Alex Morgan misses PK and USWNT settles for scoreless draw against Colombia

• October 27, 2023

SANDY, Utah — Alex Morgan missed a penalty shot at the end of the first half and the United States settled for a scoreless draw with Colombia in an exhibition game on Thursday night.

Morgan’s attempt in the 44th minute bounced back off the post and she tried to score off the rebound, but the ball sailed over the goal.

The game, played in chilly temperatures in the mid-30s, was the first of two matches against Colombia. The second is set for Sunday in San Diego.

“We knew Colombia was going to be a tough matchup,” defender Emily Sonnett said. “We want to be more clinical in the final third. I think overall a good performance and there’s definitely things to tighten up.”

The United States will play just two more games this year, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Frisco, Texas, in early December. Both matches are against China.

Colombia, ranked No. 22 in the world, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time this summer. Las Cafeteras were finally stopped by England, 2-1.

The United States was eliminated in the Round of 16 on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw with Sweden, the earliest World Cup exit ever for the Americans. Soon after the disappointing finish, Coach Vlatko Andonovski stepped down.

Since then, the Americans have been led by interim coach Twila Kilgore, who was an assistant under Andonovski. The Americans, ranked No. 3, are expected to name a permanent head coach by the end of the year as the team prepares for the Paris Olympics next summer.

The game marked the return of defender Becky Sauerbrunn to the team after she missed the World Cup because of an injury. She started on the bench but came in at the start of the second half.

“It’s been a tough year for me, and so to be able to get minutes on the field with this team, it’s a good day for me. So I’m really happy about that,” Sauerbrunn said. “Of course, it would have been great if it had been a win as well, but obviously we’ve got things we’ve got to work on.”

Sophia Smith was a late substitute. The reigning U.S. Soccer Player of the Year had not played for the United States since the World Cup because of a knee injury and was on limited minutes.

Smith came close to a goal in the final moments of stoppage time, but Colombia goalkeeper Natalia Girlaldo made the stop.

Jaedyn Shaw, 18, made her first appearance for the senior national team as a late-game substitute.

Colombia, which has also qualified for the Olympics, had not played since the World Cup. Linda Caicedo, the team’s 18-year-old forward who plays professionally for Real Madrid, started against the Americans. Catalina Usme, who scored two goals during the World Cup, was unavailable because of an injury.

The Colombians were playing the two friendlies under Angela Marsiglia, their new head coach after the post-World Cup departure of Nelson Abadía.

​ Orange County Register 

Josh Allen, Bills start fast, hold off Buccaneers

• October 27, 2023

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another – shrugging off aggravating an injury to his throwing shoulder – and the Buffalo Bills hung on to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-18, on Thursday night.

After a week of questions about his “low-energy” approach and Buffalo’s slow-starting offense, Allen came through for the Bills (5-3), throwing for 324 yards on 31-of-40 passing. He had been listed on the Bills’ report with a right shoulder injury and was checked in the blue medical tent in the second quarter, but remained in the game.

Gabriel Davis had a career-best nine catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid scored his first career touchdown on a 22-yard catch.

Buffalo’s defense limited the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield-led attack to less than 200 yards of offense through three quarters and 302 overall. And Bills punter Sam Martin contributed by landing three punts inside Tampa Bay’s 10-yard line.

Mayfield tried to rally Tampa Bay (3-4) late. He threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, followed by a 2-point conversion to Cade Otton, to get the Buccaneers within six with 2:44 remaining. But it took Tampa Bay 17 plays and 7:21 to march 92 yards for that score.

The game ended when Mayfield’s Hail Mary attempt from his own 45 fell between several players in the end zone. The Buccaneers have lost three straight and four of five since opening 2-0.

Buffalo built a 17-10 lead at halftime and never trailed. That was seven more points than the Bills had combined for in the first halves of their previous three games, two of which they lost.

Having a lead took the pressure off a defense missing three key starters.

Mayfield finished 25 of 42 for 237 yards and two touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to Chris Godwin, who was the closest to Mayfield’s final throw when it fell to the turf untouched. Running back Rachaad White led the Bucs with seven catches for 70 yards and had nine carries for 39 yards.

Tampa Bay’s defense was missing both starting defensive tackles. Vita Vea was ruled out with a groin injury, and Logan Hall hurt his groin during pre-game warmups.

Allen took advantage, topping 300 yards for the 23rd time in his career.

His touchdown run was the 43rd of his career, matching Steve Young for second-most all-time among quarterbacks. And he now has 199 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, tying Hall of Famer Dan Marino for second among quarterbacks in their first six seasons.

Allen said on Tuesday he might be partially responsible for Buffalo’s slow-starting offense after consciously making the decision to rein in his emotions last month. Allen called it a “low positive” approach and acknowledged he might have gone too far in reducing his energy level.

The only thing subdued about Allen was his touchdown celebration following his 13-yard scoring run. Allen stood in the left corner of the end zone in front of a cheering crowd and casually walked up the sideline after being congratulated by several teammates.

On the play before his touchdown run, Allen was sacked along the sideline, and that hit is what sent him to the medical tent to have his shoulder evaluated. He returned in time for Buffalo’s next drive but threw an interception when his pass deflected off the fingers of Antoine Winfield Jr. and was caught by defensive lineman William Gholston.

The Buccaneers scored two plays later on Mayfield’s pass to Godwin to tie the score at 10-all.

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Allen then led Buffalo on a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by the quarterback rolling to his right and throwing across his body to find Kincaid open over the middle.

Everything the offense appeared to lack over the past three weeks seemed to be corrected. The Bills changed their rhythm by going up-tempo at times to keep the Bucs off balance. And Allen attacked the middle of the field, something he was hesitant to do in his previous two outings.

UP NEXT

The Buccaneers play at Houston on Nov. 5.

The Bills travel to Cincinnati on Nov. 5. Last January on the road against the Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field. The game was halted and eventually canceled. Hamlin has resumed playing but has only been active once this season.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

Former Lakers coach Frank Vogel returns to Crypto.com Arena with ‘positive feelings’

• October 27, 2023

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers’ home opener against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night brought a familiar face back to the team’s home arena.

Frank Vogel, the Lakers’ head coach from 2019-22, was back on the sidelines at Crypto.com Arena, but this time as the new head coach for the Suns, who hired him in June to replace now-Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams.

“It’s great to see all the friendly faces and great to be back in this building,” Vogel said. “I have some great, great memories here. And became part of the Lakers’ championship legacy. Very fond memories here.”

Vogel was hired by the Lakers in May 2019, replacing Luke Walton at the head of the bench.

His tenure was met with immediate success, with Vogel leading the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title – the Lakers’ 17th NBA championship.

Vogel was fired after the team finished 33-49 in the 2021-22 regular season – his lone losing season with the Lakers.

He finished his Lakers tenure with a 127-98 record in the regular season, an 18-9 playoff record and the 2020 championship.

“I got all positive feelings,” Vogel said. “I’m grateful that they had me as their coach. The opportunity for them to hire me and give me the opportunity to (coach) their great players, this great franchise, that’s really the only thing that I’m carrying with me. The ability to become part of this incredible championship legacy is something that I’m very, very proud of – very, very prideful in. And I just have warm memories when I think of the Lakers.”

KOBE MURAL

The iconic downtown mural of deceased Lakers great Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, just a few blocks away from Crypto.com Arena will stay put for at least another year.

2K, the video game publisher, announced on Thursday that it reached an agreement to save the mural on the wall of the downtown Los Angeles Hardcore Fitness (400 W. Pico Blvd) that artist Sloe Motions painted in January 2020 after Kobe, Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas.

The Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural will remain in Downtown Los Angeles, for at least another year, after an agreement was made between NBA 2K and the landlord.

Thank you to the 90,000+ people who signed the petition to save this landmark in DTLA. pic.twitter.com/gqiF3yVQMj

— Kobe & Gianna Bryant Murals (@kobemurals) October 24, 2023

The mural was expected to be removed at the end of the year with the intent of turning the wall into advertising space, but the 2K team intervened and agreed to a one-year extension with the property owner.

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“We know how much this beloved mural means to Los Angeles residents and the global basketball community at large,” Ronnie Singh, Head of Lifestyle & Content Marketing at 2K, said in a statement. “When we learned it was in danger of being removed, we worked together with the building to preserve the art. At 2K, we will always do our best to honor Kobe, Gianna and the Bryant family and help create spaces, both virtual and in real life, whether it be Kobe as our NBA 2K24 cover athlete or a local mural, so basketball fans across the globe can pay their respects to one of the best to ever do it.”

INJURY UPDATE

Forward Cam Reddish was available against the Suns after being listed as probable because of right foot soreness.

Forward Jarred Vanderbilt (left heel soreness) and rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (right patella contusion) weren’t available for the second consecutive game after missing Tuesday’s season-opening loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Hood-Schifino will be re-evaluated by team doctors on Nov. 3, the Lakers said, meaning he’ll likely miss at least the first five games.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham said on Thursday that the team is evaluating Vanderbilt.

“We’re still going through the evaluation process and making sure we cross our t’s and dot our i’s,” Ham said. “Being that it’s early in the season, it’s no need to rush the process. So we’ll update you accordingly.”

​ Orange County Register 

Ducks stun Bruins as Mason McTavish’s OT goal caps wild comeback

• October 27, 2023

By BRENDAN McGAIR The Associated Press

BOSTON — Mason McTavish scored on a 2-on-1 break with 2:52 remaining in overtime as the Ducks rallied for a stunning 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

The Ducks erased a two-goal, third-period deficit and forced overtime on Troy Terry’s goal with 14.7 seconds left in regulation.

David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist, while Charlie McAvoy added three assists, but Boston surrendered a 3-1 lead and lost for the first time this season. Charlie Coyle and Matt Grzelcyk also scored for the Bruins, now 7-1 on the franchise’s centennial season.

Ducks goalie John Gibson made 30 saves, while Boston’s Linus Ullmark had 28.

The Ducks (3-4) jumped in front with five minutes left in the opening period with the help of a fortunate bounce. Defenseman Rako Gudas fired a rocket from just inside the blue line that deflected off the skate of Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm and past Ullmark. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wanted the officials to review for possible goalie interference but the call on the ice stood.

The Ducks outshot the Bruins in the opening period (9-6) but only enjoyed a 1-0 lead after going 0 for 2 on the power play. The Ducks outshot Boston 32-30 overall.

After Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe was called for cross-checking, Coyle tied it early in the second period as he camped in front of Gibson and converted a feed from Pastrnak. The Bruins tallied the next goal as Grzelcyk fired from the right circle for the first goal of the season by a Boston defenseman.

The third of three unanswered goals scored by Boston in the second period was delivered by Pastrnak, who pounced on the loose puck after tracking down his own rebound at 16:40. The forward now has six goals in seven games.

The Ducks’ fifth and final power-play opportunity of regulation came with 3:59 remaining after Boston forward Patrick Brown – recalled from AHL Providence before Thursday’s game – was sent to the box for hooking. Still down two goals, the Ducks pulled Gibson for a 6-on-4 advantage and struck with 1:55 left as rookie Leo Carlsson crashed the net after Ullmark made several stops.

FOWLER MILESTONE

Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler appeared in his 900th career NHL game, the 14th defenseman since 2000 to reach 900 games prior to his 32nd birthday. Fowler is the first Ducks defenseman to reach the milestone and the fourth skater overall. He joins Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne as the only players in franchise history to play 900 games in a Ducks jersey.

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Selected by the Ducks in the first round (12th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Fowler has more points, goals and assists than any defenseman in franchise history.

SUPPORT

A four-year college hockey player at the University of Maine, Montgomery took time before Thursday’s game to offer his condolences to the victims of the mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday night.

“I know how great the culture is in that state, and I know how great the people are. My heartfelt sympathies to everybody that’s impacted,” Montgomery said. “The Boston Bruins offer our sympathy and condolences to the victims and families that suffered.”

UP NEXT

The Ducks continue their four-game road trip on Saturday in Philadelphia.

More to come on this story.

LEO TO MAC-T DUCKS COMEBACK TO WIN IT@AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/RKKDF4qJsT

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

McTavish caught up with @AlysonLozoff after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime! @AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/EvdNu2pFR2

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

Coach Cronin shared his thoughts after the comeback W in his hometown @AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether | @AlysonLozoff pic.twitter.com/dhP27Y6W3a

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

2nd goal of the season for @LeoCarlsson7!@AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/RHgSFHtPFO

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

DUCKS TIE IT UP@AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/Q54AQmMQFt

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

Leo joins @AlysonLozoff after the OT thriller! @AnaheimDucks | #FlyTogether | @LeoCarlsson7 pic.twitter.com/w2x3JVrnBt

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) October 27, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

LAFC players, coaches not fans of new MLS playoff format

• October 27, 2023

The 2022 MLS Cup playoffs produced the first final in 19 years between the top seeds from the opposing conferences.

And the instant classic that followed netted the Los Angeles Football Club its initial league trophy.

For last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, collecting a rare double meant coming out ahead in three straight knockout games at home.

Capped by the thriller with the Philadelphia Union at BMO Stadium, that format could not have worked out better for the players, the league or anyone else involved, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo suggested after the 34-game MLS regular season concluded last weekend with a draw for the defending champions in Vancouver.

“So it makes perfect sense to go change everything,” Cherundolo noted, offering a wry smile.

LAFC’s path to becoming the first MLS champion to repeat since the Galaxy in 2014 will look significantly different than the journey the club took during Cherundolo’s impressive debut season – and not just because LAFC failed to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, a tough task up against the most demanding schedule in league history.

The postseason format that was announced prior to opening day in late February still deems winning three knockout games necessary in order to lift the Cup, but those will only come following the new best-of-three opening-round series.

Tying 1-1 in Vancouver clinched third place in the Western Conference for LAFC (14-10-10, 52 points), giving the team an advantage for the home-away-home series, unusual as that is in soccer, against the same opponent it faced in the regular-season finale.

If three games are needed to determine a winner against the sixth-seeded Whitecaps (12-10-12, 48 points), the first stage of the postseason would last as long as LAFC’s Cup-winning excursion from a year ago. And L.A. would face Vancouver seven times over 51 matches in all competitions.

LAFC captain Carlos Vela, who has qualified for the playoffs in five of his six seasons in Los Angeles, isn’t sure what the league was thinking by tacking on the opening series.

“We know how MLS playoffs are,” Vela prefaced. “So it’s a little bit crazy. A little bit wild.”

The Mexican star, who, at the age of 34, appeared in 44 matches this season, did not understand “the point of three games in the first round and after that three more games to win the championship.”

When a reporter hinted at money being the reason – that is, a few dozen more must-win games – Vela responded “everybody knows but can’t say nothing.”

Veteran MLS defender Ryan Hollingshead, a pro since 2014, is also unsure what to expect from a type of playoff competition that is typical in other North American sports.

“I have the understanding of aggregate and how to manage a game when it’s aggregate home and away,” said Hollingshead, who thinks LAFC’s depth and versatility could be a factor in its favor as it attempts to defeat the same team over and over.

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Between the best-of-three and the subsequent round, there is a two-week international break, including competitive matches for Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, who isn’t a fan of the new-look playoffs either.

“Does that belong in our sport? Best-of-three? Best-of-five? Best-of-seven? Does that belong to our sport?” Crepeau wondered. “Home-away games, I totally understand it. We’ve seen it for years overseas but to start to add on and add on and add on, does that really translate to our sport? I don’t know.

“Soon we’ll do a best-of-seven, you know? And the season will finish December 31st and the preseason will be January 5th.”

As it stands, the conference semifinals take place Nov. 25 and 26, the conference finals on Dec. 2 and 3, and the MLS Cup on Dec. 9.

“I think this group knows on a good day we can beat everybody,” Cherundolo said. “Now it’s just a matter of having one, two, three, four, five, six … six good days in a row.”

​ Orange County Register 

World Series: Diamondbacks bring receipts into surprise matchup against Rangers

• October 27, 2023

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas — Before opening the World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to recount a series of slights.

Overlooked by oddsmakers and angered by analysts, the Diamondbacks find themselves in a Surprise Series against the also unexpected Texas Rangers. But the mindsets couldn’t be more different ahead of Friday night’s opener in MLB’s third all-wild card title matchup.

“We just put it on our list and keep those receipts and walk around with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulder,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday. “It gives you a little bit more motivation. And when you can get a little bit more, you take it.”

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald has become the keeper of the receipts, reminding teammates of what they consider disrespect.

“Maybe I found screenshots that maybe other people didn’t,” he said, wearing a T-shirt that proclaimed “Snakes Alive.” “We took offense to that and we’re excited that we’re here and people are still not giving us that much credit here.”

The Diamondbacks are tracking closely what the public says, with MLB Network a clubhouse constant. Meanwhile, the Rangers insist they pay no attention.

“We don’t listen to the outside noise that much,” second baseman Marcus Semien said.

Zac Gallen, a 28-year-old right-hander coming off a career-best 17-win season, starts Game 1 for the Diamondbacks, who are in the Fall Classic for the first time since beating the New York Yankees for the franchise’s only title in 2001. Texas starts Nathan Eovaldi, a 33-year-old right-hander and a two-time All-Star who has overcome two Tommy John surgeries.

Gallen, who grew up in a Philadelphia suburb, followed the pennant-winning Game 7 victory over the Phillies with a tweet highlighting the losing team’s spring training and reminded Philadelphia fans to “make sure to get those tix for your next game.” When the Phillies led the NLCS 2-0, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs talked about celebrating in the Chase Field pool. Gallen responded to what he said were online direct messages.

“I just figured if they want to talk junk to me, I’ll say one back,” he said. “And I feel like being from there, I knew how to hit them the hardest.”

Both teams worked out Thursday under a closed roof at Globe Life Field, where World Series logos were freshly painted on the turf. Both clubs are two years removed from 100-loss seasons, and the Diamondbacks could become just the second champion with a negative run differential after the 1987 Minnesota Twins.

Arizona went 84-78 during the season and earned the NL’s sixth and last postseason berth, finishing with what would be the second-fewest wins for a Series champion behind the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals’ 83. The Rangers were 90-72 and got the fifth American League slot.

Texas hasn’t won a title since the franchise started play as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, and the odds of a Diamondbacks-Rangers Series were 1,750-to-1 when wagering for the 2023 season opened.

“We weren’t concerned with what people thought of us,” said first-year Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who led the San Francisco Giants to three titles from 2010-14. “We thought we belonged and we thought we could win.”

Lovullo, excited about his first Series as a manager, opened his news conference by snapping a photo of assembled media “just to break the ice.” He had a message for MLB Network’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who promised before Game 6 against the Phillies to “retire on the spot” if Arizona won the pennant.

“You can’t back out of that one, Mad Dog. You’ve got to do something,” Lovullo said. “I do like Howard Stern’s thought about walking with a billboard saying that I am whatever, a liar … in Midtown Manhattan for half a day. That will do it for me, but I ain’t going to forgive you until you do something unbelievable, maybe show up here and say you’re sorry to the entire team.”

BETTER NATE THAN NEVER

Eovaldi is 4-0 in this postseason. He was to have started Game 4 of the 2018 World Series for Boston but instead relieved in the 12th inning of Game 3 and delivered a memorable performance before giving up Max Muncy’s winning home run leading off the 18th for the Dodgers.

“I kind of had my moment there,” Eovaldi said. “Having Game 1, trying to set a tone for the team, there’s a lot of pressure with that, but also a lot of excitement.”

GREAT GLOVES

Arizona had the fewest errors in the major leagues during the season (56), one less than Texas. The Diamondbacks have allowed three unearned runs during the postseason and the Rangers one.

MUTUAL ADMIRATION

Lovullo, 58 and in his seventh season as a big league manager, effusively praised the 68-year-old Bochy, in his 26th. Lovullo recalled giving Bochy a gift during his last season with San Francisco in 2019.

“It’s been an absolute honor to manage against you. I hope you find your way back to doing this one day,” Lovullo recalled saying, adding Bochy responded: “If I do, it will be an honor to be managing against you, as well.”

“I couldn’t believe he said that to me,” Lovullo said. “I was just honored to be in his presence. And I will be for these next nine days.”

WORLD SERIES MATCHUP

A capsule look at the best-of-seven World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers:

SCHEDULE (all times PT, all games on Fox/Ch. 11)

Game 1 – Friday, at Arlington, Texas, 5:03 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday, at Arlington, Texas, 5:03 p.m.

Game 3 – Monday, Oct. 30, at Phoenix, 5:03 p.m.

Game 4 – Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Phoenix, 5:03 p.m.

x-Game 5 – Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Phoenix, 5:03 p.m.

x-Game 6 – Friday, Nov. 3, at Arlington, Texas, 5:03 p.m.

x-Game 7 – Saturday, Nov. 4, at Arlington, Texas, 5:03 p.m.

x-if necessary

Season Series: The Diamondbacks won 3-1.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Record: 84-78

Playoff entry: Wild card

Manager: Torey Lovullo (seventh season)

Top hitters: OF Corbin Carroll (.285, 25 HRs, 76 RBIs, .868 OPS, 54/59 SBs, 116 runs), 2B Ketel Marte (.276, 25, 82, .844 OPS), 1B Christian Walker (.258, 33, 103, .830 OPS), LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.261, 24, 82, .772 OPS)

Projected rotation: RH Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA, 220 Ks, 210 IP in 34 starts), RH Merrill Kelly (12-8, 3.29 in 30 starts), RH Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72, 22 HRs in 96 IP)

Key relievers: RH Paul Sewald (3-2, 3.12 ERA, 34/39 saves with Mariners and Diamondbacks), RH Kevin Ginkel (9-1, 2.48, 4 saves), RH Ryan Thompson (1-2, 3.82, 1 save with Rays and Diamondbacks), LH Andrew Saalfrank (0-0, 0.00 in 10 games), LH Joe Mantiply (2-2, 4.62), RH Miguel Castro (6-6, 4.31, 7 saves in NL-high 75 games)

Series story: A nine-game losing streak left the young Diamondbacks 57-59 on Aug. 11, but they recovered. Despite totaling three runs while dropping their last four regular-season games, Arizona squeezed into the final playoff spot before taking off on a 9-3 postseason roll to become the second consecutive No. 6 seed to win the NL pennant. … Making their first playoff appearance since Lovullo’s debut season in 2017, the Diamondbacks swept the division champion Milwaukee Brewers and the NL West champion Dodgers before overcoming 2-0 and 3-2 deficits against the defending NL champion Phillies in the NLCS. Arizona held Bryce Harper & Co. to three runs over the final 18 innings to win Games 6 and 7 in Philadelphia, where the Phillies had been 12-2 over their past two postseasons – including 11-0 in NL playoff games. … It’s been an impressive turnaround under GM Mike Hazen after the Diamondbacks lost 110 games in 2021 and finished 74-88 last year. Their only previous World Series berth came in 2001, when Arizona – in the franchise’s fourth season – edged the New York Yankees in a classic seven-game thriller. … Marte was the NLCS MVP after batting .387 with 12 hits, four doubles, a triple and three RBIs. His 19 hits in a single postseason are a club record. He’s hit safely in all 16 career postseason games, the longest streak in NL history and second in MLB history to Derek Jeter’s 17-game run for the Yankees. … Gallen is 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA in four postseason outings after getting roughed up in the NLCS. Kelly went 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three playoff starts. Pfaadt, a rookie, has come on with a 2.70 ERA and 22 strikeouts against three walks in 16⅔ innings. … A no-name relief corps has been an October revelation, and the Diamondbacks figure to go with a bullpen parade in Game 4 just like they did in the NLCS. Sewald is perfect in six postseason save chances. He and Ginkel have combined for 24 strikeouts in 17 scoreless innings. … The Diamondbacks split two games at Texas in early May and swept a pair at home from the Rangers in August, including an 11-inning victory on consecutive doubles by Geraldo Perdomo and Tommy Pham off of Will Smith. Gallen whiffed 11 over six innings of one-run ball to win the series finale that came during an eight-game skid for Texas. … The Rangers hold a 28-25 edge in regular-season matchups. … Arizona bench coach Jeff Banister won AL West titles in the first two seasons of his tenure as Texas manager from 2015-18.

TEXAS RANGERS

Record: 90-72

Playoff entry: Wild card

Manager: Bruce Bochy (first season)

Top hitters: SS Corey Seager (.327, 33 HRs, 96 RBIs, 1.013 OPS in 119 games), RF Adolis García (.245, 39, 107, .836 OPS), 2B Marcus Semien (.276, 29, 100, .826 OPS in 162 games, led AL with 122 runs and 185 hits), 3B Josh Jung (.266, 23, 70, .781 OPS in 122 games)

Projected rotation: RH Nathan Eovaldi (12-5, 3.63 ERA in 25 starts), LH Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 in 32 starts with Cardinals and Rangers), RH Max Scherzer (13-6, 3.77 in 27 starts with the Mets and Rangers), LH Andrew Heaney (10-6, 4.15)

Key relievers: RH José Leclerc (0-2, 2.68 ERA, 4 saves), RH Josh Sborz (6-7, 5.50), LH Aroldis Chapman (6-5, 3.09, 6 saves, 103 Ks in 58⅓ IP with Royals and Rangers), LH Cody Bradford (4-3, 5.30 in 20 games, 8 starts), RH Dane Dunning (12-7, 3.70 in 35 games, 26 starts), LH Will Smith (2-7, 4.40, 22 saves)

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Series story: In their first playoff appearance since 2016, the streaky but resilient Rangers won the franchise’s third American League pennant to reach the World Series for the first time since consecutive trips in 2010 and 2011. It has been quite a turnaround under Bochy and GM Chris Young after the Rangers lost 102 games in 2021 and went 68-94 last year for their sixth straight losing season. … One of six MLB teams without a World Series title – Colorado, Milwaukee, San Diego, Seattle and Tampa Bay are the others. … Texas led the AL West for most of the season but squandered the division crown to rival Houston with a loss at Seattle on the final day of regular season. That left the Rangers with the No. 5 seed in the AL playoffs and sent them across the country to open the playoffs at Tampa Bay, part of a two-week trip that took them to four cities – two on each coast. But they swept the Rays and the AL East champion Orioles, the two winningest teams in the AL this season, while starting the playoffs with seven straight wins – six on the road. Then they dropped all three home games to the Astros in the ALCS before rebounding in Houston, totaling 20 runs in Games 6 and 7 to dethrone the defending World Series champs in their Lone Star State showdown. It marked the second time in major league history that the road team won every game in a best-of-seven postseason series. … Texas joined the 1996 New York Yankees as the only clubs to win their first eight road games in a postseason. Which, of course, earned the Rangers home-field advantage in this all-wild card World Series because they had a better regular-season record than Arizona. … The 68-year-old Bochy, who came out of retirement to manage the Rangers, is looking for his fourth championship after leading San Francisco to World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He is the first skipper to win an LCS with three different teams, after guiding the Padres and Giants to NL pennants. … García, the ALCS MVP, homered in the final four games and set a record for RBIs in a postseason series with 15. He hit seven homers in playoffs, and his 20 RBIs are the most in postseason history prior to a World Series. … Eovaldi is 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts this postseason. Montgomery is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA, including a Game 7 victory in relief against the Astros. … Scherzer was drafted by the Diamondbacks and spent his first two seasons with Arizona from 2008-09 before the three-time Cy Young Award winner was traded to Detroit. … Leclerc has taken over the closer role from the struggling Smith, earning three saves in 10 appearances during the playoffs. … Poised rookie outfielder Evan Carter has provided a huge boost since making his major league debut on Sept. 8, less than two weeks after 21st birthday. … Two times Texas was one strike from winning the 2011 World Series before the St. Louis Cardinals rallied twice to win Game 6. The Cardinals then took Game 7 for the title.

​ Orange County Register 

As mortgage rates top 8%, what homebuyers should know

• October 27, 2023

By Kate Wood | NerdWallet

Interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have hit yet another high, with lenders offering loans above 8% for the first time since 2000. Mortgage rates have gone up rapidly this year, rising two full percentage points from lows near 6% back in February.

That’s been brutal for home buyers, who have watched their buying power erode. At a 6% interest rate, a buyer looking to spend $2,000 a month on principal and interest could afford a loan of roughly $333,500. With interest rates at 8%, that same buyer can afford only $272,500. Their target home price has dropped $61,000 as more of that monthly payment has to go toward servicing interest.

Here’s why mortgage interest rates are so high, and why they could remain elevated. Still, there are ways that home buyers can contend with such a challenging housing market.

Why mortgage rates climbed so high

A year ago, many housing economists, including in forecasts from Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association, were anticipating that today’s mortgage rates would be in the 5%-6% range. Though that seems wildly off base now, at the time it looked pretty reasonable.

“Last year around this time, the Fed was in the midst of hiking interest rates very rapidly,” explains Chen Zhao, head of economic research at Redfin. “And most economic forecasters were really looking at this and saying, OK, this is most likely going to lead to a recession.”

A recession could have forced the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, with mortgage rates likely falling, too. But that recession hasn’t arrived.

“Despite what the Fed has done, hiking rates at the fastest rate ever, the economy, especially the job market, has really just remained very resilient. As a result, investors are now expecting that the economy is going to avoid a recession and remain very strong for longer,” Zhao says. “And that means that the economy can sustain higher mortgage rates for a longer amount of time.”

Where are mortgage rates headed in 2024?

Looking at last year’s predictions for 2023, it’s clear that a lot can change in just a few months. With political upheaval in the U.S. and multiple wars overseas, there’s potential for tectonic shifts in markets and in economic policy.

“I would say that right now uncertainty is unusually high,” Zhao comments. “Maybe the most plausible forecast would be to say that rates are probably going to stay in this range for the near term or at least in the foreseeable future.” But Zhao also outlines scenarios for mortgage rates going lower — an economic downturn forcing the Federal Reserve to encourage economic activity by easing interest rates — or higher, if mortgage spreads remain elevated.

The mortgage spread is the difference between the 30-year fixed mortgage rate and 10-year Treasury rate. “Historically, the spread between the 10-year Treasury and the 30-year mortgage rates is about 1 3/4%,” explains Melissa Cohn, New York-based regional vice president and mortgage banker at William Raveis Mortgage. Because of economic and geopolitical volatility, “Those spreads have grown over the course of the past couple of years, and our mortgage rates are now trading at 3% or higher above the 10-year Treasury.”

That said, it’s also worth noting that while we haven’t seen mortgage interest rates this high in 23 years, prevailing interest rates are in line with longer-term historical averages. Interest rates collected by government-sponsored enterprise Freddie Mac, which go back to 1971, are widely used as the yardstick for mortgage interest rates. Over that half century, the average 30-year fixed interest rate has been 7.74%.

“Looking holistically at the entire history, we’re about where the average is,” comments Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research for the National Association of Realtors. Lautz points out that recent history is fairly exceptional: “We don’t want to say that the interest rate of 18 is normal, but the interest rate of 2.5 is also not normal,” she says, referring to historic highs of the early 1980s and the low point of 2020. “Both of those were very unusual time periods for interest rates.”

How high rates might affect buyers’ plans

Higher interest rates have got home buyers scrambling to keep their budgets in line with costs. But buyers should also consider the wider effects that rates have on the housing market and how these could play out.

Cohn contends that those who can afford to buy now, despite high interest rates, are likely better off going ahead with a purchase, as home prices continue to rise. “Are you better off buying in the higher-rate environment today and paying hundreds of dollars more a month in a mortgage payment so that you can refinance in a year when rates are down instead of having to pay 5% more on the purchase price of that home in a year?” she asks. This argument assumes interest rates will drop, but it’s also worth noting that while today’s buyer waits for rates to fall, they’re building equity.

Lautz also leans toward acting now if you can, but for different reasons. With housing inventory limited, a drop in interest rates could bring currently priced-out buyers off the sidelines, driving up home prices. “I do think there is pent-up demand,” Lautz explains, “and so they may be facing a multiple-offer situation.” In other words, lower rates could lead to the return of bidding wars.

What homebuyers can do now

If you’re in a position to buy a home despite today’s mortgage rates, there are a few steps you can take to buffer the effects of high rates.

Get all the help you can: If you’re a first-time home buyer, look into state and local programs that provide down payment and closing cost assistance. These can be no- or low-interest loans or even outright grants. You may not even have to be a true first-timer: Many programs consider you a first-time home buyer if you haven’t had an ownership interest in a home in at least three years.

Consider a variety of home types: Rather than a detached, single-family home, a condo or townhouse might better suit your budget. New construction is worth a look, as newly built homes are nearly one-third of the current market. Home builders with robust inventories are often able to provide incentives that make new homes more affordable.

Be interest-rate-aware: When you’re researching sample interest rates at various lenders, read the fine print. With rates so high, many lenders are including discount points — prepaid mortgage interest — to make their sample rates appear lower. Buying points can be a good strategy, but there’s an upfront cost, so you want to know if they’re included when trying to decide which lender has the best rates for you.

Kate Wood writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected].

The article As Mortgage Rates Top 8%, What Home Buyers Should Know originally appeared on NerdWallet.

​ Orange County Register 

Orange County scores and player stats for Thursday, Oct. 26

• October 27, 2023

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Scores and stats from Orange County games on Thursday, Oct. 26

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THURSDAY’S SCORES

BOYS WATER POLO

SURF LEAGUE

Huntington Beach 15, Laguna Beach 10

GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

Godinez 11, Katella 8

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

University 11, Northwood 10

NONLEAGUE

Mission Viejo 15, Schurr 8

Saddleback 24, Bolsa Grande 6

Damien 16, Servite 11

Rancho Alamitos 11, Ayala 9

Villa Park 11, Tustin 3

Marina 17, Warren 7

Whittier 16, Western 10

El Dorado 14, Valencia 3

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Woodbridge 13, University 0

​ Orange County Register