The Rangers hit rock bottom in their final Silver Boot series of the year, conceding 39 runs in a sweep at the hands of the Astros. (You can read Jamey Newberg for more on that, and perhaps some shreds of hope, too.) Meanwhile, SMU played Oklahoma tight until the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get over the hump against the Sooners. But the Cowboys did their part and then some, delivering a 40-0 season-opening shellacking to the Giants in New Jersey. (Jake Kemp will have more on that later today.)
Here’s what I’m watching this week:
Thursday, 9/14—Rangers at Blue Jays—6:07 p.m., Bally Sports Southwest
The Rangers’ fading playoff hopes could hinge on this series, a four-game set against the team a game and a half ahead of it in the wild-card hunt, and Thursday’s series finale is especially important to gauge what de facto ace Nathan Eovaldi has left in the tank after failing to get out of the third inning in two starts since returning the IL. Given the failed state that is Texas’ bullpen, the Rangers will need every bit of his All-Star form down the stretch, which includes two more series against fellow AL West and wild-card hopeful Seattle.
Friday, 9/15—Wings versus Dream, Game 1—8:30 p.m., ESPN 2
Dallas’ mandate is simple: reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the franchise relocated from Tulsa seven years ago. They’ll need to go through old friend Allisha Gray and high-scoring second-year guard Rhyne Howard to do it.
Sunday, 9/17—Cowboys versus Jets—3:25 p.m., CBS
How do you top embarrassing a long-time rival in one of the most lopsided games in the history of their series? Well, you probably can’t. But the Cowboys can do the next-best thing by opening their season with a sweep over the New York teams, especially when the Jets are quarterbacked by old nemesis Aaron Rodgers. And, yes, Austin Ngaruiya is still probably scared of him.
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