The Sportsletter - Kings of New York 👑

BY JEFF YODER & MARISSA KASCH

JULY 28, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

The Yankees may be on top of baseball, but the Mets are the current kings of New York after last night's walk-off. We've got news on the Brittney Griner situation, and the finale of the Women's EUROs is set. Don't miss NFL Training Camp poll and today's Underdog feature on an NFL QB in the spotlight (bottom of today's edition).

Letter Rip!

MLB

Starling Signs Off on Subway Sweep

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Starling Marte Walks It Off as Mets Beat Yankees (3-2) to Sweep Subway Series

Game 2 of the Subway Series was the Max Scherzer show for seven scoreless innings to hold down a 2-0 Mets lead, but the Yankees got to work as soon as he left the mound. Gleyber Torres hit a two-run shot to tie the game in the 8th, but Starling Marte’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th made the Mets the kings of New York. A two-game sweep in the Subway Series pulls the Mets to 61-37 and within five games of the Yankees for the top spot in baseball. Could we see an all-New York World Series in October? If so, the preview was worth the price of admission.

Watch: Starling Marte Walk-Off Wins It for Mets (3-2)

MLB Quick-Hitters

Yankees Add Benintendi: One of the first major trades prior to the deadline came late on Wednesday. After the Yankees lost to the Mets, the team swung a deal with the Royals for all-star outfielder Andrew Benintendi in exchange for three prospects. He’s batting .320 this season.

Walk Off in Detroit: The Padres thought they had the Tigers downed with a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 9th Wednesday in Detroit, but a two-run walk-off double by Victor Reyes flipped the scoreline (4-3).

J-Rod Keeps Raking: The Mariners rookie keeps slugging. Julio Rodriguez hit the go-ahead shot in the 7th inning of the Mariners’ 4-2 win over the Rangers last night. The rookie sensation now has 18 home runs on the year.

WNBA

The Griner Deal

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / Getty Images

Biden Administration Offers Prisoner Swap to Free WNBA Star Brittney Griner From Russia

The saga involving WNBA star Brittney Griner finally has a development. After serving more than 160 days in a Russian prison for possession of cannabis, the United States has made a “substantial” proposal to bring her home. The Biden Administration announced Wednesday that an offer had been made involving a prisoner swap for Griner and Paul Whelan — an ex-Marine detained since 2018. The deal offers the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death.”

What Comes Next?

Griner has missed the entire WNBA season with her Phoenix Mercury squad due to the detainment since atempting to leave Russia in the spring. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. will discuss the offer with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “in the coming days.”

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Griner Timeline: What Has Happened Since the WNBA Star Was Detained

CNBC: Biden Administration Makes Offer to Russia for Release of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

SOCCER

Popp Sends Germany Through

Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Alexandra Popp’s Brace Leads Germany Past France (2-1) Into Women’s EURO Final Against England

The UEFA Women’s European final is set! Germany will take on the hosts from England after topping France in a thriller on Wednesday (2-1). Germany’s Alexandra Popp struck a one-timer for the game’s opening goal (40’), but France answered with a shot off the post that ricocheted off the back of goalkeeper Merle Frohms for an own goal (44’). With the match tied through the second half, Popp found the equalizer on a ferocious header (76’) to give Germany the win. Neither Germany (2001) or England (2005) have won the EUROs since the early 2000s, but that streak will end one way or another on Sunday.

Watch: Popp’s Brace Paces Germany Past France (2-1)

UEFA Women’s EUROs Finals

Germany vs. England (Sun. 12:00 pm ET)

Fun Fact: Germany is 4-0-0 all-time against England in the EUROs.

Additional Storylines

The Guardian: Popp Double Fires Germany Past France to Set Up Wembley Final With England
CBS Sports: Germany Will Play England in Women’s Euro Final After Popp’s Brace Eliminates France

THE STORYLINES

⛳️ The LIV Golf Expansion

The LIV Golf League is expanding to 14 tournaments on its 2023 schedule, with 48 players competing on 12 established team franchises for an unprecedented $405 million in purses, the circuit announced Wednesday. (ESPN)

🏈 The Start of America’s Favorite Season

Aaaaaand, we’re back. Sure, NFL training camp is the calm before the storm, but it’s activity rather than talk, and in a football sense at least, the summer break is done and classes have resumed. Every NFL team is in session. (FOX Sports)

⚾️ MLB Trade Deadline Predictions

Now that Major League Baseball's Tuesday trade deadline is less than a week away, it won't be long before the stream of endless possibilities trickles down to one of a select few realities. Until then, the best we can do is guess. (Bleacher Report)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Draymond Green Wants 4-Year Max Extension From Warriors Or He’ll Explore Other Options (CBS Sports)
• LB K.J. Wright Signs 1-Day Contract to Retire With Seattle Seahawks After 11 Seasons (NBC Sports)
• Ian Darke Joins FOX to Call 2022 World Cup Games (SI)
• Brittney Griner Testifies Her Rights Were Not Explained When Detained at Moscow Airport (ESPN)
• Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner & Charles Barkley Join Brian Urlacher and Lawrence Taylor in LIV Golf Pro-Am (USA Today)
• Giants’ Carlos Rodon Kicked Bat in Dugout and Struck Teammate Thairo Estrada (CBS Sports)

📊 READER POLL

Training Camp Battles

Which NFL Training Camp quarterback battle are you most intrigued by?

*The 49ers (Trey Lance) and Falcons (Marcus Mariota) have already announced their starters.

Carolina Panthers

Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

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Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

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Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

Mile-High Evolution

Photo: Aaron Ontiveroz / Getty Images

Russell Wilson Has Accomplish Plenty, But His Next Climb Could Take Him to New Heights (By Marissa Kasch)

Russell Wilson’s offseason trade had major implications for everyone involved. The Seahawks lost their franchise piece, but the Broncos have a veteran QB for the first time in seven years. What does it mean for Russell Wilson’s fantasy value? More importantly, what might it mean to his legacy? We’ll break all of that down before he ascends into his new role, but first, let’s take a glance at Wilson’s underdog career.

Everyone knows that Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has been for years. He’s a great fantasy quarterback and an even better franchise quarterback, which is exactly what the Broncos need right now. He has 37,059 career passing yards, averaging between 3,113 and 4,219 per season. He has 292 career touchdowns. He has been named to nine Pro Bowls and he’s one of four quarterbacks in NFL history with a career passer rating over 100. He also holds the record for most wins by an NFL quarterback through his first nine seasons with 98.

However, there is one thing lacking from Wilson’s career. Though he led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls in 2014 and 2015, he still only has one ring. It’s been seven years since Wilson reached the big game, and now he’ll attempt a fresh start to do it again.

As we know, especially in football, rings do not determine greatness. No matter how great a quarterback is, he needs a solid defense, offensive line, and weapons around him to win a Super Bowl. Though having only one Super Bowl win is not indicative of individual success, it sure doesn’t hurt your resume to have a few more. And who’d blame Russ for wanting a little more hardware in his house? No one. 

How will Wilson impact the Broncos season? The Broncos went 7-10 last season with Teddy Bridgewater starting at quarterback and Drew Lock finishing out the last three games of the season. After finishing last in the AFC West last season, the Broncos have plenty of room to improve with Wilson as their quarterback. 

Wilson has Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick to ignite his receiving corps. Though none of these receivers are big name NFL stars, they are all talented, which should allow Wilson to spread the ball around. In addition to these wide receivers, the Broncos also have two talented tight ends vying for the start in Albert Okwuegbunam and Greg Dulcich.

The 33-year-old QB is also finally playing on an offense that’s going to “let Russ cook,” which is good for his fantasy value, too. New head coach Nathaniel Hackett has a more aggressive coaching style, with an emphasis on the offense.

There is no doubt that the Broncos will improve with Russell Wilson at quarterback, especially when he’s allowed to play his game (deep throws and aggressive offense). Russ’s talent was partially stifled in Seattle under Pete Carroll because of the playbook and the conservative offense. This season, I think we’ll see a whole new version of Wilson — both in fantasy and reality— now that he’ll finally be allowed to play to his strengths.

The undersized-but-overachieving quarterback has haunted the NFC West for a decade. His next mountain to summit isn’t just a rocky climb, it’s filling the hole at QB for a team that hasn’t had a great signal-caller since Peyton Manning (2015). And who knows? With more freedom offensively, more receivers, and a better run game in his arsenal, he may finally get his first MVP award and take Broncos back to the promised land.

A second Super Bowl with two different teams? Only two players have ever accomplished that feat -- Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Let Russ cook. The results will speak for themselves.

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