Hey Team 👋

It’s been a week of highs, lows and everything in between across the NFL and MLB. Star players went down with season-altering injuries, role players stepped up, and playoff baseball continued to thrill with both dominant performances and last-minute drama. This week, fans witnessed moments of heartbreak and flashes of hope. The duality of sports, indeed.

Letter Rip!

< MLB >

More Parties in L.A.

The Dodgers are no strangers to October baseball – and they showed it by cruising through their Wild Card series without breaking a sweat. While the Reds will have to wait until next year, Los Angeles is moving on to face the No. 2 seed Phillies in the NLDS. For now, though, that’s the only Wild Card series officially in the books. It all comes down to this. Well, maybe not all – but tonight will be the end of the road for three MLB teams, until next season. 

#6 Detroit Tigers at #3 Cleveland Guardians

Game 1: Detroit W (2-1)

Game 2: Cleveland W (6-1)

Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 2 – 1:08 PM

Game 1 was all Tigers, with Tarik Skubal delivering a near-flawless performance to shut down Cleveland. Despite the narrow 2-1 score, Detroit’s pitching held the Guardians to just four hits all night. Game 2, however, told a different story. It started out quietly, with both teams tied at 1-1 until the 8th inning. That’s when Cleveland’s bats came alive to let the Guardians live another day with a 6-1 win. The final score doesn’t tell the whole story, though: Detroit stranded a franchise-record 15 runners, managing to bring just one across the plate.

#5 Boston Red Sox at #4 New York Yankees

Game 1: Boston W (3-1)

Game 2: New York W (4-3)

Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 2 – 6:08 PM

There’s nothing better than an age-old rivalry making its way into the postseason, and this one hasn’t disappointed. Boston controlled Game 1, even with New York’s late push. The Pinstripes had bases loaded with no outs, but Aroldis Chapman shut down his former team by getting out of the inning unscathed. In Game 2, New York had the last laugh, thanks to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s go-ahead hit to secure the 4-3 victory over the Red Sox.

#5 San Diego Padres at #4 Chicago Cubs

Game 1: Chicago W (3-1)

Game 2: San Diego W (3-0)

Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 2 – 3:08 PM

In Game 1, the Cubs leaned on their ace and a burst of power at the plate, riding two solo homers to take a 1-0 series lead and showcase their offensive firepower. But Game 2 was a different story. Chicago’s bats were nowhere to be found, and the Padres took full advantage. This time, the spotlight was on Manny Machado as he blasted a two-run homer to even the series and shift the momentum toward San Diego. 

#6 Cincinnati Reds at #3 Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 1: Los Angeles W (10-5)

Game 2: Los Angeles W (8-4)

The Dodgers set the tone early in Game 1, powered by Shohei Ohtani’s two-homer night. That cushion proved vital as Cincinnati mounted a late rally, though L.A. held firm. Game 2 played out much the same – only this time, the Reds never found life. While the series lacked the fireworks of others, it sets up a blockbuster clash in the NLDS. The Dodgers’ bats are scorching, but the Phillies’ lineup is just as dangerous. Once heavy favorites, Philadelphia now sits even with L.A. at +450 to win the World Series.

< NFL >

NFL Injury Roundup

Another week of NFL action, another wave of major injuries. Injuries are part of the game, but rarely do we see this many stars go down this early in the season. And these aren’t just short-term setbacks – several key players are being sidelined for the year, reshaping teams and fantasy squads alike.

Tyreek Hill – ACL Tear

On Monday, the Dolphins finally showed signs of life on offense, jumping out to an early lead over the Jets behind Tyreek Hill’s six catches for 67 yards. Miami went on to secure its first win of the season, but the victory came at a price. Hill suffered a gruesome knee injury before being carted off, ending his season. After seeing his injury, many fans speculated it could be career-ending, but his surgery was successful and rehab should get him ready to play next season.

Malik Nabers – ACL Tear

Like the Dolphins, things finally started clicking for the Giants. Jaxson Dart came out hot in his first start, scoring his first NFL touchdown and establishing some early chemistry with Malik Nabers. Although the Giants also secured their first win of the season, they lost their best player in the process. Nabers tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season as he recovers from the injury. But during dark times, I like to look on the bright side. I liked what I saw out of Jaxson Dart. He gave New York fans hope they hadn’t seen in a long time. Because both Dart and Nabers are so young, they could be a dangerous duo for years to come. 

Lamar Jackson – Hamstring

Lamar Jackson’s injury may not be as devastating as some of the other star setbacks around the league, but it’s still a tough blow for the 1-3 Ravens. Jackson went down in last week’s marquee matchup against the Chiefs and was unable to return. Head coach John Harbaugh has already hinted he’ll likely sit out this weekend’s game against the Texans. The good news: The injury isn’t expected to keep him sidelined long-term.

Other Notable Injuries

CeeDee Lamb (Ankle) – Expected to return Week 6

Jayden Daniels (Knee) – Expected to return Week 5

Jaylen Warren (Knee) – Expected to return Week 6

J.J. McCarthy (Ankle) – Expected to return Week 7

Brock Purdy (Toe) – Questionable for Week 5

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Shoulder) – Expected to return Week 7

Mike Evans (Hamstring) – Expected to return Week 6

Bucky Irving (Ankle) – Uncertain

Joe Burrow (Toe) – Expected to return in December

George Kittle (Hamstring) – Expected to return Week 6

Trey Benson (Knee) – Expected to return Week 9

James Conner (Foot) – Out for season

Najee Harris (Achilles) – Out for season