Good morning! It is October 3rd, and hopefully you weren’t among the 25% of people who picked the Rams in survivor. If you were, on the bright side, its Friday, and we have a full slate of college football and NFL ready for you. Last night the Tigers/Guardians season-long game of tug-of-war finally came to and end, and just like that we are onto the divisional series. We have a lot to look forward to this weekend, so make sure you are caught up with all the action.
The Game Plan:
The Must Knows
NFL
The injury-depleted 49ers stunned the Rams 26-23 in overtime, delivering a gritty win with stars like Purdy, Kittle, and Bosa sidelined.
The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously shut down the NFL’s bid for a rehearing in Jon Gruden’s lawsuit, a major win for the former Raiders coach as he pursues claims that the league leaked emails, which forced his 2021 resignation.
MLB
Dillon Dingler and Wenceel Pérez powered the Tigers to a 6-3 win over the Guardians, making Detroit the first team to win a postseason series after finishing the regular season with five-straight series losses.
The Cubs are headed to the NLDS for the first time since 2017, knocking off the Padres 3-1 to set up a showdown with the Brewers.
Cam Schlittler made history in his postseason debut, becoming the first pitcher with 8 scoreless innings, 12+ strikeouts, and 0 walks in playoff history as the Yankees blanked the Red Sox 4-0 to advance to the ALDS.
NBA
The NBA preseason opened in Abu Dhabi with No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe debuting for the 76ers, posting 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a 99-84 loss to the Knicks.
WNBA
The Finals start tonight.
Football
NFL
Yesterday’s NFL Recap:
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 26 @ 23 LOS ANGELES RAMS
Eddy Piñeiro nailed a 41-yard field goal in overtime, which would ultimately be the game winning score in a 26-23 victory for the 49ers over the Rams. The kick capped off a thrilling game that came down to a fourth-down defensive stop for the win.
Matthew Stafford (LAR): 389 YDS (30/47), 3 TD
Mac Jones (SF): 342 YDS (33/49), 2 TD
Kyren Williams (LAR): 8 REC, 66 YDS, 2 TD, 14 RUSH, 65 YDS
Kendrick Bourne (SF): 10 REC, 142 YDS
Sunday’s NFL Slate:
NCAAF Top 25
Today's Top 25 Games:
Tomorrow’s Slate:
Basketball
NBA
18 Days Until Tipoff
WNBA Finals
Today's WNBA Games:
Baseball
MLB
Yesterday's MLB Recap:
DETROIT TIGERS 6 @ 3 CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
In Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series, Dillon Dingler's sixth-inning homer broke a tie, and Wenceel Pérez's two-run single fueled a four-run seventh inning, lifting the Tigers to a 6-3 victory over the Guardians and securing their spot in the Division Series against the Mariners.
Jack Flaherty (DET): 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 2 BB
Slade Cecconi (CLE): 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K, 1 BB
SAN DIEGO PADRES 1 @ 3 CHICAGO CUBS
Pete Crow-Armstrong's clutch RBI single and Michael Busch's solo homer led the Cubs past the Padres 3-1, sealing their NL Wild Card Series win.
Yu Darvish (SD): 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 K
Jameson Taillon (CHC): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K
BOSTON RED SOX 0 @ 4 NEW YORK YANKEES
In a 4-0 victory, rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler struck out 12 Boston batters over eight innings, leading the Yankees past the Red Sox and into the Division Series.
Connelly Early (BOS): 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 1 BB
Cam Schlittler (NYY): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 12 K