By: Will Farlow 

Our first ever podcast coverage on the Sky we get to cover an exciting Chicago Sky playoff win, so get ready sports fans. The Chicago Sky entered the first round of the WNBA Playoffs on their homeport confident in their postseason hopes. Candace Parker going into her first postseason with her hometown team sure added excitement to Sky fans in attendance at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The first thing I notice is how well in sync this Chicago team is during the game from start to finish.

Dallas came into Chicago with star guard Arike Ogunbowale, and Chicago approached her well in terms of their defensive strategy. The Sky features a great lineup of two-star guards, and Vandersloot with Quigley helped their team in good fashion. Guards that can score and play good defense are a great asset in basketball. Candace Parker in my view played a great first playoff appearance as a member of the Sky.

Chicago started with a great first-half lead over Dallas, and the test is usually how well a team can carry momentum out of the locker room into the second half. The Dallas Wings came out of halftime with the edge in that third quarter as they added 21 points to 11 from Chicago. The final quarter of this one sure kept fans at Wintrust Arena on the edge of their seat. The strong late-game scoring and defense of the Sky helped them to a good win on their home court.

My view of this team is that “Sky is the limit” for them in terms of how they do in the postseason. Keeping up the defense will be important as they move forward into the playoffs. This Chicago team is strong on both sides of the ball but they have a better offense than defense. Best of luck to The Chicago Sky as they move onto the second round of the WNBA Playoffs.

​By: Will Farlow 

The famous blackout game in 2008 is memorable in the storied history of the Chicago White Sox. Before this afternoon’s game, it was the last time the Southsiders were AL Central Division Champions. Fortunately, this changed late this afternoon as the White Sox won game one of a doubleheader beating the Indians 7-2 to clinch the 2021 division title. White Sox star shortstop Tim Anderson started the game off with a leadoff home run in the first inning. I liked Jason Bennetti's response to the homer during the game, and I agree with his statement ‘that homer helps with good omens for the Sox '. 

The Southsiders entrusted the mound with Reynaldo Lopez who has had an interesting 2021 season thus far. Second inning action for Chicago brought excitement for Sox fans with Robert and Eloy back-to-back homers with a Tim Anderson three-run homer. There were eleven total White Sox batters in that inning, and I was sure the Sox had a chance to clinch if they held their lead. Lopez pitched a good four innings only giving up two home runs and keeping the game 7-2.

Tony La Russa brought in Garret Crochet in relief who showed his power arm well retiring the side. The Indians pitched Aaron Civil who has always pitched the White Sox very well the last few years, until today’s game at Progressive Field. The White Sox finished with a Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks final three outs to clinch their first division title in 13 years.

My takes on the impact of this game first are to credit GM Rick Hahn and the front office. Hahn and his staff started the rebuild to build to try to win multiple championships as today's clincher helps that cause. Tony La Russa managed a great game this afternoon, and I support him as our manager since day one due to his passion and experience.

The Chicago White Sox can now look forward to home playoff games with positively helps their postseason goals with a strong regular-season home record. I think star players should be rested a lot in these remaining games to ensure good health and stamina for the postseason. Being a diehard White Sox fan I join other fans in how exciting, and memorable today’s clinch win was at Progressive Field. Congratulations to the 2021 AL Central Champion Chicago White Sox! We can hope this is a sign of a possible World Series postseason run.