Sleepless in The Meadowlands

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown and had two of Seattle’s 11 sacks as the Seahawks continued their Monday night mastery with a 24-3 victory against the New York Giants in New Jersey.

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Kenneth Walker III rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown and Geno Smith threw a TD pass to DK Metcalf as the Seahawks (3-1) improved to 29-12 all-time on “Monday Night Football,” with their .707 winning percentage the best in league history.

Seattle’s sack total tied the franchise’s single-game record.

The Giants (1-3), who played without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), managed just 248 yards of total offense.

New York quarterback Daniel Jones completed 27 of 34 passes for 203 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. He also rushed for a team-high 66 yards on 10 carries.

With the Giants trailing 14-3 late in the third quarter, Jones scrambled for a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Seattle 16 on New York’s lone trip into the red zone. Two plays later, Jones tried to hit Parris Campbell, but the throw was behind the receiver and was picked off by Witherspoon.

Smith finished with 110 yards on 13-of-20 passing. He missed the final 9:28 of the second quarter while being evaluated for a knee injury. Drew Lock stepped in under center and led a TD drive in Smith’s absence.

The Seahawks opened the scoring on the final play of the first quarter. Smith scrambled to his right and threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to a diving Metcalf in the back corner of the end zone. That capped a two-play drive set up by Mario Edwards Jr., who sacked Jones and forced a fumble that was recovered by Jordyn Brooks at the New York 15-yard line and returned to the 7.

The Giants, who have yet to score a first-half touchdown this season, got a 55-yard field goal from Graham Gano with 3:05 remaining before intermission.

Lock led the Seahawks on a seven play, 75-yard drive, capped by Walker’s 1-yard scoring run, to make it 14-3 with 1:39 left in the second quarter. Walker’s TD plunge came after a third-and-10 screen pass to tight end Noah Fant, who broke a tackle and tight-roped down the sideline for 51 yards to the 1.

Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, playing in his first game since tearing his quadriceps in the 2022 season opener, lasted just nine plays before sustaining a concussion when getting kneed in the head while trying to make a tackle on a scrambling Jones. Adams didn’t return.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Week 4 Previews

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NFL Week 4 Preview Capsules

(Staff and Wire Service/Field Level Media Report)

Falcons (2-1) vs. Jaguars (1-2), in London: Atlanta rookie Bijan Robinson entered the week leading all running backs with 14 receptions. The Falcons rarely threaten over the top, relying on QB Desmond Ridder to manage the game with high-percentage passes and Robinson to pair with Tyler Allgeier to move the chains. TE Kyle Pitts had a career-high nine receptions for 119 yards in his previous International Series game. In the franchise’s ninth game at Wembley Stadium, the Jaguars look to former Falcons WR Calvin Ridley to spark the offense. RB Travis Etienne had 138 yards from scrimmage last week and Atlanta is giving up 117.7 rushing yards per game.

Dolphins (3-0) vs. Bills (2-1): No team has ever produced more yards in the first three games of the season than Miami (1,651) and the Dolphins are on pace to set the NFL scoring record with an average of 43.3 per game entering Week 4. But Buffalo has won eight of the past nine meetings in the AFC East rivalry and the Bills’ defense is out to prove a point this week. Buffalo’s defense became the first since the Chicago Bears (1985) with nine sacks and four INTs in a game. The Bills have drilled the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders by a combined score of 75-13 since the Week 1 overtime loss to the New York Jets. QB Josh Allen averaged 317.7 yards and three TD passes (zero interceptions) in his past three games in the matchup. Tua Tagovailoa had three TDs and zero INTs in two starts against the Bills in 2022.

Broncos (0-3) vs. Bears (0-3): Good luck finding two NFL teams more eager to get back on the field than these winless clubs. The Bears have lost 13 straight games dating back to last season, surrendering at least 25 points in each contest. Denver allowed 70 points to the Dolphins in a 50-point blowout loss at Miami in Week 3 and has a 6-20 record since Thanksgiving 2021. Broncos QB Russell Wilson hasn’t played poorly with 300-yard games in back-to-back starts. The Bears are trying to unlock Justin Fields from a mystifying start. Fields was sacked 13 times and had a 67.7 passer rating in the first three games.

Vikings (0-3) vs. Panthers (0-3): Rookie QB Bryce Young found his energy during a week on the mend from an ankle injury and showed some spark in Panthers’ practice this week. Carolina had 27 points in a loss at Seattle with Andy Dalton running the offense, matching the point total Young produced in the first two games. Head coach Frank Reich plans to work the ball to lead receiver Adam Thielen (20 receptions), who spent 10 seasons with the Vikings before being released in the offseason. Minnesota has six receivers with a TD catch — QB Kirk Cousins leads the NFL with 9 TDs — but still hasn’t scored in the first quarter. A faster start could be salve for a team wounded by turnovers, namely seven lost fumbles, though Cousins would realize a huge benefit from a more stable running game. Minnesota’s offensive line woes have hindered the ground game to just 66.3 yards per game.

Browns (2-1) vs. Ravens (2-1): Cleveland’s No. 1-ranked defense had Titans QB Ryan Tannehill seeing ghosts last week when he wasn’t sprinting the opposite direction of DE Myles Garrett. The Browns allowed just one offensive touchdown in three games while leading the NFL in both scoring defense (10.7 points allowed per game) and total defense (163.7 yards allowed per game). The scoring average would be even lower if the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t score two defensive touchdowns in the Week 2 matchup. If the offense catches up in Cleveland, watch out. The Browns are minus-5 in turnover differential and have split the past four games with the Ravens. When QB Lamar Jackson has time, he can deliver from the pocket. He leads the NFL in completion percentage on passes thrown beyond the sticks. Health was a major hurdle last week with seven starters, four on offense, out in the tie with the Colts. That forced Jackson to run more often, which tends to work out, too. He posted his 13th career 100-yard game. Jackson is 5-1 in his past six starts against the Browns.

Texans (1-2) vs. Steelers (2-1): The Texans blitzed the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 37-17 win last week and rookie QB C.J. Stroud went 20-for-30 passing for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Dealing with Pittsburgh’s defense, which has eight takeaways, presents a greater challenge. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called pass rusher T.J. Watt “probably the most impactful defensive player in the league.” Watt has a league-high 6.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries (tied with Colts defensive end Kwity Paye) through three games. Houston’s hope is to use a page from Ryans’ previous team – he was defensive coordinator of the 49ers prior to taking over the Texans – and make Pittsburgh one-dimensional. The Steelers rank 30th in the NFL in rushing offense (67 yards per game), but they surpassed 100 yards for the first time against Las Vegas with 105. Najee Harris is averaging 4.0 yards per carry but has only 35 in three games.

Colts (2-1) vs. Rams (1-2): On the road for the third time in four games, the Rams are planning for two quarterbacks but expecting rookie Anthony Richardson to get the call after sitting out last week in concussion protocol. The Colts harassed Lamar Jackson with blitz pressures last week and have 12 sacks and a plus-2 turnover differential, numbers that mean something when you start a rookie QB. Indianapolis is also finding its footing with a rushing attack that featured Zack Moss (145 yards from scrimmage at Baltimore) again. With no such running game (84 yards per game), the Rams are exposing QB Matthew Stafford to heavy fire. He has been sacked seven times with four interceptions this season.

Saints (2-1) vs. Buccaneers (2-1): RB Alvin Kamara returns from a three-game suspension with the Saints welcoming Baker Mayfield to New Orleans for the first time. The Bucs swept the series in 2022 but have a new look without Tom Brady. Mayfield has done his part and established a strong rapport with WR Mike Evans (17 receptions for 297 yards, three TDs) while waiting for a bigger boost from the ground game. The Bucs won’t hold much back with an early bye in Week 5. New Orleans might not have its new QB under center this week as Derek Carr (shoulder) is week-to-week. Jameis Winston couldn’t hold a 17-0 lead at Green Bay last week but is anxious for another shot at his former team. Winston has eight TD passes in four career home starts for the Saints.

Eagles (3-0) vs. Commanders (2-1): First-year starting QB Sam Howell crashed from a 2-0 start in a 37-3 loss to the Bills in Week 3. Howell and the Commanders lost 32-31 at Philadelphia last season and have dropped three of the past four in the series. One new face the Commanders will greet is first-round pick Jalen Carter, who has six pressures on six double-team pass-rushing opportunities and gets more attention from offensive linemen every week. The Eagles have had no reservations handing the ball off this season (185.7 yards per game) and are giving up just 48.3 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles are 3-0 for the second consecutive season for the first time since 1992-93. Jalen Hurts had six touchdowns (five passing) in his last two starts against Washington.

Chargers (1-2) vs. Raiders (1-2): The Raiders have three quarterbacks on their roster, and any of them could take the field on Sunday afternoon at the Los Angeles Chargers. Jimmy Garoppolo started and finished the first three games of the season for Las Vegas, but he was placed in concussion protocol following a 23-18 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said that Garoppolo was still in protocol on Wednesday and did not practice but has been participating in meetings. If he’s not cleared, 37-year-old journeyman Brian Hoyer would make his 41st career start. Hoyer has 12 consecutive losses as a starter and the Raiders are tied for 29th in the NFL in points per game (15.0). The Chargers are second in the NFL in total offense but have only one win because they’ve allowed 29 points per game. The Chargers prevented another agonizing last-minute loss by intercepting a pass in the end zone with under 10 seconds left. Austin Ekeler, the No. 1 running back for Los Angeles, returned to practice on Wednesday but was limited after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.

Cowboys (2-1) vs. Patriots (1-2): Dak Prescott starts for the 101st time in his career going for a duplication of his previous performance against the Patriots. Prescott passed for more yards than a Bill Belichick defense has ever allowed (445 yards, three TDs) in the 35-29 win over New England in 2021. The Cowboys’ passing game isn’t clicking on all cylinders leading to a huge workload for Tony Pollard, the NFL leader in total touches through three games. He’ll get a chance to prove his value as Ezekiel Elliott returns to Dallas as a backup with the Patriots. New England has gone 16 games in a row without scoring 28 points but the Patriots snuck past the Jets last week with a 15-point effort.

49ers (3-0) vs. Cardinals (1-2): Fresh off of his first career win, QB Josh Dobbs gets a close-up with the clamp-down defense of the 49ers. San Francisco’s hard-hitting back seven vows to treat Dobbs like a running back after he rushing for 55 yards in a healthy diet of RPO calls that slowed down the Cowboys’ pass rush. Dobbs leans heavily on TE Zach Ertz, who has just 83 yards on 14 receptions. The 49ers have allowed 42 points this season and only 12 total in the second half. QB Brock Purdy hasn’t thrown an interception and is 10-0 in games he has started and finished, including the playoffs. San Francisco is two wins shy of the franchise streak for consecutive regular-season wins and currently have 13 victories in a row, which includes two over the Cardinals last season by a combined scored of 76-23.

Jets (1-2) vs. Chiefs (2-1): Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 5-0 on SNF with 14 TDs and threw five TD passes the last time he faced the Jets. New York’s offense continues to be reshaped without Aaron Rodgers as QB Zach Wilson reacclimates to the leading role and the Jets work through offensive line issues that are stunting the running game (91.3 yards per game). Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has two TD catches and leads the team with 11 receptions despite missing Week 1 with a knee injury and rookie WR Rashee Rice leads the WR corps with 10 grabs. Kansas City surrendered only 40 points in the first three games — 20 in the fourth quarter — and the Chiefs have 8.0 sacks. The Jets, averaging 14 points per game in 2023, look to establish big-play back Breece Hall (147 yards from scrimmage in Week 1) and Dalvin Cook to open up passing lanes for Wilson downfield.

Giants (1-2) vs. Seahawks (2-1): Seattle has formed a dynamic 1-2 punch at running back alongside QB Geno Smith with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet combining for 277 rushing yards and 11 receptions. The Giants’ run defense was gouged for 138 rushing yards per game and six TDs in the first three games. Teams that load up to stuff the run must contend with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who’ve caught 37 of Smith’s 71 completions this season. QB Daniel Jones would enjoy the return of RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), who had 38 touches in the first two games. Without Barkley last week, Jones was under attack. Trouble has found the Giants when they fall behind. Jones has been sacked 12 times and has only one completion over 30 yards.

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 1st

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The marketers behind the 2023 Ryder Cup are not afraid to borrow a phrase or two to promote their wonderful USA vs Europe matches. It was a bit of a surprise to learn the Ryder Cup was “an event unlike any other,” not too far from CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and his description of The Masters as “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.”

On the PGA of America side of the coin, we learned that the PGA Tour pros gather together to exclaim, “We Love This Game,” a phrase made famous by the NBA’s popular “I Love This Game” campaign of the 1990s.

To steer clear of any copyright and trademark issues, and after watching the first two days of the 2023 Ryder Cup matches from Rome, the suggestion is to edit the tagline ever-so-slightly and etch into stone, “We’re Getting Our Asses Kicked in this Game.’

On Friday, Team Europe was out to an all-important and momentum-building 4-0 start in Foursomes, which was followed by Saturday morning’s 3-1 shellacking. As of this writing and a post on Saturday night about 10pm (ET), the singles matches of the Ryder Cup will be seven and a half hours away (11:35am (local)/5:35am (ET).

If you’re an American fan and haven’t seen the pairings for Sunday’s singles, cover your eyes now. Team Europe captain Luke Donald, needing four points to win the Ryder Cup, is not fooling around, as he placed four of his big-name gems as his first four players out (Rahm, Hovland, Rose and McIlroy).

Should he need back-up, his No. 5 is Matt Fitzpatrick (played 2, won 1, lost 1), and his No. 6 is Tyrrell Hatton (played 3, won 2, lost 0, halved 1).

(Europe listed first)

Match 1

Jon Rahm

5:35 a.m.

Scottie Scheffler

Match 2

Viktor Hovland

5:47 a.m.

Collin Morikawa

Match 3

Justin Rose

5:59 a.m.

Patrick Cantlay

Match 4

Rory McIlroy

6:11 a.m.

Sam Burns

Match 5

Matt Fitzpatrick

6:23 a.m.

Max Homa

Match 6

Tyrrell Hatton

6:35 a.m.

Brian Harman

Match 7

Ludvig Aberg

6:47 a.m.

Brooks Koepka

Match 8

Sepp Straka

6:59 a.m.

Justin Thomas

Match 9

Nicolai Hojgaard

7:11 a.m.

Xander Schauffele

Match 10

Shane Lowry

7:23 a.m.

Jordan Spieth

Match 11

Tommy Fleetwood

7:35 a.m.

Rickie Fowler

Match 12

Robert MacIntyre

7:47 a.m.

Wyndham Clark

The unavoidable questions of “what’s wrong” with Team USA will surface, but the truth of the matter is that Team Europe simply played better golf over the first two days (and possibly the Singles Sunday to come).

USA Team Captain Zach Johnson had the USA well prepared and he had the right 12 players. Maybe, just maybe he could’ve picked Dustin Johnsonover Justin Thomas, but he went with Thomas for the historical strong team combo of JT with his longtime friend and cohort Jordan Spieth.

On the logistical side, a few members of the USA team came up with common cold symptoms, but the tea,m refused to use that as an excuse. Issues such as colds, flu-like symptoms or God-forbid COVID+ are a constant threat to constant trans-Atlantic travelers under stress, the same as it is for business travelers.

Possible solutions:

  1. Travel in smaller groups (4) on commercial flights or charters, utilizing N-95 masks during travel
  2. House the players in small groups (2) or (4) max to luxury house rental or spread-out on one floor of a luxury hotel.
  3. Get on the same time zone 2+ weeks early, and play more practice rounds on European soil. Team USA practiced at Marco Simone Golf Club two weeks prior to the Ryder Cup competition but some players flew back and forth across the Atlantic, adding wear and tear and jet-lag stress to their bodies. They need to minimize travel and potential exposure to germ-incubators that can effect the entire team.
  4. Maybe a “Team Room” is a traditional setting that can be left behind.
  5. Cut out the “hat waving” and “Hat-gate” B.S. and act like you’ve been there before.
  6. While Team USA is at it, they might become more media friendly and allow access to Netflix documentaries and attend media sessions after Opening Ceremonies. All the “no” answers create more negativity within and around the team. It’s the little things that begin to add up.
  7. Once the Team USA Roster is determined, designate one player spokesman and a back-up from the most seasoned and affable players on the golf team. USA Vet Rickie Fowler could have been very helpful with media obligations during the week if Captain Johnson knew in advance of his line-ups.
  8. Included in the extra stay in the European time zone, build in one or two “media days” and give media advanced access, and designate a day/time for media to get still head shots, set aside time and complete any network TV obligations. Advance plan and stage a newsworthy photo op and short media availability twice a week while on European soil. Once the photo obligation is complete, Team USA can be treated to a great meal or a stop to surprise and create extra bonds between the players.
  9. The more an atmosphere of normal interaction is created, the less stress, pressure and tension will be on the players come competition time.
  10. Embrace the local culture, language and customs to show respect to the host venue, the European players and the fans will appreciate it.

If all that fails … hit some putts and stay an extra hour on the practice greens.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: As soon as the Ryder Cup golf tournament is settled on Sunday morning, you can turn your TV dial/remote/satellite to watch the NFL in London. The Jacksonville Jaguars are crossing the pond, once again, this week facing the Atlanta Falcons. See all NFL odds and betting options: Jags (-3) over Falcons

This is the 10th year the Jags have played in London, but this trip is different as Jacksonville will play back-to-back games in England, as the home team at Wembley Stadium against the Falcons, but as the away team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. It’ll mark the first time an NFL team will have an extended stay in the regular season since the league launched its International Bowls in 2007.

The Jags’ front office staff hopes to add business partners and future sponsorship opportunities for the franchise both in the U.K. and in Jacksonville.

One factoid, not to be overlooked, the loyal fans of the Buffalo Bills will lose a home date.

TID-BITS: Here’s a glimpse into some of the stuff I think about: (Special attention to sponsor USAA) – Why isn’t the Army v Navy college basketball game a big thing? All regular season college hoops games could be scheduled to end on Saturday, March 9, 2024 (and the equivalent each season) and then the Army vs Navy Game could be played each year as the final regular season game of the college season (Sunday, March 10, 2024). … Surely, this columnist is not the first to suggest something like this, correct? … Ponder this: Do DOGS know when it’s their birthday? … Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora named Chris Sale his Opening Day when the Sox play the Mariners in Seattle on March 28th, 2024. Oh Good, but talk to me on March 21st.

Why, on earth, would Curt Schilling make a brain cancer diagnosis of his former teammate Tim Wakefield public against the wishes of Wakefield and his family. Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, is also battling cancer. The couple has two children, Trevor (born in 2004) and Brianna (born in 2005).

Schilling – the bird brain that he is – made the private diagnosis of Wakefield public on a podcast. Wakefield and the Red Sox organization were forced to issue a statement after the podcast aired.

“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission. Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease. Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”

WNBA FINALS: The Las Vegas Aces have advanced to the WNBA Finals and they await the other semifinal winner – either the New York Liberty or the Connecticut Sun. NY’s Breanna Stewart scored 25 points as the Liberty beat Sun, 92-81, to take 2-1 lead in WNBA semifinal series. … The WNBA Finals will begin October 8 in Las Vegas. … The league might take a page of its own history and revert to a Memorial Day to Labor Day schedule. October 8 brings stiff comp from the NFL and the MLB Postseason.

THE NHL: Opening night for the NHL 2023-24 season is Tuesday, October 10th – adding to the crush on the WNBA Finals. On October 10th, the Vegas Knights will hoist their Stanley Cup banner to the rafters, the night before WNBA Finals Game 2.

THE NBA: League staff has already departed to prep for preseason games in the Middle East. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 will feature the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves playing two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The Games are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 7.

TRICK OR TREAT: The next thing you know, Halloween candy will be on sale. Oh? That happened two months ago.

Boston College with Comeback Win

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CHESTNUT HILL – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Liam Connor’s 42-yard field goal with 2:11 remaining helped Boston College overcome an early two-score deficit to beat visiting Virginia 27-24 in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference contest in Boston.

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Thomas Castellanos shook off a pair of first-half interceptions and finished 16-of-26 passing for 183 yards and touchdowns to Joseph Griffin Jr. and Lewis Bond in the third quarter. The scores highlighted the Eagles’ (2-3, 1-2 ACC) 17-point run to erase a 21-7 deficit.

BC outgained the visitors 176-12 in the third, ultimately taking the lead on Bond’s 33-yard touchdown reception at 1:04 of the quarter.

After BC scored on four straight drives, the Cavaliers forced back-to-back fumbles but only managed to tie the game on Will Bettridge’s 44-yard field goal with 7:10 left in regulation.

Bond logged a game-high 104 yards on seven receptions. Pat Garwo accounted for 87 of BC’s 203 total yards and a touchdown on the ground. Castellanos also ran for 78 yards.

Virginia (0-5, 0-2) quarterback Tony Muskett was 22 of 34 for 247 yards and three touchdowns in his first start since suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener against Tennessee. Malik Washington (9 receptions, 97 yards) and Malachi Fields each caught touchdowns for Virginia.

Star BC receiver Ryan O’Keefe was carted off the field after colliding with Virginia cornerback Malcolm Greene early in the fourth quarter.

BC first cut into its deficit when Connor drilled a 42-yard field goal to complete an 11-play, 63-yard drive over the first 5:10 of the third quarter.

After forcing a 3-and-out, BC needed just four plays to score on Griffin’s 4-yard, over-the-shoulder catch with 6:09 left in the third.

Elijah Jones hauled in BC’s first interception of the season on the following series, and Bond’s go-ahead score capped a 9-play, 65-yard drive.

Muskett led a 10-play, 75-yard drive off the opening kickoff, finding Mike Hollins out of the backfield for a 5-yard score 4:35 into the game.

The Cavaliers forced a turnover on downs and intercepted a Castellanos pass on BC’s second and third series, respectively, before doubling their lead on Washington’s 18-yard touchdown with 12:11 left until halftime.

Castellanos got the Eagles moving as a 34-yard strike to Bond along the sideline set up Garwo’s 2-yard rushing score with 47 seconds left in the first half.

Fields hauled in a 39-yard Hail Mary touchdown as the first-half clock expired to give Virginia a 21-7 lead.

–Field Level Media

Orioles Keep Eye on Playoffs

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As Red Sox and Orioles Close Out the Regular Season, Orioles Look Ahead and the Red Sox Look to Rebuild

BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Orioles have had a win mentality all season. They don’t want to back off during the last weekend of the regular season.

The Baltimore Orioles have had a win mentality all season. They don’t want to back off during the last weekend of the regular season.

“I still want to play well,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I want to play to win.”

The Orioles and visiting Boston Red Sox will meet in the third game of their four-game series on Saturday night.

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The Orioles (100-60) had won five in a row before losing 3-0 on Friday, a night after they clinched the American League East title with a 2-0 victory over the Red Sox.

“It was a big night for us (Thursday) night, and we just didn’t play our best baseball (on Friday), and those things happen,” Hyde said. “Hopefully, we’ll rebound and play a better game.”

Boston (77-83) ended a five-game skid on Friday.

“There’s a lot of good things that are happening in that clubhouse,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “They’re still playing hard.”

Boston’s offense still has holes. The Red Sox ended a 23-inning scoreless streak when Trevor Story hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning on Friday, but it still was far from an offensive outburst.

The Red Sox aren’t done learning about their personnel, even with just two games left in the season. That’s what was among the takeaways from seeing Nick Pivetta throw seven shutout innings and strike out 10 on Friday.

“It has been fun to watch,” Cora said. “He’s going to work hard in the offseason to keep getting better. He should be one of the guys next year when we talk about it.”

The Orioles have more pressing matters. Though they will have nearly a week off before opening the playoffs at home on Oct. 7, they want to start formalizing a plan, and that could dictate some moves this weekend.

“Nothing’s set in stone right now,” Hyde said. “We’re seeing who we’re playing (in the first postseason series), and we have some time.”

Hyde gave right fielder Anthony Santander the night off Friday, putting Heston Kjerstad in the lineup for his first start in the outfield.

“You’re going to see him play probably two, if not all three, of these games and give him the at-bats,” Hyde said. “I want to give him four or five at-bats a night if I can and see what he’s like against big-league pitching.”

Right-hander Kyle Gibson (15-9, 4.86 ERA), who already has a career-high win total, will be the Orioles’ starting pitcher on Saturday. Baltimore has won three of four September games pitched by Gibson, who is 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA in those contests. He faced the Red Sox in the season opener on March 30 and earned a win despite giving up four runs in five-plus innings.

Gibson will make his career-high 33rd start. He is 4-4 with a 3.72 ERA in nine career starts against Boston.

The Red Sox are set to give the ball to right-hander Kutter Crawford (6-8, 4.23), who has gone six consecutive outings without a victory. Boston went 1-5 in those games, while Crawford was 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA. Most recently, he yielded three runs in 5 1/3 innings during a 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Crawford surrendered 11 runs across 3 2/3 innings covering two appearances (one start) last year in his only career matchups with the Orioles.

Baltimore is 6-5 in September home games, dropping their season mark at Camden Yards to 48-31. The Orioles will have home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs.

–Field Level Media

Ryder Cup, “Same As it Ever Was”

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ROME – There’s one thing to digest if you’re reading your feasting on your early morning PGA Tour Brunch:

It’s a massive 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead for Team Europe as the Saturday afternoon four ball session begin.

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Even with a formidable showing in the matches now underway, the Sunday Singles will be the USA’s only way to recover and with the way Team Europe is playing, the possibility of a Team USA comeback is as “Thin as a slice of Prosciutto.”

In its 3-1 session victory, Europe set an all-time Ryder Cup record on Saturday morning when 2023 FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg of Europe defeated the USA’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka, 9 & 7. That is – excuse the description – the biggest ass-kicking in the history of the matches.

The previous worst loss in a foursomes match was 7 & 6, which happened three times, most recently by Americans Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson OVER current European team captain Luke Donald and Lee Westwood in 2012.

14 1/2 is the target number for Team Europe to gain possession of the coveted Ryder Cup. Four points are on the line now and TV commentators as stating, “The USA Must Sweep to have a Chance.”

**** At tee-off for these afternoon matches, there were 16 more points to be had and the USA must win 11 1/2 to retain possession of the Ryder Cup.

Pairings for Saturday’s afternoon Four ball, now being played (as of 7:11am ET, the fourth match has teed-off)

Match 1: Sam Burns-Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Viktor Hovland-Ludvig Åberg (Europe)

Match 2: Max Homa-Brian Harman (USA) vs. Tommy Fleetwood-Nicolai Højgaard (Europe)

Match 3: Justin Thomas-Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Justin Rose-Robert MacIntyre (Europe)

Match 4: Patrick Cantlay-Wyndham Clark (USA) vs. Matt Fitzpatrick-Rory McIlroy (Europe)

Saturday, Sept. 30 Results

Session Three: Foursomes

Europe – USA – Result

R.McIlroy/T.Fleetwood vs. J.Thomas/J.Spieth – Team Europe won 2 & 1

V.Hovland/L.Åberg vs. S.Scheffler/B.Koepka – Team Europe won 9 & 7

S.Lowry/S.Straka vs. M.Homa/B.Harman – U.S. Team won 4 & 2

J.Rahm/T.Hatton vs. P.Cantlay/X.Schauffele – Team Europe won 2 & 1

Friday, Sept. 29 Results

Session Two: Four Ball

United States Europe Results

Thomas/Spieth Hovland/Hatton Tied

Scheffler/Koepka Rahm/Hojgaard Tied

Homa/Clark MacIntyre/Rose Tied

Morikawa/Schauffele McIlroy/Fitzpatrick 5 & 3 EU

Session One: Foursomes

United States Europe Results

Scheffler/Burns Rahm/Hatton 4 & 3 EU

Homa/Harman Hovland/Aberg 4 & 3 EU

Fowler/Morikawa Lowry/Straka 2 & 1 EU

Schauffele/Cantlay McIlroy/Fleetwood 2 & 1 EU

Ryder Cup Preview

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2023 Ryder Cup | Preview and Schedule

BOSTON – Gone are Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood – the elder statesmen of European golf and mainstays of victory for past Team Europe wins on their home soil. In their place, the likes of Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg.

Gone are LIV golfers (other than Brooks Koepka). Whether they are Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson or Bryson DeChambeau of the USA or Ian Poulter, GraemeMcDowell, Martin Kaymer or Henrik Stenson, in addition to Garcia and Westwood – the formation of the Saudi-based LIV Tour has changed the face of the 2023 Ryder Cup more than anything in the history of the competition, dating back to 1927 when it was played right down the Mass Pike from here in Boston in Worcester, Mass.

In place are two talented rosters of Team USA and host Team Europe players, anchored by FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland of Norway, Rory McIlroy of N. Ireland and Jon Rahm of Spain for the Europeans and Scottie Scheffler, PatrickCantlay and the formidable team of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas of the United States.

Odds-makers have the USA slightly favored even though Team USA hasn’t won on Euro-soil since 1993 – before most of the current US team members were born.

Team Rosters

Europe 🇪🇺

Team Europe Page (link)

Captain: Luke Donald

Rory McIlroy

Jon Rahm

Robert MacIntyre

Viktor Hovland

Tyrrell Hatton

Matt Fitzpatrick

Tommy Fleetwood

Sepp Straka

Justin Rose

Shane Lowry

Nicolai Hojgaard

Ludvig Aberg

USA 🇺🇸

USA Team Page (link)

Captain: Zach Johnson

Sam Burns

Patrick Cantlay

Wyndham Clark

Rickie Fowler

Brian Harman

Max Homa

Brooks Koepka

Collin Morikawa

Xander Schauffele

Scottie Scheffler

Jordan Spieth

Justin Thomas

Ryder Cup Odds

USA (-115)

Europe (+100)

Draw (+1100) – Cup would remain with USA

(As of 9/27) – Odds by Digital Sports Desk – Betting Hero

The Basics

COURSE: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy

ARCHITECT: European Golf Design in cooperation with Tom Fazio II (2018-2021

YARDS/PAR: 7,181/71

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Team USA (19 to 9)

PAST RESULTS: Last Ryder Cup played at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, USA (Link)

SOCIAL MEDIA: #RyderCup @PGA #RyderCupUSA #GoUSA @RyderCupEurope #TeamEurope

OFFICIAL SITE: (Ryder Cup)

FORMAT: Each of the first two days includes one four-match session of fourball and one four-match session of foursomes. The final day is reserved for 12 singles matches.

FOUR-BALL: In four-ball, each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

FOURSOMES: In foursomes, each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SINGLES: In singles, each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SCORING: Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a tie worth ½ point to each side. The first team to reach 14 ½ points wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 tie, the team holding the Ryder Cup (USA) retains it.

The Schedule

NBC and USA NETWORK will provide TV coverage of the 2023 Ryder Cup with lengthy telecasts all three days of the tournament. Check out the full TV schedule below.

  • Thursday, Sept. 28: 10am-1pm ET (Opening Ceremonies on Golf Channel)
  • Friday, Sept. 29: 1:30am-12am ET (USA)
  • Saturday, Sept. 30: 1:30-3am ET (USA); 3am-12 Noon ET (NBC, Peacock)
  • Sunday, Oct. 1: 5:30am -1pm ET (NBC, Peacock)

What They’re Saying

An Event Like No Other (RyderCupCom) – (Jim Nantz, does that sound familiar)?

Rory: European LIV Golfers Will Miss Ryder Cup (SkySports)

Comprehensive Preview and Coverage by NBC Sports/Golf Channel (GolfChannel)

Ryder Cup Preview by Golf Magazine (GolfCom)

Ryder Cup Preview, Predictions (ESPNCom)

Ryder Cup: Expert Opinions, Picks (CBS SportsCom)

Why Each Team Can Win (PGATourCom)

On This Day in Golf History

September 27, 2015 – Jordan Spieth completed his magical break-through season on the PGA Tour by winning the year-end Tour Championship at East Lake GC in Atlanta – and with that – the FedEx Cup title. Spieth shot a final round of (69) to beat Henrik Stenson by four strokes. Then 22-year old Spieth won a cool $12.03 million for the tournament and FedEx Cup prize money to bring his season total to $22 million as he also took the purse at The Masters and the U.S. Open. Courtesy of Randy Walker, Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE

Rays Hobble Into Fenway for Pair

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Tampa Bay Rays’ chances of an American League East championship are fading as their injury list grows ahead of Tuesday’s visit to Boston, the first of a two-game series against the division rival Red Sox.

With a wild-card spot already in hand, Tampa Bay (95-62) sits 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the East with a week of the regular season to play, but three more players were sidelined for at least part of this past weekend’s series at Toronto.

The Rays lost 9-5 in Sunday’s deciding game of the series – and lost All-Star first baseman Yandy Diaz due to right hamstring tightness in the second inning.

“It’s going to be very difficult (down the stretch),” infielder Isaac Paredes said through a translator. “We’ve lost a lot of key players and position players as well. I think we need to just make sure these young guys are going to do a good job of making up for it.”

Paredes hit his 30th home run of the season during the Sunday loss.

Outfielder Randy Arozarena (right quad tightness) and setup man Robert Stephenson (neck soreness) missed the entire weekend. And that was after center fielder Jose Siri and second baseman Brandon Lowe were among four additions to the injured list in a 12-day span.

“The expectation this year was to win at a high clip and put ourselves in position to get to the postseason,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “(But) if you would have told me in spring training that all of this stuff would have happened – the injuries and everything else – I probably would have been scratching my head a little bit.”

With Aaron Civale “under the weather,” according to Cash, the Tuesday pitching nod goes to fellow right-hander Zach Eflin (15-8, 3.44).

The 29-year-old Eflin struck out double-digit batters in two of his past six starts, including his Thursday outing against the Los Angeles Angels when he fanned 10 across five innings of two-run ball but did not factor into the decision. His two starts prior were victories.

Eflin has made three starts against Boston in his career, logging a 6.43 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 14 innings.

After consecutive one-run losses and not scoring more than three runs in all three weekend games against the Chicago White Sox, Boston (76-80) will counter with Tanner Houck (5-9, 4.92) in its penultimate home game of the season.

The 27-year-old righty allowed two runs in four innings Tuesday at Texas, breaking up a streak of three straight five-inning starts that included six shutout frames against the New York Yankees five days earlier.

Houck, Kutter Crawford and Garrett Whitlock are all essentially auditioning for a spot in the starting rotation to begin next season. Crawford struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings in Sunday’s rain-shortened loss.

“I think it applies to all (three),” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I mean, you can always adjust to the other role. Right now, we don’t know (who will be starters in 2024). … And then at one point, somebody’s going to take over, and if we have to make adjustments, we will.”

Houck is 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA in two career starts against Tampa Bay.

The Red Sox have also seen contributions from youngsters in the lineup in September, including the talented, versatile Ceddanne Rafaela and fellow rookie Wilyer Abreu, who hit his second career homer Sunday.

–Field Level Media

RB “Peep-iel” Elliott a Factor for Pats

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DALLAS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is concerned longtime Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Will Grier are telling secrets.

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As the New England Patriots prepare to travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Sunday, Elliott and Grier add tangible value with their knowledge of the inner workings of the Cowboys’ operation.

“Certainly Will knows where a lot of the bones are buried,” Schottenheimer said. “Zeke obviously does as well. Those are thing you talk about, and you think about, ‘OK, let’s adjust this one.’ We certainly have more than one hand signal for most of our core concepts, and sometimes you can use it to your advantage because they think they know what’s coming. And they hear something they think, ‘Oh, hey, it’s this,’ and we’re smart enough to adjust those things.”

Grier was waived in August when the Cowboys made a trade to acquire Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers.

Elliott played 103 career regular-season games in Dallas and was released in the offseason. He’s a close friend of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and has unique insight, despite the team changing offensive coordinators from Kellen Moore to Schottenheimer. But head coach Mike McCarthy has taken over play-calling this season.

The cat-and-mouse game can work both ways.

Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore played for the Patriots from 2017-20 and was a prized pupil of head coach Bill Belichick. Well-traveled wide receiver Brandin Cooks spent the 2017 season in New England.

“Everybody does it, you get a player that’s been somewhere, you talk to him about different things,” Schottenheimer said. “And then you’re very selective about how much you put into it. Excited to see Will, it’ll be great to see him, but I’m sure he is definitely being interrogated and spending a lot of late nights with their defensive coaching staff.”

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien belly-laughed when asked if he interrogated the new practice squad quarterback.

“Interrogating?” O’Brien asked rhetorically Tuesday. “Schotty is a good guy, I’ve known Schotty for a long time. I think that’s the way it is in this league — and it goes both ways. It’s always going to happen. At the end of the day, you’ve got to study the film.

“I’ve never thought in all of my years in the league that any of that was an overriding factor in a win or a loss. I don’t think we’re trying to hold a light over anybody and (asking), ‘Tell me what you did on July 20, 2023.’ We’re not doing that. We’re not interrogating anybody. We’re trying to put together the best game plan we possible can.”

–Field Level Media

The Human Vacuum Cleaner Passes, 86

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Services) – Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles, the man they called the “Human Vacuum Cleaner” for his ability to gobble up tough ground balls at the “hot” corner of third base, died at the age of 86.

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The Associated Press called out Robinson’s “deft glove work and folksy manner (which) made him one of the most beloved and accomplished athletes in Baltimore (sports) history.

The Orioles announced his death in a joint statement with Robinson’s family Tuesday evening. The statement did not say how Robinson died.

Coming of age before the free agent era, Robinson spent his entire 23-year career with the Orioles. He almost single-handedly helped Baltimore defeat Cincinnati in the 1970 World Series and homered in Game 1 of the Orioles’ 1966 sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers for their first crown.

Robinson participated in 18 All-Star Games, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and earned the 1964 AL Most Valuable Player award after batting .318 with 28 home runs and a league-leading 118 RBIs.