A long day at Oracle Park opened with a bang on Saturday, even if it went unnoticed by most fans: Ron Wotus, a non-traveling member of the San Francisco Giants coaching staff, got himself tossed during the scorecard exchange. 

The bench coach for the Giants‘ three championship teams the previous decade, Wotus clearly didn’t care for the ejections leveled the previous night. Alan Porter, who was the home-plate umpire Friday night, had tossed manager Tony Vitello and he and Wotus exchanged some heated words Saturday until Wotus earned the early shower. 

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That was the most significant action in the first game of the day-night doubleheader until Lars Nootbaar‘s grand slam in the seventh off reliever Ryan Walker made up the bulk of the scoring in the Arizona Diamondbacks‘ 7-1 win.  All three baserunners reached via walks, two by starter Matt Wilkinson in an otherwise excellent six-plus inning home debut, and one by Walker. It was the second slam the Giants’ bullpen has allowed this week following Eugenio Suárez‘s drive off Dylan Smith on Wednesday, the centerpiece of the Reds‘ historic comeback from a six-run deficit in the ninth.

Wotus clearly was defending the Giants’ manager and, in doing so, he reflected the anger still percolating in the Giants’ dugout. There was a strong feeling after Friday’s game that the umpires are singling Vitello out because of his lack of pro baseball experience, or, at the very least, are quicker with the hook than they might be with others. Both Vitello and director of pitching Frank Anderson, who came with Vitello from Tennessee, have seen umpires make disparaging comments to them this season because of their college background, and Vitello said things “turned personal real quick” with Porter on Friday. 

Dusty Baker, on hand for Jeff Kent’s jersey retirement before Game 2, said he’s unsure if the treatment Vitello is receiving is just because he’s a rookie manager or because he came from the college ranks. “Maybe both,” Baker said. 

Vitello and the umpires kept their distance Saturday, at least in Game 1. The lineup-card exchange before Game 2 will be watched closely, and the choice for delivering the card will be interesting. 

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Wilkinson, 23, worked limited innings in his two stints as more of an opener; two in his big-league debut against Cleveland, his former organization, and 3⅔ innings at Boston on Sunday. With the Giants playing two games Saturday and the bullpen covering four innings the night before, Wilkinson needed to go as deep as possible, and he scattered three hits in his first six innings of work, retiring 12 in a row in the middle innings. 

He didn’t walk a batter until the seventh, when eight of the nine pitches he threw were balls, likely a sign of fatigue. Walker, back up from Triple-A Sacramento just this week, walked Tim Tawa then gave up Nootbaar’s slam on a 2-2 fastball at the top of the zone. Typically, Walker throws the four-seam fastball sparingly, just 4% of the time entering Saturday. Last year, he threw two, total. 

The Giants’ staff, especially the relievers, are under instructions to throw strikes because they’ve walked far too many – 48 this month from the bullpen entering Game 1, fifth most in the majors. Avoiding walks is laudable, but too many strikes can backfire occasionally, making pitchers a little more predictable. 

Left-hander Seth Lonsway, who was called up earlier in the morning, made his big-league debut and struck out Ildemaro Vargas to open the eighth. He gave up two hits and the Diamondbacks scored an unearned run off him thanks to Turner Hill’s error in left, and Arizona scored two more off him in the ninth. 

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Jung Hoo Lee, the Game 1 bobblehead honoree, drove in San Francisco‘s run with a single in the eighth. 

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This article originally published at Giants’ frustrations with umpires lead to pregame ejection for coach before loss.

Daniel Dubois has shared his reaction after Moses Itauma suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Filip Hrgovic.

Hrgovic showed a sensational chin throughout the contest as he recovered from a second round knockdown to earn the ninth round TKO win against an exhausted Itauma, winning the vacant IBF heavyweight title in the process.

WBO heavyweight champion Dubois was sat ringside to watch the fight unfold, and whilst speaking to Seconds Out, he began by praising Hrgovic for his victory.

“It’s boxing. The better man won. It was a good fight while it lasted. I knew Hrgovic had it in him. He’s a tough competitor.”

Dubois is the only man to have defeated Hrgovic, claiming an eighth round TKO win due to cuts back in June 2024, and ‘DDD’ felt that Itauma’s performance against his former rival showed that the two Brits aren’t on the same level.

“[I have a] different mindset, [I’m a total] total different animal. I wasn’t going to be denied. He’s not me. He can come again I suppose. Maybe rebuild I suppose. It tests his team out around him now. He’ll see who’s really with him.”

A unification fight between Dubois and Itauma had been touted for Wembley Stadium next year, but those plans have now gone up in smoke after the victory by Hrgovic.

Itauma will instead have to rebuild as he looks to bounce back from his first loss, while Dubois will look ahead to his rematch with Fabio Wardley, after it was officially confirmed that the two men will meet for the second time on October 17.

Kai Sotto (right) and AJ Edu will anchor the Philippines’ interior against Iran. —FIBA PHOTO

A dramatic Friday night win over Jordan did nothing to widen the margin of error for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Filipinos know they need to set aside an 82-81 victory and go for another favorable result when they host Iran on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“From our calculations, we got to win five or six in this round,” coach Tim Cone said ahead of the 8 p.m. matchup, which the Philippines must win in hopes of closing in on the standings in Group E.

For Cone, defeating Jordan was just half the job, and beating Iran would check a major task box.

Gilas’ win over Jordan and Iran’s loss to New Zealand, also in overtime, made the standings interesting for the Philippines. While Australia is running away from the pack with a 7-0 (win-loss) record, Jordan and Iran fell into a tie with New Zealand at 5-2.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has three wins in seven matches.

Sunday will also see New Zealand playing Syria at 2 p.m., and Jordan taking on Australia at 5 p.m. at the same venue. The Jordan-Australia game could also have some implications in Gilas’ World Cup bid.

But Cone said they won’t rely on other results.

“We got to take care of our own business,” he said. “This (Jordan win) is like halftime for us, but we haven’t won anything. We have to win the whole thing. Right now, it’s just halftime and we got another [half] to play.”

Momentum is something Gilas hopes to maximize, not only because of the way it won, but also because it is playing at home once more.

The win was cemented by Kai Sotto’s game-saving block in the end, Kevin Quiambao’s go-ahead three, CJ Perez’s clutch buckets and Scottie Thompson’s defense and hustle.

Sotto’s presence justified what many believe—that he’s the missing piece to the Gilas puzzle since he last played for the national team in 2024. Perez, on the other hand, put up what is arguably his best performance on the international level.

Perez also set up the pass for Quiambao, whose three gave Gilas the lead for good. Thompson, however, remained a polarizing figure, with fans either praising the intangibles he provided or ruing his five-second inbound violation that almost cost the game.

One concern being determined at press time is the status of Carl Tamayo, who scored eight points, for Sunday. The former University of the Philippines standout rolled his left ankle during the third quarter. Cone hinted that he may tweak his roster by replacing him with either Justin Arana or RJ Abarrientos if he can’t go. INQ

Melbourne and Carlton close the Wildcard Round after arriving through sharply contrasting final-round performances.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues Odds

Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues Preview

The Demons surrendered their top-four opportunity in a 108-87 loss to the Western Bulldogs, despite Max Gawn compiling 28 disposals, 59 hitouts, 10 clearances and 10 score involvements. Injuries to Jake Lever and Matthew Jefferson may also leave Melbourne short of key-position options. Carlton surged into the finals by beating minor premier Fremantle 119-82, driven by five goals from Francis Evans and influential midfield displays from Jagga Smith and Sam Walsh. Carlton edged Melbourne 73-71 in their 2023 semi-final, although the Demons overturned a 43-point deficit to win their Round 3 meeting this season. The Blues’ current momentum and greater scoring depth make them the stronger selection.

Even the playing surfaces at NFL stadiums need a moment to get into regular-season form.

The Buffalo Bills are planning to replace the grass surface at Highmark Stadium before their home opener against the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

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The Buffalo News was the first to report the team’s groundskeeping plans. USA TODAY Sports has reached out to the Bills for confirmation.

The 2026 season will mark the first time the Bills are playing their home games on a grass surface – and not artificial turf – since 1972. During the entire, 53-year period in which they were tenants of Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills played on synthetic material. But Buffalo’s new grass field had a shaky debut when the Bills played their first preseason game of the year on Aug. 15.

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A first look at the new Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen

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A first look at the new Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen

BILLS STADIUM: Thurman Thomas weighs in on Highmark Stadium uproar

On one play, backup quarterback Kyle Allen scrambled out of the pocket then took a hit as he slid down on the new grass field. During the play, The Athletic’s Tim Graham reported, a “massive clump” of grass was ripped out of the ground after the tackle.

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Starting quarterback Josh Allen was joined by teammates DJ Moore, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown in trying to stomp the displaced grass back into the divot after the play, Graham reported.

The Bills did not make any notable changes to the surface before their next home game: a preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, they waited until after the preseason to re-sod the field and get it prepared for Buffalo’s regular season home opener in Week 2.

The Bills will play the Texans in Houston to begin the season on Sept. 13 before returning home to face the Lions in a “Thursday Night Football” matchup on Sept. 17, where the new field of grass in the new stadium will make its debut.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills’ new stadium facing another hurdle ahead of home opener

The Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS gives new users a $20 trading bonus after a $10 initial deposit. The action continues on Saturday evening with matchups like Florida State vs. New Mexico State, Stanford vs. Hawaii and UNLV vs. Memphis. UNLV to beat Memphis is trading at $0.63 per share, while more than 56.5 points is also trading at $0.49 per share. Claim the Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS here:

SportsLine’s model has simulated every Week 0 college football game 10,000 times and locked in its projections, which you can use to make trades at Polymarket, one of the largest prediction markets. For the full terms and conditions, as well as instructions on how to claim the Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS, read our Polymarket promo code review. You can also learn how to trade prediction markets and see the latest prediction markets legal states.

College football markets for Week 0

• UNC vs. TCU: TCU to win ($0.77)
• NC State vs. Virginia: Virginia to win ($0.67)
• Memphis vs. UNLV: UNLV to win ($0.63)

NC State vs. Virginia

Virginia finished the 2025 regular season with the best record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but lost to Duke in the ACC Championship Game, concluding the season with a 13-7 win against Missouri in the Gator Bowl and an 11-3 (7-1 ACC) overall record. NC State finished ninth in the conference with an 8-5 (4-4 ACC), but handed Virginia its first of three losses in Week 2 and has won four consecutive games against the Cavaliers since 2018. N.C. State has gone 38-23-1 in its all-time series with Virginia. 

The SportsLine Projection Model is calling for Virginia to secure a 30-24 victory over N.C. State. Virginia is currently trading at $0.67 per share to win at Polymarket, while NC State is trading at $0.35. Claim your Polymarket US trading bonus here with the Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS

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Memphis vs. UNLV

UNLV finished second in the Mountain West Conference, with both of its conference losses coming to Boise State, the latter of which came in the Mountain West Championship Game. The Rebels finished with a 10-4 (6-2 MWC) overall record following a 10-17 loss to Ohio in the Frisco Bowl. Memphis went 8-5 (4-4 American Conference) during former head coach Ryan Silverfield’s final season in 2025. The Tigers enter their first season under new head coach Charles Huff, who went 39-25 during past stints at Marshall (32-20) and Southern Miss (7-5).

The SportsLine Projection Model is predicting UNLV to walk away with a 35-31 victory on its home turf on Saturday. UNLV is trading at $0.63 per share on Polymarket, while Memphis is trading at $0.38 per share. Claim your Polymarket US trading bonus here with the Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS:

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Anthony Cacace will make the first defence of his WBA super-featherweight world title against Nick Ball at The 02 in Belfast on 19 December.

The 37-year-old from Belfast won the title in March with a points victory of James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Dublin and will face another Liverpool native in former featherweight champion Ball.

Cacace’s last fight in his home city occurred in May 2023 with a defence of the IBO belt against Damian Wrzesinski on the undercard of Luis Alberto Lopez’s featherweight title victory over Michael Conlan.

Since then, he has won and then relinquished the IBF title before becoming a two-time champion at the weight with victory over Dickens which saw his record improve to 25 wins with one loss.

“Nick’s a great fighter, ex-world champion, so I expect a good scrap. He’s a hard man, so let’s do it,” Cacace told DAZN.

“I’ll fight with him, I’ll box him – whatever way he wants, so we’ll see what happens on the night. I’m really looking forward to it.

“Belfast around Christmas time is going to be jumping, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Ball is coming off his first career defeat when stopped in the final round by Brandon Figueroa in a defence of the WBA featherweight title in February.

The Liverpudlian won the title in 2024 with a points verdict over Raymond Ford, three months after his first bid for world honours ended in a draw against then-WBC champion Rey Vargas.

He fought on the same Belfast card as Cacace in 2023 when stopping Ludumo Lamati, who suffered a stroke in the ring but has since recovered, and is relishing the chance to become a two-weight champion.

“It’s a massive opportunity at a new weight,” said Ball, whose record is 23-1-1.

“He’s a solid champion, so it’s going to be a good fight. I’ll be coming, he’ll be coming, so it’s going to be a good one.”

Daniel Dubois will defend his WBO heavyweight world title against former champion Fabio Wardley in a highly anticipated rematch on 17 October at London’s O2 Arena.

Londoner Dubois, 28, dethroned Wardley with an 11th-round stoppage in a thrilling all-British showdown in Manchester in May to become a two-time world champion.

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It was announced during Saturday’s undercard of Moses Itauma’s IBF heavyweight world title fight with Filip Hrgovic, with Dubois and Wardley facing off in the ring.

Dubois said he is predicting a “dominant victory” before adding: “Let’s get it on. It’s just a war.

“When you get in the water, you’re going to get wet. We will see. Give me some of that face-to-face – boy.”

The first meeting lived up to its billing, with two of the division’s biggest punchers producing a dramatic fight that showcased the power of both men.

Wardley dropped Dubois twice early in the contest, but a bloodied Wardley absorbed heavy punishment before the referee stopped the bout.

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It was the first defeat of the 31-year-old’s professional career in his 22nd bout.

“It didn’t take long at all [to agree]. The O2 is like a home away from home for me,” Fabio Wardley said on DAZN.

“Looking forward to getting straight back into it. Going to be a rematch and going to be revenge.

“We came into the fight with all the confidence in the world, but adjustments needed to be made.”

The Ipswich fighter’s rise through the sport has been remarkable. Having only taken up boxing at the age of 19, he progressed through the unlicensed white-collar scene before reaching the top of the heavyweight division.

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Dubois, meanwhile, has experienced the full spectrum of boxing’s highs and lows.

The 26-fight veteran has suffered three defeats during his career but rebuilt himself to claim world honours twice, with his victory over Wardley marking the latest chapter in his comeback story.

The winner of the rematch could be in line for a blockbuster fight next summer against fellow Briton Itauma, provided the heavyweight prospect secures a world title of his own.

The winner of the contest between Itauma and Hrgovic will be required to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.

Should Itauma – who is aiming to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history after Mike Tyson – come through both fights, promoter Frank Warren has suggested a potential Wembley Stadium clash with the winner of Dubois-Wardley II next summer.

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The heavyweight division remains fragmented following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his titles. Russian Murat Gassiev currently holds the WBA belt, while Germany’s Agit Kabayel is the WBC champion.

More boxing from the BBC