Holtby SAVES The Day!!

May 31, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

There are saves, and there are SAVES!!

The New York Yankees saved their series with the Houston Astros. Nathan Eovaldi had to be saved from himself. And Braden Holtby made the most spectacular save in NHL history.

Stick Save And A Beauty!!

Words, assuredly will NOT do this save justice. So, watch it. Then watch it again. And then watch it a 3rd time for good measure:

The physical save was INSANE. To be able to react, in real time, as fast as Holtby did, was an impressive feat. But the magnitude was what made the moment. Holtby and his Washington Capitals were holding onto a 3-2 lead with 2:00 left in the 3rd period. Alex Tuch found himself staring at a seemingly wide open net, until he wasn’t.

In a box score, it simply shows up as save number 35-of-37.

In reality, it’s the most spectacular save in NHL history.

There was an Alex Ovechkin sighting Wednesday night, as he scored a power-play goal in the 2nd period. Brooks Orpik would add an insurance goal later in the period, proving to be all the Capitals needed. Yes, Orpik’s goal broke his 220-game streak without a goal, but seeing as he has just 19 goals (regular season and postseason combined) in a 15-year career, this isn’t a big deal.

This series will now head back to the nation’s capital, tied 1-1. Tune into NBCSN on Saturday @ 8:00 P.M. EST to see if the Golden Knights can steal back their home ice advantage.

Yankees Win Another Series

The Yankees. They’ll lose a game from time to time. But a series?! Hell to the NO!! The Yankees, behind Luis Severino’s magical arm, completed their series victory over the Houston Astros Wednesday night (5-3). Severino was dominant, again, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced, and 11 over seven innings.

Severino is an AL CY Young award winner in the making. After finishing 3rd in CY Young voting last season, he’s on pace to hoist his 1st trophy at seasons end. Through 12 starts, he has three with double-digit strikeouts and has surrendered more than three runs just once. As long as Severino continues to pitch at an elite level, the Yankees will continue to win series, after series, after series, after….well, you get the point.

Eovaldi Yanked From No-Hit Bid

Former Yankee, Nathan Eovaldi, was activated from the DL this week and made his season debut Wednesday for the Tampa Bay Rays. Eovaldi shocked the world throwing six innings of NO-HIT baseball. And then….his manager, Kevin Cash, pulled him from the game. I understand Eovaldi was taking the mound for the 1st time in over a year, but the man had thrown just 70 pitches through six innings. Sure, Cash’s decision may save Eovaldi from future injury, but the world will never know if that was his only chance at history. Given Eovaldi’s less than stellar 4.18 career e.r.a., I can’t imagine he’ll ever have another shot at a no-hitter….

Was Braden Holtby’s save the greatest save you’ve ever seen?? If not, post your thoughts in the comment section below.

You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NOW GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!

April Showers Bring May….Doubleheaders

April 25, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Don’t let ‘April Showers’ get in your way.

Nearly one month into the season, MLB is having a hard time with that one. Tuesday’s weather caused another setback in an already tumultuous season — and set a MLB record. Despite the rain, wind, ice, freezing temperatures, occasional snow, and holey roofs, MLB’s first month has provided fans with plenty to cheer, or boo.

Rain On My Parade

Despite singing the “Rain, rain, go away” song, the Pirates, Tigers, Orioles and Rays weren’t allowed to play baseball on Tuesday. Inclement weather caused MLB’s 27th and 28th postponement of the season. 28 weather related postponements are the most since the commissioner’s office starting tracking them in 1986 (good year).

The Pirates and Tigers will play a doubleheader Wednesday, starting at 4:05 P.M. EST. The Rays and Orioles will make up their game during a doubleheader on May 12th.

Matt Harvey Stinks

Matt Harvey’s season isn’t going as planned. After four horrific starts, Harvey was banished (kicking and screaming) to the bullpen. Players usually over perform during a contract year. Harvey, apparently, didn’t receive that memo. Tuesday night, in St. Louis, Harvey made his season debut from the bullpen. He was asked to pitch the 5th and 6th inning in a tie game (4-4).

HOLD UP!!

Paging Mickey Callaway!! Was Matt Harvey’s 1st bullpen appearance during a tie game, on the road?!?! What’s the opposite of smart????

He was, uh, less than stellar (shocking). He coughed up 1 run, on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts (on a whopping 35 pitches). I’d say it can’t get worse, but I’d be lying….

El Gary

Just click, watch until 1:46, and enjoy:

A monumental blast from Gary Sanchez, his 2nd of the game. Sanchez has been, well, Gary Sanchez over his past three games:

4 for 11 (.364), 2 home runs, and 5 rbi

Sanchez will likely be the designated hitter Wednesday, as Austin Romine is expected to catch Sonny Gray.

Oh, and all those who panicked a week ago, check the AL East standings now. All it takes is a four game winning streak from the Yankees to coincide with a three game losing streak by the Red Sox, and a seven-and-a-half game division lead becomes four in a hurry.

The Best Player No One Knows

How is it possible the best player in a major sport is virtually unknown?! Mike Trout has been the best player in MLB for at least six years.

90% of the population wouldn’t recognize Mike Trout if they bumped into him on the street.

Through 24 games, Mike Trout has 10 home runs. Reread. Reprocess. Re-understand.

10 home runs through 24 games puts Trout on pace for 67 home runs. Oh, and he’s hitting .308 with 5 stolen bases. Oh, and he’s also the best defensive outfielder in MLB. Oh, and he’s also 26.

The 10% thank you Mike Trout. Please keep up the unbelievable work!!

What is the biggest takeaway from the first month of MLB?? Post your brilliant thoughts in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

Best. Tuesday. EVER!!

April 4, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Most sports fans get hyped over big events. Championship games. Drafts. Ya know, the important stuff.

But do you know what gets me going??

A random Tuesday in April!!

Yesterday was filled with more breaking news and highlights than I know what to do with. But I’ll try….

Didi Vs. Stanton

Didi Gregorius and Giancarlo Stanton couldn’t have had more polar opposite days:

Didi: 4 for 4 with 2 home runs and 8 rbis (most rbis in a Yankees’ home opener)

Stanton: 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts

The New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 11-4 in their home opener. Didi singlehandedly won this game for the Yankees and was cheered appropriately (and showered with gifts). Stanton on the other hand, was booed. Yes, booed. The same Yankees’ fans who jumped up and down when Stanton hit 2 home runs in their season opener, and proclaimed Stanton could hit 100 home runs this season, are the same morons who booed him yesterday.

Most people are stupid, reactionary creatures, who can’t think more than 2 seconds ahead of their own face. It’s an embarrassing day to be a Yankees’ fan.

Canelo Withdraws From GGG Rematch

Speaking of embarrassing, Canelo Alvarez has withdrawn from his Cinco de Mayo rematch against GGG. Canelo is in the midst of an investigation by the Nevada Boxing Commission due to not 1, but 2, failed drug tests. The Commission has temporarily suspended Canelo, as they determine the ramifications from Canelo’s positive urine samples (clenbuterol) from February 17th and 20th.

The funny part is Canelo continues to claim his innocence. He says he’s always been a clean fighter. However, he’s also ready to accept whatever punishment comes his way. Yeah, that’s NOT HOW THIS WORKS!! If you’re being punished for something you didn’t do, you don’t just lay down and take it. You stand up and scream from here to kingdom come until your name is cleared.

This is a shame. I liked Canelo.

Ronaldo’s Greatness

If you haven’t seen Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal from his Champion’s League match against Juventus yet, watch it immediately.

After you watch it 17 times, and pick your jaw up from the floor, come back….

Watch until the end of the video. Zinedine Zidane and Gianluigi Buffon’s reactions are priceless!!

There are no words to explain the beauty, and difficulty, of that shot….

Patriots Complete Curious Trade

The New England Patriots have made the Los Angeles Rams really good. At the same time, they did something slightly unprecedented; they stockpiled draft picks:

New England Patriots Receive: 2018 1st round pick (23) and a 6th round pick

Los Angeles Rams Receive: WR Brandin Cooks and a 4th round pick

From the Patriots’ perspective, they got more in return for Cooks than it took to get him. He was originally traded to New England for the 32nd pick in the draft. Plus, Cooks is entering his contract year. It’s still an odd trade by the Patriots, as they don’t generally build through the draft. Now equipped with two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks, and two 3rd round picks, it’ll be interesting to see what the Patriots do come April 26th.

Was that the most exciting Tuesday you can remember?? If not, tell me about it in the comment section below.

Yankees Continue Methodical Off Season

February 21, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

The New York Yankees are smart.

No revelation here. Just a sound observation.

Tuesday evening, the Yankees solved one of their biggest “problems”. I know, I know. Trying to decide which top prospect to play isn’t exactly a problem. Well, they don’t have to make that decision anymore following this 3-team trade:

Yankees Get

2B/3B Brandon Drury

Tampa Bay Rays Get

2B Nick Solak, P Anthony Banda, and 2 players to be named later

Arizona Diamondbacks Get

OF Steven Souza Jr. and P Taylor Widener

3 teams, 3 different perspectives:

The Rays continue their roster teardown by moving on from Souza Jr. Despite his low batting average, he enjoyed a breakout season in 2017. Souza Jr. was 1 of only 5 players to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 16 bases last season (Mike Trout, Wil Myers, Paul Goldschmidt and Brian Dozier). That’s decent company.

The Diamondbacks are a weird fit for Souza Jr. They just signed Jarrod Dyson to a 2-year contract, while also having Yasmany Tomas, A.J. Pollock, and David Peralta in their outfield. Parting ways with Brandon Drury made more sense. With the emergence of Jake Lamb (27) at third base and Chris Owings (26) at second base, Drury became expendable.

As for the Yankees, this move helps immediately, and could pay dividends in the future. Drury (25) is a power hitting, infielder, capable of playing second base and third base. This will afford the Yankees time to remain patient with their talented, infield prospects, Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. Now rich in minor league talent, the Yankees were able to comfortably part ways with Nick Solak and Taylor Widener. Solak was the Yankees’ 8th ranked prospect and Widener is a starting pitcher who hasn’t pitched above Single-A.

This move will also create healthy competition in the Yankees’ infield. When there’s someone nipping at your heels, trying to take your job, you tend to put forth your best effort.

Oh, and this takes the Yankees’ projected lineup from the edge of the atmosphere to another galaxy:

1.) Brett Gardner

2.) Aaron Judge

3.) Giancarlo Stanton

4.) Gary Sanchez

5.) Greg Bird

6.) Didi Gregorius

7.) Aaron Hicks

8.) Brandon Drury

9.) Gleyber Torres

So, rather than wait until May to potentially acquire Mike Moustakas, the Yankees took initiative. However, seeing this trade go through just two days after the Red Sox signed J.D. Martinez is NOT a coincidence. Brian Cashman, Yankees’ General Manager, can deny this all he wants, but the Yankees and Red Sox define Newton’s Law of Motion; any action causes an equal and opposite reaction.

What do you think of this trade?? Tell me in the comment section below.

I Don’t Always Sit Through Rain Delays, But When I Do, I Want Them To Be Longer Than The Game

September 12, 2017September 12, 2017 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

lightning

The West coast is silly. Their games and events start at 10:15 P.M., and they don’t end until 1:30 or 2:00 A.M. It is not possible for us normal folk to watch more than 3 innings, or the 1st quarter, or the 1st period of these games. And then, there are the West coast games that are still happening, from the night before (!), when I get to work.

Who Doesn’t Enjoy A Little Lightning Delay??

The San Francisco Giants (the 2nd worst team in baseball), played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers (the best team in baseball), on Monday night. Thanks to a 3 hour and 34 minute rain-delay, Monday night turned into Tuesday morning. The game was originally delayed 42-minutes prior to first-pitch. But then, thanks to the infinite wisdom of the decision makers in San Francisco last night, the game was delayed again, after just 1 batter!! After Curtis Granderson struck out to lead off the game, the heavens opened up again, this time handing us a 2 hour and 52 minute rain and lightning delay.

The total rain delay was longer than the actual game.

When they finally played baseball, the Dodgers proceeded to lose their 11th consecutive game (8-6). The game ended at 5:10 in the morning!! Despite this horrid stretch, they’re still 40 games over .500, and hold the best record in MLB. Anybody else dislike roller coasters??

We’re Going Streaking!!

On the other hand, not all streaks are made the same. The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of a winning streak for the ages. With their 11-0 win over the Detroit Tigers Monday night, the Indians have won 19 consecutive games. They now stand 2 wins shy of tying the MLB record for most consecutive wins. This record belongs to the 1935 Chicago Cubs (they finished with a record of 100-54). The Indians should moonwalk their way to a share of the record with 2 more games against the hapless Detroit Tigers. If the Indians were to break the record, it would take place Thursday night, as they host the Kansas City Royals. I never thought I’d say this, but I’ll be watching. Who knew the Cleveland Indians were Must-Watch-TV?!

Tampa Bay Hosts New York….In New York????

Due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, the Tampa Rays are not able to host the New York Yankees this week. Instead, MLB decided to shift the Rays/Yankees series to a “neutral” site. Anyone care to venture a guess as to where they moved this series??

“Anyone?? Anyone?? Bueller??”

The answer is Citi Field. Yes, as in where the Mets play, in Queens. Listen, I’m a Yankees’ fan, so I’m not flipping park benches over this, but how is this fair to the Tampa Bay Rays?? I fully understand the situation due to the impact of Hurricane Irma, but MLB couldn’t find a stadium outside of the New York area for this series?? I find that hard to believe.

To accommodate fans, ticket prices for this series will be capped at $25, and only the lower deck will be open. Monday was the 1st of the 3-game series, as 15,327 fans promptly booed the “home” Rays. The Yankees went on to win 5-1, and have now won 3 games in a row. Game 2 will be played tonight @ 7:10 P.M., as Blake Snell will take on Sonny Gray.

Hopefully the Yankees can capitalize on these completely logical, rational, reasonable, fair circumstances.

What were you watching on Monday?? Baseball?? More Football?? Let me know in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

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