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The Best in Sports: September 29th, 2020
See the best in sports from September 29, 2020 highlighted by the MLB playoffs starting, NBA bubble highlights, remembering Megatron, and more!
ERIC RISBERG/AP IMAGES
‘The Best in Sports’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the best highlights, facts, and stories going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened yesterday here.
The 2020 MLB Playoffs are officially underway and some of the best pitchers in the game were nearly untouchable as most the games were won by road teams. The NBA released the best plays of the 2020 NBA Bubble and the NFL got into the picture by dropping a throwback involving a game-changing WR on his 35th birthday.
Here is the best from September 29, 2020:
The biggest postseason in MLB history is underway and if Tuesday was any indication it’s going to be the best MLB Playoffs of all-time. Wednesday will present eight playoff games for the first time in MLB History, which allows all 16 playoff teams to play and four MLB teams could be on the brink of elimination.
2020 MLB Playoff superlatives:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 29, 2020
Best team: Dodgers
Best lineup: Yankees
Best rotation: Dodgers
Best bullpen: A's
Best momentum: Reds
Best coaching: Rays/Padres
Best player: Mookie Betts (LAD)
Best pitcher: Shane Bieber (CLE)
Best reliever: Devin Williams (MIL) pic.twitter.com/0rdn8gjzZ6
Related: MLB Playoffs
The Bronx Bombers poured on 12 runs to dominate the Indians in a commanding Game 1 victory and of those 12 runs, seven were associated to likely Cy Young winner Shane Bieber in his first taste of postseason action.
4 pitches in. 2-0 @Yankees. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/THM4vTo5gP
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020
Gleyber day!
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020
The @Yankees are absolutely raking. 😳 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/BCdRJopzGt
11 RUNS.
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020
The @Yankees are making a statement tonight. pic.twitter.com/TgY11ZIUTj
A #StantonSmash is the icing on the cake. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/DjU4BA80P9
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020
Shane Bieber is the 3rd pitcher (4th instance) to allow 7 ER in a playoff game in a season in which he led MLB in ERA.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 30, 2020
He joins Clayton Kershaw (twice) and Hal Newhouser (1945, his MLB Triple Crown season).
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/3zO34mvpei
Related: MLB Headlines
Unlike his AL Central rival Bieber, Lucas Giolito had an electric postseason debut. Gio carried a perfect game into the 7th inning until it was broken up by a Tommy La Stella’s single. Giolito was given the run support he needed after two early home runs hit by Adam Engel and Jose Abreu.
What a postseason debut for Lucas Giolito. He throws six (6) perfect innings before allowing any base runners.
— Xavier Sanchez (@Xavier_Sanchez4) September 29, 2020
Finished the afternoon:
7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 R, BB, 8 K
24 batters faced
100 pitches (65 strikes)
Video: @TheDugoutSS #WhiteSox #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/ATI770SBP8
Adam Engel is the first player in White Sox history with a home run in his first career postseason at-bat. (via @SlangsOnSports)#ChangetheGame x @GuaranteedRate pic.twitter.com/uH33LTQu9H
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 30, 2020
Welcome to the #postseason, José. pic.twitter.com/XWyEz9C07z
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020
The @WhiteSox are showing off their power. 💪 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/MBFaHJql2M
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020
Related: Chicago White Sox Team Page
The Tampa Bay Rays were the only home team to grab a win in Day 1 of these playoffs, mainly due to a franchise record nine K’s by ace Blake Snell. Going into the 7th, it was still just a 1-0 ball game until the dagger was cranked by Manuel Margot.
.@snellzilla4 was on one
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 30, 2020
He matched our postseason record for most Ks in a start pic.twitter.com/mEHWXJCn4I
Related: Players of the Day
The Minnesota Twins are a playoff disgrace after a pro sports record 17th consecutive postseason loss, failing to defeat the injury-decimated 2019 AL champs. Credit to the Astros’ late-game comeback as Brantley’s RBI capped off a 3-run 9th inning during a 2-out rally. Alex Bregman and Framber Valdez were also heroes for Houston in Game 1.
Lending a hand to work out of the jam. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/lo3KMQZKEL
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 29, 2020
Three runs in the 9th and the @Astros are pulling away. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/cFL3QQtkh7
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2020
FRAMBER VALDEZ, #59 today in his first post season won with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings from reliever, Good job..! @mlbnetwork @espn_beisbol @mlbcut4 @mlbfansrd @hectorgomez_27 @grandeseld @lasmayores @lidomrd @megaplayersrd @ARenLosDeportes @nikebaseball @ua__baseball pic.twitter.com/Jp3kKHdlmW
— Action Sport Montreal ASM (@actionsportmon1) September 30, 2020
The Minnesota Twins are in the midst of the worst playoff losing streak in pro sports history https://t.co/isv3svdi4J
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 30, 2020
Related: Games of the Day
Despite a rough patch in the middle of the season, Gerrit Cole has always turned it on when it matters. And big-time playoff performances is why New York paid Cole a record-breaking $324 Million. In his pinstripes postseason debut, Cole struck out 13 batters in 7 innings to give the Yanks a big road victory in game 1.
First #Postseason test for @GerritCole45 as a Yankee?
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2020
Aced. pic.twitter.com/acP7p1uEbu
Gerrit Cole's career postseason numbers are among the best in MLB history#NYYforNY pic.twitter.com/gKjtpZROwc
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 30, 2020
Most Ks without a single BB in an MLB postseason game:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 30, 2020
t1. 2020 Gerrit Cole (13)
t1. 1973 Tom Seaver (13)
t3. 2018 Gerrit Cole (12)
t3. 2019 Stephen Strasburg (12) pic.twitter.com/kfOegV7Wqv
Gerrit Cole is the...
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 30, 2020
- 1st pitcher with multiple postseason starts of 12+ Ks & 0 BBs
- 1st pitcher with 3 postseason starts of 12+ Ks
- 1st AL pitcher with 13+ K & 0 BB in a postseason start pic.twitter.com/y1gkcKE9kD
Related: New York Yankees Highlights
The NFL is facing their first COVID-19 breakout as the Titans, Vikings, Steelers, & Texans are likely to be impacted for the next couple of weeks. With the NFL deciding to postpone some of this weeks games, it allows some teams to get another day or two of preparation this week but could cost them some needed practice time for next week. Fortunately, this is the first situation like this through three weeks, and the NFL has all the protocols in place to limit exposure and any further spreading of the disease.
Tennessee Titans have the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. The NFL says three players and five other personnel have tested positive for coronavirus. The Titans played the Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday and both teams have suspended in-person activities. https://t.co/JneJzte3Y2
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 29, 2020
The #Steelers and #Titans will play either Monday or Tuesday, source said. So, being postponed, but not for very long. https://t.co/Xu0SoD2ZpO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2020
Related: NFL Headlines
The NBA’s bubble experiment was a huge success as NBA games were closer than ever and no COVID-related issues occurred once teams entered the bubble environment. The NBA helped fans enjoy the best highlights from the 2020 NBA Bubble on Tuesday.
GAME-WINNERS. CLUTCH BLOCKS. HUGE DUNKS.
— NBA (@NBA) September 28, 2020
Watch the best 10 plays of the #NBAPlayoffs so far... which is your favorite?? #BestOfNBA pic.twitter.com/7IXvsq6WAu
Big-time players made big-time plays down the stretch of the NBA Playoffs so far!
— NBA (@NBA) September 28, 2020
Catch up on the most clutch moments of the #NBAPlayoffs... which is the most memorable?? #BestOfNBA pic.twitter.com/Okza2WNiP3
Related: NBA Highlights
Calvin Johnson had the potential to become the greatest WR of all time, but Megatron decided to call it quits caused by issues with playing for the Detroit Lions. Johnson’s career was electric and now that he’s turned 35, the question will always circulate around how far his career could’ve went with his name being up for Hall of Fame induction in the class of 2021.
Megatron turns 35 today. Happy birthday, @calvinjohnsonjr!
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 29, 2020
🤖 6x Pro Bowler
🤖 11,619 receiving yards
🤖 NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
🤖 1,964 receiving yards in 2012 (NFL record) pic.twitter.com/QZs7K0uxIb
Megatron's 10 best career plays are ABSURD. 🤖
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2020
Happy birthday to 6x Pro Bowler and @Lions legend, @calvinjohnsonjr! (via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/7K0vCI88xi
Related: NFL Throwback
In the first-ever 60-game season, many players that got off to hot starts benefitted from two months of high-quality production translating into full season awards. Whether there’s an asterisk or not, these awards will be a part of MLB history forever. With the regular season officially over, PSO released its 2020 award-winners on Tuesday.
PSO's Official 2020 MLB Awards:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 29, 2020
AL MVP: Indians 3B Jose Ramirez
NL MVP: Braves 1B Freddie Freeman
AL CY Young: Indians SP Shane Bieber
NL Cy Young: Reds SP Trevor Bauer
AL ROY: Mariners OF Kyle Lewis
NL ROY: Brewers RP Devin Williams pic.twitter.com/BGx4EnbHXt
Related: MLB Season Review
NBA.com: 4 Factors That Could Help Heat Upset Lakers
Most Valuable Content: How the Heat Can Upset the Lakers in the NBA Finals https://t.co/gPt6WC61lE
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 30, 2020
Most Valuable Intel: Many expect LeBron to capture his fourth championship in these finals, but those same people have been sleeping on the Heat all season. Sekou Smith of NBA.com breaks down how MIA can upset the Lake Show by forcing LA to make big shots with its zone defense that gave Boston such issues, take a page out of Golden State’s book and put multiple defenders on LeBron throughout the series.
Related: What’s Hot
Houston Astros (GW-RBI) vs. Minnesota Twins [ALWC Game 1]
Related: Games of the Day
#PlayerOfTheDay (9/29/20) - SP Blake Snell, TB
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 30, 2020
FACTS TO KNOW:
- 1st LHP w/ 9+ Ks & 1 or 0 hits allowed in a playoff game
- Tied franchise postseason record w/ 9 Ks
- Carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning; only allowed 1 hit https://t.co/0UD2xcrCgJ
Related: Players of the Day
The longest playoff losing streak in pro sports history.
The Minnesota Twins are in the midst of the worst playoff losing streak in pro sports history https://t.co/isv3svdi4J
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 30, 2020
Related: Facts of the Day
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on September 29th
YEAR: 1954
SIGNIFICANCE: Willie Mays made his signature over-the-shoulder grab with his back to the field in the World Series
Related: Sports History
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