Anchor Drop, July 28, 2020: The COVID Diaries

Good morning.

Optional Musical Accompaniment

Yesterday, the news broke that approximately 14 players and staff for the Florida Miami Marlins had tested positive for COVID-19, which I said was utterly predictable given that, you know, MLB was trying to play during a global pandemic and doing so in a completely stupid manner, and Andrew took the side of shut everything down.

Anyway, how are we going to bring all this back around to Vanderbilt and... oh God, no:

(On the other hand, Ke’Shawn Vaughn is a “notable name,” so that’s something.)

Meanwhile, here are ESPN’s insiders on what this means for baseball season writ large.

Anyhow, Vanderbilt baseball got a commitment from a pitcher who has yet to throw a pitch in a high school game. (Ha! Like anybody cares about high school baseball; as with basketball, it’s all about summer ball.)

At the Tennessean, Adam Sparks breaks down Vanderbilt basketball’s newcomers.

The Big 12 Commissioner says that the Power 5 leagues’ plans don’t have to be identical, which is his (and Greg Sankey’s) way of saying that they’re not about to follow the Big Ten and Pac-12 to lawsuit-land if they don’t have to.

Sports on TV

Here’s your MLB.TV schedule, and I am sure Andrew will have an open thread up for today’s games.

All times Central.

• 12:25 PM: Serie A: Parma v. Atalanta (ESPN)
• 1:00 PM: NBA Preseason: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat (NBA TV)
• 2:35 PM: Serie A: Inter Milan v. Napoli (ESPN+)
• 3:00 PM: NHL Preseason: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers (NBC Sports)
• 3:30 PM: NBA Preseason: San Antonio Spurs vs. Indiana Pacers (NBA TV)
• 5:00 PM: New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies (FS1)
• 6:00 PM: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians (MLB Network)
• 6:00 PM: WNBA: Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun (NBA TV)
• 6:00 PM: Premier Lacrosse League: Archers vs. Waterdogs (NBC Sports)
• 7:00 PM: MLS: Columbus Crew SC vs. Minnesota United FC (ESPN)
• 7:00 PM: NHL Preseason: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens (NHL Network)
• 7:00 PM: USL League One: Tormenta FC vs. Richmond Kickers (ESPN+)
• 8:00 PM: Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros (FS1)
• 8:00 PM: WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky (NBA TV)
• 8:40 PM: Colorado Rockies at Oakland A’s (ESPN+)
• 9:00 PM: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants (MLB Network)
• 9:00 PM: WNBA: Minnesota Lynx vs. Seattle Storm (CBS Sports)
• 9:30 PM: MLS: Portland Timbers vs. FC Cincinnati (ESPN)
• 9:30 PM: NHL Preseason: Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames (NHL Network)
• 9:30 PM: Premier Lacrosse League: Chrome vs. Redwoods (NBC Sports)

Scoreboard

MLB: A’s 3, Angels 0 ... Padres 6, Diamondbacks 2 ... Blue Jays 4, Nationals 1 ... Rays 14, Braves 5 ... Astros 8, Mariners 5 ... Royals 14, Tigers 6 ... Mets 7, Red Sox 4 ... Brewers 6, Pirates 5 ... Cubs 8, Reds 7.

MLS: San Jose 5-2 Real Salt Lake ... Seattle 1-4 LAFC.