Box Score 10/14: Girardi, Kaep, horror and Kershaw

Welcome to the Yardbarker Box Score, what we're reading while waiting for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Lynx-Sparks.

Happy birthday to Joe Girardi, Stephen A. Smith and Javon Walker. On this date in 1908 the Baseball Writers of America was formed to ensure people would argue over who was or wasn't worthy of a plaque over hundred years later.

Around the league:

• If you're a famous Premier League footballer and need someone to take of the post important things in your life, like setting up a marriage proposal in a Scottish castle or how to get the best car for your wife you call this guy, the fixer. [NYT]
• SI reports on the sprawling impact of Jose Fernandez's death on the baseball and Cuban-American community. [SI]
• Puck Daddy examines what rookie phenom Auston Matthews means for means for American youth hockey and diversity. [Puck Daddy]
• According to Deadspin, FIFA 17 is already $20 on Amazon. Our Sam Greszes gave the game a solid review, so if you we're waiting to buy this might be the time. [Deadspin]

YB ICYMI: 

"What we do know is we have perhaps the most politically pitched NFL game in, well, my memory, at least. On one side, there’s Colin Kaepernick, who has inspired a movement not only across the NFL but all levels of football and even other parts of the sports landscape to join a protest decrying police violence against minorities. On the other, there’s Rex Ryan, a white Trump supporter who not only has the benefit of privilege but also nepotism being the son of another NFL head coach. Like, Trump he's long been willing to shoot his mouth off just to get attention. Thankfully, at least, he seems less inclined to molest women. Either way, you couldn't find two more politically opposed figures in the league right now. " - Let’s project all our dumb politics on this one NFL game

"The Indians were the busiest base running team in baseball this year, leading the Majors in stolen bases, as well as runs created on the base paths. Conversely, Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin only threw out 15% of would-be base thieves, by and far the worst total of his career. Just as recently as last year, Martin was a run-stopper behind the plate, leading the AL by cutting down 44% of runners. So the track record is there to say proceed with caution, but the current returns indicate to try him as often as possible. The Indians should release Rajai Davis (who posted an AL-best 43 steals) and company often to put the pressure on Blue Jay pitchers with runners in scoring position as much as possible." - Three reasons why the Cleveland Indians could make (or miss) the World Series

"There are also those horror movies that were made just because they could be. Horror movies are typically among the cheapest type of film to make and has a built in audience if you have the right hook. Maybe it is a killer turkey, killer clowns or a killer piece of rubber. Doesn't matter since they all got made and several went on to have some even worse sequels. Below are twelve of the cheesiest, goofiest and god-awful movies that you just have to see to believe." - Cheesiest horror movies to get through the scariest month

"This movement has reached hockey in recent years, as researchers have uncovered several new ways of understanding the game beyond the traditional stats like goals, assists, and plus/minus. These new analytics can help us understand why a team is over or under-performing, and whether that performance is sustainable. They can also help us appreciate unsung players who do more for their team than we may realize, because they don't put up flashy traditional numbers." - What's a Corsi? A primer on advanced hockey statistics

About last night...