INFANTINO... | TMK #8 - November 1st

Today, on Polysport:

Infantino feels especially Arab, the Texas Rangers go full Chuck Norris, and Slenderman dunks from the 3-point line.

News Roundup:

• Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 World Cup

• NFL Trade Deadline

• NBA Recap: Spurs, Knicks Win

• Rangers Take 3-1 World Series Lead

• World #2 Alcaraz Loses in 1st Round of Paris Masters

Today’s Action:

• Carabao Cup: Man U - Newcastle, West Ham - Arsenal

• NBA: 13 Games; Kings @ Warriors, Clippers @ Lakers

• World Series Game 5

Quick Bites:

• Quote of the Day

• Can’t Miss Moment

• Stat of the Day

• Video of the Day

⚽ Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 World Cup

Here we go again. After Australia pulled out of the bidding process to host the 2034, FIFA confirmed that Saudi Arabia is the lone bidder for the right to host the World Cup. 

Given that Qatar hosted the tournament in 2022 and that the rules require a 12-year gap between two tournaments in the same continent, 2034 was the earlier Saudi Arabia could host. Then again, the rules also required bidding countries to have 7 existing stadiums that can host games, only to be scrapped because Saudi Arabia only has 4 existing stadiums.

This was widely expected to happen as FIFA President Infantino seems unfazed by the criticism surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, despite human rights supposedly being considered during the host selection process. He and Mohammad Bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, are friends with financial benefits, and that’s all that matters. 

Saudi Arabia still needs to submit a full bid that will be considered in July 2024, but unless some countries are willing to take a moral stand - the Saudis will host the 2034 World Cup.

🏈 NFL Trade Deadline

Pass rush? Who needs a pass rush?

- Commanders GM, probably

Commanders trade Chase Young to 49ers

Chase Young, the #2 pick in the 2020 draft, has been sent to San Francisco for a 3rd round pick in this year's draft. Young looked the part as a disruptive pash-rusher before tearing his ACL in 2021, which made the Commanders unwilling to pick up his fifth-year option and commit to Young as a cornerstone player for the franchise. 

The Niners will hope to get some immediate production out of Chase, and will pair him up with Nick Bosa to form a potent pash rush. The Niners, despite being on a 3-game losing streak, definitely feel like they are in their Championship window and had said they’d be looking to trade and get better. Mission accomplished.

Commanders trade Montez Sweat to Bears

In addition to trading Young, the Commanders also traded Montez Sweat to the Bears for a second-round pick. Sweat started the season strong, with 6.5 sacks in 8 games.  Sweat, 27, is in the last year of his contract, and the Commanders are opting for a draft pick now rather than the compensatory selection they might receive if Sweat signed elsewhere as a free agent next year.

The Bears trading for Sweat is a bit of a surprise at first glance, given that they are 2-6 and don’t have any intention to contend this year. However, the Bears have an NFL-low 10 sacks total this season, and they sorely need help with the pass rush.

Raiders fire coach Josh McDaniels, GM Dave Ziegler

The “McDaniels is an offensive genius, he won 6 rings with the Patriots” narrative is officially dead. The Raiders currently have just the No. 31-ranked total offense in yards per game, are No. 32 in rushing yards per game, and rank No. 30 in points scored per game - and not for a lack of talent. 

This is the second time McDaniels has been fired mid-season after being let go from the Broncos before coaching the Raiders. The Raiders moved on from Derek Carr this season after nine years to hand over the reins to Jimmy Garoppolo, but so far it hasn’t worked out. After losing to the Bears (30-12) and the Lions (26-14), owner Mark Davis finally had enough.

The funniest thing is that the Raiders gave McDaniels a six-year contract in 2022, which they’re on the hook for and will have to pay. 

🏀 NBA

Spurs take W after dramatic late-game comeback

The Spurs snatched a W from the Suns’ hands after being down 20 points in the third quarter. The Spurs also literally snatched the ball out of Kevin Durant’s hands with 2 seconds on the clock to score the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. Was it a foul? Probably. But it wasn’t called - to the visible dismay of KD - and the Spurs took home the win.

Wemby started the game slow, missing his first 5 shots, but bounced back and was effective on offense and defense. He finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and a highlight-reel dunk that only he could pull off. Durant finished the game with 26 points, including a Jordanesqe baseline fadeaway over a fully stretched Wembanyama.

Booker and Beal did not play, and coach Vogel said there is no timetable for their return.

Knicks Cruise To Victory Against Cavs

The Cavs found themselves without 2 starters out with injuries on Tuesday as they took on the Knicks. While Donovan Mitchell did all he could and scored 20 points in the first half to keep the Cavs in the game, the balanced Knicks were too much to handle down the stretch. The Knicks ended up winning 109-91.

The Cavs, hampered by injuries, have yet to play to their full potential this season. The Knicks look like a strong and balanced team but are missing a superstar player to join the Bucks and Celtics in the first tier of teams in the East.

⚾ Rangers Take WS Game 4; 1 Game Away From Title

The Rangers quite literally came out swinging in game four of the series, as they were looking to extend their postseason away game streak to 10 - an MLB record and the Rangers’ longest away winning streak of all time.

Everything went the Rangers’ way in the first 3 innings, as their offense, coupled with a mistake-prone D-Backs defense, gave them a 10-0 lead. The D-Backs made multiple ball-handling mistakes and had lapses in concentration again and again, which allowed easy run scores for the Rangers. 

The game ended 11-7 with the Diamondbacks pushing for a late-game comeback, but it was too little too late. Veteran journeyman Travis Jankowski had the game of his life in his first World Series appearance and got two crucial hits to spur the Rangers’ offense.

🎾World #2 Alcaraz Falls to Safiullin 6-3, 6-4

Carlos Alcaraz is an undeniable talent but hasn’t reached ‘unbeatable’ status quite yet. The Spaniard looked sluggish and out of it for the majority of his first-round game against the Russian Roman Safiullin. Alcaraz is suffering from discomfort in his left foot, and it was evident from the way he moved around the court on Tuesday. Usually very fast and aggressive - much like a young Nadal - Alcaraz felt limited and couldn’t play to his strength. On the opposite side of the court, Safiullin is in the form of his life and played an excellent match to earn a well-deserved victory.

⚽ Carabao Cup Round 4

Some well-needed European football is on today with the fourth round of the Carabao (EFL) Cup. Six games will be played tonight to decide who goes through. Here are the top matches.

Manchester United - Newcastle

Newcastle surprised the world last round by outing Manchester City 1-0 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. City are favorites to win any competition they enter, but one game and you’re out - that’s the beauty of cup football. 

United are coming into this game after a 3-0 loss to City at home in the previous league matchday, and there’s no way around it: the Red Devils looked…bad. United feel flimsy on defense and toothless on offense. That’s not a great combo. 

Newcastle will be looking to complete a Manchester sweep in the Carabao Cup, and coming into this game, it doesn’t look like United can do a whole lot to stop them.

West Ham - Arsenal

There’s nothing quite like a London derby in a cup game, and the atmosphere is bound to be electric. West Ham started the season off strong but has recently lost its mojo - and 3 out of its last 4 games. They still hold on to 9th in the Premier League but need to bounce back. Arsenal comes into this game on a high, having won 3 of their last 4, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester City. Arsenal is the better team. But any London derby is won on the pitch.

Other games:

Everton - Burnley

Ipswich - Fulham

Bournemouth - Liverpool

Chelsea - Blackburn Rovers

⚾ MLB World Series Game 5

The Texas Rangers are on the brink of their first World Series title, and they've been making history in the process having won 10 road games in a row. 

The Diamondbacks fought back, but they have their work cut out for them as they face a 3-1 series deficit. To come back, they'll need to go through Rangers starters Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Montgomery, and Jon Gray in Games 5, 6, and 7. Arizona will counter with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt.

In Game 5, Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers, and Gallen will be the starter for the Diamondbacks. Eovaldi has a strong postseason record, but the Diamondbacks have had success against him in Game 1. Gallen will look to rebound after giving up three runs in the series opener.

The X-factor for Game 5 could be Corey Seager, who has been dominant this postseason, with a .306 batting average, six homers, and 12 RBI. Seager has a plan at the plate and executes it well, making him a nightmare for pitchers.

The Rangers are one win away from a historic championship; can they make history by winning 11 games on the road, or will the Diamondbacks force a game 6?

🏀 NBA: 13 Games

We have an eventful evening ahead of us as 26 of the league’s 30 teams will be in action tonight. Basketball fans rejoice. Here are a couple of games I’ll be watching closely:

Los Angeles Lakers - Los Angeles Clippers

The first game in the series for LA supremacy is here as the Lakers “host” the Clippers. The Lakers are 2-0 at home, carried by a resurgent Anthony Davis who leads the team in points (25.8) and rebounds (13.8). The Clippers are a big unknown following the mega-trade that brought James Harden and sent half the team away. 

Harden hasn’t played at all this season and it’s unlikely we’ll see him make an appearance tonight. George, Kawhi, and Westbrook should be ready to go.

Golden State Warriors - Sacramento Kings

Why does it feel like the Warriors and Kings play few days? Because they have. With two preseason games and two regular season games, this’ll be their 4th game in two weeks. Golden State is 3-0 in those games.

This game would have been a lot more exciting if De’aaron Fox, the Kings leading scorer with 31.3 ppg, wasn’t out with an ankle sprain. The Kings are a well-balanced team but Fox is their main man, and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to replace his contribution against a hot Warriors team at full strength.

Other games:

Detroit Pistons - Portland Trail Blazers

Toronto Raptors - Milwaukee Bucks

Atlanta Hawks - Washington Wizards

Boston Celtics - Indiana Pacers

Miami Heat - Brooklyn Nets

New York Knicks - Cleveland Cavaliers

Oklahoma City Thunder - New Orleans Pelicans

Houston Rockets - Charlotte Hornets

Minnesota Timberwolves - Denver Nuggets

Dallas Mavericks - Chicago Bulls

Utah Jazz - Memphis Grizzlies

🗣️ Quote Of The Day

“The FIFA World Cup is the perfect showcase for a message of unity and inclusion”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as he announces that the FIFA World Cup 2034 will be played in a nation where being gay is a literal crime.

I can’t wait for the newest version of Infantino’s “Today I feel gay” speech.

⭐ Can’t Miss Moment

Spurs Steal The Ball and the W

Kevin Durant was arguably fouled as the Spurs snatched the ball away with a second to spare to seal a 20-point comeback.

🧮 Stat Of The Day

Texas Rangers: 10-0 in Away Games

The Rangers are a game away from grabbing their first World Series after winning a consecutive 10 games on the road. They have won every game they’ve played away in this postseason.

📽️ Video of the Day

Wembanyama’s 1-Dribble Dunk From The 3

I mentioned this dunk earlier, and I can’t let you go without showing it to you. Victor grabs the ball at the three-point line, dribbles once, and slams it home. This dunk falls under the category of “stuff only Victor can do”.

Click HERE to watch on Youtube.

Wrap Up

As you can tell, I’m not thrilled about the 2034 World Cup host. I don’t think many outside of FIFA are. But at least we have some European football and a full slate of NBA games to keep us busy today. See you tomorrow.K