Sports news summaries — Page 69
Essential facts and source links for recent sports stories.
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Pirates host Cardinals as Skenes makes his final start of the season
At 12:35 p.m. ET on Sept. 24, 2026, Pittsburgh hosts St. Louis at PNC Park for the three-game series finale and its last home game. Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.91 ERA) makes his final start of the season against Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy (10-5, 3.65 ERA). -
ESPN’s 2026 MLB report card puts Brewers and Rays at the top
ESPN gave the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays the only A+ grades in its 2026 MLB report card; the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners each got an F. The Brewers set a franchise wins record, and the Rays clinched the AL’s best record. -
Schefter: Giants have not called Vikings about J.J. McCarthy
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Giants have not contacted Minnesota about trading for J.J. McCarthy after Jaxson Dart was lost for the season Monday. The Vikings have three quarterbacks with injury histories, and the article argues that makes a McCarthy deal unlikely. -
Devils pencil in Jake Allen as starter for 2026-27 season
Jake Allen is penciled in as New Jersey’s 2026-27 starter after Jacob Markstrom moved to Florida; Nico Daws is the likely backup. Allen’s expected workload increase and Daws’s limited NHL experience leave questions; David Rittich is likely to start in Utica as depth. -
Brissett cites Wilson’s $25 million deal while defending Harrison
After Arizona's 31-7 loss to Seattle, quarterback Jacoby Brissett defended Marvin Harrison Jr. by pointing to Michael Wilson's offseason contract. Wilson, whose three-year deal averages $25 million a season, had two catches for 18 yards on seven targets. -
Padres’ 5-1 win over the Dodgers puts them atop NL Wild Card standings
San Diego beat Los Angeles 5-1 Wednesday to even their series, with Manny Machado’s fourth-inning homer giving the Padres a lead they never lost. Losses by Chicago and Philadelphia moved San Diego into the NL’s top Wild Card spot. -
After an 0-2 opening, Falcons have four areas to fix before primetime stretch
After starting 0-2, Atlanta needs better quarterback play, a steadier offensive line, tighter secondary coverage and sharper play-calling, the analysis argues. Michael Penix Jr. is expected back Thursday against Green Bay after Cooper Rush struggled under center. -
Between the Links examines Van’s defense and Tsarukyan’s UFC 331 win
MMA Fighting’s “Between the Links” panel will examine UFC 331 fallout: Joshua Van defended his title against Alexandre Pantoja, while Arman Tsarukyan knocked out Mauricio Ruffy to earn a shot at Justin Gaethje and the lightweight title. -
Josh Naylor reflects on a tough Mariners year and mentoring young players
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor said the team had a tough 2026 and did not achieve its goals; in his first full season with Seattle, he has focused on mentoring younger infielders and connecting with the local community. -
Jaxson Dart out for regular season as Smith urges Giants to pursue Shedeur Sanders
Stephen A. Smith urged the New York Giants to pursue Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders after Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season. No trade is reported, and Jameis Winston is set to start for New York. -
Aaron Judge seeks Yankees’ Wild Card return after Grade 2 calf strain
Aaron Judge says he is working to play in the Yankees’ Wild Card opener against Boston next Tuesday, less than two weeks after a Grade 2 calf strain. New York has not decided whether to roster him; manager Aaron Boone says they will see how he heals. -
Duke football aims for 4-0 start and eighth straight win over William & Mary
Undefeated Duke (3-0) hosts William & Mary (2-2) at 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium, seeking a 4-0 start and an eighth straight win dating to last season. William & Mary has lost its last two games; the matchup will stream on ACCNX. -
Brady says Ja’Marr Chase’s Week 2 TD catch could be season’s best
Tom Brady called Ja’Marr Chase’s twisting sideline touchdown catch in Cincinnati’s 20-6 win over Houston a possible catch of the year. Chase caught two touchdown passes in Week 2 after struggling in the season opener, as Cincinnati opened 2026 with consecutive wins. -
Family says Darrell Waltrip has frontotemporal degeneration
Darrell Waltrip, 79, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, his family says; they also cite potential complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy linked to his racing career. His symptoms are currently minor, but the family says the condition will progress. -
Skinner, Blandin and Lean join Cadillac's F1 technical leadership
Cadillac's Formula 1 team has appointed Craig Skinner as chief development engineer, Eric Blandin as head of aerodynamics and Tim Lean as a chief engineer leading aerodynamics modeling and simulation, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. -
Mark Messier condemns Edmonton’s decision to hire Mike Babcock
Mark Messier criticized Edmonton’s hiring of Mike Babcock as head coach, saying he was “horrified” and “absolutely shocked.” The six-time Stanley Cup champion also pointed to reports from reputable sources about Babcock’s character and treatment of people during his NHL career. -
Mark Messier calls Oilers' Babcock hire shocking, questions team structure
Mark Messier said he was “absolutely shocked” by the Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock as head coach, citing stories from people he called reputable about players’ treatment. He also questioned whether the team separates management, coaches and players. -
Mets designate Xzavion Curry for assignment; Phillip Abner likely to take his roster spot
Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Mets designated Xzavion Curry for assignment; lefty Phillip Abner, claimed by New York on Wednesday, is likely to take his roster spot. Curry allowed 13 earned runs on 22 hits in 21⅓ innings over nine Mets appearances. -
Arizona beats Colorado, keeps wild-card elimination number at two
The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies to keep their National League wild-card hopes alive, with their elimination number still at two. They can catch Philadelphia by going 4-0 while the Phillies go 1-3 or worse, or by finishing 3-1 if Philadelphia loses all four. -
New Boise State beach volleyball photos put Nora Hayd back in spotlight
Boise State volleyball player Nora Hayd is back in the spotlight after the team published its beach volleyball yearbook ahead of the 2026 season. Fans shared photos online, renewing interest in the athlete whose season headshot went viral two years ago. -
Oregon’s 2-1 start leaves little room for error against No. 12 USC
No. 20 Oregon (2-1) faces No. 12 USC (4-0) Saturday after a Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State. With No. 7 Ohio State and No. 18 Michigan still on its schedule, a second defeat could severely damage Oregon’s Big Ten title and College Football Playoff chances. -
Brock Bowers expected to make season debut against Saints
Brock Bowers is expected to make his Raiders season debut Sunday at New Orleans, barring a setback, after missing the first two games following knee surgery. He is expected to have a major role, and it would be his first regular-season game with Kirk Cousins. -
Stafford gives Rams the offensive edge in Broncos matchup analysis
The preview gives the Rams offensive and coaching edges, citing Stafford's play and McVay's 9-2 record against Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Denver gets the defense and special-teams nod; Los Angeles ranks last in special-teams DVOA through two weeks.
