It would be a great joke. We offer some alternatives. Then: The Astros might hate America, the White Sox might make history, and Sean Dyche still has it.
Joe’s Notes: What Conventional Wisdom Gets Wrong About Home-Ice Advantage
The good thing about getting a series to 1–1 is not stealing home-ice advantage. It’s avoiding going down 0–2. Also: The problem with “hit rate,” the good thing for the Celtics, and Iowa State’s going to Dublin.
Today’s Best Bets: Thursday, April 25th
Nick Martinez vs. Zack Wheeler, and today’s batch of futures.
Stu’s Notes: Is Luka Dončić Soft?
Soft-type vs. Dog-type. Then: What to do about the Jokić brothers, why NIL’s not that relevant with Reggie Bush’s Heisman, and celebrating Nelly Korda.
Joe’s Notes: A Better Idea for a Group of Five Playoff
Why November makes sense for a mid-major FBS championship. Also: Will the Bears stadium get built? Will Pete Crow-Armstrong produce? And that weird IndyCar scandal.
Today’s Best Bets: Wednesday, April 24th
Cold weather in Chicago, and can the Suns and Kings come back?
Stu’s Notes: Three Terrible Ways to Lose
How do you bounce back if you’re the Sixers, Lakers, or Islanders? Also: Caleb Williams and Eli Manning, designated scapegoat Zach Wilson, and April’s place among the sports months.
Joe’s Notes: Replay Review Is About Fairness, Not Perfection
The ending of last night’s Knicks game was imperfect. Was it fair? Also: Mark Stone and LTIR, Kyle Hendricks’s injury, and Tyrese Hunter is transferring to Memphis.
Today’s Best Bets: Tuesday, April 23rd
Three MLB underdogs, plus today’s futures.
Stu’s Notes: At Talladega, Michael Jordan Seemed Happy
Good for him. Also: Grounding the Rockies, the Broncos’ bad look, and Joe Kelly’s bad luck.
Joe’s Notes: One-and-Dones Aren’t Just Freshmen
So far, first-year transfers come with a firm ceiling. Also: Mason Miller and the trade deadline, fuel savings and crash avoidance, and where the Bulls go with LaVine and DeRozan.
Today’s Best Bets: Monday, April 22nd
Riding Reid Detmers, continuing to stack futures.
Today’s Best Bets: Sunday, April 21st
An MLB moneyline, NASCAR at Talladega, and NBA and NHL futures.
Today’s Best Bets: Saturday, April 20th
Our first NHL future of the playoffs, plus another Western Conference underdog in the NBA and three MLB moneylines.
Our NHL Playoff Probabilities Are Live Again
Gelo agrees with the market: The Hurricanes are the favorite.
Stu’s Notes: Which NHL Playoff Teams Are Real?
Six of these teams shouldn’t exist. Also: Who most deserves a Stanley Cup, hoping the Utah hockey trademarks were a prank, and NASCAR goes to Talladega.
Joe’s Notes: FedEx’s Memphis NIL Investment Is a Non-Story
Money is fungible, and $25 million isn’t that much. Also: The size of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alex Caruso’s status tonight, and updates on Core Score and Gelo.
Stu’s Notes: Coby White Has the Best Smile
The Bulls are still standing. Also: NBA Playoff team likability, Shane Doan’s banner, and Oregon’s ditching the woodsy court.