History in the Major Leagues: Indians vs. Cubs

Danny Doherty

Staff Writer

We’re getting close people. The improbable Cubs V. Indians World Series is knocking at America’s doorstep.

 It’s been over 100 years for the Cubbies, and more than 60 for the Cleveland faithful since the baseball title has been regained in their home. We’ve seen losing seasons, a play that ruined Bartman’s life, and everything in between. And up until two years ago, this matchup, these teams competing for a winning record, was something that was written up in fairytales.

 Joe Maddon and Terry Francona. Plastered with young talent, winning trades, huge free agents, and brilliant general managers, the keys in these teams success has been the men at the helm of the team. Francona came from a long, successful history in Boston, and in a few years has a taken a roster of misfits and built them up into a team that swept Boston in Big Papi’s finale just a week ago. Maddon took a handful of some of the best young talent in the game, and gave the Cubs the best rotation in the game, and one of the most dynamic and multidimensional lineups today. Without these two at the helm, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

 Now into the teams themselves. The Cubs have compiled two franchise starters, transformed a lackluster Orioles’ pitcher into a Cy Young winner, and turned an Ivy League pitcher into the statistically best pitcher in baseball. Not to mention having arguably the most sought after young lineup in the game (Rizzo, Bryant, Russell, Soler, Heyward), not to mention last year’s postseason star (Schwarber) has missed the entire year. The Indians have grown from the helm, making an inefficient starting rotation into one that makes the most out of every situation. Combined with arguably the best bullpen arm in the game today from a deadline trade with the Yankees, Francona didn’t need Jonathan Lucroy at the deadline to make the most fundamental lineup in baseball click, starting with the young talent of their own in Francisco Lindor.

 When it comes right down to it, on paper the Cubs have the edge. They’re due, they have the talent, the support, and have been in this place last year. The Indians are the underdogs. They look to bring Cleveland its second major title this year, but have a long ways to go, and with limited postseason experience on the team, an uphill battle will be fought to get there.

 The teams of Hollywood’s Henry Rowengartner and Wild Thing (further proving the insanity of this matchup) look to make for one of the most exciting postseason clashes in recent baseball memory.

*UPDATE They did it folks, and Indians took game one. Shutout the Cubbies. Indians in 6, betting on it.

Eagles and Carson Wentz defeat the Vikings

Will Kelley and Parker Cane

Staff Writers

Carson Wentz, the Eagles savior. Last year in the 2016 NFL draft Carson Wentz, the six-foot-six, 240-pound quarterback out of North Dakota State was drafted. In his college career, he lead his team to back to back NCAA Division 1 FCS national championships in 2014 and 2015. His record as a starter was 20-3 in the two seasons. Wentz went 2nd overall after Jared Goff the new addition to the newly moved Los Angeles Rams. Many people were sceptical about Carson Wentz because he didn’t come out of “Top line” colleges like other top five picks like. Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State), Jared Goff (Cal), Joey Bosa (Ohio State), and top pick cornerback Jalen Ramsey out of FSU. The Eagles 3-0 hot start was no joke. Right now,  Carson Wentz has seven TDS, one interception, 1,186 yards and RPG of 99.9. Very good for a rookie quarterback in his first couple of games.  Carson Wentz’s play was exceptional, he passed for 770 scrimmage yards mostly to WR Jordan Matthews and led the Eagles to 3 straight wins.  The Eagles Offense was very good these first three games of the season but due to a recent suspension,  star Right Tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for performance enhancing drugs. He will miss up to week 14 of the Eagles season.

 Three Sundays ago, the Eagles faced the new young Detroit Lions, star receiver Marvin Jones and QB Matthew Stafford combined for 205 receiving yards. Carson Wentz had a very good game but late game pressure caused an interception to seal the game, many people called this a typical “rookie mistake.” Two Sundays ago the Eagles played the Redskins at Washington. The Redskins put tremendous pressure on Wentz even on the first play of the game. Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan sacked Wentz for a loss of six yards, in the process he ripped Wentz’s jersey almost in half. Throughout the game the Eagles offensive line struggled due to the loss of Lane Johnson and outside Linebackers had an easy path right to Wentz’s back.

 Last weekend the Eagles played the hot 5-0 Vikings at home at 1:00 PM. The Eagles played exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 10 points and only 282 yards, much better than the previous weeks. The defense sacked Sam Bradford six times and got hit 12 times. In the first couple minutes of the game, Wentz turned the ball over three times in 10 minutes and had two interceptions. He was picked off twice by star cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The game was almost scoreless heading into halftime, but a speech by head coach Doug Pederson, probably talked some pep into the Eagles. The Eagles came out on the second half very hot and hungry. They forced the Vikings to a field goal their first drive. On the following kickoff, Josh Huff, draft pick out of Oregon State returned the kick for a 98-yard touchdown. The Eagles defense continued to have success and force Bradford to throw away the ball. Dropped passes hurt the Vikings. The Eagles offense played well, chipping away at the Vikings’ defense throughout the game. Screen passes to Ryan Mathews and Nelson Agholor helped to the Eagles get big yardage gains. With the score being 24-3,the Vikings had a late game touchdown but the Eagles were able to hold them off and continue their playoff quest.

Optimistic Hopes For The 76ers This Year

Lear Asplundh and Nathan Newman

Staff Writers

With the 2016-2017 NBA season upon us, the Philadelphia 76ers seem to be poised for a breakout year. First overall pick Ben Simmons, out of LSU, will be paired with rookie Joel Embiid to create an exciting front court. Hall of Fame players have touted Ben Simmons to be a LeBron James-type player. They share great court vision and a gifted passing ability, as well as excellent athleticism.

Combining Simmons with Joel Embiid, a very efficient post scorer, could create a dangerous pick and roll offense. The 12th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Dario Saric, is also coming over from Croatia. The 6’10 forward will bring a lot of potential and excitement to the 76ers this year. Saric, who has spent the past five years overseas, will bring a shooting and passing ability that the Sixers need desperately.

With a very young core of players brought to the team by former GM Sam Hinkie, the Sixers needed a veteran presence from free agency. Bryan Colangelo has done a great job filling this void by signing point guards Sergio Rodriguez and Jerryd Bayless. Although all of this talent has been added to the roster in such a short time, the team will probably continue to struggle. The young core of players has a lot to learn before they find success in the NBA.

As the 2017 draft nears, this year’s draft class is showing potential to be great. The Sixers have the rights to swap draft picks with the Sacramento Kings, which could potentially land them a top three pick. The Sixers also have the Los Angeles Lakers’ top three protected pick. The 2017 draft could be the last piece of the puzzle for the talented young Sixers team to become great.

Projected Starting Five:

1. PG Sergio Rodriguez
2. SG Jerryd Bayless
3. SF Robert Covington
4. PF Dario Saric
5. C Nerlens Noel

Projected Win Total:

27-55