I Dig Sports
The Boston Red Sox began an overhaul of their coaching staff Tuesday, announcing that pitching coach Dana LeVangie has been reassigned to the professional scouting department.
LeVangie, 50, who has been with the Red Sox organization since being drafted as a catcher in 1991, was the pitching coach for two seasons.
For the pitching staff, everything that went right in 2018 went wrong in 2019. Chris Sale and Rick Porcello had the worst statistical seasons of their careers, and David Price his worst season with the Red Sox. Starting pitchers, who made up a significant portion of the team's payroll, went 50-50 with a 4.95 ERA. Injuries played a big role, but overall, the pitching staff had a 4.70 ERA, 19th in the major leagues.
Before his stint as pitching coach, LeVangie was bullpen coach for five years. He played six seasons in the Red Sox system (1991-96) as a catcher, then spent eight seasons as a bullpen catcher before working as a pro scout (2005) and a major league advance scout (2006-12). He was part of four World Series-winning teams.
In other moves, the Red Sox also reassigned manager of advance scouting Steve Langone to pro scouting, announced that former assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister will leave that role but continue as vice president of pitching development, and said that assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett had been dismissed.
Wish you were (still) here! Non-playoff teams with the most ex-players making noise this October
As we dig into these early games of the 2019 postseason, let me run this potential playoff rotation by you: Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, Tyler Glasnow and Miles Mikolas.
I'd take my chances with that foursome. In fact, for one month back in the 2013-14 offseason, the four were teammates in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Cole was the former No. 1 overall pick who had reached the majors in 2013. Morton had started 20 games in 2013 and would start 26 in 2014. Glasnow was an up-and-coming minor league prospect. In November of that offseason, the Pirates acquired Mikolas from the Padres in a deal for Alex Dickerson. A month later, they traded Mikolas to the Rangers for Chris McGuiness, who never played in the majors for Pittsburgh.
The ex-Pirates rotation of players currently competing in the division series would be playoff-worthy. In fact, if you need a fifth starter, you can add J.A. Happ to the rotation. Those five combined for 17.6 WAR in 2019, which would rank third among actual 2019 rotations, behind only the Nationals and Astros. The 2019 Pirates rotation? It ranked 29th in the majors with 1.5 WAR.
Pirates fans -- on the heels of a miserable 69-93 season that ended with the departure of manager Clint Hurdle (but not general manager Neal Huntington) -- are probably viewing this postseason through a different lens. The eight teams competing in the division series feature 17 ex-Pirates on the rosters. Cole and Morton are the two most prominent, but there is also Glasnow and Rays teammate Austin Meadows, who hit .291 with 33 home runs in a 3.8-WAR season in his first full year in the majors.
The Rays acquired those two from the Pirates at the 2018 trade deadline for Chris Archer. While Meadows and Glasnow combined for 6.4 WAR, Archer went 3-9 with a 5.19 ERA and 0.7 WAR. Cole, meanwhile, has been worth 12.1 WAR in his two seasons with the Astros. The four players acquired for him have produced a combined 2.9 WAR over two seasons. The best of the lot in 2019 was pitcher Joe Musgrove, worth 1.7 WAR.
Those two epic trade failures have crushed the Pirates' immediate future. Remarkably, however, the Pirates are not the franchise with the most WAR from ex-players populating the eight remaining playoff teams. Using the active rosters for the division series, I tabulated the 2019 WAR of ex-players for all 30 franchises (a player only had to have been a member of the organization at some point in his career, not necessarily in the major leagues). Oakland, who made it to this year's AL wild-card game, actually leads the way:
Athletics: 29.1 WAR
Pirates: 28.9
Diamondbacks: 28.7
Brewers: 28.5
Tigers: 28.1
Indians: 28.1
Among the prominent ex-A's: Josh Donaldson (6.1 WAR), Max Muncy (5.7), Nelson Cruz (4.3), Edwin Encarnacion (2.8), Emilio Pagan (2.4) and Will Harris (2.1). Muncy has been one of the unlikeliest starters of the past two seasons after the Dodgers claimed him on waivers from the A's. Encarnacion and Harris never actually played for Oakland, but they briefly passed through the organization. The Donaldson trade to the Blue Jays after the 2014 season ranks as one of Billy Beane's biggest mistakes, but how about trading Cruz away back in 2004 for Keith Ginter? (Cruz is also an ex-Met, ex-Brewer, ex-Ranger, ex-Oriole and ex-Mariner.)
The Diamondbacks traded Zack Greinke to the Astros this year -- after losing Patrick Corbin to the Nationals as a free agent. They also drafted Max Scherzer back in 2006, but they traded him to the Tigers as a young major leaguer (netting Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson in the deal). Paul Goldschmidt, Wade Miley, Harris, Dansby Swanson, A.J. Pollock and Didi Gregorius are some of the other famous ex-Diamondbacks.
Scherzer is also part of the ex-Tigers rotation that would still be good if it had been kept together: Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez. Rays shortstop Willy Adames went to Tampa in the David Price trade and had a 4.2-WAR season. Players like Chad Green, Shane Greene, Cameron Maybin and Matt Joyce provided value to 2019 playoff teams. The 2019 Tigers lost 114 games.
Here's the complete list:
Arizona Diamondbacks: 16 players, 28.7 WAR; best ex Max Scherzer
Atlanta Braves: 11 players, 13.4 WAR; best ex Charlie Morton
Baltimore Orioles: 15 players, 21.0 WAR; best ex Nelson Cruz
Boston Red Sox: 11 players, 12.9 WAR; best ex Anibal Sanchez
Chicago Cubs: 12 players, 27.6 WAR; best ex Josh Donaldson
Chicago White Sox: 3 players, 2.7 WAR; best ex Avisail Garcia
Cincinnati Reds: 8 players, 11.0 WAR; best ex Justin Turner
Cleveland Indians: 15 players, 28.1 WAR; best ex Josh Donaldson
Colorado Rockies: 9 players, 14.5 WAR; best ex DJ LeMahieu
Detroit Tigers: 12 players, 28.1 WAR; best ex Justin Verlander
Houston Astros: 11 players, 17.5 WAR; best ex Charlie Morton
Kansas City Royals: 5 players, 7.9 WAR; best ex Zack Greinke
Los Angeles Angels: 17 players, 25.7 WAR; best ex Patrick Corbin
Los Angeles Dodgers: 9 players, 15.9 WAR; best ex Zack Greinke
Miami Marlins: 13 players, 11.5 WAR; best ex Anibal Sanchez
Milwaukee Brewers: 15 players, 28.5 WAR; best ex Michael Brantley
Minnesota Twins: 7 players, 8.4 WAR; best ex Anibal Sanchez
New York Mets: 9 players, 14.1 WAR; best ex Nelson Cruz
New York Yankees: 17 players, 15.7 WAR; best ex Giovanny Gallegos
Oakland Athletics: 15 players, 29.1 WAR; best ex Josh Donaldson
Philadelphia Phillies: 6 players, 13.3 WAR; best ex Charlie Morton
Pittsburgh Pirates: 17 players, 28.9 WAR; best ex Gerrit Cole
San Diego Padres: 9 players, 10.3 WAR; best ex Max Fried
San Francisco Giants: 9 players, 4.4 WAR; best ex Ehire Adrianza
Seattle Mariners: 16 players, 24.4 WAR; best ex Nelson Cruz
St. Louis Cardinals: 10 players, 11.1 WAR; best ex Tommy Pham
Tampa Bay Rays: 11 players, 14.7 WAR; best ex Robinson Chirinos
Texas Rangers: 10 players, 16.5 WAR; best ex Nelson Cruz
Toronto Blue Jays: 15 players, 27.0 WAR; best ex Josh Donaldson
Washington Nationals: 6 players, 4.8 WAR; best ex Asdrubal Cabrera (though Cabrera is now back with the Nats)
We can also use this study to see how the playoff teams themselves were built. Here are the number of homegrown players on each team's playoff roster, with 2019 combined WAR:
Dodgers: 15 (33.6 WAR)
Nine of the 12 pitchers on the staff are homegrown, although that includes international free agents Hyun-Jin Ryu and Kenta Maeda. Their two big free-agent signings for 2019 -- Pollock and Joe Kelly -- actually combined for minus-0.3 WAR.
Twins: 13 (28.3 WAR)
The Twins are an interesting mix. Kyle Gibson and Jose Berrios are the only homegrown first-round picks. Berrios and Eddie Rosario were drafted out of Puerto Rico. The international scouting department signed Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez and Brusdar Graterol. They hit on some later-round college guys like Mitch Garver (ninth round), Taylor Rogers (11th round) and Tyler Duffey (fifth round). Randy Dobnak was an undrafted free agent.
Cardinals: 12 (27.3 WAR)
The heart of the team is all homegrown: Yadier Molina, Jack Flaherty, Paul DeJong, Kolten Wong, Tommy Edman, Dakota Hudson and Matt Carpenter. Flaherty, Hudson and Wong were first-round picks. Molina was drafted way back in 2000. Adam Wainwright has spent his entire career with the Cardinals, although he was acquired from the Braves as a minor leaguer (in the J.D. Drew trade).
Astros: 9 (27.1 WAR)
Alex Bregman, George Springer and Carlos Correa are homegrown first-round picks. Jose Altuve was signed out of Venezuela in 2007. But the only homegrown pitchers are Josh James and Jose Urquidy. How did Jeff Luhnow manage to trade for Verlander, Cole and Greinke? Ridiculous.
Nationals: 8 (23.1 WAR)
Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg, Juan Soto and Victor Robles are a powerful homegrown foursome. They stole Trea Turner from the Padres in a three-way trade that cost the Nationals only Steven Souza Jr. Scherzer and Corbin were big-money free agents.
Yankees: 7 (16.1 WAR)
Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner, Gary Sanchez, Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino top the homegrown list, but credit Brian Cashman for building depth around the edges with astute pickups like Gio Urshela (waivers), DJ LeMahieu (free agent), Gleyber Torres (trade) and Gregorius (trade).
Rays: 6 (9.4 WAR)
The Rays are pretty much a miracle, a small-market team building a playoff roster more via a long list of astute trades than through the farm system (which hit a lull for a few years but is now one of the best in the game). Blake Snell, Brandon Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier, Yonny Chirinos, Diego Castillo and Brendan McKay are the homegrown products and Morton the one free agent, but everybody else came via trade -- a bunch of castoffs, low-cost acquisitions and, other than Adames, lightly regarded prospects.
Braves: 5 (23.1 WAR)
Only five homegrown players, but what a five: Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna Jr., Mike Soroka, Ozzie Albies and Julio Teheran. (Brian McCann and Tyler Flowers were originally drafted by the Braves, left the organization and later returned.) Four members of the pitching staff were former first-round picks acquired via trade by previous front-office regimes as minor leaguers or unproven major leaguers: Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Max Fried and Luke Jackson.
UK Athletics performance director to leave role in wake of scandal which saw coach Alberto Salazar banned for four years
Neil Black is to leave his role as performance director of UK Athletics (UKA) at the end of October, the national governing body has announced.
UKA has been caught up in the controversy surrounding the four-year anti-doping ban of Alberto Salazar, with the governing body and Black having been heavily criticised in recent days for using the American as an advisor and allowing Mo Farah to work with him despite the coach being investigated by anti-doping officials.
Black is not implicated of any wrongdoing but his judgement has been questioned and he had come under pressure to leave his role less than 12 months before the Tokyo Olympics.
As the IAAF World Championships drew to a close last Sunday, one newspaper described Black’s position as untenable and the former physiotherapist, who succeeded Charles van Commenee as UKA performance director after the London Olympics, has not wasted much time in deciding to step down.
In a statement released on Tuesday, UKA said: “Neil Black will leave his role as performance director at the end of October.
“Neil will commence a detailed handover with performance staff until his departure and will fulfil his role supporting Mo Farah at this weekend’s Chicago Marathon.”
The US Anti-Doping Agency announced the four-year bans handed to Nike Oregon Project head coach Salazar and Dr Jeffrey Brown on September 30, following “multiple anti-doping rule violations”.
Farah was among Salazar’s Nike Oregon Project stable based in Portland between 2011 and 2017 and in 2013 the coach was hired by UKA as a consultant to the national governing body’s endurance programme.
Salazar has denied any wrongdoing and is appealing against his ban, while there is no suggestion that Farah has violated any rules.
Beat those ballot blues by checking out our list of other spring marathons to consider
With another record total of 457,861 applicants having registered for a place to take on the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2020, hundreds of thousands of runners will be left reconsidering their spring marathon plans when ballot results drop this week.
If you’re among them and you haven’t secured a spot this time, don’t panic! There’s a world of marathons out there and here we highlight some of the alternatives.
Determined that 2020 will be your year to run London? This doesn’t have to be the end of the road. A number of charities have places available and you can find some of them listed here.
Whatever your next running challenge, be sure to check out the marathon guide to be included with the October 31 edition of AW magazine to help you on your journey.
Sussex Coastal Marathon
When? March 14
Where? Birling Gap, England
If you’re open to swapping London’s streets for a rugged coastline then this Sussex event could be an option as runners take on an undulating route which shoulders the coastal towns of Eastbourne and Seaford.
Zurich Marató de Barcelona
When? March 15
Where? Barcelona, Spain
Described by organisers as “one of the most attractive courses in Europe for its flat and fast circuit”, this event offers a great sightseeing opportunity as the course passes impressive landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló.
OPAP LIMASSOL MARATHON GSO
When? March 22
Where? Limassol, Cyprus
A trip to Limassol offers runners the chance to combine marathon running with a break overseas. The race programme also features a half-marathon, 10km and 5km, with the events taking advantage of Limassol’s flat roads along the coastline, which offer magnificent views across the Mediterranean.
Run Rome The Marathon
When? March 29
Where? Rome, Italy
If you’re looking to use your race weekend as an opportunity to discover a new city then ‘Run Rome The Marathon’ could be a great choice. Recently the Italian athletics federation (FIDAL) approved a regulation allowing international runners to register for races without a medical certificate, making it even easier for you to get involved.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC MARATHON DE PARIS
When? April 5
Where? Paris, France
If you’re still after a big city marathon, then how about swapping the streets of London for the roads of Paris? The event in the French capital takes runners past spectacular scenes and landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, Bois de Vincennes, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.
www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com
Manchester Marathon
When? April 5
Where? Manchester, England
Part of the route for the 2020 event will, for the first time, head into the centre of Manchester, showcasing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the Manchester Opera House, Spinningfields, Albert Memorial Hall and The Midland Hotel.
BRIGHTON MARATHON
When? April 19
Where? Brighton, England
Photo by Mark Shearman
This seaside event in one of the country’s most vibrant cities continues to grow in popularity, with the course winding through the city streets and finishing up on the Brighton seafront. General entries are set to reopen soon and runners will need to register interest here by October 20.
www.brightonmarathonweekend.co.uk
ABP NEWPORT WALES MARATHON
When? April 19
Where? Newport, Wales
The event, which boasts ‘a fast, scenic route’, starts and finishes on Newport’s riverfront and the course takes in iconic landmarks, coastal wildlife and picturesque medieval villages. Organisers claim that over 70% of all finishers have claimed a PB at the event.
Boston Marathon UK
When? April 19
Where? Lincolnshire, England
The other Boston Marathon offers a flat road route in Lincolnshire, rather than Massachusetts, with the event starting at Boston Market Place and ending at Boston College.
Zürich Marathon
When? April 26
Where? Zürich, Switzerland
Taking place on the same day as the London Marathon, the 26.2-mile route takes runners through the city and along Lake Zurich, with a 10km and team event also on offer.
ABP SOUTHAMPTON MARATHON
When? April 26
Where? Southampton, England
Another event which takes place on the same day as London, with the course passing iconic landmarks including Bargate, QE2 Anchor and St Mary’s Stadium as well as the ascent – and more popularly, the descent – over the Itchen bridge.
BLACKPOOL MARATHON
When? April 26
Where? Blackpool, England
Forming part of a festival of running, the full 26.2-mile event takes place alongside a half-marathon, 10km, 5km and 2km. The flat two-lap marathon course has been designed for PB chasers and takes in Blackpool’s promenade, passing a number of landmarks and tourist spots.
Shakespeare Marathon
When? April 26
Where? Stratford-upon-Avon, England
This event offers runners the chance to run among some of the most historical buildings in the the country and through miles of beautiful Warwickshire countryside, with the route starting in the centre of the town, opposite Shakespeare’s old school.
www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk
DEEP RIVERROCK BELFAST CITY MARATHON
When? May 3
Where? Belfast, Northern Ireland
Photo by Mal McCausland
The 2019 event took place on a new ‘flatter, faster marathon route’, encompassing North, East, South and West of the city, and it is on that course which the event returns for 2020. Starting in the grounds of the iconic Stormont Estate, the event finishes at Ormeau Park, while there is also an eight-mile walk and fun run on offer.
Rightmove MK Marathon
When? May 3
Where? Milton Keynes, England
Much of the route is green and scenic, taking in parks and lakes, picturesque villages and the canal towpath and starting at the Stadium MK.
Three Forts Marathon
When? May 3
Where? West Sussex, England
If you’re looking for a slightly different challenge then this approximately 27.2-mile course includes 3450ft of climb, with stiles and rough tracks underfoot.
www.threefortschallenge.org.uk
Volkswagen Prague Marathon
When? May 3
Where? Prague, Czech Republic
Starting and finishing in historical Old Town Square, the course takes runners through the streets of the city. Founded in 1995 and forming part of the RunCzech series, the event has gone on to gain IAAF Gold Label status.
ASICS Windermere Marathon
When? May 17
Where? Lake District, England
Run entirely within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the event finishes in the grounds of Brathay Hall with views over England’s largest lake.
Exeter Live Better Marathon
When? May 17
Where? Exeter, England
The route takes runner past the River Exe historical Quayside and along the footpaths and cycle tracks of the River Exe and Ship Canal.
exetercitycommunitytrust.co.uk/running-events
Edinburgh Marathon
When? May 24
Where? Edinburgh, Scotland
The route takes in some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks and offers picturesque views along the East Lothian coastline, with the event offering guaranteed entry for unsuccessful London Marathon applicants.
Murray shows more positive signs in losing tetchy encounter with Fognini
Andy Murray showed more positive signs in his injury comeback as he pushed Italy's Fabio Fognini close before going down in a tetchy three-set battle in the Shanghai Masters second round.
Britain's Murray, 32, matched Fognini in a long opening set decided by a tie-break, overpowering him in the second.
A tight decider saw an angry Murray tell the world number 12 to "shut up" and fail to serve out for victory.
Fognini kept cool to dominate a tie-break and win 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-6 (7-2).
Meanwhile, Swiss second seed Roger Federer eased past Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his opening match.
Federer, 38, dominated the first set against the world number 46 before a tighter second saw the 20-time Grand Slam champion secure victory by claiming the final three points of a tie-break to win 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
Cameron Norrie's chances of becoming the new British number one are over after losing 6-3 6-1 against US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev in his second-round match.
Dan Evans, 29, will climb above Kyle Edmund in the rankings next week and becoming Britain's leading male player for the first time - confirmed after former world number one Murray lost his second-round match.
British pair Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski moved into the second round of the men's doubles with a 6-3 6-4 win over China's Xin Gao and Zhe Li.
Murray pushes one of the world's best all the way
Former world number one Murray is playing his sixth singles tournament since having a hip resurfacing operation - a metal cap inserted over the femur head - in late January and continues to impress as he builds up towards a potential return to Grand Slam singles at the Australian Open in January.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, tearfully said in a Melbourne Park news conference at this year's tournament that he was expecting to retire in 2019 because of the pain he was experiencing in his hip.
No player has previously made a singles comeback after a hip resurfacing operation.
While the Australian Open organisers' claim earlier on Tuesday that the Scot had confirmed to play in Melbourne was somewhat premature, with Murray yet to formally enter, he is continuing to show signs that a return to the upper echelons of the game is possible.
The manner in which he pushed Fognini all the way in a thrilling battle was another major statement.
Fognini, 32, has enjoyed a productive season which has seen him break into the world's top 10 for the first time and win the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
Murray had two chances to serve out for the biggest win of his comeback - at 5-4 and 6-5 in the decider - but was unable to take either opportunity.
The second attempt came after an explosive row between the players at the changeover, with Murray accusing the Italian of trying to put him off by shouting as he put away a net volley.
Murray remonstrated with umpire Fergus Murphy about his opponent's behaviour, with Fognini laughing during the exchange before being told by the official not to shout during play.
Fognini broke back to level when Murray spooned a backhand wide and then ran away with the tie-break before the pair exchanged a brief, but cordial, handshake at the net after a match that lasted three hours and nine minutes.
Reigning Hong Kong champions Mohamed ElShorbagy and Joelle King
Riots force event to look at new dates in 2020
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
The Hong Kong Open has been postponed because of security fears brought on by the current unrest in the Chinese territory.
Weeks of anti-government protests have seen violence escalate to the point of police firing live ammunition into crowds on Sunday, inuring two people.
After riots yesterday outside government buildings, police responded with water cannon, tear gas and truncheons. Protestors are ignoring orders banning them from wearing masks.
Demonstrators claim that democratic rights are being eroded in the semi-autonomous territory now under Chinese rule following the transfer of sovereignty from the UK in July 1997.
A statement from Hong Kong Squash said: “In view of the current situation, we have decided, after careful consideration and extensive discussions with our key stakeholders, to postpone the 2019 Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Squash Open which was due to be played at the Hong Kong Squash Center (December 2-6) and the West Kowloon Cultural District (December 7-8) to next year.
“Hong Kong Squash and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) are in active discussion on identifying a best schedule for the hosting of the eent in 2020.
“A further announcement will be made in due course.”
The Professional Squash Association and Hong Kong Squash are in active discussions on identifying the best timing to schedule the event in 2020. A further announcement will be made on the event official website (www.hksquashopen.com) in due course.
Cancellation of Hong Kong Squash Open. pic.twitter.com/bALfAw5RYi
— Tong Tsz Wing (@ettongttw) October 8, 2019
In a statement released today, the PSA added: “Hong Kong Squash has sincerely apologised for any inconvenience caused to the players, fans, partners and supporters. They are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the Hong Kong Squash Open in 2020.”
Mohamed ElShorbagy and Joelle King had lifted the titles in Hong Kong in 2018, with the Kiwi winning the first PSA World Tour Platinum event of her career.
Meanwhile, the World No.2 took the fourth Hong Kong Open title of his career, having previously won the event in 2014, 2015 and 2017 prior to last year’s tournament.
The Hong Kong Open is one of the longest-standing major events on the PSA World Tour calendar, enjoying a long-running sponsorship arrangement with the Cathay Pacific airline.
Picture courtesy of PSA
DENVER, N.C. – Filipe Albuquerque will have a new roll with Action Express Racing next season.
Albuquerque, who has raced full-time in the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R for Action Express the last two seasons, will shift to the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R for the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Michelin Endurance Cup events.
The role is a familiar one for Albuquerque, who joined Action Express Racing’s Mustang Sampling Racing effort for the 2017 Michelin Endurance Cup season before moving to a full-time role with the team in 2018.
“It has been a great opportunity to drive with Joao (Barbosa) and Christian (Fittipaldi) and to represent Mustang Sampling for these last few years,” said Albuquerque. “I understand that the commercial situation for the team has changed so we all are adjusting for the new plans. It will be different for me to just be racing in the endurance events again, but the team is already working hard to bring back the No. 5 car to the full season. In the meantime I am focused on what I know to do best, which now is to win all the four big ones.”
Comprised of the four marquee endurance events on the IMSA WeatherTech Championship schedule, the Michelin Endurance Cup covers 52 hours of racing at Daytona Int’l Speedway, Sebring Int’l Raceway, Watkins Glen Int’l and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The Michelin Endurance Cup title is determined by not only where the teams finish the race, but also where they are scored at segments during each of the four long-distance events.
Action Express Racing has won five-straight Michelin Endurance Cup titles, and is in position to do so once again in 2019, with one race remaining at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta next Saturday.
Albuquerque will make his first appearance in the Whelen Engineering Racing machine at the Roar Before the 24 along with full season No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R drivers Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani.
Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has announced his retirement from professional football.
In a statement released on social media Schweinsteiger announced his decision and thanked his former teams as well as his wife, former tennis player Ana Ivanovic.
"Saying goodbye as an active player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am also looking forward to the exciting challenges that await me soon," he said. "I will remain faithful to football. Many, many thanks for the time we spent together, I will always have a place for you in my heart."
Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic welcomed their first child in March 2018 and had a second boy this August.
- Stream MLS games LIVE on ESPN+
- MLS Cup playoffs 2019: All you need to know
Schweinsteiger, 35, was best known for his time with Bayern Munich and Germany but also spent a brief spell at Manchester United between 2015 and 2017.
He won eight Bundesliga titles and seven German cups with Bayern as well as the 2013 Champions League.
With Germany, Schweinsteiger won the 2014 World Cup and finished third in 2006 and 2010. He made 121 appearances for Die Mannschaft, making him fourth on their list of most capped players and scored 24 goals.
Germany coach Joachim Low called Schweinsteiger "one of the greatest German players ever."
He added: "A big player, a huge personality. Always honest, always emphatic."
After leaving United in 2017, Schweinsteiger moved to Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire.
During his first campaign he helped the Fire to reach the playoffs for the first time in five years but in his second and third years at the club they failed to qualify.
In total, Schweinsteiger played 85 MLS games and scored eight goals with 15 assists.
His final appearance was in Sunday's 5-2 win over Orlando City.
Why all 14 playoff teams could lift MLS Cup - and why they won't
Decision Day has come and gone, leaving Major League Soccer's 14 playoff sides with nearly two weeks to contemplate their paths to MLS Cup glory. In the regular season's afterglow, postseason hopes will never be higher for many of these clubs, which is why we've detailed precisely why each team can win MLS Cup ... and, similarly, why each can't.
Western Conference
1. LAFC
Next playoff match: 10:30 p.m. ET Oct. 24 vs. Minnesota or LA Galaxy (watch live on ESPN)
Why they will win MLS Cup: The league's best player, Carlos Vela, makes sure there is no letdown and leads the league's best team to the title.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: The lack of a second striker and an opponent savvy enough to cut off the Eduard Atuesta-Vela connection lead to a nightmare scenario for Bob Bradley's men.
2. Seattle Sounders
Next playoff match: 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. FC Dallas
Why they will win MLS Cup: Seattle is well versed in the postseason panorama and has the firepower in Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro to do something special.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A team that has been plagued by defensive issues, poor road form and inconsistency simply can't last.
3. Real Salt Lake
Next playoff match: 10 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. Portland (watch live on ESPNEWS)
Why they will win MLS Cup: The attacking trident of Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach get on a roll, and Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando turn back the clock to 2009.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: RSL's inconsistency rears its head at the wrong time to end a season overshadowed by off-the-field controversy.
4. Minnesota United
Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 vs. LA Galaxy (watch live on ESPN)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Their "us against the world" mentality, on top of a solid defense, takes Adrian Heath's men on a surprising Cup run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Ten road losses this season suggest that winning back-to-back away from home in the biggest games of the season is too big an ask.
5. LA Galaxy
Next playoff match: 8:30 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at Minnesota (watch live on ESPN)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede is a threat to score anytime he has the ball, and with Cristian Pavon in the mix, the Galaxy have the offensive weapons to take down anyone.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A poor record away from home and a tendency to switch off and commit errors in defense make it only a matter of time before the Galaxy get sent packing.
Twellman 'stunned' LA Galaxy couldn't secure a home game
Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman examine the bracket in the Western Conference for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
6. Portland Timbers
Next playoff match: 10 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Salt Lake (watch live on ESPNEWS)
Why they will win MLS Cup: Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco. The Argentine playmakers are as formidable as any in the league, and Blanco in particular has turned it up a notch the past month. Plus midfield warrior Diego Chara and the experience of coach Giovanni Savarese give Timbers fans every reason to believe.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Valeri's contract status is looming uncomfortably over the team, and Savarese has yet to figure out how to shake his team's inconsistent form in 2019.
7. FC Dallas
Next playoff match: 3:30 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Seattle
Why they will win MLS Cup: Luchi Gonzalez's young pups will be playing with no fear and have nothing to lose in this postseason. It's just the type of attitude that can wreak havoc on opponents.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Their lack of experience can also work against them in a hostile environment, such as trying to hang on to a result in the last 15 minutes in a full house on the West Coast.
Eastern Conference
1. New York City FC
Next playoff match: 7 p.m. ET Oct. 23 vs. Toronto or D.C.
Why they will win MLS Cup: No team is cooler when pressured by opponents, thanks to one of the league's best midfields, which lays the groundwork for a title run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Jozy Altidore and Toronto FC have a habit of making life difficult for NYCFC and could prove to be the roadblock even before a date with high-powered LAFC.
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2. Atlanta United
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 19 vs. New England
Why they will win MLS Cup: They know how to get the job done, and with a healthy and hungry Josef Martinez, a second straight crown is theirs for the taking.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: The mental lapses have been there too often this season, and in a single-game elimination format, that proves costly.
3. Philadelphia Union
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 20 vs. New York Red Bulls
Why they will win MLS Cup: Their balance from back to front is a big asset, and Kacper Przybylko has become the goal scorer this team desperately needed.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Teams will look to take Przybylko out of the equation, and the lack of a second scorer will limit the Union.
4. Toronto FC
Next playoff match: Noon ET Oct. 19 vs. D.C.
Why they will win MLS Cup: One of the hottest teams in the East boasts the experience to win MLS Cup and has the firepower up front with Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Pozuelo.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A spotty road record all season means that this 4-seed can't string together the wins away from home to lift the trophy.
5. D.C. United
Next playoff match: Noon ET Oct. 19 at Toronto
Why they will win MLS Cup: On his way out the door, Wayne Rooney will deliver his best soccer since arriving in the nation's capital and replicate countryman David Beckham's feat of leaving MLS as a champion.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: Ben Olsen's reluctance to start Luciano Acosta and the resurfacing of late summer defensive woes rear their heads in the postseason.
6. New York Red Bulls
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 20 at Philadelphia
Why they will win MLS Cup: With postseason expectations lower than in previous seasons, the Red Bulls ride a pressure-free playoffs all the way to the promised land.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A defense that gave up a lot of goals to the league's top teams can't maintain a high enough level through four matches.
7. New England Revolution
Next playoff match: 3 p.m. ET Oct. 19 at Atlanta
Why they will win MLS Cup: Led by five-time MLS Cup-winning coach Bruce Arena, the Revs ride the playmaking of Carles Gil and the scoring boots of Gustavo Bou to a stunning title run.
Why they won't win MLS Cup: A team that still struggles to put together a consistent 90 minutes will see its postseason end fairly quickly.
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