Digital Sports Desk

Online Destination for the Best in Boston Sports

Sports Biz: Draft Kings Extends NFL Deal

by

BOSTON – (Source: Edited Official Company News Release) – DraftKings Inc. and the National Football League recently announced a deal to make DraftKings an Official Sports Betting Partner of the League and extend its current relationship as the exclusive Official Daily Fantasy Partner for the NFL.

Embed from Getty Images

“The way fans consume sports years from now will look drastically different, and it will be due in part to forward-thinking collaborations like our expanded relationship with the NFL today as an Official Sports Betting Partner and the exclusive Daily Fantasy Sports Partner,” said Jason Robins, CEO, chairman and co-founder, DraftKings. “We share the same vision as the NFL on fan engagement and believe this agreement will lead to new innovations that will ultimately enhance both the product on the field and on the screen.”

As an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL, DraftKings will have the right to integrate relevant sports betting content directly into NFL Media properties including NFL.com and the NFL App. As part of the agreement, DraftKings will utilize the NFL’s official League data feed.

DraftKings will also be able to enhance their fan experience with NFL highlights, footage and Next Gen States content.

“We’re thrilled to renew our relationship with DraftKings as the NFL’s exclusive Daily Fantasy Sports Partner and expand it by adding them as an Official Sports Betting Partner,” said Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of NFL Partnerships. “For several years DraftKings has helped find new and different ways to engage NFL fans and we expect that to increase with the evolution of legalized sports betting.”

In addition to becoming an Official Sports Betting Partner of the NFL, DraftKings will renew its exclusive relationship as the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the NFL, which provides DraftKings with exclusive rights to NFL marks to promote daily fantasy sports contests. DraftKings will continue to collaborate with the League on a variety of content and product offerings that fans can engage with on the DraftKings Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports apps. The deal also includes integrations across NFL Media properties including a continued prominent presence within the NFL RedZone channel.

 

Red Sox – “Let’s Take Two”

by

MINNEAPOLIS  – Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo cracked three hits, including a two-run single in a six-run fifth inning, and Boston extended its win streak to nine games, defeating the Minnesota Twins, 7-1. The win completed a sweep of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

YouTube player

Verdugo was acquired as part of the trade that sent superstar Mookie Betts to the LA Dodgers.

Boston’s ace Eduardo Rodríguez (2-0) returned to the form of his 2018-19 seasons, pitching five innings and allowing one run on five hits.

Boston has come from behind in six of its nine wins this season. The Red Sox have their longest winning streak since a 10-game stint in 2018.

Verdugo had five hits in the doubleheader and capped the day with his second homer of the season in the seventh inning.

In the first game of the twin-bill, Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi pitched five innings and the Sox extended their win streak to eight games with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Boston’s 2B Christian Arroyo, OF Alex Verdugo and SS Xander Bogaerts had two hits apiece, now enjoying its longest win streak since the World Series Championship season of 2018.

The Red Sox are the first team since the 1991 Seattle Mariners to lose at least three games to start the season and follow by winning at least seven straight, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Eovaldi (2-1) gave up two runs on five hits. He has allowed four runs over 17 1/3 innings in three starts this season. Matt Barnes recorded his second save of the season and is now re-established as the Red Sox closer..

Kenta Maeda (1-1) pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs — one earned — on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five. The Twins have lost four straight.

PGA Tour Brunch Previews RBC Heritage

by

HILTON HEAD – The RBCHeritage returns today to its traditional date after its mid-summer (June) scheduling last year. The RBC was the second tournament played following the PGA Tour’s COVID-19 shutdown from March to June 2020.

Webb Simpson is defending his title after setting the RBC Heritage 72-hole tournament record last June. In that tournament, Simpson outperformed the field by +1.65 strokes per round on the greens en route to victory, marking the seventh player to gain over 1.5 strokes per round in Strokes Gained: Putting to win at Harbour Town since 2004.

There are 42 players in the field who played last week at the Masters Tournament, including 13 with top-25s at Augusta National (led by Will Zalatoris/2nd, Corey Conners/T-8, Cameron Smith/T-10).

Tournament Tee Times begin today at 7:00am (EDT) through 1:51pm (EDT).

Weather: Forecast calls for a cold front in the area today, bringing a chance for showers before the front moves to the southeast and stalls across Florida later in the weekend. There’s a 40% chance of rain today with 10-15 mph winds and gusts up to 20 mph. Drier and cooler conditions return Friday with highs around 70 degrees. Unsettled weather may return this weekend as a weak low-pressure system may develop along the stalled front pushing showers northward into region.

PGATourBrunch will be posting before 7am (EDT) early tee times from Friday through Sunday.

Next Week: The Zurich Classic at New Orleans

Field Updates:

Glen Day (OUT)

Charl Schwartzel (OUT)

Steve Stricker (OUT)

Bryson DeChambeau (OUT)

Tyler McCumber (OUT)

Note: Alternates are not added until the field falls below 132 players

The Field (link)

Power Rankings (PGATourCom)

THIS WEEK on the PGA TOUR: RBC Heritage

COURSE: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, SC

ARCHITECT: Pete Dye

YARDS/PAR: 7,121 yards/Par 71

PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $7,100,000/$1,278,000

DEFENDING Champion (June 2020) – Webb Simpson – (Leaderboard link)

PAST RESULTS: (link)

PAST CHAMPIONS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points Available/Winner Share: 2,989/500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @RBC_Heritage

OFFICIAL SITE: (RBC Heritage)

TV COVERAGE: Today, April 15 and Friday, April 16: 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Golf channel. Free Twitter Live coverage (and Golf Channel) on Thursday from 11:00am to 3:00pm (EDT). Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18- Golf Channel’s TV coverage 1:00pm to 3:00pm (EDT), then CBS takes over coverage from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

STREAMING: PGA Tour Live will offer streaming coverage of Featured Groups on Today and Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm (EDT). On Saturday and Sunday, PGA Tour Live offers Featured Groups streaming from 8:00am to 3:00pm (EDT) and Featured Holes from 3:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT).

PGA TOUR RADIO COVERAGE: Streaming Radio coverage on Today – Friday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT); then Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT) on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. PGA Tour Radio is available on Sirius 208/XM 92) or online on PGATour.com.

How to Watch: (PGATourCom)

Odds & Predictions:

A L👀K at the O👀S and A PREDICTION OR TWO:

(Odds via William Hill)

Dustin Johnson 10-1

Webb Simpson 12-1

Patrick Cantlay 16-1

Collin Morikawa 20-1

Daniel Berger 22-1

Cameron Smith 25-1

Will Zalatoris 25-1

Tyrrell Hatton 25-1

Paul Casey 28-1

Corey Conners 28-1

Sungjae Im 30-1

Sergio Garcia 30-1

Abraham Ancer 30-1

Matthew Fitzpatrick 30-1

Tommy Fleetwood 30-1

Brian Harman 33-1

Si-Woo Kim 40-1

Kevin Na 40-1

Lee Westwood 40-1

Shane Lowry 40-1

Matt Kuchar 50-1

Christiaan Bezuidenhout 50-1

Harris English 50-1

Billy Horschel 50-1

Robert MacIntyre 50-1

Charley Hoffman 50-1

Kevin Kisner 66-1

Russell Henley 66-1

Matt Wallace 66-1

Branden Grace 66-1

Chris Kirk 66-1

Ian Poulter 66-1

Cameron Davis 75-1

Emiliano Grillo 75-1

Dylan Frittelli 80-1

Sebastian Munoz 80-1

Carlos Ortiz 80-1

Sam Burns 80-1

J.T. Poston 90-1

Kevin Streelman 90-1

Alex Noren 100-1

Adam Hadwin 100-1

Brendon Todd 100-1

Lucas Glover 100-1

C.T. Pan 100-1

Zach Johnson 100-1

Harold Varner 125-1

Michael Thompson 125-1

Charles Howell 125-1

Stewart Cink 125-1

Andrew Putnam 125-1

Doug Ghim 125-1

Aaron Wise 125-1

Adam Long 150-1

Sepp Straka 150-1

Matthew NeSmith 150-1

Harry Higgs 150-1

Luke List 150-1

Richy Werenski 150-1

Ryan Moore 150-1

Patton Kizzire 150-1

Russell Knox 150-1

Danny Willett 150-1

Byeong Hun An 150-1

Denny McCarthy 150-1

Chase Seiffert 150-1

Brandt Snedeker 150-1

Mackenzie Hughes 150-1

Doc Redman 150-1

Jim Furyk 150-1

Wyndham Clark 150-1

Rory Sabbatini 150-1

Brandon Hagy 175-1

Graeme McDowell 175-1

Nick Taylor 200-1

Patrick Rodgers 200-1

Hudson Swafford 200-1

Tom Hoge 200-1

Chez Reavie 200-1

Ben Martin 200-1

Maverick McNealy 200-1

Brice Garnett 200-1

Kyoung-Hoon Lee 200-1

Will Gordon 250-1

Scott Piercy 250-1

Kyle Stanley 250-1

Scott Stallings 250-1

Camilo Villegas 250-1

Henrik Norlander 250-1

Chesson Hadley 250-1

Tom Lewis 250-1

Anirban Lahiri 300-1

Mark Hubbard 300-1

Satoshi Kodaira 300-1

Adam Schenk 300-1

Pat Perez 300-1

Brian Gay 300-1

Jason Dufner 300-1

Scott Brown 300-1

Robert Streb 300-1

Bo Hoag 300-1

Rafael Campos 300-1

Robby Shelton 300-1

Peter Malnati 300-1

Andrew Landry 300-1

Brian Stuard 300-1

Vaughn Taylor 400-1

Tyler Duncan 400-1

Wesley Bryan 400-1

Troy Merritt 400-1

Danny Lee 400-1

Bill Haas 400-1

Davis Love 500-1

Scott Harrington 500-1

Ryan Armour 500-1

Luke Donald 500-1

Sung-Hoon Kang 500-1

Austin Cook 500-1

Ted Potter 500-1

Xinjun Zhang 500-1

Bryson Nimmer 500-1

Jim Herman 500-1

William McGirt 500-1

John Augenstein 500-1

Nick Watney 500-1

Beau Hossler 500-1

Michael Gligic 500-1

Kevin Tway 500-1

Michael Kim 750-1

Bo Van Pelt 750-1

K.J. Choi 750-1

Hunter Mahan 1000-1

Martin Trainer 1000-1

PGA Tour: First Look at RBC Heritage

by

Welcome to PGA Tour Brunch Coverage of the RBC Heritage

The RBC Heritage returns to its traditional date after being the second tournament played following the PGA Tour’s COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Webb Simpson is returning for title defense after setting RBC Heritage 72-hole tournament record in 2020.

The RBC Heritage is the 29th of 50 events in the 2020-21 PGA Tour season.

This is the 53rd RBC Heritage, regarded as one of the TOUR’s most popular stops. One of Pete Dye’s signature designs is annually ranked among the country’s top courses and has produced a winner’s roster including inaugural winner Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Davis Love III, Greg Norman and Nick Price.

A strong field will consist of 15 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, led by No. 4 Patrick Cantlay and No. 8 Dustin Johnson and 28 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking, including five of the top 10 (No. 1 Dustin Johnson, No. 4 Collin Morikawa, No. 8 Tyrrell Hatton, No. 9 Webb Simpson, No. 10 Patrick Cantlay.

Tournament Tee Times begin Thursday at 7:00am (EDT) through 1:51pm (EDT).

Weather: Forecast calls for a cold front to move through the area during the early afternoon Wednesday to Thursday, bringing a chance for showers before the front moves to the southeast and stalls across Florida for late in the week. Thursday has a 40% chance of rain and 10-15 mph winds with gusts up to 20 mph. Drier and cooler conditions return Friday with highs around 70 degrees. Unsettled weather may return this weekend as a weak low-pressure system may develop along the stalled front pushing showers northward into region.

PGATourBrunch will be posting before 7am (EDT) early tee times from Thursday through Sunday.

Next Week: The Zurich Classic at New Orleans

Field Updates:

Glen Day (OUT)

Charl Schwartzel (OUT)

Steve Stricker (OUT)

Bryson DeChambeau (OUT)

Note: Alternates are not added until the field falls below 132 players

Celtics Edge Trail Blazers, 116-115

by

PORTLAND – Boston All-Star forward Jayson Tatum scored 32 points, and added nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 116-115 victory at Portland on Tuesday. The Celtics’ other All-Star, Jaylen Brown, scored 24 points and guard Kemba Walker had one of his better all-around games with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as Boston won for the fourth straight game and sixth time in the past seven.

YouTube player

Portland’s All-Star phenom Damian Lillard had 28 points and 10 assists, and veteran forward Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting for the Trail Blazers. Norman Powell added 20 points and CJ McCollum had 16 points as Portland lost for the fifth time in the past seven games.

Robert Williams added 16 points and seven rebounds and Marcus Smart had 13 points and seven assists for Boston.

Bruins Snap Losing Way in Shoot-Out

by

BOSTON – Boston’s Charlie Coyle and Jake DeBrusk scored in a shootout to push the new-look Boston Bruins. Craig Smith had a goal and an assist, and David Krejci also scored as the Bruins snapped a two-game losing streak. Jeremy Swayman had 21 saves and turned away both Buffalo chances in the shootout.

YouTube player

Rasmus Dahlin and Colin Miller scored for the Sabres, who have dropped three of four (1-2-1). Dustin Tokarski stopped 29 shots in relief of Linus Ullmark, who exited early in the first period with an undisclosed injury.

Coyle went five-hole on his shoot-out turn, and DeBrusk followed to complete the shootout, which was necessitated after Dahlin tied the game at 2 on a one-timer through traffic with 8:07 remaining in the third period.

Boston’s newly acquired Taylor Hall and Buffalo’s Anders Bjork, traded for each other as part of this week’s trade, each had strong chances to score in overtime.

Edelman Retires from Patriots, NFL

by

FOXBORO – Just hours after the New England Patriots announced that Julian Edelman‘s contract was terminated, the All-Pro wide receiver sent out a video message on social media announcing his retirement.

https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/1381722282570170373?s=20

 

“Nothing in my career has ever come easy, and no surprise, this isn’t going to be easy either,” said Edelman in the message on his @Edelman11 Twitter feed. “Now, I’ve always said, I’ll go until the wheels come off. And uh, they finally have fallen off. Due to an injury last year, I’ll be making my official announcement of my retirement from football.

“It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family. And I’m honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot. There are a million people I have to thank. Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family … I’ve learned so much from you guys on and off the field. Coach Belichick, gave me my opportunity. I’ll always love you for that. My teammates, we’ve gone to war. We lost some, we won some. You guys will always be my brothers.

“To all my coaches that I played under, I appreciate all your insight, all your hard work, all your knowledge. To the entire Patriots organization, from the meal ladies, to the people who clean up after us, the people in the hallways, the training staff, the strength staff, we share so many awesome memories that I’ll never forget.

“And of course, my family. You guys have always had my back. It’s been the best 12 years of my life. It’s a hell of a run. I can’t forget you, Patriot Nation. You guys have welcomed me and my family to a region we did not know. We didn’t know. But now, I’m one of you.

“I’m going to leave you guys with two words: Foxboro Forever.”

The 34-year-old All-Pro wide receiver is listed with a “failed physical” designation on the NFL’s transaction wire.

Embed from Getty Images

A three-time Super Bowl winner, Edelman ranks second in Patriots history in receptions (620), fourth in receiving yards (6,822) and ninth in touchdown receptions (36).

A quarterback in college at Kent State, Edelman was drafted in the seventh round (232nd overall) by New England in 2009 and wound up playing in 137 regular season games and 19 postseason games. Edelman posted three 1,000-yard seasons and two 100-catch campaigns. He missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason.

He was named the MVP of Super Bowl LIII in 2019 after catching 10 passes for 141 yards in the Patriots’ 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Edelman’s release frees up $3.4 million in salary cap space for the Patriots.

Pro Teams Postpone Games in Minnesota

by

MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL – Monday’s 2:10pm series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins was postponed as a cautionary move by the Twins and local authorities as the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul reacts to the fatal shooting death of Daunte Wright after a police traffic stop in the Brooklyn Center area.

Embed from Getty Images

“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game.

The decision was made by the Minnesota Twins after consultation with Major League Baseball, and local and state officials. Information regarding the rescheduling of today’s game, and corresponding ticket details, will be released in the near future.

The Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright.”

The NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the NHL’s Minnesota Wild also postponed home games because of a 7:00pm (local) city-wide curfew put in place as authorities brace for another display of civic protests. The Minneapolis area was at the heart of intense protests last Memorial Day weekend after the fatal shooting of George Floyd. A dismissed Minneapolis police officer is currently on trial for that incident which was the root of nation-wide protests last May.

The NBA issued the following statement in announcing the cancellation of the Brooklyn Nets at Timberwolves game:

“The National Basketball Association announced that in light of the tragic events in the Minneapolis area yesterday, tonight’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed. The decision to postpone was made by the NBA after consultation with the Timberwolves organization and local and state officials.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Daunte Wright during this difficult time.”

Brooklyn Center police held a news conference and stated the officer that shot Wright Sunday afternoon did so accidentally, confusing a fire arm with a police taser.

 

NHL: Bruins Acquire Hall, Lazar

by

BOSTON – (Source: Official club news release) – Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced the acquisition of forwards Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Anders Bjork and a 2021 second-round draft pick.

Embed from Getty Images

Hall, 29, has tallied two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 37 games with Buffalo this season. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound forward has appeared in 664 career NHL games with Buffalo, Arizona, New Jersey and Edmonton, totaling 220 goals and 362 assists for 582 points. The Calgary, Alberta native was originally selected by Edmonton in the first round (1st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Lazar, 26, has recorded five goals and four assists for nine points in 33 games this season with Buffalo. The 6-foot, 193-pound forward has appeared in 317 career NHL games with Buffalo, Calgary and Ottawa, totaling 25 goals and 45 assists for 70 points. The Salmon Arm, British Columbia native was originally selected by Ottawa in the first round (17th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Bjork, 24, has posted two goals and three assists for five points in 30 games this season with Boston. The 6-foot, 197-pound forward has appeared in 138 career NHL games – all with Boston – totaling 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points. The Mequon, Wisconsin native was originally selected by Boston in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

NHL: Boston Bruins Shore-Up Defense with Trade for Ottawa’s Mike Reilly

by

BOSTON – (Source: Official team news release) – Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced the acquisition of defenseman Mike Reilly from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Embed from Getty Images

Reilly, 27, has 19 assists in 40 games this season with Ottawa. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound defenseman has appeared in 244 career NHL games with Ottawa, Montreal and Minnesota, totaling eight goals and 64 assists for 72 points. The Chicago, Illinois native was originally selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.