The NL Wildcard game scored huge ratings at four hours long with no extra innings. Chris Taylor hit a walk-off home run, also bringing Cody Bellinger home from second to break the 1-1 tie with the Cardinals, sending the Dodgers to the playoffs. The tie-breaking ‘no extra-innings’ rule does not apply in the postseason, leading the guys to ponder – why are there different rules for the playoffs? And very few masks were seen in the stands during the game at Dodger stadium. When it seems to be politically important, they talk about wearing masks, and when it doesn’t, they don’t. What kind of message does that send?

Fred has a hunch that Bellinger will come alive in the upcoming games against the Giants, and Art thinks the Dodgers will sweep the series. The Giants had a great year, but the Dodgers are coming into their own after being forced to push it to the end of the season and gaining confidence from the Wildcard game.

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets still refuses to get vaccinated and may not be able to play, while Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors finally did get the shot because he would lose ½ of his salary if he didn’t – Wiggins also could not play as a home player, but could as a visiting player elsewhere. The opposite is true for Irving. 72% of General Managers in the NBA like the Nets to win the NBA championship, while 17% say the Lakers will win. How will Irving’s vaccine refusal affect those odds? Shouldn’t there be a standard rule across the league?

Sage Steele was suspended by ESPN for political remarks and opinions on racial identification on a podcast. Was the move warranted or an overreaction on the part of ESPN?

In the NFL, the Seahawks have to win against the Rams or they’re done, according to Art, a former Ram himself. Has Rams QB Matt Stafford had enough experience up in Seattle, a really tough place to play, since he switched from the NFC to the AFC? Or will it be Russell Wilson’s night?

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