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Astros look to bring out broom in series finale vs. Guardians

MLB: Houston Astros at Cleveland GuardiansSep 28, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Grae Kessinger (11) and first baseman Jon Singleton (28) celebrate after the Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Before the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros can completely focus on the postseason, they will square off one more time to close the regular season.

The visiting Astros will look to sweep a three-game series between division winners on Sunday afternoon.

The American League Central-champion Guardians (92-69) have a bye into the divisional round, which won’t start for them until Saturday. That will offer Cleveland players some welcomed extra rest and give the coaching staff a chance to line up its pitchers for the playoffs.

“They’ve earned every bit of this,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “For them to be able to get five days (off) next week leading up to it. … We couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.”

The Guardians, however, will try to gain some momentum entering the postseason by avoiding being swept at home for just the second time in 2024. Cleveland has totaled five runs in losing the first two games of this series.

However, star Jose Ramirez matched a career high with his 39th homer during Saturday’s 4-3 loss. With another home run Sunday, Ramirez would join Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani as the only players this season to record at least 40 homers and 40 stolen bases.

“It’s just been an unbelievable year to watch,” Vogt said of Ramirez, who has 41 steals, 39 doubles and 118 RBIs in 2024. “It will be fun to see what happens (Sunday).”

The Astros (88-73), meanwhile, won the AL West for a fourth consecutive season and will open postseason play at home Tuesday against either Detroit or Kansas City. Houston was 26-34 on June 2 but has gone 62-39 since to reclaim its place as one of baseball’s most consistently successful clubs for the last decade.

“I never lost hope,” first-year Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I knew we were going to find ourselves in a position to come and compete and win the West.”

Kyle Tucker and rookie Zach Dezenzo each had two hits Saturday for the Astros, who have won 11 of the last 16. Dezenzo, playing near his native Canton, Ohio, is 4-for-10 with two RBIs in this series.

Tucker is 14-for-30 in his last seven contests. With little to play for on Sunday, Tucker could get rested before Houston resumes play for the postseason.

The Astros will turn to promising right-hander Ryan Gusto on Sunday to make his major league debut in a starting role. Gusto, added to the Astros’ taxi squad this week, went 8-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 29 appearances (26 starts) while helping Triple-A Sugar Land win the Pacific Coast League title this season.

“I’m excited to be here,” Gusto said. “It’s a dream come true. I feel really good about my season.”

The Guardians will use right-hander Nick Sandlin (8-0, 3.75 ERA) as an opener on Sunday. They are expected to turn to regular starter Gavin Williams (3-10, 4.86) for the bulk of the work after that.

Sandlin is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 10 career relief appearances against the Astros, while Williams is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in one career start vs. Houston.

–Field Level Media

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Phillies snap 10-game skid with extra-inning defeat of Braves

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta BravesApr 25, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) runs to third on an RBI triple against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Bryce Harper’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning drove in two runs and sparked the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday to end their 10-game losing streak.

After Tyler Kinley (3-1) started the inning with a walk and left-hander Jose Suarez walked the first batter he faced, Harper, who was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, lined a sinker into left to drive in automatic runner Garrett Stubbs and Trea Turner. Brandon Marsh followed with a two-run single to widen the lead and help the Phillies win their first game since April 13.

Brady Keller (1-0) retired all four batters he faced, and Kyle Backhus pitched the 10th, allowing one run on two hits.

Philadelphia right-hander Zack Wheeler made his first appearance since August 15 of last year after missing time due to undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out six. He left after throwing 84 pitches.

Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, matching his season high, and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out two.

The Phillies scored a run in the first inning when Harper walked with two outs and scored when Adolis Garcia lined a ball to left field that Mike Yastrzemski missed on a dive for an RBI triple.

Philadelphia scored another run in the fourth inning when Bryson Stott smacked a triple off the right-field brick wall to score Brandon Marsh.

Atlanta tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Harris II hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and Austin Riley followed with an RBI double, knocking in the 500th run of his career.

The Phillies regained the lead in the fifth. Rafael Marchan singled and came around to score on Harper’s infield single which snapped Philadelphia’s 0-for-18 drought with runners in scoring position against the Braves this season.

The Braves took their first lead in the sixth, scoring twice against reliever Tanner Banks on an RBI double from Ozzie Albies and a run-scoring single from Harris.

The Phillies evened the game 4-4 in the eighth against Dylan Lee. Kyle Schwarber tripled when center fielder Eli White slipped on the wet turf and allowed the ball to get past him. He scored on Harper’s sacrifice fly.

–Field Level Media

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Timberwolves' Donte DiVincenzo (leg), Anthony Edwards (knee) exit early in win over Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver NuggetsApr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates after a three-pointer during the second half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out after injuring his lower right leg in the first quarter and was late joined on the sidelines by injured teammate Anthony Edwards in the first half of Saturday’s 112-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their playoff series in Minneapolis.

DiVincenzo sustained the injury on a non-contact play 79 seconds into the game. He planted his foot to go toward a loose ball, and he quickly went down as he grabbed toward the back of his right leg.

The team ruled out DiVincenzo before the end of the first quarter. ESPN reported that DiVincenzo, who left the arena at halftime in a wheelchair, hasa torn right Achilles.

Edwards, a four-time All-Star, appeared to hyperextend his left knee while leaping to defend Nuggets wing Cam Johnson’s drive to the basket with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly and grabbed his left knee. Edwards was helped to the locker room.

Minnesota ruled him out for the rest of the game just after halftime. Edwards, who had five points and three rebounds in 18 minutes, is slated to get an MRI to determine the injury’s severity.

The Timberwolves lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, with Game 5 on Monday in Denver.

DiVincenzo averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 37.9% from 3-point range during the regular season. He averaged 14.3 points in the first three games of the playoff series against the Nuggets.

-Field Level Media

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T-wolves beat Nuggets, lose Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo to injuries

NBA: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota TimberwolvesApr 25, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) defends against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 13-for-17 shooting, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 112-96 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The victory, which gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, came at a cost to the Timberwolves, who lost two starters due to injury.

Anthony Edwards, a four-time All-Star and the team’s top scorer, left in the second quarter and did not return because of a left knee injury. Edwards leaped to try to block a shot and landed awkwardly on his left leg, and he quickly dropped to the court and clutched his knee.

Team officials helped Edwards to his feet and he placed his arms around their shoulders. He put little weight on his left leg as he hobbled toward the locker room.

Earlier in the first half, Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo headed toward the locker room after he injured his right leg on a non-contact play. DiVincenzo planted his foot to pursue a loose ball and fell to the hardwood, and he grabbed the back of his right leg in pain.

Early reports indicated that DiVincenzo might have ruptured his Achilles tendon on the play.

Naz Reid added 17 points off the bench for Minnesota. Julius Randle finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high-tying 15 rebounds to go along with four points.

Jamal Murray scored 30 points on 10-for-25 shooting to lead Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. However, he shot 8-for-22 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Monday night.

Dosunmu took over in his teammates’ absence. He helped Minnesota outscore Denver 62-42 in the second half to take a commanding lead in the series.

The Nuggets led 76-74 late in the third quarter before Dosunmu helped Minnesota take charge. He made a pair of free throws as Minnesota finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to grab an 82-78 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Dosunmu continued to assert himself. He hit a driving layup and a pull-up bank shot to increase the Timberwolves’ lead to 95-82 with 7:53 to go.

Denver struggled to keep pace the rest of the way, and Jokic took exception to a layup by Jaden McDaniels with 2.1 seconds left. Jokic and Randle were ejected in the closing seconds after players from both teams shoved one another near the sidelines.

–Field Level Media

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