WORLD SERIES-GAME 3
Mets host Royals in Game 3
NEW YORK (AP) β A pair of hard-throwing pitchers will square off when the Mets host Kansas City in Game 3 of the World Series in New York tonight.
The Royals go with Yordano Ventura, while the Mets will start rookie Noah Syndergaard. Ventura’s fastball averaged 96.3 mph during the season, while Syndergaard’s was clocked at an average of 97.1 according to STATS.
Ventura is averaging just over five innings a game in his three post-season starts. He’s 0-0 with a 4.02 ERA.
Syndergaard is 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA.
With the switch to the National League ballpark, pitchers will have to hit for themselves. That’s means Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales will start the game on the bench.
Kansas City heads into the game in the driver’s seat after sweeping the opening two games of the series at home.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Bulls, Pistons in early season showdown
UNDATED (AP) β The Detroit Pistons are off to surprising 2-0 start to the NBA season, the same as Central Division rival Chicago.
The two meet in Auburn Hills tonight in one of 12 games on the NBA schedule.
The early season success has the Pistons two games over .500 for the first time in six years.
Defending NBA champ Golden State heads to Houston following their season opening win over New Orleans.
LeBron James and the Cavaliers host his old team, Miami which won its season opener. The Cavs have split their two games.
New Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan returns to Florida with the Thunder to take on Orlando. He spent 19 years coaching the University of Florida, where he elevated the Gators program to two national championships.
NASCAR-CHASE
Qualifying at Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) β The NASCAR Chase heads to the half-mile Martinsville oval this weekend with qualifying set for later today.
Sunday’s race is the seventh in the 10-race playoff series, and the first of the third round.
Joey Logano is one of eight drivers still in the hunt for the season title after he swept all three races in second round.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Sputtering Canadiens back in action
UNDATED (AP) β The Montreal Canadiens will be trying to end a two-game losing streak tonight when they skate into Calgary.
The mini-slump comes on the heels of a franchise-best 9-0 start to the season.
The Canadiens looked like they were on the way to a tenth win when they jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead at Edmonton, before losing 4-3 to the Oilers.
Washington is off to a fast start to the season, winning six of their eight games. They’ll host last place Columbus which has won two straight under new coach John Tortorella.
The Rangers head into tonight’s play with slow-starting Toronto, tied with the Islanders for first in the Metropolitan Division. The Maple Leafs have only won once in eight games this season.
There are nine games on the NHL schedule.
FIFA-INVESTIGATION
Blatter: FIFA votes suspect
LONDON (AP) β Sepp Blatter has cast further doubt on the integrity of World Cup votes, blaming Michel Platini for scuttling an agreement to award the 2022 tournament to the United States and suggesting Qatar benefited from collusion.
The suspended FIFA (FEE’-fuh) president spoke to the Financial Times almost a year after a FIFA investigation exonerated 2018 host Russia and 2022 winner Qatar of corruption in winning the contentious dual votes in 2010.
Blatter told the FT that there had been a behind-the-scenes agreement in place, to award the hosting rights to Russia and the United States. He claims there was governmental interference in France before European soccer head Platini voted for Qatar. Platini denies wrongdoing as do Russia and Qatar.
GOLF-CIMB CLASSIC
Thomas leads in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) β Justin Thomas had an eagle and nine birdies in a course-record 11-under 61 to take the lead after the second round of the CIMB Classic.
Thomas moved to 15-under for a one-stroke lead over Brendan Steele, who shot a 63.
Thomas leads at the halfway point for the third time in his career, but is still looking for his first PGA Tour win.
GOLF-LPGA
Kim takes lead
HAINAN ISLAND, China (AP) β South Korea’s Sei Young Kim overcome windy conditions to shot a par 72 and take the lead after the second round of the Blue Bay LPGA.
Kim has won a pair of tournaments in the wind this year in the Bahamas and Hawaii.
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen is a shot back after a 3-under 69, the best round of the day. She’s tied with Candie Kung, Ryann O’Toole and Austin Ernst.
