Slovenia continues to thrive in EuroBasket. Dak Prescott? Not so much in the Cowboys’ disastrous season opener. But at least Josh Jung has finally arrived. Now let’s see if better days are ahead for all of them.
Here’s what I’m watching
Monday, 9/12 through Sunday, 9/18—Josh Jung versus everyone—Various times, Bally Sports Southwest
We’ve reached the doldrums of the Rangers season—the arduous final weeks when it so often becomes tricky to find reasons stay engaged as Texas winds down another losing season. So the jolt in the arm that was Josh Jung’s arrival could not have come at a more opportune time. Texas’ top hitting prospect wasted no time making a first impression, launching a home run in his very first major league plate appearance in what The Athletic’s Levi Weaver called the most electric moment of the season. What’s next? It’s worth keeping an eye on the third baseman’s every at-bat to find out. Jamey Newberg will have more on him Wednesday.
Wednesday, 9/14—EuroBasket: Slovenia versus Poland—1:30 p.m., ESPN+
Luka Doncic’s stampede continues into the quarterfinals after a 35-point explosion to edge Belgium over the weekend. It should be smoother sailing this time around, as Slovenia is a 14.5-point betting favorite. Rumor has it that Iztok Franko will be back in Berlin if his countrymen advance to the semis.
Sunday, 9/18—Trevon Diggs versus Ja’Marr Chase—3:25 p.m., CBS
What, you thought I was going to say Cooper Rush? We’ll all be watching him, of course, but there’s little reason to expect him to carry this shambolic passing game, nor any to expect Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore to ask him to rather than lean on the run game. Besides, Dallas is a self-styled defensive football team, which means its best chance at pulling an upset is to keep the score down and hope the offense can do just enough to get by.
But that plan will only go as far as the secondary takes it, which means stopping Chase, the 22-year-old sensation who is already jostling for the title of league’s best receiver. The Steelers couldn’t in Week 1, and they needed four interceptions plus overtime to eke out a win. Dallas—and Trevon Diggs, in particular—must make a much better effort to contain him for the Cowboys to avoid an 0-2 start.
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