Casual baseball fans may not have been intrigued by the matchup for this year’s World Series, but it was a thing of beauty for those who truly appreciate the game.
According to Nielsen ratings, this year’s World Series was the third-least viewed, only trailing the Giants-Tigers in 2012 and the Phillies-Rays in 2008.
But for those that tuned in, they were treated to an entertaining display of good baseball. This World Series had it all: good pitching, timely hitting, controversy (the Nationals’ Trea Turner being called out for running inside the baseline in Game 6) and suspense.
While the Nationals and Astros may not have the national pull like the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox or Yankees, they are both great baseball teams and turned in a thrilling seven-game series. It was the first time in Series history the road team won all seven games.
Washington won the title despite coming in as the biggest World Series underdog in over 10 years. It was fun watching the Nationals scrap and claw their way to the title. From a local perspective, it was also great to see former Kenton Ridge star Adam Eaton win a World Series ring.
Fans also were able to get a glimpse of some of baseball’s budding young stars like the Nationals’ Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon and the Astros’ Gerrit Cole.
Now, on to this week’s football picks:
Bellefontaine over Tecumseh
There will be no league title or playoff berth for Bellefontaine to play for tonight, but the Chiefs will be motivated to send out their seniors with a win tonight over the Arrows.
Bellefontaine will look to get back to its physical ways tonight against a Tecumseh squad that has struggled to move the ball and stop the opponent. Bellefontaine 35, Tecumseh 13.
WL-Salem over M’burg
The Tigers came up with their best performance of the season two weeks ago to knock off previously unbeaten West Jefferson.
WL-Salem will need a similar effort tonight against the rival Indians. The Tigers have shown a knack for playing their best football when the stage is the biggest. WL-Salem 27, Mechanicsburg 20.
Indian Lake over Urbana
It has been a roller coaster of a campaign for the Lakers. They went through a three-game losing skid during the middle part of their schedule. However, a victory over winless Urbana tonight would give Indian Lake a three-game winning streak to end the season. Indian Lake 41, Urbana 6.
North Union over Ben Logan
Ben Logan is looking to avoid its second straight 2-8 season. But I don’t see North Union cooperating tonight. The Wildcats are poised to lock up the outright CBC Mad River division title. North Union 40, Ben Logan 19.
Riverside over Ridgemont
There have been some growing pains for the Pirates this season on their way to a 4-5 record. Riverside has the opportunity tonight to end on a high against the Gophers, who have won only once. Riverside 39, Ridgemont 13.
Triad over Northeastern
The Cardinals have endured a tough 2019 season with just a pair of wins through the first nine games of the regular season. It will be a positive finish tonight, though. The Jets are in a four-game losing skid and have scored only 20 points during that stretch. Triad 27, Northeastern 20.
Around the horn
London edges Jonathan Alder in a big Madison County showdown, 28-24 … Marion Local slips past Coldwater, 31-28 … Florida stops Georgia, 24-14 … The Broncos buck the Browns, 27-21.