Category: Sport

Typically it takes an professional’s eye to see one thing earlier than everybody else does, reminiscent of Tyler Herro ending No. 13 on the Participant Rater, or Ivica Zubac placing up 16.8 PPG and 12.6 RPG, like every of them did final season.

How many individuals noticed this coming?

For those who did, you had a serious leg up on the competitors in your fantasy basketball leagues — that’s for positive!

With that in thoughts, we gathered our fantasy basketball specialists — André Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick and Steve Alexander — and tasked them with detailing their boldest fantasy predictions for 2025-26.

At present going eighty fifth on common in ESPN dwell drafts, Miller’s teaching employees already trusts him to seek out his personal shot, and his capacity to create offense for others is simply rising. With the potential to loft an absurd variety of 3-pointers per sport and his knack for amassing defensive numbers, he might comply with the Trey Murphy III path to changing into a particular 3-and-D fantasy wing as early as this season. Few gamers his dimension are this expert at each slashing and taking pictures, making Miller an outlier at his place. — McCormick

Embiid and Leonard are each ultra-elite fantasy hoops performers on a per-game foundation which have a historical past of lacking important portions of time. Final season, they missed a mixed 108 of the doable 164 video games. However I search for this season to be bounce-backs for each. Each are coming into the season comparatively wholesome and all it will take is 60-65 video games at their typical ranges to succeed in these milestones. — Snellings

No staff has tried and made extra 3-pointers than final season’s Boston Celtics, and that can hardly change simply because star Jayson Tatum is out for many, if not the whole lot, of the season. 4 Celtics — Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser — will end among the many prime 10 in 3s made this season, whereas a fifth (main scorer Jaylen Brown) will come shut. — Karabell

I foresee the Bulls beginning him and giving him round half-hour per sport, and his stat set is constructed for fantasy, hopefully offering blocks, steals, 3-pointers, rebounds and blocks. He’s being ignored till later in drafts after final season’s less-than-stellar numbers, however he has as a lot upside as nearly any participant on this 12 months’s drafts. I’m making an attempt to get him all over the place. — Alexander

Ball has elite fantasy upside when he’s on the ground. Everybody is aware of that. He averaged 25.2 PPG, 7.4 APG, 4.9 RPG and three.8 3-pointers final season, displaying his all-around affect. The difficulty has all the time been well being, with simply 105 video games performed over the previous three seasons. I believe that is the season Ball performs greater than 70 video games. He’s solely 24, is absolutely recovered from ankle and wrist surgical procedures, and Charlotte’s added depth ought to assist handle his workload. If he stays on the courtroom, he has top-15 fantasy potential. — Moody

Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot stated “outcomes don’t lie” after a three-game shedding streak as he known as for defensive enhancements forward of Manchester United’s go to to Anfield on Sunday.

The Premier League champions gained their opening seven video games of the season in all competitions, however poor performances have been masked by a collection of late targets.

Liverpool suffered defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray within the Champions League and Chelsea earlier than the worldwide break, leaving them to fall one level behind title rivals Arsenal.

After romping to the title final season, Liverpool splashed out almost £450 million ($604 million) on new signings, paying club-record charges for Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, neither of whom have but scored a Premier League objective.

On the different finish of the pitch, Slot’s males have conceded two or extra targets in 4 of their seven Premier League video games.

“We’ve performed 10, gained seven and misplaced three. The three loses have been by shut margins,” Slot stated at his pre-match press convention on Friday.

“However as I hold saying, we shouldn’t be depending on such margins.

“Outcomes don’t lie — in case you lose three in a row then it’s a must to do higher. We’re conscious of that and we’ve to react.”

Mohamed Salah’s sensational type propelled Liverpool to the title final season, however the 33-year-old Egyptian has up to now struggled to regulate to the modifications made to the aspect through the switch window.

Slot pinpointed a scarcity of game-changing moments from his star-studded ahead line and issues at set-pieces.

“We haven’t created as many possibilities as final season and there’s a purpose for that — the taking part in type of the opponent, and we’ve to seek out solutions to that,” he stated.

“The primary reply is to not concede as many targets as we did. If a crew scores one or two targets then we want three targets.

“Within the first half of final season we primarily acquired these targets from a particular second from one in all our entrance three. The second half (of the season) we would have liked set items towards a low block.

“This season we haven’t had these particular moments and we haven’t scored from set items.

“It’s clear that conceding 4 targets from set items is way an excessive amount of for a crew that desires to compete.”

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker stays out with a hamstring harm, however there was higher harm information for Liverpool as Ryan Gravenberch is match to face United regardless of coming off injured for the Netherlands through the worldwide break.

kca/jw/gj

CINCINNATI — Ten days in the past, Joe Flacco didn’t know whether or not he’d get to expertise once more what he felt Thursday evening.

Final week, Flacco was a quarterback who had been benched in his 18th NFL season. On Thursday evening, he celebrated one other comeback win within the AFC North.

9 days after his commerce to the Cincinnati Bengals, he led his new membership to a 33-31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Needing factors on the ultimate drive to win, Flacco propelled the offense down the sector, with kicker Evan McPherson’s 36-yard area purpose with seven seconds left sealing the victory.

Flacco acknowledged the uncertainty he had felt about getting again to the place he was in Thursday evening.

“It felt like I may not, to be sincere with you,” Flacco mentioned. “It’s fairly particular.”

Within the second recreation following his commerce from the Cleveland Browns, the 40-year-old helped Cincinnati snap a four-game dropping streak. He was 31-of-47 passing for 342 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the primary win for the Bengals (3-4) since beginning quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe harm in Week 2.

Burrow watched from the sideline with a strolling boot on his left foot as Flacco made performs within the closing minutes to forestall Cincinnati from a devastating collapse. The Bengals trailed by some extent after main for the majority of the competition when Steelers tight finish Pat Freiermuth caught a 68-yard landing cross from Aaron Rodgers with 2:21 left.

However in his twenty third regular-season recreation towards the Steelers (4-2), Flacco delivered. With Cincinnati on the cusp of area purpose vary, he hit extensive receiver Tee Higgins for a 28-yard completion down the left sideline that made McPherson’s kick a comparatively straightforward one.

McPherson is amongst those that have loved having the veteran quarterback on their group.

“I like his angle and what he brings to the group,” mentioned McPherson, who now has eight profession tying or go-ahead kicks within the ultimate two minutes of a regular-season contest. “He’s finished a very good job connecting with guys on a very quick discover.”

Flacco did most of his connecting with Higgins and extensive receiver Ja’Marr Chase towards the Steelers. Chase set a franchise file with 16 catches for 161 yards and a landing. It was his ninth recreation with greater than 150 receiving yards, passing Jerry Rice for the second most within the first 5 seasons of an NFL profession.

Chase once more praised the franchise’s resolution to amass Flacco to be the beginning quarterback.

“It’s actually good having him right here for us,” Chase mentioned. “Group made an enormous bounce on him. We believed in him. We obtained him. He got here in, doing his factor and exhibiting off for us.”

Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned Flacco’s expertise was essential in a recreation that Cincinnati “wanted to have.” And the veteran virtually made it look easy.

“It’s straightforward for him,” Taylor mentioned. “And it’s not, as a result of he’s placing within the work. He’s so skilled on this state of affairs. You acquire quite a lot of confidence from that as a result of he goes on the market [and] it’s not too huge.”

Final week, Flacco was taking place Interstate 75, speaking to Taylor on the telephone because the coach began explaining as a lot of the playbook as rapidly as doable. Regardless of his expertise, Flacco wished to verify he didn’t waste a chance.

On Thursday evening, Flacco talked in regards to the reduction his household in all probability felt to see him full one other recreation. In his postgame information convention, Flacco mentioned he was keen to listen to how that reduction morphed into pleasure.

“I can’t wait to speak to my spouse tonight and simply hear it in her voice and all these issues,” Flacco mentioned. “Speaking to [family] reminds you of how particular that is.”

SEATTLE — Luis Castillo’s smile was small and tight as he heard Seattle Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson inform him on the mound that he was being changed. It was the third inning of Sport 4 of the American League Championship Sequence, with the Mariners making an attempt to carry off the Toronto Blue Jays, who had already gained one sport on the Mariners’ residence area. Castillo, who had thrown fewer pitches than he had in any of his 247 begins within the main leagues, nodded in assent — if not settlement — and handed the ball to his supervisor.

What occurred earlier than Wilson’s determination was unhealthy; what occurred after was worse. The Mariners’ relievers didn’t include the Toronto offense, in an 8-2 loss, and with the collection tied at two video games apiece, Seattle will go into Sport 5 with its pitching choices much more difficult by how Wilson’s decisions performed out.

Each postseason determination is evaluated by means of the prism of the end result, which isn’t all the time truthful however is October actuality.

“You make choices,” Wilson stated after the sport, “and you must stay with them.”

What the Mariners’ employees had talked about going into Sport 4, Wilson defined, was that Seattle wished to be aggressive in going to the bullpen. When Toronto blew out the Mariners in Sport 3, Wilson was capable of maintain again all of his greatest relievers: Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz. Moreover, Bryan Woo — who had been Seattle’s greatest pitcher earlier than getting damage Sept. 20 — can be out there out of the bullpen, if Wilson discovered an acceptable alternative.

Castillo is a three-time All-Star, probably the most achieved of the Mariners’ vaunted rotation of beginning pitchers, identified for his sturdy reliability. He has additionally had a 12 months of diminished stuff, together with his swing-and-miss charge the bottom of his profession; Toronto had scored eight runs in 10 innings in opposition to him through the common season.

Within the first two innings Thursday, Castillo threw crisply, attacking the strike zone with a fastball that reached 95 mph. However within the third inning, the whole lot modified. Isiah Kiner-Falefa pulled a double down the third-base line, and with a 3-2 depend, Andres Gimenez pulled a slider into the right-field stands, giving the Jays a 2-1 lead. Relievers started stirring within the Seattle bullpen, and as Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled, Speier shortly warmed up. Too many pitches within the center, Cal Raleigh would say later.

Alejandro Kirk drew a stroll to load the bases. Wilson’s choices in that second: persist with Castillo, or summon Speier, a lefty, to face left-handed hitting Daulton Varsho.

Wilson emerged from the dugout and didn’t instantly sign to the bullpen; quite, he spoke to Castillo, telling him he was meaning to name on Speier. Castillo had thrown solely 48 pitches, the fewest in his nine-year profession. He returned to the dugout and watched the remainder of the inning play out from the highest step.

“It’s a tricky determination,” Wilson stated, “and it was not a simple one to inform him. However that’s what we went with.”

Varsho fell behind 1-2 within the depend, however he fouled off two pitches and labored the depend full earlier than drawing a stroll. Toronto’s lead was 3-1. Speier struck out the following two hitters to keep away from additional hassle, and Castillo met him with a high-five as he stepped into the dugout.

Within the subsequent inning, Speier pitched himself into hassle once more. After a Kiner-Falefa single and a sacrifice bunt, right-handed hitting George Springer batted subsequent.

Wilson had three choices in that second:

He may have summoned Brash, his greatest set-up man, to face Springer. He may have successfully compelled Speier to pitch round Springer. Or, with the left-handed hitting Lukes on deck and Guerrero set to observe, he may permit Speier to face Springer.

Wilson went with the third choice, and Springer ripped a double into the left-field nook, extending the Jays’ result in 4-1. By the point Lukes grounded out, Speier — one of the best left-handed choice within the Seattle bullpen — had thrown 32 pitches, greater than any outing in his profession.

Wilson summoned Brash into the sport with the Mariners down by three runs — in all probability not the scenario the supervisor envisioned at a time when his workforce was main the collection. Seattle’s bullpen needed to cowl 20 outs Thursday.

Bryce Miller begins Friday, within the Mariners’ ultimate probability to win a championship collection sport in entrance of their residence crowd. This collection is assured to return to Toronto — however whether or not it does with a Seattle lead is as much as Miller and a bullpen that was used closely in Thursday’s loss.

“We did use bullpen guys tonight, however they had been very effectively rested once more,” Wilson stated. “So I believe that we’re nonetheless in good condition by way of our bullpen and in addition, now we have Bryan down there as effectively, and we’ll make the most of him when the time is true.”

It’s unclear how Castillo felt about all of this. In his time with the Mariners, he has been identified for constantly sticking round to reply questions after his begins, good or unhealthy. However by the point reporters had been permitted into the Mariners’ clubhouse after Sport 4, Castillo was gone.

League leaders Bayern Munich host second-placed Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, with each side unbeaten after opening the season in high type.

Bayern have gained 10 from 10 in all competitions, scoring 36 objectives and conceding seven.

Star striker Harry Kane is on arguably his career-best type.

The 32-year-old, who scored a brace in Tuesday’s 5-0 thumping of Latvia on England responsibility, has 18 objectives and three assists in these 10 matches for Bayern.

Whereas Bayern have barnstormed their technique to the highest of the Bundesliga and Champions League tables, Dortmund are quietly placing collectively a robust opening of their very own.

Dortmund are unbeaten in 9 video games in all competitions and sit 4 factors behind Bayern in second.

A double winner at Bayern earlier than getting the sack half a yr later, Niko Kovac, now Dortmund supervisor, mentioned his aspect have to be courageous in Munich.

“It’ll be tough if we play too cautiously,” Kovac mentioned Thursday. “Simply defending gained’t work. We respect one another however we have to take the initiative.

“If we play like we did final yr in Munich, we’ll have likelihood, however we must be courageous.

“We do see what sort of type Bayern are on. It’s uncommon for a staff to carry out so effectively.”

Within the match nicknamed ‘Der Klassiker’ in a bid to echo La Liga’s El Clasico, the fixture has tended to mark the tip of Dortmund’s title ambitions.

Dortmund have misplaced eight of their previous 10 matches towards Bayern in Munich.

However Dortmund are on their finest run versus the Bavarians since Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.

Dortmund have gained one and drawn two of their previous three video games towards Bayern, together with a 2-0 win on the Allianz Area in 2024.

Now working the present at Pink Bull, mum or dad firm of rivals RB Leipzig, Klopp himself is not going to be tuning in.

Talking from the Spanish island of Mallorca, the place he spends a lot of his time, former Liverpool supervisor Klopp informed Germany’s RTL on Thursday he would “most likely not have time” to look at.

“If I didn’t must work, I’d undoubtedly watch the sport.”

One to look at: Loic Bade (Bayer Leverkusen)

After a tumultuous summer time rebuild with round a dozen new arrivals, France centre-back Loic Bade has shortly established himself on the coronary heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s defence.

Bade, 25, is an assured presence in central defence, exhibiting composure and management in a staff in transition.

Praising his “superb” performances on the pitch, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes informed AFP on Thursday “it’s essential as effectively how he acts off the pitch.

“He’s a connector within the locker room language-wise, but additionally by way of character and tradition.

“Loic has character — and you’ll really feel that.”

Key stats

10 – Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Bayern in 2024 was their first within the league in Munich in 10 years courting again to a 3-0 win in 2014.

11 – Harry Kane has 11 objectives in six Bundesliga video games this season.

1 – Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, who on Thursday was cleared to play, has solely failed to attain or help in one in all his eight matches this season. He has six objectives and three assists.

Fixtures (1330 GMT except acknowledged)

Friday

Union Berlin v Borussia Moenchengladbach (1830)

Saturday

Mainz v Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig v Hamburg, Cologne v Augsburg, Heidenheim v Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg v Stuttgart, Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (1630)

Sunday

Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt, St Pauli v Hoffenheim (1530)

dwi/dmc

LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman hit a tiebreaking single off hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski in a two-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Thursday to take a 3-0 lead of their Nationwide League Championship Sequence.

Los Angeles moved to inside one win of turning into the primary defending champion to succeed in the World Sequence because the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. No staff has received consecutive titles because the 1998-2000 New York Yankees took three in a row.

Sport 4 is Friday at Dodger Stadium. Just one Main League Baseball staff has overcame a 3-0 postseason deficit, the 2004 Boston Crimson Sox in opposition to the Yankees.

Shohei Ohtani tripled off Aaron Ashby to start out the underside of the primary and scored on Mookie Betts’ double to place the Dodgers forward, however Jake Bauers tied the rating with an RBI single within the second.

That was the one run given up by Tyler Glasnow, who has mixed with Ohtani, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to present Dodgers starters a 1.54 postseason ERA throughout an 8-1 postseason spurt.

Misiorowski changed Ashby with two on and one out within the first and struck out Edman and Teoscar Hernández. The 23-year-old right-hander topped 100 mph with 17 pitches and struck out a Brewers postseason rookie document 9, however his fastball velocity dropped to 98-99 mph barely within the sixth.

Will Smith singled with one out on a slider in the course of the strike zone and Freddie Freeman walked after falling behind 1-2 within the depend. Edman, who had struck out twice in opposition to Misiorowski, lined a low slider into middle, and Smith scored for a 2-1 lead as Sal Frelick made a weak throw.

Abner Uribe relieved and struck out Hernández, then made a wild pickoff throw previous first that allowed Freeman to attain. It was the second straight recreation with an error by the Brewers’ nearer.

Glasnow gave up three hits and three walks in 5 innings, hanging out eight and leaving to a standing ovation from the group of 51,251.

Alex Vesia adopted Glasnow and acquired two outs for his second win of the playoffs.

Roki Sasaki pitched an ideal ninth for his third save of the postseason, ending a four-hitter. Dodgers relievers gave up one hit in 3 innings.

Milwaukee, which swept the Dodgers 6-0 throughout the common season, has misplaced its previous 10 postseason highway video games relationship to 2018.