Sleeper hitters for Week 23 (Aug. 24-30)
Sports
Fantasy baseball Week 23 hitters: Sleepers, waiver targets and best matchups
Best hitter matchups for this week include the Nationals, Orioles and Athletics
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1 min read
Whether you’re in need of an injury fill-in or just a hot-hand play, Scott White has you covered with 10 sleeper hitters for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues. They’re not must-starts by any estimation, but they’re often the best you’ll find off the waiver wire.
All information is up to date as of late Sunday.
Best hitter matchups for Week 23
1. Nationals COL4, MIA3
2. Orioles @STL3, @ATH3
3. Athletics MIN3, BAL3
4. Giants CIN3, ARI4
5. Yankees HOU3, BOS4
Worst hitter matchups for Week 23
1. Angels CLE3, PHI3
2. Tigers TB3, LAD3
3. Rangers @CHW3, @MIL3
4. Mariners PHI3, @TOR3
5. Padres PIT3, @TB3
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A WWE legend made a return after 221 days and this happened at TNA Lockdown. This was a huge comeback and the fans would have been shocked at what they saw.
The legend in question is none other than Candice Michelle. Michelle is one of the most well known female stars of all time. She had a memorable time during her stint in WWE before she left in 2009. After all those years, in 2026, she signed up with TNA Wrestling to work as a producer and agent.
Thanks for the submission!
She was last seen as a part of the audience for the premiere episode of TNA Impact on January 15th, 2026. She has since been working backstage until last night where she showed up to speak with the panel at TNA Lockdown.
Candice admitted that she was happy to be back and that she couldn’t wait for all the stars to be involved in the show.
WWE legend Candice Michelle reveals what is missing in women’s wrestling
Candice Michelle was one of the main trailblazers in the 2000s who helped WWE gain more fans. Thanks to her natural ability to reel fans in, she was seen as an integral part of the locker room.
She recently sat down for an interview with TMZ Sports’ Inside The Ring when she revealed what is missing in today’s era of women’s wrestling. She said:
“I think what we are missing is a little bit more of the femininity. What I mean by that is we have pushed so hard, ‘Oh, women are equal to men,’ like we get equal time, equal pay, and yeah, there is a part of that. But like by the end of the day I want the men to be a little bit more masculine.”
It will be interesting to see if anyone in the wrestling world will pay heed to what Candice has to say and make changes where necessary.
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
Edited by Sujay
Sports
India vs Argentina LIVE Updates, Hockey World Cup 2026: More Pain For India, Argentina Smash 3rd Goal In Do-Or-Die Game | IND 1-3 ARG
India vs Argentina LIVE Updates, Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026: Argentina have restored their two-goal lead over India after half-time in their all-important Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Pool E clash in Amstelveen. India are trailing 1-3 against Argentina in the third quarter. Tomas Domene has scored Argentina’s third goal in the third quarter. Earlier, a frantic first quarter saw three goals, as Argentina raced to a two-goal lead before India pulled one back. Argentina’s Joaquin Toscani opened the scoring after just 39 seconds, and Nicolas de la Torre doubled the lead a few minutes later. However, Sukhjeet Singh netted India’s opening goal to reduce the deficit. It is a do-or-die match for India, as they need a big victory in order to keep their semi-final hopes alive. With zero points and a goal difference of -4 in the second round, India must win by a significant margin and also hope that England lose to Netherlands later in the day. A loss or draw will eliminate India from the semi-final race.
Here are LIVE Score and Updates from India vs Argentina, Hockey World Cup 2026, straight from Amstelveen, Netherlands:
Gilas Pilipinas center June Mar Fajardo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo confirmed that the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers could be his last for Gilas Pilipinas.
Age and health have prompted Fajardo to take into consideration the possibility of ending a national team career that began in 2013 when Gilas secured qualification to the World Cup.
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“Matanda na ako (I’m old),” the 36-year-old Fajardo said during Monday’s press conference at Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: Cone: June Mar Fajardo ‘wanted to retire’ from Gilas before return
Fajardo actually had intended to hang up his Gilas jersey after the third window last month, with coach Tim Cone even recalling that the nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player gave an impassioned speech after facing Australia.
But Fajardo was convinced to suit up once more for Gilas, with Friday’s match against Jordan and Sunday’s game with Iran potentially his swan song before the home fans.
The San Miguel Beer star made his national team debut in 2013 when Gilas qualified for the World Cup by making the finals of the Fiba Asia Championship at home.
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He would be a Gilas fixture for the next six years under coaches Chot Reyes, Tab Baldwin and Yeng Guiao before being able to return to the national team following a career-threatening injury.
READ: June Mar Fajardo still in driver’s seat in PBA MVP race
“I’m just blessed to be able to return to basketball after I broke my tibia,” Fajardo said, recalling his injury in 2020. “I thought that I wouldn’t be able to return to basketball.
“That was my lowest of lows. But I was able to return, did all my therapy, did what the doctors told me to do. I did my rehab right and I was given a second chance.”
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He was part of Gilas’ historic run to the gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 that ended the country’s 61-year drought.
“I’m so blessed because I was able to win a gold medal in the Asian Games and was able to play another World Cup after my injury.”
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But Fajardo is beginning the process of passing the torch to the younger guys, with the upcoming window the perfect avenue.
Sports
Underdog promo code and prediction markets review: CBSSPORTS2 for Play $5, Get $50 Bonus Entries
The Underdog app now includes Prediction Picks after adding sports prediction markets, and with the latest Underdog promo code CBSSPORTS2, eligible new users can play $5 and get $50 in bonus entries for fantasy sports picks on the app. Read on for our in-depth review of Underdog Prediction Picks and where you can use the $50 bonus in the Underdog app. Claim the latest Underdog promo code here and register with the Underdog bonus code CBSSPORTS2.
Underdog Predict promo code details
The bonus offer on Underdog must include fantasy picks, which now appear alongside Underdog Predict (also known as Underdog Prediction Picks or Team Picks). Eligible new users can use the Underdog promo code CBSSPORTS2 to play $5+ and unlock $50 in bonus entries for fantasy contests or combos with at least 2 player picks and 1 team pick in the Underdog app.
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Underdog app welcome bonus |
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Underdog promo code |
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Underdog prediction picks states |
AL, AK, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY |
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Underdog Fantasy states |
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MN, MS, MO, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY |
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Eligibility* |
Must be physically located in a state where Underdog operates. |
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Minimum age |
18 years or older and have a legal, U.S. residential address within a state where Underdog operates. (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA & VA) |
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Minimum deposit |
$10 |
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Promo code last verified |
August 20, 2026 |
*Underdog unavailable in NV, AB, ON and US territories. Ineligible locations to qualify may include CT, HI, ID, IA, LA, ME, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA & WA.
Remember, the Underdog app includes several products within it. So you can sign up with code CBSSPORTS2, but that code is not for an Underdog Predict/prediction picks-only bonus. You can still participate in prediction markets on Underdog if in a state where it is available, but this welcome bonus can only be claimed and redeemed by making a qualifying fantasy pick-em play. Drafts do not qualify to claim the bonus either.
To activate, you must first play a $5+ qualifying fantasy contest to unlock the $50 in bonus entries. The bonus entries may be used only on fantasy contest entries on the Underdog app.
Bonus Entries are non-withdrawable and a 1x playthrough is required before winnings can be withdrawn.
Bonus Entries cannot be applied to entries with a payout multiplier lower than 2x the entry fee and expire 14 days after being issued.
How to sign up for the Underdog promo code
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Be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA & VA), have a legal, U.S. residential address within a state where Underdog operates and otherwise eligible.
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Tap the CLAIM BONUS button on this page and download the Underdog app.
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Register for an Underdog account using Underdog Predict promo code CBSSPORTS2 and enter the required information, including name, address, phone number and SSN.
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Verify your email.
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Once registered, make your first deposit using your preferred payment method and follow the prompts.
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Make a $5 qualifying fantasy pick
Claim the latest Underdog promo code CBSSPORTS2 here:
How to trade on Underdog Predict
Along with traditional player prop options like on Underdog DFS, Underdog prediction picks allow event contract trading on teams and futures, with markets that include winning individual games, events and championships via the Underdog prediction picks option within the app. Event contracts are also available for the following:
Users can trade on live sporting events in addition to upcoming events, and even longer-term events, like championships and awards.
Event contracts are offered by one or more designated contract markets (DCMs), including UDX, Kalshi, and Crypto.com. New eligible users can also claim the Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS directly on Kalshi.
How pricing for Underdog prediction picks works
Let’s use the example of the Yankees playing the Red Sox. Users can trade on the winner of that outcome. Like other sports prediction markets, Underdog displays pricing per event contract.
That means if the Yankees are trading at a price such as $0.60 per event contract on Kalshi, the correct prediction pays out $1 per event contract, for a profit of $0.40 per contract. The price implies the market has the Yankees at a 60% probability to win.
Therefore, if someone were to make a trade for 100 event contracts of the Yankees at this price, it would cost $60, and if the Yankees win, Underdog pays out $100 back to the account for those contracts. You would earn a profit $40 on that $100 total return.
Please note, Underdog charges users a $0.02 exchange fee per contract.
Underdog banking methods
Underdog does not charge fees for withdrawals or deposits. Withdrawals are processed within 24-72 hours, with online banking transfers via Trustly typically being the fastest method.
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Deposit methods |
Debit card, Apple Pay, Bank account via Trustly |
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Withdrawal methods |
Debit card, Apple Pay, Bank account via Trustly |
Underdog app review
Underdog debuted in 2020 as a DFS platform. It is best known for two things: DFS Pick Em contests, where users pick higher or lower on specific player statistical totals, and best ball fantasy sports contests. Underdog has evolved since and is now expanding into prediction markets through Underdog within the Underdog Sports app.
User experience
The Underdog app is straightforward, as the lobby presents you with several different trading options across several different sports. The UI, and particularly the visual layout, is very thorough, and perhaps a bit overwhelming. Highlighting the featured events is a good thing, but Underdog went a bit overboard by highlighting too many events. There are 25 different “featured” events in the lobby, with some of the most popular (ex: golf), all the way at the bottom.
Additionally, there could be some reordering in terms of the sports listed at the top of the lobby. Some of the most popular leagues (NFL, NBA) aren’t among the first 10 sports leagues listed, yet other sports not in season, such as CBB, are listed before.
Tracking event contracts is easily done via either the Picks tab at the bottom or the Track icon. That brings you to another screen where your picks, in addition to the respective event’s time and score, are displayed, making it easy to see if your predictions are on pace or not.
The customer support methods include a Help section that answers FAQs, the ability to message an AI support agent within the app, and a link to the app’s Support Team via Twitter/X. It appears the in-app support messaging is AI only, but the Twitter account is human-operated and had thorough and recent replies to users’ questions.
Underdog app store ratings (as of August 24, 2026)
Underdog Predict / Underdog prediction picks is one product within the Underdog Sports app, rather than its own standalone app. Below are the app ratings for Underdog Sports:
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Underdog App Ratings |
Rating |
Number of Reviews |
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Apple App Store |
4.8 out of 5 stars |
316k ratings |
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Google Play Store |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
32.3k reviews |
Underdog responsible trading tools
Prediction market platforms offer Responsible Trading resources that can be found in your account settings after logging in or by request by contacting customer support.
Responsible Trading toolkits on Underdog involve:
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Deposit Limits
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Session Time Limit
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Timeout
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Self-Exclusion
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Close Your Account
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Contact Helplines
NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).
Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Offer not valid in MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org.
Underdog Predict is a registered FCM offering event contracts. Trades may be placed on CDNA, a registered DCM, powered by UDM Services, LLC. Trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for all. Must be a U.S. resident. Terms apply: underdogpredict.com. Content is promotional and is not a recommendation to trade. Content is promotional and not a recommendation to trade
Underdog Predict promo code final verdict
Underdog has a similar look and feel to many other prediction market apps, with several categories of trading markets, a straightforward way to view in-progress predictions, and multiple customer support options. Deposits and withdrawals are made with ease, with all of the most popular payment methods accepted.
While the number of trading markets, such as the various sports/leagues, is a plus, the app can still be overwhelming. While you should be able to find whichever sport/league you’re looking for, it may take some time as the layout seems pretty random. Some of the most popular markets and featured contests are unexpectedly difficult to find.
In terms of gameplay, the combos on Underdog are somewhat limited as you can’t combine multiple prediction picks. However, you can combo 1 prediction team pick with at least 2 player fantasy pick-em picks. For example, you can’t make tournament predictions on who will win a PGA tournament and an LPGA tournament within the same trade. You also can’t combo futures predictions, even if they aren’t correlated and come from multiple different sports.
What I want to see in future updates
An improved layout where the most popular sports/leagues are listed first would improve the navigability. Additionally, a “less is more” approach may be helpful for featured events as having so many events featured doesn’t give proper attention to those events which should be highlighted.
In terms of customer support, I did not see an e-mail option. There is AI-only in-app messaging, and there’s a way to contact the support team through Twitter. But the options to receive a human response are limited
Underdog FAQ
How does Underdog work?
Underdog is a prediction market where users trade contracts on event outcomes. For sports markets, these outcomes could be team picks, a future champion, etc. Users can buy contracts, with each share paying out $1 for correct outcomes. Prices per share on Underdog markets range from $0.00-$1.00.
Is there an Underdog promo code?
Yes, eligible new users can use Underdog promo code CBSSPORTS2 to claim an offer of trade $5+, get $50 in bonus trading credits.
How good is Underdog’s prediction market?
Underdog offers a variety of trading options, such as winners, futures, and spreads, to compete with some of the larger, better-known prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
What are prediction picks?
Prediction Picks allow users to trade event contracts based on real-world outcomes, including if a team wins a game, wins by more or less than a specific number of points, or player prop options as available markets for using the Underdogions promo code. They are financial instruments traded through a regulated exchange.
When was Underdog founded?
Underdog Sports was founded in 2020 as a DFS and sports gaming platform with headquarters in New York. It now offers prediction markets via a license with the CFTC.
What sports does Underdog cover?
Underdog features all the major American sports and a variety of international sports as well, including NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, college basketball, international soccer, tennis, golf, UFC, NASCAR, and more.
Are Underdog prediction markets different from Underdog DFS?
Yes, the Underdog app now includes Underdog Predict (also known as Underdog prediction or team picks) in: AK, AL, AR, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KS, LA, ME, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, Washington D.C. It is a separate product within the app from fantasy contest entries / DFS Pick ‘Em contests. Underdog prediction picks allow users to trade event contracts on winners, margin of victory and game totals.
18+ in most states. Event contracts trading involves a risk of substantial loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Participation in prediction markets is subject to applicable eligibility requirements. Participation may be restricted or prohibited in certain jurisdictions and participants are responsible for ensuring their participation complies with applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction. Prediction markets content is not intended for individuals located in jurisdictions where they are prohibited. Additional help and resources are available through the NCPG’s Financial Trader Health and Safety Initiative. You can also call or text 1-800-MY-RESET.
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to the Afghanistan squad after recovering from a shoulder injury for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against India, scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17. The series will also mark Ibrahim Zadran’s first assignment as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I skipper after taking over from Rashid Khan. Naveen’s return bolsters the pace attack after he recovered from a stress fracture in his right shoulder, an injury that had sidelined him from the bilateral series against the West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan made an early exit.
He joins Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai in the fast-bowling department. The squad also sees the return of veteran seam-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman earned his maiden call-up following consistent domestic performances.
The spin contingent remains formidable, featuring Rashid, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. “The Afghanistan Cricket Board has always made every effort to select a well-balanced and fully prepared squad for all relevant competitions.
“We have followed the same approach for the upcoming series against India, and I hope the Afghanistan team will deliver an outstanding performance in these matches. It is a great pride that Afghanistan is hosting a major cricketing nation for the first time.
“This reflects the progress Afghan cricket has made toward achieving its major objectives and shows that we are steadily advancing toward the strategic goals identified by the organization,” said Naseeb Khan, the Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO, in a statement.
The Afghanistan squad will reach India early for a preparatory camp before the series begins. The series will mark the first-ever men’s bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India, after the two teams played in a one-off Test and three ODIs in June this year.
Afghanistan squad: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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It was a treble of sorts, though not one that brought the match ball or any cause for celebration. Liverpool’s season started at Newcastle, paying tribute to a man who scored hat-tricks for both clubs, in Kevin Keegan. Ryan Gravenberch’s campaign began with passes that led to three goals. Although the inconvenient detail was that two of them were Newcastle goals.
In the Dutchman’s defence, two misplaced balls, even one from a backheel, could easily be forgotten, given that he lost the ball around 80 yards from his own goal, but for the clinical nature of Newcastle’s lightning counter-attacks. Though a contributory factor was that Liverpool’s supposedly defensive midfielder was so advanced, caught ahead of the ball when a change in manager may make it even more important he is behind it.
Andoni Iraola highlighted the potential reward entailed in the risks his side take. “I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No 6 and is on the edge of the box, and if he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch,” the new head coach reflected.
“I don’t want us to take that from his game but we have to adapt as a team to these situations, we have to know these situations can happen. The second goal we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, but we don’t make a foul or go to the first challenge. It’s not just because one person is playing there. It’s something we have to correct between a lot of players.”
There are various aspects to it; the duties of committing the tactical foul in many a team, fall to the defensive midfielder. So, too, the broader task of subduing the opposition’s No 10, and Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa was the man of the match on Sunday.
It was scarcely all Gravenberch’s fault but he feels at the heart of several issues. One is that a team should not be opened up so easily through the middle of the pitch; as Liverpool adapt to Iraola’s football, they presumably will not be.
But they were at their most secure under Arne Slot with a trio of central midfielders, or occasionally even all four of Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones; but that balance was disturbed with the introduction of Florian Wirtz and Iraola has signalled his intention to play the German as a No 10. So there will be a duo, and Szoboszlai will have the licence to get into the box. Iraola wants front-foot football, too, even if there are questions if a side spearheaded by Wirtz and Alexander Isak can press with the intensity the Basque wants.
Factor in two attack-minded full-backs who are encouraged to go forward and with defensive vulnerabilities and Gravenberch’s responsibilities seem to grow. There is a case for arguing that if three outfield players remain in position to give Liverpool a base when in possession, it should be the two centre-backs and the defensive midfielder.
There is also the debate if Gravenberch actually is one. His reinvention two years ago was Slot’s flagship success; even then, however, his compatriot had an outstanding half-season, more than an entire campaign.
It was notable last year that a technician showed the attacking side to his game more. Even as Liverpool underperformed in the Premier League, Gravenberch ended with five goals and three assists; identical figures to Wirtz, more than Isak.
Perhaps Liverpool need fewer goals from Gravenberch, not more. He had 20 shots in the top flight in 2024-25, 38 last year. They may need him further from goal. Or they may need him to be the player he was not when signed, and who they tried to buy.
It may be revisiting the increasingly ancient past, but Gravenberch was converted into a defensive midfielder after Martin Zubimendi’s 2024 volte face, when he decided to stay at Real Sociedad for another year before joining Arsenal. It remains the case that the last player Liverpool bought as a defensive midfielder was Wataru Endo in 2023.
The Japanese should retain that status. While Jones is going, no replacement is envisaged, in part because Trey Nyoni excelled in pre-season, but also because Liverpool’s money is committed elsewhere.
Their funds are being saved for the ongoing search to a successor to Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Yet, assuming one is signed, it will take Liverpool’s spending in little over a year to more than £600m, and perhaps £650m, without any of it going on a central midfielder.
It feels still more of an anomaly in the summer when so many others are buying midfielders, and often for exorbitant prices. Perhaps that lends itself to the conclusion that Gravenberch saved Liverpool a fortune. But at St James’ Park, where misjudged passes were compounded by a lack of cover and the teething troubles of new tactics, there was a soft underbelly to Liverpool’s midfield.
With the race for the final wild-card spot in the American League as crowded as it has been in recent memory, every game and series will carry extra weight as October baseball looms.
Right in the middle of it all are the Toronto Blue Jays, who have used a 13-9 August to get back into the mix. Despite a series loss over the weekend in the Bronx, the Blue Jays are now set to take on one of the softest portions of their schedule when they open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre on Tuesday.
Toronto will enter the week 1.5 games behind the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians in the race for the third wild-card spot while sitting ahead of four other teams looking for a late-season surge.
Although the calendar has yet to even reach September, the push for the post-season has begun. And with the stretch run comes plenty of scoreboard watching and standings checks. So, acknowledging that anything can happen on the field, let’s take our first look at the AL playoff picture and how the schedules stack up.
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IF THE POST-SEASON STARTED TODAY
No. 1 and AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays (77-53): Bye
No. 2 and AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox (68-62): Bye
No. 3 and AL West-leading Houston Astros (65-66)* vs. No. 6 Texas Rangers (65-66)**
No. 4 New York Yankees (74-56) vs. No. 5 Boston Red Sox (71-59)
*Astros and Rangers are tied at 65-66, but Houston holds the tiebreaker.
**Rangers and Guardians are tied at 65-66, but Texas holds the tiebreaker.
With all three of the Astros, Rangers and Guardians sporting a 65-66 record, the standings will surely continue to shift in the week ahead. Cleveland, in particular, could make its move before September arrives. Currently riding a four-game win streak, the Guardians are set for series with the 52-79 Angels and 58-74 Royals over the next week.
The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will hope a series against those very Royals — who have won eight straight of their own entering the week — will help them move past their series loss to the Yankees before welcoming the Mariners over the weekend.
Beyond Toronto, one team to keep an eye on this week will be the Tigers. Detroit has lost five straight games and eight of its last nine, and is set for its toughest test of the month with consecutive series against Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite their August slip, the Tigers are still just 3.5 games back of the third wild-card spot and boast the third-highest run differential in the American League. But as the team with the most ground to make up, Detroit can’t afford another stumble while facing two of baseball’s best squads.
Houston Astros: There’s a chance that Houston looks back at last week’s series losses to the Angels and Athletics as a missed opportunity. The Astros don’t face many slouches the rest of the way, with their remaining opponents boasting a combined .508 winning percentage — the 11th-toughest mark in baseball — which includes series against the Yankees, Rays, Braves, Phillies and White Sox. Most of those matchups do, however, come in the next few weeks, setting Houston up with seven of its final 12 games against the Royals and Athletics.
Texas Rangers: The Rangers own the most difficult remaining schedule of all American League clubs. Not only do they have 15 games remaining against teams above .500, but they only have two series left against teams without a realistic shot at making the post-season. Texas also doesn’t have any games left against the Astros — who own the head-to-head tiebreaker — meaning that to win the AL West, it will have to finish one game better than its state rival. The Rangers will have the ability to fend off some of their wild-card competition, though, if the division ends up out of the question, with series remaining against the Mariners, Blue Jays and Twins in September.
Cleveland Guardians: Coming off a sweep of the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland will continue to benefit from one of the easiest remaining schedules in baseball. The Guardians’ remaining opponents have the third-lowest combined winning percentage (.465) in all of MLB, as Cleveland still has 12 games remaining against the Royals, Athletics and Angels. The Guardians will also have a good shot at controlling their own destiny within the wild-card race, with series against the Blue Jays, Tigers, Orioles and Twins in September.
Toronto Blue Jays: While Cleveland has the third-weakest remaining schedule, Toronto’s batch of opponents check in as the second-easiest, carrying a .464 combined winning percentage. The Blue Jays are the only team in baseball without a remaining game against an opponent above .500, as of Aug. 24, and could benefit from having 18 contests against their immediate wild-card competition, including series against the Rangers and Guardians. If Toronto can make it to the final weekend with a playoff spot within reach, it finishes its regular-season schedule with three games against the Cincinnati Reds, who project to be playing out the stretch by that point.
Baltimore Orioles: Despite having their next nine games against non-playoff teams, the Orioles will really have to turn it on in September if they hope to reach the post-season. Following this stretch against the Cardinals, Athletics and Rockies, Baltimore will face only teams currently in playoff position, in the wild-card hunt and the Mets. Of course, games aren’t played on paper, but a season-ending run against the Brewers, Blue Jays and Yankees to make the playoffs seems like a tall task if the Orioles don’t start stacking wins before the middle of September.
Minnesota Twins: Losers of three straight, the Twins begin a series in Sacramento on Monday before going on to play 15 straight intra-division games against the White Sox (x2), Tigers and Guardians. It could turn into a make-or-break stretch for Minnesota, which will go the final two weeks of the year facing the Yankees, Angels, Giants and Rangers. It’s far from the most daunting of the remaining AL schedules, but the Twins will be playing a lot of baseball against many opponents battling for playoff positioning the rest of the way.
Seattle Mariners: No team in baseball has a softer remaining strength of schedule than the Mariners. With 17 games left against the Angels, Athletics and Rockies, Seattle will be given the chance to dig itself out of the hole it finds itself in at seven games under .500. But consistent play has been hard to come by this season in the Pacific Northwest, and the Mariners will have to avoid falling further back with series against the Philadelphia Phillies and Red Sox before the weaker competition pops up.
Detroit Tigers: Facing the longest odds of cracking the playoff field, the Tigers will need to find another gear to climb past the six teams ahead of them in the wild-card chase. As mentioned above, Detroit will see the Rays and Dodgers in its next six games before embarking on a schedule that features five series that could help it gain ground in the AL. Four of those are against AL Central opponents in the Twins, Guardians and White Sox, while the other is against the Blue Jays. The September slate also includes some softer spots with the Rockies, Nationals and Pirates, but the Tigers will need to take care of business in the AL and get some help from the teams around them to even have a shot.
Here is what FanGraphs and Baseball Reference are projecting, as of Monday morning, in terms of playoff odds among American League teams battling for post-season spots.
Tampa Bay’s FanGraphs odds: 100% | Tampa Bay’s Baseball Reference odds: >99.9%
Chicago’s FanGraphs odds: 73.6% | Chicago’s Baseball Reference odds: 95%
Houston’s FanGraphs odds: 46.5% | Houston’s Baseball Reference odds: 53.7%
New York’s FanGraphs odds: 100% | New York’s Baseball Reference odds: >99.9%
Boston’s FanGraphs odds: 98.4% | Boston’s Baseball Reference odds: 99.6%
Texas’s FanGraphs odds: 43.9% | Texas’s Baseball Reference odds: 35.1%
Cleveland’s FanGraphs odds: 45.5% | Cleveland’s Baseball Reference odds: 41%
Toronto’s FanGraphs odds: 18.2% | Toronto’s Baseball Reference odds: 27.9%
Minnesota’s FanGraphs odds: 20.8% | Minnesota’s Baseball Reference odds: 10.8%
Baltimore’s FanGraphs odds: 12.2% | Baltimore’s Baseball Reference odds: 9%
Seattle’s FanGraphs odds: 35.8% | Seattle’s Baseball Reference odds: 19.1%
Detroit’s FanGraphs odds: 5.1% | Detroit’s Baseball Reference odds: 8.9%
Marcus Rashford and Patrick Dorgu played a half each on the left flank as Man United lost 2-0 on the opening day to Hull City
It was an opening weekend to forget for Manchester United on Humberside. The Reds were a shadow of the team that ended last season by thrashing Brighton and Hove Albion as they stumbled to a 2-0 defeat against Hull City. The first half proved to be a disaster for the Reds with Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy scoring.
At the other end, United huffed and puffed but struggled to make inroads. Sensing the Reds needed a change, Michael Carrick hooked Patrick Dorgu at half-time and replaced him with Marcus Rashford. Ultimately, that decision did not impact the full-time score. However, it did place Dorgu in the firing line post-match.
When asked if he would ‘put an arm’ around the Denmark international after his half-time substitution, Carrick replied: “Pat’s fine, we love him to bits. He’s a fantastic player, Pat. He’s a great character.
“He’s a big part of what we do, and he will be. So it was just one of those decisions. It’s nothing personal. Sometimes you’ve just got to make them, you know, trying to do something a little bit different.”
United will take on Ipswich Town on Sunday with the pressure on the Reds to get off the mark. So ahead of that game, MEN Sport has analysed the performances of both Dorgu and Rashford on Saturday to decide who United should turn to this weekend.
Dorgu’s performance
Nobody was surprised to see Dorgu start on the left flank. Throughout pre-season, Carrick preferred Dorgu in that position after he excelled during the opening two matches of his interim spell in charge. However, Saturday was not his day.
One positive for Dorgu was that he at least tried to make something happen. He had three shots in the first half but, as per Opta, that represented just a 0.47 XG. Only Bryan Mbeumo offered a higher XG (0.5) in the first half for the away side. Dorgu was afforded these opportunities thanks to United’s persistence in attacking down the right flank and whipping balls towards the left.
As shown below, 48 per cent of United’s attacks were down the right flank in the first half. Dorgu’s average position was even marginally higher than Matheus Cunha’s, who was meant to be leading the line, showing the winger’s willingness to force chances for his team.
However, his work on the ball was disappointing. He didn’t have a single successful dribble, won just two out of eight duels, didn’t win back possession at all, lost it 8 times, was booked and didn’t manage a single cross, according to Opta.
For those reasons, Dorgu underwhelmed and this explained Carrick’s thinking behind the substitution. Dorgu is learning on the job in an attacking role and this was certainly a major learning curve for the Dane.
Rashford’s performance
United switched their tactics up and looked to involve Rashford far more in the second half. Dorgu made just 11 passes for the Reds in the first half, whereas Rashford managed 24 in the second.
Attacking build-up play was more evenly split but did favour the left, with 38.3 per cent of attacking moves coming down that flank. What Opta’s data also shows us is that Rashford spent most of his time hugging that left flank. While in the first half Dorgu was rushing to get into the box to finish chances, his replacement was looking to create opportunities.
That tactic did not work particularly well though. Rashford attempted three crosses against Hull, one of which was successful. While the lack of a focal point for much of the game worked against Rashford, it was a strange decision not to stick with the first-half plan, albeit their bluntness in the opening 45 could have influenced the decision to change things.
Rashford was more involved in open play, but he did not have a single shot in the game. Had United looked to create chances for Rashford as they did Dorgu in the first half then there is every possibility he would have taken one of them.
Verdict
Heading into the Ipswich game, there could be an easy fix for United. Rashford would benefit from getting into the same kind of positions as Dorgu did on Saturday and he is a better finisher than the man he replaced at Hull.
One of Rashford’s main criticisms has been the lack of work rate at times, failing to track back and help out the defence. In theory, Dorgu could offer more of that. But Rashford did show signs that he is willing to drop deeper and do the less glamorous parts of the game to help the team, albeit it was not needed as much in the second half as Hull looked to protect their lead.
Ultimately, it did not work with Dorgu on the left and he still needs time to learn that position. As for Rashford, there were some positive signs, enough to suggest he should start over Dorgu on Sunday. But United need to play more to his strengths if they are to get the best out of him.
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Olympique de Marseille has a new captain, and he’s someone who United States men’s national team fans should be very familiar with.
Marseille opened its Ligue 1 campaign against RC Strasbourg Alsace on Friday and U.S. men’s national team winger Tim Weah captained the French club in its 4-0 win. Weah started at right back and went the full 90 minutes.
Weah was a key player under Marseille’s former manager Habib Beye, but new manager Bruno Génésio has pushed Weah even more by awarding him the captain’s armband. Weah completed his permanent transfer to Marseille in June after joining the club on a season-long loan last season.
Weah wasn’t the only American to make an appearance in Friday’s match. United States men’s national team midfielder Gio Reyna also appeared as a substitute against Marseille and played 21 minutes. Reyna joined Strasbourg from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month. He wears the elusive No. 10 for the club.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has wished Cristiano Ronaldo luck as the Portugal captain moves ever so close to becoming the first player to score 1000 goals for club and country.
Ronaldo, 41, made his season debut for Al-Nassr last week in a 4-0 home win over Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League. Coming on as a second-half substitute, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored seven minutes from time to round off the scoring.
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That took him to 130 goals for the Knights of Najd and 977 overall for club and country, moving to within 23 strikes of reaching four figures, a landmark he could reach next year.
During a brief meeting with the FIFA president at the Esports World Cup in Paris, Ronaldo greeted Infantino (as per BOLA VIP):
“How are you?”
Infantino responded, referring to Ronaldo’s approaching landmark:
“23 goals remaining? Good luck!”
Ronaldo’s closest challenger in the all-time list is Lionel Messi, who’s two years younger and has scored 923 times during his illustrious career. The Argentine plies his club football for Inter Miami in MLS, arriving at the Herons in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer after nearly two decades in European football.
What’s next for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo is coming off a decent campaign at what was likely his sixth and final appearance at the FIFA World Cup. The 41-year-old bagged three goals in five games in the 2026 edition in North America as Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain 1-0 in the Round of 16.
Following an extended vacation, Ronaldo missed most of Al-Nassr‘s pre-season and didn’t feature in the 3-0 home win over Al-Fateh in their opening Saudi Pro League game.
Cristiano Ronaldo also didn’t make the matchday squad in the 4-1 win at Diriyah in the King Cup of Champions Round of 32. New boss Ange Postecoglou handed Ronaldo his season debut last week in the league victory at Al-Riyadh.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to feature in the Knights of Najd’s Saudi Pro League trip to Al-Ettifaq on Tuesday (August 25) as Postecoglou’s side seek to continue their perfect start to their title-defence campaign.
Edited by Bhargav
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