Comment on SEC East heats up with pivotal matchups this weekend as Western powers take the week off

Brenton Doyle’s star keeps getting brighter. The Gold Glove center fielder delivered a bases-loaded, two-run double in the eighth inning to power the Rockies to a stirring 4-2 victory over Kansas City on Friday night at Coors Field. Doyle ripped John Schreiber’s 1-0 sinker into the right-field corner. Doyle finished the game 3 for 4 and has gone 10-for-15 (.667) with four doubles and three home runs over four games on the current homestand.

The Colorado Avalanche signed its final restricted free agent remaining Friday, inking forward Jason Polin to a one-year contract. Polin, 25, was an undrafted free agent from Western Michigan at the end of the 2022-23 season. He had one goal in seven games with the Avalanche in his first full season as a pro, spending most of his year with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. He had four goals and 10 points in 42 games for the Eagles.

After an offseason of change within the Broncos’ roster, cornerback Pat Surtain II understands that his fourth season in the NFL comes with more responsibilities outside of defending the league’s top wide receivers. With the departure of key players, including All-Pro safety and veteran voice Justin Simmons, the former Alabama standout is expected to take on a leadership role on defense.

The Colorado Rapids came back from a 1-0 deficit to Sporting Kansas City to win 2-1 on a penalty kick by midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, four minutes into stoppage time, on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

One week into an unusually glacial season of NBA free agency, there remains one non-negotiable truth: The Western Conference is intimidatingly good. While the wait continues for Denver to get involved in the business of adding players, we pause to rank the West from worst to best. Where do the Nuggets stand among the 15 teams? 15.

Redemption is always sweeter when you know you’re about to be suspended. In front of a sellout crowd at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Thursday, the Rapids put on a show in the second half against Sporting Kansas City. Many fans may have come for the post-game fireworks show, but a gritty 2-1 win in the dying moments of the game may have them coming back for more than just pyrotechnics. Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic contributed to both Rapids goals, but also recorded his fifth yellow card of the season, which means he will miss Sunday’s reverse fixture against St.