MLB – Major League Baseball – Wild Card Playoffs – Best of three
Yesterday
Texas Rangers 4, Tampa Bay Rays 0 (TEX leads 1-0)
Minnesota Twins 3, Toronto Blue Jays 1 (MIN leads 1-0)
Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Milwaukee Brewers 3 (ARI leads 1-0)
Philadelphia Phillies 4, Miami Marlins 1 (PHI leads 1-0)
Rangers 4, Rays 0 – Montgomery sparkles, Rangers beat sloppy Rays 4-0 in AL Wild Card Series opener
Jordan Montgomery scattered six hits over seven innings, helping the Texas Rangers beat the sloppy Tampa Bay Rays 4-0 in their AL Wild Card Series opener. Corey Seager and Josh Jung drove in runs and the Rangers benefitted from four errors by the Rays, who also fizzled offensively before a crowd of just 19,704. Texas moved within a victory of a AL Division Series matchup against Baltimore. Tampa Bay, lost its sixth straight postseason game since winning its 2021 Division Series opener against Boston. The Rays have one run in their last three playoff defeats.
Twins 3, Blue Jays 1 – Twins stop record 18-game postseason skid on strength of Royce Lewis home runs
Royce Lewis hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats to carry the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of their AL Wild Card Series. That ended Minnesota’s record 18-game postseason losing streak. Lewis hit a two-run shot off Kevin Gausman to left field in the first inning. He went deep to right leading off the third and became the third player in history to homer in each of his first two career postseason plate appearances. The Twins last won a game in the playoffs on Oct. 5, 2004.
Diamondbacks 6, Brewers 3 – Diamondbacks hit Burnes hard to rally for 6-3 victory over Brewers
Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno homered against Corbin Burnes, helping Arizona erase an early three-run deficit and sending the Diamondbacks to a 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series. The rally put Arizona in a prime position to advance. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday, and the Diamondbacks have ace Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly lined up after rookie Brandon Pfaadt lasted just 2 2/3 innings in the opener. Arizona, which clinched an NL wild card in the final days of the season, had been 0-14 in postseason games when trailing by at least three runs.
Phillies 4, Marlins 1 – Wheeler strikes out 8, Castellanos tells Phillies to put a ring on it in 4-1 win over Marlins
Zack Wheeler struck out eight and pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener of their NL Wild Card Series. The Phillies moved within a victory of an NL Division Series matchup against Atlanta. Cristian Pache and Bryson Stott had run-scoring singles for the Phillies. Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos added RBI doubles. Phillies reliever José Alvarado struck out Yuli Gurriel with two runners on in the seventh.
Today
Wildcard Round – Best of three
Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays, 3:00 p.m. (TEX leads 1-0)
Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins, 4:30 p.m. (MIN leads 1-0)
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers, 7:00 p.m. (ARI leads 1-0)
Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies, 8:00 p.m. (PHI leads 1-0)
MLB – Cubs president Jed Hoyer sees bigger things in store after missing the playoffs
The Chicago Cubs took a big step toward contending for a championship and changed the outlook for a franchise coming off back-to-back losing seasons. It didn’t end the way President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer would have liked. But he sees “the shell of a really good team in place.” The Cubs faltered down the stretch and missed the playoffs by a game. Hoyer was “very pleased” with David Ross while acknowledging next year will be a big one for the manager and organization. The Cubs have some important issues to address in the offseason. Topping the list is re-signing Cody Bellinger following a bounce-back season.
NBA – Lillard says he can help Bucks defense while embracing championship expectations
Damian Lillard understands he has a reputation for being an elite offensive player but not a particularly strong defender. The seven-time all-NBA selection looks forward to changing that perception now that he’s on a new team. Lillard began training camp with Milwaukee on Tuesday after the Bucks acquired him last week. Lillard believes he can help the Bucks continue to play quality defense as they chase their second title in four years. The Bucks believe Lillard’s extraordinary skills on offense will make up for whatever they might sacrifice on defense.
NHL – National Hockey League Preseason
Last Night
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Detroit Red Wings 2
Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2 – Bedard has three points in Blackhawks win
Connor Bedard scored his first goal with the Chicago Blackhawks and had two assists in their 4-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center on Tuesday. Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has five points (one goal, four assists) in three preseason games. He set up Corey Perry’s power-play goal at 9:59 of the third period to give Chicago a 3-2 lead, then scored into an empty net with 1:09 remaining for the 4-2 final. Perry scored twice, and Taylor Hall had three assists for the Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek made 17 saves and had an assist on Bedard’s goal. Joe Veleno scored twice for the Red Wings. Ville Husso stopped 13 of 14 shots before being replaced midway through the second period by Michael Hutchinson, who made 17 saves. Perry gave Chicago a 1-0 lead at 2:09 of the first period. Veleno tied it 1-1 just 1:00 into the second period, but Connor Murphy put the Blackhawks back in front 2-1 at 15:30 off a feed from Bedard. Veleno tied it again 2-2 at 4:49 of the third.
Tonight
Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:00 p.m.
NHL – Connor Bedard breaks into NHL as Blackhawks look for more progress with rebuild
The Chicago Blackhawks got a major boost when they took center Connor Bedard with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft. But Bedard alone isn’t enough to return the Blackhawks to contention. Even with the offseason additions of Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry, the rebuilding Blackhawks are going to be young and inexperienced in multiple areas. Depth is a concern, and any significant injuries would put coach Luke Richardson in a major bind. Bedard is expected to provide some sorely needed star power for the franchise.
NFL – Jameson Williams is ready to play for Lions after early end to gambling suspension
After serving a four-game suspension for gambling, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is fired up to get his season started when Detroit hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. While the coaches have not said if he will be active, Williams expects to play. Williams was able to return to practice this week after the NFL revised its gambling policy last week. The league reinstated three players, including Williams, who previously received six–game suspensions. The 22-year-old Williams had one reception as a rookie last year, a 41-yard touchdown.
NFL – Bears are a team in turmoil but the flip side to all this misery is a monster draft
The Chicago Bears are mired in a turmoil-filled season so far. They’ve lost a franchise-record 14 consecutive games and blew a 21-point lead at Soldier Field for the first time ever when the Broncos scored 24 unanswered points to erase a 28-7 deficit. The flip side to all this misery could be a monster 2024 draft for the Bears, one of two teams sitting at 0-4. The other is the Carolina Panthers, who traded their first-round pick in 2024 to Chicago. So, Bears fans can dream of both Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. coming to the rescue.
NFL – John Gordon, artist who helped design Packers’ distinctive ‘G’ logo, dies at age 83
John Gordon, an artist who as a young art student helped design the Green Bay Packers’ distinctive “G” team logo, has died at age 83. Gordon died Saturday, says Matt Cotter, the owner of Cotter Funeral & Cremation Care. WLUK-TV reports Gordon was a St. Norbert College art student in 1961 and working as an assistant for Packers equipment manager Gerald “Dad” Braisher when he was offered the chance to design the team logo. Gordon said in a video produced by St. Norbert College that Braisher told him then-coach Vince Lombardi wanted a logo “and it’s going to be a ‘G’ in a football shape.” Within 24 hours, Gordon’s design for the Packers’ original logo was approved.
NCAA – NCAA approves stricter penalties for individual rule-breakers
The NCAA Division I Council approved a package of proposed penalties for infractions cases that would include stricter punishments for individual rule breakers. The proposals include expanding suspensions for coaches to include the days between competitions, having schools incur penalties for employing individuals who are serving a show-cause order and expanding disassociations with boosters who violate rules. The council was also expected to discuss proposals for name, image and likeness compensation regulations and potentially adjusting transfer portal windows before the meeting concludes Wednesday.
MCCAA – Michigan Community College Athletic Association
Last Night
Women’s Volleyball
Lansing Community College 3, Lake Michigan College 0
Today
Women’s Soccer
Schoolcraft College at Lake Michigan College, 2:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
Schoolcraft College at Lake Michigan College, 4:00 p.m.
MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Soccer
SMAC Tournament
Gull Lake 3, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 2
Portage Central 3, Battle Creek Lakeview 0
St. Joseph 2, Lakeshore 0
Mattawan 6, Portage Northern 1
Kalamazoo Central 8, Battle Creek Central 0
Other games
South Haven 1, Covert 1 – TIE
Howardsville Christian 2, Battle Creek Academy 1
Volleyball
Our Lady of the Lake 3, River Valley 2
Howardsville Christian 3, Battle Creek Academy 0
Coloma 3, Bridgman 1
Watervliet 3, Allegan 0
South Haven 3, Fennville 0
Constantine 3, Kalamazoo Hackett 0
Galesburg-Augusta 3, Saugatuck 1
Centreville 3, Lawrence 0
Decatur 3, Bloomingdale 0
White Pigeon 3, Hartford 0
Tonight
Boys Soccer
Our Lady of the Lake at Bangor, 6:30 p.m.
New Buffalo at Michigan Lutheran, 5:00 p.m.
Sturgis at Edwardsburg, 5:30 p.m.
Niles at Paw Paw, 6:30 p.m.
Vicksburg at Plainwell, 6:00 p.m.
Otsego at Three Rivers, 6:00 p.m.
Berrien Springs at Buchanan, 5:00 p.m.
Brandywine at Dowagiac, 5:00 p.m.
Holland Black River at Allegan, 6:30 p.m.
Delton-Kellogg at Harper Creek, 6:30 p.m.
Fennville at Kalamazoo Christian, 5:00 p.m.
Watervliet at Kalamazoo Hackett, 5:00 p.m.
Saugatuck at Schoolcraft, 5:00 p.m.
Quincy at Comstock, 5:00 p.m.
Volleyball
St. Joseph at Kalamazoo Central, 6:30 p.m.
Lakeshore at Portage Northern, 6:30 p.m.
Our Lady of the Lake at Watervliet Grace Christian, 6:00 p.m.
River Valley at Michigan Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.
New Buffalo at Eau Claire, 6:00 p.m.
Constantine at Dowagiac, 6:00 p.m.
Mattawan at Portage Central, 6:30 p.m.
Gull Lake at Battle Creek Lakeview, 6:30 p.m.
Battle Creek Central at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 6:30 p.m.
Cross Country
SMAC West at Portage Northern, 5:00 p.m.
