Some teams improved before MLB’s trade deadline…
…now, it’s USA basketball’s turn to step up.
Who Won The Trade Deadline?
What Happened: Despite a flurry of moves yesterday by plenty of teams still vying for a playoff spot, the MLB trade deadline was a bit of a let down if you ask us. (Go ahead, ask us.) The players rumored to be available and able to make the biggest impact (Garrett Crochet of the White Sox, Detroit’s Tarik Skubal) stayed put.
Without a doubt though, some of the moves made yesterday will have an impact on postseason baseball. And wouldn’t you know it — the rich got richer.
Why It Matters: “They can’t keep getting away with this!” baseball fans scream as the Dodgers again stayed ahead of the compettion. Los Angeles added the best starting pitcher to change addresses in Jack Flaherty, bumping their World Series odds from +330 to +300 at DraftKings, the favorite of that sportsbook.
Other teams got better: the Orioles (+750) acquired eight new players for an expected deep postseason run, the Phillies (+500) shored up their bullpen, and A.J. Preller and the Padres (+3000) pushed whatever chips they had left in, stacking up talent for today at the expense of tomorrow.
Atlanta fans probably aren’t happy with their club’s inaction, with old friend Jorge Soler counting as the team’s biggest addition. While Atlanta has the second-best odds of any NL team at +1200, just a half game separates it from the Mets in the NL East, and six teams are within two games of each other in the wild card race. While other teams added at least around the margins, Atlanta seemed content to stand pat, which may cost them come October.
How We’re Feeling Today
Feeling like maybe the brainiacs here at Full Card Sweep should have a say in choosing America’s Olympics basketball team.
To be clear, we are talking strictly men’s 3X3 here. Steve Kerr and Co. seem to be doing fine with the men’s 5X5 side, while Cheryl Reeve seems destined to deliver gold with her squad.
Can anyone explain why NBA washout Jimmer Fredette is leading the way for the USA team in the 3X3 competition though? The 5X5 team is a roster of 12 players, and Fredette sure as hell wasn’t player #13 in that pool of talent. An opening round loss to Serbia doesn’t bode well, and we aren’t sure Fredette and, uh, Dylan Travis, have another gear in them.
Shouldn’t there be some current NBA talent on the 3-man side as well? There are certainly enough players eligible and available. Feels like we are just punting the opportunity to snag another gold medal by not loading this team with actual professional basketball players.
BYU alumni will be psyched to see Jimmer back in action, but the rest of us have reason to be skeptical already.
The Look Ahead
Davis Daniel STRIKEOUTS – Daniel has made three starts for the Angels so far this season: one went really well, the other two…not so much. The rookie shut out the Tigers for eight innings in his season debut, striking out eight batters. But over his most recent two starts, he’s only combined for six Ks while surrendering 15 hits and 12 runs. His strikeout line for today is 5.5, which seems high to us. Colorado ranks second in all of MLB in whiffs this season, but if Daniel can’t keep the Rockies off the scoreboard, he won’t face enough hitters to break the six strikeout total.
