By JOSH HELLER
Staff Writer
1. Championship Series Underway
After much controversy in two of the series, the divisional series have come to an end, and just four teams remain.
In the AL, the Royals were able to oust the young Astros. The Astros weren’t expected to make the playoffs this season, so to see them in the postseason this early was fun to watch. The Royals, like last year, look dominant, and as long as they have steady starting pitching they will be dangerous.
In the other series in the AL, the most entertaining inning of baseball many have ever seen was big enough to push the Blue Jays over the Rangers.
Like the Astros, the Rangers weren’t expected to make any noise this season, so seeing them in the postseason surprised a lot of people. If the Jays’ bats can keep swinging hot, and their starting pitching can improve a bit, they will definitely be the favorites for the World Series.
One series in the NL between two Central division teams was very entertaining. The young Cubs were able to not only beat the second-best team in the wild card game, but then they beat the best team in the NLDS. The Cardinals, meanwhile, had to deal with some key injuries, and the once-favorites were knocked out early.
Meanwhile, the Mets overcame an injury to Ruben Tejada to beat the Dodgers in Game Five, thanks to Daniel Murphy’s two RBI. The Dodgers leave the postseason with a bad taste in their mouths, and suddenly Don Mattingly is in the hot seat.
2. Charles Out For Season
One of the most talented running backs in the NFL is now done for the season after tearing an ACL for the second time in four seasons.
Jamaal Charles suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in week five against the Bears. Charles finished this season with 364 rushing yards, 177 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns.
Reports out of Kansas City say that in Charles’ absence, both long-time backup Knile Davis and rookie Charcandrick West. West has impressed the Chiefs’ staff since coming to Kansas City, and seems to have passed Davis in the depth chart. With their running back issues, as well as a struggling defense, the Chiefs look to be in trouble the rest of the year.
3. Gurley, Freeman Tearing Up NFL
Two running backs have emerged out of nowhere to absolutely shred NFL defenses.
Todd Gurley was drafted out of Georgia in the first round, even with concerns about his torn ACL. After just six carries for nine yards in his first game, which was in week three, in the next two weeks combined, Gurley had 49 carries for 305 yards. The Rams drafted Gurley to be their lead back, with Zac Stacy out of town and Tre Mason struggling.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Devonta Freeman has taken an opportunity as starter and has run with it (no pun intended). The Falcons drafted Tevin Coleman, thinking that Freeman wouldn’t be able to take the job outright. When Coleman went down prior to week three, Freeman took over the starting job. In weeks three through six, Freeman had 106 rushes for 505 yards, 32 receptions for 296 yards and a whopping 10 total touchdowns.
Freeman has shot up to the top of the league in touchdowns, and even with Coleman’s return, and the monster season from Julio Jones, it looks like Freeman will continue his hot streak.
4. Spurrier, Sarkisian Out of Jobs
After tough starts with both their squads, both Steve Spurrier and Steve Sarkisian are out of head coaching jobs.
In South Carolina, following a 2-4 start, Spurrier announced that he was resigning from his position. Spurrier blamed himself for the Gamecocks’ slow start, but said he is not retiring from college football. Spurrier, 70, started this season 0-4 in the SEC, the team’s worst in-conference start in Spurrier’s tenure.
Meanwhile, at USC, one day after putting coach Steve Sarkisian on leave, the Trojans fired him from his position. Sarkisian showed up to practice intoxicated, and was asked to leave practice. After his firing, NFL coaches Chip Kelly and John Harbaugh were rumored to be the front-runners for the vacant position, but both shut down questions regarding their interest in the position.
5. Odom Hospitalized After Overdose
After a very scary moment last week when he was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, things are slowly looking up for Lamar Odom.
Odom was brought in to a Las Vegas hospital in critical condition, and needed a breathing tube in order to stay alive. Odom used a cocktail of drugs and overdosed, but things have slowly begun to look up for the 35-year-old. The breathing tube was removed, and Odom’s friends and family remain positive and send their loving support.
Odom has had troubles with drugs since exiting the NBA, and was also suspended as a player for violating the anti-drug policy. Here’s hoping Odom can get better and get the help that he needs.
