By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The WNBA
The New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx played Game 2 of the WNBA finals on Sunday. The Liberty won going away, a must win if they didn’t want to go down 0-2 with consecutive home losses. This is the second year in a row that the Liberty have been in the finals; they lost to the Las Vegas Aces last year. Led by Breanna Stewart, Jonquelle Jones and Sabrina Ionescu, if they prevail, will mark their first ever WNBA championship title. The Lynx have brought the title home four times, in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. Perennial all star Nepheesa Collier has been the epitome of consistency. If the Lynx win this year, they’ll be the first WNBA team to have won five championships. This is the last WNBA Championship that will be decided in a 5-game series.
MLB
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager, made a decision to use his entire bullpen against the San Diego Padres in game four, which proved strategic and effective in helping the Dodgers win the NLDS. This move was necessary to compensate for a depleted pitching corps. After dominating the Mets in game one of the NLCS, the Mets returned the favor in game two. Francisco Lindor gave the Mets a 1-0 lead with a first inning home run, and in second inning the Mets loaded the bases after Roberts decided to walk Lindor and pitch to Mark Vientos who then hit a grand slam home run. The Mets not only ended the 33 inning no runs allowed by the Dodgers pitchers, but also foiled Roberts’ maneuver and strategy to walk Lindor and face Mark Vientos. The heat is always on for the Dodgers skipper. The series now moves to Queens and Shea Stadium.
In the ALCS, the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Gaurdians, taking a 1-0 lead in New York. It appears that pitching will ultimately determine the eventual World Series winner. I believe the Yankees and Dodgers will play in ‘24 WS as both teams are loaded with superstars: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Jiancarlo Stanton for the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman for the Dodgers. This matchup just might allure some football fans momentarily to baseball.
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