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Voters react to Gov. Tim Walz claiming abortion is a ‘basic human right’

Voters in Fox News Digital’s debate dial group had mixed reactions in real time to VP Harris’ runningmate, Gov. Tim Walz’s argument in favor of abortion during the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate against Sen. JD Vance.

When Walz was asked whether he supports abortion up until the ninth month supported as Minnesota is one of the least restrictive states for abortion, he responded, ‘That’s not what the bill says.’

While Republican voters dipped significantly as Walz spoke, independent and Democratic voters stayed mostly in the approval zone.

‘What we did is restore Roe v. Wade, we made sure that we put women in charge of their healthcare,’ Walz said.

Independents dipped slightly in approval while Democratic voters shot up during his statement. The two eventually evened out and stayed in the approval zone. 

‘This is a basic human right,’ he later said.

The independent voters stayed slightly under the Democratic approval line, as Republicans significantly disapproved.

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Vance, Walz spar over abortion and immigration in first and only VP debate

Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican vice presidential nominee, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, faced off Tuesday night in their first and only debate, sparring over issues like foreign policy, border security, abortion and climate change and introducing themselves and their records to the American people with just five weeks to Election Day. 

Vice presidential debates are traditionally seen as second-tier, but with former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris unlikely to debate again before voters cast their ballots Nov. 5, the stakes were raised for their running mates as they attempted to tackle the most important issues facing the nation. 

CBS News anchors Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan moderated the debate in New York City Tuesday night, which was filled with more substantive policy discussion than personal jabs on a day that began with nearly 50,000 unionized dockworkers going on strike from Maine to Texas and ended with Iran launching its largest attack on Israel in history, firing nearly 250 ballistic missiles at the Jewish State. 

The first question for Walz and Vance was whether they would support a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran. 

A visibly shaky Walz had a rough start to the debate, pausing and stumbling over his words as he spoke about the need for ‘steady leadership’ from the White House. Instead of answering the question, Walz took a shot at Trump. 

‘What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter,’ Walz said, pointing to Trump’s debate performance against Harris last month.  ‘It’s clear, and the world saw it on that debate stage a few weeks ago. A nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need in this moment.’ 

But Vance, in his first answer, defended Trump, saying Trump ‘delivered stability to the world, and he did it by establishing effective deterrence.’ 

‘People were afraid of stepping out of line,’ Vance said. ‘Donald Trump recognized that for people to fear the United States, you needed peace through strength. They needed to recognize that if they got out of line, the United States’ global leadership would put stability and peace back in the world.’ 

As for a preemptive strike, Vance said, ‘It is up to Israel what they think they need to do to keep their country safe. And we should support our allies wherever they are, when they’re fighting the bad guys.’

Walz fired back. He slammed the Trump administration for pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, saying Iran is ‘closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership,’ adding Harris is providing ‘steady leadership.’ 

Vance fired back. 

‘You blame Donald Trump, but who has been the vice president for the last 3½ years? And the answer is, your running mate, not mine,’ Vance said. 

Vance, again defending Trump, said he ‘consistently made the world more secure.’ 

‘Gov. Walz can criticize Donald Trump’s tweets, but effective, smart diplomacy and peace through strength is how you bring stability back to a very broken world,’ Vance said. ‘Donald Trump has already done it once before.’ 

Vance also urged voters to ask themselves, ‘When was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out?’ 

‘The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,’ Vance said. 

The debate shifted to the ongoing crisis at the southern border, a top issue for voters. 

Vance said he has already been to the border more than ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris, while touting Trump’s plan to secure the border. 

But Walz blasted Trump for his alleged efforts to get Republicans to vote against a border bill. 

‘As soon as it was getting ready to pass and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told [lawmakers] to vote against it, because it gives him a campaign issue,’ Walz said. ‘What would Donald Trump talk about if we actually did some of these things?’

On the same topic, moderators asked Vance whether he and Trump would support family separation as part of Trump’s proposed ‘mass deportation’ should he be elected. 

‘We have 320,000 children that the Department of Homeland Security has effectively lost,’ Vance explained. ‘Some of them have been sex trafficking. Some of them, hopefully, are at homes with their families.

‘Some of them have been used as drug trafficking mules. The real family separation policy in this country is, unfortunately, Kamala Harris’ wide open southern border. And I’d ask my fellow Americans to remember when she came into office, she said she was going to do this. Real leadership would be saying, ‘You know what, I screwed up. We’re going to go back to Donald Trump’s border policies.’ I wish that she would do that. It would be good for all of us.’ 

Walz pushed back, saying children have not been used as ‘drug mules’ and defending Harris, saying she was attorney general in California and ‘prosecuted transnational gangs for human trafficking and drugs.’ 

Walz also hit Vance over claims he had made about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, saying he had demonized them.

‘Look, in Springfield, Ohio, and in communities all across this country, you’ve got schools that are overwhelmed. You’ve got hospitals that are overwhelmed. You’ve got housing that is totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans,’ Vance said.

At that point, moderators tried to correct Vance, but the GOP vice presidential nominee pushed back, reminding the moderators that they said they would not be fact-checking the candidates.

The moderators said many Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio, have temporary legal status. Vance jumped in to ‘say what’s actually going on.’

While explaining the process and tying it to a Harris-backed process, the moderators spoke over him, sarcastically thanking him for ‘describing the legal process’ before they cut off his microphone as Tim Walz attempted to argue with him.

‘We have so much we have to get to. Thank you so much for explaining the legal process,’ Brennan said before asking O’Donnell to ask the next question.

As for the issue of abortion, another top issue for voters this cycle, Walz maintained that he and Harris are pro-choice, while Vance said Republicans need to ‘do so much better of a job at earning the American people’s trust back on this issue, where they, frankly, just don’t trust us.’ 

‘And I think that’s one of the things that Donald Trump and I are endeavoring to do. I want us, as a Republican Party, to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word. I want us to support fertility treatments. I want us to make it easier for moms to afford to have babies,’ Vance said. ‘I want to make it easier for young families to afford a home so they can afford a place to raise that family. And I think there’s so much that we can do on the public policy front just to give women more options right now.’ 

Vance echoed Trump’s view of abortion, supporting the Supreme Court’s decision to return the issue of abortion to the states, while supporting exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. 

‘The proper way to handle this, as messy as democracy sometimes is, is to let voters make these decisions,’ Vance said. ‘Let the individual states make their abortion policy. And I think that’s what makes the most sense in a very big, a very diverse — and let’s be honest — sometimes, a very, very messy and divided country.’ 

Meanwhile, the moderators switched to questions of leadership, pressing Walz on whether he was actually in China for the Tiananmen Square protests as he had previously claimed. 

A visibly nervous Walz attempted to explain the discrepancy, ultimately saying he ‘misspoke’ and was not there until later that year. 

And the question for Vance was about his past criticisms of Trump. 

Vance said, at the time, he disliked Trump because he ‘believed some of the media stories that turned out to be dishonest fabrications of his record.’ 

‘Donald Trump delivered for the American people rising wages, rising take-home pay, an economy that worked for normal Americans, a secure southern border. A lot of things, frankly, that I didn’t think he’d be able to deliver on. And, yeah, when you screw up, when you misspeak, when you get something wrong and you change your mind, you ought to be honest with the American people about it,’ Vance said. 

Meanwhile, Vance offered his sympathies to Walz during the part of the debate focused on gun violence, when he learned Walz’s son had witnessed a shooting.

Walz said his 17-year-old son ‘witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball.’

‘I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting. I’m sorry about that. Christ, have mercy,’ Vance said.

The two spoke about school shootings and their plans to solve gun violence.

‘We have to make the doors locked better. We have to make the doors stronger. We’ve got to make the windows stronger, and, of course, we’ve got to increase school resource officers. Because the idea that we can magically wave a wand and take guns out of the hands of bad guys, it just doesn’t fit with recent experience,’ Vance said.

Walz said the conversation was a good start but had to go further.

‘Even though we have a high gun ownership rate in the country, there are reasonable things that we can do to make a difference. It’s not infringing on your Second Amendment. And the idea to have some of these weapons out there, it just doesn’t make any sense,’ he said.

Vance was pushed on past comments in which he said he would not have voted to certify the 2020 election results on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Vance fired back at the assertion that Trump could pose a ‘threat to democracy,’ saying he believes ‘we actually do have a threat to democracy in this country.’ 

‘But, unfortunately, it’s not the threat to democracy that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz want to talk about. It is the threat of censorship. It’s Americans casting aside lifelong friendships because of disagreements over politics. It’s big technology companies silencing their fellow citizens,’ Vance said. 

Walz redirected the discussion to Jan. 6, 2021, blasting Trump and Republicans for allegedly denying the events of that day. 

‘I will tell you this, that when this is over, we need to shake hands this election, and the winner needs to be the winner. This has got to stop. It’s tearing our country apart,’ Walz said. 

Vance replied, saying it is ‘really rich for Democratic leaders to say that Donald Trump is a unique threat to democracy when he peacefully gave over power on January the 20th.’ 

‘As we have done for 250 years in this country, we are going to shake hands after this debate and after this election. And, of course, I hope that we win, and I think we’re going to win,’ Vance said. ‘But if Tim Walz is the next vice president, he’ll have my prayers. He’ll have my best wishes, and he’ll have my help whenever he wants it.’ 

But Vance reminded Americans that ‘for years in this country, Democrats protested the results of elections.’ 

‘Hillary Clinton in 2016 said that Donald Trump had the election stolen by Vladimir Putin because the Russians bought like $500,000 worth of Facebook ads. This has been going on for a long time, and if we want to say that we need to respect the results of the election, I’m on board,’ Vance said. ‘But if we want to say, as Tim Walz is saying, that this is just a problem that Republicans have had, I don’t buy that, governor.’

As the debate came to a close, Vance and Walz both promised voters a new direction for the United States. 

‘Kamala Harris is bringing us a new way forward,’ Walz said. ‘She’s bringing us a politics of joy. She’s bringing real solutions for the middle class. And she’s centering you at the heart of that, all the while asking everyone, join this movement. Make your voices heard.’

Vance also gave a message of change to the voters.

‘We need change. We need a new direction. We need a president who has already done this once before and did it well. Please vote for Donald Trump,’ Vance said. ‘And whether you vote for me or vote for Tim Walz, I just want to say I’m so proud to be doing this, and I’m rooting for you.’

Walz entered the debate with better poll numbers than Vance.

According to the latest Fox News national poll, Walz was slightly above water with a 43% favorable rating and a 40% unfavorable rating. Vance stood in negative territory, at 38%-50% favorable/unfavorable.

Heading into the debate, Vance had been talkative, sitting for scores of interviews and taking plenty of questions from reporters on the campaign trail. 

Both running mates get right back on the campaign trail Wednesday in two of the key seven battleground states that will likely determine whether Harris or Trump succeed President Biden in the White House.

Vance holds campaign events in Auburn Hills and Marne, Michigan. And Walz takes part in a campaign bus tour swing through parts of central Pennsylvania, which kicks off at the airport in Harrisburg, the state capital.

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GOP lawmakers, leaders react to Vance, Walz debate: ‘Spitting cold, hard truth’

Republican lawmakers and top voices praised Ohio Sen. JD Vance for ‘spitting the cold, hard truths’ as he sparred with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the vice presidential debate in New York City.

‘Senator JD Vance spitting the cold hard TRUTH on the debate stage,’ Trump 2024 national press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. ‘Total domination and we are only 20 minutes in.’

The debate in New York City on CBS News was Walz and Vance’s only debate prior to the monumental election on Nov. 5.

‘Tim Walz is as radical as they come on the issue of immigration,’ Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., wrote on X. ‘As governor of Minnesota, he supported free health care, free college tuition, and driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. Innocent Americans have been assaulted & murdered because of this border crisis.’

The debate began with CBS News moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan asking the candidates about their Middle East policy after Iran attacked Israel with a massive missile barrage.

‘Tim Walz’s answer on Israel was incomprehensible. Like Kamala–Walz has no idea what he is talking about,’ Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X. ‘Kamala and Walz would make the chaos in the Middle East worse.’

‘Iran rained missiles down on Israel TODAY, 1,350 days into Kamala Harris’ tenure as Vice President, so naturally Tim Walz says it’s Donald Trump’s fault,’ Trump campaign senior adviser Tim Murtaugh wrote on X. 

‘JD knocks it out of the park with first question!!! Tim Walz implodes on first question in presentation, communication, and substance,’ Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., wrote on X. 

Republican voices highlighted the Kamala Harris campaign’s immigration policy. Immigration is a top issue for American voters this year, as a record number say the situation at the southern border is a major problem or an outright emergency, according to the latest Fox News national survey. 

‘Law enforcement has been attacked. Deadly fentanyl has taken the lives of thousands of Americans,’ Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott wrote on X. ‘Kamala Harris & Tim Walz support open border policies. They will make the border crisis WORSE.’

‘How can Tim Walz pretend Kamala is tough on the border when she allowed more than 16,000 sex offenders and 13,000 murderers to cross the border?’ Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on X. ‘A vote for Kamala and Tim Walz is a vote for open borders.’

The candidates turned their attention to abortion, with Republicans criticizing Walz’s abortion stance.

‘He is better in our toughest issues than most republicans are on our best issues. I told you so!!!’ Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X. 

‘Democrats always resort to killing babies every time they are losing. And then lie and call it ‘reproductive freedom.’ There is nothing reproductive about abortion,’ Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X. ‘Democrats view unwanted babies as a life they can throw away and call it a choice. The truth is motherhood is not something to throw away, neither are babies.’

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MLB playoffs updates: Tigers, Royals snag Game 1 wins

October has arrived and it’s brought postseason baseball with it.

Twelve teams remain in the hunt for the Commissioner’s Trophy. Four of them − The New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies − get first round byes while the other eight battle it out in the best-of-three wild-card round.

So keep it here Tuesday for all the action from the opening games of the MLB wild-card series:

FINAL: Padres 4, Braves 0

Padres starter Michael King struck out 12 in seven scoreless innings, a dominant outing against the Braves on Tuesday night at Petco Park that moved San Diego to the brink of the NLDS.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the party with a monstrous two-run homer in the first inning off Atlanta starter AJ Smith-Shawver, the 21-year-old starting on short notice after his team had to wait until Monday to clinch a playoff berth.

The two teams will go at it again on Wednesday at 8:38 p.m. ET with a win sending the Padres to an NLDS showdown with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 3 will be played Thursday if the Braves come out on top in Game 2.

Michael King dominating: Padres up 3-0 through six

San Diego starter Michael King is through six shutout innings, striking out 10 Braves in the process. King, acquired in the Juan Soto trade last winter, has given up five hits with no walks and is at 80 pitches.

Padres score again in the second: San Diego leads 3-0

Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver was pulled after getting just four outs, surrendering a sacrifice fly to Kyle Higashioka after plunking Jake Cronenworth and giving up a single to Donovan Solano to start the second inning.

Aaron Bummer came out of the bullpen and forced NL batting champion Luis Arraez into an inning-ending double play to limit the damage.

Fernando Tatis Jr. home run puts Padres ahead

Fernando Tatis Jr. absolutely crushed a two-run homer off Braves starter AJ Smith-Shawver in the first inning to give the Padres an early 2-0 lead.

Braves vs. Padres underway in San Diego

Michael King starts for the Padres against the Braves, with 21-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver getting the nod for Atlanta.

The Braves had to win a game Monday in Atlanta to get into the wild-card series, and now play Game 1 on the West Coast just 24 hours after an emotional doubleheader against the Mets.

Mets beat Brewers: 8-4 final in Milwaukee

The Mets kicked it into gear with a feverish, five-run two-out rally to launch past the Brewers, 8-4, and grab Game 1 in front of 40,022 fans on Tuesday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

The Mets will now have an opportunity to move into the National League Division Series for the first time since 2015 when Sean Manaea takes the mound in Game 2 at 8:38 p.m. on Wednesday.

– Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com

Mets-Brewers: Both teams go three-up, three-down before bottom of the eighth

This game has been rather quiet since New York’s big fifth inning, but it’s been especially quiet the last full inning as both the Brewers and the Mets went down in order. Heading into the bottom of the eighth, it’s still 8-4 Mets.

Mets-Brewers: Civale gets through seventh unscathed

It wasn’t pretty, with Vientos and Nimmo each hitting the ball hard, but Civale was able to do what no other Brewers’ pitcher was, namely get through the middle of the Mets order without giving up a run. It’s still 8-4 as we head into the seventh inning stretch.

Mets-Brewers: Severino over 100 pitches

Another strong inning for Severino as he went three-up, three-down for the second consecutive inning. The Mets would love to keep Severino in the game as long as possible, but his pitch count did creep into the triple digits in the bottom of the sixth. He may return to the mound in the seventh, but he’ll likely be on a very short leash.

Mets-Brewers: Mets go quietly in sixth

The sixth inning went by without much fuss. After a five-run fifth, the Mets failed to secure a single baserunner in the sixth, not that they needed more runs as it stands. Heading into the bottom of the sixth, it’s 8-4 Mets.

Mets-Brewers: Severino doesn’t allow an inch

Despite working with a four-run lead now, Luis Severino did not allow the Brewers to get any momentum going. He went three-up, three-down getting Adams and Hoskins to pop out and Bauers to strike out. Heading into the sixth, it’s 8-4 Mets.

Mets-Brewers: J.D. Martinez pinch-hit single drives in two more

The fifth inning just won’t end for Milwaukee, and the Mets knew it. In order to capitalize on their incredible inning, the Mets brought in J.D. Martinez with the bases loaded and two outs. Martinez knocked in both runners in scoring position to widen the gap even further. It’s 8-4 Mets.

Mets-Brewres: Vientos knocks in two more

The Brewers had an opportunity to end the inning, but a ground ball to short was just tricky enough to force a botched transfer from Willy Adames. That loaded the bases for Vientos, who drilled a single to right field, his second hit of the ball game. Two runners came in and the Mets have turned this game on its head. They lead 6-4.

Mets-Brewers: Chourio’s mistake costs the Brewers

With runners on first and second, Jose Iglesias laced a sharp ground ball to first, and was able to beat the throw. Taylor, who reached second base thanks to Chourio’s mistake in left, took advantage, hustling around third and heading home during all the confusion.

Payamps was brought out afterwards. It’s 4-4 in the fifth inning.

Mets-Brewers: Chourio brings one back, lets one go

Chourio, the youngest player in MLB isn’t just doing it with his bat. He’s also flashing leather. With Joel Payamps entering the game for Milwaukee, the first batter he faced laced a fly ball to deep left field, but Chourio saw it all the way, jumping against the wall to rob Starling Marte of an extra-base hit.

The very next batter, Tyrone Taylor, also drilled a line drive to left, but this time Chourio could not make the play. The baseball went off Chourio’s glove, allowing Taylor to reach second base with just one out.

Mets-Brewers: Turang scores to make it 4-3

After Chourio’s double, Willy Adames bounced out to short, but that was enough to drive in Brice Turang from third. The inning ended shortly after. The Brewers lead 4-3 heading into the fifth inning.

Mets-Brewers: Chourio ties it up for Milwaukee

With runners at first and second, Jackson Chourio singled (it was ruled a double, but it shouldn’t have been) back up the middle to tie the game. However, Milwaukee was aggressive with their baserunning. A slot bobble from Tyrone Taylor in center field allowed the runners to reach second and third. After all was said and done, the Mets had two runners in scoring position with only one out in a tie ballgame.

Mets-Brewers: Peralta, Severino have settled down after rough early frames

Both the Brewers’ and Mets’ starters, Freddy Peralta and Luis Severino respectively, struggled in the early goings of Game 1. Severino allowed two runs to start the game. Meanwhile, Peralta waited until the second inning to surrender three runs. Since then though, both pitchers have settled down. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, it’s still 3-2 Mets and Peralta just recorded three straight outs in the top half of the inning.

FINAL: Royals 1 – Orioles 0 (KC leads series 1-0)

Although the Orioles led off the innings with a walk to Ryan O’Hearn, Royals’ closer Lucas Erceg was able to set Adley Rutschmann, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad down in order to earn the save. 1-0, the final, Kansas City wins.

Royals vs. Orioles: Royals threaten to extend lead

A one-run lead isn’t a very comforting lead, and the Royals were looking to add at least one more run before the bottom of the ninth inning. Following a Maikel Garcia single and Vinnie Pasquantino walk, the Royals had two runners on with two outs. The opportunity fell to Salvador Perez facing Seranthony Dominguez.

Perez quickly fell behind in an 0-2 count. Dominguez put Perez away with a slider way outside. Perez chased, and the lead remained 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Mets-Brewers: Mets strike back

After a very strong first inning for Freddy Peralta, the Mets got to him quickly to lead off the second. Mark Vientos led off the inning with a single back up the middle.

The Mets started working Peralta deep into counts afterwards. Alonso and Winker both worked full counts before walking and tripling down the right field line respectively.

Winker’s triple would drive in both Vientos and Alonso still with no outs in the inning. It’s knotted at 2.

Starling Marte followed the triple up with a sac fly to give New York the lead, 3-2.

Royals vs. Orioles: Ragans leaves with cramp

Kansas City was dealt a blow as Cole Ragans, who was dealing, leaves the game with what was called left leg cramps. Sam Long gets the call to the bump.

Ragans leaves with eight strikeouts and four hits through six innings.

Mets-Brewers: Milwaukee gets offensive

Freddy Peralta started the game with a couple of strikeouts but took 17 pitches to get things started. Luis Severino wasn’t as fortunate.

The Brewers got on the board early thanks to a Turang double to start the festivities for Milwaukee. A William Contreras single scored Turang to get New York into a quick hole.

FINAL: Tigers 3 – Astros 1 (DET leads series 1-0)

Although the Astros threatened in the bottom of the ninth, putting two men in scoring position with only one out, and loading the bases with two outs, Tigers’ reliever Beau Brieske was able to secure the victory by getting veteran outfielder Jason Heyward to line out to first baseman Spencer Torkelson.

Off the bat, it looked like Heyward had at least tied the game, but Torkelson was there to snag the ball. It wasn’t pretty, but Detroit got the win. 3-1 the final.

Royals vs. Orioles: Royals break through in sixth

After five scoreless innings, the Royals finally got through to Corbin Burnes after an RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr. Who else could it be in the Royals’ biggest game of the season?

Tigers vs. Astros: Foley out, Beau Brieske in

Although Foley is the Tigers’ closer, Hinch opted for a favorable matchup in Brieske. Brieske is not a great strikeout pitcher though, and with two runners in scoring position and only one out, the Tigers could use a strikeout now more than ever.

Tigers vs. Astros: Yainer Diaz puts the Astros on the board

After eight scoreless innings, the Astros have started cooking in the bottom of the ninth, an opposite field single from Yainer Diaz scores Dezenzo, and the Astros are down just two with two men on and no outs.

Tigers vs. Astros: Jason Foley surrenders leadoff double

Foley got the nod from Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch to close out Game 1. However, he’d have to get through Houston’s gauntlet of Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, and Yainer Diaz to get the win. Things did not get off to a hot start, surrendering a double to Alvarez, who left the game afterwards for pinch-runner Zach Dezenzo. Bregman would secure an infield single, pushing Dezenzo to third and suddenly, Tigers’ fans were biting their nails.

Royals vs. Orioles: Baltimore threatens, fails to score

A double from Ramon Urias and a single from Cedric Mullins put runners on the corners with only one out. Ragans stuck out James McCann though, passing the burden of driving in the game’s first runs to Baltimore’s leadoff man Gunnar Henderson.

Ragans wasted no time setting down Henderson. Back-to-back punchouts to keep this one scoreless heading into the sixth.

Tigers vs. Astros: Josh Hader takes over

After just one out from Caleb Ferguson, the Astros turned to their stud lefty reliever, Josh Hader. Hader was quick to get Kerry Carpenter to ground out, but Riley Greene took the first pitch he saw to deep right field, earning a ground-rule double.

Greene would wind up at third following a groundout from Colt Keith, but Wenceel Perez was unable to drive him home. Hader got Perez to pop out to first base. We head to the bottom of the ninth, Tigers lead 3-0.

Royals vs. Orioles: Burnes sets them down in order again

Offense has been hard to come by in Game 1 between the Royals and Orioles. Orioles’ starter Corbin Burnes has allowed only two hits through five innings. The fifth inning got off to a good start for the Royals after Yuli Gurrield led off the innings with a single to center field. After MJ Melendez lined into a double play though, Burnes set down Pham on strikes to finish off the inning. The game is still scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Tigers vs. Astros: Will Vest’s 1.2 perfect innings keeps Tigers ahead

Coming into Game 1, everyone assumed the Tigers would have the advantage with Tarik Skubal taking the mound. However, after Skubal’s departure following the sixth inning, the future was uncertain. Well, Will Vest was arguably better than Skubal, facing five hitters and striking out four. He exited the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. In his stead comes Tyler Holton who will look to get the final four outs of this one.

Royals vs. Orioles: Pitcher’s duel in Baltimore

Cole Ragans and Corbin Burnes are trading three-up, three-down innings with one another. In the bottom of the fourth, Ragans set down Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle, and Adley Rutschmann with relative ease. He’s allowed only two baserunners all game and struck out five. Through four full innings, it’s still scoreless.

Tigers vs. Astros: Blanco out, Caleb Ferguson in

After two solid, scoreless innings from Ronel Blanco, the Astros have opted for right-hander Caleb Ferguson following a walk to Matt Vierling. The Tigers are not threatening, per se, with only a runner on first and two outs, but with Kerry Carpenter at the plate, Ferguson was the play.

Ferguson didn’t stay on the mound long. One pitch in the dirt, and Vierling took off for second. He was thrown out, and the inning was over. Heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Tigers still lead 3-0.

Royals vs. Orioles: Corbin Burnes with quick fourth

After a quick two outs to lead off the top of the fourth, Corbin Burnes gave Orioles’ fans a bit of a scare surrendering a very deep fly ball to Salvador Perez. However, that deep, deep left field wall in Camden Yards remains undefeated, as Perez wound up flying out just before the warning track. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, it’s still a scoreless ball game.

Royals vs. Orioles: Mullins leads off bottom of the third with a double

Fans were unsure whether or not Mullins would be in the Orioles’ starting lineup after a lackluster season. However, that decision seems to have paid off early on. Mullins led off the bottom of the third with a double off the top of the right field wall. Mullins is now 1-for-1 in his career against Cole Ragans with a double and two walks. Game is still tied 0-0, but the Orioles have a man in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the third.

Tigers vs. Astros: Blanco escapes jam

A brief two-out rally for Detroit wound up loading the bases, but Ronel Blanco was able to get Parker Meadows to strike out, holding Detroit’s lead to just three runs. It’s time for the stretch in Houston, as the Astros look to muster any offense.

Royals vs. Orioles: Tommy Pham takes a hit from Mountcastle

Although many of the Royals’ young stars have no postseason experience, Tommy Pham remains one of the veterans on the team who knows what to expect in October. He wasted no time displaying his calm nerves, diving to rob the Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle of a base hit to lead off the bottom of the second inning.

Tigers vs. Astros: Skubal fired up

After giving up a shot off the left-field wall to Alex Bregman, Skubal finished the inning with a strikeout on Diaz with a 99-mph fastball.

Skubal was noticeably amped and should be as he concludes six shutout innings on just four hits.

Royals vs. Orioles: Burnes and Ragans come on

Corbin Burnes and Cole Ragans share the bump for the Orioles and Royals, respectively. The first inning had some excitement but both pitchers were able to start the game.

Burnes induced a couple of pop outs and a fielder’s choice ground ball. Ragans then came on and dealt with a formidable Orioles lineup. No score after one.

Tigers vs. Astros: Ronel Blanco comes in, gets strikeout

Houston keeps the bullpen churning, with Ronel Blanco coming on with two outs and one on in the sixth inning. He gets Vierling on a 93-mph to end the threat.

Royals vs. Orioles begins

The Kansas City Royals face Corbin Burnes to kick off the second game in a packed schedule for MLB wild card series on Tuesday.

Bryan King in for the Astros

Houston makes another change to start the sixth. Left-hander Bryan King comes on and will face Parker Meadows, Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney.

Skubal makes quick work of the Astros

Welp, so much for making Skubal work.

The Tigers ace really could have used smooth sailing after an exhausting fourth. The Astros obliged with some quick at-bats to the end the inning. Skubal needed just five pitches and is now sitting on 67 pitches on the afternoon.

Neris gets it done in the fifth

This call to the bullpen was brought to you by timely decisions.

Working his fastball-splitter combo, Neris made quick work of Perez and Torkelson, getting both batters with swinging strikes to end the inning. No damage done as the Astros now try to whittle away at the deficit before the later innings.

Framber Valdez comes out, Neris comes in

After pitching 78 pitches and getting a strikeout on Greene the Astros welcome Hector Neris into the game with Justyn-Henry Malloy on first and one out.

Tigers, Skubal maintain momentum after tiring fourth

After a smooth top of the fourth for Valdez, Skubal went back to work. The lefty gave up a single to Alvarez to start the inning.

The story of this half-inning was about workload as the Astros got Skubal to increase that pitch count. The Bregman hit and a walk to Diaz brought the Tigers pitcher to 62 pitches through four.

But Detroit comes away unscathed.

Score: Tigers 3, Astros 0

Tarik Skubal on fire, Tigers jump out to early lead

Talk about efficient.

American League Cy Young candidate and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal needed just five pitches − all strikes − to get through the first inning against the Astros.

Meanwhile, the Tigers got back-to-back-to-back RBI singles off Astros starter Framber Valdez to give Detroit an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

Tigers fans must be resting a little easy with Skubal in control and an early lead.

Braves leave Chris Sale off roster

National League Cy Young favorite and Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was left off the wild card roster against the San Diego Padres. He was a late scratch from an elimination game start Monday due to back spasms.

Hours before Game 1, the Braves said Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) wouldn’t be available until at least the division series. He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 19, when his velocity dropped.

Right-handers Bryce Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver are candidates to start Game 1 vs. the Padres tonight.

Sale could be added to the roster for the divisional round if the Braves advance.

Vinnie Pasquantino back in Kansas City’s lineup

‘Is it ever sunny here? I don’t think I’ve seen the sun in Baltimore,’ the Kansas City Royals designated hitter mused.

Yet Tuesday morning was, in fact, quite bright for the left-handed slugger: He woke up before 7, discovered his surgically repaired thumb felt just fine and texted such to a club trainer. And after five weeks of recovery, Pasquantino just beat the deadline to earn inclusion on the Royals’ wild-card series roster.

Pasquantino will bat third against the Orioles.

‘We’re here now,’ says Pasquantino, ‘and the rehab is not over. But the games can start.’ 

And not a moment too soon for the Royals. They posted an 11-16 record without Pasquantino in the lineup, this after going 75-60 when he was healthy. Yet the Royals overcame a late seven-game losing streak to win four of six in the final week, just as Pasquantino began hitting against a machine, and on the field, and determined he was ready just before Game 1.

He grew up about three hours away, near Richmond, Va., and had to tell friends he had no tickets. Getting there one year after the club lost 106 games was good enough; now, he’ll have an impact.

‘To get here now, and the cherry on top is that I get to play,’ he said.  − Gabe Lacques

Astros wild card roster: Alvarez on, Verlander left off

Great news for the Astros: Slugger Yordan Alvarez, who has been nursing a sore knee, is on the wild-card series roster and batting third. 

Mildly surprising news: Justin Verlander was excluded from the roster.

Verlander, the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer, has struggled since returning from a neck injury, posting an 8.10 ERA in eight starts since August. He’s given up at least five earned runs in four of those starts. 

Verlander has made 37 career starts, and earned his first World Series win during the Astros’ run to the 2022 championship. 

‘Justin Verlander is a professional,’ Astros manager Joe Espada said before Game 1 against the Detroit Tigers. ‘He knows how well our starting pitchers have to perform throughout the season. So when we had this conversation, he was all in. He’ll do what’s best for this team. So I appreciated his feedback and how he evaluated his season and his last few starts.’

Left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 1. − Gabe Lacques

2024 MLB wild card series umpire schedule

Note: Umpires rotate from right field to left and then clockwise around the bases starting at third during an MLB postseason series, so the ump at second base for the opener will be behind the plate for a potential Game 3 in the wild card round.

Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros

Alfonso Marquez (crew chief): Third base for Game 1
Tony Randazzo: Home plate for Game 1
Jordan Baker: First base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 2
Will Little: Second base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 3
Jeremie Rehak: Left field for Game 1
Junior Valentine: Right field for Game 1

Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles

Bill Miller (crew chief): Third base for Game 1
Ryan Additon: Home plate for Game 1
Ben May: First base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 2
Nic Lentz: Second base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 3
David Rackley: Left field for Game 1
Malachi Moore: Right field for Game 1

New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers

Alan Porter (crew chief): Third base for Game 1
Alex Tosi: Home plate for Game 1
Chris Segal: First base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 2
Vic Carapazza: Second base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 3
Mike Estabrook: Left field for Game 1
Brennan Miller: Right field for Game 1

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

Dan Iassogna (crew chief): Third base for Game 1
Nestor Ceja: Home plate for Game 1
Phil Cuzzi: First base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 2
Jansen Visconti: Second base for Game 1; Home plate for Game 3
Mark Wegner: Left field for Game 1
Erich Bacchus: Right field for Game 1

Game 1 lineups: Royals vs. Orioles

Game 1 lineups: Tigers vs. Astros

Astros lineup

Jose Altuve, 2B
Kyle Tucker, RF
Yordan Alvarez, DH
Alex Bregman, 3B
Yainer Diaz, C
Jeremy Peña, SS
Victor Caratini, 1B
Mauricio Dubón, LF
Jake Meyers, CF

MLB wild card schedule Tuesday

All times Eastern

No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Houston Astros – 2:32 p.m.
No. 5 Kansas City Royals at No. 4 Baltimore Orioles – 4:07 p.m.
No. 6 New York Mets at No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers – 5:32 p.m.
No. 5 Atlanta Braves at No. 4 San Diego Padres – 8:38 p.m.

Probable pitchers

Tigers vs. Astros: LHP Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. LHP Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA)
Royals vs. Orioles: LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA) vs. RHP Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA)
Mets vs. Brewers: RHP Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (11-9, 3.68 ERA)
Braves vs. Padres: TBD vs. RHP Michael King (13-9, 2.95 ERA)

MLB wild card predictions

Who will move on? Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports MLB team sees this week playing out.

Detroit Tigers (86-76) at Houston Astros (88-73)

Bob Nightengale: Astros in 3
Gabe Lacques: Tigers in 2
Steve Gardner Astros in 3
Jesse Yomtov: Astros in 3
Scott Boeck: Tigers in 3

Kansas City Royals (86-76) at Baltimore Orioles (91-71)

Bob Nightengale: Orioles in 3
Gabe Lacques: Orioles in 2
Steve Gardner: Orioles in 3
Jesse Yomtov: Orioles in 2
Scott Boeck: Orioles in 3

New York Mets (89-73) at Milwaukee Brewers (93-69)

Bob Nightengale: Brewers in 2
Gabe Lacques: Brewers in 2
Steve Gardner: Brewers in 2
Jesse Yomtov: Mets in 3
Scott Boeck: Brewers in 2

Atlanta Braves (89-73) at San Diego Padres (93-69)

Bob Nightengale: Padres in 2
Gabe Lacques: Padres in 2
Steve Gardner: Padres in 2
Jesse Yomtov: Braves in 3
Scott Boeck: Padres in 2

How to watch MLB playoffs

Astros vs Tigers

Time: 2:32 p.m.
TV: ABC
Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)

Orioles vs. Royals

Time: 4:08 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)

Brewers vs. Mets

Time: 5:32 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)

Padres vs. Braves

Time: 8:38 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)

MLB playoffs bracket

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Mets ride wave of emotional final day with Game 1 win

MILWAUKEE — The playoffs provided the fuel.

The New York Mets had every reason to be lethargic entering the opening game of the best-of-three National League Wild Card series. The quest to the playoffs took the Mets back-and-forth from Milwaukee to Atlanta and back again.

They played 18 innings on Monday against the Braves, including an 8-7 thriller that played on all of the emotions from anxiety to hysteria to trepidation to euphoria. But the Mets had no time to even think about any of that.

Less than 24 hours later, the Mets were again playing their biggest game of the 2024 season.

The Mets kicked it into gear with a feverish, five-run two-out rally to launch past the Brewers, 8-4, and grab Game 1 in front of 40,022 fans on Tuesday night at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

The Mets will now have an opportunity to move into the National League Division Series for the first time since 2015 when Sean Manaea takes the mound in Game 2 at 7:38 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Jose Iglesias lights the fuse

Brewers ace Freddy Peralta appeared to be rounding into form after giving up a two-run triple to Jesse Winker and sacrifice fly to Starling Marte. As Peralta retired nine straight batters to get through the fourth, Brewers manager Pat Murphy pulled the plug.

Murphy turned to his vaunted bullpen, which finished the regular season leading the National League in ERA and WHIP. It turned out to open the door for the Mets.

The energy was going the way of the Brewers after Jackson Chourio led off the inning by leaping to rob Starling Marte of a home run at the left-field wall. But the Mets dug deep and, similar to Monday in Atlanta, turned the game on its head against Joel Payamps.

A line drive by Tyrone Taylor sailed over the head of Chourio for a double. Then, after Francisco Lindor walked, Jose Iglesias continued to provide a spark. The Mets second baseman knocked a chopper to the right side that was gloved by Rhys Hoskins but dove headfirst to beat Payamps to the bag. Taylor scored all the way from second base.

Iglesias’ electric play set the tone for a massive two-run rally. After Brandon Nimmo knocked an infield single deep to short, Mark Vientos and J.D. Martinez — pinch-hitting for Winker — blew the game open with back-to-back two-run singles through the right side off Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby to give the Mets their 8-4 lead.

Luis Severino digs deep

It was not the start that Luis Severino had in mind.

The Mets right-hander gave up three straight hits to begin the game, including an RBI single to William Contreras. Then, after recording two outs and walking Adames to load the bases, Severino hit Hoskins to push the Mets into a 2-0 hole.

There was fear that it was déjà vu for Severino, who gave up four earned on seven hits and one walk in his previous outing against the Braves.

After the fourth inning when Severino gave up two more runs on three hits to help the Brewers jump back in front, 4-3.

But Mendoza stuck with Severino, who retired the final eight batters he faced. He finished the fourth inning with 78 pitches and finished with 105 pitches, posting a quality start with three earned runs (four total)_ on eight hits and two walks while striking out three.

Meanwhile, the Brewers pushed their bullpen, with Payamps, Ashby and Nick Mears all pitching in the fifth inning. Nick Mears recorded four outs and Aaron Civale threw 35 pitches.

This story was updated to add new information.

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MLB’s youngest team handles playoff pressure in Game 1 win over Astros

HOUSTON — One down.

One to go.

The Detroit Tigers held on for a thrilling 3-1 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in Game 1 of their American League wild-card series. It was the opening game of the 2024 MLB playoffs.

But it didn’t come without hold-your-breath drama.

The Tigers held a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch turned to closer Jason Foley.

All things Tigers: Latest Detroit Tigers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Yordan Alvarez doubled off the left field wall, and Alex Bregman hit an infield single.

Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter came to the mound before Foley faced Yainer Diaz, who dribbled a grounder to the right side for an RBI single after a third strike foul tip was overturned.

With runners on second and third with one out, Hinch pulled Foley and turned to Beau Brieske.

He got Victor Caratini to line out to left field, then walked Chas McCormick to load the bases.

But Jason Heyward lined out to Spencer Torkelson at first base to the end the game.

The Tigers can finish off the Astros and advance to the ALDS with a victory Wednesday in Game 2 (2:32 p.m. ET, ABC).

Starting pitchers have yet to be announced.

Game 3, if necessary, is Thursday at the same time and place. The Cleveland Guardians await the series winner Saturday in Game 1.

Tigers ace lefty and AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal threw six shutout innings in his playoff debut, after becoming the first pitcher in 13 years to win the AL pitching Triple Crown in a full season.

Here’s what else stood out from Tuesday’s heart-pumping game:

Tarik Skubal’s brilliance

Skubal was brilliant on Tuesday afternoon.

In the biggest game of his life, Skubal handled the nerves of his playoff debut, overcame a line drive that knocked off his glove, powered his way out of trouble a few times and shut down the Astros.

Skubal threw six scoreless innings, scattered four hits, struck out six and exited after 88 pitches (64 strikes) with the Tigers up 3-0.

But there were a couple of strange scares.

In the second inning, the Tigers were set up perfectly. They had a 3-0 lead and Skubal’s pitch count was ridiculously low — he threw just five pitches in the first inning.

But the Tigers suffered a scare when Diaz hit a line drive back at Skubal and his glove came off. For a moment, it looked like Skubal was injured, and he looked disappointed and dejected.

But he stayed in the game and struck out Jeremy Peña.

“He just needed a breather,” Hinch told ABC during the fourth inning.

“He’s doing fine,” Hinch added. “He’s got a great compete button.”

On Sept. 12, Skubal had a similar scare when he was hit in the right (non throwing) hand against the Colorado Rockies off a line drive by Brenton Doyle.

But he avoided serious injury both times.

And he showed that competitive drive late in the game.

Skubal got into a massive jam in the fourth inning, facing Pena with two on and one out.

Fetter came to the mound for a visit, and seemed to calm down Skubal. He struck out Peña and then retired Caratini.

There was another strange scare in the sixth inning when Skubal stopped the game, calling out Jake Rogers to the mound.

Hinch and a trainer came out to check on Skubal, and he threw a warmup pitch to make sure he was OK.

Then, Bregman singled high off the left-field wall, just missing a homer.

But Skubal got out of the trouble by striking out Diaz on three pitches, his last a 99 mph fastball above the zone, and let out a roar.

Hustle pays off with rally

Parker Meadows’ legs played a subtle, yet critical role in the Tigers taking the early lead.

In the second inning, he hustled to first and beat out a throw, preventing a double play that would have ended the inning.

And it seemed to spark the Tigers.

At the very least, it kept the door open.

Rogers, Trey Sweeney and Matt Vierling all singled with two outs, as the Tigers took a 3-0 lead.

And it all started because Meadows hustled down to first base, a theme jump-started in early August, when third base coach Joey Cora called an ‘intense’ team meeting on baserunning.

Playoff newbies? So what?

Coming into this game, the disparity of playoff experience between the Tigers and Astros was stunning.

Vierling was the only Tiger on the playoff roster with postseason experience (he played in 12 playoff games for Philadelphia in 2022).

Meanwhile, the Astros had all kinds of experience throughout their roster.

It was Jose Altuve’s 104th playoff game, and he has had 476 plate appearances.

Bregman?

It was his 98th playoff game.

But it was the playoff newbies who were making the plays, getting the hits, driving in runs and making the big pitches.

The Tigers showed no playoff jitters.

No crumbling under pressure.

They just threw strikes.

And got a bunch of singles that turned into runs to take the early lead.

And they held that composure through the pressure packed ninth.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.

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Vance, Walz spar on immigration during VP debate: Been to the border ‘more than our border czar’

Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz sparred on the issue of immigration in their debate Tuesday night, and Vance called out the immigration policies of VP Kamala Harris. 

‘First of all, the gross majority of what we need to do to the southern border is just empowering law enforcement to do their job,’ Vance said during the Tuesday night debate on CBS during a discussion on the Haitian migrant surge in Springfield and immigration overall. 

‘I’ve been to the southern border more than our ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris has been. And it’s actually heartbreaking because the Border Patrol agents, they just want to be empowered to do their job.’

Vance continued by saying that, ‘of course, additional resources would help,’ but that the issue is mostly about the Biden administration not empowering law enforcement to say ‘if you try to come across the border illegally, you’ve got to stay in Mexico’ and ‘go back through proper channels.’

‘Now, Gov. Walz brought up the community of Springfield, and he’s very worried about the things that I’ve said in Springfield,’ Vance said. ‘Look, in Springfield, Ohio, and in communities all across this country, you’ve got schools that are overwhelmed. You’ve got hospitals that are overwhelmed. You’ve got housing that is totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans for scarce homes.

‘The people that I’m most worried about in Springfield, Ohio, are the American citizens who have had their lives destroyed by Kamala Harris’ open border. It is a disgrace, Tim, and I actually think I agree with you. I think you want to solve this problem, but I don’t think that Kamala Harris does.’

Walz repeatedly made the case that Trump shut down the Senate immigration bill earlier this year that VP Harris has said she will sign in a move he believes would have made strides at the border.

‘It is law enforcement that asked for the bill,’ Walz said. ‘They helped craft it. They’re the ones that supported it. It was because they know we need to do this. Look, this issue of continuing to bring this up, of not dealing with it, of blaming migrants for everything.

‘On housing, we could talk a little bit about Wall Street speculators buying up housing and making them less affordable, but it becomes a blame. Look, this bill also gives the money necessary to adjudicate. I agree it should not take seven years for an asylum claim to be done.

‘This bill gets it done in 90 days. Then, you start to make a difference in this, and you start to adhere to what we know, American principles. I don’t talk about my faith a lot, but Matthew 25:40 talks about to the least amongst us, you do unto me. I think that’s true of most Americans. They simply want order to it. This bill does it. It’s funded. It’s supported by the people who do it, and it lets us keep our dignity about how we treat other people.’

Vance referred to the Biden-Harris record on immigration as a ‘disgrace.’

‘Look, what Tim said just doesn’t pass the smell test,’ Vance said. ‘For three years. Kamala Harris went out bragging that she was going to undo Donald Trump’s border policy. She did exactly that. We had a record number of illegal crossings. We had a record number of fentanyl coming into our country.

‘And now that she’s running for president or a few months before, she says that somehow she got religion and cares a lot about a piece of legislation. The only thing that she did when she became the vice president, when she became the appointed border czar was to undo 94 Donald Trump executive actions that opened the border. This problem is leading to massive problems in the United States of America. Parents who can’t afford health care, schools that are overwhelmed. It’s got to stop. And it will when Donald Trump is president.’

A Harris campaign official told Fox News Digital that its focus group of undecided voters watching the debate reacted more strongly in favor of Walz’s comments.

‘Overall, Gov. Walz outperformed JD Vance in the immigration section, and the highest rating for Gov. Walz of the night so far was when he reminded viewers of Donald Trump’s failed promise to build a wall, only building 2% of it,’ the campaign said. 
 

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Walz forced to correct record on whether he was in China for the Tiananmen Square protests

Democrat vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was forced to answer questions about his controversial travel to China, and misstatements about those trips, during Tuesday night’s debate. 

Walz has said he was in Hong Kong during the deadly Tiananmen Square protests in the spring of 1989. But Minnesota Public Radio and other media outlets are now reporting that Walz actually did not travel to China until August of that year. 

CBS News moderator Margaret Brennan asked Walz to explain the discrepancy. 

‘Look, I grew up in a small rural Nebraska town, a town that you rode your bike with your buddies till the streetlights come on, and I’m proud of that service,’ a visibly-shaky Walz said. ‘I joined the National Guard at 17, worked on family farms, and then I used the GI bill to become a teacher.’ 

Walz said that as a ‘passionate young teacher’ he had ‘the opportunity in the summer of ’89 to travel to China—35 years ago.’ 

‘I came back home and then started a program to take young people there. We would take basketball teams, we would take baseball teams, we would take dancers, and we would go back and forth to China,’ Walz said, noting the trips were ‘to try and learn.’ 

 ‘Look, my community knows who I am. They saw where I was at. I will be the first to tell you I have poured my heart into my community, and I’ve tried to do the best I can, but I’ve not been perfect,’ Walz continued. 

‘And I’m a knucklehead at times,’ Walz said. 

Walz said his commitment ‘from the beginning’ has been to ‘make sure that I’m there for the people.’ 

‘Many times, I will talk a lot. I will get caught up in rhetoric. But being there, the impact it made, the difference it made in my life, I learned a lot about China,’ Walz said. ‘I hear the critiques of this.’ 

Walz said he would ‘make the case that Donald Trump should have come on one of those trips with us.’ 

‘I guarantee you he wouldn’t be, praising XI Jinping about Covid. And I guarantee you he wouldn’t start a trade war that he ends up losing,’ Walz said. ‘So this is about trying to understand the world. It’s about trying to do the best you can for your community, and then it’s putting yourself out there and letting your folks understand what it is.’ 

He added: ‘My commitment, whether it be through teaching, which I was good at or whether it was being a good soldier or was being a good member of Congress. Those are the things that I think are the values that people care about.‘ 

But Brennan pushed back, reminding Walz of the question, and again asking him to explain the discrepancy. 

‘All I said on this was, as I got there that summer and misspoke on this,’ Walz said. ‘So I will just that’s what I’ve said. So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests went in and from that I learned a lot of what needed to be in in governance.‘ 

Walz’s ties to China have come under the microscope since becoming Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. 

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., launched an investigation into Walz’s alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. 

Comer revealed that Walz has ‘engaged and partnered with’ Chinese entities, making him ‘susceptible’ to the CCP’s strategy of ‘elite capture,’ which seeks to co-opt influential figures in elite political, cultural and academic circles to ‘influence the United States to the benefit of the communist regime and the detriment of Americans.’ 

Comer has pointed to reports that Walz, while working as a teacher in the 1990s, organized a trip to China for Alliance High School students. The costs were reportedly ‘paid by the Chinese government.’ 

Comer is investigating Walz’s 1994-created private company named ‘Educational Travel Adventures, Inc.,’ which coordinated annual student trips to China until 2003 and was led by Walz. 

The company reportedly ‘dissolved four days after he took congressional office in 2007.’ 

Comer said Walz has traveled to China an estimated ’30 times.’ 

Comer has now issued a subpoena for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, compelling him to produce DHS records related to Walz’s alleged ties to the CCP. 

Walz, meanwhile, during a congressional hearing in 2016, said he had ‘been to China dozens of times.’

‘I’ve been there about 30 times,’ Walz told an agriculture-focused publication in 2016. 

However, a Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson recently said to Minnesota Public Radio that the number was ‘closer to 15 times.’ 

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A visibly shaky Walz says the world needs ‘steady leadership’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz kicked off his debate against Ohio Sen. JD Vance on shaky footing when he was first asked about his foreign policy platform in the Middle East. 

‘Governor Walz, if you were the final voice in the Situation Room, would you support or oppose a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran?’ CBS’ Margaret Brennan asked Walz on Tuesday evening in New York City during the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate. 

Walz thanked the moderators for hosting him before delivering a halting and stammering answer while calling for ‘steady leadership.’

‘Iran, our I, Israel’s ability to be able to defend itself is absolutely fundamental. Getting its hostages back, fundamental. And ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But the expansion of Israel and its proxies is an absolute fundamental necessity for the United States to have to steady leadership there. You saw it experienced today where along with our Israeli partners and our coalition, able to stop the incoming attack,’ Walz responded, taking a few pauses between words. 

Earlier Tuesday, Iran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles at Israel. War broke out in Israel nearly one year ago on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched attacks on the nation.

‘What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter. It’s clear. And the world saw it on that debate stage a few weeks ago, a nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need in this moment,’ Walz continued. 

Walz continued his response by taking shots at former President Donald Trump and his former administration officials. 

‘His chief of staff, John Kelly, said that he was the most flawed human being you’d ever met. And both of his secretaries of defense and his national security advisers said he should be nowhere near the White House. Now, the person closest to them… said he’s unfit for the highest office. That was Sen. Vance,’ Walz said, referring to Vance’s previous criticisms of Trump before he was elected to the White House in 2016.

Walz summed up his first response by arguing Vice President Kamala Harris has shown ‘steady leadership’ on the world stage. 

‘What we’ve seen out of Vice President Harris is we’ve seen steady leadership. We’ve seen a calmness that is able to be able to draw on the coalitions, to bring them together understanding, that our allies matter. When our allies see Donald Trump turn towards Vladimir Putin, turn towards North Korea, when we start to see that type of fickleness around holding the coalitions together, we will stay committed. And as the vice president said today, we will protect our forces and our allied forces, and there will be consequences,’ he continued. 

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Missed field goal keeps Kirby Smart from being lumped with Ryan Day

Imagine if Ohio State had made the field goal to beat Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl. Then, Kirby Smart and Ryan Day would be equals.
Kirby Smart is 1-6 against Alabama. Ryan Day is 1-3 against Michigan. The difference between the two coaches? Smart’s two national championships.
If ‘if’ was a fifth, we’d all be drunk, and Ryan Day would have as many national titles as Kirby Smart.

The ball dropped in the Big Apple, the kick hooked in Atlanta, the clock struck midnight on the East Coast, and Kirby Smart claimed a victory that cemented our perception that Georgia’s coach stands as a resolute winner.

When Ohio State’s field-goal attempt in the final seconds of the 2022 Peach Bowl sailed left while the calendar rolled into a new year, it affected perception of Ryan Day, too. Day persistently falls short in his biggest games.

But, what if the Buckeyes had made that 50-yard attempt? Then, we’d view Smart and Day a lot more similarly.

Ohio State would have done the same to TCU if it had made the field goal to beat Georgia. TCU’s defense was not equipped to handle the Buckeyes’ firepower that pushed Georgia to the brink.

In that alternate universe, Smart and Day would have one national championship apiece.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda, right?

As the saying goes, if ‘if’ was a fifth, we’d all be drunk. And Day would have as many titles as Smart.

Day doesn’t, so we view each differently. That’s appropriate, because national championships form the ultimate metric of coaching success. But, when I reconsider that New Year’s Eve night, one field goal separates Smart from being Day, and from Day being Smart.

The Buckeyes whipped Georgia for three quarters. Then, Ohio State’s star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. exited with a concussion, and the Buckeyes failed to protect a 14-point lead. Day didn’t have his best coaching moments in the fourth quarter, and that damaged his reputation, especially on the heels of his loss to Michigan one month previously.

I started thinking about Day and his Buckeyes after Georgia lost 41-34 at Alabama on Saturday.

Why?

Because, like Day, Smart persistently beats nearly everyone he faces.

Except that, like Day, Smart consistently loses games against the other premier program in his respective conference.

Smart, though, does not face the same degree of big-game scrutiny that Day encounters, in part because that field goal missed in Atlanta.

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Kirby Smart fizzles vs. Alabama, much like Ryan Day against Michigan

Smart only scaled the Alabama mountain one time. He’s now 1-6 against the Tide. Day, to the great chagrin of Buckeyes fans, is 1-3 against Michigan.

If Day loses to Michigan this season, fuming Buckeyes fans undoubtedly will issue demands to, fire everybody! Other than perhaps a few crazies, no one issued such edicts after Smart’s latest disappointment against Alabama.

Smart’s two national championships provide the ultimate shield. They uphold his reputation in a way that Day’s 11-0 combined record against Penn State and Michigan State does not.

Also working in Smart’s favor: Alabama, while sharing comparable footing with Georgia inside the SEC, is not Georgia’s biggest rival. Smart is 20-4 against rivals Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech. He’ll go for an eighth consecutive win against Auburn on Saturday.

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Michigan is, literally, The Game for Ohio State, and so what if Day’s Buckeyes thumped Sparty 38-7 last weekend?

Day’s .882 winning percentage trumps Smart’s .851 clip, but they’re not on the same plane, because that all-important national championship tally shows two to zip in Smart’s favor.

Anybody can win one national championship. OK, not anyone, but Gene Chizik and Ed Orgeron won one. To win two placed Smart into rarefied air and built a layer of reputational defense against repeated losses to Alabama.

Smart won his first national championship came in his sixth season. He previously lost a national championship – to Alabama, who else? – in Year 2.

Day also lost a national championship to Alabama to culminate his second season. He’s now in his sixth season. His No. 3 Buckeyes are undefeated entering a game against Iowa. And that’s just dandy, but it’ll mean squat if he loses again to Michigan.

One more point in Kirby Smart’s favor in Ryan Day comparison

It’s also relevant to distinguish that these coaches inherited programs in different places of their trajectory.

Day grabbed the keys to Urban Meyer’s sportscar. Comparatively, Smart stepped into a Georgia garage that, for years, housed Mark Richt’s sturdy but unremarkable Toyota Camry. Smart transformed Georgia into a mean machine. He accelerated the program with elite recruiting and by instilling a higher degree of urgency. He also catapulted Georgia to the elite stratosphere while Nick Saban’s dynasty hummed and while LSU produced one of college football’s best seasons ever.

Smart’s Bulldogs elbowed their way to the top and then stayed on top for a second season.

Smart’s achievements are undeniably impressive, and they’re superior to Day’s.

And still, Smart melts against Alabama, while he gets red in the face, and he becomes a meme in a cockeyed visor.

Kalen DeBoer proved that Nick Saban isn’t the only Alabama coach who can win a chess match against Smart.

“We had a solution to everything they were going to present to us,’ Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe said after torching Smart’s defense with 491 yards of offense.

Smart shrugged it off. Asked about his repeated losses to Alabama, Smart offered this gobsmacking response: “What’s everybody else’s record against them, you know? Has anybody got one better than 1-6 that’s played them (that many times)?”

Imagine if Day spoke so flippantly about his losing record against Michigan. He can’t, because Michigan is Ohio State’s top rival. And he can’t, because a field goal sailed wide of the uprights at midnight.

These two coaches compare in some ways, and, in other ways, not at all. One missed kick relegates Day to a crowded rung of accomplished coaches with no national championships, while Smart belongs to an exclusive back-to-back club that provides him the ultimate credibility and reputation protection, even as he succumbs to the Tide.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

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This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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