AL Shines Again

07/20/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

Make it nine straight victories for the American League in the All-Star Game, courtesy of Giancarlo Stanton. The ESPYs take center stage tonight in a week seemingly hosted by Los Angeles. And the Tour de France rides to the finish this weekend. Our summer sports swing is in full effect. Speaking of swings…

Letter Rip!

 

MLB ALL-STAR GAME

AL Does It Again

Photo: Wally Skalij / Getty Images

Stanton (MVP) & Buxton Hit Back-to-Back Jacks for American League’s 9th Straight All-Star Game Win (3-2)

 

The 2022 MLB All-Star Game had a little bit of everything Tuesday night in Los Angeles. In the end, it was Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton who swung the game and won the MVP award. Stanton and Byron Buxton (Twins) hit back-to-back home runs in the 4th inning to flip the scoreboard. By night’s end, fans saw Clayton Kershaw got the start at his home ballpark and pick off Shohei Ohtani in the first inning. Alex Manoah had a three-up, three-down frame, and Ryan Hesley hit 103 mph on the gun, twice. There was plenty of fun, but Stanton and Buxton’s 4th-inning magic captured the win.

 

MVP: Giancarlo Stanton

On a night where just five runs were found — four via home runs — it was Stanton’s 457-foot two-run blast that made the difference and earned him the MVP award.

 

American League Win Streak

The American League extended their win streak to nine straight in the All-Star Game. The AL hasn’t lost the Midsummer Classic since 2012.

 

Best Moments From 2022 MLB All-Star Game

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Back-to-Back HRs Fuel AL’s 9th Straight All-Star Game Win

FOX Sports: MLB All-Star Game: Top Moments as AL Edges NL (3-2)

SI: Clayton Kershaw Finally Takes It All In at Dodger Stadium

ESPN: MLB All-Star Game: Best Sights & Sounds From ASG in Los Angeles

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WNBA

WNBA Heat Check 🔥

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

Sky & Storm Clicking on All Cylinders With 10 Games Left in WNBA Regular Season

 

The WNBA season is 2/3 complete, and we’re checking in on the action to get a clearer look at the playoff picture with 10 games to go. The defending champion Chicago Sky are hotter than ever with nine wins in their last 10 games. The Las Vegas Aces are still in 2nd place despite a recent lull. And the Seattle Storm — winners of four straight — have stepped up to the challenge. Here’s where they stand with roughly 10 games to play before the postseason.

 

WNBA Standings

1. Chicago Sky (19-6)

2. Las Vegas Aces (18-8)

3. Seattle Storm (17-8)

4. Connecticut Sun (17-9)

5. Washington Mystics (16-11)

6. Atlanta Dream (12-14)

7. Los Angeles Sparks (11-14)

8. Dallas Wings (11-14)

 

In the Hunt: 9. Phoenix Mercury (11-16) | 10. Minnesota Lynx (10-17) | 11. New York Liberty (9-16) | 12. Indiana Fever (5-23)

 

Additional Storylines

WNBA: Nneka Ogwumike Drops 35 in Sparks’ Win (Video)

ESPN: Handicapping the 2022 WNBA Playoff Race With a Month Left in the Season

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THE STORYLINES

⚾️ Mysterious MLB Futures

It’s not often that three of baseball’s brightest stars — in this case, Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge — find themselves staring at unclear futures. (FOX Sports)

 

⚽️ USWNT’s Next Gen is Ready

Securing a spot in the World Cup and Olympics was the priority. The real benefit of the CONCACAF championship was that the U.S. women’s next generation learned what it takes to win a title. (USA Today)

 

🏈 Predicting NFL Win Totals

Expectations vary based on circumstances, and DraftKings set the demarcation lines for each squad’s upcoming forecast. Will teams exceed or fall short of those projections? (Bleacher Report)

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📰 THE HEADLINES