(I didn't plan on doing a WMNSS, and I announced that I wouldn't. But a confluence of things -- including what happened to me today, which I will blog about in several hours -- kind of made me think, "What the fuck," and I'll do one now.)
#0: Lynx (Last Week: -1). They lost this week. They lost badly, actually -- a 108-79 dick-smack at Connecticut Tuesday. Head coach Cheryl Reeve responded by breaking with convention. Usually the team doesn't practice if there's a day between road games. But Reeve wanted to make sure her players didn't lose focus after a 29-point loss, so she brought them in for practice. And they responded with an 81-62 winning statement at Washington.
Then tonight the Lynx crushed Los Angeles 87-68. That is important because they clinched a playoff spot for only the third time in franchise history and the first time in seven years. They have broken the Lynx record for wins in a season, currently lead second-place Phoenix by five games for the Western Conference lead, and are two games up on Indiana for best record in the WNBA. Things are lining up for this team -- which makes me scared that they'll come up short.
The team has eight games left. When do you let go of the throttle and start resting your players for the postseason? This week: at Tulsa Tuesday and a Friday night showdown against San Antonio at Target Center.
#-1: Gopher women's soccer (Re-Entry!). University of Minnesota sports are already starting? I remember being surprised when a team started their season in mid-August. I'm glad I checked the Gophers athletics website.
Anyway, the U. distaff footballers started their year Friday with a one-off game -- which turned out to be a one-off, 1-0 loss, at Maryland, which is ranked either 5th or 6th, depending on which poll you look at. The game was delayed 2 1/2 hours due to lightning, and 20 minutes in someone named Danielle Hubka scored for the Terrapins.
Is there a season preview for college women's soccer? Is there a poll by the coaches and media predicting who will win the Big Twelve? Just wondering. ...
Anyhoo, the team has two games this week. They have their home opener tomorrow afternoon against South Dakota St. Then they begin a weekend jaunt through California when they visit San Diego St. on Friday.
#-2: Twins (Last Week: -2). A 3-4 week, capped by -- finally! -- a comfortable win over the fucking Yankees, only their fourth in their past 25 games against the Evil Empire. But yeah, they're done. Winning a series at division-leading Detroit won't change that.
The trade of Delmon Young to those Tigers -- funny how they traded him the first day of their series on Monday, the easier it was for him to switch teams by merely walking across the stadium -- was more than overdue. He could hit, sometimes. I also heard when I ate at the downtown Hooters (when it was open) from of the waitresses that he just came in one night and ate at the bar. But he was such a liability in the outfield that whatever potential he had with his bat was more than offset with his all-thumbs defense. At least it clears the budget and the logjam in the outfield.
They continue their season-long, 11-game homestand (it may be tied with one or two others) hosting Baltimore for four games, then Detroit for the weekend.
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