Sports Hub Daily Rundown: Jan. 31, 2020
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Here’s the key stories in sports to start the day and throughout the weekend from 98.5 The Sports Hub…
Final day from Super Bowl Radio Row: Coverage wraps up from Miami with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand and Felger & Mazz. Rich Shertenlieb of Toucher & Rich closed the week on a high-note, sitting down with David Ortiz to talk Mookie Betts, Alex Cora, Tom Brady, and more. You can catch that interview in-full here.
Tom Brady picture frenzy: Tom Brady sent Patriots fans spinning Thursday night, tweeting a photo of him at Gillette Stadium with no context. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later clarified the picture is not related to Brady’s pending free agency.
Celtics top Warriors: The Celtics marked their return from a three-game road trip by beating the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden Thursday night, 119-104. The C’s have now won five of their last six, and scored 100+ points in 11 straight games.
Jayson Tatum named an All-Star: The Celtics forward was named one of seven All-Star reserves by the NBA in an announcement on Thursday night. Teammate and All-Star hopeful Jaylen Brown found out he won’t be making the trip to Chicago in two weeks.
David Backes won’t play in Providence: The Boston Bruins recently waived forward will not be heading to his AHL assignment, as announced by GM Don Sweeney yesterday. Backes and the Bruins are both weighing options on what to do next.
Mookie Betts trade looms: Multiple reports Thursday indicated the Red Sox trading Mookie Betts is now as likely as it has been at any point this offseason. The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to have emerged as a frontrunner to land the 2018 AL MVP.
Australian Open: Tennis’ Major down under is set for its final rounds this weekend. In the woman’s final on Saturday, American Sofia Kenin takes on Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain. On Sunday, Serbian Novak Djokovic battles Austrian Dominic Theim.
This Weekend’s Games:
Boston Bruins @ Winnipeg Jets, Friday 8 p.m: The Bruins return from a 10-day layoff following the All-Star break and their bye week, opening things back up on the road in Winnipeg. The B’s are expected to have Tuukka Rask in net tonight, the goalie missed the last few games before the break after suffering a head injury on January 14. Judd Sirott and Bob Beers have the call on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with pregame coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.
Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday 8 p.m: The Celtics will get their fourth and final shot at the Sixers in the regular season, having dropped the previous three matchups. Just two games separate Boston and Philly, who are third and sixth in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell will be on the call on 105.7 WROR, with pregame coverage starting at 8 p.m.
Boston Bruins @ Minnesota Wild, Saturday 8 p.m: The Bruins are thrown right back into things returning from their 10-day break, with back-to-back road games this weekend. Minnesota comes in at 23-21-6 and playing some of its best hockey of the season, having won three of its last four. The Bruins dropped their only other game against the Wild this season, a 5-4 overtime loss in Boston back on November 23. Judd Sirott and Bob Beers have the call on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with pregame coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.
Super Bowl LIV, San Francisco 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday 6:30 p.m: For the first time in four years, a Super Bowl is being held without the New England Patriots. Jimmy Garappolo and the San Francisco 49ers, led by one of the league’s elite defenses, take on Patrick Mahomes and the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs. Enjoy the game, because after this football will be nothing but Brady Watch until March.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Hate mail? Let him hear it on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com
