Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Sports this 'n' that

 NFL pre-season action starts Thursday with the Hall of Fame game, which this year features the Cleveland Browns and the Jests. The game airs on NBC, starting at 8 pm. When the season ends with the Super Bowl in February, however, it may not be the sloppiest game, but it'll sure look like it if Nickelodeon has anything to say about it.

That's because after the ratings for their kid-friendly alternate broadcasts of Christmas games the last couple of years have brought some big ratings for the cabler, Nick will again partner with CBS for this year's big game. Nate Burleson (CBS Mornings, The NFL Today) made the announcement this morning, and will be in the booth to call the game. Nick will add the CGI effects shown on the field during their broadcast. Trust me, it won't show up on CBS. 

If Nick wants to use any of their beloved cartoon stars as guest analysts, I'd recommend not going back to Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke, SpongeBob SquarePants). You need a toon who actually knows the game and can teach the kiddo's. Just sayin'.
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The Mets aren't done dealing. Or are they?

New York shipped outfielder Mark Canha to Milwaukee for a minor league pitcher on Monday, and rumors persist that their primo free agent signing from last winter, Justin Verlander, could be next before the trade deadline tonight at 6 pm (ET). I don't think so. The Mets need Verlander to anchor their rotation for the rest of the season, then try to refill next year. Carlos Carrasco and tonight's starter, Jose Quintana, are not ace material. Quintana has struggled early in both of his starts, strafed in the first two innings of games vs. the Yankees and White Sox. Carrasco got lit up Saturday vs. Washington, and didn't get out of the 3rd inning.

Update, 3:10 pm (ET): Verlander heads back to Houston in exchange for outfielders Ryan Clifford & Drew Gilbert, the latter no relation to ye scribe.
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The US Women's National Soccer Team has reached the field of 16, or, the knockout stage of the Women's World Cup, despite a scoreless draw with Portugal.


Megan Rapinoe comforts a Portugal player.

As we know, there are certain "ugly American" types who won't be happy if the ladies don't win the tournament. I don't have to tell you who fits that description.........!
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Nexstar Media, which owns the CW in addition to WXXA & WTEN here in the 518, is adding to its sports library, starting in 2025. 

The CW will begin carrying the NASCAR Xfinity series then, with most races airing on Saturdays. By then, CW will be filling its Saturdays in with college basketball & football, as ACC coverage begins in September. Come 2025, the races will start while basketball is in its post-season. And let's not forget the LIV golf tour, which started the sports revolution at CW.

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