Hank the Hero in the Haze
Following a 45-minute delay due to poor air quality and many players’ hesitance to play in what the National Weather Service classified as “Unhealthy” air, Henry Davis extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 3-for-4 in the Bucs’ 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres.
The victory completed a sweep in smoky conditions that prompted Andrew McCutchen and Austin Hedges to voice their displeasure pregame.
According to a Major League Baseball source, the delay was tied directly to what would have been the prospective rescheduling of the game had it been cancelled.
The Pirates preferred, for obvious reasons, to reschedule the game.
The Padres, who are currently scheduled to play four games in Philadelphia over three days coming out of the All-Star Break, would have had to stop in Pittsburgh first to play the rescheduled game on Thursday, July 13.
The Padres balked at that plan as it would’ve required ending their All-Star Break early and extra travel.
So once the MLBPA and the league stepped in, the game continued in the smoky conditions.
The Bucs first sweep since the Cardinals were in town at the beginning of the month pulled them back to within 4.5 games of the Milwaukee Brewers, who currently share the NL Central lead with the Cincinnati Reds and are coming to town for a three game series starting tonight. And it came on the back of a bit of an offensive renaissance, as it was the first time since the end of April the Pirates scored at least five runs in three consecutive games.
That offense was driven by two of their veteran bats and the arrival of one young one. Andrew McCutchen (1.102), Carlos Santana (1.090), and Henry Davis (.942) are all among the Top 50 hitters in baseball over the past week, based on OPS.
Shelton’s Seattle Sound
A big fan of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and the Seattle-driven grunge sound of the 90s, Derek Shelton will get to enjoy the city for himself in a couple of weeks, as he was named to the National League coaching staff for the All-Star Game on July 11.
“I was unaware,” Shelton said. “I’m the one that usually calls meetings and then I walked into a room and everyone was in there. Actually, my dad, my cousin’s husband and their kids were in there because they were here earlier to shag. It was really special. To hear the things that Cutch said means a lot.”
“About 10 days ago (Philadelphia Phillies/National League Manager Rob Thomson) called me and asked me. It was an emotional moment for my wife and I. I’m so excited for my family. From talking to the other people that have done it, they say it’s one of the greatest experiences of their life. To be able to be on the field in Seattle is really going to be cool. I’m sure I will be emotional during those days.”
Finns to the Left, Finns to the Right
Kyle Dubas and the Penguins wrapped up the NHL Draft taking three players from Finland in their final five selections.
With the draft in the rearview mirror, attention turns now to free agency, which opens tomorrow at noon.
While rumors are swirling in regards to possible trades as well – Calgary defenseman Noah Hanifin has been mentioned specifically – the order or priority for the Pens has been debated.
On yesterday’s episode of Fifth Avenue Faceoff I broke down the depth chart as it currently looks, possible trade candidates – including what it may take to land goaltender Connor Hellbuyck – and free agent targets, including a candidate for a big splash signing, a remodeled bottom six forward group, and a pair of blue line additions.
Don’t Bet On It
The NFL announced yesterday that four more players have been suspended for violations of the league’s rules against gambling.
Ten NFL players have been suspended this offseason, eight of them for violations of the league’s gambling policy.
Blame the league for not being more proactive in creating a clearer policy surrounding gambling if you’d like. I’ll blame the athletes who can’t simply avoid betting. Whether it’s on their own games, the sport they play, a Tuesday afternoon baseball game, or a Russian table tennis match, players should understand the risk associated the second they open up a sportsbook app on their device, especially if on their team’s facility’s network.
Forget all the arguments about who or why you bet on whatever you bet on.
Just. Don’t. Bet.