LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out nine as the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the National League Division Series. On Wednesday night, the Dodgers broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning to beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4. After hitting five home runs in a 10-5 win on Tuesday, the Dodgers eliminated the Reds by playing small ball and rapping out 13 hits. Mookie Betts went 4 for 5 with three doubles. The Dodgers will face the Phillies in the NLDS starting Saturday in Philadelphia. The teams last met in the postseason in 2009.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is set to make his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers open the best-of-five series on Saturday in Philadelphia. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani as the starter after the Dodgers completed a sweep in the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night. Ohtani didn't pitch last season due to elbow surgery. He finished this regular season with a career-high 55 home runs. Ohtani never made the playoffs during his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Roki Sasaki shined in his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, sealing their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a flawless ninth inning in the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday night. The rookie from Japan celebrated with his team after their 8-4 victory, which advanced the Dodgers to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Sasaki's performance included striking out two batters with 100-mph pitches. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Sasaki's ability to handle high-pressure situations. Sasaki's journey has seen ups and downs, including a shoulder injury earlier this year.
Goncalo Ramos struck a 90th-minute winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League. Defending champion PSG trailed 1-0 but even without its star trio of forwards Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the French giant had enough to make it two wins from two in its title defense. Manchester City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Monaco after Eric Dier scored a 90th-minute penalty for the hosts. Villarreal and Juventus also ended 2-2 after Renato Veiga’s late equalizer. Arsenal beat Olympiakos 2-0.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll returned to coaching to take on the challenge of revitalizing the Las Vegas Raiders. The 74-year-old Carroll thrives on competition and in returning to the sidelines he joined a group of older coaches, like Geno Auriemma and Rick Pitino, who continue to succeed in their 70s. Experts say successful older coaches often have the resources to maintain their health and mental acuity. Carroll's energy and forward-thinking approach sets the tone for the Raiders.
NEW YORK (AP) — Left out of the starting lineup for the New York Yankees’ playoff opener, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was understandably unhappy. Any accomplished player would be. Chisholm just has a different way of letting off steam. He says he played “MLB: The Show” and routed his opponent — and that's how he blows off steam. Back at second base Wednesday night, Chisholm played a huge part in saving the Yankees’ season as they beat the rival Boston Red Sox 4-3 in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series. And this one was no video game.
CHICAGO (AP) — Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Mason Miller dominated again and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 to send their NL Wild Card Series to a decisive third game. Jackson Merrill hit an early sacrifice fly as San Diego avoided elimination after losing 3-1 on Tuesday. Dylan Cease struck out five in 3 2/3 innings before handing the ball to his team’s hard-throwing bullpen. The finale of the best-of-three series is back at Wrigley Field on Thursday. The playoff-tested Padres are looking for a repeat of 2020, when they dropped Game 1 in the wild-card round before advancing with two straight victories against St. Louis. Machado also homered in Game 2 of that series.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor homered during a five-run eighth inning and the Cleveland Guardians evened their AL Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers with a 6-1 victory in Game 2. George Valera also went deep as the Guardians forced a deciding game in the best-of-three series. The winner Thursday faces the Seattle Mariners in a Division Series. Javier Báez had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who were 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position and left 15 on base.
LONDON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has been reminded that FIFA and not government ultimately decides which cities will host World Cup games. Trump suggested last week he could declare cities “not safe” for the 104-game soccer tournament that the U.S., Canada and Mexico co-host next summer. That would alter a detailed hosting plan FIFA confirmed in 2022 that includes New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. FIFA would face logistical and legal issues to change before the June 11 kickoff. FIFA's vice president from Canada Victor Montagliani says in London “it’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions.”
Napheesa Collier, a Minnesota Lynx player and vice president of the WNBA players union, is preparing for tense negotiations with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The talks aim to reach a new collective bargaining agreement by Oct. 31. Players across the league, including MVP A’ja Wilson, support Collier's recent criticism of the WNBA and its leadership. The negotiations could impact free agency, with nearly every player not on a rookie contract becoming a free agent this offseason.
Finals
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Cleveland 6 Detroit 1
Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Boston 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final San Diego 3 Chicago Cubs 0
Final L.A. Dodgers 8 Cincinnati 4