NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Schlittler has become an instant star for the New York Yankees, delivering a dominant performance against the rival Boston Red Sox in a playoff elimination game. The 24-year-old rookie pitched eight overpowering innings with 12 strikeouts and no walks as New York beat Boston 4-0, advancing to the Division Series against Toronto. Schlittler, who grew up a Red Sox fan in Massachusetts, prepared by speaking with Yankees great Andy Pettitte. Schlittler's fastball reached 100 mph, and the right-hander struck out more batters than any other Yankees pitcher in a postseason debut. New York manager Aaron Boone praised Schlittler's fearless approach.
CHICAGO (AP) — Dansby Swanson just kept making plays for the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series. Grounders up the middle and in the hole. Soft liners and popups. The shortstop, a two-time Gold Glove winner, was in the right place every time. With Swanson leading the way, Chicago turned in another sharp defensive performance while eliminating San Diego with a clinching 3-1 victory on Thursday. In a three-game series that had only 11 runs, the Cubs won with their gloves more than their bats.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Eddy Piñeiro hit a 41-yard field goal in overtime before San Francisco stopped Kyren Williams on fourth down with 3:36 to play, and the short-handed 49ers hung on for a thrilling 26-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Mac Jones passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers, who won it in OT after a frantic fourth quarter featuring Piñeiro’s tiebreaking 59-yard field goal with 2:52 left, Williams’ subsequent goal-line fumble and Joshua Karty’s tying 48-yard field goal for the Rams with 2 seconds to play. Matthew Stafford passed for 389 yards and three touchdowns for the Rams.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones was able to return after appearing to hurt his left knee in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams. Jones took a blind-side hit from Rams linebacker Byron Young on third-and-goal midway through the third quarter with the 49ers leading 17-7. He was already wearing a brace on the knee and grabbed at it while down on the turf. But after appearing to be in significant pain, Jones eventually popped back up and jogged off the field. He tested his mobility on the sideline and came back in following a touchdown drive by the Rams. The 49ers won 27-20 in overtime.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dillon Dingler grew up rooting for the Cleveland Guardians. But on Thursday, he sent them home. Playing in the ballpark where he attended many games as a youngster, the second-year catcher hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 6-3 victory over Cleveland in the decisive Game 3 of their AL Wild Card Series. Dingler also threw out José Ramírez trying to steal second at a pivotal juncture, helping the Tigers reach the Division Series for the second consecutive season. Dingler was raised about 55 miles from Cleveland in Massillon, Ohio. Detroit manager A.J. Hinch praised Dingler's stability and presence for the team. The Tigers now prepare to face Seattle in a best-of-five Division Series starting Saturday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan McMahon looked up and saw Jarren Duran’s foul popup veering toward the Boston bench. Without hesitation, the New York Yankees third baseman raced over. As he made a running catch, McMahon hit the padded railing and flipped head over heels into the Red Sox dugout, crashing to the ground while hanging onto the ball. McMahon’s courageous catch in the eighth inning Thursday night helped New York close out a 4-0 win over Boston in the deciding Game 3 of their AL Wild Card Series, advancing the Yankees to a best-of-five Division Series against Toronto. It was a play that brought back memories of shortstop Derek Jeter’s famous grab for New York when he crashed into the Yankee Stadium seats against the Red Sox in July 2004.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark says WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hasn’t reached out to her in the aftermath of Napheesa Collier’s statement about an alleged private conversation in which the league’s leader made comments about Clark. The Indiana Fever guard spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since the league’s All-Star Game in July. Clark said Minnesota Lynx star Collier made valid points in her lengthy statement that criticized league officials, particularly Engelbert, for what Collier portrayed as a lack of accountability and care for WNBA players.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas and Phoenix have both reached the WNBA Finals after overcoming significant challenges. The Aces narrowly defeated Seattle and Indiana, while the Mercury staged a comeback against Minnesota. The Finals, starting Friday, will be a best-of-seven series for the first time. Las Vegas aims for a third title in four years, while Phoenix seeks to tie the record for most championships. Despite regular-season results, both teams emphasize the unpredictability of playoff basketball. The Aces-Fever series drew record viewership, highlighting the growing interest in the league.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department will increase staffing at certain U.S. embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from soccer fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year. The department will send hundreds of additional consular officers to “designated countries” to handle the demand for visa interviews. The number of staffers and the countries where they will go have yet to be determined because the 48-team field for the 2026 World Cup hasn't been finalized. Fans from the mainly European and Asian countries in the Visa Waiver Program won't likely require an interview.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and cornerback Nate Wiggins were back at practice for the Baltimore Ravens, but star quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety Kyle Hamilton were absent during the portion open to reporters. Hamilton did not seem injured during last weekend’s loss at Kansas City, but he showed up on Wednesday’s injury report as limited in that day’s practice because of a groin issue. He was not on the field early in Thursday’s session. Neither were linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The returns of Stanley and Wiggins were encouraging, however, for a depleted Baltimore team that needs all the healthy players it can find this weekend against Houston.
Finals
AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Detroit 6 Cleveland 3
Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Boston 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final Chicago Cubs 3 San Diego 1
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final OT San Francisco 26 L.A. Rams 23