Michael Phelps links up with Ravens to provide swimming lessons for players

Michael Phelps links up with Ravens to provide swimming lessons for players

Marlon Humphrey's request to Michael Phelps was answered on Tuesday when the Olympic swimming legend visited Baltimore Ravens training camp to help players learn how to swim. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Two weeks ago, Humphreyposted a video on social mediafeaturing several teammates asking Phelps for lessons since a number of players did not know how to swim. Phelps responded that he was down to help, and the swimming G.O.A.T. was in Owings Mills, Maryland, this week to make it happen. After taking a tour of the Ravens' new aquatic center and checking out practice with his 7-year-old son, Beckett, and franchise great Ray Lewis, Phelps got to watch some players take part in adiving contestand aswimming race, then it was time to get down to business. What started as a video@marlon_humphreyposted on social media...resulted in a donation of $100,000 to the@MichaelPhelpsFoundation 💜@TODAYshowpic.twitter.com/gdn9UpW7aE — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens)August 13, 2025 Those who wanted help learning to swimreceived lessonsfrom the 23-time Olympic gold medalist and members of theMichael Phelps Foundation, which provides learn-to-swim classes to help prevent drowning and raise self-esteem and wellness. Players used pool noodles and kickboards to improve their skills and build confidence in the water. "If I have to swim less than 20 yards, I could survive somehow because I could doggy paddle," said Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith. "But as far as actually swimming and knowing how to breathe and things of that nature, honestly, it was my first time. It was really cool. It was really solid, some of the lessons they gave me. I feel a little more confident." To thank Phelps, a Baltimore native and a big Ravens fan, for his help, the team made a $100,000 donation to his foundation. "I didn't know what I was getting into. I had no idea what their comfort level was," Phelps said via theRavens website. "When I see the guys in there and some of the guys who are literally working on floating and breathing, and they're focused on paying attention to those details, it shows their vulnerability, especially when they're uncomfortable. "It was a special day. Racing some of the fellas in the 25 [meter]. My son raced some of the guys. It was a great day. I truly hope they learned something, hopefully got some confidence, and hopefully can transition into something else."

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August 13, 2025

Michael Phelps links up with Ravens to provide swimming lessons for players

Michael Phelps links up with Ravens to provide swimming lessons for players Marlon Humphrey's request to Michael Phelps was answered on ...

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Little League World Series: 5 Best moments from iconic summer baseball tournament

Little League World Series: 5 Best moments from iconic summer baseball tournament

USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Since 1947, theLittle League World Serieshas been one of the most beloved summer traditions in America. The opportunity to see the best 12U baseball teams from around the world compete for a championship presents baseball in its truest form. The children provide an appreciation for the sport that can sometimes be lost in professional settings. Every moment is exciting. Every hit is enormous. Every run is exhilarating. Every strikeout is monumental. That emotion has captivated audiences for decades, making big moments all the more compelling. Whether it is a walk-off home run, a huge defensive play, or a group of kids achieving their ultimate goal, the Little League World Series has created some incredible moments over the years. Here are our picks for the five most iconic moments in LLWS history. 2025 Little League World Series bracket:Schedule for every game at Williamsport The highest possible OPS a player can have is 5.000. That mark would mean that a player hit a home run every single time they came up to the plate. Such a feat is impossible, right? RIGHT?! Nope. Lloyd McClendon put on a "Legendary" performance at the 1971 Little League World Series, going 5-for-5 with, you guessed it, five home runs. His team would wind up losing in the championship game to Chinese Taipei. How did Taipei do it? Simple. They didn't let McClendon bat. They walked him every time he came to the plate after he hit a home run against them in the first inning. McClendon's team would not score another run for the rest of the game. Mo'ne Davis's legend is well-known. She wasn't the first girl to compete in the Little League World Series, but she was arguably the most dominant, corralling a complete game shutout win during her team's first game of the tournament. To this day, that remains the only time a female player has earned a win on the mound at the Little League World Series, and it was a shutout. Davis did not do as well in her next pitching performance, but her mark on the tournament had already been left. Despite her team failing to reach the U.S. Championship, many fans still know her name and were excited to see herreturn to Williamsport in 2021as an analyst. What's better than leading the LLWS tournament in both home runs and RBIs? How about winning the tournament with a walk-off home run? Lappe did absolutely everything for his California squad during the 2023 tournament, especially in the role of hero. It couldn't have been more dramatic. California was leading Curacao in the championship game, 5-1 after four innings. In the fifth, Curacao hit a grand slam to tie the game. Lo and behold, Lappe led off the sixth inning. Fans leaned forward in their seats. Everyone was dead quiet when the announcer uttered a jinx for the ages, noting that Curacao had not surrendered a home run for the entirety of the Little League World Series. On cue, Lappe sent everyone home with a moonshot to left field. THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!A walk-off to win the#LLWSChampionship 🙌pic.twitter.com/aVZVvIKIwi — Little League (@LittleLeague)August 27, 2023 The Japan-U.S. rivalry is well-known in Little League Baseball. Since 1998, the U.S. and Japan have combined for more than 20 titles. The rest of the world has just three. In 2007, that rivalry came to a head as Georgia looked for their second consecutive LLWS title, and second consecutive championship game win over Japan. Despite strong pitching performances from both sides, Georgia's Dalton Carriker was able to take an eighth-inning pitch deep to walk off the game and the tournament. Although Burroughs' and his California team's loss in the 1992 championship was eventually flipped on its head once it was known that the team from the Philippines that won had violated age and residency rules, Burroughs returned for the 1993 Little League World Series looking to avenge the defeat. He was on a mission, and no one was going to stop him. Burroughs would go on to throw no-hitters in both his team's pool play opener against Ohio on August 23 and in the U.S. Championship game on August 26. He did not pitch in the LLWS title game, but his team came through nonetheless. Burroughs would go on to play in the majors between 2002 and 2012. This year's tournament begins Wednesday, August 13 and runs until Sunday, August 24. Games can be viewed on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, or streamed withESPN+. Stream the 2025 Little League World Series with an ESPN+ subscription This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:5 most iconic Little League World Series moments of all-time

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August 13, 2025

Little League World Series: 5 Best moments from iconic summer baseball tournament

Little League World Series: 5 Best moments from iconic summer baseball tournament USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this...

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The Brewers are baseball's story, and team, of the summer

The Brewers are baseball's story, and team, of the summer

Yahoo Sports AMis our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports.Sign up hereto get it every weekday morning. I don't think anyone is sleeping on the Brewers, who lead the majors with a 75-44 record and have won 11 straight after routing the Pirates,14-0, on Tuesday. But it's still worth diving into Milwaukee's magical summer, particularly considering it followed such a lackluster spring. Going streaking:The Brewers have gone a ridiculous 26-4 since July 6, and they're now just thethird team with multiple 11-game win streaksin a season in the last 90 years. But their turnaround from also-ran to juggernaut actually began six weeks earlier. On May 24, after losing for the 10th time in 16 games, the Brewers were a measly 25-28 — the fifth-worst record in the NL and just a half-game ahead of the lowly Nationals. Since then, they've gone 50-16 — a remarkable 123-win pace over nearly half the season. And they've done it with abottom-10 payroll, too. Consider this:Since Milwaukee's surge began in late May, the Cubs have the second-best record in the NL. Yet somehow Chicago has lost14 gamesin the standings to the Brewers since then. A true buzzsaw. How have they done this?Unsurprisingly, Milwaukee has the best ERA in MLB and best OPS in the NL since that late-May turnaround. But whatissurprising is the players that have fueled their run as guys like Jackson Chourio, Rhys Hoskins and Jacob Misiorowski have landed on the IL. Andrew Vaughn, the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, was so bad this year that the White Sox of all teams demoted him to Triple-A. But since being traded to Milwaukee he's beenone of the league's best hitters, smacking 8 HR and 32 RBI in 27 games with the Brewers. Isaac Collins is a 28-year-old rookie, which isn't usually a good thing. But the ninth-rounder from 2019 alsoleads all NL rookies in fWAR, was just namedNL player of the weekand is now the betting favorite to win ROY. Quinn Priester pitched to a bloated 6.23 ERA in his first two big league seasons before landing in Milwaukee this spring; now he's 11-2 with a 3.49 ERA. I could go on, but you get the point. To put it another way:They've done this by playing Brewer baseball. They aren't going to out-slug the competition (Christian Yelich, having an above average but unspectacular season, leads the team with 23 HR), but they'll outwork and outhustle anyone. As reigning NL manager of the year Pat Murphyeloquently put it, "We have to do what we have to do to be who we are." Amen. Looking ahead:The last time the Brewers had the best record in baseball this late in the season was 1982, when they reached their first and only World Series. If Milwaukee's magical summer carries over to the fall, you'd be wise not to bet against history repeating itself. Budapest —Mondo Duplantis has done it again. The American-born Swedebroke the pole vault world recordfor the 13th time in his career on Tuesday,clearing 6.29 metersat the Hungarian Grand Prix. Lucrative gig: As a reminder, Mondo earns $100,000 every time he breaks a world record. And to maximize his earnings, he purposely breaks it by only one centimeter at a time. 4D chess. New York —What long seemed inevitable became official on Tuesday when Pete Alonso hit his 253rd career home run to pass Darryl Strawberryfor the most in Mets franchise history. And three innings later, the Polar Bear belted his 254th for good measure. Fireworks outage: The Mets hit so many home runs (six) in their 13-5 win over the Braves that Citi Fieldran out of their celebratory fireworks. Quite the way to snap a seven-game losing streak. Cincinnati —Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Hamad Medjedovic on Tuesday at the Cincinnati Openfor his 50th win of the year, becoming the first ATP player to win 50 matches in four consecutive seasons since Novak Djokovic in 2016. Long way to go: As impressive as Carlito's streak is, he's less than halfway to matching Djokovic, who won 50+ matches every year from 2007-16. We love a round number, so with 10 days left until the college football season kicks off, here are 10 storylines to know, 10 teams poised to bounce back and 10 teams poised to disappoint. Nick Bromberg:10 biggest storylines entering the season From Bill Belichick's first year in Chapel Hill to Arch Manning's future in Texas to the College Football Playoff's updated — but not expanded — format, here's what to look out for this season. Andy Backstrom:10 teams poised to bounce back this season Thanks to the transfer portal, it's never been easier to rebuild quickly in college football. That's why teams like Michigan, Oklahoma, Auburn and more should expect to rebound after struggling in 2024. Backstrom:10 teams poised to disappoint this season On the flip side from the list above, USC, Tennessee and Illinois are among those that may fall short of expectations this fall. Nine years ago today, Michael Phelps competed in the final race of his legendary Olympic career, winning the4x100m medley relayat the 2016 Rio Games for his record 23rd gold medal. No one else has more thannine.* Full medal tally:Behold, in all its glory, Phelps' full haul of 28 Olympic medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze). 🥇 100m butterfly (Athens 2004) 🥇 200m butterfly (Athens 2004) 🥇 200m medley (Athens 2004) 🥇 400m medley (Athens 2004) 🥇 4x200m free relay (Athens 2004) 🥇 4x100m medley relay (Athens 2004) 🥉 200m freestyle (Athens 2004) 🥉 4x100m free relay (Athens 2004) 🥇 100m butterfly (Beijing 2008) 🥇 200m butterfly (Beijing 2008) 🥇 200m freestyle (Beijing 2008) 🥇 200m medley (Beijing 2008) 🥇 400m medley (Beijing 2008) 🥇 4x100m free relay (Beijing 2008) 🥇 4x200m free relay (Beijing 2008) 🥇 4x100m medley relay (Beijing 2008) 🥇 100m butterfly (London 2012) 🥇 200m medley (London 2012) 🥇 4x200m free relay (London 2012) 🥇 4x100m medley relay (London 2012) 🥈 200m butterfly (London 2012) 🥈 4x100m free relay (London 2012) 🥇 200m butterfly (Rio 2016) 🥇 200m medley (Rio 2016) 🥇 4x100m free relay (Rio 2016) 🥇 4x200m free relay (Rio 2016) 🥇 4x100m medley relay (Rio 2016) 🥈 100m butterfly (Rio 2016) *Six athletes are tied for second behind Phelps with nine gold medals each: Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina (1956-64), American swimmers Katie Ledecky (2012-24), Caeleb Dressel (2016-24) and Mark Spitz (1968-72), American sprinter Carl Lewis (1984-96) and Finnish distance runner Paavo Nurmi (1920-28). The78th edition of the LLWSbegins today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where 20 teams of youngsters (12 and under) will spend the next week-and-a-half competing for the title of best in the world.Schedule. How it works: The field is split intwo brackets, with 10 U.S. teams in one and 10 international teams in the other. They'll play for individual championships first, and then the winners of each will meet in the grand finale. Match play at the125th U.S. Amateurtees off today at Olympic Club in San Francisco, where the field of 312 golfers has been narrowed to 64 following Monday and Tuesday's stroke play. All roads lead to Sunday's 36-hole championship match. The defending champions of the Champions League (PSG) and Europa League (Tottenham) square off in the 50th edition of the UEFA Super Cup, with this year's match being held in Italy's Stadio Friuli. More to watch: ⚾️MLB:Twins at Yankees(7:05pm, Prime); Braves at Mets(7:10pm, FS1)… Both New York teams got much-needed wins on Tuesday to hang onto their narrow leads for the final wild card. ⚽️U.S. Open Cup:NY Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union(7:30pm, CBSSN)… The winner joins fellow MLS clubs Nashville, Minnesota and Austin in the semifinals. 🎾Cincinnati Open:Fourth round(11am, Tennis)… No. 3 Iga Świątek(11am), No. 1 Jannik Sinner(12:10pm), No. 4 Taylor Fritz(1:20pm)and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka(3pm)headline today's action. 🏀WNBA:Liberty at Aces(9:30pm, ESPN)... No. 3 vs. No. 5 inour latest power rankings. Today's full slate → Pete Alonso, the Mets' new home run king, is now the fourth active player who leads a franchise in home runs. Question:Can you name the other three? Hint:One of them no longer plays for the franchise they lead. Answer at the bottom. Well, you don't see that every day. White Sox prospect George Wolkow tried calling time during his first at-bat on Tuesday for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. But when the umpire didn't grant it and the pitch came his way he swung with one hand…and smacked an RBI single. Trivia answer:Mike Trout, Angels (398 HR); Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (267 HR); Manny Machado, Padres (187 HR) We hope you enjoyed this edition ofYahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports.Sign up hereto get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.

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August 13, 2025

The Brewers are baseball's story, and team, of the summer

The Brewers are baseball's story, and team, of the summer Yahoo Sports AMis our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things...

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Who are the NFL's highest-paid running backs? James Cook ranks sixth

Who are the NFL's highest-paid running backs? James Cook ranks sixth

Another running back has gotten his bag, which means there are a few changes to the list of highest-paid players at the position in the NFL. James Cookbecame the sixth-highest paid running back by average annual value, third-highest paid by guaranteed money and highest-paid by total value when he agreed to terms on hisfour-year, $48 million dealWednesday morning. Cook's new contract was also the sixth extension deal theBuffalo Billshave made so far this offseason. The fourth-year running back had been holding out from Bills training camp while awaiting an extension, but his return to practice in recent days seemed to foreshadow the closing of an extension deal. Here's how other highest-paid running backs around the league rank using a variety of different categories: JAMES COOK:Bills agree to $48M deal with rising star RB Here's which running backs are making the most money in the NFL in 2025, using AAV and 2025 cash value numbers fromOverTheCap.com: Saquon Barkley,Eagles: $20.6 million/year Christian McCaffrey,49ers: $19 million/year Derrick Henry,Ravens: $15 million/year Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $14 million/year Alvin Kamara,Saints: $12.25 million/year Josh Jacobs,Packers: $12 million/year James Cook, Bills: $12 million/year Kyren Williams,Rams: $11 million/year Aaron Jones,Vikings: $10 million/year Joe Mixon,Texans: $9.875 million/year ROOKIE QBS:Grading Giants first-year Jaxson Dart's pro debut vs. Bills Here's how the top-paid running backs rank by overall contract value, according to OverTheCap.com: Josh Jacobs, Packers: $48 million James Cook, Bills: $48 million Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $42 million Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $41.2 million Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: $38 million Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots: $36 million Ashton Jeanty,Raiders: $35.9 million Chuba Hubbard,Panthers: $33.2 million Kyren Williams, Rams: $33 million Derrick Henry, Ravens: $30 million FANTASY FOOTBALL:RB tiers for 2025: Best options, ranked According to OverTheCap's numbers, Cook's contract makes him the third-highest paid NFL running back by guaranteed value. Here's how the top 10 looks: Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $36 million Ashton Jeanty, Raiders: $35.9 million James Cook, Bills: $30 million Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $26.5 million Derrick Henry, Ravens: $25 million Christian McCaffrey: $24 million Kyren Williams, Rams: $23 million Alvin Kamara, Saints: $22.2 million Bijan Robinson,Falcons: $22.0 million Jahmyr Gibbs,Lions: $17.8 million This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Highest-paid NFL running backs: Bills' James Cook sixth

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August 13, 2025

Who are the NFL's highest-paid running backs? James Cook ranks sixth

Who are the NFL's highest-paid running backs? James Cook ranks sixth Another running back has gotten his bag, which means there are a fe...

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FedEx Cup standings 2025: PGA Tour rankings ahead of BMW Championships

FedEx Cup standings 2025: PGA Tour rankings ahead of BMW Championships

TheFedEx Cup playoffshead into the second leg at the BMW Championship in Owings Mills, Maryland, after a thrilling St. Jude Championship that caused some movement in the FedEx Cup standings. Justin Rose's victory at the St. Jude Championship was nothing short of stunning. Overcoming a three-shot deficit in the final stretch, he finished the round with a score of 3-under 67, earning his 12th PGA Tour victory and securing a spot on Team Europe for the Ryder Cup. Due to a family emergency that required his regular caddie, Ted Scott, to leave the St. Jude Championship early, Scottie Scheffler had to complete the final round with a substitute caddie. Despite the change, Scheffler finished tied for third, marking his 12th consecutive top-eight finish. Scheffler is currently leading the FedEx Standings after the St. Jude Championship. Here is how the standings look before the BMW Championship that begins on August 14. Note: Standings after the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship: Scottie Scheffler: 5,456 points Rory McIlroy: 3,444 points J.J. Spaun: 3,344 points Justin Rose: 3,220 points Sepp Straka: 2,783 points Russell Henley: 2,579 points Ben Griffin: 2,555 points Tommy Fleetwood: 2,433 points Justin Thomas: 2,395 points Harris English: 2,269 points Andrew Novak: 1,991 points Cameron Young: 1,904 points Ludvig Åberg: 1,839 points Keegan Bradley: 1,792 points Maverick McNealy: 1,787 points Corey Conners: 1,651 points Collin Morikawa: 1,573 points Brian Harman: 1,559 points Patrick Cantlay: 1,555 points Robert MacIntyre: 1,550 points Hideki Matsuyama: 1,481 points Nick Taylor: 1,481 points Shane Lowry: 1,458 points Sam Burns: 1,381 points Sungjae Im: 1,360 points Chris Gotterup: 1,331 points Jacob Bridgeman: 1,298 points Viktor Hovland: 1,297 points Akshay Bhatia: 1,275 points Lucas Glover: 1,234 points Sam Stevens: 1,206 points Ryan Gerard: 1,202 points Daniel Berger: 1,180 points Ryan Fox: 1,157 points Taylor Pendrith: 1,149 points Thomas Detry: 1,142 points Kurt Kitayama: 1,121 points Denny McCarthu: 1, 120 points Brian Campbell: 1,119 points Matt Fitzpatrick: 1,103 points Si Woo Kim: 1,101 points Michael Kim: 1,099 points Xander Schuaffele: 1,099 points Jason Day: 1,092 points Harry Hall: 1,075 points Bud Cauley: 1,051 points Tom Hoge: 1, 042 points Rickie Fowler: 1,031 points Jhonattan Vegas: 1,002 points J.T. Poston: 995 points PGA TOUR:Click here for full 2025 FedEx Cup points standings This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FedEx Cup standings: Top golfers before BMW Championship

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August 13, 2025

FedEx Cup standings 2025: PGA Tour rankings ahead of BMW Championships

FedEx Cup standings 2025: PGA Tour rankings ahead of BMW Championships TheFedEx Cup playoffshead into the second leg at the BMW Championship...

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Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a new journey

Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a new journey

When Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. takes the floor this NBA season, he will be ditching the No. 13 he wore for the first seven years of his career, opting instead for No. 8. While it may be a new look for Grizzlies fans, Jackson won't even be the first person with his name to play an NBA game with the No. 8 on his back. That honor belongs to his father, Jaren Jackson Sr., who wore the number with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 1992-93 season. "It's super personal to me. It's super personal to my family," Jackson Jr. told NBC News about the switch. "I'm connected with 8 in a real way. It reaches into the territory of new beginnings. It's infinite. It's just a good place to draw energy from." Jackson was riding an exercise bike — where he says he gets his best ideas — when he thought of changing his number. He made the announcement Friday shortly ahead of his eighth season, and he wants the new digit to represent what he calls a "fresh start" for both himself and Memphis. "Fresh start" is one way to describe the Grizzlies after a momentous offseason. "Hard pivot" is another. In June, Memphis traded shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, as well as four future first-round picks. The trade signaled the end of an era for the Grizzlies, as Bane, Jackson and point guard Ja Morant had formed a trio that was seen as the foundation for one of the up-and-coming contenders in the league. Amid the retooling, Memphis emphasized its commitment to Jackson as part of its core, signing him to a five-year, $240 million extension in July. (Though it should be noted that Bane was traded after only one season into his own five-year deal.) "I wasn't too much surprised," Jackson said of Bane's departure. "I mean, when your brothers leave, you are still going to hurt, just because you're a human being. But at the end of the day, it's a business. And we're grown." Jackson added that his mindset after the trade was to take on a bigger leadership role and make sure the younger players on the team weren't surprised by the volatility of an NBA offseason. "You're going to get closer to your prime, and things are going to change for you," he said. "I feel like this is a good starting point for a whole new journey of stuff. I'm approaching this year with that spearheaded, disciplined mindset of trying to get us to the promised land." The Grizzlies will certainly need Jackson to take a bigger role on and off the floor to return to the ascendant path they were on at the beginning of the decade. In 2021, Memphis beat Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs as a surprise eighth seed. The next year, the Grizzlies pushed the Warriors to six games in the second round — but Morant missed the end of the series because of injury. Then, after an injury-marred first-round loss in 2023, Memphis missed the playoffs entirely in 2024 — the season Morant was suspended for 25 games after he flashed a gun on social media. The Grizzlies were swept in the first round this year by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder — a young team that walked the path Memphis once seemed to be on itself. "I don't think a goal would be to get back anywhere," Jackson said when he was asked how the Grizzlies can return to their previous track of success. "It's just to put one foot in front of the other and get better every day, because that's what we did before, to get to whatever you're talking about." Jackson has identified areas of his game he wants to improve ahead of next season. Though he is rehabbing from surgery to repair a turf toe injury on his right foot, Jackson trying to better his playmaking this summer, hoping to become a better facilitator as he anticipates more double teams in his future. He also wants to work on his endurance, so he can carry a bigger load offensively without sacrificing his defense. While Jackson welcomes the pressure of his new situation, he ignores whatever outside noise comes with being a franchise pillar. (ESPN's Kendrick Perkins labeled himthe "most overhyped" playerin the league.) Ultimately, Jackson believes, he's in the right place to lead a new version of this Memphis team. "Whoever's in the locker room is in your foxhole, and that's where you're going to war with," he said. "What are your habits? What are your techniques? Are you willing to share? Are you willing to talk? Who are the leaders? It's simple, but it's not easy."

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August 13, 2025

Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a new journey

Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a new journey When Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. takes the floor ...

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When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft

When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft

The lead-up to the 2013 NFL Draft carried with it a universal warning from talent evaluators. This year's crop ofNFLprospects was not looking very good. There weren't many consensus blue-chip players in the 2013 NFL Draft. There were even fewer high-quality quarterbacks, with many wondering whether one of Geno Smith or EJ Manuel would be selected in the first round. The battle for the No. 1 overall pick turned into a battle between Jake Fisher and Luke Joeckel. At the same time, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin were viewed as two of the class's more exciting players. All told, the warnings about the strength of the draft class proved valid. Many of the top selections in the 2013 NFL Draft ultimately proved to be busts, and few from the 254-man class went on to become consistent, high-quality NFL players. Among them was tight endTravis Kelce. The Cincinnati product wasn't selected in the first round of the draft, and most only knew him as the younger brother ofPhiladelphia Eaglescenter Jason Kelce. Even so, the athletic prospect performed well enough to draw the interest of Andy Reid and theKansas City Chiefs. And since being selected, Kelce has turned himself into one of the best players from the entire 2013 NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product was the 63rd overall selection and the fifth tight end chosen in the draft to that point. Kelce ranks No. 1 among all 2013 draftees in total receptions (1,004) and ranks second in receiving yards (12,151) and receiving touchdowns (77) behind onlyDeAndre Hopkins. The two played together during the 2024 NFL season after the Chiefs acquired Hopkins via trade from theTennessee Titans. Eric Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Chiefs selected the offensive tackle out of Central Michigan and planned to make him the team's long-term starter at left tackle. Fisher played 132 games (128 starts) across nine career NFL seasons, eight in Kansas City and one with theIndianapolis Colts. He was named a Pro Bowler twice, in 2018 and 2020, and won Super Bowl 55 while blocking onPatrick Mahomes' blind side. Kelce and Fisher played together for all eight of Fisher's seasons with the Chiefs. Kelce is entering his 13th season with the Chiefs in 2025. Kelce was selected atop the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Below is a look at all the players selected before him: Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan Jaguars: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M Dolphins: Dion Jordan, edge, Oregon Eagles:Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, edge, BYU Browns: Barkevious Mingo, edge, LSU Cardinals: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia Jets: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama Titans: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama Chargers: D.J. Fluker, OL, Alabama Raiders: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston Jets: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas Bills: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State Steelers: Jarvin Jones, edge, Georgia 49ers: Eric Reid, S, LSU Giants: Justin Pugh, OL, Syracuse Bears: Kyle Long, G, Oregon Bengals: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington Vikings: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida Colts: Bjoern Werner, edge, Florida State Vikings: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State Packers: Datone Jones, DL, UCLA Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson Broncos: Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC Vikings:Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, Tennessee Rams: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia Cowboys: Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin Ravens: Matt Elam, S, Florida Jaguars: Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International Titans: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Eagles:Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford Lions:Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State Bengals: Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC Chargers: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia 49ers: Tank Carradine, DL, Florida State Bills: Robert Woods, WR, USC Raiders: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State Buccaneers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State Panthers: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue Cardinals: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU Bills: Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon Cowboys: Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State Steelers: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State Giants: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State Bears: Jonathan Bostic, LB, Florida Commanders: David Amerson, CB, NC State Patriots: Jamie Collins, LB, Southern Miss Bengals: Margus Hunt, DL, SMU Dolphins: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State 49ers: Vance McDonald, TE, Rice Ravens: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State Texans: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina Broncos: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin Patriots: Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall Falcons: Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana Packers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama Seahawks: Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M Kelce is one of just 12 players from the 2013 NFL Draft class to be named an All-Pro first-teamer. His four All-Pro first-team nods are tied for the most in the class with Cordarrelle Patterson, who has earned his four as a return specialist. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft

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August 13, 2025

When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft

When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft The lead-up to the 2013 NFL Draft carried with it a universal warning from talent e...

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Fantasy football: Taylor Swift inspired team names for 2025

Fantasy football: Taylor Swift inspired team names for 2025

After a long offseason, football is back –fantasy football, that is. While teams battle through training camp and preseason action, we are left to fight battles on a different front. Those come in the form of fantasy drafts and, more importantly, choosing the right name for your squad this season. After all, you will have to look at it forever should your team be the last one standing. AsTaylor Swiftenters her third season as a big NFL fan, the demand for Swift-inspired names only continues to grow. For the Swifties just getting into the fantasy action – welcome aboard and don't let a fantasy championship only be reality in your wildest dreams. To let you focus on roster building, we'll ensure there's no blank space for your team name when entering draft night. Here are some fantasy football team names for 2025 that are inspired by the music superstar. Short, sweet and to the point, but just different enough from the overused "Jordan Love Story" that's run its course. You can blend theGreen Bay Packersquarterback's name with a bit of romance in what you hope will be a happy marriage between your team and the league's championship trophy at season's end. Finished last in your league last year and had to deal with a punishment that was either humiliating or borderline illegal? Shake it off! A lesser-known song in the Swift discography, this team name offers versatility to fit plenty of players while showcasing your Swiftie fandom. Ideally, this is what you'll want opponents saying every Sunday as theFalcons' receiver waltzes his way into the end zone. Tua Tagovailoa was made for this. Hopefully he'll stay healthy enough this season to keep this name relevant. Hey, punters are people too. Even defenses and kickers get in on the fun. Where's the love for the punters of the world? As we've established, punters are people too. However, until they enter the fantasy realm, it's hard to be excited when they appear on the field as your star player watches from the sideline. Why settle for naming your team after a player when you can just showcase your love of the game, or specifically, NFL RedZone? Sure, it's just the name of a song. However, it's the perfect fit for a team that continues to dominate the league each season and we can't let it slip by just because there isn't a pun. There's no way D'Andre Swift wasn't making this list. Sometimes you have to take the layups. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Fantasy football team names: Options inspired by Taylor Swift

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August 13, 2025

Fantasy football: Taylor Swift inspired team names for 2025

Fantasy football: Taylor Swift inspired team names for 2025 After a long offseason, football is back –fantasy football, that is. While teams...

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Pete Alonso passes Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in Mets history, then hits another one

Pete Alonso passes Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in Mets history, then hits another one

The New York Mets have a new home run king. Pete Alonso hit a two-run blast off Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strideron Tuesday, extending New York's lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third inning. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The home run was the 253rd of Alonso's career, moving him past a tie with franchise great Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. Alonso broke the record in front of an appreciative Citi Field home crowd that celebrated the achievement with a standing ovation. Pete Alonso hits career homer No. 253, passing Darryl Strawberry for the most home runs in@Metsfranchise history!pic.twitter.com/QIExcEVeoT — MLB (@MLB)August 12, 2025 The home run helped sparka 13-5 Mets win. And Alonso wasn't done. He hit another one in the sixth inning. The solo shot off reliever Austin Cox extended New York's lead again, this time to 11-5. It also extended Alonso's new Mets franchise record to 254 home runs. His second home run of the night again sent Citi Field into a frenzy. Pete Alonso AGAIN!He wastes no time in extending his@Metsfranchise record with career homer No. 254!pic.twitter.com/eVVxHAjzc0 — MLB (@MLB)August 13, 2025 Strawberry tallied a total of 335 home runs in a career that also included stints with the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees. His 252 blasts with the Mets previously stood as the franchise record. Alonso, 30,re-signed with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contractin the offseason and will presumably have plenty of opportunities to add to his now-franchise-record home run tally. Alonso led the NL with 53 home runs in his rookie campaign in 2019. In the years since then, he has remained one of baseball's premier sluggers, with 34-plus home runs in each season that wasn't shortened by COVID-19. Tuesday's home runs were Alonso's 27th and 28th of the season in his 118th game, putting him well on pace to eclipse 30 home runs again, with 43 games remaining on New York's schedule. The Mets will need all they can get from Alonso as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. Tuesday's win snapped a seven-game losing streak and a run of 11 losses in 12 games. They improved to 64-55 with the win, five games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East. They also kept pace in the wild-card race and maintained a two-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final playoff berth in the National League.

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August 13, 2025

Pete Alonso passes Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in Mets history, then hits another one

Pete Alonso passes Darryl Strawberry for most home runs in Mets history, then hits another one The New York Mets have a new home run king. P...

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Pete Alonso sets Mets record with 253rd HR; adds No. 254

Pete Alonso sets Mets record with 253rd HR; adds No. 254

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso broke the team's career home run record in the third inning of New York's Tuesday game against the visiting Atlanta Braves -- then went deep again in the sixth. The third-inning shot, a two-run homer against Spencer Strider, gave Alonso 253 long balls in his seven-season career. Darryl Strawberry clouted 252 in his eight-year tenure with the franchise, 1983-90. With Brandon Nimmo aboard after a two-out single, Alonso lined a first-pitch fastball over the right-center-field wall for his 27th homer of the year. The crowd at Citi Field erupted and Alonso shared hugs with many players and manager Carlos Mendoza following the blast. "Good swing on a good pitch," Alonso said. "Just really happy it just carried a little bit over the fence." Alonso set the record in his 965th game -- 144 fewer than Strawberry. The milestone homer gave New York a 5-1 lead. Asked if he was thinking about his place in club history, Alonso said, "A little bit, but it's really not going to settle in because right now we're in the thick of the playoff race. I don't really want to make this about myself. This is about the team, this is about guys fighting every single day and doing whatever they can to win." Alonso acknowledged the moment was a career highlight. "It's unimaginable," he said. "It's still really not fully set in. I don't think I'm going to fully appreciate this moment until the offseason." In the sixth, Alonso belted a solo shot against reliever Austin Cox. The Mets first baseman, who doubled in the first inning, finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs as New York prevailed 13-5, ending a seven-game losing streak. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, "Special for him to do it here at home, not only 253 but 254. It's a special number. You think about how many great players have put this uniform on and then to finally break the record -- one of the greatest, Straw. "Obviously special night for him, for all of us, and I'm just glad we were able to witness that." --Field Level Media

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August 13, 2025

Pete Alonso sets Mets record with 253rd HR; adds No. 254

Pete Alonso sets Mets record with 253rd HR; adds No. 254 Mets first baseman Pete Alonso broke the team's career home run record in the t...

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Brewers extend winning streak to 11 games with win over Paul Skenes, Pirates

Brewers extend winning streak to 11 games with win over Paul Skenes, Pirates

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Skenes is one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball this season. Not even he could slow down the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pittsburgh Pirates' ace right hander became Milwaukee's latest victim after allowing the first two of five home runs Tuesday night ina 14-0 routthat extended the Brewers' winning streak to 11. "They're hot right now," said Skenes, who prior to Sal Frelick's leadoff home run had not allowed a first-inning run in 24 starts this season. "I didn't have my best stuff today and they jumped on it." Milwaukee is the first team with multiple winning streaks of at least 11 games in a season since the 2015 Toronto Blue Jays and the first National League team to accomplish the feat since the 1935 Chicago Cubs. Despite the Brewers' success, home runs were not a big part of the equation for most of the season. Brewers general manager Matt Arnold eschewed major changes at the trade deadline to instead address depth, banking on the players on-hand to be capable of carrying the offensive load. That has paid off as Milwaukee leads MLB with 23 home runs since the start of August — six by Brice Turang and three more fromAndrew Vaughn, who has 32 RBIs since joining the Brewers on July 7 following a dismal start with the White Sox. Milwaukee's .567 slugging percentage, .393 on-base percentage and .960 OPS since the start of August are the best in baseball as well. Its .323 batting average is tied with Toronto for the best. It hasn't been all offense, either. Brewers pitchers have combined for a 3.09 ERA during the streak. Milwaukee's starting rotation has set the tone, allowing just 22 earned runs during the winning streak.Six of those happened Sundayin a rare blowup start from right-hander Quinn Priester. Aside from his outing, Brewers starters allowed more that two earned runs just two other times and held opponents to one run or fewer five times including Tuesday night when Freddy Peralta spun six scoreless innings to keep the streak going. "It's been fun," Frelick said. "Everyone's clicking, the offense seems to be rolling and our (pitching) has done a great job, Obviously, we've been scoring a lot of runs but they've been putting a lot of zeroes and ones on the board every game and that's a credit to them." A victory Wednesday against the Pirates would give the Brewers a fourth consecutive series sweep and extend their streak to 12 games, one off the franchise record set when the team opened the 1987 season with 13 in a row. A victory would also trigger a promotion from local diner chain George Webb, which has promised to give away free hamburgers if the Brewers win 12 straight. The tradition, which began during the days of the old minor league Brewers of the American Association, went unfulfilled during the Braves' 13-season stint in Milwaukee but finally came to fruition in '87 then again in 2018, when the Brewers closed the regular season with eight straight victories before winning four in a row to open the postseason. "I heard about that," Peralta said. "I'm excited for that." ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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August 13, 2025

Brewers extend winning streak to 11 games with win over Paul Skenes, Pirates

Brewers extend winning streak to 11 games with win over Paul Skenes, Pirates MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Skenes is one of the most dominant pitche...

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PSG set to meet Tottenham in UEFA Super Cup

PSG set to meet Tottenham in UEFA Super Cup

UDINE, Italy (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain get back on the hunt for trophies in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham on Wednesday. It's the annual early-season match between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League — and PSG starts as the big favorite. Coming off winning the treble, includingthe Champions Leaguefor the first time, the Qatari-backed team from the French capital will look to bounce back from losing to Chelsea in thefinal of the Club World Cupin the United States. Facing them at Stadio Friuli in Udine is another London club in Tottenham, which ended a 17-year wait for silverware bywinning the Europa Leagueby beating Manchester United in the final. Spurs have a new manager in Thomas Frank but also some big absentees, with attacking midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski injured and long-time star Son Heung-min recently sold to LAFC. It is Tottenham's first appearance in the Super Cup. PSG has played in it once, losing 9-2 on aggregate to Juventus over two legs in 1996. PSG's players have just returned to training after the Club World Cup, which extended last season to mid-July. Tottenham should be more match-sharp, having played a raft of friendlies including against Arsenal and Bayern Munich. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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August 13, 2025

PSG set to meet Tottenham in UEFA Super Cup

PSG set to meet Tottenham in UEFA Super Cup UDINE, Italy (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain get back on the hunt for trophies in the UEFA Super Cup ...

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Maddy Siegrist scores 22 and Dallas holds on for a win after the Fever close on a 19-3 run

Maddy Siegrist scores 22 and Dallas holds on for a win after the Fever close on a 19-3 run

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Maddy Siegrist tied a career high with 22 points in her first start since June 6, Li Yueru added 20 points off the bench, and the Dallas Wings held off the Indiana Fever 81-80 on Tuesday night to end a five-game losing streak. Paige Bueckers' wraparound pass to Myisha Hines-Allen for a 3-pointer gave the Wings a 78-61 lead with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. But Dallas made only one more field goal the rest of the way — a three-point play by Yueru with 2:31 left. Indiana — again playing without Caitlin Clark (groin) who missed her 20th game this season — scored 13 straight points to begin a game-closing 19-3 run that Kelsey Mitchell capped with 33.4 seconds left on a tough shot in the lane. Bueckers missed a jumper from the free-throw line with 14 seconds left and the Fever grabbed the defensive rebound. Mitchell was surrounded at the other end leading to a timeout with 1.7 seconds left. Mitchell got the ball again, but her 3-pointer from the corner hit the side of the backboard as time expired. LIBERTY 105, SPARKS 97 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emma Meesseman scored a season-high 24 points, Jonquel Jones had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and New York scored a season high in points in a victory over Los Angeles. Sandy Brondello won her 100th game as coach of the Liberty, tying Richie Adubato for the most in franchise history. Natasha Cloud made back-to-back layups to give New York a 96-85 lead — tied for the largest advantage of the game. Sabrina Ionescu added a layup with 1:22 remaining and, after a missed 3-pointer by Los Angeles, Cloud made another basket in the lane for a 102-91 lead. Leonie Fiebich added 20 points, Ionescu had 14 points and six assists, and Cloud scored 11 for New York (21-11), which was coming off an 83-71 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Breanna Stewart (knee), Isabelle Harrison (concussion) and Nyara Sabally (knee) did not play. Kelsey Plum scored 26 points for Los Angeles (15-17), which played its fifth game in eight days. Dearica Hamby had 21 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Azura Stevens scored 17 and Rickea Jackson had 16. Cameron Brink did not play in the second half.

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August 13, 2025

Maddy Siegrist scores 22 and Dallas holds on for a win after the Fever close on a 19-3 run

Maddy Siegrist scores 22 and Dallas holds on for a win after the Fever close on a 19-3 run INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Maddy Siegrist tied a career ...

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Jose Iglesias, Jackson Merrill hit home runs as Padres beat Giants again, 5-1

Jose Iglesias, Jackson Merrill hit home runs as Padres beat Giants again, 5-1

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer in the second inning, Jackson Merrill connected in the eighth for insurance, and the San Diego Padres beat the struggling San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Tuesday night. San Diego moved into a first-place tie with the Dodgers in the NL West race afterLos Angeles lost to the Angels in 10 innings— a position Padres manager Mike Shildt expected his club to be for the season's stretch run. Jake Croneworth contributed an RBI single in the fourth and Jason Adam (8-3) worked out of a bases-loaded jam by getting the final two outs of the sixth for the win. The Padres took a lead in the first getting Manny Machado's two-out single followed by a double from Xander Bogaerts before Robbie Ray (9-6) was called for a balk that brought home the first run. San Francisco — which lost for the 12th time in 13 home games — tied it on Wilmer Flores' two-out single in the bottom half. Heliot Ramos broke a bat over his knee in frustration in the second following strikeouts in consecutive at-bats. The Giants dropped their fourth straight game and Ray's winless stretch reached seven starts since beating Arizona on July 3 in Phoenix. The lefty allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings, struck out four and walked one. San Diego's Nestor Cortes struck out six with one walk while giving up one run and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. Key moment San Francisco's Dominic Smith extended his career-best hitting streak to 15 games with a pinch-hit single to load the bases in the sixth and chase David Morgan. Key stat The Padres secured their season-best fifth straight winning series and improved to 8-1-2 over their last 11 series dating to July 4-6 against Texas. Up next RHP Nick Pivetta (11-4, 2.94 ERA) pitches the series finale for San Diego, while the Giants send RHP Kai-Wei Teng (1-1, 5.40) to the mound for his second start and third appearance of 2025. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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August 13, 2025

Jose Iglesias, Jackson Merrill hit home runs as Padres beat Giants again, 5-1

Jose Iglesias, Jackson Merrill hit home runs as Padres beat Giants again, 5-1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer in the ...

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Jacob Lopez strikes out 9 in 7 shutout innings as Athletics beat Rays 6-0

Jacob Lopez strikes out 9 in 7 shutout innings as Athletics beat Rays 6-0

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jacob Lopez struck out nine in seven shutout innings and Colby Thomas and Lawrence Butler each drove in a pair of runs as the Athletics beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Tuesday night. Lopez (5-6) allowed four hits and did not walk a batter. The 27-year-old left-hander retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. Tyler Ferguson (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth and earned his second save. Thomas had an RBI double in the second inning and knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Also in the fourth, Butler hit an RBI double and added an RBI single in the eighth. The Athletics scored two more runs on an error and a wild pitch. Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz (8-9) matched Lopez early before allowing five runs, four earned, on six hits. He finished with seven strikeouts and two walks. The Rays, who were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, got two hits apiece from Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe, and finished with four total hits. Key moment Oakland's three-run fourth inning, fueled by four straight hits off Baz, broke the game open. Key stat The Athletics posted their MLB-leading eighth shutout of the season. Up next RHP J.T. Ginn (2-4, 4.39 ERA) starts for the Athletics against Tampa Bay RHP Drew Rasmussen (9-5, 2.66) on Wednesday. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

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August 13, 2025

Jacob Lopez strikes out 9 in 7 shutout innings as Athletics beat Rays 6-0

Jacob Lopez strikes out 9 in 7 shutout innings as Athletics beat Rays 6-0 WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Jacob Lopez struck out nine in seve...

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Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Stops Match Because of a Crying Child at Cincinnati Open

Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Stops Match Because of a Crying Child at Cincinnati Open

Robert Prange/Getty Emma Raducanu stopped a tennis match during the Cincinnati Open on Aug. 11 because of a crying child The tennis player prompted the umpire to ask if she wanted the child to be removed from the stadium, to which she gestured with her tennis racket as the crowd replied "yes" The umpire replied that she could call in the request, but the match needed to proceed for the time being British tennis playerEmma Raducanustopped a match because of a crying child during the Cincinnati open. The incident occurred during the third round on Day 5 of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Monday, Aug. 11. Footage from a broadcast of the moment shows Raducanu, 22, facing off against Belarusian tennis playerAryna Sabalenka, when a baby lets out a cry in the stadium. Before delivering a serve,Raducanupaused the game to vent to the umpire that the baby had been crying for "10 minutes." The umpire replied, "Do you want me to send the child out of the stadium?" The crowd responded with an emphatic yes, to which the 2021 U.S. Open Champ raised her tennis racket and smiled. The umpire offered to "call in" for the child's removal, but proceeded with the match. The crying child comes amid extremely high temperatures in Ohio during the Cincinnati Open. French tennis player Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on Monday due to high temperatures on the courts, regularly exceeding 86º Fahrenheit, perBBC. Daniel Kopatsch/Getty It is unclear whether the child was removed from the stadium. PEOPLE has reached out to the Cincinnati Open to confirm. The match ended with an eventual 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (7) loss for Raducanu, with the title and third-round prize money of $60,400 going to Sabalenka. Sabalenka, 27 will next face Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, Aug. 13. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. This isn't the first time a crying baby at a tennis match has sparked online discussion. Back in 2011, during the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, tennis player David Ferrerfired offa forehand ball in the direction of a crying child in the stands. He lost the match to Mardy Fish, 7-5, 6-2. Read the original article onPeople

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August 12, 2025

Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Stops Match Because of a Crying Child at Cincinnati Open

Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Stops Match Because of a Crying Child at Cincinnati Open Robert Prange/Getty Emma Raducanu stopped a tennis matc...

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Shohei Ohtani lines into triple play and later homers, but Angels rally to beat Dodgers 7-6 in 10

Shohei Ohtani lines into triple play and later homers, but Angels rally to beat Dodgers 7-6 in 10

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani lined into a triple play in the sixth inning and hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth, but the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jo Adell's walkoff single in the 10th on Tuesday night. The defending World Series champion Dodgers fell into a first-place tie with San Diego atop the NL West after their third consecutive loss. Ohtani put the Dodgers up 6-5 when he homered in his fourth consecutive game, crushing a cutter from Kenley Jansen for his NL-leading 43rd. He also rebounded smartly after being involved inthe eighth triple play in Angels history. Shortstop Zach Neto caught Ohtani's liner up the middle, stepped on second to get Miguel Rojas and threw to first, where Nolan Schanuel tagged out Dalton Rushing. The Angels rallied in a drama-filled ninth. Luis Rengifo singled and scored on Schanuel's sacrifice fly before Ben Casparius (7-5) struck out Taylor Ward with the bases loaded. After Connor Brogdon (3-1) pitched a clean 10th for the Angels, Christian Moore moved Ward to third with a bunt single. Adell ended it with a high chopper that got over the Dodgers' drawn-in infield. Rushing hit his second homer for the Dodgers, who have lost all five meetings with the Angels this season. They're also sharing the NL West lead for the first time since June 13 afterSan Diego won its fourth straightat San Francisco. Ward hit his 28th homer and drove in two runs for the Angels. Key moment Ohtani's blast had a 114.8-mph exit velocity. He moved past Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber for the NL homers lead after hitting five in six games. Ohtani also has an 11-game hitting streak. Key stat Jansen hadn't allowed an earned run in 21 consecutive appearances, the longest streak of his stellar career. Up next Ohtani (0-0, 2.37 ERA) pitches at Angel Stadium on Wednesday, facing Kyle Hendricks (6-8, 4.63). ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

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August 12, 2025

Shohei Ohtani lines into triple play and later homers, but Angels rally to beat Dodgers 7-6 in 10

Shohei Ohtani lines into triple play and later homers, but Angels rally to beat Dodgers 7-6 in 10 ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani lined...

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Rondale Moore's comeback bid with Vikings ends painfully with season-ending knee injury

Rondale Moore's comeback bid with Vikings ends painfully with season-ending knee injury

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rondale Moore, the fifth-year wide receiver and return specialist who was making a comeback attempt with theMinnesota Vikings, will miss a second consecutive season with a new team because of a knee injury. The Vikings announced Tuesday that testing on Moore's left knee confirmed a season-ending injury, without specifying the diagnosis. Moore, who spent his first three years in theNFLwith the Arizona Cardinals, dislocated his right knee during training campwith the Atlanta Falcons in 2024and never played for them. Moore was hurt while returning a punt Saturday in Minnesota's first exhibition game, tackled by Houston Texans linebacker Jamal Hill as he approached the sideline after a 2-yard return. Moore clearly sensed the seriousness of the injury, once he was helped onto a cart slamming his hand down so hard out of frustration the sound was audible throughout the stadium. Afterward, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell described the situation as "heartbreaking" after seeing Moore's comeback cut painfully short. "I make a life out of trying to leave others better than I found them, and in that situation, there's really nothing to do or nothing I can do, which is the worst feeling as a head coach," O'Connell said. "So you just console them and make sure that he knows he's not going to be alone." The Vikings were hopeful Moore could use his speed and experience to be an effective fourth wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, but his absence and athree-game suspension for Addisonwill test their depth at the start of the season. Third-round draft pick Tai Felton and two players who were on the practice squad last year, Lucky Jackson and Jeshaun Jones, will have their opportunities increase. Moore was a second-round draft pick out of Purdue in 2021 by the Cardinals, for whom he played 39 games in three seasons plus one in the playoffs. He missed nine games to injuries in 2022. Moore had 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns plus 249 rushing yards and one score over three years with the Cardinals, serving as their primary returner for kickoffs and punts as a rookie before injuries pushed him away from that role. He was traded to the Falcons in 2024, became a free agent and signed a one-year contract with the Vikings this spring. The Vikings placed Moore on injured reserve and also made two other roster moves Tuesday, waiving fourth-year backup linebacker Brian Asamoah and waiving undrafted rookie center Zeke Correll with an injury designation. Asamoah was a third-round draft pick in 2022 out of Oklahoma who'd become one of the team's most reliable special teams players. ___ AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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August 12, 2025

Rondale Moore's comeback bid with Vikings ends painfully with season-ending knee injury

Rondale Moore's comeback bid with Vikings ends painfully with season-ending knee injury MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rondale Moore, the fifth-year...

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Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader placed on 15-day injured list with shoulder strain

Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader placed on 15-day injured list with shoulder strain

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a strained left shoulder. The move, retroactive to Monday, comes after the left-hander reported shoulder discomfort before Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox. "It's (a) punch in the gut," manager Joe Espada said. "But ... he's seeing doctors right now. We're getting more tests done and hopefully this is not going to be a long-term thing." Espada added that they don't yet know the severity of the injury and should know more after additional testing. Espada said he would not name a closer to fill in while Hader is out, but would use his relievers based on matchups. "I feel good about all those guys," Espada said. Hader, who is in his second season in Houston, is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA and is tied for third in the majors with 28 saves in 48 appearances this season. To take his spot on the roster, the AL West-leading Astros reinstated right-hander Shawn Dubin from the 15-day injured list. They also designated right-hander Hector Neris for assignment and recalled left-hander Colton Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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August 12, 2025

Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader placed on 15-day injured list with shoulder strain

Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader placed on 15-day injured list with shoulder strain HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hade...

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Odell Beckham Jr. denies retirement report from fake account, says he's 'not done yet'

Odell Beckham Jr. denies retirement report from fake account, says he's 'not done yet'

Odell Beckham Jr. may be a free agent, but he isn't retired. OBJ made that clear Tuesday afternoon, hours after a fake social media account reported that the three-time Pro Bowl receiver was hanging up his cleats with apostthat's now received more than 2 million views on X. Beckhamposted, "Not done yet… thanks for hr concerns and have a blessed day." [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] More than an hour after that, he chimed in again. "No seriously,"Beckham wrote on X. "Plz stop reading everything on the internet, and stop texting me happy retirement [before] u piss me off. That will get no response. I promise u the day I'm done I will let u [know]. Again if u text me happy retirement [I'm] just [going to] have to block u. Thanks" No seriously. Plz stop reading everything on the internet, and stop texting me happy retirement b4 u piss me off 😭😭😭. That will get no response. I promise u the day I'm done I will let u kno. Again if u text me happy retirement im just gon have to block u😭😭. Thanks — Odell Beckham Jr (@obj)August 12, 2025 The former New York Giants superstar and Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl champion signed aone-year dealwith the Miami Dolphins in May 2024. By mid-December, a 32-year-old Beckham and the teamagreed to part ways. Beckham caught only nine passes in the nine games he played with Dolphins. He scattered just 55 receiving yards across the 18 targets he garnered in his brief stay with the organization. Last season marked the first in Beckham's 10-season career that ended with no receiving touchdowns. "It's as simple as, what's the best for both him and the team moving forward. We thought it was a good timeto go that direction," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said at the time, via The Miami Herald's Omar Kelly. "I know his expectations. When you communicate transparently, I know where he's at. "This is the best for both parties." Beckham wasn't claimed off waivers, and he didn't sign with another team the rest of the season. In 2023, Beckhamplayed 14 gameswith the Baltimore Ravens. That year, he made six starts and caught 35 passes for 565 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn't play in 2022 afterrecovering from a torn ACL. That leg injury cut short what could have been a Super Bowl MVP performance. Beckham, who the Cleveland Browns cut, and the Rams signed during the 2021 season, made two grabs for a combined 52 yards — including a 17-yard touchdown reception — before going down late in the second quarter of the Rams' 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in that Super Bowl. Beckham's most prolific days in the league were also his earliest. He made the Pro Bowl each of his first three seasons in the NFL, collecting three of his five 1,000-yard receiving seasons in that span after the Giants selected him out of LSU with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Beckham's career has featured the highest of highs — namely his ladder-climbing, one-handed catch on Sunday Night Football in 2014 — but team shortcomings, injuries and distractions got in the way of what initially appeared to be a potential Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy. According to Beckham, though, he's "not done yet."

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August 12, 2025

Odell Beckham Jr. denies retirement report from fake account, says he's 'not done yet'

Odell Beckham Jr. denies retirement report from fake account, says he's 'not done yet' Odell Beckham Jr. may be a free agent, bu...

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Pete Carroll hopes youth movement has Raiders on the right path

Pete Carroll hopes youth movement has Raiders on the right path

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll has made it clear since hisintroductory news conferencein January that he intends to win now, and he and the Raiders have taken steps to be more competitive, such astrading for veteran quarterback Geno Smith. But Carroll also has been forthright that rookies will get the opportunity to play, pointing to his own history with first-year players at Southern California and with the Seahawks. And, so far, Carroll has been a man of his word, with rookies and other young players getting the chance to make a big impact in training camp and in Thursday's preseason opener at Seattle. The latest depth chart that was released Tuesday underscored that commitment. Seven rookies are on the two-deep, including running back Ashton Jeanty, wide receiver Dont'e Thornton and cornerback Darien Porter on the first team. All three were drafted this year in the first four rounds. Eight second-year players — four on each the first and second team — also populate the depth chart. "I'm not hesitant to play young guys," Carroll said. "We've almost forced them into it and forced to feed them until they show us who they are, what they're all about and how much they can handle. It isn't all on them. It's on us to make sure that we ask them to do things that they're capable of doing at this time." Carroll used this plan at USC and Seattle. He took over a Trojans program coming off a 5-7 season and by the second year had USC back on track. USC went from 6-6 in Carroll's first season in 2001 to a run of seven consecutive years of at least 11 victories, winning a pair of national titles. The Seahawks won nine games over two seasons when Carroll was hired in 2010. He needed three years to get moving in the right direction, but then the Seahawks won double-digit games eight of nine seasons with two Super Bowl appearances and one championship. He faces a similarly heavy build in Las Vegas. The Raiders not onlycome off a 4-13 season, they haven't won a playoff game since appearing in the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. "We're moving in a good direction now," Carroll said. "I can feel it. This is how it's supposed to feel, according to what I've experienced. I couldn't tell you what's going to happen, but I do know they're going to be together, and I do know they're going to play for one another." Most of the youth movement was expected on offense. Brock Bowers put together perhaps the greatest season for a rookie tight end, and linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze started as first-year players. Plus, Jeanty as thesixth overall draft pickarrived in Las Vegas this year knowing he would be a major focus of the offense. "We want to run the ball, so I'm going to try my best to make this offense run," Jeanty said. "We've got great receivers, great tight ends, a great quarterback, and it'll start with the run game." Not as expected were the emergence of Thornton, Porter and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu. All three are listed on the first team. Laulu has the burden of stepping in at the spot expected to be filled by Christian Wilkins before theRaiders released himover a dispute about his recovery plan for a broken foot. Thornton wasn't even the first receiver Las Vegas drafted this year — Jack Bech, who is running second team, went in the second round. Porter took advantage of a cornerbacks room with more questions than answers and hasn't let go of the spot. "It was a bit intimidating at first," Porter said, "but now I embrace it every single day." Personnel updates Powers-Johnson returned to practice Tuesday after sitting out Sunday with a rib injury. Defensive tackle Adam Butler also was back after going home to tend to a family matter. Guard Alex Cappa remained out with a rib injury. Waiting on the NFL There hasn't been an announcement on whether Smith and defensive end Maxx Crosby will be fined formaking obscene gesturesto Seahawks fans before Thursday's game. One fan held a sign that read: "Bigger Bust — Geno Or JaMarcus Russell?" Carroll defended his quarterback's actions. "Did you see what the sign said?" Carroll asked a reporter. "Next question." ___ AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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August 12, 2025

Pete Carroll hopes youth movement has Raiders on the right path

Pete Carroll hopes youth movement has Raiders on the right path HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll has made it clear since hisintroductory ...

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José Ramírez's record-breaking night lifts Guardians over Marlins 4-3

José Ramírez's record-breaking night lifts Guardians over Marlins 4-3

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez became Cleveland's leader in multihome run games with a drive to right field in the eighth inning as the Guardians defeated the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Tuesday night. Ramírez had three hits and Kyle Manzardo also went deep as the Guardians won for the sixth time in seven games. Ramírez, who snapped an 0-for-12 skid with a solo shot in the first inning, lined a cutter from Calvin Faucher (3-3) just over the wall in right field with one out in the eighth to put Cleveland back on top. It was the 27th multihomer game of Ramírez's 13-year majors career, surpassing Hall of Famer Jim Thome and Albert Belle for the franchise lead. It was also his second this season. Cade Smith (5-4) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Miami tied it with three runs in the fifth. Dane Myers had an RBI base hit to left-center and Otto Lopez scored on a throwing error by Cleveland left fielder Steven Kwan, which moved Myers to third. Heriberto Hernández then doubled down the left-field line to drive in Myers. Key moment Eric Wagaman tried to score from second base on Agustín Ramírez's base hit in the sixth inning, but Kwan made a great throw from left field and Bo Naylor made the tag at home for the out. It was Kwan's MLB-leading 11th outfield assist of the season. Key stat Cleveland grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first on home runs by Ramírez and Manzardo. It was the seventh time this season the Guardians have had back-to-back homers. Manzardo has gone deep three times in two games. Up next Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams (7-4, 3.17 ERA) goes for the first time since being two outs away from a no-hitter on Aug. 6 at the Mets. Miami will go with RHP Eury Perez (4-3, 3.25 ERA). ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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August 12, 2025

José Ramírez's record-breaking night lifts Guardians over Marlins 4-3

José Ramírez's record-breaking night lifts Guardians over Marlins 4-3 CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez became Cleveland's leader in mul...

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Wrexham pulls off dramatic late recovery to advance in League Cup on penalties

Wrexham pulls off dramatic late recovery to advance in League Cup on penalties

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer scored two goals in the space of a minute in stoppage time then converted one of the team's penalties in its dramatic shootout win over Hull in the English League Cup on Tuesday. The Welsh club owned by Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney looked to be heading out in the first round when trailing 3-1 at the start of added-on time. Then Palmer, on as a 69th-minute substitute, converted headers in the first and second minutes of stoppage time to make it 3-3 and take the game to a shootout. Wrexham won it 5-3 to advance. After three straight promotions, Wrexham — now globally renowned after its 2021 takeover and the "Welcome to Wrexham" fly-on-the-wall documentary — is playing in the second-tier Championship for the first time since the 1980s and opened the season with a2-1 loss at Southamptonon Saturday. Palmer has played a leading role in the documentary but has fallen down the pecking order of strikers over the past two years. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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August 12, 2025

Wrexham pulls off dramatic late recovery to advance in League Cup on penalties

Wrexham pulls off dramatic late recovery to advance in League Cup on penalties WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer scored two...

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MLB power rankings: Brewers surge to the top with MLB's best record, followed by Phillies, Dodgers and Blue Jays

MLB power rankings: Brewers surge to the top with MLB's best record, followed by Phillies, Dodgers and Blue Jays

The whirlwind of activity at thetrade deadlineplus the three series since then have given us increased clarity on how teams view themselves and how they stack up against one another. Of course, that doesn't make the rest of the regular season any more predictable — last year's Tigers offer a humbling reminder that there are surely more twists and turns in store — but with October fast approaching, the possibilities and expectations for every club become clearer with each passing day. With less than seven weeks remaining untilthe MLB postseason, our latest power rankings surveythe major-league landscapeby offering a realistic goal for each club to pursue from now until the end of the regular season. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Secure the best record in baseball.It has been a special summer in Milwaukee, and now it's time for the Brewers to parlay their regular-season magic into a deep postseason push, something they've failed to accomplish in their five playoff appearances since they took the Dodgers to NLCS Game 7 in 2018. And just once have the Brewers finished with the best record in baseball: 1982, the last and only time they reached the World Series. With a clear path to repeating that feat in 2025, perhaps this season ends with not just a Fall Classic appearance but also the franchise's first World Series title. Milwaukee has an awfully long way to go to get to that point, but this season feels like it could be the one in which it all comes together for the Brew Crew. Enter October with momentum.Last year's Phillies notably sputtered in the second half and weren't an especially threatening club by the time they squared off with the rival Mets in October; that showed in their discouraging NLDS performance. This year's club appears far more focused on maintaining a level of excellence throughout 162 games, and the deadline reinforcements headlined by elite closer Jhoan Duran should only aid in those efforts. This squad has all the ingredients to be a championship club — now the Phillies just have to go out and do it. Figure out who their 13 best pitchers are.For the Dodgers, holding off the Padres to claim another NL West title and/or winning enough games to avoid the wild-card round will not be easy and will certainly influence the club's chances to make another deep postseason run. That said, arguably even more important for L.A.'s October outlook is identifying which pitchers will be healthy and/or effective enough to be trusted in crunch time. Even with Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani returning to the rotation in recent weeks, this staff faces questions, especially in the bullpen. That a unit that looked overloaded on paper entering the season still has a lot to sort through at this stage is an ominous, if fascinating, storyline to monitor in the coming weeks. Win the AL East for the first time in a decade.A franchise that faced enormous existential questions during spring training, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. approaching free agency, has since extended its star slugger for the long haul and taken full advantage of its divisional rivals' uneven play to emerge as one of the best teams in the American League. Now it's on Toronto to capitalize on this unexpected opportunity and claim the AL East crown — and perhaps the AL's best record — to ensure a raucous home-field advantage north of the border in October. Restore juggernaut status as an offense.After an underwhelming trade deadline that featured just one addition to the rotation who is already injured (Mike Soroka), the Cubs' starting pitching is facing some difficult questions regarding the workload management of key arms Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton. But this club's calling card remains its offensive firepower, which has been notably inconsistent of late. Regardless of the exact construction of the pitching staff, Chicago's best chance of success come October is still rooted in its ability to overwhelm opponents with offense, the way this team often did in the first few months of the season. That superpower needs to return down the stretch for the Cubs to be taken seriously. Secure a top-two seed in the American League.A massive lead atop the AL Central built in the first half has shrunk to a more modest gap, but Detroit still has an excellent chance to claim its first division crown since 2014. With a pitching staff that looks to be thinner than the "Tarik Skubal and Pitching Chaos" strategy that thrived down the stretch a year ago, this is a team that would seriously benefit from avoiding the wild-card round and gaining a bye to ensure its top arms are rested and ready to roll in October. Reclaim full-blown villain status with Carlos Correa back in the fold.The Astros' reacquisition of Correa has made them look far more intimidating and far more familiar as the league's ultimate heel, which Houston should embrace in its pursuit of another AL West title. Josh Hader's shoulder ailment is the latest in an avalanche of injuries that have threatened to derail the latest chapter of this dynastic run, but Houston remains in position to assert itself as one of the most feared ballclubs in baseball. Chase down the Dodgers at long last.They've had mixed results in the postseason against the "dragon up the freeway" in recent years, but the Padres have yet to topple the Dodgers in the regular-season standings during this era. With L.A. failing to live up to the astronomical hype entering the season and San Diego loading up at the deadline in classic AJ Preller fashion, this season presents as good a chance as ever for the Padres to claim the NL West crown. Win the AL West for the first time since 2001.Cal Raleigh's magical, MVP-caliber season just keeps on rolling. The additions of Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor have made an already-strong lineup look like one of baseball's best offensive units. The pitching is healthier than it has been all season. Although the Mariners likely should've added at least one more reliever at the trade deadline, Andres Muñoz and Matt Brash give manager Dan Wilson two elite bullpen options. The Astros are navigating a litany of injuries, making them as vulnerable as they've been in years. As Ichiro saidduring his powerful speechat his number retirement ceremony, the time is now; the Mariners must seize the moment and ride their recent surge of momentum to a long-awaited division title. Finish with a better record than the Yankees and return to the postseason.Missing the playoffs would make this the first time in more than three decades that the Red Sox failed to reach October in four straight seasons, which highlights the stakes for a franchise that had fallen into a shocking pit of mediocrity in recent seasons. At this stage, a return to the postseason looks likely, but the Red Sox can't get too comfortable. Seven more games against the Yankees offer the chance for Boston to devastate its biggest rivals or falter and risk supreme embarrassment when the lights are brightest. For as drama-filled as Boston's season has already been, it feels like anything is possible. Take advantage of the schedule and secure a wild card without having to sweat during the final week.For as bad as the vibes have been in recent weeks, the Yankees can take solace in this: No American League team has an easier slate the rest of the way than New York, including seven games left against both the White Sox and the Orioles. That fact doesn't magically fix some of the more glaring on-field issues the Yankees have demonstrated recently, but there is undeniably some margin for error. There's still a version of this team that could look like a formidable opponent come October; the Yanks have seven weeks to rediscover it. Find stability on the mound and some mojo on the road.After a marvelous start to the season, the Mets' run prevention efforts have regressed to a troubling degree, leaving them in a precarious position in the NL postseason picture. Their bats have also cooled off recently, but I'm more confident about the lineup heating back up than I am the pitching staff rediscovering its stout form. A more concerning, big-picture trend has been New York's struggles on the road; no team currently in playoff position has a worse record away from home than the Mets' 25-34 mark. A pivotal three-city trip, featuring stops in Detroit, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, looms next month and could determine this team's fate. If the Mets' road woes continue, that stretch could prove especially costly. Score more runs.There's no need to overcomplicate this one. The Rangers' lineup, despite featuring plenty of recognizable names with stellar reputations, has continued to underwhelm to a staggering degree while the pitching staff has outpaced expectations at every turn. Even an average run-production operation would likely have Texas in playoff position, and the rotation would make the Rangers a daunting postseason team, but they are running out of time to produce a worthwhile lineup. Play up to the competition.The Reds have admirably hung around in the NL playoff picture, but their toughest test lies ahead: Cincinnati has baseball'smost difficult remaining schedule, with showdowns still to come against every current NL playoff team, plus three interleague contests against Toronto. For the Reds to stay relevant deep into September, they'll need to prove themselves against the league's best. Catch them on the right night, and Cincinnati looks up to the task, but navigating the upcoming gauntlet is a lot to ask of a young team that hasn't proven much of anything in recent years. Flush the unpleasant midseason vibes and finish strong.The Guardians have exhibited an impressive amount of resilience following a 10-game losing streak and having two key pitchers placed on the restricted listdue to an ongoing gambling investigation. It wasn't long ago when this felt like a doomed season in Cleveland, yet here the team stands with the opportunity to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and the foundation of a healthy and successful franchise remains intact. Whether the Guardians can rally into a surprise playoff spot remains to be seen, but their current positioning is already something of an achievement considering the context. Play spoiler for the division rivals.The schedule provides a golden opportunity for St. Louis to be an absolute headache for three of its NL Central foes in September. Four of the Cardinals' final five series are against divisional opponents, including six games against the Brewers, three against Cincinnati and three to finish the regular season at Wrigley Field. Perhaps a window opens up for a late playoff push of their own — the Cardinals aren'tthatfar back — but at the very least, this team will have the chance to make its rivals' lives difficult down the stretch. Finish multiple games above .500.Since their shocking 107-win campaign in 2021, the Giants have been almost magnetically tethered to a .500 record, winning 81, 79 and 80 games the past three seasons. This year, they are tracking toward another maddeningly middling final record, but there's enough talent here for San Francisco to finish stronger than that. Besides, even if the Giants aren't quite good enough to return to October, it would be horribly disappointing — and fairly brutal optics — if the first year of Buster Posey's tenure overseeing his beloved franchise yielded the exact same mediocre result. Is 85 wins too much to ask? We'll see. Give the new bats as many plate appearances as possible.It's no secret that the Snakes face a ton of difficult questions on the mound, but those concerns can't be fixed right now. A more realistic short-term goal is to find out what they have in their less-experienced young hitters such as Tyler Locklear, Adrian Del Castillo, Blaze Alexander and, hopefully, Jordan Lawlar once he returns from injury. These are talented hitters who could play key supporting roles in 2026 on another elite Arizona offense, which should remain the team's calling card no matter what happens on the mound. Become road warriors.The Rays are in the midst of a nearly unprecedented, four-city road trip on the West Coast, a partial byproduct of a schedule that frontloaded their home games to avoid the hotter and rainier conditions of late summer at their temporary outdoor home of George M. Steinbrenner Field. Two loss-filled trips in July already cost the Rays mightily in the standings; if they want to hang around in the AL wild-card race, they must find a way to win more games as the away team because there are three more multi-city jaunts on their schedule after this lengthy West Coast journey. Have more fun than everyone else.A rough weekend in Atlanta soured the vibes but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here. This team was widely expected and projected to be one of the three worst squads in the league, along with the White Sox and Rockies, yet here the Marlins are in mid-August with a respectable record and a wealth of positive developments up and down the roster. What looked to be a franchise in the earliest stages of a deep and painful rebuild suddenly has a legitimately positive outlook for the not-so-distant future — and you can tell from watching Miami. The Fish continuing to embrace their youthful exuberance down the stretch should only fuel the optimism entering 2026. Let the kids play.The Twins' dramatic roster overhaul at the deadline cleared the way for some new characters to prove themselves down the stretch. Whether it's rookie infielder Luke Keaschall in the lineup or the two talented young hurlers acquired at the deadline in Mick Abel and Taj Bradley, it's important for Minnesota to let the young players find their footing now so as to better prepare them to make a real impact in 2026. Get to know the new guys.Kansas City has welcomed multiple fresh faces into the fold this summer, whether it be homegrown rookies (Jac Caglianone, Noah Cameron) or trade acquisitions (Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Bailey Falter). Finding out what the team has in those players feels more important for the long haul than whether the cast of veteran deadline additions (Randal Grichuk, Mike Yastrzemski, Adam Frazier) can fuel a last-gasp playoff push. Finish with a winning record.Asking this team to end baseball's longest postseason drought feels like quite the stretch, so there's no need to get greedy here. This year's Halos remain severely flawed but are clearly much more competent and talented than the Anaheim clubs that averaged 92 losses over the past three seasons. October feels like a far-off fantasy, but the 2025 Angels should surpass .500 for the first time since 2015. Finish with dignity — but don't wintoomany games.A small silver lining amid this nightmare of a season for Atlanta: The Braves are extremely likely to find themselves inpremium position in December's draft lottery, especially with three other subpar teams ineligible for the lottery (Rockies, Nationals and Angels) due to the limits on being in the lottery multiple years in a row. Getting a top pick is small consolation for how sideways this Braves season has gone, but it's not nothing and could be a nice opportunity to add a premier talent to a farm system that sorely lacks star power. Clarify roles for the young pitchers.After the team assembled an enviable group of impact bats, it's now time to figure out which pitchers will make up the staff of the next good A's team. Some strong drafts and a series of trades have produced intriguing young arms in the majors or upper-minors, but it's not readily apparent who deserves the chance to compete for a rotation spot and who should be transitioned to the bullpen. These last few weeks of 2025, as well as spring training next year, will be a great time to start crystalizing those roles. Find more arms to believe in entering 2026.The Orioles still boast an impressive collection of hitters to build around but harbor more questions than ever on the mound. Baltimore desperately needs to uncover and nurture some more arms that can be dependable contributors to a competent pitching staff if the franchise wants to get back to being competitive in 2026. The resurgence of Trevor Rogers is an encouraging development, but that's merely a start; there's a ton of work to be done here. Find someone, anyone who can be a good major-league hitter.The Pirates have done quite well in amassing competent major-league arms, and that goes well beyond a generational ace in Paul Skenes. But Pittsburgh's offense lags so far behind that this collection of talented pitchers is already in danger of being completely wasted, and the lack of consistent run production is the chief reason Pittsburgh has plummeted backward in a year that was supposed to feature progress toward contending. Guys such as Spencer Horwitz and Nick Gonzales look like modest building blocks, but many more will be needed to form a legitimate lineup. Figure out what and who needs to stay and go.The Nationals' midseason firing of manager Davey Martinez and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo was a dramatic first step toward altering the direction of a franchise seemingly stuck in the mud, but it was also only the beginning. Regardless of the team's record from now until the end of September, this is a critical evaluation period for interim GM Mike DeBartolo and the entire front office to better understand what internal processes and which members of the coaching and player development staff are worth investing in moving forward and what needs to be overhauled. It's a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff, but it's crucial for the next chapter of Nationals baseball. Identify more members of the 2026 Opening Day roster.The White Sox are still quite bad, but a key difference between this year's team and last year's abject disaster is the uptick in playing time for young players who could be part of the next good Sox team: Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, Kyle Teel and Grant Taylor all stand out as exciting building blocks. If Chicago can find a couple more such pieces by the end of this season to feel good about, that would go a long way toward providing some semblance of optimism entering 2026, even if the rebuild is still very much in progress. Don't lose 122 games.Improved play over the past month has made it far more plausible that the Rockies will avoid the ultimate infamy of losing more games than the 2024 White Sox, but it's by no means a sure thing. The Rockies must go 12-32 the rest of the way to reach the 42-win mark that Chicago could not. And with one of baseball's toughest remaining schedules, including seven more contests against both the Dodgers and the Padres, Colorado is going to have to earn it. Bold prediction: They'll get it done.

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August 12, 2025

MLB power rankings: Brewers surge to the top with MLB's best record, followed by Phillies, Dodgers and Blue Jays

MLB power rankings: Brewers surge to the top with MLB's best record, followed by Phillies, Dodgers and Blue Jays The whirlwind of activi...

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MLB top prospects: Six stars who could get promoted to the majors in August

MLB top prospects: Six stars who could get promoted to the majors in August

The art of the call-up has evolved over the decades as the fine print in Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement gets revised every few years. And now, the date to watch for the semi-coincidental arrival of top prospects is almost upon us: Aug. 15. That's the day franchises can summon minor leaguers for their major league debuts, while still maintaining their rookie status for the 2026 season. And if a consensus top 100 prospect either wins Rookie of the Year next year or earns a top-three finish in MVP or Cy Young Award voting in their first three seasons, the club is awarded a prospect promotion incentive draft pick, slotted just after the first round of the following season's draft. A bit convoluted, yes, but just know that if a rash of blue chip prospects arrive this week, that's why. Here's a look at six of the most prominent potential arrivals: Orioles GM Mike Elias loves his draft picks and loves it even more when a recent draftee produces an extra pick and bonus pool money thanks to the PPI stipulation. That was the case with Gunnar Henderson, who debuted in August 2022 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Enter Basallo, who turns 21 Aug. 13. The 6-4 Dominican signee largely dominated Class AAA as a 20-year-old, with a .997 OPS, 23 homers and a 13.7% walk rate. While he still needs significant growth behind the plate – as all 20-ish catchers do – it behooves the Orioles to see what the bat can do before laying groundwork for 2026. And Basallo, Baseball America's No. 7 overall prospect, could be joined by Norfolk teammate Dylan Beavers. The outfielder, who turned 24 Aug. 11, posted a .948 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals. At 6-7, 240, Eldridge represents the perennially power-starved Giants' best shot in years at producing a homegrown slugger. Still just 20, Eldridge was slowed by injury this year but has gotten going at Class AAA Sacramento, where he has 12 homers but also 50 strikeouts in 157 plate appearances. If recency bias matters, Eldridge should get summoned west on I-80: He's posted a .298/.388/.667 line his past 15 games, with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. So long as San Francisco can handle an extra gust of wind from some swing-and-miss, no harm in dreaming of Eldridge and Rafael Devers sliding in between right-handers Matt Chapman and Willy Adames in that lineup. He could've been the top pick in the 2024 draft but slid to No. 7 and the Cardinals, who were thrilled to land such talent there. And Wetherholt has not disappointed, reaching Class AAA by July and hardly slowing his roll, with a .298/.414/478 line and 18 steals in 20 chances in 112 professional games. Now, the age-old quandary: Consistent playing time or a taste of the big leagues? Masyn Winn is entrenched at shortstop and a handful of multi-position types are also vying for at-bats in St. Louis. Wetherholt, a West Virginia product, has adjusted smoothly to every level; it will take a lot to force the issue, but if he's still unstoppable by the end of this month, it might be pragmatic to keep the ceiling off his ability. So, just how confident are the Cubs in re-signing Kyle Tucker? The sterling trio of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Tucker – along with DH Seiya Suzuki – leave no place for Caissie to play in Chicago, but he's probably scraped his head on the ceiling a few times at Class AAA Iowa. Caissie has played 218 games and taken 944 plate appearances at AAA the past two seasons, hit 40 homers and posted an .892 OPS. It would probably take an injury to get Caissie to Wrigley Field, but he's already on the 40-man roster. And Caissie could help both their pennant drive and their winter fortune telling should Tucker find greener pastures. The Blue Jays have thoughtfully yet urgently nudged Yesavage through four levels this season, and now the 20th overall pick in 2024 has landed at Class AAA Buffalo – just as the big club sees the Boston Red Sox lurking four games out in the AL East. With Shane Bieber likely to join the rotation after one more rehab appearance, Yesavage may not be needed to start. But the deeper reaches of the Blue Jays' pen has been a revolving door and the club needs quality innings, regardless of role. Yesavage struck out an eye-opening 15 batters per nine innings at his three stops; should he keep that up at Buffalo, crossing the Peace Bridge to the Jays' bullpen is very much in play. Like Yesavage, Bazzana just landed at Class AAA, after a promotion from AA Akron. And like Yesavage, Bazzana could provide a specific skill set to boost a team suddenly in the playoff picture. As a matter of course, we'll pump the brakes a bit: Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick a year ago, missed two months with an oblique strain and has just 85 professional games under his belt. On the other hand, the Guardians' mix-and-match of middle infielders – Gabriel Arias (84 adjusted OPS), Daniel Scheeneman (98), Brayan Rocchio (68) and Angel Martinez (81) are all producing below league average at the plate. And Bazzana ended his Akron stint on a heater, with a .367 OBP and .779 OPS while reducing his K rate from his previous stint. Bazzana will surely be a favorite for 2026 AL Rookie of the Year. It might make sense to start banging that drum very soon. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Major League baseball prospects who could be promoted to MLB in August

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August 12, 2025

MLB top prospects: Six stars who could get promoted to the majors in August

MLB top prospects: Six stars who could get promoted to the majors in August The art of the call-up has evolved over the decades as the fine ...

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