Sports this 'n' that

 Now, we are down to two, with the World Series set to start tomorrow.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have advanced for the 3rd time in 4 years, needing a late homer from star outfielder Cody Bellinger to put away the Atlanta Braves, 4-3. This now sets up a match of the top seeds in each league, as the Dodgers will play the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays, in the series for the first time in 12 years. Full preview tomorrow.

The hearts of newly minted Braves fans in the 518 were broken, as Shenendehowa grad Ian Anderson went just 3 innings due to a high pitch count (73 pitches), giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

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If the NFL season were to end today, Tom Brady would have the last laugh on his former coach, Bill Belichick.

Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spotted Green Bay an early 10 point lead, then shut out the Packers the rest of the way in a 38-10 rout. Meanwhile, Denver used 6 Brandon McManus field goals to beat New England, 18-12. The Patriots (2-3) got QB Cam Newton back, but their kicking game was missing in action. Newton scored both touchdowns for the Pats (1 rushing, 1 passing), but also threw two interceptions as New England suffered its 2nd straight loss. Tampa Bay (4-2) is staying within shouting distance of NFC South leader New Orleans, which was idle this week.

The Jests are now 0-6 after eating a 24-0 shutout at the hands of Miami. It just doesn't matter who's at QB, as Joe Flacco, in his second start subbing for Sam Darnold, showed why Baltimore dumped him in favor of Lamar Jackson three years ago.

On the other hand, the Giants finally won one for 1st year coach Joe "Here Comes The" Judge, clipping the Washington Deviants, 20-19. Big Blue will play Philadelphia next.

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Speaking of the Deviants, there are more reports coming out of team suits, including owner Daniel "Napoleon" Snyder (or, maybe, we should rename him Caligua?) making lewd remarks toward the team's cheerleaders. If the NBA could force Donald Sterling to sell the LA Clippers a few years back, there's no reason why the NFL can't take similar action to force Snyder out, too, if all he really is behind the scenes is a half-pint Hugh Hefner wanna-be.

Or are they afraid they'll all be exposed as being deviants, too?