THE WRESTLING REPORT

Smackdown takes a stumble this week

Smackdown takes a stumble this week
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Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio, Sports. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio shows www.nerdthugradio.com!

The week started strong with a great Raw but fell flat as most of the Smackdown stories failed to land this week.

Raw started off a little flat with a weak promo from Sasha Banks, but business picked up fairly quickly with a great match between Ricochet and Drew Mcintyre in the King of the Ring tournament and Baron Corbin cut a great promo after defeating The Miz making King of the Ring exciting as it goes. Bayley and Nikki Cross was only an OK match but I think part of that problem is that Nikki Cross is so unorthodox that the other women seem uncomfortable in the ring with her. The Tag Team Turmoil match took an interesting turn with Heavy Machinery losing to Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, which was an interesting development as it looked likely that this was supposed to be Heavy Machinery's time. Sasha Banks' return to the ring was impressive but the whole thing is still odd as the rumors had been that she was unhappy and wanting out, maybe they're trying to give her one more run and see if they can make her happy and keep her. The AJ styles finish completes the AJ Styles heel turn; it's one thing to say "I'm a jerk but I'll take any fight" and another thing to fake being hit with a chair to get out of a fight, this solidifies AJ's status as a heel now.

Smackdown came out flat with Kofi Kingston actually giving a pretty weak promo and then Randy Orton going Samoa Joe and bringing up Kofi's family like they're in actual danger. This is that line that I always frown at, when they pretend like these guys are really going to hurt someone for a wrestling match, it's too far. It's disappointing to see Ali get the lift over the red hot Buddy Murphy, Ali has been cutting these awful "I'm a superhero" promos and honestly he just isn't as exciting as the other guys he keeps beating. The Miz and Nakamora is a first at least and this is a good time for Smackdown to introduce a new rivalry and giving Zayn the job of repping for Nakamora gets him off the mic which is his weakest point. Bayley has been showing a great mean streak but the issue with this match is at this point where is Evans supposed to rate if she keeps losing? Randy and Big E put on a decent match and I like this pseudo stable Randy Orton has created with The Revival, these are three guys who need each other and a new direction. I honestly couldn't care less about Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin is simply spiraling to the bottom of the roster. The end of Smackdown fell flat because the entire concept of Roman Reigns apologizing to someone for thinking they tried to kill him is dumb, like anyone thought he would apologize.

Feel free to check out my brand new comic book Another Day at the Office email me for details or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where some proceeds help people struggling with cancer or listen to Nerd Thug Radio. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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