Week 6 of the NFL Power Rankings is a good time to assess the fantasy football landscape. Odds are that your squad hasn't performed the way you expected it to, as some players have exceeded their preseason rankings while others, to be frank, haven't.
We're going to name names, as our NFL Nation reporters each picked a player from their team that has had a surprising fantasy season to date. So read up and figure out how to get these guys via trade or the waiver wire (or figure out if you need to trade or release the underperformers). How we rank: Our power panel -- a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities -- evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.
Previous rankings: 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Preseason
Week 5 ranking: 1
Surprise fantasy player: Sony Michel, RB
Sunday's performance represented a notable change for those patiently waiting for Michel to have some significant production. He finished with 91 rushing yards and a touchdown, while adding three catches for 32 yards. The pass-catching production is a good sign that the coaching staff is trusting Michel more in the passing game. Last year when Michel was on the field, it was almost always a run. Look for Michel's production to increase going forward, now with some added potential in the passing game. -- Mike Reiss
Tim Hasselbeck explains why he has no doubts in selecting Tom Brady as the all-time quarterback he'd pick if he needed to win a game.
Week 5 ranking: 3
Surprise fantasy player: Jared Cook, TE
The Saints' highest-profile free-agent addition hasn't delivered much yet as the Saints continue to search for a reliable third option behind Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. But Cook did catch a season-high four passes for 41 yards and his first TD in Week 5, and he is third on the team with 23 targets this season. So there still should be some better days to come, mixed with some quiet ones. -- Mike Triplett
Week 5 ranking: 2
Surprise fantasy player: Tyreek Hill, WR
Hill's impact should grow as early as this Sunday's game against the Texans. He returned to practice last week after missing four games with a collarbone and sternum injury and looked close to being ready for game action. If anyone's return from an extended absence should be seamless, it is Hill's. He missed offseason practice due to suspension but came back at camp like he hadn't missed a day. While the Chiefs have developed receiving threats in his absence, don't mistake who their No. 1 guy is. It's Hill. -- Adam Teicher
Week 5 ranking: 6
Surprise fantasy player: Aaron Jones, RB
Yes, everyone expected Jones to be the Packers' go-to guy on the ground, and he has a pair of 100-yard games so far. But did anyone expect him to match his 2018 touchdown total in five weeks? Of course, half of his eight rushing touchdowns came in one game -- on Sunday at Dallas. But if that game showed Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur anything, it's that Jones should be the first option when the Packers get near the goal line. -- Rob Demovsky
Week 5 ranking: 7
Surprise fantasy player: Will Dissly, TE
The Seahawks coveted Dissly in the 2018 draft for his blocking, so they might even be surprised that he has emerged as one of Russell Wilson's go-to targets. His four touchdowns this season give him six in his career, which tied the record for most scores by a tight end in his first eight games since the merger. What makes it even more surprising: Dissly is coming off a torn patellar tendon that ended his rookie season after four games. That's a hard touchdown pace to sustain, but Dissly looks like he'll remain Seattle's first option at tight end, even when Ed Dickson comes off the injured reserve list. -- Brady Henderson
Week 5 ranking: 8
Surprise fantasy player: Raheem Mostert, RB
Mostert was impressive enough in the preseason and in short bursts last year that the Niners wanted to get him more involved this season. That happened sooner than expected when Tevin Coleman suffered a sprained ankle in Week 1. Mostert rewarded San Francisco's belief in him by averaging nearly 6 yards per carry in the first three games, but with Coleman back, it's fair to wonder where Mostert fits in. Expect the Niners to keep getting Mostert opportunities, but it's hard to project consistent touches in a talented room that also includes Matt Breida. -- Nick Wagoner
Week 5 ranking: 4
Surprise fantasy player: Cooper Kupp, WR
Kupp, the Rams' shifty and speedy slot receiver, is coming off season-ending ACL surgery, but that has not slowed him one bit. The third-year pro is the go-to target for quarterback Jared Goff. Kupp leads the team with 41 receptions on 63 targets. He has a team-high 505 receiving yards, and his five touchdowns are the most among a receiving corps that includes Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods. -- Lindsey Thiry
Week 5 ranking: 5
Surprise fantasy player: Michael Gallup, WR
Gallup missed two games because of arthroscopic knee surgery, but he remains on pace for a 1,000-yard season. The Cowboys' passing game is led by Amari Cooper, but Gallup has seen a jump in his production because of the trust Dak Prescott has in him. Gallup has two 100-yard performances in the three games he has played, putting him on pace for 64 receptions and 1,085 yards. He has hit the end zone just once, but if teams do more to take away Cooper, then Gallup is showing he can hurt defenses too. There's no reason to think he can't continue this type of play. -- Todd Archer
Week 5 ranking: 11
Surprise fantasy player: Zach Ertz, TE
Coming off a record-breaking season in which he had 116 catches and eight touchdowns, Ertz has had a quieter start to his 2019 campaign. His first touchdown came on Sunday against the Jets. Among tight ends, he ranks fourth in catches (29) and fifth in yards (312). Expect his production to pick up in the coming weeks, especially once field-stretcher DeSean Jackson returns from injury. -- Tim McManus
Week 5 ranking: 12
Surprise fantasy player: Frank Gore, RB
We probably shouldn't be surprised at this point, but Gore continues to produce in his 15th season. In the three games Devin Singletary has missed with a hamstring injury, Gore has averaged 81.7 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry. That being said, his touches likely will decrease once Singletary returns, so Gore isn't likely to hit the 1,066 rushing yards that he is on pace for. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Ryan Clark hasn't seen enough from Lamar Jackson or the Ravens' defense in order to consider them Super Bowl contenders this season.
Week 5 ranking: 10
Surprise fantasy player: Marquise Brown, WR
It was unknown what kind of impact Brown would make -- if any at all -- after the rookie missed a chunk of training camp and half the preseason games while recovering from offseason foot surgery. But Brown, who is nicknamed "Hollywood," ranks in the top 20 in fantasy points after catching three touchdown passes in his first five games. This will be a challenging pace to keep up for Brown. Over his next four games, he'll play three defenses (Bengals twice and Patriots) that rank in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed to wide receivers this season. -- Jamison Hensley
Week 5 ranking: 13
Surprise fantasy player: DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Texans tight end Darren Fells has more touchdowns (three) than Hopkins (two) through five games. Hopkins opened the season with a big performance against the Saints, but he hasn't had 100 yards receiving in game since. Teams have been doubling Hopkins, and when the Falcons did that on Sunday, it allowed Will Fuller V to take advantage, with 14 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns. "As long as the scoreboard says W, I'm happy," Hopkins said. "I know I can't go out there and beat a team by myself. The little things you don't see on fantasy football. It's real football." -- Sarah Barshop
Week 5 ranking: 9
Surprise fantasy player: David Montgomery, RB
Montgomery's fantasy value has decreased because the Bears can't do much right on offense. Eventually, though, Montgomery is expected to break through and become a focal point. As head coach Matt Nagy feels more pressure to turn Chicago's quarterbacks into game managers, the Bears' focus will turn more to the run game, for which Montgomery is the only true three-down back on the roster. Montgomery is too talented not to have a serious fantasy impact. -- Jeff Dickerson
Week 5 ranking: 14
Surprise fantasy player: Kyle Rudolph, TE
The nine-year veteran tight end didn't think his main responsibility would be blocking when he signed a lucrative contract extension in June, but that has been Rudolph's primary role, as his targets have shrunk significantly in 2019. He has had exactly one pass thrown his way in each of the past three games, and he doesn't possess value as a red zone threat to fantasy owners as he once did. We expected Rudolph's role in the passing game to decrease with a shift to a more run-oriented attack, but where it's at right now is somewhat staggering. -- Courtney Cronin
Pat McAfee loves what he's seeing from the Colts and how they've rallied since Andrew Luck retired.
Week 5 ranking: 19
Surprise fantasy player: Marlon Mack, RB
The Colts are leaning heavy on Mack to lighten quarterback Jacoby Brissett's workload. Mack hasn't disappointed so far, as two of his six career 100-yard rushing games have come this season. Mack is coming off a game in which he had a career-high 29 carries for 132 yards against Kansas City to bring his season rushing total to 470 yards. He is on pace to be the 1,500-yard rusher owner Jim Irsay envisioned he would be a couple of years ago. -- Mike Wells
Week 5 ranking: 15
Surprise fantasy player: Kerryon Johnson, RB
Johnson would be the first one to tell you he doesn't care about his fantasy production, just what his teammates and coaches are asking of him. But it hasn't been the most productive fantasy year for him, topping 50 yards just once and scoring twice in four weeks. However, Johnson looks like he found something in his most recent contest against Kansas City in which he rushed for 125 yards. The schedule doesn't get much easier, with Green Bay and Minnesota next, but Johnson appears to have found some rhythm, which should bode well the rest of the season. -- Michael Rothstein
Week 5 ranking: 20
Surprise fantasy player: Curtis Samuel, WR
Samuel looked set to have a breakout year in training camp. However, with the injury to QB Cam Newton and the heavy workload Christian McCaffrey has received since, Samuel has only 19 catches and one touchdown through five games. Samuel hasn't developed the rapport on the field with Kyle Allen that he had with Newton. Again, the Panthers have simplified things and have leaned heavily on the running game to take the pressure off Allen. -- David Newton
Week 5 ranking: 17
Surprise fantasy player: Ricky Seals-Jones, TE
With David Njoku on injured reserve with a wrist injury, Seals-Jones has emerged as Baker Mayfield's favorite tight end target. Coach Freddie Kitchens loves using TEs, which means Seals-Jones will continue to be on the field, at least until Njoku returns, which won't be until late November at the earliest. -- Jake Trotter
Week 5 ranking: 16
Surprise fantasy player: Hunter Henry, TE
Expected to be one of the more productive tight ends in the NFL, Henry has just four catches for 60 yards, mainly due to injury. Henry suffered a tibia plateau fracture to his left knee in Week 1 against the Colts and was projected to miss four to six weeks. Henry has been working with trainers on the field over the past week and appears close to returning to the field. Once healthy, Henry should be an impact player for the Chargers moving forward; the Bolts could use help from the athletic tight end to solve their issues scoring in the red zone. -- Eric D. Williams
Week 5 ranking: 18
Surprise fantasy player: A.J. Brown, WR
After missing extended time during training camp, Brown didn't figure to play a significant role in the Titans' offense early in the season. However, he has become Tennessee's most dangerous pass-catcher. Brown has caught 12 of the 19 targets that have come his way. Entering Week 5, Brown's 22.3 yards per catch was among the NFL leaders. The rookie wideout already has three receptions of 40 yards or more on the season, and Brown's two touchdowns lead all Titans receivers. Brown eventually will overtake Tajae Sharpe as the starter opposite Corey Davis, which will lead to more opportunities. Unfortunately, Brown's value will be limited by the Titans' erratic offense. -- Turron Davenport
Week 5 ranking: 24
Surprise fantasy player: Josh Jacobs, RB
The rookie first-rounder had a phenomenal day in the Raiders' 24-21 defeat of the Bears on Sunday, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and catching three passes for 20 yards -- with wideouts Tyrell Williams and J.J. Nelson injured and inactive. Jacobs' 430 rushing yards are the most by a Raiders rookie through his first five games, eclipsing Marcus Allen's 415 yards in 1982. Given the success Jacobs had running behind an active offensive line against a vaunted Chicago run defense, expect Oakland to continue riding its rookie phenom going forward. -- Paul Gutierrez
Week 5 ranking: 21
Surprise fantasy player: The defense
Most notably, the lack of success opposing running backs have had against the Bucs. They are allowing running backs an average of 5.8 fantasy points (standard scoring) -- seventh fewest this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, and vitally important in a division that features Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Devonta Freeman. Last season in standard scoring, the Bucs gave up 10.5 fantasy points to RBs on average. Their effectiveness against the run has helped make the Tampa Bay defense a better fantasy option than originally projected. -- Jenna Laine
Week 5 ranking: 22
Surprise fantasy player: DJ Chark Jr., WR
The Jaguars expected Chark to make significant improvement from his rookie season, but nobody thought he would be leading the AFC in receiving yards (485, No. 5 overall) and TD catches (five, tied for No. 2 overall) after five games. This isn't a fluke, either. Chark put in the work during the offseason, and he says he is so much more comfortable because he knows what to expect in every aspect, including meetings, practice and recovery. He had issues catching the ball last season, but that's not the case in 2019. He has zero drops on 37 targets, after two drops on 38 last season. Chark is on pace for 86 catches, 1,552 yards and 16 TDs. -- Mike DiRocco
Week 5 ranking: 25
Surprise fantasy player: Evan Engram, TE
The hype has been matched with production. It's one thing to project Engram would have a breakout year. It's another for it to happen. Engram is second among tight ends in average points per week. Now he just needs to stay healthy and keep it up for 16 games. -- Jordan Raanan
Stephen A. Smith blasts the Falcons after they fell to 1-4, saying something is wrong in Atlanta and that something needs to be done about it.
Week 5 ranking: 23
Surprise fantasy player: Austin Hooper, TE
Hooper might not be that much of a surprise because of the potential he has shown every year, but he now leads the team in receptions and has two TDs. He should continue to benefit from the attention given to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. -- Vaughn McClure
Week 5 ranking: 26
Surprise fantasy player: Diontae Johnson, WR
While JuJu Smith-Schuster has been mostly quiet as the primary focus of opposing defenses, Johnson -- a rookie -- is slowly breaking out. In Mason Rudolph's first two starts, Johnson was targeted six times in each game and had a touchdown in both contests. When Devlin Hodges came in Sunday, he hit Johnson for a monster third-down conversion, but Johnson's downfall will be his trouble holding on to the ball. He fumbled the third-down pass out of bounds, though it still was ruled a completion, and fumbled his first catch a week ago. -- Brooke Pryor
Week 5 ranking: 27
Surprise fantasy player: Courtland Sutton, WR
Given his role as a starter who has played as much as expected (his 303 snaps in the first five games leads the team's wide receivers and tight ends), Sutton was expected to have some fantasy impact. But it has been more than expected. After the first five games, Sutton leads the team in receptions, receiving yards, average yards per catch and touchdowns. The Broncos have had a heavy run presence and lean that way at times on offense, but Sutton has improved week to week in how he handles the man coverage he sees. He also has earned quarterback Joe Flacco's trust in a crowd, and his routes are improving. Sutton still has to be more consistent in how he works at the top of his routes, but he is an ascending player. -- Jeff Legwold
Week 5 ranking: 28
Surprise fantasy player: Chase Edmonds, RB
Edmonds has been playing in the shadow of fellow running back David Johnson since he was drafted last year, but Edmonds' big game on Sunday -- 68 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 18 yards for 17.6 fantasy points -- proved he can be an impact fantasy player, especially when the Cardinals commit to the run. I think he'll maintain that level. With Edmonds being used more as the season goes on -- his carries have increased from one to three to six to eight -- he'll likely be on the field along with Johnson, especially as a complement when Johnson is lined up as a receiver. -- Josh Weinfuss
Week 5 ranking: 29
Surprise fantasy player: Joe Mixon, RB
Those who drafted Mixon early expected him to live up to his early-round projections. However, after five games, Mixon has no rushing touchdowns and is 24th in total rushing yards. But his latest outings suggest he could be finding his form on a bad offense. He has averaged at least 4 yards per carry for three straight weeks. -- Ben Baby
Week 5 ranking: 30
Surprise fantasy player: Le'Veon Bell, RB
Bell has been a surprise in a negative way, tallying only one TD. Because of quarterback and offensive-line issues, he has been a total nonfactor. He is getting chances (98 touches, tied for eighth in the league) but has nowhere to run. His efficiency will improve when QB Sam Darnold returns to the lineup, but don't expect a dramatic increase. The Jets have serious blocking issues, and those will prevent Bell from being Bell. Oh, how he wishes he still had that Pittsburgh offensive line. -- Rich Cimini
Dan Orlovsky anticipates that Ryan Day will get a call about the Redskins job because of his familiarity with QB Dwayne Haskins.
Week 5 ranking: 31
Surprise fantasy player: Terry McLaurin, WR
McLaurin has been the one bright spot on offense, as he now has 19 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns. While he will continue to be a focal point, will the Redskins find him consistently? Even though coach Jay Gruden was fired Monday, there's no guarantee that rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins will take over. If Haskins does, however, he and McLaurin obviously connected at Ohio State, but this will be a far more difficult task, so it could take a while to rebuild their chemistry. It also would help McLaurin for another skill player to emerge to take pressure off him, but he is legit and remains the Redskins' best weapon. -- John Keim
Week 5 ranking: 32
Surprise fantasy player: Preston Williams, WR
Williams has gone from a rookie undrafted free agent trying to make the roster to the Dolphins' leading receiver through four games, with 15 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown. Williams began the season as a part-time player, but he quickly has become a full-time contributor and Josh Rosen's favorite weapon. Williams has a team-leading 30 targets, including 19 over the past two weeks with Rosen as the starter. Williams' role as a top target should remain consistent, and it might even increase a tick if Rosen becomes more comfortable in the offense. Williams is the most reliable fantasy receiver on a bad Dolphins offense. -- Cameron Wolfe
TOKYO -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he's still planning to go to China on Wednesday in advance of preseason games there between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets later in the week, even after China's state broadcaster canceled plans to show the games.
Silver went so far as to say that he and the league are "apologetic" over the outcome and reaction that followed Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's tweet showing support for protesters in Hong Kong, but he noted that "we are not apologizing for Daryl exercising his freedom of expression."
"Daryl Morey, as general manager of the Houston Rockets, enjoys that right as one of our employees," Silver said. "What I also tried to suggest is that I understand there are consequences from his freedom of speech and we will have to live with those consequences."
He added that he "regrets" how so many Chinese people and NBA fans were upset by the now-deleted tweet.
Silver said it would be appropriate for people involved with the league "to be sensitive" to different cultures when tweeting or communicating. He spoke in Tokyo before a preseason game between the NBA champion Toronto Raptors and the Rockets -- the team at the center of this China squabble.
His comments came as Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said it will no longer air two NBA preseason games set to be played in the country.
CCTV is also reviewing all its cooperation and exchanges involving the NBA, it said in a statement posted to CCTV Sports' official social media account.
The broadcaster indicated the decision was prompted by earlier remarks Silver made in Japan.
"We're strongly dissatisfied and oppose Adam Silver's claim to support Morey's right to freedom of expression," the statement read. "We believe that any remarks that challenge national sovereignty and social stability are not within the scope of freedom of speech."
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo joined other businesses in saying Tuesday that it will suspend its business with the NBA over Morey's comments and the NBA's reaction. Vivo had been a sponsor for the Lakers-Nets games in China.
Silver is going to Shanghai on Wednesday and said he hopes to meet with officials, including Chinese Basketball Association president Yao Ming, and some of the league's business partners there in an effort to find some sort of common ground. He said he hopes Chinese officials and fans look at the totality of the impact of the three-decade-plus relationship between the league and their country, and urged them to see his response while acknowledging there are political differences between the countries.
"I'm sympathetic to our interests here and our partners that are upset," Silver said. "I don't think it's inconsistent on one hand to be sympathetic to them and at the same time stand by our principles."
Silver said the NBA did not expect CCTV to cancel plans to show the Lakers-Nets games.
"But if those are the consequences of us adhering to our values, I still feel it's very, very important to adhere to those values," Silver said.
A ceremonial NBA Cares event for an educational center in Shanghai with the Nets was canceled Tuesday, though the Nets participated in other events as scheduled. The Lakers were arriving there Tuesday. Silver said NBA Cares would still honor its bigger mission surrounding that event, including providing a gift of new computers.
The rift between China and the NBA started late last week when Morey posted a tweet with an image that read: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong." He later deleted the post and tweeted an apology after Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta publicly clarified the team does not take political positions.
The strong reactions to Morey's tweet underscore China's sensitivity about foreign attitudes toward the ongoing Hong Kong protests that have grown into violence in the semi-autonomous territory. China has accused foreign parties in the United States and elsewhere of encouraging the demonstrations.
The protests were sparked by a proposed extradition law that would have allowed suspects to be sent to China to face trial. Activists saw that as a threat to the legal rights that Hong Kong residents have under the current "one country, two systems" framework.
On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said ordinary people have already expressed their position.
"How can it be possible to carry out exchanges and cooperation with China without knowing China's public opinion?'' Geng said. "NBA's cooperation with China has been going on for quite a long time, so for what should be said and what should be done, they know best."
But Silver said the league "will not put itself in a position of regulating what players, employees and team owners say or will not say on these issues."
Silver's statement was sent out shortly before he was to hold a news conference in Tokyo.
Silver said "it is inevitable that people around the world -- including from America and China -- will have different viewpoints over different issues. It is not the role of the NBA to adjudicate those differences."
Silver also responded to those criticizing the league's approach over the last several days, including some U.S. lawmakers who have called for the league to take action -- some even suggesting the league should cancel its games in China.
"This is about far more than growing our business. ... Values of equality, respect and freedom of expression have long defined the NBA -- and will continue to do so," Silver said. "As an American-based basketball league operating globally, among our greatest contributions are these values of the game."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Four teams faced elimination from the MLB playoffs on Monday, and three lived to play another day, including the Tampa Bay Rays, who have their season on the line again tonight.
Tuesday's schedule
7:07 p.m. ET: Astros-Rays Game 4
The most important thing of the day: We get the chance to see a future Hall of Famer at the top of his craft with an opportunity to close out a playoff series. And who is Justin Verlander's foe in Game 4 of the Astros-Rays ALDS? Diego Castillo, a fine reliever with nasty stuff, but a pitcher who has maxed out at two innings this season and come out of the bullpen in 59 of his 67 appearances. This is baseball in 2019, not exactly what we've seen through the years but fascinating all the same.
The view from inside the ballparks
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Rays have momentum, and as Kevin Kiermaier said after Tampa Bay's 10-3 win in Game 3, they feel like they "have nothing to lose." You can't really say that of the Astros, who, after Zack Greinke's clunker, will turn to Justin Verlander on Tuesday to close it out on short rest. The Astros remain loose and confident because those are their defining traits. But Game 4 will be played in an even more raucous setting than Game 3 on Monday. -- Bradford Doolittle
A stat to impress your friends: To advance to the ALCS, the Rays will likely need to beat Justin Verlander in Game 4 and Gerrit Cole in Game 5. The two aces have started consecutive games 28 times this year, and the Astros lost both games twice (April 2-3 vs. Rangers, June 18-19 vs. Reds).
Astros-Rays
Tense, terse and tight. That's what we're in for. The Rays, on a bullpen day, will not leave any bullets unfired. Astros 2, Rays 1 -- Doolittle
Justin Verlander hasn't allowed more than four runs in a game all season, and he won't in this one. The Rays will go with Diego Castillo to start the bullpen game, and their top relievers are all in good shape after the Game 3 blowout. The issue for Tampa will be bridging the gap from Castillo to the other relievers. Lefty Ryan Yarbrough is actually a reverse platoon guy, so he might be the key. Here's saying the Rays find a way and send the series back to Houston. Rays 3, Astros 2 -- David Schoenfield
Stud of the night: With tips of the cap to Yadier Molina and Ryan Zimmerman, the image of Max Scherzer gutting through seven innings after pitching in relief two nights before won us over. He closed out his night by working out of a bases-loaded jam, striking out Chris Taylor and getting Joc Pederson on a grounder to second when one swing of the bat could have changed the game. After throwing 109 pitches, Scherzer admitted, "I was just gassed."
Dud of the night: Sorry, Twins, but nothing screams "dud" like getting swept out of the playoffs with a 16-game, 15-year postseason losing streak intact. Of the four teams facing elimination in front of their home crowds, the Twins were the only ones who sent their fans home for the winter.
Highlight of the night:
The Nationals take a 5-1 lead over the Dodgers when Ryan Zimmerman belts a three-run home run to center field.
Social media says:
THIS is a bleeping bat flip pic.twitter.com/NSUrzg2r8m
— Parakeet A. Cortes (@Ryan_Cortes) October 7, 2019
Quote of note: "But anything can happen in between those white lines, and I don't want anyone to tell me or any of my other teammates that you don't have a shot at this. We know what Houston's capable of, Verlander, his résumé and all that. At the end of the day, we're out there competing, trying to win a ballgame each and every day. We don't care who's on the mound." -- Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier
Our running postseason MVP: We said it was Verlander's title to lose after he became a verb by blanking the Rays for seven innings in ALDS Game 1. But after Cole's 15-strikeout tour de force in Game 2, it looks like the two Astros aces are co-MVPs.
The play of this October: Juan Soto's single/Trent Grisham's error with two outs and the bases loaded in the eighth inning of the NL wild-card game, which turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 Washington lead. Unfortunately for Grisham, the play will be part of those postseason blunders lists -- and it could take on a life of its own if the Nationals end up winning it all.
Game of the postseason so far: Braves-Cardinals Game 3. An old-school pitchers' duel between Mike Soroka and Adam Wainwright had Atlanta down 1-0 entering the ninth. With St. Louis one out from taking a 2-1 series lead, the Cards intentionally walked Brian McCann, Dansby Swanson ripped a double to tie it, and pinch hitter Adam Duvall followed with a two-run single that gave the Braves a 3-1 win.
Scottish Gavin Rumgay suffered an early exit at the hands of Hong Kong’s Li Hon Ming, as the 35-year-old Olympic athlete could not match the pace of Ming’s play.
In a 4-0 defeat (11-9, 11-5, 11-4, 13-11) Rumgay looked a little jaded as Ming was set on finishing points early and keeping the games short.
Vikash Manav Thakkar was in form as he saw off the challenge of USA’s Michael Minh Tran in a 4-0 win (11-6, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7). Sadly for India, Soumyajit Ghosh was unable to replicate his compatriot Vikash’s result.
Playing against Bulgarian Pavel Platonov, Ghosh lost by the same scoreline and was simply not able to register a winning game in the 17 minute match-up.
China’s Liu Fei and Sweden’s Filippa Bergand had straight forward wins in qualification as they faced Germany’s Franziska Schreiner and Anastasia Bondareva.
Both host nation’s athletes were unable to register a game victory, as they lost in straight games to their far more experienced opponents.
The Gambia Table Tennis Association is channelling promotion of table tennis through school programs, which was reflected in the composition of the coaching course – 16 of 20 participants were Physical Education teachers.
“We are convinced that the development of table tennis in the country necessarily passes through grassroots development, that’s why we want to make physical education teachers, and schools, our privileged partners in development.”, said Peter Prom, President of the Gambia Table Tennis Association.
This ambition was mirrored in Guinea’s aim for coaches’ education. Mr. Famasson Camara, General Secretary of the Guinean Table Tennis Federation, said: “This Coach Education is very convenient, and we can only welcome the International Table Tennis Federation. This internship will enable us to be ready to carry out our ambitious table tennis project in schools.”
Kaka Lawson, expert on duty in the Gambia, said: “I found the coaches enthusiastic and very motivated, as this course is an opportunity for many of them to have their first coaching education experience.” His efforts resulted in nine of the twenty participants passing the course and are now completing their practical requirements to become fully certified ITTF-PTT Level 1 coaches.
The coaches’ course was followed by a cadet training camp with 25 players, 10 of which were girls, attending. While some of the players were experienced, for 12 of them it was the first time playing Table Tennis. The excitement was palpable, both in those looking to improve their level of play and those that were just discovering the fundamentals and basic techniques of the sport.
“We want to be present in the next Regional and International competitions, especially the African Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games in 2022 in Dakar, that’s why we have to prepare well from now for the qualifying events”, said president Peter Prom. Vice-President of the association, Hesham Alturky, added: “We must give a chance to our youth the chance to develop and flourish through Sports in general and especially table tennis”.
A promise was made by Gambia National Sport Program Council Director Ebrima Secka to focus more on the training of both players and coaches, and to make available to the NA a sport specific table tennis venue within a larger sports complex.
In Guinea, ITTF West Africa Regional development Officer Paul Tiendrebeogo, guided 23 aspiring coaches on their journey towards becoming a certified ITTF-PTT Level 1 coach. The coaches who came to participate were former table tennis players and supporters. Their common aim in completing the certification was to be able to focus on coaching youth players in their clubs at home.
NA President Robert Condé added: “We have learned a lot about basic techniques and the elaboration of a table tennis development strategy, and we expect the ITTF to support us furthermore”. The ITTF-PTT Level 1 Coaching Course followed by the Training Camp was well completed and responded to the needs of the participants, meeting their expectations.
“The need for coaches’ training remains a necessity given the structure of the National Association and the resources at their disposal.The lack of equipment (tables, racket, rubbers and balls) seriously undermines the discipline. Although assisted by the Ministry, the organizational level remains low. The Guinean TTA hopes to benefit from the support of the National Olympic Committee through the Olympic Solidarity program, ‘Development National Sports Structure’, to promote table tennis throughout the country.”, said Paul Tiendrebeogo.
The hard work in the region will continue with the West African Regional Championship, to be held in Cote d’Ivoire on 2-3 November 2019.
In case you haven't heard, the Rugby World Cup is in Asia for the first time.
Taking place in Japan, the tournament feels completely different to its predecessors and both foreign and Japanese fans have been revelling in it.
There are many things to love about a World Cup out east, some of which were expected and some which have come as a welcome surprise.
But after a bit of discussion, the BBC Sport team in Japan have settled on what they love most.
BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones
You never quite know what you are going to get in Japan. It is never boring; and always fun.
For example, the weather seems impossible to predict - any given day could be a combination of perfect sunshine or torrential storms - while at breakfast one needs to be prepared to eat anything from rare beef to fish stew to donuts and cakes.
And for such polite and reserved people, the Japanese also absolutely love letting their hair down by getting stuck into good food and good drink - often in a karaoke booth.
BBC chief sports writer Tom Fordyce
Every World Cup needs a result in the group stages that shakes up the established order, that messes with the predictions you may have made on your wallchart and keeps you watching other matches that you might otherwise assume to be dead certs.
In 2007, you had Fiji beating Wales. In 2011, you had Tonga upsetting France, and in 2015 you had Japan's famous victory over South Africa.
What this World Cup is delivering is not just an isolated one-off but - maybe - a story that could kick on and on. Should hosts Japan make it through to the knock-out stages for the first time in their history, it would be devastating for Scotland but remarkable for the wider tournament.
Other tier-two nations have struggled, and that should be a concern for World Rugby. To have the host nation in the last eight would cover up a number of those wider issues.
BBC Radio 5 Live rugby union producer Louise Gwilliam
The enthusiasm of the Japanese fans for this World Cup has been like no other tournament I've ever been to.
Not only do they buy the shirt of every team they go and see (imagine hundreds of Japanese fans in full Namibia kit, backpack and all) they have also learnt the words to every national anthem and sing them with as much pride as passionate Argentines, crying Frenchmen and women and multi-lingual South Africans.
Former England fly-half and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Paul Grayson
Never have so few words in a native tongue elicited such a warm response.
I know how to say about six things in Japanese covering a huge range of topics from hello to sorry and all the way to excuse me.
The response to these attempts is pure joy from the recipient and then they politely speak to you in Japanese after which you nod and smile and point at stuff.
You feel welcomed and foreign all at the same time. Loud English gets you nowhere here and that's absolutely as it should be.
BBC Sport journalist Becky Grey
Japanese society has a lot to teach us about respect. Trains are plastered with signs reminding travellers not to use their phones on-board and on match days there are announcements in English telling fans not to "cause any discomfort" for their fellow passengers.
The high value placed on respecting others has translated onto the pitch too. Teams have stayed out on the field after full-time to go round and bow to every side of the stadium, as is the Japanese custom when thanking someone.
And there's been plenty of respect between teams behind the scenes. After thrashing them 63-0, reigning champions New Zealand invited Canada into their dressing room for a few post-match beers.
BBC Radio 5 Live rugby union producer Louise Gwilliam
The Japanese love a rule, and there's absolutely no deviating from them, but it makes life in Japan really quite pleasant and easy.
Everyone waits at the crossings for the green man, even on back streets with no-one around. There are signs painted on the floor of where to queue on train platforms and no-one ever pushes in.
Trains are always on time, and when over a minute late you get a public apology. Lastly, shoes must be taken off inside, no outdoor shoes are allowed in gyms and caps must be worn by everyone in the swimming pools.
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Gareth Lewis
My favourite personal moment so far was being presented with a jar of marmite in a little bar-cum-restaurant in Tokyo. We had popped in there to watch the England v USA game and had deliberately chosen a place with no westerners.
After pretty much everyone had had a go at their English, the bar owner was so excited to have British guests that he produced a tiny jar of marmite from behind the counter and made us pose for pictures with it.
And as for the rugby... I am not counting my chickens or making any predictions, but to see Wales beat Australia at a World Cup for the first time in 32 years - at last - was pretty special.
I'm not quiet when I watch games at home on the TV and tend to live every pass, kick and moment of unbearable tension. To let all that out by commentating on the game itself was an unforgettable experience. I've just about left another level to get up to in case Wales go on and do something special.
Are you a die-hard aficionado who never misses a Pro14 match or casual TV punter who only switches on for the Six Nations and the World Cup?
Put yourself to the test as we look ahead to the Pool D match between unbeaten Wales and Fiji in Pool D.
And beware . . . as Wales found out to their cost in 2007, it is not always plain sailing and the bookmakers are occasionally wrong.
So crouch, touch, set . . .
Ireland's Joey Carbery says he is enjoying playing at fly-half having recovered from an ankle knock.
The Munster 10 was a late withdrawal from the squad that defeated Russia 35-0 in Pool A last Thursday.
Carbery was initially selected as bench cover for several positions, including scrum-half, despite his very limited professional playing time there.
"I did a bit of 10 today [Tuesday], which is the position I play so I'm pretty happy with that," said Carbery.
"If there's a certain break in training where I'm needed to go in at nine or 15 or something like that, then I get a tap on the shoulder but it's up to the coaches really.
"I'm happy to be playing at 10, it's the position I love so it's good to get reps in there."
Viewed by many as the heir-apparent to Ireland's number 10 jersey currently occupied by Johnny Sexton, Carbery moved from Leinster to Munster at the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign.
The switch was facilitated by the Irish Rugby Football Union, who were keen for Carbery to have regular game-time at fly-half as opposed to full-back where he often found himself operating at Leinster.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a fine debut season at Munster, guiding the province to Pro14 and European Champions Cup semi-finals.
"It was pretty good to play week in, week out at 10 because you can kind of get a feel for the players around you," he reflected.
"I was getting a lot of game-time and was kind of getting into the swing of things.
"The injuries were a bit frustrating but I did show with game-time and consistency at the position I'm playing at then I can get a lot better."
An ankle injury in Ireland's opening World Cup warm-up match on 10 August threatened to end Carbery's tournament before it had even begun.
His selection, despite not being fit enough to be included in the squad for the first game against Scotland, was another strong indication of head coach Joe Schmidt's faith in the player.
So far Carbery's tournament has been restricted to a 20-minute cameo from the bench against Japan.
"I was a bit rusty I felt," he said.
"It was obviously very tough, Japan were putting us under immense pressure and they kind of closed all our options off and suffocated us a bit so huge credit to them."
Now fully fit, it is likely that Carbery will be named among the replacements for Ireland's final Pool A assignment against Samoa on Saturday.
After Thursday's victory over Russia, head coach Joe Schmidt said that he was hopeful of giving Sexton, who was withdrawn at half-time, 60 minutes in Fukuoka.
Doubts continue to grow about the fitness of England's talismanic Billy Vunipola after the number eight sat out training in a surgical boot on Tuesday.
Vunipola was taken off at half-time in the 39-10 win over Argentina on Saturday with ankle pain.
The 26-year-old is now a serious doubt for England's final group game against France this weekend.
"He's been in and out of the boot," said England's attack coach Scott Wisemantel.
"We rested him today [Tuesday] at training - at this stage he's available for selection, but if there's any doubt then we'll rest him.
"We'll make a call on Wednesday night on whether he's fit to play or not."
The younger Vunipola brother - elder brother Mako has just returned from injury himself - is arguably England's most important player, the only specialist number eight in Eddie Jones' 31-man squad and a man whose ball-carrying is essential to Jones' preferred way of playing.
Tom Curry switched from blind-side flanker to the back of the scrum during the second half against Argentina and could play there again if required, while Mark Wilson - who impressed there during last year's autumn internationals - is short of game-time having been injured for the first fortnight of England's time in Japan.
Open-side flanker Sam Underhill told BBC 5 Live: "Billy would be a massive loss but we'd be in a pretty good place with the strength in depth that we've got.
"Billy's a fantastic player and brings such a unique skill set to the game, but we've got a diverse group.
"The back row is about balance, and within that group any of the combinations would work pretty well."
Wisemantel confirmed that the results of a scan on Vunipola's injury are with the team's doctor, but a day after scrum coach Neil Hatley had told journalists Vunipola had not been in a boot, there has been no public word on what the scan may have shown.
Captain Owen Farrell and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie also missed training, but are expected to recover in time to feature in Yokohama.
Wisemantel said: "Owen's just had a little bit of a stomach virus, both he and Luke.
"I don't know where they've gone, they've probably gone to some little noodle place and got unlucky."
England are already through to the quarter-finals and will top Group C if they prevail against France.
That is likely to give them a quarter-final against Australia in Oita in 11 days' time, four years on from being knocked out of the World Cup at Twickenham by the Wallabies.
With New Zealand possible semi-final opponents for the winner of that tie, some have suggested that defeat by France - and a route into the opposite side of the draw, where Wales and potentially South Africa lie in wait - may be a preferred option.
But Wisemantel said: "Hand over heart, the next big thing is this weekend. It's such a tough tournament if you look far ahead you'll get lost.
"I don't think there's right or wrong side of the draw - you've got to adapt."
Barcelona have sacked under-19 team coach Victor Valdes less than three months after bringing him back to the Camp Nou as a result of several disagreements with club executives and workers, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Last Friday, ESPN FC reported that Valdes had already said goodbye to his players after Barca announced the former goalkeeper was not going to travel to Saturday's game against Gimnastic in Tarragona.
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Barca made the announcement on Monday morning and have immediately replaced Valdes with Franc Artiga, who was the coach of the under-19 B team and part of the youth set up at La Masia since 2010.
Sources close to the club told ESPN FC Valdes was given a dressing down on Friday by Patrick Kluivert, who is the director of youth football.
There have been clashes over a range of issues, including the team's formation, the management of star player Ilaix Moriba and Valdes' failure to turn up for important meetings with other coaches at the club.
Barca's U19s are unbeaten in the league but dropped points against Cornella and have lost both of their Youth League games, against Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
Valdes completed his UEFA Pro licence alongside former teammate and friend Xavi Hernandez, who is working in Qatar, and the two have been linked to Victor Font, who is a candidate for the 2021 club presidential elections.
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