Hey Team 👋

October always separates contenders from pretenders, and this week proved it. Across the MLB, teams fought to extend their seasons in a stretch of elimination games that packed every inning with tension. Meanwhile, in college football, we’ve hit the season’s halfway mark — the perfect time to revisit those fiery Week 1 overreactions and see which ones aged like fine wine… and which belong in the trash. Whether it’s October bats or fall Saturdays, it’s all about survival.

Letter Rip!

< MLB >

Do-or-Die Drama

Two Game 3s. Two Game 4s. Four teams facing elimination. The stakes couldn’t have been higher – and the drama delivered.

Some teams lived to fight another day, grinding out clutch wins to stay alive. The Yankees saw their season come to a crushing end. And for the Blue Jays, it was celebration time, as they punched their ticket to the next stage: the Championship Series. The postseason pressure is real, and it’s far from over.

Tigers vs Mariners

Game 3 may have been delayed by rain, but that didn’t slow down the Mariners. Even in Detroit, the weather felt like Seattle – and so did the result, as the Mariners took a 2-1 series lead on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, Detroit roared back, grabbing a 9-3 win and forcing Game 5.

Game 1: Seattle W (3-2)

Game 2: Detroit W (3-2)

Game 3: Seattle W (8-4)

Game 4: Detroit W (9-3)

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 – 4:40 PM

Yankees vs Blue Jays

You didn’t really think the Yankees would get swept in the Bronx, did you? With their backs against the wall, the Yankees leaned on their postseason pedigree to stay alive. Toronto’s offense didn’t cool off, but New York matched the firepower and then some, taking Game 3 in a high-scoring showdown. While they avoided the sweep, the Blue Jays proved to be too much in Game 4, tallying another five runs to take the ALDS and advance.

Game 1: Toronto W (10-1)

Game 2: Toronto W (13-7)

Game 3: New York W (9-6)

Game 4: Toronto W (5-2)

Cubs vs Brewers

Milwaukee looked in control early, but Chicago wasn’t ready to die. The Cubs clawed their way back into the series, waking up the bats and holding the Brewers to just three runs to set up a do-or-die Game 4 tonight.

Game 1: Milwaukee W (9-3)

Game 2: Milwaukee W (7-3)

Game 3: Chicago W (4-3)

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9 – 9:08 PM

Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11 – 4:38 PM (if necessary)

Dodgers vs Phillies

No home-field advantage? No problem. The Phillies put on a show behind two signature Schwarbombs to force Game 4. Ranger Suárez delivered a near-perfect outing, allowing just one earned run, while Yamamoto and Kershaw both struggled to find their footing.

Game 1: Los Angeles W (5-3)

Game 2: Los Angeles W (4-3)

Game 3: Philadelphia W (8-2)

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9 – 6:08 PM

Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11 – 8:08 PM (if necessary)

< CFB >

College Football Overreactions Revisited

Remember the Week 1 overreactions? Football returns to our screens, and suddenly everyone’s a hot take machine. After Alabama and Texas lost early, fans rushed to declare the SEC dead. Meanwhile, Florida State was crowned a playoff lock after one flashy win.

Back then, I tried to pump the brakes. Some of my takes held up. Others? Not so much. Let’s revisit those Week 1 reactions now that we’re (somehow) at the halfway point of the season. 

My Claim: FSU’s win wasn’t a fluke – Debunked

After FSU knocked off Alabama in Week 1, I (along with most of America) bought in. The offense was rolling, the defense looked lights-out and they followed it up by steamrolling Kent State and East Texas A&M with video game numbers.

But then came Virginia.

At the time, the Cavaliers didn’t seem like a major threat, but they weren’t a cupcake either. FSU’s loss on the road exposed some major flaws, but the real gut punch came against Miami. The final score didn’t scream blowout, but trailing by 25 in the third quarter? That’s not playoff material. 

Fast-forward to Week 7, and Alabama has looked better each week, especially against ranked opponents. FSU? Not so much. In hindsight, the Seminoles’ Week 1 win seems like a fluke.

My Claim: The SEC will be just fine – Verified

“The SEC is dead” was the most outrageous college football take I had heard in a while (maybe ever), and that’s saying a lot. The SEC is not dead – quite the opposite, actually. Yes, Alabama and Texas lost early. Yes, people panicked. But what followed was a reminder of why the SEC is still the powerhouse.

As of now, nine SEC teams are in the top 25. Seven are in the top 12. Yes, losses will happen when you’re playing the toughest schedule in football (each other), but that’s far from weakness. The SEC is alive and well.

My Claim:  Everyone still has hope – Somewhere in between?

Okay, maybe “everyone” was a stretch.

Florida and Clemson are prime examples of preseason hype not translating into real success, as both already have three losses. Some teams just weren’t built for a deep run, and it’s showing. 

But my initial argument still stands: Under the 12-team playoff format, you don’t have to be perfect anymore. One loss no longer ends a season. Even two losses – if they’re to strong opponents – might not be disqualifying. The door is open wider than it’s ever been.