June 15, 2022
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There shouldn’t be any shortage of thrills tonight in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final — but the epic showdown between the Lightning and Avalanche might be overshadowed by the latest chapter in the ongoing struggle for the soul of professional golf…
PGA-LIV Feud Could Explode At US Open [[link removed]]
Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s U.S. Open could witness the climax of weeks of bitterness and tension.
The event, which tees off Thursday from Brookline, Massachusetts, will represent the first time PGA Tour and LIV golfers share a course since a series of controversial defections to the Saudi-backed series.
Representing each competition is the Tour’s Rory McIlroy, who [[link removed]] won last week’s RBC Canadian Open — passing LIV CEO Greg Norman for all-time wins — and LIV’s Dustin Johnson, the [[link removed]] most notable player to defect after being offered $125 million.
This weekend, the performances of each former world No. 1 might spark even more enmity.
McIlroy has the best odds to win (+1000) in the field, while Johnson is T-14 but has the top odds (+3500) among LIV entrants.McIlroy is seeking his fifth major win, and Johnson his third.The 2021 U.S. Open paid [[link removed]] out $2.3M to winner Jon Rahm from a $12.5M purse — the largest of any major.
The Tour’s payouts are infamously dwarfed by [[link removed]] the $20 million purse for LIV’s inaugural tournament last weekend — with its $4 million payout to winner Charl Schwartzel representing the largest prize for a single tournament in golf history.
McIlroy upped the ante ahead of this weeked when he questioned the authenticity of Schwartzel’s win, saying [[link removed]] the London tournament “meant nothing.”
Unfortunately, Schwartzel isn’t even in the field for the U.S. Open.
Lightning’s Pat Maroon Could Join Stanley Cup 4-Timer’s Club [[link removed]]
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
For the Lightning, Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Avalanche commences one last challenge in their bid to become the first team in nearly 40 years to win three straight titles.
But for Tampa forward Pat Maroon, there’s the potential to pull off an even rarer feat: The 34-year-old is looking to win four in a row — joining only 44 other NHLers.
It’s a scenario the 34-year-old — who has never scored more than 43 points in a season — likely wouldn’t have imagined when he initially joined Tampa on a one-year, $900,000 deal in 2019.
Maroon, who won the first Cup with his hometown Blues in 2019, hasn’t had a losing postseason since his stint with the Devils in 2018He re-upped with Tampa for another two years and $2 million ($1 million AAV) this winter.In 138 career playoff games, he’s scored only 22 goals — but that tally includes six game-winners.
Maroon would be keeping company with 16 members of the 1980-83 Islanders, who reeled off four straight Cups in that span.
And with a year remaining on his deal, he could join an even more exclusive club if the Lightning win No. 3.
Only 11 players — all members of the Canadiens’ 1956-60 dynasty — have won five Cups in a row.
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The Evolution of Esports and Crypto
Over the last few years, esports and gaming has grown exponentially. What was once only considered a hobby is now a legitimate, competitive segment of the sports world that is constantly evolving.
The rise of blockchain technology [[link removed]] and cryptocurrencies have made a significant impact on the evolution of the esports industry.
In Lesson 3 of Crypto in Sports Essentials [[link removed]], Steve Arhancet, CEO & Owner of Team Liquid, sits down with Team Liquid member and professional gamer, Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma, to discuss how the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and NFTs is changing the landscape of the industry and improving the fan experience for all.
Sign up [[link removed]] for the course today.
Dodgers’ Bargain Outperforming Big-Money Aces [[link removed]]
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers are paying a staggering amount of money to their pitching staff — but their latest ace has yet to break six figures.
Tony Gonsolin (8-0) — who threw 6⅓ scoreless innings in Tuesday’s win over the Angels, striking out six and allowing a single hit — has the lowest ERA in the majors this season (1.42).
If that kind of production tracks for a $78.3 million pitching payroll, consider that the 2016 ninth-rounder and dark-horse Cy Young candidate is only making $720,000, tied for fourth-lowest on the staff — and miles away from Clayton Kershaw’s $17 million.
He’s the first NL pitcher to record eight wins this season.Known mostly for a splitter-slider combo, Gonsolin threw 42 four-seamers to induce eight swings-and-misses in Tuesday’s victory.His 1.42 ERA [[link removed]] is the third-lowest in team history through 12 starts.
Thanks in large part to Gonsolin, the Dodgers currently boast the second-lowest ERA in the league (3.01) and second-fewest earned runs (181) behind the Yankees, as well as the second-fewest hits allowed (433) after the Guardians.
The 28-year-old is playing his way into what could be his first big contract — he won’t be a free agent until 2027, but he’s set for arbitration next season.
And if it feels like Gonsolin is an afterthought as ninth-favorite (+2500) to win the NL Cy Young, he’ll surely settle for a World Series title — L.A. (+425) has the best odds to win it all.
Making Headlines
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: In Omar Khan’s first move as Steelers GM, he made All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety in NFL history with a four-year, $73.6 million contract.
WNBA: Breanna Stewart scored 29 points in Seattle’s fourth straight win, recording a league-high six 25-point games this season.
NBA: The Jazz will interview Sam Cassell for their open head coaching job; Cassell has spent the past 13 years as an assistant with Washington, LAC, and Philly.
NHL: Brayden Point will play Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final after missing the previous two series with a lower-body injury, per Lightning head coach Jon Cooper.
Soccer: Paul Pogba is returning to Juventus on a free transfer with a four-year deal worth about $8.3M per season plus add-ons, per Fabrizio Romano [[link removed]]; the 2018 World Cup winner won four straight Serie A titles with Juve from 2012 to 2016.
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Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]] Edited by Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]
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