Good Morning,
Back-to-back? Yes, the Yankees garnered the A-block story two days in a row. It\’s a good time to start clicking in New York. Plus, a golf outing pits the United States against the world and the Robert Sarver saga gets a new twist. Stay tuned for a special feature in tomorrow\’s weekend preview.
Letter Rip!
MLB
More Bronx Bombs
Yankees Hit Historic Slams 1 Inning & 21 Hours Apart
Back-to-back has a new meaning. The Yankees were our top story in Wednesday’s edition, and they earned the nod again this morning. After a 9th-inning walk-off grand slam from Giancarlo Stanton on Tuesday, New York opened Wednesday’s game against the Pirates with a 1st-inning slam from Oswaldo Cabrera. That makes the Yanks the first team in MLB history to hit grand slams in consecutive innings twice in one season. They also did it against the Pirates on July 6. In the 8th inning, Gleyber Torres hit a pair of jacks — yes, in the same inning — and New York rode the hot start to a 14-2 blowout. Their 90th win of the season extends the lead to 6.5 games in the AL East. They can close out the division this weekend against the Red Sox.
Watch: Yankees Make Grand Slam History in Rout of Pirates
MLB Quick-Hitters
Guardians Widen the Gap: Cleveland is running away with the AL Central after an 8-2 win over the White Sox on Wednesday. The Guardians have another date with Chicago tonight, but they’re 6-1 against the White Sox and Twins in the last seven games to extend their divisional lead to six games.
Vierling Snaps Phillies Skid: The Phillies have been fighting for their playoff lives in the midst of a five-game losing streak, but a walk-off single from Matt Vierling — with the bases loaded in the 10th inning — lifted Philly over Toronto (4-3) for a crucial streak-snapper. They’re still alive (for the moment).
Lyles Throws Complete Game: The Orioles may be out of the postseason picture, but pitcher Jordan Lyles gave Baltimore reason to celebrate on Wednesday. Lyles struck out six with just three hits and one run in a complete-game win over the Tigers (8-1).
Home Run Trackers
Aaron Judge: 60 (Season)
Albert Pujols: 698 (Career)
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GOLF
Presidents Cup 101
Everything You Need to Know Before the Showdown at Quail Hallow
After three years off, the Presidents Cup returns today from Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Presidents Cup pits the United States against international players in a team competition with four days of various play styles, similar to the Ryder Cup against the European team. Team USA is 11-1-1 in the history of the event since 1994. They haven’t lost since 1998 at Royal Melbourne. Expect the trend to continue with the U.S. boasting five players with top-10 rankings while the international team has zero. Here’s how things will play out this weekend:
Schedule & Format
Thursday: Foursomes (1:00—6:00 pm ET)
Friday: Fourball (11:30 am—6:00 pm ET)
Saturday: Foursomes & Fourball (7:00 am—6:00 pm ET)
Sunday: Singles (12:00—6:00 pm ET)
Notable Players
USA: S. Scheffler, P. Cantlay, J. Thomas, C. Morikawa, J. Spieth, X. Schauffele, T. Finau
International: H. Matsuyama, A. Scott, S. Im, C. Conners, M. Pereira, K.H. Lee
Additional Storylines
CBS Sports: Ranking All 24 Golfers Playing at Quail Hallow
CNN: Operation ‘Shock the World’: International Captain Trevor Immelman Aiming to Stun Team USA
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NBA
Sarver to Sell Suns
Robert Sarver Announces Plans to Sell Phoenix Suns & Mercury Franchises
An ownership change is coming to the NBA. Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver announced plans to sell the franchise yesterday following his one-year suspension and $10 million fine after an NBA investigation confirmed that he used a racial slur on multiple occasions. He was also involved in sexual inappropriate conversations with female employees.
The Sarver-Suns Timeline
An offseason investigation launched by the NBA produced numerous accounts of misconduct by the Suns owner, and the league office — which frequently leads the way in decision-making among sports governing bodies — levied down a suspension that seemed light. Players like LeBron James and Chris Paul spoke out. So, too, did Suns employees, sponsors and community members. Sarver was left with little choice but to step aside for the progress of the organization and community. The Suns are valued at $1.8 billion.
Additional Storylines
CNBC: Robert Sarver to Sell Suns & Mercury Amid Scandal, Suspension
Yahoo! Sports: Jeff Bezos & Bob Iger Linked to to Interest in Purchasing Suns
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THE STORYLINES
Imagine what the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets can do with a clean bill of health. They aren\’t the only ones who could shape next season\’s narrative. The following five clubs have a significant opportunity to surprise. (B/R)
We know a lot more about the USMNT\’s pool of World Cup hopefuls than we did a week ago. A few more twists before the main event, which is now exactly two months away, are all but guaranteed. (FOX Sports)
Just two weeks are not enough time to judge a coaching staff, let alone a team. But in the NFL, every week matters. And some coaches — both first-year hires and longtime veterans — certainly did more to help their teams than others in Week 2. (CBS Sports)
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THE HEADLINES
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NFL PICK \’EM
Week 3 Picks
Let’s reset the points! We’ll keep track of our season-long leaderboard as the year rolls on, but you can join the fun at any time for a shot at weekly prizes. Week 3 picks can be made until Sunday.
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TONIGHT\’S SCHEDULE
NFL
Steelers at Browns (8:15 pm ET)
College Football
West Virginia at Virginia Tech (7:30 pm ET)
MLB
Braves at Phillies (7:15 pm ET)
Red Sox at Yankees (7:15 pm ET)
Guardians at White Sox (8:10 pm ET)
UEFA Nations League
Belgium vs. Wales (2:45 pm ET)
Croatia vs. Denmark (2:45 pm ET)
France vs. Austria (2:45 pm ET)
Poland vs. Netherlands (2:45 pm ET)
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