Introducing The Pulse: Your Daily Digital Update
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Get Your Morning Fix with Tea and Sports
Rise and shine! Sports are already in full swing. It’s a rare occurrence when the World Cup and The Open Championship coincide, and today is one of those days. Apart from baseball, the majority of American sports fans will have their attention divided between these two massive events happening on the other side of the world. But first, let’s talk about how we’re all sleeping these days. Good morning once again. Here’s what’s happening right now:
1:35 a.m. ET: The first golfers teed off at The Open.
3 a.m. ET: We already have a major World Cup upset. New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0, marking the country’s first-ever World Cup win.
4:47 a.m. ET: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler begins his round.
6 a.m. ET: Australia and Ireland kick off.
Looks like we all need more coffee. Don’t forget to bookmark our live blog for the World Cup and check out all the tee times and how to watch The Open.
Unpredictable Results: World Cup Dark Horse Picks
While the United States and England are the favorites to reach the Women’s World Cup final, anything can happen in sports tournaments. Peter Keating and Jordan Brenner recently conducted some intriguing research on dark horse candidates in each group who have the potential to advance to the knockout round. Here are three potential dark horse teams to keep an eye on:
Group B: Ireland – Despite being ranked 22nd in the world, Ireland’s suffocating defense could lead them to surprise victories. They have a chance to advance to the next round.
Group H: South Korea – Although Germany is expected to advance, the battle for the second spot is up for grabs. Sportsbooks favor Colombia, but our calculations suggest that South Korea might be a better bet.
Group E: Portugal – While the US is the clear favorite in this group, the Netherlands and Portugal pose a potential challenge. The Dutch have struggled recently, and Portugal’s improving program could make them a team to watch out for. Keep an eye on the competition.
For a more detailed breakdown, check out the full article. And don’t miss our expert predictions for the World Cup winner, Golden Boot recipient, and the most disappointing team. Sign up for our new women’s soccer newsletter, Full Time, to receive daily news updates in your inbox.
Highlights You Can’t Miss: Checking In on the Yankees
Things haven’t been going as planned for the New York Yankees this year. Despite entering 2023 with high hopes and signing Aaron Judge to a new contract, the team has struggled. With a record of 50-47, they currently sit in last place in the highly competitive AL East. Their second-half performance hasn’t been any better, starting off with a 1-5 record, including a sweep by the struggling Angels. Last night’s 7-3 loss even led to pitcher Tommy Kahnle doing something regrettable to a disappointed fan. It’s a tough time for Yankees fans, both on and off the field.
In Other News: MLB Commissioner Stays, World Cup Proceeds, and Northwestern Hazing Scandal Continues
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to be re-elected next week, given his successful implementation of rule changes and his involvement in the A’s potential move. Find out more about what’s at stake for Manfred in the full article.
Despite a shooting incident in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday, the World Cup will continue as scheduled. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the tournament will proceed with necessary precautions. Get all the details here.
The hazing scandal at Northwestern University keeps growing following the firing of coach Pat Fitzgerald. Several parties are planning to sue the school, and multiple sports programs are embroiled in controversy. Kalyn Kahler and Brian Hamilton provide an in-depth look into the hazing culture over the last 30 years at Northwestern. It’s a must-read piece with eye-opening details. Learn more in the full story and stay tuned for further developments.
Pulse Picks: Must-Reads and Takeaways
In our Pulse Picks section, we highlight some interesting and informative articles that you shouldn’t miss:
– Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Baltimore Orioles should be considered as a potential landing spot for Shohei Ohtani, alongside the Rays and Dodgers.
– Alabama’s quarterback situation is still up in the air as Nick Saban takes his time to make a decision.
– Dane Brugler provides a scouting report on next year’s NFL Draft tight end class, with a focus on standout prospect Brock Bowers.
– John Hollinger offers his takeaways on the worst performances in Summer League, leaving Hornets and Lakers fans cringing.
– Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair opens up about the team’s offseason and explains why they didn’t make the expected major moves.
– Pablo Maurer compares Pelé’s debut with the New York Cosmos to Lionel Messi’s upcoming tenure at Inter Miami, reminiscing about their impact on the sport.
– The potential move of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten could have significant implications for college football recruiting.
Last but not least, Ulrik Pedersen’s captivating photo captures the essence of Isaiah Hill from Kevin Durant’s “Swagger.” Hill is not just an actor; he can actually play basketball.
That wraps up today’s edition of The Pulse. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive daily updates, and enjoy your day filled with sports excitement and news.