Kings of New York

07/28/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

The Yankees may be on top of baseball, but the Mets are the current kings of New York after last night’s walk-off. We’ve got news on the Brittney Griner situation, and the finale of the Women’s EUROs is set. Don’t miss NFL Training Camp poll and today’s Underdog feature on an NFL QB in the spotlight (bottom of today’s edition).

Letter Rip!

 

MLB

Starling Signs Off on Subway Sweep

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Starling Marte Walks It Off as Mets Beat Yankees (3-2) to Sweep Subway Series

 

Game 2 of the Subway Series was the Max Scherzer show for seven scoreless innings to hold down a 2-0 Mets lead, but the Yankees got to work as soon as he left the mound. Gleyber Torres hit a two-run shot to tie the game in the 8th, but Starling Marte’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th made the Mets the kings of New York. A two-game sweep in the Subway Series pulls the Mets to 61-37 and within five games of the Yankees for the top spot in baseball. Could we see an all-New York World Series in October? If so, the preview was worth the price of admission.

 

Watch: Starling Marte Walk-Off Wins It for Mets (3-2)

 

MLB Quick-Hitters

 

Yankees Add Benintendi: One of the first major trades prior to the deadline came late on Wednesday. After the Yankees lost to the Mets, the team swung a deal with the Royals for all-star outfielder Andrew Benintendi in exchange for three prospects. He’s batting .320 this season.

 

Walk Off in Detroit: The Padres thought they had the Tigers downed with a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 9th Wednesday in Detroit, but a two-run walk-off double by Victor Reyes flipped the scoreline (4-3).

 

J-Rod Keeps Raking: The Mariners rookie keeps slugging. Julio Rodriguez hit the go-ahead shot in the 7th inning of the Mariners’ 4-2 win over the Rangers last night. The rookie sensation now has 18 home runs on the year.

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WNBA

The Griner Deal

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / Getty Images

Biden Administration Offers Prisoner Swap to Free WNBA Star Brittney Griner From Russia

 

The saga involving WNBA star Brittney Griner finally has a development. After serving more than 160 days in a Russian prison for possession of cannabis, the United States has made a “substantial” proposal to bring her home. The Biden Administration announced Wednesday that an offer had been made involving a prisoner swap for Griner and Paul Whelan — an ex-Marine detained since 2018. The deal offers the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death.”

 

What Comes Next?

Griner has missed the entire WNBA season with her Phoenix Mercury squad due to the detainment since atempting to leave Russia in the spring. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. will discuss the offer with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “in the coming days.”

 

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Griner Timeline: What Has Happened Since the WNBA Star Was Detained

CNBC: Biden Administration Makes Offer to Russia for Release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

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SOCCER

Popp Sends Germany Through

Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Alexandra Popp’s Brace Leads Germany Past France (2-1) Into Women’s EURO Final Against England

 

The UEFA Women’s European final is set! Germany will take on the hosts from England after topping France in a thriller on Wednesday (2-1). Germany’s Alexandra Popp struck a one-timer for the game’s opening goal (40’), but France answered with a shot off the post that ricocheted off the back of goalkeeper Merle Frohms for an own goal (44’). With the match tied through the second half, Popp found the equalizer on a ferocious header (76’) to give Germany the win. Neither Germany (2001) or England (2005) have won the EUROs since the early 2000s, but that streak will end one way or another on Sunday.

 

Watch: Popp’s Brace Paces Germany Past France (2-1)

 

UEFA Women’s EUROs Finals

Germany vs. England (Sun. 12:00 pm ET)

 

Fun Fact: Germany is 4-0-0 all-time against England in the EUROs.

 

Additional Storylines

The Guardian: Popp Double Fires Germany Past France to Set Up Wembley Final With England
CBS Sports: Germany Will Play England in Women’s Euro Final After Popp’s Brace Eliminates France

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THE STORYLINES

⛳️ The LIV Golf Expansion

The LIV Golf League is expanding to 14 tournaments on its 2023 schedule, with 48 players competing on 12 established team franchises for an unprecedented $405 million in purses, the circuit announced Wednesday. (ESPN)

 

🏈 The Start of America’s Favorite Season

Aaaaaand, we’re back. Sure, NFL training camp is the calm before the storm, but it’s activity rather than talk, and in a football sense at least, the summer break is done and classes have resumed. Every NFL team is in session. (FOX Sports)

 

⚾️ MLB Trade Deadline Predictions

Now that Major League Baseball’s Tuesday trade deadline is less than a week away, it won’t be long before the stream of endless possibilities trickles down to one of a select few realities. Until then, the best we can do is guess. (Bleacher Report)

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📰 THE HEADLINES