Sign up for the daily newsletter, Jay's Plays of the Day, to get sports betting recommendations for the top games of the night and the week ahead.
Feeling the draft, 3.0
So we are going division by division in advance of the NFL draft. I love the draft. You know this.
Here are the looks at the South divisions of the AFC and NFC.
So let's find our way into the best directional division in football — sorry Steelers and Ravens fans, it's no longer you — and go to the West. We'll start in the AFC, alphabetical and all.
Las Vegas Raiders. Pick 7. After waiving Derek Carr, the Raiders added Jimmy Garappolo, but the offensive line is a mess.
Best case. The Raiders likely will have their choice of offensive linemen at 7 since a run on QBs in the top five is likely. That could be Peter Skoronski, who has the most Big Ten name ever, or even UT tackle Darnell Wright. That said, a certain Georgia defensive lineman could be had here, too, and there's a real chance Jalen Carter is the biggest difference-maker in this draft.
Worst case. The Raiders go old-school Raiders and draft the shiny speed guy.
Los Angeles Chargers. Pick 21. The Chargers are one of the roughly 10 or so teams that has no QB worries (other than injuries, God forbid) for the next decade. That makes the draft a whole lot more enjoyable.
Best case. Bijan Robinson falls, but that's unlikely. Something screams tight end — a stocked position in this class — here for Justin Herbert and the Chargers, to be honest.
Worst case. Other than being in the same division as Andy Reid, Patty Mahomes and the Chiefs, I'm not sure there is a bad way for this to play out for the Chargers.
Kansas City Chiefs. Pick 31. Another team with a QB plan for the foreseeable future, the defending Super Bowl champs have the luxury of adding to one of the top rosters in the league.
Best case. Someone makes the Chiefs an offer they can't refuse — likely a 1 next year and multiple through the draft weekend — to get to the back end of round 1. If the Chiefs do not move this pick, there could be a big-play WR from Knoxville (hello, Jalin Hyatt) on the board at 31.
Worst case. If Mahomes is healthy and upright, is there really a bad-case scenario for the Chiefs over the next five-plus years?
Denver. No first round pick. The Broncos shipped No. 5 overall to Seattle in the Russell Wilson deal. Ouch-standing.
MLB looks at more new rules
So most folks are giddy over the new pace of MLB, right?
The clock is starting to become less and less obtrusive. Banned shifts mean batting averages are up. Stolen bases and steal attempts are way, way, WAY up. Game times are down. All is good.
But the powers that be are looking at even more new rules and wrinkles.
And these are out there.
Major League Baseball is experimenting with the Atlantic League, and starting April 28, that minor league system will add the following rules:
— Teams can have a designated pinch runner who can be used at any time and not count as a substitute.
— The Double Hook DH rule, which means teams can start the game with a DH like normal, and if their starting pitcher goes at least five innings, they can use the DH through the entire game. If the starting pitcher is pulled, before completing five innings, however, the DH has to leave the game, too, and the subsequent relief pitchers would be in the order.
— Pitchers will only be allowed one "disengagement" per at-bat with runners on base, which is a fancy way of saying pitchers only get one pick-off throw per at-bat.
As for me, I loathe the "pinch-runner" rule and think only one pick-off attempt per AB is too few.
I'm OK with the Double Hook DH wrinkle since it would add pinch-hitting back to the thought process, but it is rather confusing, too.
Thoughts?
Strange idea
So, according to Sports Illustrated and other media outlets, the Tennessee Titans have reached out to see if the Packers will and what the cost would be to deal for Aaron Rodgers.
Say what?
OK, I think Rodgers is a) one of the best to ever play the position and b) going to be effective for a couple more seasons, but this one is a head-scratcher for me from Tennessee's end.
Rodgers makes sense to the Jets, who were good to great in a lot of places and terrible at QB.
Rodgers could make sense in San Fran or another locale with a roster that needs a QB to contend for a title.
Would Rodgers in Nashville make the Titans a Super Bowl contender in 2023?
Sure, adding Rodgers likely would make the Titans the favorites in the AFC South.
Seems like a stretch for a Titans crew that feels like a rebuild is coming, right?
This and that
— So Santiago Vescovi is the Uruguay version of John Fulkerson. Just shorter. Vescovi will return to the Vols for his second senior season, as Paschall shares here.
— Clayton Kershaw got career win 200 last night. He's 200-88 all-time, which is pretty excellent. Side question: Do you think we'll ever see another 300-game winner? Discuss.
— Braves played. Braves won. And man, nice late-inning offense to keep the bankroll growing, no?
— Hawks played. Hawks lost. And Trae Young was named most overrated player in an anonymous survey of NBA players. So there's that.
Today's questions
Which way Wednesday starts this way:
Which QB are you drafting first if you are the Houston GM?
Which current MLB pitcher could reach even 275 career wins?
Side question: Is Zach Grienke, who has 223 career wins, a Hall of Famer?
Which of the new rules about to be used in the Atlantic League is the best? Which is the worst.
As for today, April 19, let's review.
The American Revolution began on this day in 1775. U-S-A. U-S-A.
Dudley Moore was born on this day in 1935. "Arthur" was a great flick.
ABC started broadcasting on this day in 1948.
If we had a Rushmore of ABC, who makes it? Go, and enjoy the day.