Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 4-28-23.
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NEW Make Glove not W.A.R. on the Twins’ Michael A. Taylor by yours truly over at: https://www.pulltabsports.com/blog/michael-a-taylor-has-been-a-mazing-in-cf-for-twins
Vikings Land Jordan Addison in 1st Round
The Vikings eschewed helping their aging defense in the first round of the NFL Draft last night in Kansas City, instead taking WR Jordan Addison out of USC. Kentucky QB Will Levis, who figured to go in the top five and maybe higher, was still on the board at that time as well. Justin Jefferson and Addison will make quite a 1-2 punch for Kirk Cousins and whomever replaces Cousins in a year. Addison was billed as the best route runner in the draft, with good hands to boot. He was named the top receiver in the nation as a sophomore when he played for Pitt.
An interesting move not trading back, considering there were at least three players very high on the Vikings’ draft board still available.
Wild Looking to Fight Till the End
What lineup changes if any will Dean Evason make in tonight’s win or go home Game 6 versus Dallas at The X (8:50 p.m. puck drop, yuck)? It was hard to tell at the Wild’s practice yesterday because a couple guys didn’t skate because they were banged up - Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman. The Athletic’s Mike Russo reported though that the bottom six forwards remained intact, which would appear to mean that Gus Nyquist has somehow not worked his way into the top six. Russo speculates we could see Marcus Johansson on Kirill Kaprizov’s wing, with Zuccarello playing with Boldy.
In net? I still think they’ll go Marc-Andre Fleury, because it’s hard to have a first-year playoff goalie lose three in a row with a Hall of Famer on the bench. But Flower was awful in his one appearance in the series, his only game in the last two weeks.
The worst part about being down 3-2 here is the West is for the taking. At least, the Central. Defending champ Colorado is down 3-2 and headed to Seattle for Game 6.
White Hot Twins Thump Cellar Dwelling KC
It’s too bad the new MLB schedule is more balanced, without as many games in division. Because three of the bottom four teams in the AL are in the Central. The Twins feasted on the six-win Royals last night, pounding them 7-1.
Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa both homered. Bad news on the starting pitching front, as Tyler Mahle left with elbow discomfort after four innings. His velocity has dropped big time. He had issues late last season. And Kenta Maeda could be headed to the DL.
The Twins have their first 3 p.m. Friday game against KC, trying to draw people out of work early before they head to the burbs for the weekend. Interesting concept. Pablo Lopez has been good - a 3.00 ERA but has just one win to show for it.
Wolves’ Connelly Seems Like a Guy with a Foot Out the Door
Not an impressive breakup day presser from the Wolves’ Tim Connelly. The President of Basketball Operations said he was “pretty committed” to the Wolves “right now.” He’s been linked to the Wizards.
Connelly called his coaching staff “elite” (they’re not). This team could use a full house cleaning.
Loons Try to Find Goals vs. FC Dallas
The Loons, who are averaging just a goal per game two months into the MLS season, host FC Dallas in MLS action on Sunday at 8.
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