The Sportsletter - 🌔 Equinox Replay: 5 Sports in 1 Night

BY JEFF YODER

OCT. 29, 2024 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

The 2024 Sports Equinox was one for the books. A potential World Series kill-shot, terrible towels in primetime, and the NBA’s first 50-ball of the season headlined the night. It was a five-sport, 23-game Monday evening we won’t soon forget.

Letter Rip!

SPORTS

The Sports Equinox 🌔

All five major pro sports were in action last night — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. We ran a competition to celebrate the moment, and we'll announce the two (2) winners of the Sports Equinox Giveaway in tomorrow's edition. Stay tuned...

WORLD SERIES

G3: Dodgers on the Doorstep

Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

Freddie Freeman Rips Historic 3rd HR of World Series — Dodgers Win Game 3 (4-2) & Take Commanding 3-0 Lead

The most-hyped World Series matchup in decades is quickly becoming a blowout, and the Dodgers can go for the kill-shot tonight in the Bronx. Los Angeles hushed New York almost instantly last night in Game 3 with a first-inning two-run blast from — guess who — Freddie Freeman. Freddie is feasting in this Fall Classic with three home runs through the first three games. That’s only been done twice before in World Series history.

Players With 3 HRs in First 3 WS Games

Freddie Freeman (Dodgers, 2024)

Barry Bonds (Giants, 2002)

Hank Bauer (Yankees, 1958)

The Dodgers held a 4-0 lead after they brought in more runs in the third and sixth frames. New York’s only two runs came via Alex Verdugo’s two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little too late for the Yanks. Walker Buehler (5 IP, 5 Ks, 2 Hits, 0 ER) was the L.A. ace who produce a shutout start. And yes, ice-cold Aaron Judge (0-for-3) is still a problem for the Pinstripes. The World Series is 3-0 in a heartbeat, and the Dodgers can close it out tonight in New York.

Watch: Freeman Hits 3rd HR, Dodgers Win Game 3 (4-2) & Take 3-0 World Series Advantage

NFL

Terrible Towels Take Over Primetime

Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images

Steelers Strip, Sack & Pick Giants (26-18) for 22nd Straight Home Victory on Monday Night Football

Those bright yellow towels in Pittsburgh were twirling on Monday Night Football. And while the Steelers held off the Giants last night (26-18), it was the other kind of yellow laundry — penalty flags — that played a key role by night's end. The Giants had multiple big plays called back on penalties (11 total). The Steelers controlled the game on the scoreboard thanks in large part to two touchdowns from WR Calvin Austin III in the second half (1 receiving, 1 punt return). The G-Men made it close and got the ball twice in the final minutes of a one-score game, but both of those drives ended with Daniel Jones turnovers — a strip-sack and an interception. Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was an animal (7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery) and our player of the game. Nobody comes into Pittsburgh and wins on Mondays...

Team Rewinds: Pittsburgh (6-2) has now won 22 consecutive MNF games at home dating back to 1991, and they’re 20-4 on MNF under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Giants (2-6) have lost three in a row. They’ve scored just two touchdowns and five field goals (28 points) in the last three weeks combined.

QB Comparison

R. Wilson (PIT): 20/28, 285 yards, 1 TD

D. Jones (NYG): 24/38, 264 yards, 1 INT

Other Top Performers

RB T. Tracy Jr. (NYG): 150 Yards, 1 TD

RB N. Harris (PIT): 131 Yards

WR C. Austin III (PIT): 2 TDs (1 Rec/1 Return)

DE T. Watt (PIT): 7 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FR

Watch: Steelers Hold Off Giants on Monday Night Football (26-18)

*Check tomorrow's edition for the Week 9 Power Rankings and NFL Pick 'Em Winners

NBA

Banchero Posts His 1st 50-Piece

Photo: Rich Storry / Getty Images

Rising Magic Superstar Paolo Banchero Goes for 50 Points in Epic Breakout Game

The first 50-piece of the NBA season has been found! We listed Paolo Banchero as a sleeper pick for MVP in the preseason, and he’s turning heads early on. Banchero had a career-high 50 points last night in Orlando (plus 13 rebounds and 9 assists) in a narrow win over the Pacers (119-115). He had 37 in the first half on 13-for-17 shooting before finishing 16-for-26 (61.5%). “It was just being in the zone,” Banchero said. “Felt like I was in an open gym.”

2nd Youngest Player With 50-10-5

At just 21 years old, Banchero’s 50-piece made all sorts of history. He became the youngest Orlando player with a 50-point game. He also became the second-youngest player with a 50-10-5 game (LeBron James, 2004). Now that's some good company.

Watch: Magic’s Paolo Banchero Drops 1st 50-Point Performance of NBA Season

Other Big Nights: Banchero wasn’t the only player who went off on ‘Equinox’ night. Seven other players went for 30-plus, and former 2x MVP Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) scored 40 for the second straight game.

NBA Scores & Highlights

Celtics def. Bucks (119-108)

Jaylen Brown (30 pts), Boston Stays Perfect (4-0)

Suns def. Lakers (109-105)

Kevin Durant (30 pts, 8 rebs), Lakers’ 1st Loss

Nuggets def. Raptors (127-125, OT)

Nikola Jokic (40 pts, 10 rebs)

Full NBA Scoreboard

SOCCER

The Ballon d'Or Controversy

Photo: Franck Fife / Getty Images

Manchester City’s Rodri (M) & Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati (F) Win 2024 Ballon d’Or Awards, But One Snub Made Headlines

Soccer royalty traveled to Paris on Monday night for the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala — a celebration of the past year’s achievements in the global sport. The Ballon d’Or trophy is awarded to the best soccer player(s) in the world, but this year’s decision arrived amid extra controversy. Manchester City’s Rodri won the men’s award while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati was selected as the women’s winner. Bonmati’s recognition was obvious, and it was her second straight Ballon d’Or, but where in the world was Vinicius Jr.?

Vini vs. Rodri

Rodri has been a star for City this past year, a club that won the treble just one year ago. He was also named the best player at Euro 2024 as he helped lift the European title for Spain. But Brazilian speedster Vinicius Jr. was the head-and-shoulders favorite until a few days ago. Vini's Real Madrid club also won the La Liga, Spanish Supercopa and Champions League crowns. Let’s compare:

Rodri: 12 Goals, 15 Assists

Vinicius Jr.: 26 Goals, 12 Assists

Huh? The entire Real Madrid team boycotted the ceremony in Paris after the winners list was leaked early, and Vini’s teammates — past and present — posted on social media to support their friend. Another young Madrid star, Jude Bellingham, finished third.

B/R: Rodri Wins 2024 Ballon d’Or as Fans Lament Vinicius Jr.’s Award Snub

HIGHLIGHTS 🎥

⚽️ MLS Cup Playoffs (Round 1)

Cincinnati def. NYCFC (1-0)

CIN Leads (1-0)

Seattle def. Houston (0-0, PKs)

SEA Leads Series (1-0)

🏒 NHL

Panthers def. Sabres (5-2)

Barkov, Bennett & Reinhart (1G, 1A Each)

Sharks def. Utah HC (5-4, OT)

Alex Wennberg Wins It, Sharks Get 1st Win