As of right now the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves are one win away from facing each other in the World Series. If this happens, it will be an interesting series to watch because the Braves will be relying on their pitching and the Astros will be relying on their overwhelming offense. I can’t wait to see who will prevail.
There is one thing that has really annoyed me so far in this playoff series and that is the use of an "opener" instead of the traditional starting pitcher who hopes to last through a good portion of the game. As a person who has watched baseball for almost almost 30 years, I do not understand this strategy. It’s like having the back-up quarterback on an NFL team play the first quarter of a game for no reason, and then playing the starting quarterback for the rest the game. Why?
The Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorites to represent the National League in the World Series this year, but it is historically very difficult to go back-to-back as champions with baseball. The last team to do it was the Yankees in 1999 and 2000. The Phillies had a chance in 2008 and 2009, but lost to the Yankees.
The rest of the Philadelphia Eagles season is going to be a referendum on whether or not Jalen Hurts can be a starting quarterback in the NFL and whether their young coaching staff can successfully adjust to the NFL game. Most of our coaches are in their late 30s or early 40s, which is very unusual for the NFL. I still think the Eagles can finish second in the weak NFC East. And there is no doubt that the Dallas Cowboys are going to win their division by far.
In basketball, the Ben Simmons saga continues. Simmons did come back to return to play for the Sixers this year, but he proceeded to get suspended for the first game by the team because he didn’t want to participate in practice. I hope he gets traded so the soap opera stops and they can focus on defending their Eastern Conference No. 1 seed playoff spot from last year. I don’t think they can win a championship unless Tobias Harris really steps up his play to help Joel Embiid. I am sure the 76ers are going to make the playoffs, but I don’t know how far they can get after that.
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
