Cue Cards is a series designed to assist with the common small talk about high-profile recent sporting events that is so omnipresent in the workplace, the bar, and other social settings.
Sport: Baseball
Teams: The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox
When: Friday, September 6
Context: The last month of the regular season
Result: The Red Sox won 12-8
Sports Fans will be Talking About:
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As the daily forecast showed yesterday, it’s always a big deal when these rivals play. In this case the rivalry was augmented by the standings in the last month of the season. Boston is firmly in first place of the division and will make the playoffs and the Yankees are two and a half games out of the last wildcard playoff spot.
- Yesterday made it two games in a row versus Boston that the Yankees have scored eight runs and been leading the game in the sixth inning and still lost. This is unusual and probably quite depressing to Yankees fans.
What’s Next: They play again today at 1:05. Not the most important sporting event because of all the college football on, but close.
Sport: Soccer
Teams: The United States and Costa Rica
When: Friday, September 6
Context: A World Cup qualifying game
Result: The United States loses 3-1
Sports Fans will be Talking About:
- The Streak is over. After winning 12 games in a row, the United States has lost. Unfortunately this game was more important than the past six or seven because this one counts towards World Cup qualification. Still, the historic streak will cushion the blow for many fans of the team.
- Three U.S. players got their second cumulative yellow card during World Cup qualifying games in this match. This triggers a one game suspension for them. One of the players was star striker Jozy Altidore who fouled someone needlessly right before the game was over. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was critical of Altidore for this.
What’s Next: The United States will face Mexico in another qualifying match on Tuesday. Win and they almost definitely qualify for the World Cup; lose and there will be much wringing of hands and worrying of brows.
Sport: Tennis
Players: Serena Williams vs. Li Na, and Victoria Azarenka vs. Flavia Pennetta
When: Friday, September 6
Context: The Semifinals of the U.S. Open
Result: Serena Williams defeats Li Na 6-0, 6-3 and Victoria Azarenka defeats Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-2
Sports Fans will be Talking About:
- In this country at least, the stories will mostly be about Serena Williams and how dominant she looked. Serena is 31, far past the age that tennis players tend to start losing their ability to play at the highest level, and she just keeps on winning against other very good players convincingly.
What’s Next: The women’s final is on Sunday. The men’s semi-final matches are today when Raphael Nadal plays Richard Gasquet and Novak Djokovic plays Stanislas Wawrinka. Nadal and Djokovic are expected to win but watch out for Wawrinka who just upset Andy Murray soundly in three straight sets.
Thanks for the highlights of the matches in these sports. I appreciate the heads-up, too, on what’s to come so I can set aside to watch the games on tv. Good job!