One of my best friends and loyal blog commenter Bama Golf correctly predicted the 90th All Star game with the AL defeating the NL, 4-3. Excellent work Bama.
I incorrectly predicted the NL to win and they looked like they had life in the top of the 8th when the Mets' Pete Alonso drove in 2 runs with a single. But the AL pitcher got the next NL batter out and then the Yankees' Aroldis Champman came in for the 9th, and I knew my prediction was in serious jeopardy. Chapman was bringin it a hunge and he was impossible to hit.
But it was an awesome spectacle with Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, putting on a superb show with great music, super fans and a terrific stadium in Progressive Field. The AL has now won 7 in a row and 25 out of the last 30. The NL really needs to get it together. From 2003-2016, the league winner of the Midsummer Classic had home field advantage for the World Series, but Commissioner Rob Manfred and the players union changed it back for the 2017 season to the team with the best record for the regular season having the home field, which is the way to do it. Regular season accomplishments should be rewarded and the All Star game should be just a fun night for the fans and the players. Right now, the Dodgers have the best record in MLB with the Yankees, Astros, Twins and Braves in hot pursuit. Should be an awesome second half.
Next week I'll have SEC Media Days which gets football season started pretty much. Not too long before we'll be kicking it off Saturday, August 24th, week 0, with the Florida Gators taking on the Miami Hurricanes at 6 PM CT on ESPN. The game will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando so no real home field. Should be a solid matchup, close to spectacular.
Manny Diaz takes over at Miami and former Alabama quarterbacks coach Dan Enos will call plays for the Canes as their offensive coordinator. Dan Mullen enters his second season at the helm of the Gators ready to take the next step and have the Gators playing in the SEC Championship game if they can navigate their schedule and defeat Georgia in Jacksonville at that Cocktail deal.
Then on Saturday, Aug. 31st, the Crimson Tide opens its season versus the Duke Blue Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with a 2:30 PM CT kickoff. The game will be televised by ABC. That spring game for the Tide was beyond impressive, so this will be a juggernaut team once again. SEC Championship, Playoff and National championship right in the Crimson Tide's scope once again.
The Auburn Tigers have a tough opener squaring off with Oregon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for a 6:30 PM CT kickoff on ABC. Want to hear Gus talk next week and check out more stuff on the Tigers before forming any opinions on the team. Joey Gatewood and Bo Nix will be battling it out for QB1 for the Tigers. Both are extremely talented and Auburn has a lot of talent on their roster. I'll let you know more about the Tigers in the next two weeks.
Should be a phenomenal week 1 in college football with some intriguing matchups and stirring action.
Also next week, the 148th Open Championship will commence on Thursday. The championship will be played at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Interesting venue. They had a Ryder Cup there several years ago, and the competition will be fierce for this coveted major championship. Jon Rahm won the Irish Open last weekend, so he's a factor to me. The Scottish Open is this weekend with guys like Rory, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler playing, so that's a tournament to keep an eye on.
Will have a lot of product coming up next week. Thanks.