Update on the latest sports
APMLB-SCHEDULE
Yanks’ Cole faces Blue Jays with wild card in sight
UNDATED (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes what might be his final start of the regular season in a critical showdown against Toronto. New York opened the three-game series Tuesday night two games ahead of the Blue Jays for the top AL wild card.
Cole will try to strengthen the Yanks’ grip on a postseason spot while also solidifying his Cy Young Award candidacy. The four-time All-Star has never won the prize for baseball’s top pitchers. Cole beat Boston last Friday for his AL-leading 16th win.
José Berríos starts Wednesday night for Toronto. Berrios struck out eight and pitched two-run ball over 6 2/3 innings against the Yankees on Sept. 9.
Cole could wind up pitching again Sunday against the AL East-champion Rays on short rest if it’s critical to the Yankees’ postseason chances. If not, he’d be available on regular rest for a potential Game 163 on Monday or for the AL wild-card game Tuesday.
Boston lost to Baltimore Tuesday night to fall two games behind the Yankees and will continue a three-game set against the last-place Orioles.
In other Wednesday highlights:
— NL Cy Young contender Max Scherzer tries to recover from his first tough start since a midseason trade to the Dodgers in a showdown with San Diego. Scherzer allowed five runs in five innings to the Rockies at Coors Field last Thursday, letting his ERA rise to 1.43 in 10 starts after being acquired from Washington. The Dodgers rallied and won that game in Colorado, preserving Scherzer’s perfect 7-0 record with Los Angeles. Left-hander Ryan Weathers starts for the Padres.
— The Braves can get within striking distance of clinching the NL East with a win over Philadelphia. Atlanta took the opener of their three-game set last night to pull 3 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Phillies, trimming their magic number to secure a fourth straight division title to three. Atlanta left-hander Max Fried (freed) is set to face righty Aaron Nola for the Phillies, who were knocked out of the NL wild-card race Tuesday when St. Louis beat Milwaukee and can only make the postseason by winning the division.
— The Mariners have won 10 of 12 to charge into the thick of the AL wild-card race and enter their series finale against Oakland trailing the Red Sox by half a game for the final postseason spot. Right-hander Logan Gilbert is set to face A’s righty Frankie Montas, with Seattle seeking a critical sweep. The Mariners are also still in the AL West chase, but Houston can clinch with either a victory over Tampa Bay or a loss by Seattle.
— The Giants will continue their pursuit of an NL West title without slugger Brandon Belt, who went on the injured list Tuesday with a broken left thumb. The injury is a big blow for the NL West leaders, who began a home series with the Diamondbacks Tuesday night trying for their first division title since 2012. San Francisco and the Dodgers both won, keeping the Giants two games ahead of the eight-time defending NL West champs with five games left for each team.
NFL-NEWS
Bucs add CB Richard Sherman to injury-ravaged secondary
UNDATED (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed Richard Sherman, a three-time All-Pro cornerback who has been dealing with legal issues in the offseason.
Sherman got a one-year deal and said Tom Brady helped recruit him to the defending Super Bowl champions. They have been hit hard by injuries to their secondary.
Sherman was involved in several incidents during the summer, including being arrested on domestic violence charges at the home of his wife’s parents in Redmond, Washington.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Sherman spent the last three seasons with San Francisco. Before that, he was one of the NFL’s top defenders with Seattle. He helped the Seahawks win the 2013 title and go to the Super Bowl the next season.
In other NFL news:
— The Baltimore Ravens have activated receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin from injured reserve. They also activated defensive lineman Justin Madubuike and linebacker Justin Houston from the reserve/COVID-19 list. A first-round draft pick this year, Bateman had been out with groin problems. Boykin had a hamstring injury. The moves left only linebacker Jaylon Ferguson on the COVID-19 list for Baltimore. The Ravens play at Denver this weekend. The Ravens were hoping Bateman would be a key addition to their receiving corps this year but he’s been unable to contribute so far. He caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards at Minnesota in 2019.
— The Chicago Bears have taken a major step toward moving out of their longtime home at Soldier Field and into the suburbs by signing a purchase agreement for Arlington Park, about 30 miles northwest of the city. The team made the announcement in a news release. Churchill Downs Incorporated, which owns the property officially known as Arlington International Racecourse, announced that the sale price was $197.2 million. Team president Ted Phillips says that “much work remains to be completed” before the deal can be finalized. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightoot’s office says it remains open to discussions to keep the team from leaving what has been its lakefront home since 1971.
SOCCER-WORLD CUP-US ROSTER
Pulisic, Reyna to miss US qualifiers, McKennie returns
NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna will miss the United States’ next three World Cup qualifiers because of injuries, and Weston McKennie is back on the roster after being dropped for two games for violating team COVID-19 protocols.
D.C. United winger Paul Arriola, Columbus forward Gyasi Zardes, Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah and Lille forward Tim Weah were on the 27-man roster announced Wednesday after missing qualifiers this month because of injuries.
Valencia midfielder Gianluca Busio and Mallorca forward Matthew Hoppe were picked after settling in with new clubs, added along with Tenerife right back Shaq Moore.
The U.S. plays Jamaica at Austin, Texas, on Oct. 7, is at Panama three days later and hosts Costa Rica on Oct. 13 at Columbus, Ohio.
