Liverpool merecía ser campeón de Europa

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El Liverpool venció 2 a 0 al Tottenham con goles de Salah (de penal) y Origi para conseguir la sexta Copa de Europa de su historia en el Wanda Metropolitano de Madrid.

Iban poco mas de 20 segundos y ya el partido era otro.

Una nueva reglamentación de la FIFA ha entrado en vigor, y ahora, cualquier mano en el área es penal.

Salah aprovechó el regalo del mediocampista del Tottenham, y desde temprano ya estaban en ventaja.

Fue un adiós a las estrategias y un replanteamiento de todo. Ahora, el Liverpool jugaba mas tranquilo, sabiendo la necesidad del Tottenham.

EL Tottenham atacó y tuvo varias oportunidades, especialmente en la segunda mitad, pero se encontró con Allison en cada una de ellas.

El portero que llegó a reforzar esta posición aguantó, y detuvo varios disparos peligrosos, tal y como hizo en la semifinal contra el Barcelona, y dio pie para que Origi sentenciara el juego.

¿Fue la final que esperábamos?

Probablemente no, pero fue suficiente para premiar al que fue sin duda, el mejor equipo de la temporada en Europa, un eslabón mas arriba que el Manchester City de Guardiola.

La final no fue tan entretenida como fueron los octavos, cuartos y semifinales del torneo, con remontadas impresionantes e inesperadas, pero así son las finales.

Se juegan para ganar, y no para hacer feliz al público.

El Liverpool como el mejor de Europa

Ricardo Montes de Oca, Alejandro Villegas y Bruno Gómez analizaron la final de Madrid, que le dio cierre a la mejor Champions League que hemos tenido en los últimos años:

Disfrute de todos los capítulos de Cinco Razones Podcast haciendo click en este link.

Latest Miami Heat Beat: Raptors, Miami Moves, Draft

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Giancarlo Navas finally gets his opportunity to showcase his Toronto Raptors’ knowledge, while the guys discuss Heat draft nuggets and what to expect this offseason in Miami Heat Beat’s 208th episode.

The guys broke into an NBA Finals debate and how the Raptors will perform in its franchise’s first championship appearance against the defending-champion Golden State Warriors. Nekias points out that, ironically, the Warriors will be the worst defense the Raptors have faced in the playoffs.

Navas spoke with his Raptors’ guests about how Toronto can utilize screening to open up Kyle Lowry and the Raptors’ offense. On the defensive side, the Raptors’ potential ability to shut down the Stephen Curry-Draymond Green pick-and-roll because of the flexibility that players like Pascal Siakam provide is an upside for Toronto in this matchup. Marc Gasol could potentially be a liability if the Warriors force him to switch on Curry, pointing towards the possibility of the Spaniard struggling.

Toronto was also 2-0 in the regular season when facing the Warriors. Navas also provided a hot take, in which he believes the return of Kevin Durant would actually provide a more natural defensive matchup for the Raptors. He also believes in Lowry to win Finals MVP. The predictions were overwhelmingly Raptors, with just Alex and Leif choosing the favoring Warriors to three peat.

The guys pivoted from talking about the team in the North to draft talk for the team in South Beach.

Heat talk opened by discussing Miami’s former assistant Juwan Howard’s move to Michigan, which was broken by Miami Heat Beat, and how G-League Coach of the Year and Westchester Knicks coach Mike Miller may join Howard on the Wolverine coaching staff, according to Leif. Five Reasons Sports also reported that the chances of Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside opting out of their respective contracts is “zero percent”.

Zach Lowe had reported in a podcast that the Heat will be aggressive this summer in getting a star player, including the sign-and-trade market. The guys also find it unlikely that Pat Riley will use an asset like Josh Richardson to move up a couple spots in the draft. Other potential moves mentioned was a trade for Gordon Hayward and what his value would be like in today’s market, and a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler which would potentially cost the Heat Justise Winslow and Kelly Olynyk. Worst case scenario for Miami could be a silent offseason, in which no moves occur for the Heat in an expectedly hyperactive league-wide summer.

The guys then went around the table giving their take on who they think the Heat should grab at No. 13. Navas wants Rui Hachimura, Alex wants Sekou Doumbouya, Nekias wants Brandon Clarke and Brian wants Kevin Porter Jr. The latest draft chatter has the Heat wanting an athletic wing who can shoot and defend in the 6-foot-6 range, but would also take a power rotation player, if necessary. Leif truly believes this will be the offseason the Heat make a move for a primary scorer, despite chatter and reports that they’ve been looking to do this for multiple years.

To listen to Thursday’s episode, check out the link below.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t5tnj-b2e02b

Sandy Alcantara is solar powered, but not Marlins bats

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Sandy Alcantara is apparently solar powered. He has a 1.36 ERA in the five day games that he has pitched this season. 

Coming off the most efficient complete game in Marlins history — in which he threw an 89-pitch shutout against the New York Mets — Alcantara tossed six shutout innings, allowing two hits with five walks and three strikeouts. 

“It wasn’t Sandy’s best stuff,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “But he hung in there. He didn’t give up any runs, he got himself out of trouble. The way he hung in there, it definitely was a day that seemed like a battle for him all day long.”

The same couldn’t be said about the Marlins bats. Alcantara drove in Miami’s only run of the game and San Francisco Giants avoided the sweep with a 3-1 win on Thursday.

“Once you’ve gotten two [games], you don’t feel great about this one because we just didn’t do enough to win it,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s kind of that day game you’re seeing these days. Just not a lot of juice either side and it’s a different kind of game. But obviously, I’m disappointed we didn’t win today.”

Alcantara’s RBI scored Miguel Rojas, who’s double was his first extra base hit since April 20 against the Washington Nationals. It gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead in the second inning but their hitters weren’t able to do much afterwards.

Thursday was a day of firsts for a pair of Giants rookies. Starting pitcher Tyler Beede, who was called up after Wednesday’s game, knocked in his first MLB hit in the third inning. Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, drove in his first career RBI to tie the game 1-1 in the seventh inning.

The Giants took the lead in the eight inning off a two-run double by Brandon Crawford. The Marlins had a chance to retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning but Starlin Castro’s potential 3-run homer fell short at the warning track. 

During the game, Marlins first baseman Neil Walker strained his right quad while running to first base after a grounder. He left the game in the seventh inning and is currently day to day.

“We don’t know how severe it is,” Mattingly said. “The way he kind of pulls up tells you it’s going to be a little bit.”

The Marlins begin their six-day road trip to San Diego and Milwaukee on Friday.  Caleb Smith will pitch the first game of the Padres series and last game of the Brewers series. Unlike their last four opponents, both of these teams are above .500 so credibility will be earned if the Marlins’ hot play continues. 

Five Reasons: NBA Finals Predictions

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As the NBA Finals start Thursday, we sampled the opinions of the various members of the Five Reasons Sports Network — because, naturally, we know better than anyone.

And, naturally, our first host didn’t really give a result.

Here you go…

 

Giancarlo Navas, Miami Heat Beat:
My heart is telling me Raptors in 5 but my brain is saying Warriors in 7, it’s a huge gulf so it’s probably something in-between. Raptors in 7? Can’t see them winning a closeout in Oracle (the last game that will be played in that arena), and 5 seems a bit ambitious on my part.

The Raptor defense has been incredible this post-season, but the Warriors will present more off ball movement than any other series for them. The Sixers and Bucks offense wasn’t incredibly motion and ball movement based so the question of how much the Raptors will switch off-ball screens is front and center. They have the defensive versatility to switch 1-4 and maybe even 5 on some occasions with Ibaka and Siakam if he sees time at center, which is a possibility if OG Anunoby will be back this series.

Most important in this series is the way that the Raptors defend the Draymond/Steph high screen and roll. It’s been the key to the Durant-less offense and it looked lethal against the Blazers (ranked 16th in defense for the season for what it’s worth). If Durant plays in this series it will be a far less motion based offense and more elbow and isolation sets with Siakam and Kawhi probably sharing the Durant responsibility. I also feel this will oddly be the best series for Lowry, he will have the most space to operate against a small Warrior team unlike the giant Bucks and Sixer teams and it will be empirically the worst defense he will have seen these playoffs (Orlando was a top 10 defense this year!!!!). Look for a healthy dose of pick and roll for Kyle as the ball handler and screener. Klay will likely see the most time on him so Steph can’t be so easily put in pick and roll, he will likely be hidden on Danny Green who has been cold all post season. Similar to the Sixer series where they got away with leaving JJ Redick on him. Danny Green will be able to shoot over Curry so easily so if he gets going and Steph has to be moved onto Kyle that will change things dramatically.
*****
Alex Toledo, Miami Heat Beat:
As much as I want to go with the Raptors here, can’t say I believe the Warriors are losing until I see it. They also need to be the best version of themselves on the offensive end, which is gonna be tough considering Boogie Cousins is active for Game 1 and KD might be returning later in the series. The Raptors’ brilliant defensive scheme is what really gives them a shot, but the Warriors simply will have too many weapons for the Raptors to try and contain. Warriors in 6
*****
Ricardo Montes de Oca, Cinco Razones:

Warriors in 5. Yes, Kawhi is the best player in the world right now. Yes, the Raptors story is refreshing. And yet the Warriors, probably without one of the best player in this generation and with one of the starters with little minutes, are going to have an easy path for a three-peat. I cannot see Lowry and Gasol having a good series and I am giving one game to the Raptors, just because they have Kawhi.

*****
Jeremy Tache, Swings & Mishes:
In what world would I pick against the Warriors? I just…I can’t imagine that team losing 4 of their next 7 games after what I saw from them against the Blazers. While I think the Raptors are better than some might, and I believe Siakam and Lowry will outperform expectations, Curry and co. will be too much to handle. Yay for dynasties.
*****
Alejandro Villegas, Cinco Razones:
I think the Golden State Warriors will take it in six games, even though they´re probably not going to have Kevin Durant at all for the series. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors are going to make it interesting and give us a better NBA Finals than what we had last year, but I don´t see the Raptors winning four times against this Golden State team.
*****
Chris Wittyngham, Five Reasons flagship:
Warriors in 4. I think Giancarlo is going to occupy my “I think this series is closer than you think” corner. So I’m going the exact opposite end of the spectrum. As a basketball public, we spend a lot of time talking ourselves into competitors. For LeBron in the East. For the Warriors. Sometimes, there are no peers for the greats. This Golden State team is one of them. Sweep
*****
Alfredo Arteaga, 3 Yards Per Carry
The Raptors genuinely have one of the better teams to face Golden State by eastern conference standards, and might have the best player in the series. In the end, the greatest team of a generation has the experience and the collective will to impose their game on this series. Intangibles such as experience tend to matter much more in the championship rounds. Kawhi and a good Toronto team make it interesting, but fall short of a 7th game.
Warriors in 6.
*****
Josh Houtz, Fantasy On 5:
I’d be lying if I said I let the outcome of a basketball ruin my day. Truth is, I have not cared much about the sport since Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Muggsey Bogues played for the Charlotte Hornets. So it’s been awhile.
With all that said, I have watched more basketball over the last two months than I have in the last three years combined. And although the Golden State Warriors have reached Brady and the Patriots level of hatred, it’s still not the same.
However, my Finals prediction isn’t the same either. And while so many are taking the Warriors to win the series, I’m not. Instead, I’m going with the King of the North and NBA MVP Kawhi Leondard. He’s the best player on the court in these finals and when the  dust settles, he will be the one holding up the, *googles NBA trophy name* Larry O’Brien trophy?
Raptors in 6
*****
Greg Sylvander, Miami Heat Beat:
Warriors in 6
Steph Curry Finals MVP

Caliente Marlins secure series win over Giants

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The Miami Marlins continue their hot stretch by claiming their third out of the previous four series with a 2-4 win against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. 

Pablo Lopez threw six innings with only one earned run allowed on four hits and five strikeouts. He’s pitched like an ace in the friendly confines of Marlins Park. His 1.84 ERA at home is among the top 10 lowest in the National League. Nick Anderson picked up the win after a perfect seventh inning.

The lone blemish from Lopez was a solo home run by Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who has reached base safety in each of the last 22 games against the Marlins. 

The Marlins scored the first run on a sacrifice fly in the third inning by Starlin Castro. They retook the lead at 3-1 in the seventh inning off back-to-back pinch hits between Curtis Granderson and Neil Walker.

They added to their lead in the eighth inning at 4-1 after Castro hit the Marlins first triple of the season and was driven home by Harold Ramirez. 

Marlins closer Sergio Romo started the ninth inning off rocky, allowing a run on two hits, but secured his 11th save of the season. Romo began his career with the Giants during their run at three World Series titles from 2010-14.

“It’s fun playing against old teammates and friends,” said Romo, “but this counts and I’m glad I was able to keep them from tying the game.”

Sandy Alcantara (2-5, 4.50) will face off against Tyler Beede (0-1, 13.50) to close out the series on Thursday. 

Don’t bet on Heat getting opt out help

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With the exception of the surprising return of Dwyane Wade — once from the icy depths of Cleveland and once from the brink of retirement — nothing Heat fans have hoped for has happened of late.

The Jimmy Butler deal? Nah.

A big move at the 2018 trade deadline? Nope.

Getting in the playoffs or getting higher in the lottery standings? Uh uh. Miami ended up in the worst possible in between position.

Benefiting from some lottery luck? Course not.

So the latest hope trafficking — sorry @Lefty_Leif of Miami Heat Beat for stealing the reference — has concerned the chance that Hassan Whiteside ($27 million) and Goran Dragic ($19.2 million) could opt out of the last season of their contracts and free up cap space for the Heat go get a star.

That, essentially, two players who were benched for parts of this season (Dragic after an injury and Whiteside because of the ascension of Bam Adebayo) would help the Heat out of its mess. 

This notion resurfaced this week from the nether regions of Twitter, and started to make the rounds. Even I have made the case that Dragic could consider this, since he’s 32 years old and his family loves Miami — so maybe he would be open to opting out to take a team-friendly 3-year deal that gives him a little more security.

But after poking around some Wednesday, and connecting with someone very close to one of the two players, and with a knowledge of the Heat’s situation, I’m not going to sell this line to any Heat fans anymore. It just doesn’t appear to be in the cards. That source said there was “zero chance” that Dragic or Whiteside would opt out.

“Believe me.”

I’m gonna believe that.

And so should you.

Reshad Jones

The Reshad Jones situation is getting frostier

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One of the things that’s become apparent about new Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, during his increasingly comfortable press conferences, is that he can be direct without necessarily calling anyone out.

He was calm and in control again prior to Wednesday’s last OTA day, including when he was asked about the one proven player who is still not here:

Former Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones.

Jones is clearly not happy about something, though what that is depends on who you talk to. And it’s apparent that he’s not a long-term part of the Dolphins’ plan, as they try to rebuild this thing nearly from scratch, with the exception of the mega-deal cornerback Xavien Howard got and the one that left tackle Laremy Tunsil is likely to get.

In the meantime, the Dolphins have Bobby McCain working at safety rather than cornerback and Minkah Fitzpatrick is shuttling between positions in the new defense.

Flores has been preaching competition at every position — and as we discussed on a podcast we will be releasing later Wednesday, it will be interesting to see how that applies to the quarterback spot if Ryan Fitzpatrick clearly outplays Josh Rosen, when it makes more sense from a big picture perspective to play Rosen.

But this answer about Jones and whether he would get his old spot back?

Also interesting.

Message?

Kind of.

Flores comes from New England, where he learned under Bill Belichick for a decade and a half.

Belichick doesn’t tolerate distractions of any kind.

Jones is the first test case.

Let’s see if he shows at the mandatory minicamp next week.

 

 

Se perdió el romanticismo en las Grandes Ligas

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Se acabó el romanticismo en el beisbol de Grandes Ligas.

Yonny Chirinos estaba lanzando no hit no run en su última salida con los Rays de Tampa tras cinco entradas de labor.

Leandro Soto, de Cinco Razones Podcast, se encontraba presente en el Tropicana Field, la última parada de su viaje por el fin de semana de Memorial Day, disfrutando de la victoria parcial del equipo de casa.

Los Rays ganaban cuatro a cero en la parte alta del sexto episodio, cuando Leandro, de carácter volátil, se dio cuenta que era el relevista Oliver Drake quien vendría a lanzar.

“Me levanté y me fui,” dijo Leandro sobre ese momento.

Para Leandro y para muchos fans que estuvieron en el estadio ese día, era incomprensible que el manager Kevin Cash sacara al lanzador abridor cuando apenas tenía 69 lanzamientos, y no había permitido ni un imparable.

Cada vez es mas difícil enamorar a los fanáticos jóvenes en los Estados Unidos. Y momentos así, no ayudan a convencer a aquellos indiferentes.

Drake permitió un imparable del primer bateador que enfrentó, y así, se acabó la magia que enmarca la posibilidad de ver un no-hitter en vivo.

Cambios en el beisbol moderno y menos romanticismo

El beisbol está atravesando un momento en el que muchas de sus bases están tambaleando en búsqueda de atraer a nuevas audiencias.

Los equipos, por su parte, siguen buscando maneras de maximizar sus inversiones y convertirlas en victorias, aunque esto no sea lo más atractivo para los fanáticos.

¿Se está perdiendo el romanticismo en el beisbol como dice Leandro? ¿Hay manera de hacer que los fanáticos vayan a los estadios, ganar, y que las nuevas audiencias se enganchen con el deporte?

Anoche, los Marlins hicieron algo similar, al retirar a Trevor Richards con una amplia ventaja, luego de siete innins de labor, con 92 pitcheos. Hace 30 años un lanzador abridor en esa circunstancia probablemente pedía seguir en el encuentro a ver si lograba completar los nueve episodios.

Eso ya no se valora tanto.

O mejor dicho, se prefiere cuidar los brazos de los lanzadores.

Ese es el romanticismo que se ha perdido, en cierta forma.

 

Ese fue el tema de discusión en el capítulo 36 de Cinco Razones Podcast, con Ricardo Montes de Oca, Alejandro Villegas, quien redacta este texto, y Leandro Soto, aún molesto por lo vivido en Tampa, que además incluyó ver el shift de cuatro outfielders en vivo:

 

Leandro Soto se ha dedicado a acosar a todos los managers contrarios que han visitado el Marlins Park para preguntarles lo mismo: porqué y cómo utilizan las formaciones defensivas. A eso, él le ha llamado #TheShiftChronicles… 

La montaña rusa de los Marlins

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Los Marlins de Miami montaron en una montaña rusa a los fanáticos durante la última semana.

Barrieron a los Mets para cerrar la semana pasada y viajaron a Detroit y Washington para tratar de continuar con el buen momento.

Lograron barrer a los Tigres gracias a dos remontadas en los dos últimos juegos de la serie, y llegaron a Washington en alta.

Allá llegó la bajada trepidante característica de la montaña rusa. Perdieron el primer duelo de la serie de cuatro, a pesar de anotar 10 carreras. Esta fue la segunda vez en la temporada que el equipo hace nueve carreras o mas, y pierde.

Esta dolió un poco más porque los Marlins llegaron a estar ganando hasta por cuatro carreras, y estuvieron arriba casi todo el juego, hasta el octavo episodio, cuando Juan Soto le conectó un soberbio jonrón a Tyron Guerrero.

Luego de esa dolorosa derrta dejaron de batear por dos días consecutivos. Así se cortó la racha de victorias seguidas, y se acabó la algarabía que hubo en el Marlins Twitter por unos días.

Si se quiere ver el vaso medio lleno, los Marlins han ganado siete de los últimos 10 juegos. Una pequeña subida en la montaña rusa que han sido los Marlins esta temporada.

Y hablando de montañas rusas, por ahí va nuestro episodio 36 de Cinco Razones Podcast.

Leandro Soto viajó hasta la ciudad de Tampa para ir a dar vueltas en las montañas rusas de Busch Gardens, y para ir a quejarse por los extraños shifts de Kevin Cash y los Rays:

Vean qué más tuvo que sufrir Leandro en su viaje a Tampa:

¿Viene otra bajada fea en la montaña rusa?

En Washington volvimos a ver al equipo tambaleante que son los Marlins, con innings horribles en el pitcheo:

 

Sin embargo, la serie cerró con una nota positiva, pues Miami logró remontar nuevamente en el último juego de la serie en Memorial Day y venirse a Miami con cuatro victorias y tres derrotas en la gira.

Ayer, en el primero de la serie contra los Gigantes de San Francisco, volvimos a ver la combinación de buen pitcheo y bateo oportuno, incluyendo dos jonrones de tres carreras de dos miembros del futuro de los Marlins, Garrett Cooper y Jorge Alfaro:

Muchos mas jonrones y carreras

Los Marlins de Miami han comenzado a conectar mas jonrones, y mas jonrones con gente en base. Esa ha sido una de las claves para el buen momento en el que están en esta parte de la temporada:

Ya comenzaron los rumores de cambio

Esta temporada va a seguir siendo dura, a pesar de estos momentos de felicidad breve que nos va a dar el equipo. Dentro de poco va a empezar la temporada de huracanes, y junto a ella, vienen los rumores de posibles piezas que puedan servir de cambio antes del 31 de Julio.

Los primeros nombres en salir a la luz son José Ureña, quien tiene 2-1, con 2.37 de efectividad en sus últimas tres salidas, y Sergio Romo, quien ha estado casi perfecto en situaciones de salvado.

De hecho, la única oportunidad que desperdició fue precisamente esta semana que pasó, ante los Tigres, y fue por culpa de la defensiva de los Marlins.

Escuche qué dijeron Craig Mish y Jeremy Taché en Swings and Mishes sobre el interés de varios equipos en los servicios de estos dos lanzadores:

 

Alejandro Villegas va varias veces al año al Tropicana Field a trabajar, no como Leandro Soto. Cuando vuelve a Miami, ve mas bonito el Marlins Park, pues el Tropicana es realmente feo. Luego, recuerda que los Rays tienen un mucho mejor equipo que los Marlins… 

Marlins hit three home runs in blowout win

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“You dropped a bomb on me.”

That song was playing throughout the entire night as the Miami Marlins hit three home runs to rout the San Francisco Giants 11-3 on Tuesday.

It was their highest scoring total and margin of victory this season. It was also the most runs they scored in a single game since September 18, 2017 against the New York Mets (13). The Marlins have also extended their home run streak to four games at home, their most since June 29-July 2, 2018. 

Trevor Richards (2-5, 3.82 ERA) gave up a lead-off home run to Giants second baseman Joe Panik but allowed only one hit through a season high seven innings, striking out five. Elieser Hernandez pitched the final two innings, giving up two runs on four hits. 

Jorge Alfaro, Garrett Cooper (3-runs each) and Rosell Herrera (solo) each hit a home run to combine for seven runs scored. As a team, the Marlins had not hit a three-run homer prior to Tuesday’s game. 

“You’re not hitting three-run homers if guys don’t get on base,” manager Don Mattingly said.

Harold Ramirez went 3-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to eight games. He tied former catcher and manager Mike Redmond for the most hits through a t 13 career games in Marlins history. 

“Sometimes I don’t believe I’m here,” Ramirez said. “But my mother and my wife told me believe it.”

Pablo Lopez (3-5, 5.40 ERA) will take on Madison Bumgarner (3-4, 4.10 ERA) on Wednesday night.