The superb talent in men’s and women’s tennis have descended on the superior Grand Slam venue of Wimbledon, England. Novak Djokovic tries to continue to catch up to Rafa Nadal in all time major victories as Nadal is at 22 and Novak is at 20. No Roger Federer though Roger wants to make a comeback and could be ready for the 142nd U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, on the outskirts of the City starting August 29th. It may be next year for Roger, but he plans on coming back. There is some young talent that is really emerging on the men’s side that can certainly contend with the dynamic duo of Novak and Rafa.

On the women’s side, the great Iga Swiatek, the No.1 seed, goes for another major as she won the French Open a month ago. Her best finish at Wimbledon is the fourth round in 2021, so this will be a challenge for the 21 year old Polish player. Can 18 year old Coco Gauff matriculate even further this time and capture her first Slam?

Here’s a look at how White’s World sees this premiere major in tennis skating out.

TV, All times Central

Today, 5 AM-3:30 PM, ESPN

Tuesday, 5 AM-3:30 PM, ESPN

Wednesday, 5 AM-3:30 PM, ESPN

Thursday, 5 AM-3:30 PM, ESPN

Friday, 5 AM-3:30 PM, ESPN

Saturday, 7 AM-12 PM, ESPN, 12-3 PM, ESPN

Sunday-Off

Monday, July 4, 5 AM-3 PM, Round of 16, ESPN2, 7 AM-3 PM, ESPN

Tuesday, July 5, Quarterfinals, Women, 7 AM-2 PM, ESPN/ESPN2

Wednesday, July 6, Quarterfinals, Men, 7 AM-2 PM

Thursday, July 7, Semifinals, Women, 7 AM-12 PM, ESPN

Friday, July 8, Semifinals Men, 7 AM-1 PM, ESPN

Saturday, July 9, Women’s Final, 8-10:30 AM, ESPN

Sunday, July 10, Men’s Final, 8-11 AM, ESPN

‘

Men’s

Semifinals

Djoker over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime over Nadal, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7, (5-7), 7-5

Finals

Djoker over Auger-Aliassime, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

Men’s Champion

Novak Djokovic,

Major 21. The 35 year old Serb wins his 7th Wimbledon championship and will be one behind Rafa in career Slams heading into the U.S. Open. Unfortunately, at this point, Djoker, by not getting vaccinated, is ineligible to play in the U.S. Open as the U.S. policy is no one can come into this country unvaccinated. He has the same problem with the Australian Open. He’s won the Australian nine times and the U.S. three times. So, we’ll see how this develops. He could fall behind Rafa somewhat significantly if Rafa can stay healthy and both countries’ policies remain the same in the for-seeable future, and he stays committed to not getting vaccinated, which it looks like he will. He’s won Wimbledon twice in a row, in 2019 and 2021. Wimbledon was canceled in 2020 due to COVID.

Women’s

Semis

Coco Gauff over Iga Świątek, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), tiebreak in third once games reach 12-12.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur over Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4

Finals

Coco over Jabeur, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5

Women’s Champion

Coco Gauff

The 18 year old from Atlanta breaks through and captures the Championship at Wimbledon in what promises to be a stellar career.

SEC Football 2022 outlooks coming up

Will have an outlook for SEC Football teams for the 2022 season in the upcoming weeks starting with the Auburn Tigers. Wrote on the Crimson Tide back in May if you want to take a look back at that. The Crimson Tide looks pretty stellar if Bryce Young can replicate his form from 2021. With the terrific trio of junior Will Anderson Jr., sophomore Dallas Turner , and junior Chris Braswell rushing the passer, it could be a long afternoon or evening for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. Auburn has several talented players as well in their second season under Bryan Harsin despite a tumultuous offseason. Quarterback is critical for the Tigers with T.J. Finley, Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada, Oregon transfer and Hoover High School product Robby Ashford and talented freshman Holden Geriner from Savannah competing for the job. Will give you my thoughts on each signal caller and the rest of the team coming up this week, probably Wednesday or Thursday. Will talk about Georgia, A&M, Ole Miss and others after that. Have a great week and I’ll check in soon.

Matthew Fitzpatrick hit one of the all time brilliant second shots in a major on the 72nd hole at the Country Club at Brookline this past Sunday in the 122nd U.S. Open.

In the sand trap off the tee, the last place he wanted to be he said, and facing a 156 yard shot out of the bunker and trying to land it on the green to 2 putt and hope that Will Zalatoris didn’t birdie, the 27 year old Fitzpatrick, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, hit the shot of his young career, striking a 9 iron to 18 feet above the hole. He hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation on Sunday. Zalatoris, at -5, one back of Fitzpatrick, kept the heat on with an approach to 15 feet. Fitzpatrick, who is a stellar putter but was off with the flat stick on Sunday finishing with 36 putts, stroked his putt to a foot and tapped it in and waited for the Zalatoris attempt to tie him. Scottie Scheffler, the great young Masters champion at 26 years old, had finished at -5 and Fitzpatrick had dodged that hurdle, but the 25 year old Zalatoris from San Francisco, looked pretty confident lining up his birdie attempt. Zalatoris had spent 3 years at Wake Forest while Fitzpatrick was at Northwestern for only a quarter. When Zalatoris’s putt was halfway there is looked center cut, but it just slid off to the left as it made it to the hole, and Fitzpatrick had won his first PGA Tournament of his career. He had also won the 2013 U.S. Amateur at the Country Club of Brookline, so he accomplished a feat no other golfer besides Jack Nicklaus had, winning the U.S. Amateur and Open on the same course. Nicklaus did it at Pebble Beach. When Nicklaus called to congratulate him on his “first victory” on U.S. soil, Fitzpatrick reminded him that he won Nicklaus’s member-member in Florida in January. A light moment between two great champions. Arguably the greatest of all time, as far as majors won goes, and the young, upcoming star.

The Open Championship is at venerable St. Andrews in Scotland is the final major of the year and will take place July 14-17th. Should be another classic major championship. Scheffler captured the Masters, 29 year old Justin Thomas captured his second major and second PGA Championship at Southern Hills, OK. in May, and now Fitzpatrick for the third major of the year. Should be a riveting Open Championship, the 150th edition, at one of the most historic golf venues in the world, most likely the most historic. Can any of these 3 players capture the Claret Jug? Or will somebody like Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth or Will Zalatoris win it? Tiger Woods will be playing. The LIV golfers will be playing. Should be an epic.

KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Winner

Defending champion, Nelly Korda, came back from a blood clot in her arm three weeks ago and made it to a playoff only to lose in a playoff last Sunday to Jennifer Kupcho at the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. Kupcho is also the Chevron Championship major winner in March.

The tournament will be played at famed Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, 20 miles north of D.C. The course is playing 6,831 yards and is a par 72.

Weather, Thursday, 71 with a 79% chance of showers, wind E 6 MPH.

Friday, 83, Partly sunny, slim chance for rain, wind SE 5 MPH.

Saturday, 89, sunny, wind S 7 MPH.

Sunday, 90, Mainly sunny, wind S 10 MPH.

TV, All times Central

Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM, Golf Channel.

Friday, 10 AM-2 PM, Golf Channel

Saturday, 12-3 PM, NBC

Sunday, 12-3 PM, NBC.

Winner

It’s hard to go against several of the women. Jin Young Ko and Nelly are the favorites at 9/1. Lydia Ko comes in at 10/1, Minjee Lee, the Women’s U.S. Open Champ at Pine Needles, N.C. in early June, is 12/1, Lexi Thompson is at 14/1, Brooke Henderson, the 2016 champion, and winner two weeks ago at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, is 16/1.

But, I’ll take Nelly’s big sister. This 29 year old from Bradenton, FL. finished second to Kupcho at the Chevron Championship in March, and shot 68, 68, 69,67 last week at the Meijer LPGA Classic last weekend to finish -16 and 2 back of Kupcho, Leona McGuire and Nelly, who all finished at -18. Kupcho is 45/1. I like the way big sister is trending. Give me the older and less heralded Korda to make her mark at Congressional and capture the third major on the LPGA Tour this week at Congressional.

Jessica Korda

The fourth women’s major is Amundi Evian Championship in France July 21-24, and the final women’s major is the AIG Women’s Open at famed Muirfield in Scotland, site of Phil Mickelson’s 2013 Open Championship title, his fifth major at the time. He won his 6th at Kiawah Island in 2021, at the 103rd PGA Championship at 50 years old.

Auburn Baseball

Just not the Tigers year although it was a super season as the Tigers made the College World Series. They’ll probably lose Sonny D, but the talent is solid that is returning. Butch Thompson is doing a nice job on the Plains.

I’m going to take Ole Miss over Oklahoma.

Ole Miss over Oklahoma in 3.

National Champion, Ole Miss

I’m getting tired of the LIV talk, but I’ll discuss it briefly since everybody else is.

If Mickelson, DeChambeau, Dustin and Patrick Reed along with the older Euros and South Africans want to do it, knock themselves out on that tour Let’em have it.. But if they have the arrogance, like Mickelson and DeChambeau do, to think the PGA Tour should let them back on its tour, they’re absolutely delusional. They’ve decided to go with the major appearance fees, the signing bonuses and the huge paychecks. All good. That’s their preference. But for them to think they can just waltz their way back on tour, one since they’ve defected and could take a spot in a tournament for guys who are young or veterans who have made the choice to stick with it and labor hard to make it on tour, is arrogant and, again, delusional. And there is the Saudi terrorist component to it as well. Osama Bin Laden was a Saudi. That should be enough for real Americans to not want to play for these corrupt animals. Fifteen of the 19 terrorists in 9/11 were Saudis. They repress and kill women, gay people, all people who don’t agree with their misguided and Fascist beliefs. It’s like playing for a tour sponsored by Al-Qaeda or ISIS. It’s unethical. So there you have it, Phil, DeChambeau, Dustin, Reed. This is what you want. You’re traitors to your country and you shouldn’t be allowed back on a tour where the players compete for legacy, the competition, obviously, an excellent paycheck and the fans. They paychecks aren’t the massive Saudi numbers, but they’re very substantial and lucrative tournaments. Guys like Rory, Justin, and Jon Rahm are admirably standing up for the Tour. Hope they can stick with their convictions. They don’t want to play on a tour that has no cut, 54 holes, a shotgun start, a team competition. There are many member guests at local country clubs that are more competitive than this tour, and that’s not a knock on Member Guests because they can be competitive. But compared to the PGA Tour, this thing in a clown show. DeChambeau says it’s a “business decision.” Always love that line. Goes along with multimillionaire athletes who are worth $50 million and want to “feed their families.” It’s just non-competitive, and not in the true spirit of American sports. Those guys have made their decisions and that’s fine. But they can’t expect the PGA Tour to welcome them back with open arms. They’ve made their choice, so they’ll have to live with the consequences.

The 122nd Open at the Country Club at Brookline (MA.)

Just outside of Boston, this is 7,264 yards, par 70 layout. The greens are small with Poa Annua and Bent grass. The fairways are wider at some spots and narrower at others. The rough will be at 5 inches long and thick. Driving accuracy and approach shots will be at a premium and putting is always essential.

The defending champion is Rahm who won the U.S. Open last year at Torrey Pines by one shot over Louis Oosthuizen. Rahm birdied 17 and 18, the 71st and 72nd holes, to clinch the victory. Scottie Scheffler won the Masters in April and JT won the PGA in May. The Open Championship will be played at historic St. Andrews in Scotland July 14th-17th. This is the 4th time the Country Club has hosted a U.S. Open with Curtis Strange winning the last one in 1988. The famous 1999 Ryder Cup took place at the Country Club and Justin Leonard sank a 40 footer on 14 to tie his match with Jose Maria Olazabal, and won the match and the competition for his team with a 50 foot bomb on 17. The U.S, had been in a major slump against the Euros, so the reaction by the team and the crowd was electric.

Weather

Thursday, 75, wind SSW 17, Friday, 88, wind WSW 16, maybe some rain. Saturday, 73, wind NW 17, Sunday, 74, wind 13 MPH. So wind will play a big factor in the 4 days.

Paul McGinley of Golf Channel predicted 5 under would win the tournament. I agree with that score. 5-6 under should do the job.

TV, All times Central

Thursday, 5:45-8:30 AM, Peacock, 8:30 AM-1 PM, USA, 1-4 PM, NBC, 4-6 PM USA. 6-7 PM Peacock.

Friday, 5:45-8:30 AM Peacock, 8:30 AM-3 PM, USA, 3-6 PM, NBC, 6-7 PM, Peacock.

Saturday, 9-11 AM, Peacock, 11 AM-7 PM, NBC.

Sunday, 8-9 AM, Peacock. 9-11 AM, USA, 11 AM-6 PM, NBC.

So they’ve got it covered that’s fo show.

Odds,

Rory, 11/1, Playing better than anybody else on tour right with the exception of Justin.

Justin Thomas, 14/1

Scottie Scheffler 14/1

Jon Rahm, 16/1

Cam Smith, 22/1

Matt Fitzpatrick, 22/1. U.S. Amateur winner at the Country Club in 2013.

Xander Schauffele, 25/1

Jordan Spieth, 25/1

Viktor Hovland, 25/1

Sam Burns, 25/1

Collin Morikawa, 28/1

Shane Lowry, 28/1

Brooks Koepka, 28/1

Will Zalatoris, 30/1

Dustin, 33/1, Couldn’t spell “U.S. Open” if you spotted him the U.S. O, P, and E.

Joaquin Niemann, 33/1

Hideki Matsuyama, 33/1

Tony Finau, 35/1

Cameron Young, 40/1

Billy Horschel, 50/1

Daniel Berger, 50/1

Max Homa, 50/1

Sungjae Im, 50/1

Tommy Fleetwood, 50/1

Tyrrell Hatton, 50/1

Justin Rose, 50/1

DeChambeau, 50/1

Abe Ancer, 66/1

Adam Scott, 80/1

Sergio Garcia, 80/1

Patrick Reed, 80/1

Mickelson 200/1.

Winner

It’s hard to go against Rory, Justin, Rahm or Scottie Scheffler, but I’m going to do it. I’m going to go out on a limb and take a 50/1 longshot. This 35 year old from Grant Florida and the University of Florida just won the Memorial 2 weeks ago. I think his moment to win a major has arrived. Give me,

Billy Horschel

Behind the portly but great first baseman Sonny DiChiara’s 2 run shot, his 22nd of the season, and some stellar closer pitching by Blake Burkhaltler, in which he earned his 15th save of the season, going 2.2 innings and giving up 0 runs on 0 hits with 0 walks and 5 strikeouts, the Auburn Tigers advanced to the College World Series by defeating the third overall seed in the tournament, Oregon State, 4-3, at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon last night.

The Tigers, seeded 14th overall in the NCAA Tournament, moved to 42-20 on the season and now take on the Ole Miss Rebels (37-22), which defeated 11th seeded Southern Miss at Hattiesburg on Sunday. The Tigers will square off with the Rebs at 6 PM Saturday on ESPN2. The other teams and games in the CWS at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, the center of the college baseball universe, are fifth seeded Texas A&M (42-18) vs. unseeded Oklahoma (42-22) to lead off things Friday at 1 PM CT on ESPN. Ninth seeded Texas (47-20) plays unseeded Notre Dame (40-15) Friday at 6 PM CT on ESPN. The Fighting Irish pulled off a colossal upset of the No.1 team in the country for almost the entire season and the No.1 seed overall in the tournament, the Tennessee Volunteers, in the Super Regional at Knoxville, with a 7-3 victory on Sunday in game 3 of the best 2 out of 3 set. So that should be quite an interesting game as well. On Saturday, second seeded Stanford (47-18) faces unseeded Arkansas at 1 PM CT on ESPN, followed by the Tigers and the Rebels at 6 PM CT on ESPN2. The College World Series championship series will be played Saturday June 25th-Monday, June 27th, if necessary, in a best 2 out of 3 series. ESPN will televise the championship series and ESPN and the Deuce will televise throughout the 10 day spectacle. So a lot of stellar baseball ahead.

DiChiara hits .392 with 22 homers and 59 Ribeyes. He is a superstar for the Tigers at the plate. The team hits .287 collectively. and has hit 73 homers in 62 games. The pitching staff has an ERA of 4.42. Sophomore right hander Joseph Gonzalez could be the starter on Saturday. Gonzalez is 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA with 14 walks and 47 K’s. Burkhalter was bringing the heat late in the game with his velocity at 95-97. He was just overpowering the hitters. Starter Mason Barnett was throwing hard at 95+ and landing his curveball. Carson Skipper was another flame thrower for the Tigers in middle relief last night. This team is known for its hitting, but it also possesses some big arms and the team fields at a .981 percentage. So, a lot to like about this AU team heading into Omaha. Ole Miss is led in hitting by veteran Tim Elko, who hits .302 with 22 homers and 71 Ribeyes. Kevin Graham leads the Rebels in hitting at ,.331. He has hit 10 homers and driven in 46. Ole Miss hits .279 as a team, their pitching staff’s ERA is 4.44 and their fielding percentage is .971. So the two staff’s ERA’s are almost exactly equal, but Auburn hits better and they field better. Junior right hander Dylan DeLucia, a junior college transfer, is 6-2, 4.35 ERA, and he could get the start Saturday Night for the Rebels.

Will have more in-depth coverage as the CWS progresses.

I like Auburn to win it all.

Auburn over Texas in 3

Stanley Cup Final Prediction

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Schedule

Games 1-4

Wednesday, June 15th, Tampa Bay at Colorado, 7 PM CT, ABC

Saturday, June 18th, Lightning at Avalanche, 7 PM CT, ABC

Monday, June 20th, Avalanche at Lightning, 7 PM CT, ABC

Wednesday, June 22nd, Avalanche at Lightning, 7 PM CT, ABC

Friday, June 24th, TB @ Avs, Game 5, if necessary, 7 PM CT, ABC

Sunday, June 26th, Avs @TB, Game 6, if necessary, 7 PM CT, ABC

Tuesday, June 28th, TB @Avs, Game 7, if necessary, 7 PM CT, ABC

As they say, the third time’s a charm, and I’ve been going back to the drawing board on these Stanley Cup predictions before and during the postseason. I was thinking after the season, maybe the Lightning will 3peat. Their talent is through the roof great. When you lose one of your superstars, center Brayden Point, in the second series of the playoffs against the Florida Panthers and still sweep them, a team that had the best record in the Eastern Conference and was the favorite to make it to the Finals out of the East, then play without him against the New York Rangers and handle them 4-2, you’ve got an exceptional team with exceptional talent. Center Steven Stamkos is a superstar along with Point, who will be back for this series, possibly in game 1 which is tomorrow night.. Left wing Ondrej Palat is a stud, right wing Nikita Kucherov is a stud. Victor Hedman is an enforcer on defense and a superstar. Andre Vasilevsky is a phenomenal goalie. I thought Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers might have the edge, but Vasilevsky proved his greatness throughout the series and in game 6 on Saturday at Tampa in a 2-1 Lightning series clinching victory. The Avalanche are young, athletic, extremely fast skaters, and highly skilled with their sticks. They finished with the best record in the NHL in the regular season. They have some young superstars led by center Nathan McKinnon. But I’m going to take the Lightning. Vasilevsky is an advantage in goal over Darcy Kuemper, the Lightning are a physical, athletic, highly skilled team, and their championship pedigree along with better talent will prove to be the difference.

Lightning in 6 over Avs

Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

Steven Stamkos

Braves Rolling

Atlanta Braves have now won 12 games in a row and look unstoppable at present. The only tough news is that stellar second baseman Ozzie Albies broke his foot last night and will be out for probably 2 months. His return could be mid to late August. So the Braves will have to survive that blow, but the team is playing extraordinarily well. The Braves are suddenly 35-27 and only 5 back of the New York Mets, which they were about 10 or 11 games behind not too long ago. The Braves play the Washington Nationals in game 2 in DC tonight at 6:05 CT, then face the Nationals Wednesday at 6:05 CT, have Thursday off, then are @ the Chicago Cubs this weekend. Like what my Vanderbilt guys are doing for the Bravos. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is hitting .292 now with 8 homers and 36 RBIs. Swanson was 2 for 5 last night with a homer and 4 Ribeyes in a Braves’ 9-5 victory over the Nationals. Another one of my VU brethren, Kyle Wright, has been lights out on the mound, going 7-3 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP, walks plus hits per inning, super metric for pitching. He’s walked 25 and struck out 80. On Sunday in a 5-3 Braves victory over the Pirates, Wright went 6, gave up 5 hits, 3 earned with 2 walks and 7 K’s. The whole team is playing well. Adam Duvall is hot now after a slow start. Ronald Acuna is back with a vengeance after being injured for the first month of the season, and Marcel Ozuna had a big night last night. He’s a power bat. Third baseman Austin Riley is a big stick for the Braves as is new first baseman Matt Olson. Looks like Orlando Arcia will fill in for Albies, and Swanson and his teammates are confident that Arcia can handle the job. So a lot for Braves fans to be excited about.

Warriors 104, Celtics 94

The Golden State Warriors took a 3-2 lead in their series with the Boston Celtics after their victory at the Chase Center in SF last night. After Steph Curry had a brilliant game last Friday Night in Boston with 43 points, he was a little off last night finishing with 16 points on 7 of 22 from the field and 0 for 9 from 3, but small forward Andrew Wiggins came through with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Wiggins was the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Kansas after his freshman season, but had not fulfilled his potential until recently for Golden State. He’s becoming the player the scouts and pundits thought he’d be. Klay Thompson added 21 points including 5 of 11 from trifecta. So Thompson also picked up the slack. Game 6 is at Boston Thursday Night at 8 on ABC. If Curry can play like his usual self and get contributions like that from his teammates, the Warriors could very well close out the series on Thursday.

The U.S. Open

Big weekend for Boston as the 122nd U.S. Open starts Thursday at the Country Club in Brookline, MA. just outside of Boston. The LIV golf operation has made this a combustible situation leading up to the tournament, but this is the third major of the season on a classic course, the fourth time the Open has been contested at the Country Club with Curtis Strange winning the last one in 1988, and it doesn’t get any better than the U.S. Open on Father’s Day weekend. Preview/Prediction tomorrow.

Post time is 5:44 PM central time for “The test of Champions,” the 154th Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. One hundred forth eighth Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, which came in Churchill Downs at 80/1, is in the 8 horse field. Early Voting, the 147th Preakness winner, will not run and get ready for the Breeder’s Cup in September. But it’s a solid field with some interesting thoroughbreds and an intriguing filly. NBC will televise with coverage beginning at 2 PM CT on CNBC, and NBC taking over at 4 PM CT. Post time again is 5:44 PM CT on NBC.

Here’s a look at the field with White’s World’s prediction on which horse will win on the 1 1/2 mile course, the longest leg of the Triple Crown races. Weather is good, cloudy and 73 at race time. They’ve had some rain in New York this week, but the dirt track should be fine. Here are the contenders with post position, their trainers, their jockeys and the odds.

By the way Steph Curry went off last night in the Warriors 107-97 game 4 victory over the Celtics, to tie the series at 2-2. Curry sank 7 of 14 shots from trifecta, 8 of 9 from the stripe and finished with 43 points. He also threw in 10 rebounds to go along with those stellar offensive numbers. One of the best NBA Finals’ performances I’ve seen in a good while. Steph Is the best player in the NBA in my opinion. He’s gotten so much stronger physically and can play stellar defense now and handle guys who are bigger than him. Game 5 is in San Francisco Monday at 8 PM CT on ABC.

The Contenders for the 154th Belmont Stakes

1. We the People, Trainer, Rodolphe Brisset, Jockey, Flavien Prat, 2/1., the favorite, has won 3 out of its last four races.

2. Skippylongstocking, Saffie Joseph Jr., Manny Franco, 20/1. Fifth at the Preakness.

3. Nest, Todd Pletcher, Jose Ortiz 8/1, A filly that was the Kentucky Oaks runner up. Pletcher has won with a filly before at the Belmont. It was in 2007 with Rags to Riches.

4. Rich Strike, Eric Reed, Sonny Leon, 7/2. Been training like a monster since its 80/1 Derby win. Needs a perfect trip to win at Belmont Park.

5. Creative Minister, Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr. 6/1, Third place at the Preakness. A lot of potential here.

6. Mo Donegal, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 5/2, the second ranked horse in the field. Finished 5th at the Derby. Pletcher has won 3 times at Belmont and this horse won the Wood Memorial in April against a strong field.

7. Golden Gilder, Mark Casse, Dylan Davis, 20/1, The Peter Pan runner-up to We the People. This horse Ffinished 10 1/2 lengths behind the Belmont favorite in that race.

8. Barber Road, John Ortiz, Joel Rosario, 10/1, Sixth place at the Derby, but Rosario is a stellar jockey and could have this horse right there on the backstretch.

Winner

I’m going to take the 51 year old Pletcher from Dallas, winner of 3 Belmonts and 2 Derbys. He won the Belmont with Filly Rags to Riches in 2007. He also won it in 2013 with Palace Malice. And, in 2017, he won the Test of Champions with Tapwrit. Two thousand seventeen was memorable because I picked Tapwrit and I was playing golf that Saturday morning with Walter, Brownie and Theodopolous, and Brownie was canning every six foot putt he stood over. Walter starting calling him, “Tapwrit” because he was tapping in everything he stood over into the middle of the cup. So Brownie had a very good day on the greens and the course and so did White’s World with the prediction. Irad Ortiz Jr., 29 years old from Trujillo, Puerto Rico, has also won the Belmont in 2016 aboard Creator. Like this combination. Give me,

Mo Donegal

Trifecta

1. Mo Donegal, 2. Creative Minister, 3. We the People.

Our Vanderbilt Baseball team were in their element at the Corvallis Regional over the weekend. After falling to the University of San Diego Friday, 3-2 Friday, we came back and defeated No.4 seed New Mexico State, 14-1, then defeated San Diego Sunday in our second elimination game, 14-4, and last night, in a late one, we defeated No.4 seed overall in the tournament Oregon State , 8-1, to advance to the championship game, 7th game, today versus the Beavers at 3 PM CT on SEC Network.

Our hitting is through the roof good right now. Our pitching has been stellar, and our defense, overall, has been very good. We’ve committed a few errors since game 1, but much more solid over the weekend and made some very nice plays in the field.

It’s been about our hitting and pitching though. Defense has to be there as well today, we’ve got to be good in all 3 phases if we expect to get over the top and advance to the Super Regional at most likely Auburn. They are up 9-0 in the bottom of the 6th versus UCLA and their game was suspended last night due to rain and will begin again today at 1 PM CT.

But we’ve got our work cut out for us. This team is the overall No.4 seed for a reason, so we’ll have to lock down on the mound, defensively, and have timely hitting. Against New Mexico State, our 21-1 victory, we hammered out 18 hits. Spencer Jones was 4 for 6 with 7 Ribeyes. Spencer homered and drilled a pair of doubles. Parker Noland had a big game as well. Love to see our junior, who has hung tough through some difficult times sitting on bench this season, and come out even stronger. Parker was 3 for 6 with 2 doubles and 3 Ribeyes. Senior Tate Kolwyck was 3 for 3 with his 9th homer of the season and drove in 2. Tate is playing spectacular defense as well. I love what our 3 seniors are doing. Tate, Dom Keegan, who’s been terrific all season, and the great Javy Vaz, who will do anything to help this team earn victories, are tremendous players and leaders. Proud of what those 3 guys are doing. Know Corbs is too. Dom Keegan hit his 14th home run and drove in 4. The great Enrique Bradfield Jr. just keeps on cookin. Enrique was 3 for 4 with 4 runs scored. Enrique has also stolen a pair of bases and is 44 for 44 on the season. They say some players in college basketball are un-guardable they’re so good. Bradfield Jr is un-guardable on the base paths. What an asset to our team Bradfield Jr. is. Jack Bulger hit his 5th long one of the season. Jack’s been superb for us on offense and defense in this regional. Javy stole his 9th bag, Spencer his 13th and Dom stole his second.

After Carter Holton gave us another terrific outing Friday, but fell 3-2, Chris McElvain, our junior, pitched phenomenally Saturday going 7, giving up 6 hits, with 1 earned run, 1 walk and 11 K’s, wow. What a performance by McElvain. Brett Hansen finished it off with 2 innings of 1 hit, 0 run ball in the rain. It seems like it’s always raining in Oregon.

On Sunday afternoon, we pounded out 17 more hits in our 14-4 victory over San Diego. Dom Keegan had a super game, going 4 for 6 with 4 Ribeyes, including his 17th double of the season. What a player. Enrique was 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs including his 8th homer of the season a 3-run shot in the top of the 9th. Parker Noland again had another 3 hit game, going 3 for 5 with 3 more Ribbies. The great Kolwyck went 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI.

Our awesome junior Nick Maldonado went 7.2 and gave us a superior effort. Nick allowed 7 hits, 4 runs, with 4 walks and 5 K’s. Loved to see that from Nick. He’s had a tough time this season with an oblique injury, but he’s a major talent, and can really help us down the stretch if we can advance today. Nelson Berkwich pitched the final 1.1 innings and gave up no hits with a pair of walks and 2 strikeouts. Our defense was strong both games.

Then, finally, last night, we pounded out 11 hits in an 8-1 victory. Spencer was 2 for 4 with his 11th homer of the season. Bulger was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Tate once again had a good night at the plate going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Freshman lefty Devin Futrell went 6, gave up 5 hits, 0 runs, with 2 walks and 4 K’s. He was excellent. The broadcasters for ESPN2 interviewed Maldonado in the bottom of the 4th inning, we were the home team, we’ll be visitors today, and asked him about Futrell. Nick called Futrell an “elite strike thrower,” and that’s what he is. Stellar performance from Futrell. Thomas Schultz came in and pitched 3 innings of 3 hit, one run ball, unearned, with a walk and 2 K’s. Great to see Schultz pitching well again.

So, here we go, another pressure-packed game for our Vanderbilt Commodores at 3 PM CT today at Corvallis, OR. on the SEC Network.

So this is a guesstimate, but I’m liking Bryce Cunningham or Christian Little to start. Corbs and Pitching Coach Scott Brown have made such good decisions with pitching, that I trust whatever they decide. Christian was awesome Friday going 3 innings of 1 hit ball with 0 walks and 2 K’s. Christian is 1-2 with a 3.79 ERA with 14 walks and 42 K’s. Bryce is 2-1 with a 4.59 ERA with 14 walks and 27 K’s. Corbs may want Little out of the bullpen and will start Cunningham, then it’s all hands on deck. I trust Bryce. I like him to step up if called upon. Patrick Reilly is another option, though Patrick has been hit hard lately. Reilly is 2-3 with a 4.26 ERA with 34 walks and 68 K’s. He’s got an electric mid to high 90’s fastball like LIttle, and if he can control it, he can be tough. Cunningham throws it mid 90’s, too, and that velocity is always a plus.

For Oregon State, now this is really drawing straws, but I’ll say senior right hander Reid Sebby will get the call. He’s 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA. In 38.1 innings, he’s walked 13 and struck out 37. We’ll see on that. Both teams will have multiple arms ready out of the bullpen. The only guys I don’t see us using are McElvain, Futrell and maybe Holton, but Holton could pitch an inning. I like the Cunningham/Little alignment or Little, then whomever else. As Ernie Johnson Sr. used to say for the Braves, “it’s down to cases now.”

We’ve got the team to get the job done. One of my best friends and I have talked this season about this team being special. It is. We’ve got 3 special seniors, outstanding junior and sophomore classes, and an excellent freshman group. Just need to get one more today. Will have a full report tonight.

Men’s Golf, what a season, just came up short, future electric

Coach Scott Limbaugh just completed his 10th season and it was a tremendous one for him and his team. Tough blow losing in the Final Four to Texas, which went on to win the national championship, but the team accomplished so much winning 7 stroke play competitions this season including the SEC Stroke Play, the Cabo Collegiate, the Prestige, the Mason Rudoloph, the Mossy Oak Collegiate, the SEC Match Play, leading to the SEC Championship, the NCAA Regional at Palm Beach Gardens FL, and the NCAA Stroke Play. What a phenomenal team. We won all these tournaments against top flight competition. I’m sorry I hadn’t written about this elite group last week after the Match Play, but I know they were distraught after the NCAA’s because they were so close. Have to admit, I was a little distraught myself and just didn’t know what to say. But after Coach Limbaugh said it didn’t define our season, he was exactly right. We were exceptional. Gordon Sargent was beyond superb winning the NCAA Individual Championship as a freshman. Wow, Gordon, that is such an amazing accomplishment. Gordon was also awarded the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top golfer in the country. He was All SEC along with sophomore Cole Sherwood and senior Reid Davenport, and was SEC Freshman of the Year. What a season for our freshman from Mountain Brook, Alabama. The rest of our team, the great Harrison Ott, our fifth year senior, who won his match against Texas, the awesome Reid Davenport, a senior, who was terrific for us all season, junior William Moll, who is super talented and really came on for us towards the end of the season and won his match in the Texas Semi, our sophomore, Sherwood, who’s future, along with Gordon’s, is limitless, was terrific for us as well all season.

Tough way to end the season, but this team was all time good in Vanderbilt Golf. Congratulations to all the guys, and Coach Limbaugh and Assistant Coach Gator Todd for all the hard work they put in and success they achieved. We didn’t get to where we wanted to at the end, but that’s coming. It took Coach Corbin 12 years to win his first national championship in 2014 with all the terrific teams he had before that. So it’s tough, but certainly doable in Coach Limbaugh’s 11th season next year, the 2022-23 season. Gordon will be back, along with Cole, William, stellar rising sophomore Jackson Van Paris, who was the No.3 player in the country, in our No.1 recruiting class in 2021. Gordon was the second ranked player in the country. We also added the No. 1 ranked golfer in Mississippi, Wells Williams, from West Point, MS, and the No.1 ranked golfer in Massachusetts John Broderick. They are exceptionally talented, and will add to a loaded roster in 2022-23. But, this team was historically great for Vanderbilt University. Harrison and Reid will be missed and hopeful that they will have successful stints on the professional circuit or just as professionals in something other than golf. They got their degrees from Vanderbilt, so they have very good chances to have highly successful lives. Nothing like a Vanderbilt degree for your resume and your life. Gordon and the other guys will be competing this summer. The U.S. Amateur is August 15-21 at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, so will keep you posted on Gordon, Cole and William in that competition along with our 2 incoming freshmen. There will be more tournaments to look forward to for our guys this summer. But it’s time right now to not reflect on the Final Four loss to Texas, but all the success these guys had throughout the season. Congratulations on a job well done, fellas. You’ve left a legacy for Vanderbilt Men’s Golf, and could have very well set the table for a National Championship team in 2023.

Football Commitment

We received our fifth commitment for the 2023 class as linebacker Kelvon McBride from Valdosta, Georgia committed to Clark and the staff on Sunday.

Kelvon is a 6’3”, 200 pound player out of Mobile, AL. He is an 86 three star by 247 sports and a 5,6,3 star by Rivals. Like what we’re getting here. Senior Anfernee Orji, who’s going to have a big season for us in 2022, talked to Kelvon and told him he will get bigger and stronger at VU, as that’s exactly what the great Orji has done. Kelvon joins high 3 stars inside linebacker Ethan Crisp, 6’3”, 205 from Mount Juliet, TN., 6’0”, 180 cornerback Kevis Thomas from Lowndes Country, GA., running back Sedrick Alexander from Austin, Texas, and 6’2”, 175 wide receiver Duran Parish from Biloxi, MS. Really like the tape on all the guys. Going to watch more on Kelvon and will give a report on him further.

Know I need to write about the 2022 team. Hopefully, we’ll be playing a lot more baseball in the coming weeks, so I promise I’ll get to our football team. Will definitely keep you posted on football and basketball recruiting. Clark and Stack have some super possibilities, and next year’s football and basketball teams look highly promising. Football opens with Hawai’i Saturday, August 27th at 9:30 PM CT on CBS Sports Network, so we’ll need to get quarterback locked down between Mike Wright, Ken Seals and stellar freshman A.J. Swann. Mike and Ken have potential to be phenomenal players for us. Both have shown flashes of superb play. A.J. is a big armed talent as well, so fall camp in August will be interesting. Will keep you posted. Need O line to get settled. Good talent there, just need to find 10 to 12 guys who can be solid players for us. Running back and wide receiver rooms look potentially excellent, and tight end may be the strongest position on our team with the great Ben Bresnahan and superb Gavin Schoenwald returning and stellar backups to them. Defense has a chance to be special. Just need to do a lot of developing over the summer with strength training and then lock down in fall camp. Orji, safety Max Worship, defensive tackle Daevion Davis, and corner Jaylen Mahoney will be some of our leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

Let’s get the job done today in Corvallis and advance.

NBA Finals

Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors

TV

Game 1 Thursday, 8 PM CT, ABC, Boston @Golden State

Game 2 Sunday, 7 PM CT, ABC, Boston @ Golden State

Game 3, Wednesday, June 8, 8 PM CT, ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 4, Friday, June 10, 8 PM CT ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 5, if necessary, Monday, June 13, 8 PM CT, ABC, Boston @ Golden State

Game 6, if necessary, Thursday, June 16, 8 PM CT, ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 7, if necessary, Sunday, June 19, 7 PM CT, Boston @ Golden State

Boston has the best defense is the league, but they really struggle with turnovers. I love this Celtics team. Thirty three year old Al Horford is such a leader for their team as he takes care of the stud 20 somethings on the team, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. He’s also a spectacular player at 6’10”. As good as the Celtics are, I just have to go with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and the Warriors. They’ve been an unstoppable force in these playoffs. Going with the 6 time NBA Champions, most recently in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Give me Curry as the MVP as well.

Warriors over Celtics in 6

Stanley Cup Finals

Much like the NBA Playoffs, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been riveting. It’s down to the Conference Finals in the Eastern and Western Conferences, with 4 teams competing to make the Stanley Cup Finals and capture the coveted Lord Stanley Cup.

Here are my predictions for this stellar event. TV coverage for the semis is on ESPN and TNT. ESPN for the East and TNT for the West. Lightning at Rangers tonight at 7 on ESPN. Colorado Avalanche, with the best regular season record, won last night over the Edmonton Oilers, 8-6, in game 1.

Eastern Conference Finals

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are the 2 time defending Stanley Cup champion, and their talent is through the roof exceptional. They’re a very, very difficult team to defeat, so tough, so talented. But I don’t like Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, I love the guy. Just a phenomenal goalie. Add that to the firepower of the Rangers and their terrific defense, and I’m taking the upset here. Rangers get it done with the home ice in what will be an epic series.

Rangers over Lightning in 7

‘

Western Conference Finals

Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers

Colorado is a stellar offensive team. Connor McDavid is a terrific player for the Oilers, but the Avalanche look unstoppable with their electric speed on the ice and their magical agility, stick work and scoring ability. Give me the Avs.

Avalanche over Oilers in 6

Stanley Cup Finals

Avalanche vs. Rangers

TV

Game 1, Saturday, June 18, 7:10 PM CT, ABC. New York @ Colorado

Game 2, Monday, June 20, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Game 3, Wednesday, June 22nd, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 4, Friday, June 24, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 5, Sunday, June 26, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Game 6, Tuesday, June 28, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 7, Thursday, June 30, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Prediction

It’s the offensive explosiveness and electricity of the Colorado Avalanche versus the physicality and toughness of the New York Rangers. When the talent is about equal, I go with the more physical team. Plus, the 26 year old Shesterkin, from Moscow, though not everybody’s favorite place, but produces incredible hockey players, is the best goalie in the NHL and that really helps.

Rangers over Avalanche in 6

Conn Smythe Trophy, Most Valuable Player in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Igor Shesterkin

Prediction for the Memorial Tournaemnt

TV

Thursday-Friday, 1-5 PM CT, Golf Channel

Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM CT, GC, 1:30-5 PM CT, CBS.

Weather, Showers possible Thursday, Friday through Sunday, mostly sunny, temperatures in the higher 70’s and low 80’s on Sunday. Winds around 8-9 MPH, so not a major factor, but a little bit of a factor.

Odds, Jon Rahm, 9/1, Rory, 10/1 (are they not always the betting favorites every week?), Patrick Cantlay, defending champion, though Rahm had a 6 shot lead after the third round last year but had to withdraw because he tested positive for COVID, 14/1, Jordan Spieth, 18/1, Cameron Smith, 18/1, Collin Morikawa, 18/1, Xander Schauffele, 20/1, Viktor Hovland, 22/1, Shane Lowry, 22/1, Matt Fitzpatrick, 25/1, Hideki Matsuyama, 25/1, Will Zalatoris, 28/1, Joaquin Niemann, 35/1, Max Homa, 35/1, Davis Riley, 40/1. Abe Ancer, 50/1.

Prediction

I’ll take the 25 year old from L.A., by way of Cal-Berkeley. He won the Workday Charity Open at Muirfiueld Village in 2020 in an epic playoff over Justin Thomas, and lost in a playoff to Cantlay last year at the Memorial. Muirfield Village is playing 7,533 yards and is a par 72. Greens are bent grass and will be stomping at 12-13. Give me this young gun, who looks to have more majors ahead of him, but so many of them look like major champion material, so you never know. You just make your best attempt at who will win every week. It’s a challenge with the depth and talent level on tour.

Collin Morkawa

The 77th U.S. Women’s Open Prediction

At Pine Needles Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Defending Open Champion is Japan’s Yuka Saso, who won at The Olympic Club in San Francisco in a playoff over fellow countrywoman Nasa Hataoka. Lexi Thompson had a difficult to watch meltdown on the backside of Olympic. Felt bad for her.

Weather, Hot one Thursday, 96, sunny, humidity low at 48%, wind 9 MPH. Friday, 84, 61% humidity, Wind 8 MPH. Saturday, 85, Humidity, 42%, wind 9 MPH. Sunday, 86, Humidity 44%, Wind 8. MPH. So heat is tough tomorrow, but good from Friday on through the weekend.

TV

Thursday, 12-2 PM CT, Peacock, 2-7 PM CT, USA Network

Friday, 12-2 PM CT, Peacock, 2-7 PM CT, USA

Saturday, 11 AM-12 PM CT, Peacock. 12-2 PM CT, USA, 2-5 PM CT, NBC.

Sunday, 12-2 PM CT, USA, 2-6 PM CT, NBC.

Odds

Jin Young Ko, 15/2, Lydia Ko, 12/1, Minjee Lee, 12/1, Lexi Thompson, 14/1, Nelly Korda, 18/1, Hannah Green, 22/1, Nasa Hataoka, 22/1, Jessica Korda, 35/1, Yuka Saso 35/1, Brooke Henderson 45/1, Patty Tavantanakit, 45/1, Jennifer Kupcho, the Chevron Championship champion, first major on LPGA Tour back in March, Danielle Kang, 55/1

Prediction

I’m going to take the 26 year old from Perth, Australia. She won her first major, the Evian Championship in France, in 2021. She most recently won the Cognizant Founders Cup on May 15th in Clinton New Jersey at the Upper Montclair Country Club Course. I like the way she’s trending. Give me,

Minjee Lee