The Boston Red Sox were 14 games under .500 and mired in last place in the American League East on June 24, four games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The club has been nearly unbeatable since and finds itself in the second wild-card spot and 5.5 games out of first place in the division.

Boston (61-51) seeks its seventh consecutive victory Wednesday as it hosts the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox (59-53) at 7:10 p.m. ET for the middle contest of their three-game series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox, who are in the midst of a 29-5 stretch during which they posted a franchise record-tying 15-game winning streak, cruised to a 14-2 triumph in Tuesday’s opener.

Caleb Durbin belted a grand slam during a six-run first inning and Wilyer Abreu went deep twice for Boston, which has gone 15-3 since the All-Star Break. The Red Sox swept a three-game series at Chicago last month, outscoring the White Sox 15-2, and have produced at least eight runs in three of their last four contests.

Chicago has lost two of three but still owns a three-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. The team is 2-2 on its current six-game road trip but is just 25-32 away from home this season.

There are 10 other games on MLB’s Wednesday evening schedule, including the third contest of a four-game set between the San Diego Padres (59-55) and Arizona Diamondbacks (60-54) at 9:40 p.m. ET at Chase Field in Phoenix. The National League West rivals split the first two games of the series, with Arizona taking the opener 5-1 and San Diego responding Tuesday with a 9-4 victory. The Diamondbacks are one game ahead of the Padres for the third wild-card berth in the NL.

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Meanwhile, the Athletics (45-68) attempt to halt their six-game slide when they visit the Cincinnati Reds (54-58) at 6:40 p.m. ET for the middle contest of their three-game series at Great American Ball Park. The Reds, who have won four of five, rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to win Tuesday’s opener 5-4, sending the Athletics to their 11th defeat in 13 outings.

The Red Sox are -131 favorites against the White Sox in the latest consensus MLB betting odds. The Padres are -122 favorites versus the Diamondbacks at sports betting apps and the Reds are -148 favorites over the Athletics.

Below is a snapshot of what to watch and bet for Wednesday, Aug. 5. All times Eastern

MLB best bets, where to watch

Athletics at Reds

Time: 6:40 p.m. | Location: Cincinnati | TV: MLB.TV | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine picks —  Model: Athletics +1.5 (-156) | Expert: Reds ML (-145, Adam Thompson)

Three of the Reds’ last four victories were one-run decisions. After suffering a pair of double-digit losses against the Detroit Tigers this past weekend, the Athletics were involved in a tight contest in the series opener at Cincinnati. Even if their losing streak continues Wednesday, the SportsLine Projection Model expects another close result as the Athletics cover the run line in 64% of its simulations. SportsLine expert Adam Thompson (22-16, +393 on his last 38 MLB money-line picks) thinks the Reds will prevail as the Athletics’ bullpen has posted a 7.64 ERA over the last two weeks while Cincinnati’s owns a 1.60 mark in that same span.

White Sox at Red Sox

Time: 7:10 p.m. | Location: Boston | TV: MLB.TV | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine picks —  Model: White Sox +1.5 (-189) | Expert: Sean Burke Over 5.5 strikeouts (-142, PropBetGuy)

Boston right-hander Sonny Gray leads the AL with 13 victories and has lost just once since April 14. However, he has allowed at least four runs in each of his last two starts. Although the White Sox have scored fewer than three runs in three of their last five games, the SportsLine Projection Model believes they’ll give Gray and the Red Sox a tough time Wednesday as its simulations have them covering the run line 71% of the time. Chicago righty Sean Burke has posted back-to-back 10-strikeout performances and fanned six or more batters in 11 of his last 12 appearances, including a pair of relief outings. SportsLine props expert PropBetGuy (69-42, +1717 on his last 111 MLB picks) expects more of the same from the 26-year-old, who has recorded 60 strikeouts over 50 1/3 innings on the road this year.

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Padres at Diamondbacks

Time: 9:40 p.m. | Location: Phoenix, Ariz. | TV: MLB.TV | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)

SportsLine picks —  Model: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-155) | Expert: Padres ML (-121, Angelo Magliocca)

Both teams are playing well, as the Padres have won nine of their last 11 games and the Diamondbacks five of their past seven. Arizona is coming off a 9-4 setback but has lost consecutive contests just once since July 9. Right-hander Casey Mize makes his debut for San Diego and allowed only two runs over 9 1/3 innings in his final two starts for the Tigers, but the SportsLine Projection Model sees the Diamondbacks keeping Wednesday’s contest close as they cover the run line in 68% of its simulations. SportsLine expert Angelo Magliocca is backing the Padres to win, however, as Arizona rookie left-hander Mitch Bratt has had control issues of late, issuing nine walks across 10 frames in his last two turns.

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Home is where the heart is. For linebacker Dre Greenlaw, that certainly was not with the Denver Broncos.

Greenlaw spent last season with the Broncos after signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract, but was cut almost a year later. Greenlaw then returned to the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent the first six years of his career, on a one-year deal. While it wasn’t the main reason Greenlaw left Denver, he certainly won’t miss the altitude of the Mile High City.

“F—ing altitude,” Greenlaw told The Athletic. “My mouth’s dry, my nose is dry, I can’t sleep. … I’m fighting demons left and right.”

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Dre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos stretches on the field prior to an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

“I tell you, it’s different being here in California,” Greenlaw said. “This fresh air, bro, it makes a difference. You feel like you can run all day out here.”

Greenlaw’s Broncos tenure got off to an inauspicious start, as he suffered a severe quadriceps strain on the second day of OTAs, and it held him out until Week 7. Greenlaw said he felt head coach Sean Payton’s ire because he wasn’t able to be on the field.

“We were good, especially when I first came in,” Greenlaw said. “And then you pop your quad, people start looking at you. Then, when we played the Jaguars (on Dec. 21), I had a little bit of a hamstring (injury). After that, you kind of feel when the coach is, like, not really messing with you. I felt alone.”

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs catches a touchdown pass under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 14, 2025. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

The linebacker said he knew the trainers better than his teammates because he wasn’t on the field. Last season, he appeared in eight games (seven starts), recorded 43 tackles, with two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.

The Broncos ran a different scheme than the one Greenlaw used with the 49ers, and he said he never mastered it. He took accountability for his shortcomings in Denver.

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“I don’t blame anything on the Broncos,” he said. “Coming off the Achilles and the calf (injuries), I just wasn’t in the shape that I needed to be to go out there with them and give it all I got. I should have taken it slow. (But) naturally, they’d just paid me, so that’s all I wanted to do — go show them what I could do. And it bit me in the ass, the second day I got there.”

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Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambles with the ball under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw in the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Nov. 30, 2025. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

“I know what I could have done better, as far as being in that film,” he said. “That’s where I feel like I let myself and everybody down.”

After being cut by the Broncos, Greenlaw signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal to return to the 49ers. The familiarity of Southern California is one he enjoys.

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“It just feels like home,” Greenlaw said. “I get to still play football and prove people wrong. And that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life.”

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the invitation of 62 players to the camp of the Golden Eaglets ahead of this year’s WAFU B U17 Championship.

Head Coach Uwejamomere Eboboritse has called up five goalkeepers, 24 defenders, 20 midfielders and 13 forwards for the screening and training programme in Abuja.

The invited players have been asked to report to camp as Eboboritse, alongside his assistants Kalli Mohammed Kachalla and Abdullahi Isa, begin preparations for the regional competition.

Nigeria will be hoping to build another strong Golden Eaglets side, having won the FIFA U17 World Cup a record five times.

The 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship is scheduled to take place in October.

Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Dada (Beyond Limits FA), Enabodje Jackson Akpobome (Dosu Joseph FA), Mutiu Adenle Adedayo (Seamoriow FA), Usama Salisu (Ranchers Bees FC), Johnny Kelvin (KMK Football Academy).

Defenders: Daniel Agunzi (Imperial FA), Michael Ogwuche (Triple 44 Academy), Chinedu Destiny (Supreme Kings FC), Isa Jamiu (Inspire FA), Ifechukwu Nweke (Benin City Sports Academy), Nabil Shehu (Sports Supply FA), Augustine David (Right2Win FA), Abdullahi Muhammad (Ahzuba FC), Auwal Fahad (Derby FA), Ahuchaogu Chinenye Goodluck (Supreme Kings FC), Chinedu Nchoje (Gbagada FC), Ekwueme Chidubem (Giant Brillars FC), Tochukwu Muoneme (Rangers International FC), Eke Kingsley (Supreme Kings FC), Mubarak Dayyatu (Mahanaim FC), Abdulrazak Ibrahim (Breakthrough FA), Davidson Chukwuemeka (Golden Generation FA), Isah Kasim Ladan (Mavlon FC 24), Hussaini Saeed (AS Roma Academy).

Midfielders: Paul Emmanuel Akpan (Solo Wanderers FC), Goodness Ukwubile (Turf Arena FA), Japhet Vincent (Mees Palace FA), Chinedu Divine Mbachu (Sporting Lagos), Sochima Joshua Emeka (Multilife Saver FC), Anifowose Faruq Olayanju (Jaguar Sports FA), Mansur Sanusi (Beyond Limits FA), Adegbola Alameen Oladimeji (Stormers FC), Abdullahi Jamiu Afolabi (Smart City FC), Salisu Abdulsamad (B Angel FA), Oluwole Akinyele (Breeding Professionals FA), Abubakar Fuhaad (Stormers FC), Abdulrazak Abubakar (Simoiben Academy), Michael Ekundayo (Vinod Academy), Otugo Akachukwu (P. Sports FA), Abdulmalik Babatunde (Adoration Football Academy), Nwobodo Chinoso (Mavlon FC), Abdulsalam Fuhad (Cart FC Academy), Benedict Samuel (Ikon Allah Football Academy), Benjamin Benedict Boloni (Dreamline Football Academy).

Forwards: Barnabas Chichi (Transformers FA), Ayinde Basit (Ikorodu City FA), Igboenobe Columbus (Forster FA), Yusuf Isa Alo (Footwork FA), Raheem Lateef (Inspire FA), Abuchi Lawrence (Sporting Lagos), Abas Sani (Kubarachi FC), Israel Asuquo Ayo (Kon Academy), Usoro Godswill (Sporting Supreme FC), Usman Kachalla (Desert Fox FC), Muhammad Auwal (Kano Pillars FC), Mahmud Ahmed (Beyond Limits FA), Anreki Peter Samuel (Strikers Hub FA), Fasiu Mubarak (Sporting Supreme FC), Abdullahi Suleiman Ibrahim (Ikon Allah Football Academy), Shaibu Umar Faruk (Palmville College Lagos), Bello Ibrahim (Palmville College Lagos), Aliyu Abah Muhammed (Lobi Stars Feeders).

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo in action against Converge in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—After improving to a 5-2 record in Group A, San Miguel Beer is tipped to handle its next two assignments in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Following a 126-114 win over Converge on Wednesday night, the Beermen will face Macau on Friday, then Titan Ultra on Wednesday. Both teams are at the bottom part of the standings with identical 2-5 slates.

But make no mistake, June Mar Fajardo and the rest of San Miguel aren’t letting their guards down.

“We still need to go hard against them because our coaching staff always reminds us that we can’t take them lightly,” the nine-time PBA MVP told the Inquirer.

“Even if they’re at the bottom of the standings, they’re capable of winning the big games. For us, we don’t want to lose.”

Fajardo had a big game against the FiberXers despite his scoring woes after collecting 21 rebounds, 10 assists and four blocks with zero turnovers. Import George King dominated with 46 points and 14 rebounds for the Beermen, who continued to miss the services of key cog CJ Perez.

Perez suffered a groin injury early in San Miguel’s 110-96 loss to undefeated NLEX last July 26.

The Beermen dominated both the Giant Pandas and Giant Risers in their first-round encounters last month.

San Miguel routed Macau, 123-109, in its conference opener on July 14 before crushing Titan Ultra, 143-105 on July 29.

Coach Leo Austria, who had his official return as the Beermen’s head coach after undergoing a heart procedure last month, approaches SMB’s next two games with the same mentality as Fajardo.

“Games against those two teams are equally as important as when we play NLEX, TNT or Converge,” he said. Every win is for us to get to the next round,” he said.

Terence Crawford retired as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters at the end of last year, and now, ‘Bud’ has named the three men whom he believe will lead the next generation of boxing and take over the sport.

Crawford hung up the gloves with an unbeaten 42-fight record, having proven himself to many to be the best fighter on the planet by claiming the undisputed title in three separate weight divisions – being the only post-war boxer to achieve that feat.

As a result, Crawford is now being hailed as one of the best fighters of all time, with fans sorry to have seen the last of the 38-year-old southpaw, who continues to be linked to a rematch with Canelo Alvarez, as well as meetings against Ryan Garcia and Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

In an interview with Ring Champs, Crawford named Ennis among the three Americans he anticipates will take over the sport, despite their recent rivalry.

“Bam [Jesse Rodriguez], Shakur [Stevenson], Boots [Ennis].”

Ennis became a two-division unified world champion by knocking out Xander Zayas in June, and the newly-crowned WBA and WBO super-welterweight ruler is now looking to add the IBF strap to his waist, seeking a unification with Sunderland’s Josh Kelly.

Meanwhile, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez conquered a third weight-class when he recently dispatched of WBA bantamweight world champion Antonio Vargas, and the Texan is next seeking a unification with WBC champion Christian Medina ahead of a fascinating showdown with Naoya Inoue next year.

Lastly, Shakur Stevenson made history by becoming boxing’s third-youngest four-division world champion when he dominated Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super-lightweight world title in January, athough it is unclear whether he will keep hold of the belt, after recently announcing his move to Zuffa Boxing.

The Commonwealth Games flag was formally presented to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.

After returning from Glasgow, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the flag to Patel during the cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, symbolising the commencement of preparations for the upcoming event.

Sanghavi, along with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P. T. Usha, participated in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, where the Commonwealth Games Flag was formally handed over to India as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.

“Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi formally presented the Commonwealth Games Flag, with full honour and dignity, to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during the state cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar,” according to an official release.

Para-athletes Rakesh Bhatt and Rohit Majgul, who represented Gujarat at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, were present on the occasion. Para table tennis player Sonal Patel also joined the occasion.

“The Commonwealth Games Flag will now remain in Gujarat until the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Along with advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ vision, it will serve as an inspiration for athletes and symbolise the commencement of preparations for the upcoming event,” the release said. 

Speaking to the media upon his arrival at Ahmedabad Airport earlier on Wednesday, Sanghavi said Ahmedabad will set a new benchmark in hosting the Commonwealth Games.

“These Games will be organised with grandeur and with the best possible arrangements for the athletes. They will be conducted in such a way that every athlete can deliver his best performance,” the Deputy CM said.

Sanghavi, who also holds the sports portfolio, said the state government is committed to realising PM Modi’s ‘Fit India’ vision and anti-drug campaign.

“We will advance the anti-drug campaign and the Fit India Movement so that the youth of the country receive maximum opportunities in the sports sector. The Gujarat Government is working towards this goal. Under the guidance of the Government of India, we will continue to move this work forward,” he said.

Sanghavi also highlighted the rapid growth of sports infrastructure in Gujarat.

“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, sports infrastructure is progressing across the country in every state. Especially in Ahmedabad, over the past several years, under the supervision of CM Patel, one new sports infrastructure after another has been developed at a rapid pace,” he noted.

Pakistan avoided a series defeat by beating the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test in Port of Spain on Wednesday. The win ended Pakistan’s eight-match losing streak in away Tests and gave them their first Test victory outside home in three years.The two-match series finished 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs.It was Pakistan’s first away Test win since July 2023, when they defeated Sri Lanka under Babar Azam‘s captaincy. Since then, Pakistan went through several changes in coaches, selectors and captains, with Babar stepping down from the role twice. This time, the combination of captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed helped Pakistan return to winning ways overseas.Pakistan chased down the target of 75 runs on the fourth morning, reaching 77/2 shortly after the first session. Abdullah Shafique, who scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 24, while captain Babar Azam also finished unbeaten on 24.Earlier, Pakistan bowled out the West Indies for 117 in their second innings inside the first half-hour of play on a wearing Queen’s Park Oval pitch. Off-spinner Sajid Khan took 4/32 and left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed 4/39 as the pair shared eight wickets.The West Indies began the day on 106/3 with a lead of 60 runs, but their lower order could not add much. Ali Usman dismissed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph, while Justin Greaves, the last recognised batter, added only two runs before playing Mohammad Ali’s delivery back onto his stumps while attempting a cross-batted shot.The West Indies were also without opener Brandon King in the second innings. He could not bat because of a back injury suffered on Day 3 when he ran out Babar Azam with a direct hit from short cover.Pakistan’s previous away Test win had also come under Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in 2023. During Shan Masood’s time as captain, Pakistan lost 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa and 2-0 in Bangladesh.Masood was removed as captain after Pakistan’s poor run in Test cricket. Babar returned to the role but Pakistan lost the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, which became their eighth consecutive away Test defeat before bouncing back in Port of Spain.The victory also changed the standings in the World Test Championship. Pakistan moved up to eighth place with 22.22% of points after two wins and four defeats in six matches. The West Indies dropped to ninth with 20.83% of points after two wins in 12 matches.

Puka Nacua is taking notes.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver is beginning his fourth NFL season next month, making him due for quite a payday.

Nacua’s 95.3 receiving yards per game are the most all-time, and since joining the league in 2023, no one else within six yards of him.

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Puka Nacua (12) of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a catch during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Once an afterthought as a fifth-round selection, Nacua is now in the conversation as the best wide receiver in the league, and he wants to be paid like it.

Well, after Zay Flowers inked a $140 million extension that gives him $108 million guaranteed, both figures are the fourth-highest ever at the position, Nacua has reportedly brought in Flowers’ agent to negotiate his next contract.

Like Flowers, Nacua is now represented by WIN Sports Group after previously being a part of the Athletes First team. WIN also represents stars like Dexter Lawrence, Jordan Davis, Nnamdi Madubuike, and Dion Dawkins.

Because Nacua wasn’t drafted in the first round, unlike Flowers, he is not eligible for a fifth-year option, making him set to hit free agency upon the 2026 season’s end.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, runs against Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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Flowers and Nacua entered the league the same year, and given that Nacua’s numbers are better than Flowers’ across the board, the Rams star figures to have a good argument to not only beat Flowers’ deal but maybe even surpass Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the highest-paid receiver of all time ($168.6 million).

Despite Flowers playing in 50 games compared with Nacua’s 44, Flowers has more than 1,000 fewer receiving yards and 76 fewer receptions.

Flowers has undoubtedly been a stalwart for the Baltimore Ravens, as he’s coming off a season in which he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. He’s now posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Yet had Nacua not missed six games because of injury in 2024, he may very well already have more than 4,500 yards (he had more than 90 receiving yards per game that season).

Flowers has missed only one regular-season game in three seasons (his rookie campaign), although he was unavailable for the 2024 playoffs.

Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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He became the fastest player in Ravens history (21 games) to reach 100 receptions and the first Raven with multiple 1,000-yard seasons in the first three years of his career. He ranked 11th in the NFL in receptions in 2025 and seventh in receiving yards. That was despite an underwhelming, injury-plagued season from Jackson — and Baltimore’s willingness to run the ball with Derrick Henry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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