We discuss whether the Guardians’ waiver claims from the Los Angeles Angels will keep the Minnesota Twins out of the playoffs, T.J. Hockenson’s extension with the Vikings, “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” and the new Minnesota pro women’s hockey team.

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Will the Angels Keep the Twins out of the Playoffs?

• With 28 games remaining, the Guardians sit five games back and claimed former Angels starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and relievers Reynaldo López and Matt Moore off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels
  • Three games remain between Minnesota and Cleveland; they’re in Cleveland
• Twins will get Chris Paddack back before the end of the regular season (Sept. 22 at the earliest)
  • How should he be used? Bullpen? Spot starts?

Vikings 53-man Roster is Set for Tampa Bay on Sept. 10

• Tight end T.J. Hockenson gets four-year, $66-million extension, becoming the highest paid tight end ever
  • No team had a higher increase in air yards per attempt than the Vikings after Hockenson was added, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic
  • Almost assures Kirk Cousins won’t be back next season?

NFL Fantasy Draft Advice

• Running backs and receivers first?
• Take Cousins as late as you can?

Gophers Barely Survive Nebraska

• Needed a 47-yard, game-winning field goal from Dragan Kesich to open the Big Ten conference schedule with a win
  • Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims threw three picks
  • Gopher QB Athan Kaliakmanis had 44 attempts for just 196 yards, looking both real good and real bad at times
    • Interception in Nebraska territory that should have been points

Nebraska Volleyball Sets Attendance Record for Women’s Sporting Event

• 92,003 people watched the Cornhuskers beat Omaha 3-0 at the football stadium on “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” Wednesday
  • The team running out of the tunnel video was fire
  • Volleyball is about to have its Oklahoma softball moment

Minnesota Awarded One of Six PWHL Teams

• Eagan-native and former Lady Gopher associate head coach, Natalie Darwitz, named GM
• Free agency has begun, and teams are allowed to sign three players
  • Expect Minnesota to target Hilary Knight (or Kendall Coyne Schofield), Lee Stecklein, according to Hailey Salvian of The Athletic
  • Top goaltender available, Ann-Renée Desbiens, had 21 shutouts with Wisconsin
• Minnesota also has the first overall pick in the inaugural draft on Sept. 18

Why Anthony Isn’t Renewing his Lynx Season Ticket Membership

• During the whooping New York gave us, I remembered why I was inspired to move into the Courtside Club in the first place: Aerial Powers
  • With 5:23 remaining in the third quarter and the Lynx down 37, Cheryl Reeve finally called on Powers to provide a spark, which she did all of last season, leading the team in scoring and heart. She received the loudest cheers the Lynx got all night and proceeded to do exactly what she’s always done: attack. In 15 minutes, she made more free throws (4) than the rest of the team attempted (3). She scored a point per minute, had the team’s only steal, grabbed four boards, dished three assists, and defended without fouling. The Lynx were two points better than the Liberty with her on the floor, and she was the only Lynx player with a positive plus-minus. So what took so long, coach?
• Not sure Cheryl Reeve is the right coach for this generation of player
  • Aerial Powers has called the workplace “toxic”