WSJM Sports

MLB – Major League Baseball

Yesterday

Chicago White Sox 7, Cleveland Indians 2 – 7 Innings/Game 1

Cleveland Indians 5, Chicago White Sox 3 – 7 Innings/Game 2

Cubs and Tigers are off

White Sox 7, Indians 2/Indians 5, White Sox 3 – White Sox take division crown

The American League has its first division title winner of the season.  The White Sox have clinched the AL Central title by taking Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Indians, 7-2.  Tim Anderson homered twice and had four RBIs while Chicago built a 7-0 lead by the second inning. Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez added back-to-back solo homers for the White Sox, who will be making back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in their 121-season history. The Sox hadn’t won a division crown since 2008.  In the nightcap, Oscar Mercado delivered a two-run, walk-off homer in the seventh as Cleveland earned a split with a 5-3 victory. Owen Miller hit a two-run single to put the Indians ahead in the sixth, but Chicago tied it in the seventh on an error by Yu Chang.

Tonight

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m./8:05 p.m. (doubleheader)

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians, 7:10 p.m.

Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m.                Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM 6:50 p.m.

MLB – MLB, union send notices of intent to seek labor changes

Major League Baseball and the players’ association sent the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service letters of intent to seek new labor terms as the Dec. 1 expiration of the sport’s collective bargaining agreement approaches. The notices are a formality under federal labor law required during every negotiation. They were exchanged on Aug. 26 by Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and Ian Penny, the general counsel of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Negotiations have proceeded slowly and both sides appear to be bracing for a lockout that could start either on Dec. 1 or when players are scheduled to report to spring training.

NFL – National Football League – Week 3

Tonight

Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.

Panthers 24, Texas 9 – Panthers down Houston on Thursday night

The Carolina Panthers completed a 24-9 win over the Texans after losing Christian McCaffrey to an injury early in the second quarter. Sam Darnold threw for 304 yards and ran for two touchdowns, putting the game away when he bulled in from 1-yard out to make it 24-9 with four minutes left.

Sunday

Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m.                    Rock 107 WIRX 12:00

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m.

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m.

NFL – Lions coach compares Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to Michael Vick

Lamar Jackson makes dynamic plays with his speedy legs and powerful right arm, lifting the Baltimore Ravens to impressive wins such as their latest one over Kansas City. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says Jackson's skill set compares to Michael Vick Jackson is also close to the former Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback in the NFL record books. He ran for 100 yards for the ninth time in the regular season to pull within one of Vick’s league record in the win over the Chiefs.

NFL – Ready or not, Bears QB Fields starting against Browns

Justin Fields' moment arrived quickly. The Bears weren't going to start the rookie quarterback until they were sure he was ready. Well ready or not, he'll make his first NFL start on Sunday in Cleveland because Andy Dalton has an injured knee. Fields played in Chicago's first two games, but starting is different. The former Ohio State star will be facing a revamped Cleveland defense trying to sort through some early-season struggles. The Browns are expected to have wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Grace Chisek and Samantha Dietz Watervliet volleyball are the winner's  of the Mid-West Family Athlete of the Week for the week of September 20, 2021.

It's not very often when a pair of teammates both break MHSAA records in the same game... but that's exactly what Grace and Samantha accomplished in their match against Saugatuck,

Grace set the record for most assists during a match with 53.

Samantha set the record for most kills in a match with 35.

Both Grace and Sam carry 4.0 GPA's in the classroom and are both members of the Watervliet Basketball and Softball teams.

You can listen to Jordan Jensen's conversation with Grace and Sam below!

Cage Davison of Lakeshore High School football is the winner of the Mid-West Family Athlete of the Week for the week of September 13, 2021.

In the Lancer's 35-14 win over Mattawan, Cage made huge plays in all 3 phases of the game. Offensively, Cage had 2 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Cage had 2 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. And if that wasn't enough, Cage had an 89 yard kick return touchdown as well.

The Week prior, cage had impressive numbers as well. In the Lancer's win against Kalamzoo United, Cage had 6 receptions for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Cage is also a member of the Lakeshore Track Team. Last year, Cage placed 3rd in the Long Jump Finals at the Individual State Meet and earned All State Honors.

Off the field, Cage has a been a key member of his church's YoungLife program.

Listen to Jordan Jensen's conversation with Cage below!

Brennan Bornas of Watervliet High school boys soccer is the winner of the Mid-West Family Athlete of the Week of September 6, 2021.

Brennan helped lead the Panther's to two big wins over Delton Kellogg and Paw Paw. First, against Delton Kellogg, Brennan scored 4 goals for the Panthers in their 6-2 win. He then followed that up a day later with 3 more goals in the team's 6-0 win over Paw Paw.

Brennan is also a member of the Watervliet men's basketball team.

Brennan, who will graduate in June of 2021, spent some of his summer heading into his senior year job shadowing lawyers.

Listen to Jordan Jensen's conversation with Brennan below!

Bol Bak of Lawrence High school is the winner of the Mid-West Family Athlete of the Week for the week of  August 30th, 2021.

In Lawrence's season opener against Marcellus, Bol made plays all over the field. Offensively, as the Tigers' starting Quarterback, Bol threw for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns, and also ran for 106 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Bol had 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and a game sealing interception with 46 seconds left in the game.

Bol is also a varsity member of the Lawrence's basketball, baseball, and track teams.

Listen to Jordan Jensen's conversation with Bol below...

MLB – Major League Baseball

Yesterday

Minnesota Twins 5, Chicago Cubs 4

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, PPD, Rain – rescheduled for Monday 9/27      

Twins 5, Cubs 4 – Kepler homers twice, Ryan’s 11 Ks lead Twins over Cubs 5-4

Max Kepler homered twice, rookie Joe Ryan struck out a season-high 11, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4. Kepler staked the Twins to a 2-0 lead with a homer in the first inning and hit a tiebreaking drive in the fourth for his 11th multihomer game, his second time this season. The Cubs and Twins are both 67-85, nearing the end of disappointing season. Chicago lost for the ninth time in 11 games.

White Sox at Tigers, PPD – White Sox-Tigers game postponed until Monday due to rain

Wednesday’s game between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park has been postponed because of rain. The game will be made up on Monday afternoon. The Tigers stalled the White Sox’s drive for the AL Central title with a 5-3 victory on Tuesday. Chicago's magic number for clinching the division remains at two. It plays the second-place Cleveland Indians on the road in a five-game series beginning today. Chicago is closing in on its first division title in 13 years.

Tonight

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians, 1:10 p.m./6:10 p.m. – Doubleheader

Cubs and Tigers are off

NFL – National Football League

Tonight

Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.

NFL – Fields to make first start for Bears with Dalton injured

Justin Fields is set to make his first start for the Chicago Bears. Coach Matt Nagy says the team will go with the prized rookie quarterback when the Bears visit the Cleveland Browns this week with veteran Andy Dalton sidelined because of a left knee injury. Nagy says Dalton remains the team’s No. 1 quarterback for now and the plan is for him to be the starter when he is healthy. Nagy adds the three-time Pro Bowler is week to week, though the Bears don’t think he will be placed on injured reserve. Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles will be the backup quarterback.

NFL – NFL chief medical officer explains 2021 testing procedures

The NFL’s chief medical officer notes that daily testing of all players for COVID-19, something the union’s president has pushed for, has its strengths and weaknesses. Using the situations for many doctors and nurses as a comparison, Dr. Allen Sills says testing is one component of fighting through the pandemic. Nearly 94% of NFL players are vaccinated, and Sills is encouraged by that number — particularly because of how that number has grown since midsummer.

NHL – NHL camps open as teams take stock of unvaccinated players

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman says forward Tyler Bertuzzi's is Detroit's only unvaccinated player. Bertuzzi will not be able to play games in Canada unless federal laws there change. Detroit plays nine games north of the border. Bertuzzi is in line to forfeit over $450,000 of salary for that time because NHL protocols allow teams to suspend unvaccinated players when they are not available to participate. Edmonton GM Ken Holland says one Oilers player is unvaccinated. The NHL says it expects to have 10 to 15 unvaccinated players out of about 700 when the season begins.

NHL – NHL finds no evidence Evander Kane gambled on games

The NHL has found no evidence that San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane bet on NHL games or tried to throw games after investigating allegations made by his estranged wife. Anna Kane alleged in an Instagram post this summer that Kane bet on NHL games and was “obviously throwing games to win money,” launching a probe by the league. The league is still investigating allegations of physical and sexual abuse made by Anna Kane. The Sharks say Kane will not take part in training camp until fur...

MLB – Major League Baseball

Yesterday

Detroit Tigers 5, Chicago White Sox 3

Minnesota Twins 9, Chicago Cubs 5

Tigers 5, White Sox 3 – White Sox lose to Tigers, putting AL Central clinch on hold

Akil Baddoo and Victor Reyes drove in two runs apiece and the Detroit Tigers stalled the Chicago White Sox’s drive for the AL Central title with a 5-3 victory. The magic number for the White Sox to clinch the division remained at two games. Reyes had four of Detroit’s 16 hits. Daz Cameron reached base four times and scored two runs for the Tigers, who have won the first two games of the three-game series. The White Sox have lost five of their last seven games.

Twins 9, Cubs 5 – Gordon homers, 4 Twins get 3 hits, Minnesota tops Cubs 9-5

Nick Gordon hit a two-run homer and two singles, Josh Donaldson and Max Kepler each had three hits and two RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5. Mitch Garver added three singles and an RBI in his return from a back injury to help last-place Minnesota end a two-game slide. Byron Buxton had two hits and scored twice as the Twins rode a 16-hit attack to win for just the third time in nine games. Willson Contreras and Trayce Thompson cracked solo shots for the Cubs at breezy Wrigley Field.

Tonight

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m.                  94.9 WSJM-FM/103.7 Cosy-FM 12:50

Minnesota Twins at Chicago Cubs, 7:40 p.m.

MLB – Grievance over shortened MLB season opens Monday

In the midst of difficult negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, Major League Baseball and its players’ association are scheduled to start a grievance hearing next Monday over the union’s claim the 2020 pandemic-affected season was too short. The timing of the hearing was disclosed to The Associated Press by people familiar with the litigation who spoke on condition they not be identified. Martin Scheinman, who took over as baseball’s impartial arbitrator after the clubs fired Mark Irvings, will hear the case about the coronavirus-impacted season. If the union prevails, MLB might be liable for hundreds of millions in damages.

NFL – Lions searching for a defensive base after two weeks

Two games into the season, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is still trying to find a foundation for his struggling defense. After giving up 41 points in a season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions allowed 35 in an 18-point loss on Monday night. Only the Atlanta Falcons (80) have allowed more points in their first two games than Detroit.

NFL – Mannings' "MNF" broadcast jumps 138%, averages 1.9 million

The “Monday Night Football” presentation with Peyton and Eli Manning increased its viewership by 138% over last week’s debut, becoming the most-watched alternate telecast in ESPN history. ESPN and Nielsen reported that the Mannings’ freewheeling telecast of the Green Bay Packers’ 35-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on ESPN2 averaged 1.9 million viewers. The Week 1 overtime thriller between the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders averaged 800,000. NFL viewership is up 14% over the first two weeks last year, according to the league and Nielsen. The 17.7 million average viewership is the highest since 2016.

NFL – New Orleans: Flames shoot up side of Superdome roof, put out

Smoke and flames shot up the side of the Superdome's roof after a pressure washer being used to clean the roof of the New Orleans arena caught fire. The New Orleans Fire Department says it responded to the rooftop fire shortly after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. A short time later, fire officials say, the flames were under control. Crews have been power washing the roof to prepare it to be painted. Authorities said it appeared a pressure washer caught fire. Damage was still being assessed. Emergency officials said on Twitter that one person was t...

NFL – National Football League – Week 2

Last Night

Green Bay Packers 35, Detroit Lions 17

Packers 35, Lions 17 – Packers dominate 2nd half, bounce back to beat Lions 35-17

Aaron Jones caught three of Aaron Rodgers’ four touchdown passes and rushed for a fourth score, and the Green Bay Packers had a welcome return to normal after an embarrassing opening-week loss. The Packers beat the Detroit Lions 35-17. Green Bay won its ninth straight home opener. The Packers got thumped 38-3 by New Orleans in Week 1. Against Detroit, the Packers looked more like the team that went 13-3 in each of coach Matt LaFleur’s first two seasons. Rodgers went 22 of 27 for 255 yards and surpassed John Elway for 10th all-time in passing yards. The Lions blew a 17-14 halftime lead and fell to 0-2.

NFL – New coach, new QB, same early results for struggling Lions

The Detroit Lions’ new coach and quarterback are off to a start that resembles the team’s previous regimes. Detroit brought in Dan Campbell to replace the fired Matt Patricia. When longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford wanted out, the Lions sent him to the Los Angeles Rams in a deal that brought Jared Goff as his replacement. The faces have changed. But the results have been the same thus far for a franchise trying to avoid a fourth straight season with double-digit losses.

NFL – Colts unsure of Wentz's status after spraining both ankles

The Indianapolis Colts won't know until later this week whether quarterback Carson Went will play at Tennessee after spraining both ankles in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Colts coach Frank Reich says he does not yet have a timeline for a return. Wentz hurt his right ankle midway through the fourth quarter and did not return. Wentz hurt his left ankle earlier in the game.

MLB – Major League Baseball

Yesterday

Detroit Tigers 4, Chicago White Sox 3

Cubs were off

Tigers 4, White Sox 3 – White Sox lose 4-3 to Tigers but close in on division crown

Carlos Rodón was pulled with soreness after a rocky third inning and the Chicago White Sox, closing in on the AL Central title, squandered a three-run lead in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Despite the defeat, Chicago’s magic number to clinch the division dropped to two when second-place Cleveland was swept by Kansas City in a doubleheader. The White Sox can wrap up their first AL Central crown in 13 years Tuesday — and secure a second consecutive playoff berth for the first time in franchise history — with a win over Detroit and another Indians loss to the Royals. Harold Castro’s eighth-inning single broke a 3-all tie for the Tigers.

Tonight

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m.  TIME CHANGED!!!!     94.9 WSJM-FM/103.7 Cosy-FM 12:50

Minnesota Twins at Chicago Cubs, 7:40 p.m.

NCAAFB – Stingy Wisconsin defense readies for Coan, Fighting Irish

Wisconsin ranks second in the nation in total defense but believes it can still improve. The next step is getting the ball back by producing turnovers. Wisconsin has only one takeaway through its first two games. The 18th-ranked Badgers will try to change that Saturday. They will face former teammate Jack Coan in a highly anticipated showdown with No. 12 Notre Dame at Soldier Field.

NCAAFB – Commissioners to share feedback on CFP expansion proposal

The College Football Playoff management committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the feedback members have received from campuses since a 12-team expansion plan was unveiled in June. The 10 major college football conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director then plan to reconvene early next week in Chicago with the university presidents who make up the CFP’s board of managers. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby says Wednesday's meeting in North Texas will be a chance to work on "reconciling wh...

NFL – National Football League – Week 2

Yesterday

Chicago Bears 20, Cincinnati Bengals 17

Los Angeles Rams 27, Indianapolis Colts 24

Bears 20, Bengals 17 – Fields takes over for injured Dalton, Bears win

Justin Fields played the second half after Andy Dalton exited with a knee injury against his former team, and the rookie quarterback used Chicago’s stellar defensive performance to direct the Bears to a 20-17 victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Roquan Smith returned an interception 53 yards for his first career touchdown, one of three straight picks thrown by Burrow during the decisive stretch in Chicago’s first win of the season. Fields took over on Chicago’s final drive of the second quarter after getting in on a handful of plays prior to that. But the biggest key for the Bears was the defense bouncing back after it was picked apart by Matthew Stafford in a season-opening loss at the Los Angeles Rams.

Rams 27, Colts 24 – Stafford leads Rams to late scores in 27-24 win over Colts

Matthew Stafford led Los Angeles on two late scoring drives and Matt Gay made a tiebreaking field goal with 2:23 to go to give the Rams a 27-24 victory at Indianapolis. Stafford finished 19 of 30 with 278 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. The Colts fell to 0-2 and it could get worse with a three-game road trip looming and the status of quarterback Carson Wentz in doubt. He left with a right ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter and did not return.

Tonight

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.         Rock 107 WIRX 7:00

Other NFL Scores

Buffalo 35, Miami 0

Carolina 26, New Orleans 7

Cleveland 31, Houston 21

Denver 23, Jacksonville 13

Las Vegas 26, Pittsburgh 17

New England 25, N.Y. Jets 6

San Francisco 17, Philadelphia 11

Arizona 34, Minnesota 33

Tampa Bay 48, Atlanta 25

Dallas 20, L.A. Chargers 17

Tennessee 33, Seattle 30, OT

Baltimore 36, Kansas City 35

MLB – Major League Baseball

Yesterday

Detroit Tigers 2, Tampa Bay Rays 0

Chicago Cubs 6, Milwaukee Brewers 1

Chicago White Sox 7, Texas Rangers 2

Tigers 2, Rays 0 – Tigers, Peralta slow AL-East leading Rays 2-0

Wily Peralta gave up three hits in seven innings, and Eric Haase and Dustin Garneau homered for the Detroit Tigers in a 2-0 win over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Peralta (4-3) and three relievers limited the Rays to five singles as Detroit, third in the AL Central at 72-78, won for the seventh time in 10 games. Tampa Bay has 12 games to play and began the day with a 7 1/2-game lead in the AL East and headed to its second straight division title. Peralta walked three and threw a season-high 100 pitches.

Cubs 6, Brewers 1 – Wisdom sets Cubs rookie record with 27th HR, beat Brewers

Patrick Wisdom set a Cubs rookie record with his 27th home run as Chicago downed the Brewers, 6-4. Wisdom’s three-run blast capped a five-run eighth that prevented the Brewers from reducing their magic number to three for winning the NL Central. He broke the previous club mark set by Kris Bryant in 2015.

White Sox 7, Rangers 2 – Abreu, White Sox closer to AL Central title, beat Rangers

José Abreu matched the major league RBI lead and the Chicago White Sox moved closer to the AL Central title with a 7-2 win over the Texas Rangers. Yasmani Grandal homered for the second game in a row. His leadoff homer in the fourth inning ignited a five-run outburst that Abreu capped with a two-run single to give him 113 RBIs. The magic number is four for Chicago to win the division title over second-place Cleveland. Lucas Giolito worked in the sixth inning for his 10th victory. Rangers starter Jordan Lyles didn't make it out of the fourth.

Jordan Jenson chats with this week's "Player of the Week" Cage Davison of Lakeshore HS Football.