Follow live: Revitalized Astros aim to even ALCS, force a Game 7Follow live: Revitalized Astros aim to even ALCS, force a Game 7
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Day: October 16, 2020
Braves’ Minter gets first career start in Game 5Braves’ Minter gets first career start in Game 5
A.J. Minter will be the first pitcher in MLB history to make his first career major league start in a postseason game when he takes the mound in Game 5 of the NLCS as the opener for the Braves.
Collin Morikawa storms back into contentionCollin Morikawa storms back into contention
LAS VEGAS - Collin Morikawa wasn't about to let Xander Schauffele have all the fun, even if it went somewhat unnoticed. After a relatively benign opening 1-under 71 on Thursday, Morikawa slotted seven birdies in a bogey-free 7-under 65 in the second round of THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK to find his way into a tie for fifth. Amazingly it was a round that went a little under the radar as he was paired with Schauffele who set the course alight early and ultimately went one better with a 64. RELATED: Full leaderboard | What the pros are playing at Shadow Creek Schauffele birdied seven of his opening nine holes to shoot 29 on the back side and added one more birdie on the front to move to 14 under and three shots clear at the top of the leaderboard. But while he has set up a substantial and impressive lead, Morikawa's effort ensured Schauffele won't be able to take his foot off the gas on the weekend. The 23-year-old flashed one of his now trademark cheeky grins when he was met with a question about Schauffele's birdie blitz, reminding those in attendance that he also had gone low and so to had the third member of the threesome in Viktor Hovland (66). "It wasn’t just him. Viktor was making a bunch of birdies in that stretch, I had a couple myself. It’s enjoyable," he quipped. "When you have momentum like that, you just want to keep it going, you don’t want to kind of stall out mid round. "All of us just kept making birdies… I knew it wasn’t going to stop. I knew there was birdie chances on the front nine and we just had to keep it going. As long as I kept giving myself good looks, hitting the fairway, I knew a few would drop by 18." Morikawa credited the blemish free round to a new putter he's using this week. He's made a switch to a mallet style from the blade type he used to win the Workday Charity Open and PGA Championship last season. He needed 28 putts on Thursday and just 26 Friday and has gained 1.545 shots over the field on the greens to go with his usual ball-striking clinic. His approach game has yielded 4.077 strokes against the field so far. "I had a long neck in the blade and the way it was stroking from lag putts, it was never consistent, like the ball didn’t roll as well," he said. "If you look at the best putters, obviously their putts roll really well and their speed’s really consistent. The blade, when I found it outside 30 feet, some I’d hit past and then I’d adjust and then the next one it would be maybe six feet short. I was just looking for something to roll a lot cleaner through the putt."
Ian Poulter's pants get Vegas loveIan Poulter's pants get Vegas love
LAS VEGAS - Ian Poulter has never been afraid to set trends. Even if he's the only one following them. The Englishman has provided the perfect pants so far during THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK, busting out custom print Las Vegas themed trousers over the first few days. RELATED: Full leaderboard | What the pros are playing at Shadow Creek The 44-year-old has never been shy with his fashion choices and forewarned of his slacks on twitter prior to the opening round, showing off a bright red poker chip theme. "Whilst in Vegas, Let's do Vegas!" he tweeted on his way to the course. Poulter has worn wild pants many times before including - but not limited to - the union jack, stars and stripes, gold chiffon and all manner of tartan. In Friday's second round he sported a slightly less loud version but kept up with the wacky theme with a busy print featuring dice, stars, fruits, swirls and all sorts of colorful concoctions splattered across his lower body. "Well we really can’t have any fun at all in Vegas in terms of going out or hitting the casino floors so then we might as well have some fun on the golf course," Poulter said after backing up his opening 3-under 69 with a 70 to sit 5-under and tied 13tg through two rounds at Shadow Creek. "I managed to find some fabrics which the guys that make my pants worked with. I chose some funny prints and they made the into the fun trousers. It's quite nice to have some fun when you're in Vegas," he added. While many people bring lucky charms to Las Vegas, Poulter stopped short of saying they were lucky pants. "Let' s not get carried away with my pants," he laughed. "They'll be worn once and once only but it's nice to still have some fun while we are in town. I hope people enjoy them like I do." But what of the final two rounds? Poulter says we'll just have to wait and see.
NBA’s shift from marketing teams to playersNBA’s shift from marketing teams to players
Golden State Warriors President and COO Rick Welts discusses when and how the NBA realized the value in marketing the uniqueness of their players over the brand of the teams and how that has benefited the league to this day.
Collins’ advice to players thinking of coming outCollins’ advice to players thinking of coming out
Jason Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran and one of the first openly gay athletes to play in major pro sports in the United States, offers up some advice.
Saints, Pels owner Benson victim of car thievesSaints, Pels owner Benson victim of car thieves
New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson was the victim of an attempted car theft last Saturday afternoon but was unharmed, Saints spokesman Greg Bensel confirmed.
Eagles WR Travis Fulgham’s globe-trotting, odds-defying rise to the NFLEagles WR Travis Fulgham’s globe-trotting, odds-defying rise to the NFL
Spending much of his young life overseas, the 25-year-old came late to football, but his emergence from the practice squad to starring in Philadelphia is right on time.
Source: Pats have another positive COVID testSource: Pats have another positive COVID test
The New England Patriots have canceled their Friday practice and player interviews after a positive COVID-19 test, according to a source, and are also awaiting confirmation on a second positive test.
Garrett expects ‘clean, fair game’ after ’19 fracasGarrett expects ‘clean, fair game’ after ’19 fracas
The Browns’ Myles Garrett, who was suspended for six games and lost nearly $1.2 million in salary for hitting Steelers QB Mason Rudolph with a helmet last year, expects a “clean, fair game” vs. Pittsburgh on Sunday.