Sports
Hot at home of late, Rangers aim to sweep Jays
Sep 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) celebrates with Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (15) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers aim to continue their recent home success on Thursday afternoon as they vie for a three-game series sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas.
The Rangers (73-79) followed up a 13-run, 13-hit uprising in the series opener on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday. Adolis Garcia belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning for Texas, which improved to 8-2 over its last 10 games at Globe Life Field.
Rookie Wyatt Langford homered and reached base five times on Monday before leading off the sixth with a single on Tuesday.
“We haven’t seen the best of this guy,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said of the 22-year-old Langford.
“No. 1 because of his talent, but how hard he works and how committed he is to his craft. You can play him anywhere in the outfield, hit him anywhere in the top five, six spots in the order. He’s going to be a lot of fun to watch here in the next few years for the fans.”
Garcia has been fun for the fans in his own right. He followed up Langford’s single by crushing a first-pitch sinker over the wall in left field to provide all the offense the Rangers would need on Wednesday.
Alejandro Kirk extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games with a single to lead off the fifth inning on Wednesday for the Blue Jays (72-80).
The Rangers will send Kumar Rocker (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound for his second career start against fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-11, 4.02).
Rocker, 24, overcame a shaky start to his major league debut last Thursday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven over four innings. He was pulled after 74 pitches in Texas’ win over the Seattle Mariners.
“We got him where we wanted him, around 75 pitches, and he’s got to feel good about that start,” Bochy said. “I’m sure he was nervous out there, and then the first two guys get hits, and, you know, he’s got runners in scoring position, nobody out, and he made pitches when he had to. So it says a lot about him.”
Gausman, 33, saw his winless skid extend to three starts despite permitting two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
He went the distance in his last start versus Texas, yielding three runs on four hits in nine innings of a 7-3 home victory on July 27. He is 6-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts) against the Rangers.
Toronto’s Bo Bichette was a late scratch on Wednesday due to a right middle finger contusion sustained during pregame warmups. The move came one day after the two-time All-Star competed in his first game in two months after being activated from the injured list due to a calf strain.
Also, the Blue Jays announced infielder Will Wagner will undergo surgery on his left knee that will require at least four weeks of rest. He is the son of former major leaguer Billy Wagner.
“He’s probably a little bit relieved that he’s getting this taken care of now,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “He showed really well and he’s a guy we’re confident in and rightfully so.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Crew sign veteran free agent D Brooks Lennon
Aug 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta United defender Brooks Lennon (11) celebrates after a victory over Atlas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Columbus Crew have signed veteran defender Brooks Lennon in free agency.
Lennon, 28, is under contract through June 2027 with club options for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.
He has 12 goals and 42 assists in 257 MLS matches with Real Salt Lake (2017-19) and Atlanta United (2020-25).
“Brooks is a proven MLS player whose versatility and skill set are a good complement to our roster,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a news release on Tuesday. “He is a hard-working player whose professionalism and ability to impact the game in multiple ways will provide important depth and competition within our group heading into the remainder of the season.”
Columbus will return from the World Cup break on July 22 against visiting New York City FC.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Crew,” Lennon said. “It’s an incredible organization with amazing facilities, and the way Columbus likes to play fits my style perfectly. I can’t wait to get going … and bring home wins for our fans.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Best Bets for Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4 at Madison Square Garden
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The New York Knicks were living larger than Times Square when they opened the NBA Finals with two straight victories in San Antonio. But suddenly, the pressure is back on the Knicks after the Spurs delivered a big Game 3 triumph at Madison Square Garden.
New York badly needs to take Game 4 on Wednesday as a 3-1 lead sure beats being tied 2-2 with two of the final three games slated for San Antonio. And just imagine the worry the Knicks’ fans will feel if they start to sense the title drought since 1973 might continue.
The Spurs, of course, have pressures to deal with too. They don’t want to return to the Alamo City on the brink of elimination.
Spurs looked like a different team in Game 3
Digging the 0-2 hole in San Antonio put the Spurs in deep trouble but coach Mitch Johnson made adjustments and the Spurs played aggressively throughout the contest. Big man Victor Wembanyama looked fully in the moment while veterans Harrison Barnes (DNP) and Luke Kornet (nine minutes) were all but removed from the game plan.
Having three and sometimes four smaller athletic players who are solid with the ball to go with Wembanyama created positive advantages for San Antonio. Stephon Castle was sharp with 23 points while the Spurs worked around substandard shooting performances from De’Aaron Fox (4-of-14) and Dylan Harper (5-of-18).
The Knicks again saw Jalen Brunson (32 points) excel but Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with just 11 points and is scoreless in the fourth quarter in this series. New York’s offense will have to be better Wednesday if it wants to keep the lead in the series.
Spurs plus 2.5-point spread, -115 (DraftKings)
Wemby gets physical, finds comfort zone.
Wembanyama looked more like the third-place finisher in the MVP race when he scored 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting and committed just one turnover in Game 3. The rest of the stat line included eight rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots.
He also seemed more settled in than his shaky Game 1 outing (6-of-21 shooting, six turnovers) and late Game 2 mishaps (pass off Castle’s back, missed 3-pointer prior to the buzzer) and could be ready to take control of the series. He made 18 of 29 two-point shots the past two games after making just 4 of 12 in Game 1.
Wemby also wasn’t taking any guff on Monday, though his toss of Brunson to the floor was a big-time cheap shot. He’s going to be a marked man in the Garden for the rest of his career but expect him to produce big in Game 4.
Wembanyama to score 27-plus points, -121 (DraftKings)
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Brunson has a trusted friend named OG.
Brunson (30-plus points, +120) has attempted a whopping 81 shots in the series but is making them at just a 37% clip. His 11-of-25 showing in Game 3 was his most efficient effort and he simply will always be counted on to carry the offense in every game.
While Towns (18-plus points, -114) could rebound, OG Anunoby might be the best bet to be Brunson’s scoring sidekick in Game 4. Anunoby scored 28 points on just 13 shots (making nine) for his best output since twice scoring 29 points in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Anunoby is 8-of-18 from 3-point range and shooting 54.3% overall in the Finals. With Towns being 0-for-6 shooting in the fourth quarter in the series, the final 12 minutes should be Anunoby’s time to share scoring duties with Brunson and his over/under is low based on his Game 3 showing.
OG Anunoby to score 17-plus points, -109 (DraftKings)
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Colorado coach Deion Sanders now 'cancer free'
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced he is “cancer free” heading into the 2026 season.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer talked about his battle with bladder cancer Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”
“I’ve got my health back. I’ve got my swagger back,” said Sanders, 58. “Last year at this time I was fighting cancer, didn’t know which way it was going to go. … I’m fully back now. Last year at this time, it wasn’t a good look.
“We fought the battle and we won the battle fighting cancer. I’m cancer free. I’m good. Great doctors in Colorado that have brought me through. God has brought me through. I’m thankful I’m healthy.”
Sanders said he underwent 14 surgeries, including the removal of his bladder.
Colorado struggled to a 3-9 finish last season following a 9-4 campaign in 2025.
“I’m ready to go coach my butt off this season,” Sanders said. “I’m having a good time.”
Sanders is 16-21 with one bowl appearance through his first three seasons in Boulder.
The Buffaloes open the season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time All-Pro cornerback, Sanders played 14 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington and the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
–Field Level Media
Crew sign veteran free agent D Brooks Lennon
Best Bets for Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4 at Madison Square Garden
