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: kwood@nerdwallet.com.

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

Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

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 

Santa Ana winds to blow through Southern California Sunday, Monday

• October 27, 2023

Gusty Santa Ana winds and dry conditions spelling heightened wildfire danger are forecast for Southern California starting Saturday night and continuing into early next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The gusts could reach 60 mph in parts of Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

A fire warning is in effect for the mountain areas of Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, and the San Gabriel Valley. The NWS also posted a high wind watch for the Inland Empire beginning at 3 a.m. Sunday and ending at 10 p.m. Monday, though meteorologists remain undecided as to when the northeasterly winds will subside.

The NWS said that a surface ridge of high pressure will anchor over the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah, moving in behind a low-pressure system as it exits eastward, ushering in the Santa Anas and lower humidity.

Forecasters said humidity dropping to 5% will mean bone-dry conditions across the inland region.

“For Saturday night through Tuesday, there will be elevated fire weather conditions, with periods of critical fire weather,” the weather service stated.

“In terms of fires, avoid activities that could create a spark,” NWS forecaster Stefanie Sullivan said. “Don’t park on top of grass if you have to pull over, because the heat from your exhaust could ignite a fire.”

The agency predicted winds averaging between 20 mph and 30 mph, with gusts of 55 to 60 mph possible in some locations. Mountains and passes, including the San Gorgonio Pass between Banning and Whitewater, will be on the receiving end of the most intense gusts, according to the NWS.

“Strong winds could damage trees and other objects,” the agency said. “Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”

Although the high wind watch currently ends on Monday night, the NWS said it’s possible strong easterly winds would continue going into Wednesday.

“Overall, this is a moderate event, but it’s definitely the strongest one of the season so far,” Sullivan said. “The other ones were so weak I wouldn’t even classify them as Santa Anas.

High temperatures in Southern California metropolitan areas are expected to peak in the mid-70s over the weekend, with overnight lows in the low 50s.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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​ Orange County Register 

Rams betting on kicker Lucas Havrisik’s potential

• October 27, 2023

THOUSAND OAKS – After his 1-for-3 performance against the Steelers dropped Brett Maher to 10-for-16 on field goals of 40 yards or longer this season, the Rams decided they had to make a change. Such is the landscape for NFL kickers, with margins for mistakes so small.

But after the Rams released the veteran – inconsistent, perhaps, but a known quantity – they went in a very different direction with the signing of Lucas Havrisik.

Havrisik has spent the first year-plus of his career on practice squads, first with the Colts in 2022 before the Browns this season. He has yet to play in an NFL regular season game, and the last time he attempted a kick in a meaningful contest was during his senior year at Arizona, when he made 9 of 14 field-goal attempts.

Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn said Thursday the time was right to make a move at kicker after the Steelers game, and said he was encouraged after seeing Havrisik practice with the team for the first time Wednesday.

“No. 1, we’re trying to find kickers who make kicks. We’re trying to find a guy that can come in here and be the solution Day 1, and we hope that we’ve found that,” special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn said. “You can go with the vet, a guy that’s proven but may be on the different part of his career path versus a young guy that’s earning the right.”

Blackburn pointed to former Rams kicker Matt Gay as a model for Havrisik. Gay was waived by Tampa Bay after struggling through his rookie season. He spent a year with the Colts on their practice squad, before coming to the Rams and becoming a reliable piece of a Super Bowl team.

“That’s what you’re really hoping to find in a young guy like Lucas, that he can come and the moment’s not too big,” Blackburn said. “If he can do that, stay in the right mental space with the ball flight and the ball he hits and his leg strength, there’s a ton of upside with that kid.”

Gay actually played a role in Havrisik’s arrival in Los Angeles. They spent part of the spring together in Indianapolis before Havrisik left for the Browns, and Gay put in a good word for the young kicker as the Rams scoured the league for an option.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Havrisik, a Riverside native back in Southern California and within driving distance from his parents.

“It feels great,” Havrisik said. “It was kind of weird flying in because I was like, I haven’t been to California in like six years. I don’t really come back. I was like, ‘Man, this is nice.’”

This week is about Havrisik getting into a rhythm with his new operation mates, long snapper Alex Ward and holder Ethan Evans. Havrisik’s hold preference is similar to Maher’s, so it’s an easy transition, something that Blackburn says the Rams considered when looking for a new kicker.

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Blackburn has been happy with what he’s seen of Havrisik’s leg strength and the way the ball sails off his foot. As the Rams look for a permanent solution at kicker, Havrisik says he feels no undue pressure entering this weekend’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“You have to the confidence that you’re going to make every kick,” Havrisik said. “Can’t put too much pressure and say, ‘I gotta make this kick, I gotta make this kick.’ Like Jordan and LeBron, they go in there and let their body do it. So you just gotta go out there and let your body do it instead of thinking about it.”

Briefly

Right tackle Rob Havenstein was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice with a calf injury. Havenstein had been a full participant on Wednesday.

​ Orange County Register 

High school football live updates: Thursday’s games for Week 10 in Southern California

• October 27, 2023

Looking for live high school football updates? Click here

Follow along tonight, Thursday, October 26, as our Southern California News Group reporters provide scores, stats, videos and much more from the sidelines at tonight’s Week 10 games.

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THURSDAY’S GAMES

CIF-SS

605 LEAGUE

Cerritos at Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Glenn at Artesia, 7 p.m.

BASELINE LEAGUE

Damien at Etiwanda, 7 p.m.

Rancho Cucamonga at Upland, 7 p.m.

BIG WEST-LOWER LEAGUE

Corona at Corona Santiago, 7:30 p.m.

King at Murrieta Mesa, 7:30 p.m.

Temecula Valley at Great Oak, 7 p.m.

BIG WEST-UPPER LEAGUE

Corona Centennial at Norco, 7:30 p.m.

Eastvale Roosevelt at Chaparral, 7:30 p.m.

Murrieta Valley at Vista Murrieta, 7:30 p.m.

CITRUS BELT LEAGUE

Beaumont at Cajon, 7:30 p.m.

Redlands East Valley at Redlands, 7:30 p.m.

Yucaipa at Citrus Valley, 7:30 p.m.

COTTONWOOD LEAGUE

Anza Hamilton at Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian, 7 p.m.

CRESTVIEW LEAGUE

Yorba Linda vs. Foothill at Tustin HS, 7 p.m.

DESERT SKY LEAGUE

Granite Hills at Barstow, 7 p.m.

Silverado at Victor Valley, 7:30 p.m.

FOOTHILL LEAGUE

Golden Valley vs. Saugus at Canyon Country Canyon HS, 7 p.m.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Garden Grove Santiago vs. Los Amigos at Garden Grove HS, 7 p.m.

Loara vs. Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Grande HS, 6:30 p.m.

GOLDEN LEAGUE

Palmdale at Lancaster, 7 p.m.

IVY LEAGUE

Heritage at Riverside North, 7:30 p.m.

MESQUITE LEAGUE

Arrowhead Christian vs. Capistrano Valley Christian at San Gorgonio HS, 7 p.m.

MOJAVE RIVER LEAGUE

Ridgecrest Burroughs at Oak Hills, 7 p.m.

MOUNTAIN PASS LEAGUE

Perris at San Jacinto, 7 p.m.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY LEAGUE

San Bernardino at Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

MOUNTAIN WEST LEAGUE

Charter Oak at Bonita, 7 p.m.

MT. BALDY 4 LEAGUE

Hacienda Heights Wilson at Baldwin Park, 7 p.m.

Montclair at Sierra Vista, 7 p.m.

NORTH HILLS LEAGUE

Anaheim Canyon at El Modena, 7 p.m.

PACIFIC-LOWER LEAGUE

Hoover at Glendale, 7 p.m.

RIO HONDO LEAGUE

Monrovia at San Marino, 7 p.m.

RIVER VALLEY LEAGUE

La Sierra vs. Patriot at Rubidoux HS, 7:30 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO LEAGUE

Chaffey at West Covina, 7 p.m.

SIERRA LEAGUE

Covina at Rowland, 7 p.m.

SKYLINE LEAGUE

San Gorgonio at Bloomington, 7 p.m.

VALLE VISTA LEAGUE

Northview vs. Diamond Ranch at Covina District Field, 7 p.m.

NONLEAGUE

View Park at Grace Brethren, 7 p.m.

L.A. CITY

WEST VALLEY LEAGUE

Chatsworth at Granada Hills, 7 p.m.

8-MAN

CIF-SS

HERITAGE LEAGUE

Santa Clarita Christian at Lancaster Baptist, 6 p.m.

NONLEAGUE

Leadership Military at CSDR, 7 p.m.

Milken vs. Southlands Christian at Birmingham, 7 p.m.

Football

— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) September 1, 2023

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​ Orange County Register 

Bears rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent has Chargers’ full respect

• October 27, 2023

COSTA MESA — It’s not as if the Chargers had to do a Google search for Tyson Bagent’s name to learn something about the Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback. There was plenty of information about him after he filled in for an injured Justin Fields and led them to a rout of the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Beyond that 30-12 victory, though, there wasn’t a whole lot of videotape of Bagent, an undrafted rookie from Shepherd, an NCAA Division II school located aptly enough in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He’s one of only six players from the public liberal arts university to have played in the NFL.

Bagent, listed at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, completed 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown against the Raiders, his first NFL start and his second appearance in place of Fields, who has a right thumb injury that sidelined him for practice Wednesday and Thursday.

“If you’re good enough, the NFL will find you,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said, listing Bagent’s collegiate accomplishments, including an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl. “Then in the preseason, certainly, he had to beat a lot of people out to become the second quarterback for Chicago. He has our full respect.”

Staley knows a little something about quarterbacks from small colleges.

He was one, after all.

Staley played at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, a Division II school, before completing his collegiate career at the University of Dayton. Collegiate coaching stops included John Carroll University and the University of St. Thomas, in addition to Northern Illinois and the University of Tennessee.

Certainly, Bagent wasn’t completely unknown to the Chargers.

“You take a good look at all of the quarterbacks,” Staley said of pre-draft scouting. “But, even if you’re looking at other positions, you are seeing him at the Senior Bowl, whether it’s in one-on-ones or in the seven-on-sevens or the actual team reps. You go back to what you saw back then, and then his performances so far in the NFL. You see a player who belongs and who is good enough to play quarterback in the NFL.”

What stands out?

Or, more to the point, what stood out against the Raiders?

“I saw a winning performance,” Staley said. “I thought that he played really well. I thought that he operated the offense and did exactly what Luke (Getsy, Chicago’s offensive coordinator) is asking him to do. I thought that he played with a lot of confidence. You could see as the game went on he played with more and more confidence and made more and more plays. … Again, it was a winning performance.”

DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

Unlike last Sunday’s opponent, the pass-first Kansas City Chiefs, the Bears would rather run the football than pass it. Chicago is the fourth-leading rushing team in the NFL through the first seven weeks of the season, piling up 989 yards on the ground while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 32 of 42 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-17 victory over the Chargers (2-4) on Sunday. The Bears (2-5) rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts, averaging 4.6 yards in their victory over the Raiders.

It presents a radically different challenge for the Chargers.

“Two totally different styles,” Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley said. “It starts with the ground game with (Chicago). K.C., they threw it (almost) 45 times. So, two totally different styles, two totally different tastes. But, again, same result. They rushed for (almost) 180 yards against the Raiders. The Bears know who they want to be and we have to do a good job of meeting that task.”

INJURY UPDATES

Wide receiver Joshua Palmer was absent from practice for the second consecutive day because of a knee injury suffered Sunday against the Chiefs. … Tight end Gerald Everett (hip) and defensive backs Alohi Gilman (heel) and Deane Leonard (hamstring) were listed as limited participants.

​ Orange County Register 

UC Irvine researchers shine light on deceptive COVID-19 treatments

• October 27, 2023

IRVINE — A UC Irvine study published Thursday in a science journal showed that last year 38 business in North America marketed unproven stem cell therapies and exosome products to treat or prevent COVID-19.

The businesses operated or had ties to 60 clinics — 24 in the United States and 22 in Mexico, with the rest in Guatemala, Malaysia, Poland and Spain, according to the study published in Stem Cell Reports.

The businesses touted treatments long-COVID and “immune boosters” to prevent or treat infection.

The scientists involved in the study said such untested treatments can pose health hazards such as minor complications to more serious afflictions like pumonary embolisms, cardiovascular issues and acute bacterial infections. The treatments don’t come cheap either with costs ranging from $2,950 to $25,000, which are not covered by insurers.

“Patients suffering from long COVID are the primary marketing target of businesses engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of stem cells and exosome products for COVID-19,” the scientists wrote in the study. “It is understandable that individuals seeking relief from shortness of breath, fatigue, ‘brain fog,’ heart palpitations, loss of smell and other symptoms search for interventions that might help them.”

Those afflicted with lingering symptoms of COVID-19 “are vulnerable to having their suffering, desperation and hope exploited by entities making appealing therapeutic claims without having the scientific evidence needed to make such representations,” the study’s authors wrote. “Likewise, there is no current scientific consensus that stem cell interventions and exosome products can reliably prevent individuals from being infected by SARS-CoV-2 or ‘boost’ their immune systems in such a manner that their risk of infection is reduced. Such marketing claims are distinct from translational research efforts that have responded to the pandemic by generating meaningful safety and efficacy data for specific stem cell interventions and exosome products.”

Leigh Turner, professor of health, society and behavior in UCI’s Program in Public Health and an author of the study said the exploitation of those suffering from long COVID is “very alarming, because these people are not accessing evidence-based treatments that have been reviewed and approved by national regulators. When going online looking for stem cell or exosome treatments, people need to be alert to the possibility of scams.”

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The study’s authors were struck by the fact that two dozen of the clinics were U.S.-based because federal agencies have been issuing warning letters to companies that mislead consumers about unproven stem cell and exosome products.

But some of the businesses stop the marketing when they get a warning letter while others dodge regulators with new clinics opening.

Turner recommended “further regulatory oversight, research, testing and approval of stem cell treatments and exosome therapies for COVID-19.”

​ Orange County Register