Category: Week 1

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MLB: Yankees @ Rangers (9/9)

September 9, 2017

Globe Life Park – Arlington, Texas

I went to this game alone. I decided to start my NFL trip with a baseball game. Since the NFL season starts tomorrow and it was a really nice Saturday, no one really wanted to go. The half empty stadium proved it.

 

Results

Final Score: Yankees 3, Rangers 1

 

Although I don’t have a live video to prove it, my prediction was that the Yankees would win behind strong pitching from Luis Severino. My integrity of a sports fan would not lie to you and if you read my other posts you will realize I always bet on my favorites.

 

The Game

Luis Severino pitched a gem, going 7 innings while only allowing one hit and one run. He struck out 10 and looked really dominant! David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman both pitched an inning each not allowing a base runner. This was Chapman’s first save since being yelled at on the mound up in Fenway by Girardi a few weeks ago. These are all good things heading into the last month of the season and hopefully the playoffs!

 

There was not much offense to speak of as Andrew Cashner also pitched well for the Rangers. He went 7+ innings only allowing four hits and one run. It was that “+” that got him. Not sure why the manager allowed him to start the 7th inning with almost 100 pitches, but he immediately hit a batter and gave up a single.

 

The game winning hit and RBI went to Tyler Austin. He came into the game at first base in the bottom of the 8th inning after Matt Holiday had pinched hit for Greg Bird. It was a solid line drive by Austin in the top of the 9th, which was good to see from the young rising star. Yanks tacked on an insurance run with a bases loaded walk.

 

The Stadium

Overall Rating: B+

 

The stadium was nice but it is way out in Arlington. Not much to do before or after the game out there. Concession lines were good and there really isn’t a bad seat in the stadium (try to stay out of the sun though).

 

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love: First Time Seeing Aaron Judge. I was really hoping I would get to see him this season. I have been traveling the world since his MLB debut in August of 2016. Although he didn’t have a hit he did have a walk, score a run and worked the count full three separate at bats.

 

Hate: Going to games alone (kind of). I don’t mid it, but I don’t let it happen too often. I like to be able to talk sports with someone and experience the stadium/game. It happens once in a while and if it is a game I really want to see, I will do it. You won’t see this happen too often this year, trust me.

 

Shout Out: Yankees Pitching. The Yanks only gave up one hit all game to a Rangers team that has a good offense and has been scoring a lot of runs as of late.

 

Fan Tips

Wear sunscreen, it is Texas and it is sunny. This seems like a no brainer but guess who forgot? I thought it was September and cooler! Nope.

 

Park at Six Flags in the very back of the lot. It is only a 5 minute walk over to the stadium and there is plenty of room to tailgate.

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Game 2: Chargers @ Broncos

September 11, 2017

Sports Authority Field at Mile High – Denver, Colorado

My Cousins Kailah and Tyler

 

Pregame Thoughts

Broncos win by 14

 

Results

Final Score: Broncos 24, Chargers 21

My Record: 1-1

 

My first win of the season. It ended up being a lot closer than I expected, but it still counts!

 

The Game

The Denver Broncos dominated the first three quarters of the game and should have won by a pretty sizable margin. However, the two turnovers in the 4th quarter got the Chargers back in the game.

 

Neither Phillip Rivers or Trevor Siemian played great. CJ Anderson had some nice runs and ended with 81 rushing yards. Either way, the story of the game was the Broncos Defense with two turnovers, four sacks and a HUGE block to end the game.

 

The block came during the final drive of the game, and really the Chargers should have tied it. Instead, Shelby Harris blocked the potential game tying field goal as time expired. The place went nuts!

 

The Stadium

Overall Rating: A-

 

Sports Authority Field was a great stadium. The one standout special thing was the fans. The place was so loud and literally shaking. Awesome atmosphere. The stands along the top are metal so it creates extra noise, which was cool.

 

A few knocks on the stadium was that they could have used more concessions and a more organized entry. Even when it wasn’t halftime and people were in their seats, the lines were kind of long (maybe I am being picky).

 

I also like how the team comes out to an actual Bronco running on the field too. Makes sense and it is pretty cool.

 

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love: True fans. You can tell they really love their Broncos and the noise proved it. Every play the fans were engaged in the game. It will be hard to beat this type of atmosphere!

 

Hate: Unorganized entry. The entrance to the stadium could have been better. It may have possibly been because it was close to game time, but with very few metal detectors at only about 8 entry gates, it seems like that wouldn’t have mattered much.

 

Shout Out: Stadium location. It is both out of the city but in the city. You can walk from Pepsi Arena not too far away. There was public transit there too (didn’t take it, but looked like plenty of trains coming constantly).

 

Fan Tips

You can walk to Sports Authority Field from downtown, about 20 minutes.

 

Spend the pregame at Brooklyn’s by the Pepsi Arena. It has great craft beers and good food (about a 10 minute walk across the bridge).

 

 

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Game 1: Giants @ Cowboys

September 10, 2017

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

My Cousins John and Carrie (I love them even though they are Cowboys fans)

 

Pregame Thoughts

Prediction: Giants win by 3

 

Results

Final Score: Cowboys 19, Giants 3

My Record: 0-1

 

A terrible prediction followed by a terrible game. I am a Giants fan so it was kind of a biased pick, but none the less I thought the game would at least be close!

 

The Game

Dak Prescott was not at his best only completing half of his passes and looking confused at times, but the Cowboys came out with the win behind the running of Ezeikiel Elliot. He finished with 104 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.

 

The Giants defense actually didn’t play bad holding Dallas to only one touchdown. It was surprising that they only surrendered 19 points considering they were on the field most of the game.

 

Jason Witten set two franchise records for the Cowboys; receiving yards and games played.

 

The Stadium

Overall Rating: C+

 

AT&T Stadium is more like a luxury hotel. You can find anything you need and the staff is super friendly. There is not really a bad seat in the place, including the standing room. There is also a lot of art throughout the stadium. However, the walkways are kind of narrow and their weren’t a lot of bathrooms. Building a newer stadium you should over do it with convenience.

 

The large video board is hard to ignore. I noticed myself looking at the screen even when I could see the play perfectly fine. I think this was a strategy in “Jerry’s World” not to make a better fan experience but to make more money. With its size and location, you can’t help but to look at all the brands that paid top dollar to be featured.

 

My only other complaint is that it is in Arlington kind of in the middle of nowhere. You can take an Uber if you don’t have a car (expensive), but definitely can’t rely on public transportation.

 

Love, Hate and Shout Out

Love: The city of Dallas. It is a great place to visit, lots of outdoor bars, fairly easy to get around and lots of friendly people.

 

Hate: Cowboys. Sorry, does this surprise you? I won’t elaborate.

 

Shout Out: Cowboys fans. They really weren’t as bad as I thought. Especially the way the game went, I thought for sure I would get a lot of harassment, but they were tame. Good luck getting that when you visit New York Cowboys fans.

 

Fan Tips

Park at Six Flags in the very back of the lot. It is only a 15 minute walk over to the stadium and there is plenty of room to tailgate.

 

Most bathrooms in the stadium have multiple entrances, don’t settle for waiting in line.