The Inquisitr - News

April 20, 2022 Administrator

The Inquisitr - News

NFL News: Michael Irvin Explains Why Tom Brady's Comeback Wasn't A Surprise

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:35 AM PDT

Tom Brady was retired for 40 days. He claimed he wasn't eager to make a 100% commitment to football and that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Then, right in the middle of one of the craziest offseasons in NFL history and in the most shocking fashion, the seven-time Super Bowl champion announced he was coming back to handle some 'unfinished business.'

Michael Irvin Says Brady Didn't Know What He Was Getting Into

For some, however, Brady's comeback wasn't as surprising. That includes Cowboys legend Michael Irvin, who recently said Brady had no idea what he was getting into when he retired:

"I tell people all the time, you’re at the top of the mountain when you’re Tom Brady in the NFL. You’re at the top of the mountain. You’ve won seven. You got more rings, you’re the boss where you go then you decide 'I think I’m gonna retire' And you go home and you have this idea in your head. It’s just a figmentation [sic], your imagination of what retirement is," Irvin said.He Wanted To Continue Being The Boss

Per Irvin, him not being 'the boss' at home and being unable to relax what was drove Brady back to the gridiron after just one month in retirement:

"And when you get home and you learn that you’re no longer the boss, but you’re being bossed around at home, telling you what to do, you’re like ‘Wait a minute. I just want to sit here and relax.’ ‘No, I need you to do this. Can you get this done?’ And then you say, ‘Woah. Wait a minute. Maybe this is not what I want to do right now,'" Irvin added.Brady Could Still Play At An Elite Level

People were surprised by Brady's decision because he was coming off one of the best seasons of his career, regardless of his age. That's why Irvin says he didn't have to leave the game as most NFL players do:

"And rarely do you see it Tom Brady style," Irvin continued. "Most of us have to deal with it because we retired because our skill diminished. Tom’s skill is still there. Rarely do you get to retire because loss of will. Two things in the NFL: there’s a skill and a will. Because you’re playing against man-to-man and we can’t sit on computers and climb the ladder in our job."Brady's Wife Ruled The House, Says Irvin

At the end of the day, Michael Irvin feels like Gisele's strong presence in the household was a big enough factor for Brady to be back on the field, where he could still be the boss:

"Tom Brady still has great skill but he’s diminished in his will to keep going through the process and he said maybe it’s time to take a break and go home. And he gets home, and he’s noticed he’s even more diminished in his will because he’s been in total control, the wife is running the house, and now he says I’m back on the football field," Irvin concluded.

That's a bit of a hot take and I'm not sure Tom nor Gisele will be too happy about it.

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MLB News: Cubs Players Rave About Seiya Suzuki

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:32 AM PDT

While everybody expected Seiya Suzuki to become a star in Chicago, not even the most optimistic Cubs fans thought he'd hit the ground running the way he did.

The Japanese star has showcased his entire skillset since day one, getting on base in 10 straight games with a nine-game hitting streak and showing his ability to rake baseballs like the best of them.

Suzuki's Making Cubs History Already

The Japanese rookie didn't need much time to enter the club's history books, putting together a couple of historic marks in his first week+ in the Majors:

"Suzuki's nine-game hitting streak is the longest for a Cubs batter to start a Major League career since Andy Pafko's nine-game run for the ballclub in 1943," reported Jordan Bastian of MLB.com "Suzuki joins Art Williams (1902), Hal Jeffcoat ('48) and Tony Taylor ('58) as the only Cubs since 1901 to have a 10-game on-base streak (without a reached-on-error) to begin a career."Kyle Hendricks Is Impressed By Suzuki

Suzuki claims he hasn't really dug into analytics or data. He's just a natural hitter. That, according to Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks, is what makes him so impressive:

"It's so impressive, man,” Hendricks said. "Every at-bat. He doesn't take an at-bat off. Plate discipline from the start. I know facing guys like that, it's a headache. Every at-bat is tough. You don't know quite where to go and then he puts swings on balls in every area of the zone. He covers everything. So, it's just really tough to game plan and attack against a guy like that."Ian Happ Says He's A Natural Hitter

Ian Happ has also been in awe of Suzuki's ability to dominate despite not being much of an analytics guy:

"That's just who he is as a hitter. I think he's got a ton of natural ability and I think he trusts his eyes. You can see in his at-bats," Happ said. "Stuff that is just off the edges, just a little bit of movement, he's really good at spitting on those pitches and getting something over the heart to handle."He's Got Great Instincts, Says David Ross

Manager David Ross has also been quite impressed by his effort. More than that, he knows he's only getting started and even hinted at how he'll ask him to do even more once he gets more settled in:

"He runs the bases well," Ross said. "I haven't asked him to steal a lot of bases yet. I think that is a weapon we can try to use a little bit later on. His instincts are just really good, and his speed helps with that."

Suzuki has been better than advertised thus far, and that's a scary sight for the rest of the league.

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NFL News: Tom Brady Admits He's Likely Entering His Final Season

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:28 AM PDT

Tom Brady's first retirement is nothing more than a footnote right now. A funny story, another reason why people love him so much.

He spent a grand total of 40 days away from the game of football before finally announcing that he was too in love with it to just let it go.

Brady Felt Like He Could Still Play

Brady was coming off an MVP-caliber season and played better than most QBs in the NFL. That's why he knew he could still contribute to his team and wasn't going to be a distraction if he came back:

"I knew my body, physically, could still do what it could do and obviously I have a love for the game, I think I'll always have a love for the game," Brady told ESPN. "I do think physically I'll be able to do it. I just felt like there was still a place for me on the field."He Missed The Competition

But more than that, Brady's competitive spirit couldn't allow him to sit on his couch and watch his rivals play. He knew he could still beat them:

"At the end of the day, I just love the competition on the field," Brady continued. "And last year was a very bitter ending to a season and we've got to make a lot of corrections to try to improve and put ourselves in a better position to succeed moving forward."The End Is Near For His Career

But even though he missed the rush and the feeling, it doesn't mean that he thinks he can play forever. At 44 years young, Brady knows the end of his career is just around the corner:

"I know I don't have a lot left, I really do. I know I'm at the end of my career," Brady said. "I wish you could go forever, but it's just not and football comes at too high of a cost now. My kids are getting older and it's just getting harder and harder to miss these things. But, I wanted to give myself and my teammates and our organization another incredible opportunity to accomplish something that we'd all be very proud of."Nothing Left To Prove

But let's be real for a second. Tom Brady didn't need to come back to prove that he's the best QB to ever do it. His résumé speaks for himself, even if he may not be your player of preference.

Seven Super Bowl rings, countless accolades, and most QB-related records give Brady a position that'll likely never be matched in this sport. So even if this is goodbye, he's got nothing left to prove.

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Brooklyn Nets At Boston Celtics [April 20] - NBA Playoffs Predictions And Picks

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:25 AM PDT

A game-winning layup by Jayson Tatum gave the Boston Celtics a much-needed win in Game 1 over the Brooklyn Nets.

The first game between two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference didn't disappoint, with Kyrie Irving continuing his personal crusade against his former team with a 39-point, 6 assist, 4-steals masterpiece.

Tatum, on the other hand, led the way for the home side, scoring 31 points with 8 dimes, 4 boards, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. But will it be enough to beat them again on Wednesday night? Let's find out!

Can The Celtics Hold Their Own?

The Celtics need to tweak some things in their defense for Game 2. They allowed the visitors to shoot 53% from the floor and 45% from deep even on an unusually quiet night by Kevin Durant.

That's not gonna cut it against a team with that much firepower, especially considering the Celtics' biggest strength was on the defensive end of the floor. Hopefully, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart will make his presence felt against Kyrie in the second game of the first-round series .

Nets Need Ben Simmons

The Nets, on the other hand, were outsized and outhustled on both ends of the glass. Al Horford did an outstanding job of keeping Andre Drumond and Nic Claxton in check, and Steve Nash didn't even bother trying to put Blake Griffin or LaMarcus Aldridge on the floor.

That's just one of the many reasons why they desperately need Ben Simmons on the court ASAP. He's their most versatile defender and has enough size to match up against Horford in the paint as well.

Key Injuries, Stats, And Trends

When it comes to key trends, it's worth noting that the over has gone 5-0 in their past five meetings at the TD Garden. Moreover, the Nets are 14-6 ATS overall in their past 20 matchups.

As for the injuries, the Nets will continue to be without Ben Simmons and Joe Harris, while Nik Stauskas and Robert Williams will be on the shelf for Boston.

Picks For Nets At Celtics

Even despite a quiet night from Kevin Durant, the Boston Celtics still needed until the very last possession to get the job done at home.

We expect that to happen again in Game 2, only this time it'll be the visitors to end up on top. This series is most likely going the distance, so take the 3.5 points with the Nets and also take a look at the over 226 points.

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Yankees At Tigers [April 20] - MLB Picks And Predictions

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:20 AM PDT

New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers will meet again tonight after starring in one of the ugliest games of the MLB season thus far.

Eight walks, 14 pitchers combined, and nearly 4 hours of gameplay ended with a 6-2 Yankees win in some tough weather at Comerica Park. Now, they hope the wind won't be as inclement in the second game of the series.

The Yankees will give Luis Severino the ball for this matchup, while Eduardo Rodríguez will look to get his first win as a member of the Tigers.

Yankees Want To Gain Momentum

The Yankees are sitting at a 6-5 record and tied for the top of the AL East Division, perhaps the toughest in all baseball, so they need to make the most of every chance they have when they step down in class.

Luis Severino has looked like an ace again thus far this season, posting a 2.25 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in eight innings of work. He's been lights out against the Tigers in his career, limiting to 5 hits in 40 plate appearances (0.70 batting average).

Tigers Look To Stop The Bleeding

Miguel Cabrera's quest for his 3,000th hit goes on, sitting just 3 shy of the milestone after hitting a line drive off Gerrit Cole last night before connecting again later in the game. He had 2 of the 4 hits his team got all night.

New starter Eduardo Rodríguez has struggled since leaving Fenway Park but facing a familiar foe might be exactly what he needs to get back on track. He's faced the Yankees 23 times (21 starts), going 8-6 with a 3.72 ERA.

Key Stats, Trends, And Injuries

Both teams enter this contest relatively healthy, with the Yankees only missing C Ben Rortvedt with a right oblique strain and the Tigers missing SS Javier Baez with soreness in his right thumb.

When it comes to trends, oddsmakers point out that the Yankees are 8-1 in their last 9 road games vs. a left-handed starter and 17-4 in their last 21 Wednesday games.

Also, the under is 5-0 in the Yankees' last 5 games overall, and 5-0 in the Yankees' last 5 games as a favorite.

Picks For Yankees At Tigers

While Eduardo Rodriguez isn't ace by any means, he doe know this Yankees lineup pretty well and has found success against it, limiting Giancarlo Stanton to 2 hits in 16 at-bats. Luis Severino, on the other hand, has looked like the ace we all thought he'd be in limited work this season, so we could be in for another low-scoring matchup between the two.

When it comes to picking a side, the Yankees have the edge in every aspect of the game, from starting pitching to bullpen and lineup, so it would be hard to go against them tonight.

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Blue Jays At Red Sox [April 20] - MLB Picks And Predictions

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:17 AM PDT

The top two teams in the American League East Division will meet again tonight when the Boston Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park for the second game of the series.

The home team ground its way to a 2-1 win despite logging just 3 hits. Red Sox skipper Alex Cora claimed it felt like a playoff game so he coached them as such, digging deep into his bullpen to help his team's cause.

Now, Jose Berríos and Nick Pivetta will take the mound for Wednesday's matchup. Who'll end up on top? Let's find out!

Blue Jays Want To Bounce Back

The Blue Jays couldn't make the most of their powerful lineup in the first game of the series. They left 8 runners on base and Zack Collins' homer in the top of the second gave them their only run of the night.

Vladimir Guerrero jr. went 2/3 with a walk and one K but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. struggled to get him home, going 0/4 with 2 strikeouts.

Now, the Jays will trust José Berríos to even things up. He currently boasts a 11.81 ERA after two starts, with the Red Sox hitting him for .287 with 19 hits on 82 plate appearances.

Will Cora Take More Risks Tonight?

Alex Cora didn't hesitate to use Garret Whitlock as his closer to sealing the deal and, while it could've been a bit of a catastrophe after he landed awkwardly to catch a throw from Bobby Dalbec, he managed to stay on the mound and give his team a win.

Struggling starter Nick Pivetta will get the nod tonight looking to improve his 0-2 record and 9.39 era after two starts this season. Fortunately, he's kept the Blue Jays' bat relatively quiet throughout his career, as they hit just .254 against him.

Key Stats, Injuries, And Trends

The Boston Red Sox will once again be without Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez, and Jonathan Araúz for this game due to COVID-19. For the Blue Jays, Teóscar Hernández and Danny Jansen will sit with injuries.

When it comes to trends, it's worth noting that the Blue Jays are 6-1 in their last 7 Wednesday games and are 8-2 in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning record.

Picks For Blue Jays at Red Sox

While neither of today's staters has been worthy of confidence thus far, MLB's shortened Spring Training may have had something to do with their struggles, so we expect them to be more in command tonight.

That being said, we still give the visitors the edge as they have the better, healthier, more powerful lineup, and the Red Sox's bullpen will be shorthanded tonight. Take the Blue Jays as a small road favorite and also look for this game to go over the 9.5 total.

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Sixers At Raptors [April 20] - NBA Playoffs Picks And Predictions

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:11 AM PDT

The Philadelphia 76ers have certainly looked like a championship contender thus far. They hold on to a 2-0 lead before heading up north to visit the up-and-coming, pesky Toronto Raptors.

Joel Embiid has certainly showcased his MVP skillset over the first two matchups, frustrating Nick Nurse's defense and forcing the referees to give him that superstar treatment coaches often talk about.

But a series doesn't start until a visitor win, and the Raptors have proven to be one of the toughest teams to beat on their court. Who'll take Game 3 of the series? Let's find out!

Embiid Is Unstoppable

Joel Embiid went to the line 22 times in the first quarter alone, and that's not a typo. The Raptors simply have no answer for his ability to draw contact, his footwork, and all the defensive attention he draws every time he drives to the rim.

While James Harden has yet to have a big game in this series, he's done just enough to keep the Sixers' offense afloat for the whole 4 quarters.

Can Nick Nurse Turn The Series Around?

Nick Nurse has been frustrated with his team's inability to stop fouling Embiid. Then again, he's one of the best defensive-minded coaches and will most likely have an ace up his sleeve in this series.

While he no longer has Kawhi Leonard on the roster, he's proven more than capable of getting the best of the Sixers in the past, so maybe we shouldn't count them out so soon.

Key Injuries, Stats, And Trends

When it comes to trends, it's worth noting that the 76ers are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a road favorite, and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games.

The Raptors will certainly miss Scottie Barnes' stellar defense, but the same can be said of the Sixers and Mattise Thybulle, who's ineligible to play due to his vaccination status.

Picks For Sixers At Raptors

The Raptors didn't make it all this way out of luck and chance. They're a strong, resilient team, especially at home. They've got enough defensive pieces to at least make it tougher on the Sixers, and we have already seen how they can clamp up James Harden.

The Sixers are a legit championship contender. That Big 3 with Tyrese Maxey, Embiid, and Harden is a treat to watch, offensively. But Doc Rivers has a history of letting big leads slip in the playoffs, especially on the road. That's why we like the home team to cover the 1.5-point spread and the under to cash in at 216.5 points.

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MLB News: Trevor Bauer Could Try And Join The Dodgers This Weekend

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:08 AM PDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer to one of the most lucrative deals in recent MLB history. However, the former Cy Young winner was barely able to be on the mound for them.

He's been on administrative leave since mid-last season due to an alleged sexual misconduct investigation. And while he was cleared of all charges, the league recently decided to extend his paid leave until April 22nd.

Bauer Is Still On Administrative Leave

Per the Los Angeles Times, the players' union and MLB reached a written agreement, which the league considers to be binding.

That means he won't be able to play until the leave expires. However, Bauer is reportedly digging deeper into the matter to determine whether there was, in fact, a binding agreement in place.

He Could Challenge MLB

Bauer could then look to defy the league by stating that his latest extension is not binding. That would force the league to either suspend him, allow the Dodgers to enforce their own discipline, or let him show up at Dodger Stadium next Sunday:

"If Bauer does take the position that the most recent extension to his leave is not binding, Commissioner Rob Manfred might have to levy a suspension by the end of the day Saturday or risk Bauer showing up at Dodger Stadium on Sunday," reported Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.Will The Dodgers Allow Him To Pitch?

Then, there's another issue. The Dodgers could simply choose to part ways with him if they feel like having him around could be a distraction or poor PR. However, they have yet to take a public stance on the situation:

"Upon the completion of any suspension, or upon a decision not to suspend him, the Dodgers then would choose whether to reinstate him," Shaikin added. "They could cut him and pay him the balance of his $102-million contract, or cut him and fight an almost certain grievance if they try to void his contract and argue he should not be paid because of personal conduct language in the contract. The Dodgers paid Bauer $38 million last year. His contract calls for him to be paid $32 million this year and $32 million next year. Players are not paid while suspended."He'll Fight Until The End

Whatever is the case, this will most likely be an unprecedented situation in MLB history. Over the years, players have often reached an agreement over a suspension. Bauer, however, insists he's done nothing wrong, which is why he's unlikely to just accept being suspended.

Bauer could eventually appeal his suspension with a third-party arbitrator after missing 99 regular-season and 12 postseason games since the investigation began.

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MLB News: Jake Arrieta Says Jacob deGrom Is The Greatest Pitcher Of All Time

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 10:03 AM PDT

For years, Jacob deGrom has been a treat to watch. When healthy, the New York Mets' lefty has been the biggest show on baseball, a dominant hurler who can top 100 MPH and make a fool of even the best sluggers in the world.

Even so, some have been hesitant to name him among the all-time greats, as his constant injuries have kept him on the shelf way more often than one would like.

deGrom Is The Best Ever, Says Arrieta

That's not the case with Jake Arrieta. In a recent appearance in Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take, the former Cubs ace went as far as to say that Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher to ever lace them up:

“Oh, I mean, it’s such an easy question," Arrieta said. "If everybody on the planet doesn’t say Jacob DeGrom they’re not… know what I’m saying? I’ve told people this for a couple of years, I think he’s the best starting pitcher to ever put on the uniform."The Game Needs deGrom

Arrieta admitted that deGrom's health issues are a big concern, yet he doubled down on his take and talked about how much the game needs him:

“If he can stay healthy. Right? And him and Scherzer are on the IL currently which is such a shame. So our game needs both of those guys, but most importantly, DeGrom," Arrieta sentenced. "If you get to watch him in person and (see) what he’s able to do with the baseball. It blows you away. I think he’s in his own league and I hope he’s able to stay healthy for another 15 years because if he can do that, I think he’ll be the best ever.”Arrieta Was Impressed By deGrom's Development

Moreover, the former Cy Young winner also raved about how big of an improvement deGrom made over the years, adding nearly 6 MPH to his fastball:

“And when he came into the big leagues in 2013, something like that (2014). His average fastball velocity was around 93 or maybe a tick over. It’s gone steadily up since then and now he’s sitting at 99 MPH, averaging, it blows you away to see what he can do as a starting pitcher," Arrieta added. "I think he’s in his own league. And I hope he stays healthy for another 15 years because if he can do that I think he’ll be the best ever.”He Needs To Stay Healthy

While deGrom is undeniably one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, and maybe even one of the most talented of all time, he needs to stay healthy to earn that distinction. Being available is also a big part of the job.

When healthy, we like Jacob's chances against anybody in the league, and we mean anybody. He's the most dominant hurler in the Majors by a long stretch, so hopefully, he'll finally be able to actually stay on the field.

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NBA Rumors: Al Horford To Nets In Proposed Three-Team Trade Involving Celtics & Knicks

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 09:26 AM PDT

The 2022 NBA Playoffs may have just started, but several crazy trade ideas involving some title contenders have already started surfacing on the web. These include a hypothetical blockbuster deal that would enable the Boston Celtics to dump Al Horford's massive contract to the Brooklyn Nets this summer. The proposed blockbuster trade won't only be between the Celtics and the Nets, but it would also involve the New York Knicks.

In the suggested three-way trade scenario by James Piercey of NBA Analysis Network, the Nets would get Horford, the Celtics would receive Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, and Day'Ron Sharpe, and the Knicks would acquire Joe Harris and Nic Claxton.

Nets Get A Floor-Spacing Center

Targeting Horford in the 2022 NBA offseason would make sense for the Nets, especially if they intend to keep Ben Simmons on their roster.

"It may be a long shot. The Nets are paying a hefty sum to acquire Horford here. On the other hand, the 35-year-old could make them unstoppable. He’s a tidy fit alongside Ben Simmons as a floor-spacing big man, and he strengthens a defense in need of strengthening," Piercey wrote.

With Horford manning the starting center position, there will be enough floor spacing for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant even when Simmons is also on the court.

Not A No-Brainer Deal For Nets

Horford would be an intriguing addition to the Nets. At 35, he remains a very reliable contributor on both ends of the floor. This season, he's averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.

However, despite what he can contribute to their team, the Nets would definitely think twice before making the trade. Aside from Horford's age and massive contract, it remains unknown if the Nets are willing to give up a young and promising big man like Claxton in the potential trade.

Celtics Save Money

The proposed three-way deal would be worth exploring for the Celtics. Though Horford is currently establishing an impressive performance, the Celtics won't mind dumping his salary since they still have Robert Williams III. Williams may not be a floor spacer, but he's a solid two-way contributor. Before he suffered a knee injury, Williams was posting incredible numbers as the Celtics' starting center, averaging 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while shooting 73.6 percent from the field.

Aside from getting rid of Horford's lucrative contract, the suggested trade would also enable the Celtics to add two solid veteran role players in Noel and Burks and a talented prospect that they could develop in Sharpe.

Knicks Address Floor-Spacing & Frontcourt Issue

The Knicks may end up being the biggest winner in the proposed three-way deal. By simply trading Burks and Noel, the Knicks would be acquiring two quality rotation pieces in Harris and Claxton. Harris would bring the much-needed improvement to the Knicks in terms of floor spacing, while Claxton would give them a young and promising center that perfectly fits the timeline of RJ Barrett. By landing Claxton, the Knicks would no longer be pressured to overpay Mitchell Robinson in the 2022 NBA free agency.

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