Category: Sport

Presently final 12 months, the strain was palpable.

Up till final October, the Dodgers had a fame as postseason failures.

It wasnt an unwarranted distinction. In every of the earlier two seasons, the group had been upset within the Nationwide League Division Collection by lesser opponents within the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. The autumn earlier than that, their title protection flamed out in opposition to the underdog Atlanta Braves within the NL Championship Collection. Sure, they gained a World Collection within the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. However outdoors of that, itd been greater than three a long time since they final triumphed beneath typical circumstances.

That checkered historical past weighed on them. Their urgency to alter it in final years playoffs was fervent.

That sort of bitter style that you’ve got while you make an early exit from the postseason, our guys are bored with it, supervisor Dave Roberts stated on the eve of final years postseason. So that is one other alternative. I do sense that edge.

This week, in fact, the Dodgers face a special sort of dynamic.

Learn extra: ‘That’s why I got here right here.’ Dodgers wager on Blake Snell’s potential as a postseason ace

After their memorable run to a championship final 12 months, the group has gotten the monkey of its full-season title drought off its again. And whereas expectations are nonetheless excessive, with the Dodgers and their record-setting $400-million roster set to start the playoffs with a best-of-three wild-card spherical beginning Tuesday in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds, the questions on previous October disappointments have dissipated.

So, does the strain of this postseason really feel completely different?

“You’ll suppose, veteran third baseman Max Muncy stated. However the strain’s at all times going to be there. Particularly while you’re this group, while you’re the Los Angeles Dodgers, there’s plenty of expectations round you. There’s plenty of strain.

Certainly, after an underwhelming common season that noticed the Dodgers win the NL West for the twelfth time within the final 13 years, however fail to safe a first-round bye as one of many NLs prime two playoff seeds, the Dodgers have a brand new job earlier than them.

Erase the frustrations of their 93-win marketing campaign. Preserve the momentum they constructed with a 15-5 regular-season end. And recreate the desperation that carried them to the promised land final fall, as they attempt to change into MLBs first repeat champion in 25 years.

Learn extra: Plaschke: Dodgers hero Kirk Gibson now tries to be a hero for these battling Parkinson’s illness

For us, the problem is just not letting that strain get to you and discovering our rhythm, discovering what’s going to work for us this 12 months, Muncy stated. Every year the group has to search out their id after they get so far. You’ve gotten an id in the course of the common season, and it’s a must to discover a entire ‘nother id within the postseason.

The Dodgers most popular id for this years group figures to be the alternative of what labored final October.

Not like final 12 months, the group has a wholesome and star-studded beginning rotation coming into the playoffs. Additionally in contrast to final 12 months, the bullpen is a significant query mark regardless of an encouraging finish to the common season.

For the wild-card collection, it means the group will want massive innings out of Sport 1 starter Blake Snell, Sport 2 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and (if essential) Sport 3 starter Shohei Ohtani who’s being saved for the potential winner-take-all contest partially to assist handle his two-way workload.

Learn extra: Clayton Kershaw caps off legendary profession with a win, Dodgers full sweep of Mariners

Ideally, their manufacturing ought to ease the burden on a aid corps that ranked twenty first within the majors in ERA in the course of the common season, and has no clear-cut hierarchy for its most trusted arms.

The beginning pitching is significantly higher than it was final 12 months, Roberts stated Monday. That’s in all probability the most important distinction between final 12 months’s group.

Granted, the Dodgers do really feel higher about their bullpen proper now, due to the return of Roki Sasaki, the reallocation (at the least for this collection) of Emmet Sheehan and Tyler Glasnow from the rotation to aid roles, and up to date enhancements from Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott.

[We have] rather more confidence than we had a pair weeks in the past, Roberts stated of the bullpen. I believe that it’s as a result of these guys have proven the arrogance in themselves, the place they’re throwing the baseball. I believe final week we noticed guys extra on the assault setting the tone, versus pitching behind or pitching too cautious.

Nonetheless, its anyones guess as to who will pitch within the ninth inning, or be known as upon within the highest-leverage moments.

Shut, late contests can be greatest for the Dodgers to keep away from.

To that finish, the continuation of the Dodgers latest uptick on the plate would additionally assist. Throughout a dismal 22-32 stretch from July 4 to Sept. 6, the Dodgers ranked twenty seventh in scoring, struggling to beat accidents to a number of key items, slumps from a few of their greatest stars, and a common lack of constant execution in situational alternatives. Over their closing 20 video games, nevertheless, the lineup averaged an NL-best 5.55 runs per recreation behind late-season surges from Ohtani and Mookie Betts, plus team-wide enhancements whereas hitting with runners in scoring place.

The group is beginning to fireplace on all cylinders, lastly, Muncy stated. It’s one thing that we haven’t actually felt all 12 months.”

The Dodgers had excellent news on the damage entrance throughout Mondays group exercise at Dodger Stadium. Muncy, who missed the final 4 video games of the common season whereas battling leg bruises and what Roberts has described as different general physique points, is anticipated to be within the lineup. So too is Tommy Edman, who hasnt performed within the area since final Wednesday due to a lingering ankle damage.

Learn extra: 9 issues the Dodgers ought to have about going through the Reds within the NL wild-card collection

The massive query stays catcher Will Smith, who has been out since Sept. 9 with a proper hand fracture.

Roberts stated Monday the group has been inspired with Smiths latest progress. The slugger was even capable of take dwell at-bats Monday night time.

If he can get via right this moment and really feel good, Roberts stated, then it’s a viable thought that he may very well be on the ultimate 26-man roster the Dodgers must submit forward of Tuesdays recreation for the wild-card collection.

Both approach, the Dodgers greatest concern stays on sustaining their latest stage of play. Erasing previous October failures would possibly not be a motivation. However, like Muncy, Roberts stated the urgency to win one other World Collection stays the identical.

I don’t know if it’s simpler or more durable that we gained final 12 months, Roberts stated. However, truthfully, all we care about is profitable this 12 months.

Join extra Dodgers information with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered initially of every collection.

This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.

CHICAGO — Bears coach Ben Johnson expressed remorse Monday over how his halftime interview throughout his crew’s Week 4 win towards the Las Vegas Raiders was acquired.

The Bears trailed 14-9 when Johnson was requested by CBS Sports activities sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala about his message to gamers after Chicago scored simply six factors off three turnovers within the first half.

Johnson mentioned he informed his crew, “That it wasn’t our model of soccer, we’re able to much more. We’re hitting the reset button right here at halftime and we’re going to come back again and set up our identification right here within the second half.”

Kinkhabwala adopted up by asking, “Do it is advisable to change what you’re doing?”

The coach recommended that he heard a press release about what his crew’s strategy must be within the second half moderately than a query, which led to a curt response. “I don’t know, you suppose so? We’re going to be simply advantageous,” he mentioned.

“Within the second I, truthfully, I didn’t suppose an excessive amount of of it,” Johnson mentioned Monday. “I’m sort of in sport mode. However once I look again at it, I’m somewhat bit dissatisfied with what that appears like. I didn’t hear very properly and that’s not an excuse, however once I thought I heard, it was not a query, however I wanted to make some adjustments, I didn’t take that very properly, so I’ll do a greater job with these going ahead.”

The Bears pulled off a 25-24 win on the highway when cornerback Josh Blackwell staved off the Raiders’ try at a last-second win by blocking Daniel Carlson’s 54-yard subject aim try.

Johnson, 39, credited his crew for the “character” it confirmed in clawing again the lead a number of instances within the second half whereas overcoming offensive struggles. The Bears coach mentioned he didn’t suppose that everybody on offense was “pulling their weight” by 4 video games, together with himself as a playcaller.

“Once you take a look at it as an entire, it was only a mess, man,” Johnson mentioned. “I’m simply not happy with what we placed on tape. I feel it’s a mirrored image of myself. I all the time take it personally. I noticed us getting higher the primary three weeks in loads of methods on offense, after which this was just a bit little bit of a step again for us. Like I mentioned, the bye week is coming at a great time, and we’re actually going to have the ability to take a great take a look at ourselves and perform a little soul looking out. It’s all the time good if you play that poorly and but you’re nonetheless in a position to come away with a win.”

It’s starting to look lots just like the NBA season with most groups conducting their media days on Monday.

The New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers had been the primary 5 groups to carry media days final week. The Knicks and 76ers journey to Abu Dhabi for 2 preseason video games, whereas the Pelicans are headed to Melbourne for 2 video games of their very own.

Subsequently, that left the rest of the league’s media days to Monday. From Kevin Durant with the Houston Rockets to Luka Doncic with the Los Angeles Lakers, listed here are the highest scenes from 2025 NBA media day.

Atlanta’s new “large three” of Jalen Johnson, Trae Younger and Kristaps Porzingis posed for photographs.

The Celtics let gamers write their very own posts on the group account — together with Jayson Tatum, whose publish included a photograph that includes his new coiffure for this season. The unofficial king of the end-of-the-quarter heave Payton Pritchard shared his ideas on the brand new rule change that misses will depend towards the group, not gamers.

Jaylen Brown introduced a particular visitor with him to media day — Invoice Nye, who had Brown communicate at his Hollywood star dedication ceremony final Monday.

The Nets challenged gamers — from Michael Porter Jr. to Terance Mann to Drew Timme — with a mind teaser, asking them to attract a sq. utilizing simply three traces.

Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel modeled Charlotte’s signature pinstripe threads.

Veteran middle Nikola Vucevic is able to embrace his function because the group’s elder statesman.

First-year Cavs level guard Lonzo Ball suited up in his new squad’s threads.

The Mavs’ “large three” — Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg — posed for photographs with a refined reminder that every participant was a No. 1 choose within the NBA draft. Flagg additionally mirrored on his viral assembly with Michael Jordan on the Ryder Cup.

Consolation ranges are excessive between Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas forward of Valanciunas’ first season within the Mile Excessive Metropolis. Jokic additionally lived as much as his “joker” nickname, sharing ideas on “Joker: Folie à Deux,” amongst different issues.

Jalen Duren, Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey introduced the vibes, dancing of their photoshoot.

With 31 mixed seasons underneath their belts, Stephen Curry and Draymond Inexperienced are set for the season.

Inexperienced additionally confirmed off his goofy facet with a pair of glasses that stated “growth.”

Kevin Durant likes what he sees from the youthful stars in Houston, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Monday additionally marked Durant’s thirty seventh birthday, so naturally he needed to share a birthday want.

Tyrese Haliburton was tasked to cease a timer at a selected mark — he nailed it on the spot.

It’s a well-recognized sight for Clippers followers at media day with Chris Paul again with the franchise. This season, the Clippers took their photographs at Intuit Dome, displaying off a candy arrange.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James posed collectively at their first media day collectively. After all, LeBron made positive to face subsequent to his son, Bronny.

Media day is a major alternative to look again, and the Grizzlies acknowledged the evolution from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., who enter their seventh yr collectively as teammates.

Nikola Jovic’s top was an excessive amount of for Jaime Jaquez Jr., who tried to match himself to the 6-foot-10 ahead.

The Bucks’ junior reporters returned for a second yr and instantly put Bobby Portis on the spot.

Jaden McDaniels celebrated his twenty fifth birthday on the Timberwolves’ media day.

The primary Pelicans media day for Jordan Poole included snapping photographs of recent draft choose Jeremiah Fears and posing with Zion Williamson and Herb Jones.

The Knicks opted for a first-day-of-school theme as gamers held indicators with prompts like “favourite colour.” Gamers additionally took their activate the placing inexperienced.

The defending champions introduced within the new marketing campaign by filming TikToks in addition to taking turns posting on the admin’s X account. Jalen Williams made positive to poke enjoyable at Alex Caruso, too.

The Magic utilized the .5 digital camera lens on iPhones for distinctive photographs, and showcased a fast rock, paper, scissors sport between Anthony Black and Jett Howard.

Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe confirmed off the dance strikes early, whereas Maxey took followers via his media day schedule.

Phoenix’s media day marked a major instance of acquainted faces in new locations with Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks. The Suns handed out constructive affirmations and requested gamers about who in NBA historical past doesn’t get sufficient love.

Damian Lillard is again in Portland, and posing in a Path Blazers jersey once more solely appears proper.

Keegan Murray acquired the festivities began for Sacramento, whereas DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine posed for his or her photographs.

Keldon Johnson fittingly rocked a cowboy hat in his media day video, whereas Victor Wembanyama stood with De’Aaron Fox and Rookie of the Yr Stephon Fortress.

Media day will be lengthy for some groups — the Raptors used ping pong to maintain spirits excessive.

An offseason of change introduced acquainted names in Kevin Love, Jusuf Nurkic and Kyle Anderson to Utah.

Selfies had been the secret for the Wizards, who additionally had some gamers take over their X account.

Boston Pink Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito won’t be on the energetic roster for the American League Wild Card Sequence towards the New York Yankees due to an elbow challenge, supervisor Alex Cora mentioned Monday.

The 31-year-old Giolito had been anticipated to start out the third sport of the best-of-three collection on Thursday, following Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello in Boston’s rotation. Recreation 1 begins Tuesday (6 p.m. ET, ESPN).

“He’s been battling together with his elbow the previous couple of days,” Cora mentioned. “… Hopefully it’s nothing main, however he received’t be prepared for this [series].”

Giolito, who’s 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 26 begins this season, was despatched to see Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, an orthopedic surgeon on the Andrews Sports activities Medication and Orthopaedic Heart in Alabama.

Cora mentioned Giolito’s velocity has been down, and he needed to minimize his most up-to-date bullpen session quick.

Dugas repaired the ulnar collateral ligament in Giolito’s proper elbow with inside brace surgical procedure on March 12 final 12 months.

Giolito additionally had Tommy John surgical procedure with Dr. Lewis Yocum on Sept. 13, 2012.

The Pink Sox supervisor mentioned Kyle Harrison and Connelly Early could possibly be choices for a Recreation 3, if wanted.

An All-Star in 2019, Giolito is 71-66 with a 4.30 ERA in 9 main league seasons with Washington (2016), the Chicago White Sox (2017-23), the Los Angeles Angels (2023), Cleveland (2023) and Boston (2025).

The Related Press contributed to this report.

The fourth Sunday of the NFL season featured fairly a little bit of motion and high-scoring performances, beginning with a morning sport in Dublin, Eire, and ending in Dallas with a sport that led to a tie. Total, six gamers scored 30 PPR factors, together with Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua and Las Vegas Raiders rookie RB Ashton Jeanty. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes turned again time to throw 4 TD passes.

Nevertheless, the large story in Week 4 was, as soon as once more, an damage. New York Giants star WR Malik Nabers tore the ACL in his proper knee in his group’s beautiful win over the Los Angeles Chargers. QB Jaxson Dart performed nicely. RB Cam Skattebo performed nicely. Fantasy managers misplaced Nabers — in lots of circumstances their first-round decide — for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Every Monday, earlier than the present NFL week ends, we’ll determine gamers accessible in a minimum of 50% of ESPN customary leagues worthy of your consideration, from customary codecs to deeper choices. The NFL is a weekly league, and participant valuation and roles seldom stay stagnant. It doesn’t matter the way you purchase gamers on your fantasy rosters, simply that you just get them.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (rostered in 21.1% of ESPN leagues): What a Sunday of blended feelings for the Giants. Dart’s first begin went nicely sufficient statistically, as he scored 19.84 PPR factors — primarily due to his 54 speeding yards and landing. Nevertheless, he tried solely 20 passes and was beneath heavy stress. Dart’s operating capability may make him look statistically like New England Patriots sophomore Drake Maye, which is probably particular in fantasy. Dart must be a QB2 this season even with a restricted group of receivers to throw to now that Nabers is out. No QB1 choices are on bye this week, however fantasy managers ought to add Dart anyway for a Week 5 street sport towards the New Orleans Saints … and past.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (9.4%): Darnold scored 16.08 PPR factors to open Week 4, a tricky Thursday win on the street towards the Arizona Cardinals. He continues to play environment friendly soccer. He has been mistake-free in three of 4 video games and has accomplished 70% of his passes. Darnold faces an overmatched Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary in Week 5.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

Woody Marks, Houston Texans (33.2%): Marks, a fourth-round decide from USC, didn’t see many probabilities over the primary three weeks, incomes simply 12 speeding makes an attempt, and he turned them into solely 44 yards. He additionally caught two passes. On Sunday, towards the woeful Tennessee Titans, the Texans cut up the work between the rookie and wily veteran Nick Chubb extra evenly. Marks turned his 21 touches into 119 yards and two touchdowns, together with his receiving work. That’s 27.9 PPR factors. Chubb scored 8.2. Benefit, Marks.

The Texans actually ought to depend on Marks transferring ahead, beginning in Week 5 towards the Baltimore Ravens, although this may stay a timeshare, and no person appears to know when or if Joe Mixon (foot) will play once more. Marks turns into a viable RB2 choice even towards the Ravens.

Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (35.6%): Starter Jaylen Warren (knee) was a shock inactive Sunday morning, and plenty of fantasy managers have been merely not ready to take away him from lineups. Others added Gainwell and have been rewarded with 31.4 PPR factors, the No. 3 RB efficiency from Week 4 (coming into Monday).

Gainwell may be value including this week regardless that the Steelers are on a bye in Week 5, as a result of we shouldn’t presume that Warren will probably be absolutely healed for Week 6 towards the Browns or past. This knee drawback may linger. Gainwell not often began over 4 seasons with the Eagles, and maybe he lacks the dimensions to deal with a daily position, however what he achieved Sunday was fairly spectacular.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

Wan’Dale Robinson (54.3%) and Darius Slayton (3.6%), New York Giants: Nicely, somebody must catch the soccer now that Nabers is finished, and these fellows mixed for six receptions on 9 targets Sunday. Robinson is way extra rostered, coming off a season through which he caught 93 passes, although he turned them right into a mere 699 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 5.0 yards per goal with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle throwing the soccer final season. Dart is best, and Robinson, speedy out of the slot and never a lot of a downfield risk, must be productive. Slayton will get downfield higher, however he doesn’t determine to see main quantity. Regardless, there’s a void on this offense. Robinson and Slayton should see alternative.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (67.8%): Goedert is rostered in additional than 50% of leagues, however he was began in a mere 15.2% of them in Week 4. He tallied a position-leading 19.7 PPR factors, and he has had three touchdowns over the previous two weeks. Goedert has been a relative disappointment in current seasons for each manufacturing and well being causes, however he appears to have a protected position in what has grow to be a wildly inconsistent Philadelphia offense.

Brenton Unusual, Jacksonville Jaguars (22.7%): A repeat identify from prior weeks, Unusual has six receptions on seven targets over consecutive weeks, which could not appear to be a lot, but it surely’s fairly good on this offense. Unusual leads the Jaguars with 19 receptions and 192 receiving yards.

Deep-league choices/streamers/random ideas

Arizona Cardinals (24.6%): The Cardinals D/ST has reached double-digit fantasy factors in only one sport (Week 2 towards the Carolina Panthers) and did so primarily due to an early fumble restoration for a landing. The Cardinals host Tennessee on Sunday, and the Titans didn’t rating in Week 4.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7%): It appears harmful to depend on the Jaguars for a Week 5 dwelling sport with the Chiefs, after seeing what Kansas Metropolis did to the Ravens on Sunday. Then once more, the Jaguars D/ST has scored double-digit PPR factors in three of 4 video games. That’s spectacular.

New York Giants (7.2%): The Giants have loads of different stuff happening, clearly, however the protection performed admirably towards Justin Herbert and the Chargers. In Week 5, the Giants hit the street towards the Saints. The Saints aren’t an offensive juggernaut. Then once more, one may make the case so as to add the Saints D/ST (0.6%) towards the Giants, too! Go together with the Giants first.

The Cleveland Browns are buying and selling for Houston Texans offensive deal with Cam Robinson by way of a swap of late-round picks in 2027, sources informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday.

The Browns had a necessity at offensive deal with after Dawand Jones suffered a season-ending harm in Week 3. He underwent surgical procedure final week to restore a torn LCL and hamstring avulsion.

Cleveland has used 4 totally different beginning offensive line mixtures in as many video games due to offensive deal with accidents. Along with Jones’ season-ending harm, proper deal with Jack Conklin has missed the previous three video games due to an elbow harm.

Backups KT Leveston and Cornelius Lucas have struggled with prolonged enjoying time. Leveston and Lucas rank 57th and 61st, respectively, out of 66 qualifying tackles in ESPN’s cross block win fee. The Browns’ offensive line ranks tenth in run block win fee however twenty seventh in cross block win fee.

Cleveland final week additionally signed Thayer Munford Jr. off the New England Patriots’ observe squad however he was inactive for the staff’s 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, a recreation by which quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked thrice and pressured 19 instances.

Robinson, who signed a one-year contract with Texans as a free agent in March, was inactive for Houston’s 26-0 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He appeared in Houston’s first three video games however made only one begin.

The Texans paid $8.75 million of Robinson’s $12 million 2025 contract by way of a signing bonus, so the Browns are solely on the hook for the proration of his $2 million base wage and $1.25 million in per-game roster bonuses. He additionally has $500,000 in incentives.

Within the offseason, Houston drafted left deal with Aireontae Ersery within the second spherical to compete with Robinson, who suffered a knee harm early in camp that knocked him out for a few weeks. Ersery took full benefit of the harm and snatched the beginning function.

However Robinson nonetheless began in Week 1 due to an harm to proper guard Ed Ingram. That compelled Houston to insert Robinson at left deal with whereas pushing Ersery to proper deal with whereas the unique proper deal with starter Tytus Howard went to proper guard.

However as soon as Ingram was wholesome sufficient to begin, Howard went again to proper deal with and Ersery returned to left deal with. That relegated Robinson to a backup function.

Robinson, 29, spent the primary 7½ years of his profession with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier than the Minnesota Vikings acquired him final season in Week 9 as a short lived substitute for injured left deal with Christian Darrisaw. He made his first begin for the Vikings 5 days after the commerce and made a complete of 11 begins, together with the postseason.

The Jaguars’ second-round choose in 2017, Robinson has made it by full seasons twice in his profession: 2020 and 2024. Accidents and a four-game suspension in 2023, for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug coverage, value him video games in all different seasons.

ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi and DJ Bien-Aime contributed to this report.