NCAAF

Boston College 28, Florida State 13

I couldn’t watch this game. The DirecTV and Disney carriage dispute is affecting millions, and I’m one of them. I obviously hope it ends soon, but I’m not super optimistic about it. Therefore, I don’t have a ton to say regarding this game.

Boston College entered this contest a heavy underdog, so this is a great start to the Bill O’Brien era. Thomas Castellanos did what he needed to do to lead the Golden Eagles to victory, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for 73 yards and another score.

Florida State might already be done, at least from a playoff perspective. Two conference losses prior to Week 2 is a horrible way to start the season, and it may be too much for the Seminoles to overcome. Mike Norvell could ponder a quarterback change, but I expect him to stick with DJ Uiagalelei for at least another game. The quarterback completed just 50 percent of his passes last night.

CFP Picture

1. Georgia (1-0)
2. Ohio State (1-0)
3. Miami (1-0)
4. Utah (1-0)
5. Alabama (1-0)
6. Texas (1-0)
7. Notre Dame (1-0)
8. Penn State (1-0)
9. Oregon (1-0)
10. Ole Miss (1-0)
11. Michigan (1-0)
12. Boise State (1-0)

MLB

Brewers 9, Cardinals 3

It’s scary how good Jackson Chourio is already. Still only 20, the Brewers outfielder has been excellent for three consecutive months for one of the best teams in the National League. The postseason will present a new challenge for the rookie, but I expect him to be up for it. Chourio finished 1-for-2 with a home run, four RBI and three walks in this game.

Jordan Walker will probably figure it out someday — he’s just 22 and his hit tool grades out well — but he’s having a miserable season. The right fielder at least produced at the plate in 2023 with a .787 OPS, but this year his mark is just .541. Walker went 0-for-4 yesterday.

Orioles 13, White Sox 3

I’m curious to see if Corbin Burnes tops $200 million as a free agent this winter. The right-hander is young (29) and has a strong track record as a four-time All-Star and 2021 NL Cy Young winner, so he’ll have appeal to every club willing to spend big. Burnes tossed five innings of one-run ball in this contest, improving to 13-7 with a 3.19 ERA.

Chris Flexen is taking it on the chin this year. After lasting just 3 1/3 innings yesterday, the righty is now 2-14. I suppose that’s par for the course for a starter on this dreadful White Sox team.

Guardians 4, Royals 2

He comes with his flaws, but is there a more underrated RBI man in baseball than Josh Naylor? While smashing home run No. 29 of the season, the first baseman drove in his 100th run, giving him 197 combined RBI between 2023 and 2024. The 79-59 Guardians are a good team and Naylor is the heart of Cleveland’s lineup.

For a day — maybe two — it felt like the Royals would give the Guardians a run for their money in the AL Central. They still can, but with six straight losses, it’s getting more unlikely by the day. The 75-64 Royals are still in solid position for a wild-card spot, though.

Reds 5, Astros 3

Santiago Espinal is having an unsung season for the Reds. A 2022 All-Star, Espinal has been helpful by filling in for injured players. The infielder went 2-for-4 with two RBI yesterday.

I hope we see a great version of Justin Verlander again, but I’m just not sure we will. The right-hander was rocked for five earned runs in this game, and at 41, Verlander’s ability to perform at a high level has probably evaporated. With 260 career wins, reaching 300 seems out of the question for the future Hall of Famer.

Dodgers 11, Diamondbacks 6

For my money, the Dodgers are the best team in baseball. Los Angeles has the best record (83-55) and the most high-end talent in MLB, making the club the favorite to win the World Series this fall. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman is an unfair top of the order. The trio combined for eight RBI in this win.

The Diamondbacks recently moved big free agent acquisition Jordan Montgomery to the bullpen, but the results haven’t improved for the struggling 31-year-old. In 2 2/3 innings yesterday, Montgomery was shellacked for three earned runs, raising his ERA to 6.26.

Padres 3, Tigers 0

Joe Musgrove’s season started poorly, but he’s been turning in the occasional gem since the start of May, including last night. In this contest, Musgrove threw six scoreless frames, improving his ERA to 4.09. If the right-hander pitches like a top of the rotation starter this postseason, the Padres will be all the more dangerous.

The Tigers might’ve promoted Jace Jung too soon. The infielder has plenty of upside, but after a 0-for-4 game yesterday, Jung is slashing just .192/.288/.231. Detroit needs the 23-year-old to take a step forward in 2025.

Mets 4, Red Sox 1

Can the Mets run down the Braves? Only time will tell, but New York is now just 0.5 games back of Atlanta. If the good version of Luis Severino shows up more than the bad, the Mets will have a real shot at playing October baseball. Severino allowed just one earned run across seven innings yesterday.

Pirates 5, Cubs 3

Bryan Reynolds needs more praise, although playing for Pittsburgh isn’t the easiest way to receive it. Nonetheless, after finishing 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBI in this win, the left fielder’s slash line is up to .282/.349/.462. This winter, Ben Cherington should supplement his best position player with some additional talent around him. Oneil Cruz and an aging Andrew McCutchen isn’t enough for Pittsburgh to compete in the rising NL Central.

All good things must come to an end, and that rings true for the Cubs’ hot streak. Chicago is absolutely still alive in the postseason race, but this loss will sting. Jorge Lopez surrendering four earned runs in relief did the Cubs in.

Twins 5, Rays 4

I’m sure Tampa Bay knew this was possible, but the 67-70 Rays are paying the price for unloading a large share of talent at the trade deadline. The Rays are playing the long game — and suffering in the short term because of it. Tampa Bay has lost seven of 10 and is all but eliminated from the postseason race.

Athletics 5, Mariners 4

The Mariners’ brain trust was hoping for a spark when it fired Scott Servais and replaced the long-time manager with Dan Wilson, but not much has changed in the Emerald City. The M’s are still sitting at .500 (69-69) and still aren’t scoring a ton of runs. Seattle needs a shakeup this winter.

Yankees 8, Rangers 4

For the Yankees to accomplish their lofty goals this season, Gerrit Cole needs to pitch like an ace. For the past month-plus, that’s been the case, as the righty is back in a groove. Cole tossed six frames of one-run ball last night.