World Cup semifinals preview: Argentina-Croatia, France-Morocco

Dan Gartland is previewing the World Cup semifinals: Argentina-Croatia, France-Morocco.

The World Cup semifinals start today at 2 p.m. ET. France and Argentina are the pre-tournament favorites. Croatia and Morocco are underdogs. Morocco is the first African team to reach the semifinals.   France is looking to repeat as World champions.

Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić are both playing in their last World Cup. Croatia is in the semifinals for the second time in a row. Eight Croatian players are averaging more than 90 minutes played per game. Argentina will be tired after being taken to penalties by the Netherlands in last round. Croatia's advancing would be an upset, but not totally out of nowhere.

France and Morocco are meeting in the World Cup semifinals. France has a talented attack with Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud. Morocco has an experienced defense but has struggled with possession.  Morocco has won all five of its matches at this World cup.

Martin has just one holding penalty on his record since the start of the 2017 season. He has played more than 5,300 offensive and special teams snaps.

Damian Lillard's 11 three-pointers against the Timberwolves tied his own franchise record. Rangers' two goals in seven seconds to tie the game against Devils.

Jackie Robinson was traded to the Cardinals, Reds and Giants on this day in 1956.

The height of the pitcher's mound was standardized at the baseball's winter meetings on December 12, 1930. A ball bouncing over the outfield wall would no longer be a home run. The rule calling a batter out if a foul ball was caught on the bounce was eliminated in 1882. Babe Ruth played the majority of his career when today’s automatic doubles counted as a homer.

The strike zone was defined as extending from the armpits to the bottom of the knees. The spitball was outlawed.

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