Wayne Rooney has scored many sick goals over the course of his career — the majority of them at either the international or EPL level.
But he plays in the MLS now, for DC united, and is the unquestioned leader of the team. Since coming on board, Rooney and DC United have been off to a fast start. According to omegatipsters, United is one of the most favored teams to win the MLS cup this year. And don’t think for a second that he doesn’t have the skills and high IQ to will his way toward a goal that few others in the league can pull off.
That’s exactly what he did during Sunday’s match against Orlando FC, when he took a set piece from a difficult angle, and instead of passing, like many others would’ve done, he somehow curled the ball into the corner of the net.
Ah, the home opener. When our beloved Sox won the World Series back in October, nobody envisioned our ring ceremony taking place with a 3-8 team. Unfortunately, that was the case. And even more unfortunate, the defending champs fell to 3-9 the same day they got to celebrate their achievements from 2018.
Call it a World Series hangover, blame it on the road trip to start the season, point fingers at the rotation — everybody has an opinion. Nonetheless, this team is still just as good as last season and I’m truly not worried one bit. So with that being said, we’re going to take a look at some of the happier moments of the Red Sox 2019 home opener.
The Three Man Booth
I love this. I love this so much. Having Dennis Eckersley in the booth is always a treat. But to have the comforting voice of Jerry Remy also back, beside Eck, was just phenomenal. Whether you love or hate Dave O’Brien, the three of them certainly make for an entertaining trio. Tuesday was no exception. Jerry was back, looking as healthy as ever and sharp with his jokes and insight.
Having two former players who can provide so much knowledge and insights into pitching and hitting is so intriguing as a listener and as a fan. It’s even better that they happen to be hilarious. They’re constantly cracking jokes and taking jabs at each other, while also using some of the most wild baseball terms on Earth to keep the audience involved (see: Eck-isms).
They had various guests come in and out of the booth yesterday. Despite what was happening in the opening day game, it was so much fun to hear these three in the booth together. It creates for more entertainment and more stories that we want to hear. Having the three guys happy and healthy back in the Fenway booth was awesome.
Bringing Back all the Championship Teams
So there was no Craig Kimbrel, or Dave Roberts. However, there sure as hell were lots of other legends in the building today. The Red Sox always know how to put on an impressive show, no matter the occasion. Today was no exception. They had the fans on the Green Monster hold up different banners with the various championship years, while members of those teams patrolled in the field. Donning their Red Sox uniforms once again and carrying the hardware that proves what they did for this city.
There were so many familiar faces who made their return to Fenway today. It was fantastic to see Curt Schilling be greeted with so much love and applause. He’s faced a large amount of turmoil in his off the field career, and he has not attended most events the Red Sox have held. Seeing smaller-name guys that had big moments like Salty and Napoli was great too. Every single fan in the building knew who those guys were. They know why they were so important to that specific team’s success.
Just another reason to love the fans of Boston, it doesn’t matter the name on the player’s jersey or the size of his contract. If you come here and do your job to help us succeed, we will forever be in your debt. Today was a splendid reminder of all the people who helped bring the Red Sox success. It was also another chance for us to thank them all for what they’ve done for the city of Boston.
Manny in the Booth!
Oh, Manny. A player of so much discussion, both positive and negative, from the second he entered the city of Boston until the end of his tenure. Manny joined the Sox in 2002 and the rest is history. So to have him back in the building today, was just icing on the cake.
There’s always going to be so many big names when it comes to 21st century success for the Red Sox. Manny Ramirez should be one of the most important in fan’s memory. Not only was he a titan in the regular season, he’s also Major League Baseball’s all time postseason home run leader with 29. He had so many big hits for Boston. It really was fantastic to be able to hear him sit with the guys in the booth and reflect on everything.
Ramirez was often criticized by the media in Boston for being slightly immature. Or not always seeming 100% focused on the game. Despite this, he remained a fan favorite and always provided a likable personality. That shined ever so brightly in the booth today, as he was cracking up jokes and making light of himself the whole time. It was great.
Reflection On His Career
Manny also got deep on us, talking about all the ups and downs he faced in his life and career, especially after leaving Boston. He conceded that it was wrong of him to push himself out the door. Now as a grown man, he realized this decision came from a place of immaturity.
Even when O’Brien dug further, Manny stood by his sentiment. He reiterated that he loved Boston. That it was his favorite place and he wished he had never left. It truly was refreshing to hear this stuff from Ramirez. He’s worked so hard the last year or two to try and mend his reputation. Seeing him so reflective and so positive was second to nothing for me today.
His Hall of Fame Candidacy
He also touched on his Hall of Fame candidacy. Realizing that if Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens don’t get in, he likely won’t either, he still remains hopeful.
“Weâre praying. But you know, I think in life, everybody makes mistakes. Nobodyâs perfect, but I think with time, if itâs Godâs will, weâre going to be there. If not, hey, weâre just happy that we got the opportunity to play the game that we love”, he stated Tuesday.
I’ve always been a huge advocate that Manny deserves to be in. Whether he gets in or not, he will always have a place in the heart of every Red Sox fan. Seeing him today, in a different light than usual, was very refreshing. For me, it’s the highlight of the season so far.
Water sports are exciting, thrilling and adventurous. In fact it is an addiction for water enthusiasts. Even though it seems challenging in the beginning, everything turns out to be smooth with practice.
However, safety comes first when we talk about water sports. There has been many water-related incidents in the past but that doesnât mean skipping on the sport itself. Rather, one must increase awareness relating to water-associated threats and equip themselves with the right material.
Whether your are getting in the water yourself or just participating in water sports betting, here are some lifesaving tips for water sports enthusiasts out there to enjoy the activity to the fullest:
Equip yourself
It is imperative to utilize safety equipment before engaging into water sports. For example, life jackets are a must whichever water activity an individual is getting into. Inflatable kayaks must be used when kayaking. Similarly, swimsuits must be used. Furthermore, physical equipment is a pre-requisite, however, participants must be ready to understand all the risks associated with the activity and how they must be tackled in an effective manner. Being aware with all the possible scenarios is what participants must do in the first place.
Learn to swim
This is one of those tips that can be a life-saver in most of the time. It is essential to know how to swim. Most water-sports will entail swimming and participants must ensure that their accomplices also know how to swim. In a nutshell, you must know the important strokes of swimming to overcome any undesired circumstances.
Learn CPR
It is important to learn CPR if you are a water-sport enthusiast. One must not rely on lifeguards or any other medical personnel to come and save life of a family member or a friend. Every participant must know how to administer CPR in the soonest time, because a few seconds can make a large difference. There is a multitude of medical organizations that offer CPR sessions and how to make the best use of them in emergency times.
Prevent alcohol and drugs
Alcohol and drugs are the worst enemies a water-sport enthusiast can get. Scientific studies have proven that it can have a negative impact on your mental state. It decreases focus, concentration and makes you unconscious in cases of extreme activity. This is why many water-sport institutions carry out test whether participants have consumed alcohol and any type of drug. This is the reasons why traffic authorities have prohibited driving after alcohol and drug-intake.
Increase awareness
This is probably one of those tips that can be helpful lifetime. It is of paramount importance to increase awareness regarding threats associated with water-sports. Attend classes on what the safety rules are and how to address different cases in different ways. Make sure a drill is carried out as well before engaging into the actual water-sport activity.
The bottom line
Here were some of the important tips for water sport enthusiasts. It must be followed with immense care in a consistent manner to ensure safety and protection.
Thereâs a common misconception that you have to be a professional gamer in order to crack it in the esports industry. Truth is, there are plenty of ways to get in on the esports action without trying to be the next Saahil Arora or PewdiePie.
If youâre interested in a career in esports, weâve got a helpful esports guide for you on the avenues that are available to you.
How to get started in esports
The esports industry is very diverse and offers a lot of different job opportunities. Some are intrinsic to the esports industry and some play more of a supportive role. Some of the most lucrative and coveted jobs within the esports industry include:
Professional player: Pro gamers usually start by joining a team or organization that participates in gaming tournaments and work their way up through consistent gaming from amateurs to professionals.
Coach: As the name implies, an esports coach is someone thatâs responsible for keeping the players motivated. A coach helps to accentuate the playerâs strengths and overcome their weaknesses. They must also analyse opponents to make the most of the tournaments they participate in. This is a great role for anyone that has natural leadership abilities or anyone that has experience as a sports coach.
Agent: Responsible for taking care of the playerâs interests.
Organisation manager: Oversees esports team or company.
Observer: Works behind the scenes to control the esports game broadcast camera.
Journalist/ content creator: Shares breaking news about esports tournaments, events, players, teams etc., for the fans and the industry as a whole.
How to get started in esports
As you can see, there are many doors through which you can enter the esports industry. But, esports is going through a considerable boom right now, so thereâs a lot of competition out there. Thatâs why you need to have a fair amount of dedication and commit to working hard if you want to make it. Here are a few tips that will help you get started in this lucrative industry.
Find a niche
The best way to get ahead in esports is to specialize in one particular area of the industry. In fact, itâs better to concentrate on one thing instead of trying to be a âjack of all tradesâ.
If youâre not sure which of the available jobs is right for you, you can start by doing some research to find a position that resonates the most with you.
You may choose something in the communications and media aspect of esports if you have a background in journalism, for example.
Or you might be a die-hard fan of a particular game whose dream is to become a part of the company that produces it. The trick to finding your niche is to figure out where your interests lie and follow that route.
Start small
So many people want to see themselves at the top of the esports industry without âpaying their duesâ as it were. But, the best way to get ahead in any industry is to start at the bottom. Before you can become the CEO, you need to learn the basics of how the business works, right?
The same goes for esports. You need to be willing to start at the bottom before you can start earning the big bucks that you see esports players making. This could mean doing something as simple as starting a gaming blog or YouTube channel.
Sure, it might take a few months (or even years) to get it off the ground, but if you produce content on a regular basis, youâll soon have a following that you can leverage.
Alternatively, find an organisation or corporation that you like and build your career from there. Or, study a relevant degree to further your knowledge of the particular niche that youâd like to specialize in. For instance, business studies and marketing are both in-demand skills in the esports industry, especially in roles that serve a supportive nature.
You could also try and find the contact details of a senior member of a company youâre interested in, someone whoâs a decision maker.
While going through your internship, be sure to ask plenty of relevant questions and show a willingness to learn and work hard. Build a reputation for yourself as âthe Golden Gooseâ or someone thatâs willing to break their back to carry out any given task.
Work experience is extremely important in any field, including esports.
The key is to take initiative, improve your skills, get yourself out there and just get started!
Be on the lookout
There are plenty of online platforms that advertise esport job opportunities, such as the Esports Observer, Hitmaker, Glassdoor, Jobs in Esports and Indeed. All you have to do is Google any one of these platforms and youâre bound to come up with a job position that youâre excited about!
Go for it!
You can sit all day mulling over your options, but the best way to get started in esports is to just go for it. Start where you are with what you have. Even if you donât have any experience, you can always learn on the job.
All over the airwaves I’m hearing concern about Chris Sale. His velocity was the lowest of his career last start. You can’t pay Frank Tanana or Jamie Moyer or Koji Uehara $30 Million a year. He’s got to be injured.
Would the Red Sox let Chris Sale pitch if he were injured? Not a chance. They shut him down the whole second half last year because of shoulder discomfort. Every single pitcher in baseball has shoulder discomfort. Cora and his merry men would not risk Sale’s health.
The first thing you notice is he usually starts out slightly slow. Yes, his record is sterling, but his ERA and strikeout ability are down.
The second thing you notice is the sweet spot for Sale’s performance in terms of pure stuff is June and July. Best ERAs, best SO/W.
The third thing you notice is he has a losing record in September and October. He still strikes guys out, but he also walks a few more, which leads to more runs and a higher ERA. By the time he reaches the playoffs, Sale’s ERA balloons to 5.76.
Cora is trying to convince Sale to change June and July to September and October and the playoffs. This is a big change for Chris Sale, so they’re figuring it out.
We’ll find out if Sale is still on board, if he is in control, today. With all the pomp and circumstance, the feel of the Fenway mound on opening day, the smell of Buffalo Chicken Totchos in air, rings, bunting, and Super Bowl trophies, it’s a tall task.
But if he is throwing in the low 90’s, even 89, it’s all according to plan. It’s that simple.
Heading into the 2019 season, the New England Patriots have a serious depth problem at wider receiver. This could open the door for Braxton Berrios.
Last season, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker, Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman were all brought in to help Tom Brady. Unfortunately for the Patriots, none of them worked out. Matthews and Britt sustained hamstring injuries in training camp and were released. Eric Decker decided to retire.
The current crop of wideouts is very similar to last year. Brady will have the ageing Julian Edelman, although he continues to defy the odds. He also has Phillip Dorsett, a player who Brady appeared to go cold on during the season. The Pats let him go to free agency before bringing him back at a reduced salary. Bruce Ellington was brought in through free agency, but he won’t be a go to receiver for Tom Brady. Josh Gordon is another option for the Patriots. However, he is subject to a potential suspension and may not play until mid-season at the earliest.
The lack of depth at WR opens the door for Braxton Berrios, a player drafted in 2018. Braxton was drafted out of the University of Miami in the 6th round (pick 210 overall). Once drafted he was compared to Danny Amendola, and was viewed as a replacement if Amendola left in free agency. And he did, signing a 2-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
It was reported after Danny was released from the Dolphins this offseason, both the Patriots and Amendola were interested in reuniting. Instead Amendola signed a 1-year deal with the Detroit Lions. A move that wonât have concerned the Pats front office and coaching staff too much with a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.
During the 2018 training camp, Braxton suffered an undisclosed injury and was put on IR prior to the regular season. Obviously, a slight setback for the young wide receiversâ career, but the signs are obvious as to what he will add to the Patriots offense in 2019. He is a slot receiver, but can get down the field if needed, particularly in the Red Zone. He can create separation from defensive backs, and has the speed to turn a small 5-yard pass into a 60-yard touchdown.
His UM career was full of highlights. As a junior he saw action mainly as a punt returner, and had 12 returns for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a senior he started all 13 games. He had 55 receptions for 679 yards and 9 touchdowns, including a 21-yard TD pass in a big win over their rivals Florida State, who UM beat for the first time since 2009.
Berrios scores his 1st of 2 touchdowns against fierce rivals FSU Photo Credit; Miami Herald
When you look at the depth chart, and how hard they went after players like Adam Humphries, Cole Beasley and Golden Tate, they obviously realize how dire the situation is at WR. In the draft I would expect them to address this situation with at least 1 of their 12 draft picks. But on the plus side they have a young talented wideout waiting in the wings to showcase his skills on the big stage. I’d expect to see him getting a lot of reps during training camp, and to get a lot of time on the field during the pre-season.
With the Boston Bruins gearing up for another Stanley Cup derby run this spring, now might be the worst time to break down their cap situation. But the cold hard facts are staring Bruins general manager Don Sweeney in the face and heâll have to deal with the situation at hand sooner or later.
The Bruins sit just roughly $2 million under the NHLâs salary cap according to CapFriendly.com, which is expected to jump up another $3 million or so for 2019-20. So, without taking too much into consideration, the Bruins should have roughly $5 million to spend this upcoming offseason. No problem, right? Wrong.
The Bâs donât have any significant contracts coming off the books and, worse yet, theyâll have some big raises to hand out to restricted free agents like Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen and Brandon Carlo. Depending on how well Sweeney is able to deliver value in new contracts for the group mentioned above, heâll have essentially made his bed with regards to 2020 unrestricted free agent defenseman Torey Krug.
Krug, whose four-year, $21 million deal that pays him $5.25 million annually, is slated to hit the open market as a free agent in July of 2020, assuming the Bruins canât get him under contract beforehand. The thing is though, even if both sides negotiate in good faith and with the goal of coming to a fair contract, it may be all for naught.
The team may simply be out of money, forcing Krug to look elsewhere for his one big payday. Heâll be 29 years old when his contract expires, and you canât really blame him if he goes chasing the money in free agency. Certainly a fast transition team like the Edmonton Oilers or the Montreal Canadiens would love to add a player with Krugâs skillset to their roster.
The Bruins will get a bit of relief next season when Zdeno Charaâs new contract kicks in, saving the team $3 million annually. However, the teamâs biggest anchors, David Backes at $6 million annually and David Krejci at a team high $7.25 million are signed past 2020. If Sweeneyâs going to get creative to free up some cap space, one or more of those players is likely headed out the door. At 34 years and with injury issues seemingly every season now, all signs point to a buyout for the veteran Backes. It seems likely that Sweeney wonât sacrifice McAvoy, DeBrusk, Heinen or Carlo for the sake of inking Krug long term⊠but Backes? Absolutely. Krejci? MaybeâŠ
Any way, you look at the teamâs cap situation, itâs clear that some big moves will need to be made. The simplest solution, of course, is just to let Krug walk to free agency but the question then becomes: can the Bruins replace his spot in the lineup from within? McAvoy and Carlo will certainly be fixtures on the Bruins blue line for years to come, but Charaâs decline just HAS to be coming⊠right?
Torey just put up a third consecutive 50+ point season and, should he do the same in 2019-20, you can bet that heâll be seeking top dollar either from the Bruins or elsewhere. Perhaps the most recent comparable contract awarded to a pending free agent, with Krugâs skillset and production, is the deal that Tampa Bay Lightning blue liner Ryan McDonagh signed last offseason.
One year away from free agency, at the same age Krug will be when heâs eligible to sign his deal, McDonagh signed a massive seven year, $47.25 contract that comes with a fat $6.75 million cap hit. Itâs probably safe to say that this is merely a baseline for Krugâs camp though, and heâll almost certainly be seeking a deal north of $7 million annually.
For now, we will just need to hold our horses. Then again, no matter how you look at the Bruinsâ cap crunch, itâs clear that changes will be made. Can the Bruins afford to keep Torey Krug? Can they afford NOT to? Your move, Don Sweeney.
The opening road trip from hell is over. Unfortunately, the Red Sox return home from that trip with a 3-8 record. However, they find the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town, who have also had their struggles so far this season.
4/11 Nathan Eovaldi vs. Aaron Sanchez (R) 7:10pm NESN
NOTABLE NUMBERS
The results were better for Chris Sale in his second start, but the way he got there was concerning. The hope was that Sale could improve on his 92.9 mph average fastball velocity from his first start. However, things actually got worse, as Sale averaged just 89.9 mph in his second start of the season in Oakland. He may have only given up one run, but he also only struck out one, compared to two walks.
The Blue Jays were 0-4 in their last series against the Cleveland Indians, largely thanks to their terrible offense. This season the Blue Jays offense ranks 27th in batting average, 29th in OBP, 27th in runs and 26th in slugging percentage.
The Red Sox offense heated up in their last series against the Diamondbacks, averaging seven runs per game. However, they go up against a team who have been pitching well. The Blue Jays are giving up an average of just 2.75 runs against (3rd) and a .194 batting average against (4th). In addition, they are allowing just 1.05 combined hits and walks per innings pitched. However, their schedule has consisted of the Tiger, Orioles and Indians, so this will be their toughest test to date.
Aaron Sanchez has faced off with the Sox 19 times, 11 times as a starter. In 71 innings against the Red Sox, he has a 4.06 ERA striking out 62 batters and a allowing a 1.282 WHIP. Shoemaker on the other hand has been strong against the Red Sox. He is 2-1, with 16 strikeouts in 15 innings and a 2.93 ERA.
Mitch Moreland is coming off an interesting series in Arizona. The left-handed slugger hit two home runs in nine ABs, but they were also his only two hits of the series. With two right-handed pitchers on the slate for this series, Moreland could be a crucial part of the Red Sox offense as they return home.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
The Bullpen: With Craig Kimbrel potentially returning to Fenway for the World Series ring ceremony, the Red Sox come home with a number of question about their bullpen still remaining. Colten Brewer gave up the game losing run on Saturday, before Ryan Brasier got the save on Sunday. Both Brasier and Matt Barnes have been really good this season, with neither giving up a run. However, with the Red Sox having given up so many runs early in games we have not had many chances to see these guys in high leverage situations.
Starting Pitching: After the hitters somewhat came alive in their last series, most of the Red Sox question remain with their pitching. We touched on Sale above, and he remains the biggest one to watch, both in terms of results and velocity. Eovaldi has given up nine earned runs in 10 innings, including four home runs. After a strong finish to last season, the Red Sox will be desperate to see Eovaldi get back on track.
EXPECTATIONS
This was never the way the season was supposed to start. 3-8 is not the end of the world, but it is obviously less than ideal. On the bright side, the team is healthy in the large majority. There are major concerns about the rotation, but we are looking at extremely small sample sizes. Two good starts for any of them and their numbers will look fine, if not back to the way we may have hoped when the season started.
The negatives are clear to see, but the positives should not be overlooked. The Red Sox are just 4.5 games back on the division leading Tampa Bay Rays. They are also just two games behind the Yankees, who have not been great out of the gate and are struggling with injuries. We are less than 7% of the way through the season.
There is a lot of baseball still to play, and one of the toughest parts of the schedule is in the rear view mirror.
This is one of those times as a Red Sox fan and follower that feels so familiar and foreign all at once. It’s like a long lost thought from limbo in Inception. When one win seems like the glorious sound of God, coming down like a lightning rod. This Red Sox puzzle seems to make no sense. The team won 108 last year, it’s the same team, what is happening?
There is trouble. There’s the World Series hangover effect, there’s concern about contracts. And Alex Cora and his staff have their plans that they want to stick to for long term success. What to do when the team isn’t winning?
Play every game like it’s Game 7 of the World Series.
Pitchers
Five pitchers. In one sense it was a bullpen game. In another it was no different than many games this year when the starter only goes three innings. The difference was Velazquez put up zeroes.
Cora needs to do more of this. Keep the pitchers accountable. Every win is important right now or there won’t be a playoffs. Motivate the pitchers to get over their malaise and focus on every pitch in any way possible. Once these guys get on track the bullpen can rest. Most of the starters have their money. Take innings away from them before they blow up, not after.
Little did we know the bullpen would be the strength of the team. Lean on them.
The Everyday Lineup
One of the pillars of Cora’s plan is resting players. He especially loves to give players a day off before scheduled days off. But there is rest, then there is overkill.
It seems insignificant, but that small note, “Betts in right field”, speaks volumes. Betts was scheduled for the double rest, but Cora put him in the field to protect a one run lead in the 9th.
This is a big change for Cora and the staff that should continue. In the past, Cora has refused to pinch hit resting players, much less put them in the field. It signals to the players that these games matter.
It seems like Cora has found an answer to the puzzle of resting players, but not being afraid to use them if needed. We’ll see how Chris Sale does tomorrow to see if he’s still in on Cora’s plan for a slow buildup. And if Sale falters early if Cora will pull him. That will show the pitchers that every win is important.
These are subtle but important changes that the team should stick to to get the ball rolling in 2019. Before yesterday, the team would have to play .600 ball the rest of the way to reach 93 wins. They might miss the playoffs with 93 wins, so they have to pick it up. They played .667 ball last year, we know they’re capable.
New to Overwatch? Get caught up on everything Overwatch League by reading our introduction.
You have to give it to the Uprising – they do everything they can to make it interesting. Because after opening Stage 2 with a pair of reverse sweeps (3rd in a row in stage play) the entire league is catching on to the interesting story of of the Uprising. A team whose GM will make any roster change he can to better the team, fans be damned. A team full of players perceived to be âunknownâ or âunprovenâ or âinexperienced.â And a group who never says die and canât be counted out till the last fuse of overtime burns out.
For a team whose mantra going into the season was Prove Them Wrong – they keep giving themselves plenty to prove. Fan favorite off tank Note was traded away for Dallasâ rCk days before Stage 2 started. How would the shakeup play out amidst a new meta? Had the team licked their wounds from having their Stage 1 playoff existence destroyed by the Vancouver Titans? Let’s take a look.
The Good
rCk
Before Stage 1 we traded fan-favorite Gamsu and brought up Fusions from Contenders. Uprising skeptics and haters had a field day. Boston dropped to the bottom of everyone’s power rankings. Then they make the playoffs and silence the critics. Well, can we do it again? Boston trades fan-favorite Note for Dallas Fuel’s rCk before Stage 2. Again, the skeptics and haters hold a vigil for Boston’s season. rCk – not as good a DVa as Note, they say. The team won’t be able to sync up in time for Atlanta and Toronto, they say. Could Boston possibly live up to the expectations they set in Stage 1?
With all that pressure on his shoulders, rCk delivered. Against Atlanta, he made himself a vacume all match against BabyBay’s Zarya, sucking up Gravitons left and right. Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be a subpar DVa? But there he was on Eichenwalde, just as the Reign were about to push the cart to victory. With Overtime on, his pick on Pokpo and a 2K Self-Destruct (when the rest of the Uprising were dead) that pushed the series to a 4th map. Note who?
Of course the Finn brought it on his Sombra. Against Atlanta and Toronto, rCk constantly harassed the backline players, dropped massive EMPs, and was the Sombra the Uprising always needed. With him on the team, Boston could afford a variety of team comps they never could have with Note. And it paid off. Farming EMP off health hacks and shooting down supports before Translocating, rCk seemingly always had an EMP when the Uprising needed it.
rCk’s stats against Atlanta
Against Atlanta, rCk made mincemeat of the Reign. If anything, I don’t think the rest of the Uprising are on the same wave length on capitalizing on the EMPs. They can get better with that given more time scrimming. rCk landed several EMPs that didn’t get the immediate team wipes you’d have expected. Look for this to become a more prominent weapon in the Uprising’s toolbox.
We knew the meta would get shaken up going into Stage 2, but we didn’t know how it’d play out. Turns out Boston had a smorgasbord of team comps ready to deploy. And none proved as effective as the different combinations that featured Colourhex on the Widowmaker. Now, this is a player many have been wondering about. His hitscan abilities were completely unknown as he’d been stuck on Zarya for Stage 1. The Australian region’s Overwatch scene has been a meme up to now, and many questioned the Uprising’s pickup of the Kiwi. With a DPS friendly meta – how would he do?
Well, turns out the guy can play. From his first switch onto Widow and picking off Atlanta’s sniper nlaaers (see above), we knew we were in for something special. In fact, especially against Toronto, Colourhex shoved that long-ass sniper rifle right down the Defiant’s throat. Clutch after clutch after clutch. Too many times we saw Atlanta and Toronto’s snipers lose their Widow duels, with Colourhex having free reign to pick off the other heroes.
Take a look back at Oasis against the Defiant. Boston had just forced a map 5 and were hungry for a third straight reverse sweep. With their vocal leader Fusions, and their new superstar stud rCk, it was Colourhex who popped off when it mattered the most. First, his 3k on Widow makes Toronto cower out of position. Then he switches over to Soldier 76 and picks off enough of the Defiant to help capture the stage. He showed his flexibility and hits can make him another in a long line of out-of-nowhere superstar pickups by Boston’s Huk.
Not that Colourhex was a one-trick. His Tracer’s Pule Bomb on Pokpo on Gibraltar clutched the win to force a 5th map. Same with his use of Pharah’s Barrage on Rialto, flanking Toronto’s Amplification Matrix on Rialto and forcing a 5th map. If Colourhex can keep up this level of play, the Overwatch League is about to get rolled by New Zealand’s only pro player.
OT is burning & @Colourhex217 pushes to the NEXT LEVEL to push this series to MAP 5! #OWL2019
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, though. You can’t get reverse sweeps without losing two maps straight, and Boston certainly handed them out to Atlanta and Toronto. How did it happen? For the first half against Atlanta, I saw a lot of ineffective GOATs play. Teams were still trying to feel out the meta change, and I think Boston wasn’t willing to stretch into unknown territory at first. The apprehension caught them against Atlanta. With Toronto, especially on Hanamura, they couldn’t deploy the set plays they should have had. A bunker comp of Bastion and Orissa held them too long on Point A on both laps through on offense. Boston is usually better at preparing against set defenses than this.
It’s also worth noting that Overwatch League changed the order of map types going into Stage 2. Hybrid maps go from the second map played to the third, swapping with assault. You can’t say that Boston is just better at hybrid/escort because they had to win a 2CP in sudden death. But it’s reasonable to say that the assault maps may not be Boston’s greatest strength.
Fusions
We all knew the Disney movie story going into Stage 2. Last minute Contenders call up turns into a top tank player. Leads the team to many victories. Last minute reverse sweep to make Stage 1 playoffs. Hero rides off into the sunset. Roll the credits. But would the sequel be a bomb or could it live up to the original?
I think we have to give it a push. Throughout the matches against the Defiant and Reign, it seemed Boston forced themselves back to the Rein-GOATs well, and the well was dry. Trying to recapture the magic was commendable, but ineffective. There weren’t any great Earthshatters, and his hammer swings didn’t push back the other teams. Atlanta especially seemed to focus on him, going so far as to play a Mei on Temple to split him from the rest of Boston. He didn’t respond well to that type of pressure.
Instead, I think we saw he did much better on Hammond. Getting timely swings to push players off the points, helping snowball Point B on Hanamura, dropping the mines to stall the defenses. A new meta forces new strategies. Though he was passable in both series, I think it will be an adjustment for the Brit to get to the level he was at in Stage 1.
Babybay pumping up the crowd after Atlanta went up 1-0 has got to be a meme somewhere. The Shock’s former bench player seemed a bit premature in his celebration – you hate to see that.
Don’t sleep on Aimgod. No, he didn’t need to play back to avoid the EMPs like he did on Stage 1, but his Ana/Zen play was crucial. On Oasis (and really throughout the Toronto match) he seemed to get the sleep darts at the most clutch times. When Toronto’s Solider 76 had his Attack Visor and it looked like Boston would get wiped from the point, Aimgod’s sleep dart put that dream to bed.
Boston is the first team to get three straight reverse sweeps. These boys know how to play under pressure. Toronto, specifically, looked absolutely devastated when they got stomped on Rialto and realized they were going to sudden death. That ability to play when the pressure is the highest will go a long way for the Uprising. With so many weapons on their roster, Boston is going to be a dangerous team moving forward. Never say die. And don’t ever turn off the TV until the final tick.
Now seems like a good time to say this.
Success and failure for any team cannot be attributed to just one person or reason. Culture, character, and coachability are our secret recipe.
Everyone in our organization including players, coaches, and support staff help us win.
— Chris âHuKâ Loranger (@LorangerChris) April 6, 2019
Player of the Week
Absolutely no way you can split up rCk and Colourhex. They both were pog champ in the Atlanta and Toronto matches. The Overwatch League is on notice.
