ICYMI with Charlie Bowles - Feb. 14th, 2020 - Edge of Philly Sports Network

Before getting into last night’s action, I need to address the comments by Houston Astros’ owner Jim Crane. Yesterday he poured gasoline on a fire. At one point during the press conference, he said the stealing of the signs had absolutely nothing to do with the Astros winning the World Series. Look no further than the home/road splits of a few key Astro players, then you be the judge.

Jose Altuve:

Home: .472 BA /513 OBP/1.028 SLG/ 1.541OPS, 17H 6 HR & 12 RBI
Away: .143 BA / 268 OBP/ .229 SLG/ .497 OPS. 5 H 1 HR & 2 RBI

Carlos Correa

Home: 371 BA/.421 OBP/.74 3SLG/ 1.164 OPS/ 13 H 3 HR & 10 RBI.
Away: .211 BA/ .231 OBP/ .395 SLG/ .626 OPS 8H 2HR&4RBI

Bergman

Home: .273 BA / .342 OBP. .515 SLG/ .857 OPS/ 9H 2HR & 6RBI
Away: .154 BA/.175 OBP / .333SLG/ .508 OPS/ 6H 2HR & 4RBI

Brian McCann hit .300 with 1HR and 7 RBI at home, while barely eclipsing Mr. Blutowski’s GPA from Animal House on the Road a .037BA with 0 HR and 0 RBI.

There is only one conclusion that an educated person can make from this—the Astros stole the World Series. Major League Baseball has been a sheep and just wants to sweep this under the rug. The truth is they should be stripped of their title; this was a complete and utter joke.

The Astros deserve what they get going forward, especially being booed in every park in the majors until this team turns over.

On the Hardwood:

Boston and the Clippers needed not one but two overtimes to decide their fate with Boston, outlasting the Clippers 141-133 (Paul George DNP). Jason Tatum had 39 points for the victors, while the Clippers completed their East Coast trip heading into All-Star Weekend.

In the final game before the break, it was the Thunder 123 New Orleans 118, as Danilo Gallinari poured in 29 points.

The clear favorites heading into the break are the Bucks and the Lakers. I see Philly as a legitimate dark horse at least to get to the finals. At 25-1, now is the time to buy-in.

Skills competition / Three-Point Contest / Dunk Contest begins at 8 pm Eastern this Saturday night on TNT.

NCAA:

In a lite night of action #17 Oregon beat #19 Colorado 68-60, while #21 Iowa was upended by Indiana 89-77.

NFL:

Cleveland Defensive End Myles Garrett’s indefinite suspension (for cracking Mason Rudolph with his helmet) has been lifted by commissioner Roger Goodell.

PGA:

Matt Kuchar holds a 3-stroke lead over a host of players after the first round of the Genesis Open at the beautiful Riviera Golf Club.

NHL:

The Hometown Boys earned another tough victory again besting the upstart Florida Panthers 6-2. James Van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists for the orange and black. The win moved the Flyers into 6th place in a jammed Metropolitan Conference with 24 games still to go.

Lots of Action this weekend to look forward to NCAA Basketball/ The XFL Week Two/ NBA All-Star Weekend /PGA Golf, just for starters.

Our picks for Thursday: