What happened in the NLCS? The Dodgers had a fighting chance, but the Braves proved to be too much of an obstacle to overcome. Was Dave Roberts trying to outsmart the opposition? Did the upper management meddle too much in the lineup, trying to turn starters into relievers and bringing in relievers for just one batter, with all of that maneuvering ruining the pitching staff during the series? Was it the players? After a hard-fought battle, it seems that the Dodgers beat themselves.

Gavin Lux made some errors, playing in positions that he wasn’t used to and was not employed where he shines the most – as a great hitter. Would it have made more sense to sit him out and let him be a pinch hitter, or start him and let him play the entire game? Was it a waste of the pinch hitter?

Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, and Chris Taylor are all free agents at the end of this season. Which players will return to the Dodgers, and will the enormous salary budget be a factor?

The playoffs are now over, and Houston and Atlanta are going to the World Series. Will baseball fans forgive the past misdeeds of the Astros or rally behind the Braves?

UCLA Basketball is rated second in the NCAA rankings behind the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Led by coach Mick Cronin, all of the team that played last year has returned, along with players considering the draft that have opted to stay, and they are off to a promising start for the 2021-22 season.

The Lakers blew a 26-point lead and had 10 turnovers against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team near the bottom of the NBA standings. Has LeBron James put together a team that has any chance to win another championship for LA?

A somber story has come out of hockey. During the lead-up to the Stanley Cup in 2010, Kyle Beach was a 20-year-old minor league player brought up to the majors as a “Black Ace” (extra player) for the Chicago Blackhawks. A film director for the team wrecked his career when he sexually assaulted him. He told the authorities at the time, but it was hushed up by the team. No one outside the team knew his name, as he had been considered a “John Doe” in the subsequent investigation until he could finally talk about it publicly this week. Will the Blackhawks be held accountable for their handling of such a tragic, life-altering experience for Beach?

Email Fred and Art with questions and comments at sportsfred@aol.com