The ESPN Daily: The case for robot umpires, how the Patriots’ defense dominates, and Week 1’s best NBA kicks
Stay in the know: Today’s newsletter covers everything from the trade deadline to robot umpires. If you know a friend who wants to keep up to date on the latest NFL moves OR is terrified of the upcoming robot uprising (or both!), why not send them this newsletter? You can do so right here.
Calling all robo-umps … The World Series is back in Houston for Game 6 tonight, but fans are still talking about Game 5 — specifically a blown call that robbed the Nationals of a potential game-tying opportunity. In today’s episode of the ESPN Daily podcast, MLB insider Jeff Passan joins host Mina Kimes to make the case for an electronic umpire system, and what the dawn of the “robo-ump” could mean for the future of baseball. You can listen to the full episode right here.
Week 1’s hottest kicks … The NBA is back, and with it the return of some of the best sneakers you’ll ever see. From Jayson Tatum’s green Air Jordans to Kelly Oubre’s reference to the famous “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” painting of Mount Fuji (to go along with his “Wave Papi” nickname), we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to footwear. Which one was your favorite? Cast your vote now! Read more
A case for robot umps? The whole robot thing has us feeling conflicted — in part because of the apprehension of becoming obsolete, and in part because of the very real fear of robots rebelling and destroying us all. For MLB, however, it looks like the reality of robot umpires might be approaching faster than anyone could have dreamed. Just look at one blown strike call in Game 5 of the World Series, Jeff Passan writes, and you’ll be convinced that the time is now. Read More
The best around … It’s only halfway through the season — and their opponents aren’t exactly the cream of the crop — but the New England Patriots’ defense looks like it might be the greatest in NFL history. When the unit is on the field, it is just as likely to score as it is to allow points, and through Week 8 is allowing fewer than 6 points per game total. All that despite not making any significant additions to last season’s squad. How the heck are the Patriots pulling it off? Bill Barnwell investigates. Read More
The deadline approaches … When the clock strikes 4 p.m. ET today, the NFL trade deadline will officially have passed, which means we could see a huge array of moves and countermoves in just the next few hours. These trades could have a significant impact on the way the season plays out. Need to keep up to date with the latest trade rumors and analysis? Our deadline Trade Tracker is the place to be. Read More
Rex Ryan reacts to the Browns’ loss to the Patriots and says Freddie Kitchens will be fired for wasting talent.
“I play just like how I play in real life on video games, which really makes a lot of my friends upset. … I play the right way. … I play real basketball, not fake basketball.”
— LeBron James, on how he plays NBA 2K. Read more
On this date in 2003, LeBron James made his NBA debut against the Kings. His line: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists. Not bad for a rookie. Watch
Carabao Cup, Round 4 (3:40 p.m. ET, ESPN+): English Soccer’s grand tournament for its top four levels continues, with five matches on ESPN+. Current champions Manchester City play in the headliner game, facing off against fellow Premier League contenders Southampton.
Nationals at Astros (8:07 p.m. ET, Fox): This series has turned around dramatically after the first two games, and now the Nationals could be facing a premature end to their Cinderella story. Washington will turn to Stephen Strasburg to keep its season alive against Justin Verlander.
LAFC at Seattle Sounders (10 p.m. ET, ESPN): The MLS playoffs have reached the Western Conference final, with the top two teams from the regular season facing off. LAFC finally slayed the dragon of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy to get here, while the Sounders are coming off a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.