… One day after she threw the most precious first pitch in the history of first pitches, Justin Verlander’s daughter Genevieve ran out to escort Dad from an MLB mound for the final time in his Hall of Fame career. Tears flowed freely, most notably from Verlander himself. There were so many standing ovations across baseball this weekend that Neil Patrick Harris apparently got jealous and decided to star in “Damn Yankees” on Broadway next spring. 

The Laver Cup gaveth, and it didn’t taketh away. The prestige tennis tournament, won by Team Europe, was a content goldmine. We got this perfect Carlos Alcaraz interview that involved an audience proposal. We were also gifted these equally perfect suits and Carlos and Flavio’s picks for best-dressed.  

If I had a nickel for every time the Jonas Brothers had to reschedule their concert because of the WNBA playoffs, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice. 

On the heels of “One Tree Hill” maxing out the nostalgia meter with a commemorative basketball game, Drake is reminding everyone that, before he was anything else, he was Jimmy Brooks on “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” OVO launched a Degrassi-themed collection for the show’s 25th anniversary, including jerseys and a varsity jacket. 

Joon Lee went to COSM Los Angeles (lucky), and seemingly had a nice time with Mike Golic Jr. His immersive write-up and video here. 

The WNBA Playoffs started yesterday, and there were some surprises. Since we aren’t one to cover on-court happenings (hello…our name is OffBall), I figured I’d do a vibes-based bracket for this first round. 

Liberty vs. Lynx: In a move none of us saw coming, the Liberty stole Game 1. I’m remaining unbiased for this segment, despite my Liberty fandom, so let me just say that I have no idea how that happened, mostly because we still haven’t figured out what their on-court identity is (these outfits feel like a metaphor for that). But since Lynx guard Olivia Miles’ mic’d up “I’m nervous lowkey” moment was kind of the team’s only good vibe moment (also their coordinated dances) on Sunday I’m going to give the W to the Liberty here. Plus, they have Leonie Fiebich (please click on that).

WINNER: Liberty

Mystics vs. Dream: This might be the toughest matchup in the first round to vibe-check (or at least until I get to the next one). The Mystics, aka the Young Hos (forgive our misspelling, we didn’t know at the time they didn’t include the E in “hos”) have some of the most vibrant players in the league. They’re kind of the WNBA’s very own Hype House. But the Dream have Angel Reese, a behemoth of a personality, and a player I’d argue is culture personified. Plus, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are still giving us their snack taste test videos, despite basically neither ever liking any of the snacks. Even though I have the Dream as my darkhorse to win it all, I’m going to give it to the Mystics, because they're just so frigging cute. Sue me. 

WINNER: Mystics

Wings vs. Valkyries: Ok, this is the toughest matchup yet. The Wings have Paige. They have Azzi. They have Alanna Smith. They have Arike. They’re asking (and answering) the important questions. 

The Valkyries have Gabby Williams and Kaitlyn Chen and Too $hort (he performed at halftime on Sunday). 

The Valks make a compelling case, but I’m going to give it to the Wings because wherever Paige Bueckers is, that’s where the vibe is. She’s undeniably one of the best parts of the league. Plus, the Valks will probably win it all, so they’re not shedding a tear over my little bracket. 

WINNER: WINGS

Fever vs. Aces: Ok, no, THIS is the toughest matchup yet, no more wavering on my part. Similar to Angel or Paige, Caitlin Clark commands a room like no one else. Her fans would die for her, and after a very fun FIBA World Cup, even her haters have come around. The intense discourse has quieted. And Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston are the best.

But the Aces crushed the Fever in game one, so the vibes might not be so great going forward. Between GOAT A’ja Wilson, and ballers Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, the Aces have some of the best chemistry in the league, but they’re secretly some of the funniest players as well. So, I’m giving it to them. They’re the only team I’d say could easily win the vibes competition and the WNBA title. 

WINNER: Aces

This past weekend’s season premiere of SNL, hosted by Jalen Brunson, is worth watching, but in case you didn’t have time to do so, here are the sketches you’ll want to see. Before I dive into them, I want to commend Jalen Brunson for fully delving into every character he played. In a world of athletes trying to appear nonchalant, it’s encouraging that a household name is so unafraid of being entirely chalant. And we are all better for it. 

Ok, now here are the best of the best. 

Jalen Brunson as Darius Barcelona, aka “Office Shooter.” 

“Young Rell” and his inflated payroll of posse-members with unnecessary jobs. This one was actually cut for time, and I cannot imagine why. 

This High School Musical knockoff. 

His opening monologue, which features the rest of the Knicks starting five. Though I’m not sure what Mikal’s joke was (still love you, Mikal). 

This one where a bunch of people try to scam him into giving them money.

And last, and probably least but still worth watching, is this sketch where Jalen plays a tired traveler making inappropriate noises in a massage chair.