It was a good day for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles in the American League wild-card picture.
Toronto and Baltimore were the lone clubs chasing the third wild-card spot to secure victories on Friday, as the Blue Jays won big at home over the Seattle Mariners and the Orioles secured an extra-inning triumph over the Athletics.
The wins allowed the AL East rivals to gain ground on the Cleveland Guardians, who saw their seven-game win streak end against the Kansas City Royals.
Friday’s action also saw the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers lose to National League competition.
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The Houston Astros, meanwhile, also benefited from the down day across the junior circuit, extending their lead atop the AL West.
Here’s how the standings look after Friday’s results:
Toronto: vs. Seattle, 3:07 p.m. (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+) Houston: at New York Mets, 4:10 p.m. New York Yankees: vs. Boston (Game 1), 1:05 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+) New York Yankees: vs. Boston (Game 1), 7:15 p.m. (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+) Baltimore: at Athletics, 10:05 p.m. (Sportsnet+) Boston: at New York Yankees (Game 1), 1:05 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+) Boston: at New York Yankees (Game 2), 7:15 p.m. (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+) Texas: at Milwaukee, 7:15 p.m. Cleveland: vs. Kansas City, 4:10 p.m. Minnesota: vs. Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m. Seattle: at Toronto, 3:07 p.m. Detroit: vs. L.A. Dodgers, 1:10 p.m. (Sportsnet+)
TORONTO — Dylan Cease struck out eight in six innings, George Springer was 4 for 4 with a home run, and Toronto beat Seattle.
Cease (9-5), who gave up four hits, one run and a walk, now has 217 strikeouts to lead the AL. The only pitcher in the majors with more is Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski with 222.
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Cease is 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA in his past 10 starts, including two wins over the Mariners.
Springer, who scored three runs, singled in the first inning, doubled in the third, hit his 14th homer in the fifth and singled in the seventh. Springer hit a memorable homer the last time Toronto hosted Seattle, a three-run shot to put the Blue Jays ahead in Game 7 of the 2025 ALCS.
Kazuma Okamoto and Nathan Lukes added homers for the Blue Jays.
ORIOLES 4, ATHLETICS 3, 10
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WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand had two-out RBI singles in the 10th inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Athletics 4-3 on Friday night.
The Orioles pulled within two games of Cleveland for the final AL wild card.
Automatic runner Carlos Narváez started the 10th on second base and rookie Brady Basso (0-1) intentionally walked Pete Alonso with one out. Jackson Holliday struck out after Gunnar Henderson came in to pinch run for Alonso, and Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand each drove in a run for a 4-2 lead.
Brandon Young pitched seven innings and allowed a run on five hits and a walk in a start for Baltimore, leaving with a 2-1 lead. Andrew Kittredge (3-3) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win and rookie Alex Hoppe allowed an RBI single by Zack Gelof before closing out the 10th for his first save.
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NEW YORK — Paul Goldschmidt homered, left fielder Cody Bellinger threw out the potential tying run at home plate to end the seventh inning and New York edged Boston in the opener of a pivotal four-game series.
Cam Schlittler (12-6) shut down his hometown team again, striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings of two-hit ball. The right-hander from Walpole, Massachusetts overcame five walks, which matched a career high, as the Red Sox went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 overall.
They also cost themselves with a terrible baserunning blunder by Ceddanne Rafaela, who got doubled off first as the trail runner when Wilyer Abreu lined out to centre field — ending the fifth with cleanup batter Willson Contreras on deck.
New York remained four games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East and moved three ahead of Boston in the race for the top American League wild-card and home-field advantage throughout a potential best-of-three playoff series between the longtime rivals.
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CLEVELAND — Michael Wacha dominated Cleveland’s lineup by allowing just four singles over eight innings as Kansas City stayed scorching hot with a win to end the Guardians’ winning streak at seven games.
Wacha (8-8) was in control from his first pitch to his 103rd and cooled off the Guardians, who just returned from a 6-0 trip to Colorado and Los Angeles.
Rookie Carter Jensen hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Royals, who have won 11 of 12 and are 23-16 since the All-Star break.
Wacha, who leads the AL with 18 quality starts, walked none and struck out a season-high 10. The Guardians only got one runner past second base against the right-hander. Wacha improved to 6-1 against AL Central teams in 2026.
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Steven Cruz loaded the bases in the ninth on two singles and a hit batter before retiring Angel Genao on a comebacker for his sixth save.
NEW YORK — Hunter Brown struck out 10 and allowed a run over 6 2/3 innings, Daulton Varsho had a two-run single in a three-run sixth inning and Houston beat New York.
Brown (4-3) threw 102 pitches and allowed five hits and a walk, becoming the first Astros starter since Aug. 10 to complete six innings.
Bryan Abreu struck out two and retired all four batters he faced. Josh Hader struck out two in the ninth for his 20th save in 20 opportunities.
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Brown struck out six and didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings, but Francisco Lindor led off the fourth with a single then scored from first on Carson Benge’s one-out double.
Christian Scott (4-4) allowed only a Jose Altuve single in 5 1/3 innings, but he left after loading the bases on three walks. Varsho greeted Nate Lavender with a two-run single and Yainer Diaz singled in another run.
MINNEAPOLIS — Colson Montgomery hit his 28th homer and Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs to help AL Central-leading Chicago beat Minnesota.
Chicago took advantage of shaky pitching early by the Twins. Montgomery’s three-run homer off starter Dean Kremer (2-5) in the first inning put the White Sox up 4-0.
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The Twins climbed back with first-inning homers by Brooks Lee and Kody Clemens. Lee also singled in the second to tie it at 4 before Chicago regained the lead on Benintendi’s double in the third.
Both starting pitchers went just four innings. Chicago right-hander Luis Castillo allowed four runs on eight hits, while Kremer gave up six runs — five earned — in his outing.
Reliever Grant Taylor (7-2) pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings for Chicago for the victory. Bryan Hudson pitched the ninth for his sixth save.
MILWAUKEE — Logan Henderson gave up one hit over seven innings and Jake Bauers reached base five times and scored twice in his return to the lineup as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Texas Rangers 6-1 on Friday night.
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Henderson (9-2), who has allowed three runs or less in each of his first 19 career starts, including 14 this season, gave up one run, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in matching the longest outing of his career, on Aug. 16 against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Bauers, who missed three consecutive games with shin splints, went 2 for 2 with three walks, two runs scored and a stolen base.
The Brewers, who have the best record in the majors, moved a season-high eight games ahead of the Chicago Cubs for the top spot in the NL Central. Texas has lost 13 of its last 16 games on the road.
The Brewers jumped on Rangers starter Cody Bradford (0-3) in the first. Brice Turang had a bunt single and took second on a throwing error. Turang tagged on Jackson Chourio’s fly out and scored on William Contreras’ groundout. Christian Yelich’s run-scoring double gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.
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Tarik Skubal threw six solid innings against his former team, Freddie Freeman hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 2-1 on Friday night.
Skubal allowed one run on four hits and struck out seven. He was welcomed back with mostly cheers, and a smattering of boos, from fans in his first game as a visitor at Comerica Park since being traded this month.
In a crowd that had mixed emotions about Skubal’s return, a couple young fans had fitting outfits sporting white Tigers jerseys with 29 and Skubal on the back — and a blue Dodgers hat.
Evan Phillips (2-2), Brock Stewart and Alex Vesia combined for three innings of scoreless relief and Tanner Scott pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 22 chances.
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Jacob Waguespack (1-2) gave up one run on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Skubal allowed a leadoff double to Gleyber Torres and the two-time Cy Young Award winner went on to retire the next 12 batters, including striking out the side in the third inning.
Eduardo Valencia led off the fifth with a double against Skubal and Max Clark followed with a two-out triple in the inning to break a scoreless tie.
The Dodgers tied it in the next inning on Miguel Rojas’ RBI single off left-handed reliever Drew Sommers and they went ahead in the eighth. Freeman hit a two-out single to centre that scored Teoscar Hernández for a 2-1 lead.
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CHICAGO — Tyler Stephenson hit a three-run homer to highlight a five-run sixth inning, Jose Trevino, TJ Friedl and Sal Stewart also went deep and Cincinnati scored nine unanswered runs in a win over Chicago.
Down 3-0 after three innings, the Reds cut their deficit to 3-2 in the fifth before moving ahead in the sixth when Trevino tied it with a solo homer, Stewart added an RBI single and Stephenson launched a 399-foot homer to centre to make it 7-3.
Usually reliable Cubs reliever Trent Thornton (5-5) took the loss, giving up five runs on four hits and a walk while getting just two outs.
Stewart had his 29th homer to go with a single, a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored. Five Cincinnati players had a multi-hit game, including shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who had three hits, two RBIs and scored a run.
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The loss extended a tough stretch for the Cubs’ bullpen, which blew two saves on the team’s recent West Coast trip.
WASHINGTON — Brady House hit a three-run homer, Jackson Kent threw seven innings of one-run ball to pick up his first major league win, and Washington beat Miami.
Washington scored five runs in the third after Miami starter Eury Pérez walked the first three batters on just 14 pitches. The Nationals scored two on a wild pitch to take a 2-1 lead and House hit his 10th homer of the season 445 feet.
The Nationals added four runs in the seventh. Harry Ford hit his third home run of the season over the wall in left-centre field for a 6-1 lead. Dylan Crews hit a double into the left-field corner to score two more and reach base for the eighth consecutive game.
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Daylen Lile tripled over the centre-fielder to score another run, his sixth triple of the season.
Washington snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series with the Marlins. The Nationals had scored just 15 total runs over the last seven games against Miami.
ATLANTA — Michael Harris II drove in three runs on two hits, including a homer, Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits and three runs, and Atlanta beat Colorado for its fifth straight win.
Right-hander Grant Holmes (9-5) allowed three runs on eight hits — all singles — in five innings for Atlanta. Before the game, the Braves announced right-handers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep would have season-ending elbow surgeries.
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Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (12-8) gave up six runs on 10 hits in four-plus innings. Sugano left the game after gave up three hits, including a two-run homer by Harris, to open the fifth.
Acuña, who was rested in the Braves’ 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, had three hits and a walk as the cleanup hitter for the first time this season.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yandy Diaz and Cedric Mullins each homered and drove in two runs and AL-leading Tampa Bay scored five runs in the fourth inning on the way to a victory over San Diego.
Shane McClanahan (10-6) allowed three hits and four runs, three earned, with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old left-hander improved to 8-1 at home.
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Chandler Simpson had two hits, two stolen bases and scored twice as the Rays (80-54) won for the fourth time in five games and became the first team in the American League to reach 80 wins.
Casey Mize (5-8) allowed seven runs, two earned, on six hits in five innings. Jackson Merrill homered for San Diego, which is 8-2 in its last 10 games.
ST. LOUIS — Quinn Mathews allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings for his first major league win and Jimmy Crooks hit a two-run homer to lead St. Louis to a victory over Pittsburgh.
Mathews (1-2) threw 102 pitches in the longest of his four starts. He struck out seven for the second time and walked one in his first outing at home.
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Ryan Fernandez followed Mathews with two scoreless innings. Fernandez left after a two-out walk to Brian Reynolds in the eighth and Caleb Ferguson got the final out when Reynolds was hit on the foot on a single through the infield by Oneil Cruz. Ryne Stanek struck out two in the ninth for his second save.
Nolan Gorman had a one-out double off Jacob Jones (2-6) in the third and Crooks followed with his fifth home run of the season for a 2-0 lead.
Jordan Walker and José Fermín singled leading off the fourth, and Nathan Church hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 advantage.
Jared Triolo had two of Pittsburgh’s six hits and drove in a run with a two-out single in the fifth.
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ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa hit his first career grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies roared back for a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
Sosa connected just two batters after Wade Meckler reached deep into the right-field stands to rob Bryson Stott of a three-run homer.
After J.T. Realmuto drew a walk that loaded the bases and chased shaky closer Ben Joyce (0-2), Sosa crushed a low changeup from Sammy Peralta 404 feet to centre, far beyond Mike Trout’s reach.
Alex McFarlane (4-1) pitched the eighth for Philly. Jonathan Bowlan got the ninth instead of closer Jhoan Duran, and he put two Angels on base before he struck out Adam Frazier to finish his second save.
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DIAMONDBACKS 10, GIANTS 6
SAN FRANCISCO — Lars Nootbaar homered to center on the first pitch of the game and had three of Arizona’s 12 hits to help the Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 10-6 on Friday night.
Arizona moved a half-game back of San Diego for the third wild-card spot in the National League.
Nootbaar’s home run was his fifth of the season and one of three hit by the Diamondbacks off Blade Tidwell. Corbin Carroll took Tidwell (0-1) deep to center in the third inning for a two-run homer that put Arizona on top 3-2. It was Carroll’s 19th home run of the season.
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With two outs in the third, Tim Tawa launched a three-run shot to left off Tidwell to increase the Diamondbacks’ lead to 6-2.
The Giants got a solo homer in the first inning and an RBI double in the third from Bryce Eldridge. The rookie has 15 home runs this season.
Aug 16, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Gavin Sheets (30) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
Entering Sunday tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League wild-card spot, the San Diego Padres placed first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets and utility man Luis Rengifo on the 10-day injured list.
Sheets, 30, who also has served as San Diego’s designated hitter, is out with a left foot sprain that occurred Saturday while running the bases.
Rengifo, 29, was carted off the field Saturday with a right knee sprain that occurred while attempting a throw.
In corresponding moves, the Padres activated outfielder Samad Taylor from the 10-day IL and recalled utility man Sung-Mun Song from Triple-A El Paso.
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In his second season with the Padres after playing his first four seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Sheets is hitting .211 with 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 123 games. The White Sox’s 2017 second-round pick is a .232 career hitter with 81 home runs and 292 RBIs in 703 games.
Rengifo, in his first season in San Diego, is batting .291 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in 38 games. The veteran spent his first seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers on Feb. 16. He struggled with Milwaukee, hitting just .205 with 19 RBIs in 57 games and was released June 23. Six days later, he signed with the Padres.
Over 768 games in eight seasons, Rengifo is a .248 hitter with 66 homers and 266 RBIs.
Taylor, 28, made his debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2023 before moving on to the Seattle Mariners in 2024-25. He joined the Padres this season, hitting .330 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 26 games. The 2016 10th-round draft pick by Cleveland is a .273 career hitter with one homer and 15 RBIs in 64 career games.
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Song, 30, made his big-league debut April 26 with San Diego and has hit .202 with one homer and 15 RBIs in 62 games.
Manchester United returned to winning ways against Ipswich Town as they ran out 5-2 winners at Old Trafford
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes insisted that victory over Ipswich Town was ‘massive’ but the Reds were not looking to make up for last week’s Hull City defeat. The Reds found it tough in the first half against Ipswich with Leif Davis opening the scoring for the visitors.
However, five minutes before the break, Fernandes equalised to change the momentum of the game. In the second half, the Reds were much the better side with Jacob Greaves’ own goal and Fernandes’ penalty putting them in control. Fernandes would go on to complete his hat trick before Bryan Mbeumo put gloss on the scoreline before Chuba Akpom’s late consolation.
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Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Fernandes said: “It was massive. We lost three points last week, so it was all about getting the three points, giving a good performance to our fans.
“First game at home, they’ve been waiting so long for this so we wanted to, not make up for last week because you can’t get six points in a game, but we wanted to start the game on the front foot, be strong.
“I think we were in control of the game, even if we conceded the goal. In the second half we were very, very good.”
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Fernandes’ hat trick was his third for United and according to Opta, his eight shots in one game was more than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.
When asked what the hat trick meant, Fernandes said: “It’s the best feeling in football and then doing a hat trick in a game at home with our fans, it’s something amazing that I’m very proud of. But the main thing is that I need to score goals to help the team to win games.
“Today, I did that and I hope that I can do much more and help my teammates score goals too.”
The New Orleans Saints have just wrapped up the 2026 preseason, and now comes the hard part, as the team will need to start making cuts that will reduce their roster down to 53 by Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore and staff will have some very difficult decisions to make over the next 42 hours.
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Be sure to stay tuned to Canal Street Chronicles as we will keep you updated on all the news and roster moves that will take place this weekend.
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ROSTER CUTS TRACKER:
Saints waive QB Hunter Dekkers
Saints waive DT Kahlil Saunders
Saints waive Dalys Beanum
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Saints waive receiver Bub Means
Saints waived TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Saints officially announced Saturday roster moves:
Saints cut T Alex Wollschlaeger
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Saints waiving WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper
Saints have release Kicker Charlie Smyth
Saints waive S Terrell Burgess
Saints waived TE Cody Hardy
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Saints released RB Zamir White
Saints waived DL Jay’Viar Suggs
Saints waived WR Brock Rechsteiner
Saints released DT Jay’Viar Suggs
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What player made the roster that you were surprised about and who is the biggest shocker to be cut? Be sure to check out all the win total odds for the Saints and the entire NFL on FanDuel at https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nfl
India beat Thailand by 94 runs (Image: X/Cricbuzz)
India opened their Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign with a convincing 94-run victory over Thailand on Sunday, overcoming a late batting collapse with a dominant bowling performance.
Shafali sets platform, India stumble late
India looked on course for a huge total after Shafali Verma smashed 64 off 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Alongside debutant Pratika Rawal, who made 22 off 18, Shafali helped India race to 101/2 after 10 overs.Smriti Mandhana contributed 19 off 10 balls, but was run out after hitting four boundaries. However, India lost their way dramatically after reaching 108/2, slipping to 137/9 as Thailand’s bowlers fought back. Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was the standout performer with 3/26. Kranti Gaud, unbeaten on 15, helped India push the total to 159/9.
India’s bowlers run riot
Thailand’s chase never really got going as India’s bowlers produced a clinical display. Kranti Gaud and Nandni Sharma struck early to remove Thailand’s openers before India’s spinners took control. Nandni finished with three wickets, while Deepti Sharma produced an extraordinary spell, taking 3/0 in 1.1 overs.Deepti’s three-wicket haul also saw her become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. Thailand struggled to cope with India’s attack and were eventually bowled out for just 65, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai providing the only significant resistance.
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Koncharoenkai fights lone battle
Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with 41 off 48 balls, including five fours. She remained at the crease until the final wicket, but lacked support as wickets continued to fall around her. India ultimately wrapped up the contest with a 94-run victory, making a strong start to their Asia Cup campaign.Brief scores: India Women 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64; Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31) beat Thailand Women 65 in 16.1 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41; Nandani Sharma 3/18, Shree Charani 2/10, Deepti Sharma 3/0) by 94 runs
NEW YORK — Third-ranked Jessica Pegula shook off nerves that contributed to a slow start against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, winning her opening match at the US Open on Sunday in straight sets.
Leading off at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 32-year-old American missed her first nine opportunities to break Ruse but found a rhythm and began dominating. Coming off a trip to the final at the Cincinnati Open, which she lost to Coco Gauff, Pegula won 92 per cent of her first-serve points on the way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory in 83 minutes.
“I was so nervous,” Pegula said. “I was like sending GIFs of what I felt like. It was GIFs of people freaking out and stuff. … The first round of a slam, there’s always a ton of nerves.”
Pegula next faces the winner of the match between Venus Williams and fellow wild card Sofia Kenin. They’re set to play in the nightcap at Ashe, and Williams and sister Serena are scheduled to play doubles together.
On the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev was up next at Ashe against Hugo Gaston. Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on Sunday night against Mariano Navone.
Djokovic, at 39, most recently lost his opening match earlier this month at Cincinnati.
Last season produced a thrilling title race, with Rangers International eventually lifting the trophy ahead of Rivers United and Shooting Stars. This season, however, I expect the battle at the top to be even tighter.
For me, Rivers United, Kano Pillars and Rangers International are the three teams most likely to challenge for the title, while Shooting Stars could also push the leading sides.
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Here is how I see the season playing out.
1. Rivers United — Champions
I am tipping Rivers United to win the 2026/27 NPFL title, although I don’t expect it to be an easy campaign.
The Port Harcourt club came agonisingly close last season, finishing just one point behind champions Rangers. That experience could prove valuable this time around.
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Finidi George has retained the core of his squad and the club has added more quality and depth during the transfer window. With a settled technical structure and a squad capable of competing over 38 matches, Rivers United have what it takes to go one step further.
Prediction: 1st — Champions
2. Kano Pillars — Runners-up
Kano Pillars are my surprise pick for second place.
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The arrival of Daniel ‘Ijaball’ Ogunmodede, formerly of Remo Stars, has raised expectations around the club. Pillars endured a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, but I expect a completely different side this time.
Ogunmodede is a coach who understands the Nigerian league and has the tactical ability to get the best out of his players. With the backing of their supporters and the quality available in the squad, Pillars could become genuine title contenders.
I don’t think they will win the title, but I expect them to finish much higher than last season.
Prediction: 2nd — CAF Champions League spot
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3. Rangers International — Third place
Defending champions Rangers will remain in the title conversation, but I expect them to struggle to retain the trophy.
The biggest concern for me is their home situation. With the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu undergoing renovation, Rangers will play their home matches at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Home advantage can be extremely important in the NPFL, and constantly playing away from Enugu could make the difference in a tight title race.
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There is also the additional pressure of CAF Champions League football. Rangers have a strong squad and an experienced coach in Fidelis Ilechukwu, but balancing continental and domestic football will be a major test.
I still expect them to finish among the top three and secure continental football.
Prediction: 3rd — CAF Confederation Cup spot
4. Shooting Stars — Fourth place
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Shooting Stars are probably the team I found hardest to predict.
The Oluyole Warriors finished third last season and have a talented squad, but the decision to change coaches just weeks before the new campaign is a major factor in my prediction.
Salisu Yusuf is an experienced coach and should eventually get the team playing the way he wants, but he needs time to properly build his system and understand his squad.
With domestic and continental football on the agenda, the demands will be even greater.
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I believe Shooting Stars will still have a good season, but I don’t see them finishing in the top three.
Prediction: 4th
5. Plateau United — Sixth place
Plateau United could be one of the teams to quietly surprise people this season.
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The appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote gives them an experienced coach who knows the NPFL very well. He now has the opportunity to shape the team from the beginning of a full season.
I expect Plateau United to be competitive and finish comfortably in the top half.
Prediction: 6th
The Relegation Battle
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At the other end of the table, I expect the fight for survival to be just as interesting.
Inter Lagos face a difficult first season in the NPFL. They have plenty to learn about life in the top flight, and I am predicting them to struggle throughout the campaign.
Kun Khalifat survived relegation by the narrowest of margins last season, and I fear they could find themselves in trouble again. This time, however, I think they could go down.
Niger Tornadoes are another side I expect to be involved in the relegation battle, particularly with questions surrounding their home ground and the disruption caused by its renovation.
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Katsina United and Doma United could also find themselves looking over their shoulders, while newly promoted sides will have to adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football.
My 2026/27 NPFL Predictions
Champions: Rivers United
Runners-up: Kano Pillars
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Third: Rangers International
CAF Confederation Cup: Rangers International
Fourth: Shooting Stars
Sixth: Plateau United
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Relegation candidates: Inter Lagos, Kun Khalifat and Niger Tornadoes
The NPFL is rarely predictable, and that is exactly what makes it exciting. Rivers United may be my favourites, but Rangers, Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars all have enough quality to prove me wrong.
One thing is certain: it could be another very close title race.
Ryan Gerard finished 17th in the final FedEx Cup standings ahead of the 2026 Tour Championship. It was the first time the 27-year-old had qualified for the PGA Tour’s season finale.
Late in Saturday’s third round, Gerard made clever use of the rules to turn an impossible lie into a perfect one, helping finish off a 66 that has him one-shot back with 18 holes to play.
Ryan Gerard gets free drop to avoid disaster at Tour Championship
Gerard captured his first PGA Tour win at last year’s Barracuda Championship. That event was played opposite of the 2025 Open Championship and featured exactly none of the best players in the world.
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On Sunday, Gerard could earn his second Tour win at the Tour Championship against all the best players in the world.
He got there with consistent play throughout the first 54 holes. Gerard opened with back-to-back 65s to tie Viktor Hovland for the 36-hole lead.
On Saturday, he showed few nerves, calmly making three birdies and no bogeys over his first 12 holes to keep pace. When the final pairing of Gerard and Hovland reached the par-4 17th hole, they were knotted at 13 under.
While Hovland ended up making birdie at 17, Gerard did not. But if not for a hugely beneficial free drop, Gerard’s chances at a Tour Championship win may have disappeared right then and there.
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After hitting his drive 312 yards into the right rough, Gerard was left with a 133-yard approach shot into the 17th green. But guarding the front side of that green was a bunker with steep banks loaded with thick rough.
Gerard sent his wedge shot toward the green, but it came up short, slamming into the face of the bunker. TV cameras found the ball, or at least a glimpse of it, buried in deep rough just above the bunker’s edge. The steep slope made just addressing the ball a near-impossible task.
If Gerard had to swing at it, there’s no telling where it would have gone, if anywhere at all. Taking a penalty stroke and drop for an unplayable lie would have had to be considered.
But the Rules of Golf offered Gerard a clear escape route from imminent disaster.
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According to Rule 16.3, golfers are allowed free relief for any ball embedded “in the general area.” The only exceptions are in a penalty area or in a bunker.
Since Gerard’s ball was embedded in the face of the bunker and not in the actual sand, he was awarded a free drop. The rules call for a drop within one club-length where the ball is embedded but no closer to the hole.
After getting confirmation from a rules official, Gerard took out his driver, and when he laid it down the handle came to an end on flat ground just above the bunker. He made a great drop from there, ending up with a perfect lie propped up in the rough.
On the CBS broadcast, analyst Dottie Pepper called Gerard’s new lie “exponentially easier” than his original one.
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You can watch the moment below or by clicking here.
Gerard was able to chip on and save par, keeping himself within one shot of Hovland heading to the final hole.
Both players made birdie at 18, giving Hovland a one-shot advantage heading into Sunday. But if not for his huge break, Gerard could have started the final round much farther behind. Even if he doesn’t top Hovland on Sunday, the enormous payouts for all top-5 finishers mean Gerard may have saved himself millions of dollars by taking advantage of the rules.
The final week of the NFL preseason is underway, and some quarterbacks are making some strong final impressions before the regular season gets started.
Both Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel had standout showings, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza didn’t have as great a night. Beyond the gridiron, there were multiple deals done on Thursday in the NFC West as the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the year ahead.
Here are the headlines you need to know from Thursday around the NFL.
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After plenty of speculation and criticism surrounding his selection at No. 13 overall, quarterback Ty Simpson continued his strong preseason on Thursday.
Simpson led the Rams to three scoring drives against the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while adding 11 yards on the ground.
Head coach Sean McVay still hasn’t officially named a backup quarterback behind MVP Matthew Stafford. Stetson Bennett has been in the system for a few years, but with Simpson continuing to impress, he’s certainly made a case for himself to be considered for the job.
The Las Vegas Raiders played their starters against the San Francisco 49ers, and veteran Kirk Cousins once again looked every bit the part.
However, the story was completely different for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. For the second consecutive week, the former Indiana star and Heisman Trophy winner struggled on the field, throwing another interception.
Mendoza took over late in the first quarter and played into the third. He completed just 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards and a pick.
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Head coach Klint Kubiak has been on record all offseason favoring a redshirt year for Mendoza to learn behind Kirk Cousins. So, Thursday’s performance might not mean much for Mendoza in the long run.
The Cleveland Browns named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter earlier this week, with Shedeur Sanders winning the backup job. With the top two spots solidified, former third-round pick Dillon Gabriel had a clear runway to show he’s worthy of being Cleveland’s third-string quarterback.
Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. It’s unclear if head coach Todd Monken plans to carry three quarterbacks this season, leaving both Gabriel’s roster spot and the future of Arkansas rookie Taylen Green up in the air.
If Gabriel wanted to establish himself as a viable option at some point this season, he certainly proved it. If he’s not in the long-term plans for the Browns, he might have put enough on film to show the other 31 teams in the league that he’s worth a serious look ahead of final roster cuts.
The deal carries an average annual value of $30 million, tying Williams with Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea for fifth-highest among interior defensive linemen. Williams was entering the final year of a three-year, $64.5 million contract.
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The 32-year-old earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording seven sacks, 62 combined tackles, and 58 quarterback pressures.
Originally selected sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams was acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants during the 2023 season. The extension follows major offseason deals by Seattle for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
The move reunites Atwell with the Rams five months after he departed Los Angeles in free agency to sign a one-year contract with Miami in March.
Atwell was originally selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and appeared in 64 games over four seasons with the franchise. He rejoins head coach Sean McVay’s offense to complement a receiving room featuring Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.
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Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick out of Auburn who appeared in five games as a rookie, joins Miami to provide depth in the backfield. The Rams open their regular season against San Francisco on Sept. 10, while Miami opens against Las Vegas on Sept. 13.
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are both navigating contract standoffs with their young star cornerbacks ahead of the regular season, according to ESPN.
The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez remain far apart in negotiations despite early optimism, ESPN reported Thursday. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously said the team offered a deal to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in team history, but Devon Witherspoon’s four-year, $132 million contract extension with Seattle raised the market benchmark.
Gonzalez admitted this week that the process has been “frustrating.” He has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Meanwhile, the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter do not appear close to a contract extension either, according to ESPN. Porter remains on Pittsburgh’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
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Injury News & Notes
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is being evaluated for a concussion after what head coach Robert Saleh labeled a “cheap” hit during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played against the Rams during Thursday night’s preseason finale. He led a scoring drive on his only series of action, completing a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
The Colts are officially activating wide receiver Alec Pierce from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
NEW YORK — Casper Ruud, the 2022 U.S. Open runner-up, withdrew from the tournament Sunday because of a back injury.
Ruud was forced to stop playing in his first match in the recent Cincinnati Open. He played in the mixed doubles tournament in Flushing Meadows, but was seen in videos struggling to serve in practice.
Ruud, who is ranked No. 20, was replaced in the draw by Arthur Gea, who lost in the final round of qualifying. He will face Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the first round.
Ruud lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 U.S. Open final. He also reached the French Open final that year, losing to Rafael Nadal in his first attempt to become the first Norwegian man to win a Grand Slam title.
A long list of PGA Tour winners and former FedEx Cup champions are battling on Sunday to win the 2026 Tour Championship. Whoever comes out on top after the final round at East Lake will take home the FedEx Cup trophy. They’ll also leave with a huge winner’s share from the enormous total Tour Championship purse.
In fact, players are fighting for the largest purse all season this week. The total payout for the Tour Championship is a whopping $40 million.
Even better news for the competitors at East Lake is that the purse will be shared among just 30 players.
The leader heading into the final round is Viktor Hovland, who won the FedEx Cup title back in 2023. If he wins again on Sunday, this time around he’ll earn $10 million for first place.
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