LA Lakers
fromESPN.com
2 weeks agoLuka, Reaves and the 48 hours that changed the Lakers' season
The Lakers' late-season surge improved their standings, team dynamics, and performance metrics significantly.
MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins have won three consecutive games and four of the past five after squeaking by the New Orleans Saints, 21-17. They completed an undefeated November (3-0), aided by their last loss being a Thursday nighter on Oct. 30 instead of Week 9's Sunday, Nov. 2 while also having their bye week within the month. Most NFL teams winning at this clip crossing over into December would be firmly in the playoff race.
In those buoyant days of spring, Dodgers fans blithely predicted their star-studded and well-financed team would win, say, 125 games. No major league team had won more than 116 but, if the Dodgers were going to ruin baseball, they would have a damn good time doing it. Then the season started, and with it the ups and downs, and the injuries and the inconsistencies. The Dodgers won the National League West, of course, but with what they would consider a very modest 93 wins.
Through it all, one player led the way: in the clubhouse, on the field, and certainly on the stat sheet. Like he has done all season, George Springer was the Jays' best player in the biggest moments. In 25 games, the 36-year-old hit .347 (34/98) with seven doubles, eight home runs, 16 RBI, and a 1.097 OPS. He also scored 22 runs, walked 14 times, and stole three bases.
Andrew Benintendi's first home run got the White Sox going on Tuesday at Target Field, and his second capped off a big night for the offense in a 12-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. Benintendi finished the night 4-for-5 with two home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored. That marked his season-high in RBI and tied his season-high in hits, home runs and runs scored. It also raised his batting average to .245, the highest it's been since June 20.