Tag: Mexico City

21 cities that could possibly get an MLB team

As the possibility of the MLB expanding to 32 teams becomes more likely, let’s take a look at 21 cities waiting in the on-deck circle.

If you build it…

While those now-infamous whispers were initially echoing from the baseball heavens via Shoeless Joe Jackson to a confused Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, they resonate a very topical reality in today’s baseball landscape. As MLB revenues top the $10 billion mark, with local television deals seemingly attainable (and working), many cities would like to be the ones voicing such promises.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has not shied away from talking about expanding both in the US and internationally, either. And, with the premise that adding more teams will add more revenue—while, don’t forget, playing into the back-and-forth tactics of the CBA—the idea of expansion is very possible.

Of course, there are difficulties to consider—a defining difference from the NFL and NBA: For every new franchise that comes into the league, if there’s a minor league team in the area…well, it’s been lovely, but you gotta go!

Still, expansion in the MLB isn’t “if” it’s “when and where?”.

Here’s a look at 21 cities with a population, market size, and location that could put them in the on-deck circle.

Orlando

(Getty Images)

Orlando tops the list—mainly because it’s recently topped the MLB expansion headlines. Orlando Magic co-founder, Pat Williams, has become the face championing to get an MLB franchise in Central Florida. Although baseball in Florida doesn’t have the most celebrated PowerPoint presentation, that isn’t to say a team near Disney World would be a disaster.

Orlando is a top 20 television market with a metro area of over 2.5 million people. Nielsen’s 2020 DMA (Designated Market Area) rankings have Orlando’s marketing reach at 18th. With someone holding the financial status like Williams leading the charge, it’s possible the MLB would not brush this off as a mere publicity bake sale. (Williams, ironically, would like the team name to be the Orlando Dreamers.)

Odds: 7 out of 10 

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Chargers at Chiefs: Kansas City favored in Mexico City

Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs vs. L.A. Chargers Week 11 NFL matchup, with NFL betting odds, lines, picks and best bets

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The Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) hook up for the first time this season, facing off on Monday night at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET.

Chiefs vs. Chargers: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Chargers are coming off an extended break, having played on Thursday night in Week 10, a 26-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
  • Chargers QB Philip Rivers threw three interceptions in that game. He had five touchdown passes and three interceptions in two games against the Chiefs last season.
  • The Chargers have the eighth-best scoring defense in the league (points per game). The Chiefs are 20th.
  • The Chiefs average more than 28 points per game on offense. The Chargers average fewer than 21.
  • Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had 446 passing yards and three touchdowns in Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans in his first game back after missing two games with an injury.

Chargers at Chiefs: Key injuries

Mahomes is healthy again and will play. DE Emmanuel Ogbah (pectoral) is out and will probably miss the rest of the season. OT Eric Fisher (groin) should return to the lineup for the first time since Week 2, while OG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle) should be in the lineup for the first time since Week 8.

Chargers RT Sam Tevi (knee) is expected to miss this week and more. LT Russell Okung (groin) is questionable.

Chargers at Chiefs: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Chiefs 38, Chargers 23

Moneyline (?)

With Mahomes healthy and his offensive line returning, the offense should be overwhelming again, making any bet other than the Chiefs seem like a waste of money. At –182, it won’t gain much profit ($5.49 profit on a $10 bet), but taking the Chargers at +150 doesn’t seem to be smart with the money, as the game probably won’t be that close.

Against the Spread (?)

The Chiefs are favored by 4.5 points (+105). The Chiefs are healthy on the offensive line so Mahomes can be dynamic. The Chargers might be without their two starting tackles. L.A. has struggled to score points, so expect a two-score win for the home team. Take the CHIEFS -4.5 (+105).

Over/Under (?)

The total is set at 52.5 points. The Chiefs should put up points. The question is whether the Chargers will do the same. Rivers is savvy enough that if the Chiefs jump out to a big lead, he will rally his team for late points. This game should easily hit the OVER (-115).

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Week 11 preview: 5 things to watch for in Chiefs vs. Chargers

Keep an eye on these five things as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11.

The Kansas City Chiefs look to get back on track against the Los Angeles Chargers on the international stage for “Monday Night Football.” This is one of the most important games of the season as the Chiefs are not only fighting for playoff position but also the AFC West title.

Here are five things to watch for in Chiefs vs. Chargers:

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs’ offensive line

The line will be getting back two big pieces this week: Eric Fisher and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. The return of those two is huge for Kansas City because the offensive line has struggled to keep the quarterback clean for the majority of the season. The two will be a big improvement over the replacements they had at their respective positions.

The return of Fisher and Duvernay-Tardif also comes at the perfect time since the Chiefs suffered more injuries last week against the Titans. At one point they were down to their final five linemen during the game. They would have needed to play a tight end along the offensive line had they suffered another injury.

Thankfully, Mitchell Schwartz is expected to play against Monday after suffering an injury during Week 10. This will be the first time the Chiefs will have all five of their starting linemen since Week 2, so it will be interesting to see how much better the offense performs. Now that everyone is healthy we may finally see how good the offense can be. If everyone continues to stay healthy, especially along the offensive line, the end of the season has the potential to be very fun for Chiefs fans.

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Clark Hunt confident in Estadio Azteca field conditions this season

There won’t be a cancellation related to the playing surface at Estadio Azteca this time around.

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Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt took to the podium this afternoon, and one of the first questions was about the field conditions at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Last season, the Chiefs were scheduled to play the Los Angeles Rams at Estadio Azteca, but the field was in poor condition amid rainy weather and a packed event schedule at the stadium. The NFL ultimately chose to move the game back to Los Angeles amid concerns over the turf.

This season, the league has taken measures to ensure that the International Series game between the Chiefs and Chargers will go off without a hitch. Hunt is sure that the field is in good condition ahead of Monday night.

“Our field staff has been in contact with the league, who has been in contact with the representatives in Mexico City who have been taking care of the field,” Hunt said. “It’s a completely different field and it’s in much better condition than it was last year.”

Last year’s complications led to the officials at Estadio Azteca installing a new, natural playing surface over the summer. The installation and preparation has been overseen by NFL officials as well as the experts from World Sports Turf.

Now, the Chiefs will get their opportunity to go down to Mexico City and expand their brand internationally without having to worry about a questionable playing surface putting their players at risk of injury. While Hunt didn’t lobby for the opportunity to have the Chiefs play in Mexico City this season, you won’t find anyone in Kansas City complaining about their AFC West rivals in Los Angeles giving up a home game.

“I was hopeful that we would have a chance to go to Mexico City,” Hunt said. “I think all of the international games are important to the league and they’re also important to the Chiefs from a branding standpoint. I frankly did not expect that we would be going to Mexico City so fast. It was not something that we lobbied the league for. When I looked at our schedule, I did not think that it would work out from a scheduling standpoint. I guess at the end of the day, the Chargers were willing to give up a home game down there, even though we’re a division team.”

Chargers training in Colorado ahead of Mexico City showdown with Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers will work at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs ahead of Week 11 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City.

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The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are preparing to take a road trip south of the border.

In Week 11, both teams will face off 7,200 feet above sea level at Mexico City, Mexico in a highly anticipated matchup at Estadio Azteca. The Chiefs’ opponents have a unique plan to prepare for the altitude change.

In order to get acclimated to playing in a higher altitude, the Chargers are taking a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado. They will practice for four days at 6,000 feet at the Air Force Academy in hopes that it will give them an advantage against the Chiefs in Week 11.

The Los Angeles Rams tried a similar strategy in 2018 ahead of their Mexico City game against the Chiefs. The game was ultimately moved back to Los Angeles and the Rams stayed in Colorado as their home state dealt with wildfires.

Kansas City will stick to their normal weekly schedule and prepare for this game as they usually would a Monday Night Football game. Andy Reid is just old-fashioned like that. He spoke a bit about the decision to not prepare for the altitude last season.

“We were going to stay here for practice,” Reid said. “Not really. We did a bunch of studies and talked to people in the offseason and felt like it was best to stay here and practice. We really haven’t had a change much other than going to a hotel in Los Angeles, but other than that, not a lot of changes.”

Their decision to stay in Kansas City isn’t without its research. Meanwhile, this is a must-win game for the Chargers and it feels like they’re going to pull out all of the stops. You can catch this primetime showdown between AFC West rivals on ESPN on Monday at 7:20 P.M. CT.