By Steve Rhodes

Let’s get it out of the way: I don’t disagree with Joe Maddon bringing in Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning to face the meat of Cleveland’s order in Game 6 on Tuesday night even though the Cubs had a five-run lead. There was a man on first, Francisco Lindor at the plate and Mike Napoli looming. Perhaps more importantly, the other bullpen options weren’t appetizing.
Chapman got the job done there with just two pitches. Sending him back out for the eighth made sense too – see if the Cubs add on and then, either way, hand the big lead over to Justin Grimm, who had warmed up alongside Chapman, in the ninth.
That’s where Maddon, as he has done so often during this postseason, absolutely lost his mind.

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Posted on November 2, 2016

By Steve Rhodes

Yes, the Bears beat the (beat-up) Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. No, they aren’t suddenly a good team.
Yes, they scored (a not-whopping) 20 points with two actual touchdowns with Jay Cutler, who threw for one of them, back. No, Cutler isn’t suddenly a great quarterback.
Yes, Connor Barth was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts. No, that doesn’t mean he is no longer one of the worst kickers in the league.
Yes, Jordan Howard rushed for 153 yards on 26 carries. No, it’s not news that he’s better than Jeremy Langford and has been since training camp.
Yes, Cutler avoided throwing an interception. No, that doesn’t mean Cutler’s no longer a turnover machine. There’s this new thing out called “learning” – do it!

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Posted on November 1, 2016

By Eric Emery

A week from now, it will all be over. And when I say “it,” I don’t mean Sunderland’s chances to avoid relegation. I mean the presidential election.

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Posted on November 1, 2016