Starting pitcher Mike Leake is heading back to the National League Central. Leake has agreed to a five-year contract for a reported 80-million-dollars with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old went 11-and-10 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts between the Reds and Giants last season. Leake was traded to San Francisco at the deadline last year.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady headline this year’s Pro Bowl selections. Newton is one of an NFL-high 10 Panthers selected. Brady is one of seven Patriots picked for the league’s annual All-Star Game.
Three Rams have been named to the Pro Bowl. Running back Todd Gurley, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and punter Johnny Hekker are all headed to Honolulu. The NFL’s all-star game takes place on January 31st.
No members of the Bears are heading to Honolulu. For the first time since the 1998-99 season, not a single player from the Bears was named to this year’s Pro Bowl. The NFL’s all-star game takes place on January 31st.
The Colts continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons as the team was left without a representative on the Pro Bowl roster for the first time since 1997. Franchise quarterback Andrew Luck missed seven games this season, while 2014 Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton underperformed. Safety Mike Adams, who was also on last year’s roster, missed three games because of injury.
The suspension appeal hearing for Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior is taking place today. “OBJ” was suspended one game for his actions in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. If the suspension is upheld, Beckham will sit Sunday night without pay when the Giants visit the Vikings.
A pair of top-five teams needed extra time to survive in college hoops. Top-ranked Michigan State avoided its first loss of the year with a 99-93 overtime win over Oakland. Despite leading for less than a minute of game time, fifth-ranked Virginia pulled out a 63-62 OT win over Cal.
Patrick Sharp had a goal and an assist against his former team as the Stars blanked the Blackhawks, 4-0. Chicago shipped Sharp to Dallas in the offseason. Corey Crawford made 28 saves for Chicago, which had won its previous three. The ‘Hawks are off until Sunday.
The Bulls will be back in action on Christmas Day when they take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Chicago has dropped three in-a-row following Monday’s 105-102 home loss to the Nets. The Bulls dipped to 15-and-11 on the year with the setback.
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle is fed up with his team’s inconsistent play. Following the team’s 103-99 loss to the Raptors, Carlisle called the Mavs’ effort in the first half “embarrassing”. Carlisle vowed players won’t be Mavericks “very long” if the lack of effort continues.
Missouri and Illinois will go up against one another tonight in the Bud Light Braggin Rights game at Scottrade Center. The Tigers lost 73-59 to North Carolina State on Saturday. It was their second straight loss after a three-game winning streak to slip to 5-and-5 on the season. The 7-and-5 Fighting Illini are riding a four-game winning streak.