| | | | | | | | | | | Axios Sports | | By Kendall Baker · Jul 05, 2022 | | 🇺🇸 Good morning! Welcome back. Today's word count: 1,782 words (6 minutes). Let's sports... | | | | | | 1 big thing: ⚾️ Sliders are surging |  Data: FanGraphs; Chart: Axios Visuals Fastballs are being thrown less than half the time for the first time in recorded MLB history, replaced mostly by sliders, Axios' Jeff Tracy and I write. Why it matters: The increasing prevalence of sliders has contributed to the league-wide batting average decrease. This year's mark, .242, is the lowest since 1967. By the numbers: While fastball usage has declined from 57.7% to 48.8% during the Statcast era (2015-present), slider usage has increased from 14.7% to 22.2%. - Batters aren't thrilled with that role reversal: Entering Monday, they were hitting just .209 against sliders this season.
- That's the lowest mark of any of the five pitches thrown at least 2% of the time (fastball, slider, curve, changeup, cutter).
Between the lines: Sliders are essentially faster curveballs with less movement (or slower cutters with more movement). When the pitch first came to prominence in the 1910s, it was referred to as a "nickel curve." - While curveballs break vertically and are thrown with a downward yank, sliders "slide" laterally and are thrown with a special grip and finger pressure.
- The risk: If a slider doesn't break as much as a pitcher hopes, it "hangs" in the strike zone, allowing hitters to tee off on a pitch with fairly straight trajectory and sub-fastball velocity.
What they're saying: "It's not just the volume of sliders that's on the rise — it's the quality," writes SI's Tom Verducci. "Thanks to high-tech pitching labs and coaches skilled in biomechanics … the average slider spins 14% faster today than it did in 2015." - "Moreover, in that same time pitchers have added five inches to their extension on sliders — the point where they release the pitch."
- "More extension means less time for a hitter to react and more finish on the break of the pitch."
The bottom line: Sliders are having a moment. That's bad news for hitters. |     | | | | | | 2. 🇷🇺 Griner pens Biden: "I'm terrified" |  | | | Brittney Griner arrives at her hearing outside Moscow. Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images | | | | Brittney Griner, detained in Russia for nearly five months, has made a direct appeal to President Biden, urging him to help secure her release. "[A]s I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever." "I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! ... I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home." — Part of Griner's handwritten letter, which was delivered to the White House on Monday Catch up quick: Griner was arrested on Feb. 17, after Russian authorities allegedly found cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. She was there to play basketball, as many WNBA players do in the offseason. - Griner's trial began Friday, where she faces drug charges that carry up to 10 years in prison. The WNBA star's detention was extended last week for another six months.
- She's been held in a lockup called Correctional Colony No. 1, a former orphanage with "tall, gray walls, old prison bars and a rusty monument to Lenin in the courtyard," per NYT.
The outlook: Griner's trial is likely to end in a conviction, according to experts. Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted — and, unlike in the U.S., acquittals can be overturned. - A prisoner swap is probably Griner's best chance to come home, and there have reportedly been discussions about trading her and fellow American detainee Paul Whelan for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
- Griner's trial resumes Thursday, and there's a strong chance she pleads guilty, per ESPN, knowing that Russian officials would require an admission of guilt as part of any trade.
🎥 Watch ... 60 Minutes: Wrongful detainees (YouTube) | | | | | | | | 3. 🎾 Why Wimbledon's grass is so tricky |  | | | Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images | | | | Wimbledon's grass courts present players with two unique challenges: remembering how to play on a rarely used surface and adjusting to that surface's changing temperament, Jeff writes. State of play: Though three of the four Grand Slams were once played on grass, it's now resigned to a handful of summer events. That lack of reps can psyche some players out as they navigate the tricky surface. - Balls bounce faster, lower and with less predictability on grass. That's why players with the best racket skills tend to perform well at the All England Club.
- Rafael Nadal's patented topspin shot is less effective with Wimbledon's deadened bounces, whereas shots like Roger Federer's slicing backhand reign supreme.
Yes, but: As the tournament's second week continues in London, that once-pristine grass has turned dry and the soil beneath it has hardened. - Returning players have a distinct advantage on this "new" surface: They're experienced in dealing with the grass as it turns to dust and dirt, tennis analytics pioneer Craig O'Shannessy tells NYT.
- The second-week grass also produces higher bounces that make topspin even more effective, which is good news for Nadal: He's in the quarters for just the third time since 2011.
Where it stands: The quarterfinals begin today. - Men: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 10 Jannik Sinner (8:30am ET); No. 9 Cameron Norrie vs. David Goffin (9:15am); No. 2 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 11 Taylor Fritz (Wednesday); Cristian Garín vs. Nick Kyrgios (Wednesday)
- Women: Tatjana Maria vs. Jule Niemeier (8am); No. 3 Ons Jabeur vs. Marie Bouzková (10:30am); No. 17 Elena Rybakina vs. Ajla Tomljanović (Wednesday); No. 16 Simona Halep vs. No. 20 Amanda Anisimova (Wednesday)
Go deeper: Wimbledon's ban and COVID have opened the door for new faces (WashPost) | | | | | | | | A message from Axios | | Share Axios Sports and earn rewards | | |  | | | | Get free Axios merchandise when you refer your friends to Axios Local. The more subscribers you refer, the bigger the rewards! Start sharing. | | | | | | 4. ⚡️ Lightning round |  | | | Giannis Antetokounmpo on draft night. Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images | | | | 🏀 Last man standing: With Rudy Gobert off to Minnesota, the only player from the 2013 NBA draft that is still on the team they debuted with is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pretty nuts. ⚾️ MLB history: The Cardinals became the first team to hit four straight HRs in the first inning. The Astros had a record-tying 20 strikeouts against the Angels. The Twins turned the first 8-5 triple play. ⛳️ Golf roundup: Branden Grace earned $4.4 million for winning LIV's first U.S. event. Tiger Woods headlined a star-studded JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland. J.T. Poston went wire-to-wire at the John Deere Classic. ⚽️ Superstar moves: Mo Salah will remain at Liverpool through 2025. Neymar could leave PSG. Cristiano Ronaldo wants out at Man United. Gabriel Jesus signed with Arsenal. 🚨 Bridges arrested: Hornets restricted free agent Miles Bridges was charged with felony domestic violence in Los Angeles on Friday. He's been released on $130,000 bond and has a July 20 court date. | | | | | | | | 5. 🏀 Knicks break "Charlie Ward curse" |  | | | Charlie Ward (L) and Mitchell Robinson. Photos: G Fiume/Getty Images; Steven Ryan/Getty Images | | | | Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks' 2018 second-round draft pick, has signed a four-year, $60 million extension to stay in New York through 2026, Jeff writes. Why it matters: Robinson is the first Knicks draft pick since Charlie Ward in 1994 to sign a multiyear extension with the team — a truly absurd streak spanning 37 picks. - 1995: No picks
- 1996: John Wallace, Walter McCarty, Dontae' Jones
- 1997: John Thomas
- 1998: DeMarco Johnson, Sean Marks
- 1999: Frédéric Weis, J.R. Koch
- 2000: Donnell Harvey, Lavor Postell
- 2001: Michael Wright, Eric Chenowith
- 2002: Nenê Hilário
- 2003: Mike Sweetney, Maciej Lampe, Slavko Vraneš
- 2004: Trevor Ariza
- 2005: Channing Frye, David Lee, Dijon Thompson
- 2006: Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins
- 2007: Wilson Chandler
- 2008: Danilo Gallinari
- 2009: Jordan Hill
- 2010: Andy Rautins, Landry Fields
- 2011: Iman Shumpert
- 2012: Kostas Papanikolaou
- 2013: Tim Hardaway Jr.
- 2014: Cleanthony Early, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
- 2015: Kristaps Porziņģis
- 2016: No picks
- 2017: Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson, Ognjen Jaramaz
- 2018: Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson
What's next: R.J. Barrett, drafted a year after Robinson, is expected to secure his own extension next year. Perhaps that will start a new streak that helps Knicks nation put the "Charlie Ward curse" firmly behind them. Go deeper: NBA free agency tracker (CBS Sports) | | | | | | | | 6. 🇺🇸 Photos across America | | Joey Chestnut confronts a protester. Photo: Bobby Bank/Getty Images NEW YORK — Joey "Jaws" Chestnut powered down 63 hot dogs and buns to win his 15th title Monday at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. He also, uh, choked out a protester. Photo: Jason Miller/USFL/Getty Images CANTON, Ohio — The inaugural season of the rebooted USFL ended in thrilling fashion on Sunday, with the Birmingham Stallions beating the Philadelphia Stars, 33-30, in a game that had everything. Alexander Volkanovski hits Max Holloway in the face. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images LAS VEGAS — Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight) beat Max Holloway for a third time, Israel Adesanya (middleweight) defended his crown for a fifth time and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone retired at UFC 276. Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Beau Reddick enjoyed a nap in victory lane after his dad, Tyler, raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series win on Sunday in his 92nd career start. | | | | | | | | 7. 🌍 Photos around the world | | Miss you, Fed. Photo: Shi Tang/Getty Images LONDON — Roger Federer's absence has left a void at Wimbledon, where he's won a record eight men's singles titles. "I hope I can come back one more time," he said during Sunday's Centre Court 100-year celebration. Photo: Lars Laursen/AFP via Getty Images ROSKILDE, Denmark — The Tour de France took riders across the Great Belt Bridge this weekend. It's one of the largest suspension bridges in the world and connects the two main islands of Denmark. Zhou Guanyu's car flying off the track (you can see his white helmet just inches from the ground). Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images SILVERSTONE, England — Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu is OK after flipping over the tire barrier in a terrifying crash at the British Grand Prix. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. won the race, his first career F1 victory. Greece and Italy battle during the Men's Water Polo World Championships. Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images BUDAPEST, Hungary — Photos just look cooler underwater. | | | | | | | | 8. 📺 Watchlist: AL East clash at Fenway |  | | | Fenway Park, you're gorgeous. Photo: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images | | | | The Red Sox host the Rays at Fenway Park tonight (7pm ET, TBS) as division rivals jockey for position in the mighty AL East. - State of play: If the season ended today, Boston (45-35) and Tampa Bay (43-37) would be two of the three AL Wild Card teams. Division foe Toronto (44-37) would be the third.
- By the numbers: The five AL East teams have a combined 227 wins so far this season. No other division has more than 208.
More to watch: | | | | | | | | 9. ⚾️ MLB trivia |  | | | Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch during his 250th career game on Saturday. Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images | | | | Gerrit Cole's 1,790 strikeouts are the third-most in MLB history through 250 career games. - Question: Which two pitchers had more?
- Hint: Both are lefties. One is still active.
Answer at the bottom. | | | | | | | | 10. 🎥 Top plays: July 4th Weekend | | Source: Giphy - 🏒 Filthy finish
- ⚾️ Leaps into the netting!
- ⛸ Quadruple axel
- ⚾️ Somehow runs it down
- ⚾️ Nifty play
- ⚽️ Alex Morgan!
- 🏈 What a pick
- ⛳️ Streelman ace
- ⚾️ Bobby Witt Jr.!
- 🥍 Backhand shovel
Watch all 10. | | | | | | | | A message from Axios | | Share Axios Sports and earn rewards | | |  | | | | Get free Axios merchandise when you refer your friends to Axios Local. The more subscribers you refer, the bigger the rewards! Start sharing. | | | | Talk tomorrow, Kendall "Knicks gonna Knick" Baker Trivia answer: Randy Johnson (1,877 strikeouts through 250 games) and Clayton Kershaw (1,800) 🙏 Thanks for reading. Follow us on Twitter: @kendallbaker and @jeffreytracy. Tell your friends to sign up. |  | It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications. | | | | | | Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here.
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