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Kyle Busch's son suffers heartbreak in emotional return to racing after father's stunning death
Brexton Busch, the 11-year-old son of the late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, suffered heartbreak on the final lap in his return to racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch led the majority of Tuesday's Summer Shootout, but came up just short after being passed on the final turn by Landon Thrasher.
It was Brexton's first race back since his father died late last month just days before he was set to race at Charlotte in the Coca-Cola 600.
Busch, 41, died May 21 after a battle with pneumonia turned into sepsis. The two-time NASCAR champion collapsed during a simulator session the Wednesday of race week, and was rushed to the hospital. He died the next day.
The entire Busch family including Brexton, mother Samantha and his sister, Lennix, were honored during an emotional pre-race ceremony last month. That was the last time any of the Busches made a public appearance until last week, when Brexton returned to Charlotte for practice ahead of Tuesday's race.
First of all, what a solid pass by Landon Thrasher. Never heard of the kid until last night, but that was textbook stuff.
Yes, it ruined what would've been a great story, but that's racing. It ain't all ham and eggs on the track, you know. Kyle Busch would be the first to tell us that. I'd imagine he told Brexton that a thousand times.
By the looks of it, though, Brexton Busch will be just fine in terms of racing. The kid can wheel an automobile, and will undoubtedly be in NASCAR sooner rather than later.
In fact, Richard Childress is currently holding a spot for him when he's ready. RCR announced last month that Busch's No. 8 would be suspended permanently unless Brexton wanted to use it should he enter the series.
For those keeping tabs at home, Brexton can compete in the NASCAR Truck Series as early as 16. He cannot turn laps in a Cup car until he's 18.
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"The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing," the team said in a statement.
Brexton has been an up-and-coming racer for some time now. In recent years, Kyle had spent much of his own racing season following Brexton around during the week.
Samantha Busch is among the most active of the drivers' wives on social media, and has spent several years now documenting life with both Kyle and Brexton racing.
Earlier this year, Brexton raced against his dad for the first time at the Tulsa Shootout.
Good stuff. The Busch Family was born to race, clearly.
Kyle was a two-time Cup champ. Kurt Busch won a title in 2004. Brexton is clearly on the same track. Heck, even Tom Busch, Kyle's 51-year-old father, led laps this week.
That's right. Take a look at how Tuesday's race began:
Lordy. Nothing like a little tug at the heartstrings to get this Wednesday started, huh?
Good to see Brexton Busch back behind the wheel.
Former Disney star reveals her 'genius hack' for cooling down on delayed flight
Former Disney Channel star Leigh-Allyn Baker posted a very talkable video recently showing how she soaked her feet in a cup of ice water while stuck on a delayed airplane — prompting numerous reactions, including many positive ones.
Best known for playing Amy Duncan on Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie," Baker shared the video after her flight sat on the runway for roughly two hours with apparently little air conditioning.
"SOS. Stuck on a plane, sitting on the runway, for TWO HOURS," Baker wrote in the video's caption.
"Almost no A/C! This and menopause are NOT a good combination," she also wrote.
"So I decided to pretend it was just a day to dip my toes in the pool to cool off. This is survival, guys. Don’t judge."
Baker told Fox News Digital the cooling method was born out of necessity during the lengthy delay.
The actress said that while filming Christmas movies during the summer, she learned ice can be an effective way to cool down.
"My feet were on fire," Baker said. "And imagining a day at a tiny pool seemed nice … and hilarious."
HOLLYWOOD ACTOR BLASTS AIRPLANE MODE AS 'NONSENSE' IN HILARIOUS PODCAST FLIGHT RANT
Rather than complain about the situation, Baker said she decided to have some fun with it.
"I could whine and complain about it, or I could get creative, make light of the situation and spread some laughter," she said.
Baker also said she believes the post resonated with many followers because it showed an imperfect moment.
"I believe the world is craving authenticity," she said. "Imperfection is refreshing in a social media climate that just pushes perfect lives and perfect moments."
'WORST PLANE RIDE': AIRLINE PASSENGER CLAIMS SHE WAS REPEATEDLY SHOVED FOR RECLINING HER SEAT
She added that fellow passengers in her row found her stunt amusing.
"My row mates couldn’t stop laughing," Baker said.
The clip quickly drew mixed reactions online, with some viewers calling the move creative and relatable. Others said they felt it was unsanitary.
After posting the video, Baker clarified in the comments section that her feet had not touched the airplane floor.
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"For the record ... my feet never touched the airplane floor," she wrote in the comments section. "They went straight from my shoes to the pool."
Diane Gottsman, a Texas-based etiquette expert who was not present on the flight, told Fox News Digital that passengers should remain mindful of how their behavior affects those around them, particularly in confined spaces.
"As in every public space, we all have a responsibility to be aware of our surroundings and show respect for those standing, walking, or seated around us," Gottsman said.
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She added that airplanes can already be stressful environments for both passengers and crew members.
"Placing your feet in shared areas, or using drinking cups as a spa treatment on a flight, is simply asking for negative feedback," Gottsman said.
Many social media users disagreed with that — calling the move "brilliant" and "creative."
"This is so Amy Duncan and I love it," one commenter wrote, referencing Baker's "Good Luck Charlie" character.
Another commenter said the idea was "actually genius."
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A third wrote, "Do what you gotta do to stay cool!!"
Another person wrote, "Hey, if it works, that’s what counts! Making note of this hack."
Still another chimed in, "I’m stealing that idea for my next trip!"
"I love this so much! You are amazing," a fan gushed.
Others questioned whether the foot soak was appropriate in a confined public space.
A commenter said, "I hope you know the girl sitting next to you."
Belfast burns after Sudanese migrant arrested in brutal knife attack
A Sudanese asylum seeker accused of blinding a Belfast man in one eye during a stabbing attack appeared in court Wednesday as anti-immigrant unrest spread across Northern Ireland.
Hadi Alodid, 30, was ordered to be held in jail after appearing by video in Belfast Magistrates' Court, where prosecutors accused him of blinding Stephen Ogilvie in his left eye during Monday's attack.
Alodid was charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill a radiographer and possessing a knife. He declined legal representation through an Arabic interpreter and did not enter a plea.
The attack, which occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday in north Belfast and was captured in graphic video footage that quickly spread online, sparked outrage and fueled demonstrations that turned violent overnight. Police said Ogilvie, a man in his 40s, suffered serious injuries to his face, neck, back and eyes, and officers recovered what they believe was a kitchen knife from the scene.
POLICE USE WATER CANNON IN RESPONSE TO ANTI-IMMIGRANT VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND TOWN
Video circulating online appeared to show members of the public confronting the attacker, including one person wielding a hurling stick. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised the bystanders as "heroic," saying their intervention helped save the victim's life.
Police said Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland in 2023, applied for asylum and was granted a five-year permit to remain. Authorities initially identified him as Somali before later correcting his nationality to Sudanese.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said investigators had "no information to suggest that this was a terrorist-related incident" and were not seeking additional suspects.
Masked men set fire to several homes they believed housed immigrants following the incident. They also burned trash bins, torched a Belfast bus and threw objects at police officers. Firefighters rescued multiple people from burning homes.
Police said they had declared a critical incident and increased their presence across Northern Ireland amid concerns about further unrest.
Anselme Shima, a Belfast resident originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said he witnessed the aftermath of the unrest near his home.
"I've lived on my street for almost 10 years, I have a good relationship with my neighbors, but last night was a horrific one," he told Reuters. "We don't know what to do. I'm scared. Seeing this, I'm wondering if I'm next."
First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein described the unrest as "thuggery."
"Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice," she said.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the Democratic Unionist Party said that "taking frustration at the evil actions of a person out on those who had no part in it is utterly wrong."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the stabbing attack "sickening" and condemned violence targeting people because of their background.
"The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable," Starmer wrote on X. "There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere. It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it."
AMERICAN TOURIST STABBED IN FACE BY SYRIAN AFTER DEFENDING WOMEN ON GERMAN TRAM: REPORT
The unrest was amplified online by anti-immigration activists, including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson.
Some politicians said the stabbing should prompt a review of the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a highly sensitive issue because free movement across the border is a central pillar of the peace process that largely ended decades of violence known as "The Troubles." The conflict involving Irish republican and British loyalist militants, as well as U.K. security forces, left nearly 3,600 people dead before the 1998 peace accord.
Much of Tuesday's unrest took place in working-class areas where former paramilitary groups continue to wield influence.
HENRY NOWAK’S KILLING EXPOSES BRITAIN’S DANGEROUS TWO-TIER JUSTICE SYSTEM
The case comes amid ongoing debate in Britain over another fatal stabbing that drew national attention in Southampton, England, last year.
Henry Nowak, who was White, was killed by Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh man who falsely claimed to police that he had been the victim of a racist assault by Nowak. Officers initially treated the wounded Nowak as a suspect before recognizing his injuries and attempting to save his life.
Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced last week to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. The case has fueled debate about policing and race, and a protest following the killing turned violent, with some participants attacking officers with chairs and rocks. Several people were later charged with violent disorder.
Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Game 4 NBA Finals betting turns to the prop market after striking out on the last two games of the series
I find the narratives around the NBA just as intriguing as the games and betting options. There are so many people who claim to hate the NBA or not watch it that have opinions on what players are doing. In the world of hot takes and quick highlights on social media, this is no surprise. People see one thing and make a universal opinion. If that’s you, I suggest not sports betting. While there is some benefit from trusting your gut, you really need to be a critical thinker. I’m trying to dissect Game 4 and see what the best option is as the Spurs look to tie up the series with the Knicks.
I thought Game 2 was the Spurs' best game. I guess I was wrong considering they won Game 3. I’m wrong about a lot of things. This was a total back-and-forth battle, and the final score shows a difference of just four points. However, there really was only one quarter of the game that the Knicks excelled. The Spurs jumped out to a quick lead. Then they gave it all back (and then some) in the second. They won the third and fourth to get the series to 2-1.
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Going down 3-1 is not a death sentence. But, the Spurs really need to avoid it. We know that it is possible to still win, but getting 2-2 means they’ve taken back home court advantage. Victor Wembanyama since the start of the second quarter in Game 2 has scored 54 points, so maybe he has figured some things out about the Knicks' approach to him. Maybe it is just that the Spurs are shooting better in that span. I wouldn’t make too many conclusions one way or another. Like a lot of teams when the 3s are falling, the Spurs are unbeatable.
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You can actually say the same about the New York Knicks. I took them in Game 3 because I felt like they took the best shot from San Antonio, but maybe the hoopla around the game was too much for them to overcome. Jalen Brunson was his typical dominant self. Let me get this out of the way -- he is a foul baiter, he flops, but he is damn good at basketball. He plays incredibly well off of two feet, is creative with getting the shot he wants, and he has no fear. These are the things you see when you watch a full game and not just a clip of him being pushed by Wemby.
Which, by the way, is also being misconstrued. Brunson was holding Wembanyama’s arm and jersey. That’s when he was pushed. It’s almost never a one-sided thing with any instance. But, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a cheap shot or two on Wemby tonight. The Knicks really need to avoid that, though. They are in the driver’s seat. They have a lead, they’ve won two close games. And now they just need to find a way to knock some shots down tonight.
If you’re a Spurs fan, you’re saying this series easily could be 2-1 San Antonio. If you’re a Knicks fan, you’re saying you could be up 3-0 without any real argument against it. The realist recognizes this series has had two games that were toss-ups and one where the Knicks were just better, longer.
New York probably would benefit from a shorter rotation. I get that their bench (and actually using them) helped get them here, but Mikal Bridges played 29 minutes. Sure he barely shot, but his defense is what keeps him out there. Josh Hart is playing great and in my eyes needs 40 minutes. Bridges said he needs to play better, and I expect he will, but I’d be surprised if he scored 13 points. I’ll take the under. I like the superstars to do their things tonight. Brunson and Wembanyama should both get over their totals (27.5 and 26.5, respectively). I’ll stick with prop bets after I’ve given back my wins from Game 1.
Sen Tom Cotton urges DOJ to probe Chinese bid to 'kneecap' American AI
Sen. Tom Cotton urged the Justice Department to investigate a covert campaign linked to China designed to "kneecap" America's rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure in a letter obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital.
In the letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Arkansas Republican calls for federal investigators to examine whether foreign actors are attempting to shape U.S. public opinion and policy against data centers and AI development as Washington and Beijing compete for dominance in artificial intelligence.
"Recent reports show that Communist China is attempting to influence our policy and public opinion on data centers. The reason is obvious: they want to kneecap our processing power to win the AI race," Cotton told Fox News Digital.
"Americans should decide their own future free of communist propaganda. I'm encouraging the Department of Justice to investigate," Cotton said.
Cotton's request follows the release of a report last week from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., alleging that Chinese state media, foreign-funded advocacy groups and a network of organizations funded by American tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham have spent years building opposition to U.S. data center construction and AI infrastructure projects.
Singham, an avowed Marxist and the founder of a Chicago-based company, Thoughtworks, that he sold in 2017, now lives in Shanghai, and has become a growing focus of congressional scrutiny and federal investigations. In March, as members of the Singham network were journeying to Havana to support the Communist Party of Cuba, Earlier this year, Fox News Digital published a five-part series documenting how Singham has funneled $278 million into a series of nonprofits, including groups at the heart of the protests against AI, data centers and technology firms in the U.S.
As Fox News Digital has reported, 501(c)(3) nonprofits from the Singham network, including CodePink, the People's Forum, Tricontinental and BreakThrough News, have participated and led campaigns opposing AI development, semiconductor export controls and large-scale data center projects. Singham, a self-avowed communist, started pumping the money into the groups after his 2017 marriage to Jodie Evans, the co-founder of CodePink.
For years, groups funded by Singham have worked closely with two self-described communist groups in the U.S. — the ANSWER Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation — that have organized foot soldiers to protest major U.S. technology, defense and logistics companies, such as Palantir Technologies, Lockheed-Martin and Google, to try to name-and-shame the firms for doing business with the U.S. government on issues from immigration to global geopolitics where China has major interests, including in Israel, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, South Korea and even Greenland.
Pro-China protestors have seized on high electrical costs associated with operating a data center. One of the key themes of new protests is the rising electricity bills that consumers have been seeing in recent months. Earlier this year, Cotton introduced a bill, called the "DATA Act of 2026," that would lift regulatory controls to allow manufacturers, data centers and other energy-intensive industries to build new electricity systems separate from the consumer electrical grid.
More widely, Senate and House lawmakers have launched inquiries into the nonprofits in the Singham network, while questioning whether the groups should be required to register as "foreign agents" under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, called FARA, which demands that entities or individuals working for the interests of foreign interests register with the U.S. Justice Department as foreign lobbyists.
"Alarming reports indicate that a network of foreign actors, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is attempting to manipulate U.S. policy and public opinion on data centers," Cotton wrote in the letter.
AGITATORS UNITED BY CHINESE MONEY, HATE FOR AMERICA TARGET DATA CENTERS, EXPERTS WARN
Climate activists, anti-Israel protesters and other activist movements with very different agendas have become strange bedfellows united by a shared disdain for America and funding from China, according to experts who warn the trend is weakening the United States amid a rapidly accelerating AI race. They are seen as part of a "red-green-green alliance," an ideological overlap between three elements: communist movements, characterized by the color red; Islamist activism, described as green; and environmental protest groups, symbolized as green.
Cotton argued that America's position in artificial intelligence will have sweeping implications for the country's economic strength, military capabilities, diplomatic influence and national security. He warned that foreign adversaries shouldn't be allowed to exploit public concerns over energy use, utility costs and water consumption to slow U.S. technological development.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute report, "Foreign Influence in the Campaign Against American AI," alleges that three separate streams of influence — Chinese state media, the Singham network and foreign-funded advocacy organizations — have increasingly aligned around efforts to block or delay new AI-related infrastructure in the United States.
LAWMAKERS RAISE ALARM OVER NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S $278M NETWORK SPREADING CCP PROPAGANDA IN THE U.S.
After their wedding in early 2017, Singham and Evans have transformed far-left protests in the United States, creating a machine that sounds the alarm for new protests from clear command-and-control centers within the Singham network, churns out pre-printed protest signs, shares common messaging and galvanizes around common themes that support China and condemn "AmeriKKKa," as an "imperiaist nation," borrowing on Russian and Chinese propaganda.
According to the report by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, the Singham network "has spent nearly five years producing parallel domestic content opposing U.S. AI infrastructure, AI labs, and AI export controls."
The report argues that the campaign against American AI infrastructure creates a strategic advantage for Beijing at a time when China is aggressively investing in its own AI capabilities.
"While Beijing's state media warns American audiences that data centers are environmentally and economically dangerous, the Chinese state subsidizes up to half of the energy costs of its own AI data center operators," the report states.
KEVIN O'LEARY WARNS CHINA 'KICKING OUR HEINIES' IN AI RACE AS REGULATORY ROADBLOCKS STALL US
The issue has become increasingly prominent as policymakers, investors and technology leaders warn that the U.S. risks falling behind China if it fails to rapidly expand the computing infrastructure needed to power next-generation AI systems.
One of the most vocal advocates for expanded AI infrastructure has been billionaire investor Kevin O'Leary, who has argued that data centers, power generation and advanced computing capacity are now strategic assets in the global competition for artificial intelligence leadership.
The broader concern raised by Cotton, O'Leary, the Bitcoin Policy Institute and others is that pro-China campaigns opposing U.S. AI infrastructure are advancing narratives that ultimately benefit Beijing as the U.S. States and China battle for technological and economic supremacy.
BERNIE SANDERS' PLANS TO SCHMOOZE WITH TOP BEIJING AI EXPERTS IGNITES BACKLASH: 'HOLY SH--'
Earlier this year, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandrio Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), both leaders in the Democratic Socialists of America, organized an event on the "existential threat of AI." The event featured speakers closely affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, including Zeng Yi of the Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance and Xue Lan, a counselor to China's State Council and chairman of China's national AI governance committee. Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Yi and Lan didn't respond to requests for comment.
Cotton noted in his letter that Lan is affiliated with Tsinghua University, an institution frequently scrutinized by U.S. officials because of its role in China's military-civil fusion strategy.
As reported, last fall, during a conference of the "Global South Academic Forum," which Fox News Digital first reported, Singham publicly praised the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese President Xi Jinping's global campaign for a "new world order."
Kansas boy discovers 15-foot marine reptile fossil from 85 million years ago during geology field trip
A Kansas boy searching for fossils during a geology club field trip stumbled onto something far bigger than expected: the remains of a 15-foot-long marine reptile that swam an ancient sea 85 million years ago.
Corbin Bullard was just 11 years old when he spotted several large vertebrae protruding from rock at a quarry near his hometown of Clearwater, Kansas, during a September 2025 outing with the Sedgwick County 4-H Geology Club.
"I didn't know what it was, but I knew that it was something big," Bullard told FOX Local.
Over the course of three additional excavation trips, Bullard and fellow club members carefully uncovered nearly an entire tylosaurus, a massive marine reptile that ruled the seas during the Cretaceous Period.
DINOSAUR FOSSILS UNEARTHED DURING PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION AT NATIONAL PARK
The fossil measured more than 15 feet long and included everything from the animal's enormous skull to most of its skeleton.
LIMPING DINOSAUR'S TWISTED PATH PUZZLES PALEONTOLOGISTS, 150 MILLION YEARS LATER: 'VERY RARE'
The ancient predator lived roughly 82 million to 87 million years ago, according to researchers who dated the specimen to the Smoky Hill Chalk formation, a fossil-rich layer of rock that stretches across parts of Kansas.
The discovery emerged from a quarry where commercial crews routinely shave away layers of rock, exposing relics hidden for millions of years. Before Bullard's find, club members had mostly uncovered shark teeth and fish fossils.
Now 12 and preparing to enter seventh grade, Bullard plans to display the fossil's skull at the Sedgwick County Fair in July.
"I hope [the judges] say that it looks really nice and that we put a lot of effort into it," he said.
Bill Gates faces House investigators over Jeffrey Epstein ties
House lawmakers are turning their focus to billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates as congressional investigators press ahead with their probe into Jeffrey Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Gates will participate in a voluntary interview with the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Members on the panel are expected to pepper him with questions about his relationship with Epstein, which occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 prison term for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The interview will take place behind closed doors, though a transcript is expected to be made available at a later date.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., invited Gates to testify before the committee after he appeared multiple times across millions of documents released by the federal government as part of its criminal probe against Epstein.
EPSTEIN FALLOUT GROWS AS DOJ WATCHDOG DIGS DEEPER INTO HANDLING OF THE CASE
Gates and Epstein were shown corresponding, including discussions about the tech billionaire's philanthropy work and socializing between 2011 and 2014. Epstein later killed himself in 2019 after being indicted on federal sex trafficking charges.
According to the files, Epstein appeared to discover Gates’ extramarital affairs with two Russian women during his marriage to Melinda French Gates, which the tech billionaire has said did not involve Epstein’s victims.
Gates has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has denied knowledge about Epstein’s sex crimes against minors.
"I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit," Gates said, according to a town hall recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, adding it was a "huge mistake" to spend time with Epstein.
BILL GATES: 'FOOLISH' TO SPEND TIME WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN
A spokesperson for Gates previously told Fox News Digital that he welcomed the opportunity to testify before the committee.
"While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work," the spokesperson said.
The Microsoft founder is the latest influential figure to testify before the oversight panel in connection to the Epstein probe. Billionaire businessman Les Wexner, former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have also participated in interviews with the committee.
Kathryn Ruemmler, former White House counsel to former President Barack Obama, and Leon Black, co-founder of investment firm Apollo Global Management, are expected to sit for interviews in the coming weeks.
Lawmakers have pointed to Gates’ association with Epstein after his conviction as a key focus of their inquiry.
"We've said we don't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat or who you are, the fact that Mr. Gates still had a relationship with Mr. Epstein, even after knowing about the conviction, knowing actually what he had done, I think is very concerning," House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., told reporters Tuesday. "So we want to know what did Mr. Gates know, who else was around that orbit and why Mr. Gates continued to have a relationship with Mr. Epstein. I think those are important questions."
Fox News' Dan Scully contributed to this report.
Why the under 4.5 through five innings is the play in Nationals-Giants with Foster Griffin facing Robbie Ray
I took a hit on my baseball plays last week. Part of the problem is that I've been too focused on hockey and basketball, and part of it was just bad luck. I did get some money back on my loss from last week as I took Christopher Sanchez last night to beat the Blue Jays on the run line. He did that without much issue.
Today, we are back on the diamond, but taking on a different series as the Washington Nationals play the San Francisco Giants.
The Nationals have been surprisingly good this year. For a team that most expected to compete for one of the worst records in baseball, I have to give them a bit of credit. There are fewer than 100 games remaining and they have a winning record. Let's not start selling playoff tickets or anything, but this is still good work out of Washington. The young players seem like they are getting things together, and it is clicking for now.
They send out Foster Griffin to the hill in hopes of sweeping the Giants this series. Griffin is one of those youngsters who has been delivering for the Nationals this year. Only, he's not all that young. He is 30, but he never really had a full chance until this season. He is dealing. Griffin has a 7-2 record with a 3.63 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He has been better on the road, but I wouldn't call his numbers fantastic. He has the upper hand today as the Giants have never really seen him, but he actually performs better the second and third times through a lineup.
The Giants are not quite a disaster, but they are teetering on that term for the season. They are 27-41 and despite a lineup full of great players, they are basically inept on offense. With a losing record, it isn't much of a surprise, but they have been bad at home, too. They are 12-18 at home, and part of me does wonder if their manager is to blame for any of this. Without any major league experience, they trust their club to Tony Vitello.
It isn't like Vitello is hitting for them. His goal is to put guys in spots to succeed and draw out the best for his team. I'd argue that managers in baseball make the fewest impactful decisions of any of the big four coaches. However, I'm sure there is more strategy than I'll ever understand. A pretty simple approach to the game is to take Robbie Ray and put him on the mound. That's what he gets to do today. Ray has been average this year. He is 4-6 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has been better at home, posting a sub-3 ERA over six starts. If you're going to boost your confidence in him anywhere, it would be in San Francisco.
Ray also has been very good in his past performances against Nationals hitters. He has been hittable, but not offered much. The Nationals hitters are just 6-for-31 against Ray, good for a .193 batting average. Griffin just needs to keep doing what he does in order to keep the Giants' bats quiet.
This does feel like a game the Giants should win. I've been impressed enough with Griffin's stuff that he is hard to fade. Even with Ray on the mound, the Giants still need to score runs to win. I don't see the runs coming against Griffin for five innings, and I think Ray should be reliable for five innings. Give me the under 4.5 through five in this one.
Top takeaways from primary elections in Maine and South Carolina and more top headlines
1. Top takeaways from primary elections in Maine, South Carolina
2. US military strikes 20 targets inside Iran
3. Family of slain track star confronts Karmelo Anthony after guilty verdict, sentencing
EXECUTIVE WIN — Trump locks in ICE funding through end of presidency after House passes $70B package. Continue reading …
WHISTLE BLOWN — Trump admin official reveals why Somali World Cup ref was sent back home. Continue reading …
‘INCONSISTENT’ — Phone call recording reveals what missing American woman's husband let slip. Continue reading …
‘A LOT OF FUN’ — German soccer fan's southern road trip goes viral as he falls in love with America. Continue reading …
HEARTBREAK IN BLUE — Sports world mourns after college football prospect found dead on campus at age 20. Continue reading …
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SIN CITY SHOWDOWN — Dem rep who went on expletive-laden anti-Trump rant wins primary. Continue reading …
ELECTION INFLUENCER — Trump rekindles endorsement winning streak as GOP gubernatorial hopeful advances to runoff. Continue reading …
GOLDEN STATE GAMBLE — Billionaire activist points fingers while conceding California gubernatorial bid. Continue reading …
PECKING ORDER — JD Vance adds custom chicken coop to official digs with one key twist. Continue reading …
ACROSS THE AISLE — Bill Maher to appear in Charlie Kirk documentary, remembers loving his interview with the TPUSA leader. Continue reading …
VACANCY SIGN — LA Hotels hit by largest job losses in a decade as 'Olympic Wage' mandates bite. Continue reading …
COURT OF OPINION — Whoopi Goldberg scolds 'The View' audience for blaming Knicks loss on Trump's presence. Continue reading …
NO BACKBONE — Jon Stewart takes aim at NBC host's response to Trump after he stormed off set. Continue reading …
DINO LAVERGHETTA — Could the next Chinese threat walk into your kitchen on two battery-powered legs? Continue reading …
TED JENKIN — Here's why universal basic income would be a disaster for America’s future. Continue reading …
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GAME CHANGER — WNBA legend says players wouldn't have gotten $2.2B deal without Caitlin Clark. Continue reading …
BITE OF HONESTY — Raising Cane's owner admits there's one side dish he won't eat — and it's still on the menu. Continue reading …
SCARY SCENE — Navy employee swimming during lunch break attacked by shark near Florida base. Continue reading …
AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on music milestones and patriotic pursuits. Take the quiz here …
MARK BEDNAR — Former Speaker McCarthy aide analyzes Graham Platner's controversial primary win. See video …
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QR code menus headline readers' biggest food and restaurant gripes
It’s Wednesday, which means that it’s time to take inventory of everything we hate in another edition of The Gripe Report.
Last week, in an edition some are calling "historic," "monumental," and "meh, it was something good to read on the can," I talked about some of my biggest food gripes.
Stuff like restaurants that insist on planks of wood being better than good old-fashioned plates (they’re not), foods with outlandish flavors meant to make you go, "Whoa, that’s weird," and how brunch just isn't what it used to be.
So, I figured it was time to toss the keys to readers who wrote in with their opinions on some of these topics and more.
Let’s start with the ruining of what is a great concept on paper — brunch — with some takes from Brunch-hater Jim:
I’m 56. My dad died 17 years ago. He hated brunch until the day he died, and he passed it to me. His feeling was that you couldn’t get a project started in the morning if you had to go to brunch. And by the time you got home, there wasn’t enough time to get one done (not to mention the issue if you’d had a few cocktails).
And you’re right, it’s impossible to get reservations. I made the mistake of waiting until the Tuesday night before Mother’s Day this year. Nothing available other than a high-top in the bar section of one place, and that was shot down by the mother in question.
Finally found a place with a nice patio, albeit one not known for breakfast food. But their website bragged about Mother’s Day brunch. So, I made a reservation only to get there and find out that they had two items on the menu. Steak and eggs or eggs Benedict. Good thing my wife likes eggs Benedict.
Brunch sucks.
…
I never really thought about brunch as the most inconveniently timed meal there is.
It really does take up your morning and a chunk, if not all of your afternoon. It’s a commitment.
As Jim mentioned, getting brunch reservations is always a nightmare, but don’t get me started on Mother’s Day brunch.
That’s a tradition for my family as well, and it almost always sneaks up on me. Then I’m left scrambling trying to find a place. Sure, there are lots of places, but all of the best ones fill up in a hurry.
Also, if you’re a restaurant that only has two items on the menu, you shouldn’t be allowed to call it brunch. I don’t know what you call it, but brunch is supposed to be the who’s who of menus where eggs Benedict stands shoulder to shoulder with burgers and fish tacos.
It’s a thing of beauty, and I think that joint with two menu items just fundamentally misunderstands the spirit of brunch.
They just understood that the name is a portmanteau of brunch and lunch.
It was a big week for Jims, because Jim T. (no word on his feelings on brunch) wrote in about his disdain for restaurants that seem to have a singular goal of making everything QR code-centric:
I get that we're in the digital age now - heck, I built from scratch one of the first daily newspaper websites in the country in another life, and converted another daily from film and wax paste-up to digital production.
I'm on board.
But asking for an actual menu at a restaurant doesn't seem like it's asking for too much. Kinda strikes me as part of your base-level overhead.
A buddy and I went to a sit-down brewhouse chain in SoCal a few years back, and the hostess greeted us and took us to a table. She turned to leave, and my buddy asked if we could get menus. She looked at us like we were idiots (not entirely unfair, in my case), and pointed to the QR code on the label in the middle of the table.
POPULAR PIZZA CHAINS FACE BACKLASH OVER SURGING MENU PRICES
At the time, I had a cell phone that barely qualified as smart - it didn't do QR codes. (On the other hand, it did just fine at making phone calls and getting emails and was paid for). I explained this to her - and in response got a loud sigh. She went and got two paper menus for us.
When we were done and getting ready to leave, my buddy asked the waitress if we could get our tab to close out.
She again pointed to the QR code - we were expected to pay via an app, I guess.
GUY FIERI NEVER EATS THESE 6 FOODS — WOULD YOU?
She, too, sighed, and then brought us a receipt and took our cards.
Didn't get a tip, either.
…
I’m 30 years old, which means I kind of came up with QR codes, and even I want those things to get bent.
The first time I used one to look at a menu, I felt like George Jetson, but as soon as the novelty wore off, I was like, "Give me a physical menu, please."
The menu is part of the experience of going out to eat. It’s like holding a big gastronomic map and using it to plot your course.
"We’ll start off with the mozzarella sticks and then maybe take a detour into the onion ring country before we get back on track to the French dip district, then, finally, I think we’ll call it a day in bread pudding burrough…"
I don’t like paying by QR either, mainly because it’s never been super clear at places that go this route that this is how it’s done.
My wife and I recently went to a restaurant that we’ve been to many times that pulled the rug out from under us and switched to QR pay.
The server came to our table, and I was like, "We’ll just take the check," and she just nodded.
After a moment of confused silence, she pointed at this chunk of clear acrylic with what looked like a business card trapped in it like a mosquito trapped in amber.
Turns out that’s how you pay, but it was also how you look at the menu.
It was complete madness, and that’s for me, someone who is fairly tech savvy.
I can’t imagine not being tech savvy and being faced with this dilemma.
I’d probably just run out of the restaurant without paying and screaming like Rainman.
Last week, I talked about my issues with buying avocados. It’s not that I don’t know how to pick a good ‘cado; it’s just that the universe is conspiring against me to make it way harder than it needs to be.
Fortunately, Mike, AKA the Avocado Whisperer, has a foolproof plan to ensure top-top avocados.
Your avocado buying lesson begins now:
NUTRITION EXPERTS REVEAL 5 OF THE HEALTHIEST NUT OPTIONS FOR YOUR DIET
First, find a store (for me it's Sprouts here in Las Vegas) where produce is a priority, and the person placing the avocados from the box to the bin doesn't hate their job and slam the avocados into the bin as I've seen many times.
Second, walk up to the bin and survey all of the avocados. Never choose from the front, as typical avocado buyers squeeze 5 or 6 before choosing. Each squeeze becomes a black bruise in a day. Look around the back of the bin or even under other avocados for the one that hasn't been touched and has just enough green that it will be ripe the next day. If you need an avocado for the same day, no green and brown is the way to go. For the next 3 days, get one that is mostly green. No avocado lasts longer than three days.
Third, treat your chosen avocados like eggs. Do not allow them to hit anything in your basket, and load them on the checkout last. Or even better, use self-checkout to avoid the evil, uncaring cashier or bag person.
And last, store them only on top of the refrigerator where they will comfortably ripen slowly, unmolested.
I rarely get a bad avocado using this method.
…
This.
This is the greatest crash course in avocado selection, care, and maintenance I have ever read.
Mike should sell this as an E-book, because it just saved all of us probably $20 a year in rancid avocados.
He also pointed out something I’ve noticed too, and that is the disrespect a lot of cashiers show for produce.
They’ll treat eggs like they’re, well, Faberge eggs, but not produce.
I swear, I’ve had checkout people ring up a bag of Honeycrisp apples, then practically Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sky hook them onto that metal staging area where they bag everything up.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Thanks for that.
Few fruits are robust enough to handle that. Maybe some melons. Cantaloupe, yes; honeydew, no; watermelon, maybe; and casaba, who the hell knows?
I’m an adult man who still has no idea what those actually are.
It’s up there with cumquats and rhubarb on my list of produce I’ve heard about my entire life but could not identify in a police lineup.
…
That’s it for this week’s Gripe Report.
If you want your gripe to be featured in a future edition like these fellas — no, heroes — then be sure to send it to matthew.reigle@outkick.com.