3 reasons Bumgarner is a gamble for D-backs3 reasons Bumgarner is a gamble for D-backs
Arizona’s offer went beyond the comfort level of some rival evaluators, with the D-backs betting against the analytics.
Day: December 16, 2019
Sources: NBPA talking to G League about unionSources: NBPA talking to G League about union
The National Basketball Players Association is talking to G League players about creating a union, sources told ESPN.
The Canucks weren’t that good in the first placeThe Canucks weren’t that good in the first place
Vancouver’s hot start to the season was always a mirage, so its tailspin since then is hardly a surprise.
Top 30 Players to Watch in 2020: Tiger WoodsTop 30 Players to Watch in 2020: Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods needs one more victory to move ahead of Sam Snead as the PGA TOUR’s all-time winningest player. Woods is among PGATOUR.COM’s top 30 players to watch entering 2020. Click here for more on all 30 players. Insider Insights PGATOUR.COM’s Insiders offer their expert views on what to expect from Tiger Woods in 2020. TOUR INSIDER by Cameron Morfit He turns 44 on Dec. 30 and says he can’t do anything physically that he used to, but Tiger still delivered three big wins in a span of 13 months. His fused back seems to be holding up, and left knee looked strong as ever in victory at inaugural ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan. Iron giant is +1.1 in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green in the ShotLink era, which is miles ahead of everyone else. (Jim Furyk is next at +0.7.) Uses guile (“I know how to playâ€�) to keep up with younger, longer players, which could prove formidable again in title defenses at the Masters and ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. Still so good when healthy that virtually no one questioned him picking himself for Presidents Cup. STATS INSIDER by Sean Martin Woods didn’t have enough rounds to qualify for 2019’s statistics, but his +0.65 average for Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green would have ranked in the top 10. Woods finished first in that statistic five times. He hit 69.67% of his greens last season, which would have tied Brooks Koepka for 11th in the rankings. FANTASY INSIDER by Rob Bolton As exhilarating and compelling as he remains, appearances at the Masters and in limited-field events present the best opportunities to invest in a weekly format. The days of salary leaguers splitting his season in halves or thirds are over, but so is the chasm that I used to cite in this space when he’d appear despite the absence of fantasy value. He’s now two seasons removed from the ceremonial nod. EQUIPMENT INSIDER by Andrew Tursky In typical Woods fashion, he not only had the biggest story of 2019 with his win at the Masters, but he was also a part of probably the biggest equipment story of 2019, as well. Anytime Woods changes irons, it’s a big deal, but in 2019, he switched into all-new P-7TW prototype irons made by TaylorMade, and then TaylorMade released a limited supply of the irons to retail. Woods also switched into new TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 wedges late in 2019. Earlier in 2019, PGATOUR.COM was lucky enough to sit down with Woods for an in-depth conversation about his equipment. Here’s the full Q&A. STYLE INSIDER by Greg Monteforte Don’t expect many surprises from Tiger in the style department in 2020. He has settled into a style that works for him. His classic looks with an infusion of the latest technology from Nike suit him to a T. Tiger has been rocking the same kicks for a couple of years. Will this be the year Nike refreshes his shoe closet? BEYOND THE ROPES by Helen Ross One of the things that Woods enjoys away from the golf course is diving, particularly cave diving, and spear fishing. He has been certified as a master diver according the National Association of underwater instructors. He reportedly has learned to hold his breath underwater for four minutes. By The Numbers Strokes Gained rankings for Tiger Woods in the 2018-19 season.
Top 30 Players to Watch in 2020: Gary WoodlandTop 30 Players to Watch in 2020: Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland broke through with his first major win at the U.S. Open, a sure sign that he’s taking the next step. Woodland is among PGATOUR.COM’s top 30 players to watch entering 2020. Click here for more on all 30 players. Insider Insights PGATOUR.COM’s Insiders offer their expert views on what to expect from Gary Woodland in 2020. TOUR INSIDER by Ben Everill This will be the season Woodland finally becomes a serious threat for the FedExCup. He’s made the TOUR Championship seven times before but last season’s 15th place is his best result. The breakout win in the U.S. Open last season is the catalyst to greater things. That and his relationship with Amy Bockerstette which has helped his mental fortitude. The U.S. Open triumph caused a small hangover last season but with that behind him, Woodland will go from strength to strength. The fall series already procured two top-5s and a captains pick for the Presidents Cup, which was well-deserved. If Woodland ever picks up a few percentage points around and on the greens he would almost certainly become a multiple win threat inside a season, something this four-time winner is yet to accomplish. STATS INSIDER by Sean Martin Woodland is one of eight players to finish in the top 20 of both Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Approach-the-Green last season. It’s good company to keep. Seven of them – Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Corey Conners, Paul Casey, Jason Kokrak and Woodland – qualified for the TOUR Championship. FANTASY INSIDER by Rob Bolton The 2019 U.S. Open champion is 35 and in his prime. With his debut in the Presidents Cup capping a career year, he’s also at his peak. He should stay there for a while, too. Plays a lot, misses few cuts and fills up the box score. Fairly known for his muscle, but that’s a bonus. His precision on approach from tee to green truly is his primary weapon. EQUIPMENT INSIDER by Andrew Tursky Woodland made waves in the equipment world when he signed with Wilson Golf early in 2019. He used an eye-catching set of Wilson Staff Model Blade irons to win the 2019 U.S. Open, and then he put social media into a frenzy when he switched into a Staff Model Blade 2-iron at the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. Seriously, his 2-iron is why the “butter knifeâ€� stereotype exists. STYLE INSIDER by Greg Monteforte Bold, patriotic designs from Puma’s Volition Collection have helped the reigning U.S. Open champ to carve out a unique look compared to the brand’s other TOUR players. These threads benefit a great cause, too, as Volition supports the families of military heroes through the Folds of Honor Foundation. Look for Puma to hook up Woodland with more limited edition shoes in 2020. BEYOND THE ROPES by Helen Ross Most golf fans know Woodland played basketball at Washburn University as a freshman before transferring to Kansas – where he’d always wanted to play hoops. He did get to play an exhibition game against the Jayhawks where he guarded Kirk Hinrich, who would go on to be drafted in the NBA’s first round. That’s when he decided golf was his future. Ping-pong is another favorite – he started playing after having shoulder surgery as a rookie on TOUR in 2009 and has two tables at his home. By The Numbers Strokes Gained rankings for Gary Woodland in the 2018-19 season.
Ferrari: We proved our power unit was legalFerrari: We proved our power unit was legal
After a series of FIA checks, rule clarifications and accusations from rival teams, Ferrari is confident it has proved its power unit was legal in 2019.
Colts’ offensive line takes care of business, but still taps into fun sideColts’ offensive line takes care of business, but still taps into fun side
The Colts’ offensive linemen are a tight group on and off the field, and their personalities form a fun-loving foundation.
That time the Saints used a Voodoo priestess to end Superdome curseThat time the Saints used a Voodoo priestess to end Superdome curse
The Saints were facing the reigning champs and an 0-3 home playoff record when they organized a ritual to cleanse the Superdome of negative spirits.
Hamilton still finds Schumacher comparisons ‘surreal’Hamilton still finds Schumacher comparisons ‘surreal’
Lewis Hamilton still finds it bizarre to have his name linked with F1’s all-time statistical leader, Michael Schumacher, ahead of what could be a record-setting 2020.
Patrick Reed is far from Captain America nowPatrick Reed is far from Captain America now
Reed was once seen as a hero for his clutch play in international competition, but poor performances and controversy have hurt his image.
