So. Much. Sports.
Remember how the sports world screeched to a halt just a few months ago? Because of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, there were no games to watch or teams to follow or moves to debate. A strange feeling ensued for many of us sports fans. Weekly episodes of The Last Dance on ESPN was about the only thing we could look forward to for a while. My, how things have changed. The remainder of 2020 is going to be like nothing we’ve experienced. (That’s putting it lightly.) It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the action, something I didn’t realized I would miss so much in the spring. Now, I need multiple screens at night and during weekends.
But I’m not complaining. Sure, there are really important things to think about right now – how to end the pandemic, lift up marginalized communities, save democracy, etc.). But athletes, coaches and other leaders have an vital voice in American culture. They will play a key role in helping society move forward, too. Sport has the power to unite us in common purpose, and it has always had the potential to do a lot of good in the process. Don’t ever forget that. As I’m cheering on the Braves’ run in the new-look baseball playoffs and obsessing over every SEC football matchup this fall, I know I won’t.
Let’s get to it. Here’s a look at what’s on the horizon over the next three months, here in the Atlanta area (where I fell in love with sports as a kid) and around the nation:
THE ATLANTA SPORTS SCENE
Ordered by my current level of excitement for every local team
With the NL East clinched for a third straight year, sights are set on the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. I guess pitching isn’t that important when you’re crushing it from the plate. I’m prepared for more disappointment — I know you are, too — but hoping for the best. World Series or bust?
Mark your calendar: The Braves host Game 1 of their best-of-3 NL Wild Card series next Wednesday, Sept. 30 (through Friday, Oct. 2, if necessary). Fried will be ready, according to reports this afternoon. Time/TV: TBA.
It’s time to get serious. Finally. Who will start under center for Kirby’s offense? All signs point to D’Wan Mathis.
Mark your calendar: The Bulldogs kick off their all-SEC schedule on Saturday at Arkansas, coached former Georgia assistant Sam Pittman. Time/TV: 4 p.m. on SEC Network.
Sunday’s embarrassing defeat in Dallas still stings. Dan Quinn’s days are numbered. Let’s move on.
Mark your calendar: The Falcons continue to look for that elusive first victory of 2020 on Sunday when they play the Bears at Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Time/TV: 1 p.m. on FOX.
The good: QB Jeff Sims and RB Jahmyr Gibbs. The bad: Getting walloped by UCF after a season-opening win over Florida State on the road. The ugly: Mistakes by Tech’s defense in said blowout.
Mark your calendar: The Jackets head north on Saturday to face ACC foe Syracuse as they try to bounce back from their first loss of the year. Time/TV: noon on Fox Sports South.
Shawn Elliott’s crew has the talent to compete in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division. In front of a national TV audience last weekend, State rallied but ultimately fell to Louisiana, a conference title favorite, in OT at home. I think it’s a positive sign.
Mark your calendar: The Panthers travel to Charlotte on Saturday. Time/TV: noon on ESPNU.
Honestly, the Five Stripes’ matches haven’t been a priority since things got going again. But I know they’re not playing anywhere near their potential. There’s still time to recover, though.
Mark your calendar: The United attempt to build on Wednesday’s much-needed win over FC Dallas during a trip to Chicago on Sunday. Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Southeast.
The Hawks did not participate in this year’s playoff action in Orlando. Now: workouts in a mini-bubble over the next few weeks.
Mark your calendar: The team has the sixth pick the NBA Draft, slated for Nov. 18 (ESPN). The league hasn’t said when the 2020-21 season will start.
Kudos to forward Betnijah Laney, named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player on Thursday.
Mark your calendar: The Dream were eliminated from postseason play earlier this month. Election Day is Nov. 3. Will co-owner Kelly Loeffler keep her U.S. Senate seat?
THE NATIONAL SPORTS SCENE
Ordered by my current level of excitement for each sport/league
The mad dash of a 60-game season concludes on Sunday. I actually can’t believe the league pulled it off. But I’m for shortened seasons (but maybe not this much). I also like the new extra-innings rules and the expanded playoff format. Anything seems possible.
Mark your calendar: Wild Card series (Tuesday-Friday, ESPN/TBS)
I’ve seen more basketball as the playoffs have progressed. That includes almost every Lakers game. In the East, Miami-Boston has been so much fun. I have loved watching Tyler Herro (even before his breakout performance last night) and Jayson Tatum. Hey, Adam Silver, his teams and their players deserve a lot of credit.
Mark your calendar: NBA Finals, Game 1 (Sept. 30, ABC)
College football regular season
It just means more … to me when SEC teams are on the schedule. The real season gets underway this weekend. I can’t wait! We’re still waiting on the Big Ten, MAC and Mountain West. What say you, Pac-12? (Nobody really cares.)
Mark your calendar: Mississippi State at No. 6 LSU (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Sunday afternoons feel much better now. I’m worried about Brady and Brees. And the Week 2 injuries took a toll. Brutal. Come hell or high water, though, the NFL is going to make it to that Super Bowl in Tampa.
Mark your calendar: Chiefs at Ravens (Monday, 8:20 p.m., ESPN)
I have to say, I only really care about the big tournaments. Thankfully, the PGA Championship, Tour Championship and U.S. Open have been very compelling. Give me more!
Mark your calendar: The Masters (Nov. 12-15, ESPN/CBS)
The U.S. Open in New York is one my favorite events in all of sports. I especially enjoy following the American women. Such talent. We missed out on some big names this year, but I still had fun. How can you not root for the likes of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka?
Mark your calendar: French Open (Sept. 25-Oct. 11, Tennis Channel/NBC/Peacock)
I won’t be tuning in much until October. Just being real with you. I have other obligations. I do read about Atlanta United every day in the AJC and occasionally check in on matches. They have their work cut out for them if they want to make a deep run to MLS Cup on Dec. 12.
Mark your calendar: MLS Cup Playoffs (mid-November, ESPN/FOX/FS1)
It’s down to Minnesota-Seattle and Las Vegas-Connecticut in the semifinals. The league handed out 2020 Defensive Player of the Year honors earlier this week (Los Angeles’ Candace Parker).
Mark your calendar: WNBA Finals, Game 1 (Friday, Oct. 2, TV TBA)
This is where I will let you down. I just don’t have enough time in the day (or TVs) to make watching hockey happen. Even a Stanley Cup Final featuring Tampa Bay and Dallas. The Lightning lead 2-1 in the best-of-7 series. I might watch Game 6 or 7.
Mark your calendar: Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (Friday, 8 p.m., NBC)
College basketball (men and women)
Mark your calendar: It looks likes games will commence on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. Much more to come. But if we are deprived of another March Madness, I will irate.
FANTASY FOOTBALL CORNER
I lost to best team in my only league this past weekend. Church of Ryantology’s record moves to 1-1 (good for fifth place among 12 managers). I will be missing top overall pick Christian McCaffrey for 4-6 weeks (I hope), but I think I’ll remain competitive. None my guys plays tonight. Here’s my starting lineup:
QB – Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
WR – Tyler Lockett, Seattle
WR – Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
RB – Melvin Gordon III, Denver
RB – James Connor, Pittsburgh
TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Flex (WR) – Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit
K – Jake Elliott, Philadelphia
Defense – Philadelphia
Projected points total: 124.95 (vs. my opponent’s 131.14). According to Yahoo, I have a 45% chance of winning. Good luck, folks!