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The Maple Leafs have chased aging stars before. How often has it worked out? Joe Espada’s even hand guides Astros to improbable AL West title How the Blue Jackets’ long-maligned power play could be different in 2024-25 Notre Dame beats Indiana, Michigan State for 5-star basketball recruit Jalen Haralson Alex Bregman gets sendoff in Astros’ final regular-season game at Minute Maid Park Cubs call up top outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara to make his debut in Philadelphia Carabao Cup fourth-round draw: Brighton host Liverpool, Manchester City face Tottenham Former Vikings All-Pro QB Tommy Kramer goes public with dementia diagnosis How do Crystal Palace get the most out of the versatile Daichi Kamada? Aces sweep Storm behind complete performance, will face Liberty in WNBA semifinals With conference play heating up, it’s time for the updated bandwagon fan’s guide to the 2024 season Houston Astros clinch AL West for 4th straight year with win over Seattle Mariners Law: Picking winners for 6 major MLB player awards, including Rookie of the Year An update on Cade Horton and a look at 5 under-the-radar Cubs pitching prospects Connections: Sports Edition Coach: Hints, facts about puzzle No. 2 Joey Anderson checks analytics boxes, but Blackhawks roster spot is no guarantee Chelsea’s busy midweeks are the perfect opportunity for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Leeds United’s 53, 000-seat Elland Road expansion plans: How? Why? And when? How will Yerson Mosquera’s season-ending injury change Wolves’ plans? Brighton squad audit: A potential vacancy at the back, versatility in attack Wednesday’s MLB odds, best bets: Projections for pitching matchups, playoffs and more Red Sox, still in the wild-card hunt, pick up ‘gratifying’ extra-inning win Fantasy football stock watch: Braelon Allen’s role grows, Zamir White’s shrinks Izzy Christiansen: How I see football Steve Cooper feels the heat from Leicester fans – the pressure is on to turn things around Barcelona’s Camp Nou reconstruction is 24/7 – but will they really be back this year? ‘We sinned in our arrogance’ – Real Madrid’s night of reflection after Alaves close call The Padres’ playoff-clinching triple play, plus a massive WNBA rematch Palmer and Jackson are the Premier League’s best partnership – Chelsea need to build around it Barcelona make contact with Wojciech Szczesny as Marc-Andre ter Stegen replacement Barcelona fans have high hopes for Ansu Fati. Can he shine again under Hansi Flick? Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and their many different ways of defending Joseph Woll hopes to make good on years of promise to become Maple Leafs’ true starter Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe to miss three weeks with thigh injury, out of Madrid derby Celtics have one question to answer on title defense: ‘How great are you trying to be? ’ New York Rangers players who have helped and hurt their stock after 2 preseason games Who are the Premier League MVPs? Mbappe and Bellingham combine for first time Dodgers call up flamethrower Edgardo Henriquez Does Georgia have the wide receivers, tight ends it needs to win a national championship? Try playing The Athletic’s first game, Connections: Sports Edition, now in beta What I’m seeing in the first week of Edmonton Oilers training camp Arsenal to appoint recruitment analyst Jonathan Kaye from Southampton Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur ‘almost cried’ when apologising for comments – Son Heung-min ‘Historic achievements’ by multiple players complicate MLB awards voting The Debate: Is manager and player behaviour on the pitch out of hand? Group of Lazio fans banned from Europa League match after police confiscate weapons Sabres stock watch: Risers, fallers and question marks through 3 preseason games Expectations for Victor Wembanyama in Season 2? Use your imagination Who replaces Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid’s starting line-up for the derby? Rangers get good news on Artemi Panarin injury, but Ryan Lindgren week-to-week: Who could fill the hole on D? Fashion-forward Ray-Ray Mc Cloud has unfinished football business in Atlanta Manchester City’s Jill Roord set for WSL return eight months after ACL injury Padres clinch with one of season’s best plays, plus White Sox delay infamy How Red Wings’ Moritz Seider can make his long-term deal pay off Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter, 16, starts in Carabao Cup: Who is David Raya’s injury replacement? The winner of this Presidents Cup will be who can handle Royal Montreal the best What makes the Senators’ Gabriel Eliasson, hockey’s meanest prospect, tick? His critics Michael Mc Dowell on perseverance, understanding data and winding down with Front Row: 12 Questions Can Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner deliver a complete season? How the Wild plan to fix last year’s Achilles’ heel — their leaky penalty kill This hockey phenom made an unusual career choice. Why she could be ‘one of the greats’ How Amazon’s NHL docuseries got player buy-in to reveal the ‘raw emotion’ of Stanley Cup hockey What’s next for Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martínez following PED suspension? CONCACAF announces venues for 2025 Gold Cup How the Astros will navigate 4 meaningless games before a Wild Card Series Pirates designate Rowdy Tellez four plate appearances short of a $200K bonus Submit your questions for Kevin Fishbain’s Bears mailbag ‘He just keeps going’: Could Jett Luchanko make the Flyers’ opening-night roster? What Johnny Heitinga offers Liverpool: Gravenberch 2. 0, striker tips – and a fresh voice David Raya doubtful for Arsenal vs Leicester City with thigh injury Kaden Braithwaite: Man City’s mature 16-year-old who started after just one senior training session Julen Lopetegui must get West Ham’s players to gel – too many aren’t Mandel’s Mailbag: Are megaconferences good after all, what’s going on with Pac-12, MWC? MLB’s top 20 breakout players in 2024: Skubal tops list, Skenes not far behind Dodgers squander first crack at closing out the Padres: ‘We didn’t get it done’ Yankees’ Gleyber Torres explains mistake that helped hold off clinching AL East title Yankees’ Nestor Cortes placed on IL with elbow strain. What it means for the postseason roster Presidents Cup matchups, tee times and more: Analyzing U. S. and international pairings 2024 Presidents Cup odds, expert picks, DFS: Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler among odds leaders Pistons partner with sneaker resale brand as jersey patch sponsor Three thoughts on the Browns’ 3 units: What’s been the biggest area of concern? Clippers on Kawhi Leonard watch again: Team navigates star’s balky knee before season Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard undergoes knee procedure in May, held out of drills to open training camp: Sources Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach handles Mets again, Michael Harris II stays hot Mets look sloppy in dropping critical series opener to Braves They came to see history. Instead, they saw the White Sox win a game The 10 moves in 10 years that helped lead the Chicago White Sox to baseball infamy Recruiting mailbag: Texas, Oregon or Miami? Which program has a brighter future on the trail? Twins’ loss to Marlins puts season on brink as hitters’ lack of ‘execution’ called out Goodbye to the Oakland Coliseum, a stadium where unlikely figures could find their footing A night with the ‘Manning Cast’: Voice memos, legendary cameos help redefine NFL broadcast The Andy Dalton show, Caleb Williams’ early struggles, more Week 3 thoughts: Quick Outs 4 most impactful injuries so far, plus would the Browns bench Watson? Talking to statues with Juan Marichal, last man standing from Giants’ bronze age Cowboys-Giants preview: Is there any hope in Dallas? Plus beat writer predictions NFL Draft order 2025 projections: Which teams land in the top 10 after Week 3? Commanders RB Austin Ekeler out vs. Cardinals with concussion From unranked to unbeaten (so far): Are these 9 teams College Football Playoff sleepers? Can the Detroit Tigers pull it off? Inside one team’s quest for unlikely playoff redemption How did the Pac-12 and Mountain West get here? Explaining a realignment tug-of-war Robert Kraft buys 6-figure Tom Brady card, new Ohtani record sale reached at ‘Holy Grails’ auction Masai Russell introduced herself to the world with Olympic gold; now, meet her alter ego Chargers’ Justin Herbert ‘progressing’ after ankle injury, Jim Harbaugh says Cowboys badly need Dak Prescott to play like $60 million QB on Thursday Winnipeg Jets training camp: Projecting Cole Perfetti’s production and a focus on special teams How Caitlin Clark’s WNBA spark is akin to the ‘Be Like Mike’ impact of Jordan in the NBA Stamkos exit, deferred payments and more: Rating the East’s offseason with the Bizarro-meter What I’m seeing after 2 Bruins preseason games: Who’s up, who’s down and a big question Giants president Farhan Zaidi acknowledges his job uncertainty: ‘I understand it’ Final 2 games of critical Braves-Mets series postponed by storms, moved to Monday doubleheader Ranking the NFL’s 3-0 teams: Are the Steelers, Seahawks and Vikings for real? Orioles clinch second consecutive postseason berth with win over Yankees, Twins loss After 3-0 start, UNLV QB Matthew Sluka to sit rest of season over NIL payment dispute Tottenham, the Europa League and an identity crisis that has extended their trophy drought Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui – ‘He always had to fight for his future’ Man United 1 Twente 1 – Eriksen scores, Rashford shines, but so many errors led to Twente’s goal Manchester United’s Labour conference pitch to regenerate land around ‘placeholder’ Old Trafford Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane retires from football Erik ten Hag questions Manchester United mentality after Twente draw: ‘We were too easy going’ Revealed: The Premier League’s ‘real’ MVPs Caleb Williams’ encouraging throws give Bears something to build on: All-22 film Raiders defense tries to remain confident after ugly loss and recent injuries Matthew Tkachuk on friend, former teammate Johnny Gaudreau: ‘I’m going to keep his memory alive’ For the Orioles, a hard-earned playoff berth provides an opportunity for a ‘fresh start’ Canadiens training camp: The battle at centre will not solely be settled based on merit Broncos LB Alex Singleton out for season with torn ACL Laiatu Latu making splash plays for Colts D that needs them: ‘They drafted me for this’ Bengals face stark reality — and have a glimmer of hope — after 0-3 start Should Packers QB Malik Willis play in sub-packages when Jordan Love returns? NFL Week 4 survivor pool picks: Why you shouldn’t shift your strategy after early season upsets Bryce Young trade proposals: What could Panthers get for former No. 1 pick? The Steelers want to dominate on the ground, but one element is still missing Film breakdown: Eagles find success with Vic Fangio’s 6-1 defensive front New York Liberty sweep Atlanta Dream, advance to WNBA semifinals What I’m watching with Jets in Week 4: Rodgers revenge game? Fashanu at right tackle and more From Drake in pink to ‘Blokecore’: How football shirts became fashionable Padres clinch postseason spot with game-winning triple play against Dodgers Gotham FC’s Kelley O’Hara placed on season-ending injury list: What’s next for USWNT veteran? Ross Barkley 2. 0 is exactly the type of player Unai Emery loves at Aston Villa The Padres have surged since the All-Star break. The preparation began long before then New Era resurrects the NFL helmet hat: The good and the bad of the ’80s throwback Cincinnati Reds’ Jonathan India shares dissatisfaction with team’s future Caitlin Clark says Di Jonai Carrington eye poke in Game 1 ‘wasn’t intentional’ Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball up for auction starting at $500, 000 Le Bron and Steph’s next chapters, Ja Morant’s return and more Western Conference storylines to watch Giorgio Chiellini makes six-figure investment in women’s soccer, inspired by watching Angel City Giants takeaways: Assessing a successful road trip that is too late but not too little WNBA playoffs takeaways: New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces prep for another showdown ACC men’s basketball schedule highlights Duke, UNC, Cal, Stanford and SMU UCF hopes to ‘seize the moment’ as Colorado takes Coach Prime effect to Orlando Browns Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller placed on IR, Myles Garrett day to day Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh ‘disappointed’ with NFL’s decision to suspend Derwin James for 1 game Chiefs’ Travis Kelce ‘not worried’ about early struggles this season Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners - September 25, 2024 Colorado Rockies vs St. Louis Cardinals - September 25, 2024 Las Vegas Aces vs Seattle Storm - September 25, 2024 Athletics vs Texas Rangers - September 25, 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants - September 25, 2024 Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken - September 25, 2024 San Jose Sharks vs Anaheim Ducks - September 25, 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres - September 25, 2024 AZ vs Elfsborg - September 25, 2024 Bodø / Glimt vs Porto - September 25, 2024 Girona vs Rayo Vallecano - September 25, 2024 Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners - September 25, 2024 Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers - September 25, 2024 Midtjylland vs Hoffenheim - September 25, 2024 Manchester United vs Twente - September 25, 2024 Liverpool vs West Ham United - September 25, 2024 Ludogorets vs Slavia Praha - September 25, 2024 Barcelona vs Getafe - September 25, 2024 Nice vs Real Sociedad - September 25, 2024 Dynamo Kyiv vs Lazio - September 25, 2024 Anderlecht vs Ferencváros - September 25, 2024 Galatasaray vs PAOK - September 25, 2024 Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs - September 25, 2024 Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays - September 25, 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers - September 25, 2024 Cleveland Guardians vs Cincinnati Reds - September 25, 2024 Washington Nationals vs Kansas City Royals - September 25, 2024 Columbus Blue Jackets vs St. Louis Blues - September 25, 2024 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers - September 25, 2024 New Jersey Devils vs Washington Capitals - September 25, 2024 New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles - September 25, 2024 Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox - September 25, 2024 Connecticut Sun vs Indiana Fever - September 25, 2024 Minnesota Twins vs Miami Marlins - September 25, 2024 Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Angels - September 25, 2024