MLB – Major League Baseball – Wild Card Round (best of three)
Yesterday
Detroit Tigers 2, Cleveland Guardians 1 (DET leads 1-0)
Chicago Cubs 3, San Diego Padres 1 (CHC leads 1-0)
Boston Red Sox 3, New York Yankees 1 (BOS leads 1-0)
Los Angeles Dodgers 10, Cincinnati Reds 5 (LAD leads 1-0)
Tigers 2, Guardians 1 – Tarik Skubal’s 14 strikeouts propel Tigers past Guardians in Game 1 of AL Wild Card
Tarik Skubal tied Detroit’s postseason record with 14 strikeouts and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. Will Vest got the final four outs for Detroit, surviving a tense ninth inning after Cleveland star Jose Ramírez got hung up between third base and home for the second out. The Tigers can advance to the AL Division Series for the second straight year with a win Wednesday. Detroit scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning when Zach McKinstry’s safety squeeze scored Riley Greene from third.
Cubs 3, Padres 1 – Suzuki and Kelly hit back-to-back homers as the Cubs top the Padres 3-1 in playoff opener
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series. Chicago also got a perfect performance from its bullpen in the franchise’s first playoff win since the 2017 National League Championship Series. The Cubs were swept by Miami in the wild-card round in 2020 during their last postseason appearance. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is back at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Padres finished with four hits in the opener.
Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 – Crochet pitches like an ace and lifts Red Sox over Yankees 3-1 in playoff opener
Garrett Crochet led the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in their AL Wild Card Series opener. He threw 117 pitches, the most in a postseason game in six years, striking out 11 batters and walking none over 7 2/3 innings. Crochet retired 17 consecutive batters after Anthony Volpe’s homer in the second. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in December, Crochet has become Boston’s ace, earning a $170 million contract starting next year. He went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA this season, leading the major leagues with 255 strikeouts and topping the AL with 205 1/3 innings.
Dodgers 10, Reds 5 – Ohtani hits 2 homers for Dodgers in playoff opener against Reds
Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. Ohtani’s first homer was a leadoff shot in the first inning. His second, a two-run drive in the sixth, extended the lead to 8-0. Ohtani hit a career-high 55 homers during the regular season, breaking his own franchise record. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said the two-way superstar would probably start on the mound if the series goes to a decisive third game. Ohtani has yet to pitch in the postseason.
Today
Detroit (Mize 14-6) at Cleveland (Bibee 12-11), 1:08 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 12:45p
San Diego (Cease 8-12) at Chicago, 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Boston (Bello 11-9) at New York (Rodón 18-9), 6:08 p.m
Cincinnati (Littell 10-8) at Los Angeles (Yamamoto 12-8), 9:08 p.m.
MLB – Skubal’s 14-strikeout gem gives Tigers playoff momentum after late-season swoon
Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland. Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 win Tuesday. Despite a challenging September, Skubal’s determination helped Detroit gain early momentum in the best-of-three series. He allowed just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings. Skubal’s fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and he effectively used his slider. His performance was crucial for Detroit, which had struggled against Cleveland in recent matchups.
WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association Playoffs – Semifinals (best of five)
Last Night
Las Vegas Aces 107, Indiana Fever 98 – OT (LVA wins 3-2)
Aces 107, Fever 98 – OT – Aces beat Fever 107-98 in OT of Game 5 of semis, advance to WNBA Finals
A’ja Wilson scored 35 points and Jackie Young added 32 to lead the Las Vegas Aces back to the WNBA Finals. The Aces held off Indiana 107-98 in overtime in Game 5 of the semifinals. The second-seeded Aces, who won the league title in 2022 and 2023, will host the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury on Friday. Indiana, despite being decimated by injuries, made Las Vegas work for the win. Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 15 points, left the game with a leg injury. The Aces took the lead early in overtime and didn’t give it up.
WNBA –Collier tells of private chat with Engelbert she said exposed a problematic leader
Napheesa Collier delivered a blistering assessment of the WNBA and its commissioner as she sat in front of the media with a prepared statement and disclosed private conversations she said she had with Cathy Engelbert that portrayed her as a leader who lacks accountability. The Minnesota Lynx star spoke Tuesday for more than four minutes on topics ranging from Caitlin Clark — and her value to the league — to inconsistent officiating, which she feels Engelbert and the WNBA haven’t addressed. Engelbert responded to Collier in a statement not long after the media session, saying she was disheartened by it.
NFL – Bears seek $855 million in public funding for infrastructure to build stadium
The Chicago Bears are seeking $855 million in public funding for infrastructure in order to build an enclosed stadium in the suburbs that could also host Super Bowls and Final Fours, according to a team consultant report. The report by real estate consulting firm HR&A Advisors Inc. says the $855 million would “set the stage” for a mixed-use development anchored by a stadium on a 326-acre tract of land in Arlington Heights that the team owns. That would cover costs for roads, sewers and changes to an adjacent commuter rail line. In a letter to fans three weeks ago, team president Kevin Warren said “this is the year” to finalize plans so the team could bid to host a Super Bowl “as soon as 2031.”
NHL – National Hockey League – Preseason
Last Night
Detroit Red Wings 3, Chicago Blackhawks 1
NHL – Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to richest deal in NHL history: $136 million over 8 years
The Minnesota Wild have signed Kirill Kaprizov to the richest contract in NHL history at $136 million over eight years. The record-setting deal was done on Tuesday. Kaprizov will count $17 million against the Wild’s salary cap beginning next season. That’s the highest annual average salary since the league’s cap era began in 2005. Kaprizov’s contract surpassed Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million annual average with Edmonton. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value. Only Ovechkin and Auston Matthews among current NHL players had more goals through 300 career games than Kaprizov.
NCAAWBB – NCAA moves 2028 Women’s Final Four to Lucas Oil Stadium to up capacity
The NCAA has decided to hold the 2028 Women’s Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis instead of the arena where the Pacers and Fever play their games. The change announced Tuesday means the event will gain approximately 13,000 seats. The plan is to play at around half of the capacity of the cavernous Colts stadium that holds 70,000 people for football games. The Division I Women’s Basketball Committee also voted to keep the preliminary round format of schools hosting first- and second-round games before regional sites for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.
MCCAA – Michigan Community College Athletic Association
Last Night
Women’s Volleyball
Lake Michigan College 3, Glen Oaks Community College 0
Southwestern Michigan College 3, Kellogg Community College 0
Today
Women’s Soccer
Lake Michigan College at Grand Rapids Community College, 2:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
Lake Michigan College at Grand Rapids Community College, 4:00 p.m.
MHSAA – Michigan High School Athletic Association
Last Night
Boys Soccer
SMAC Tournament
2 St. Joseph 3, 3 Lakeshore 0
1 Portage Central 6, 4 Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 0
5 Mattawan 5, 8 Gull Lake 0
7 Kalamazoo Central at 6 Portage Northern – N/A
10 Battle Creek Central 1, 9 Battle Creek Lakeview 1 – TIE
Boys Soccer
Saugatuck 8, Our Lady of the Lake 0
Cassopolis 2, Comstock 1
Girls Volleyball
Allegan 3, Bridgman 2
Fennville 3, Watervliet 0
Constantine 3, Lawton 0
Holland Black River 3, Gobles 2
Kalamazoo Hackett 3, Parchment 0
Bangor 3, Hartford 0
Cassopolis 3, Decatur 0
Tonight
Boys Soccer
New Buffalo at Michigan Lutheran, 5:00 p.m.
Covert at Eau Claire, 5:00 p.m.
Buchanan at Berrien Springs, 5:00 p.m.
Dowagiac at Brandywine, 5:00 p.m.
Parchment at Bridgman, 5:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Christian at Fennville, 5:00 p.m.
Lawton at Holland Black River, 5:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Hackett at Saugatuck, 5:30 p.m.
Rockford at South Haven, 6:30 p.m.
Bronson at Comstock, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Volleyball
St. Joseph at Battle Creek Lakeview, 6:30 p.m.
Lakeshore at Portage Northern, 6:30 p.m.
River Valley at Michigan Lutheran, 6:00 p.m.
Our Lady of the Lake at Watervliet Grace Christian, 6:00 p.m.
Parchment at Bridgman, 6:30 p.m.
Mattawan at Portage Central, 6:30 p.m.
Battle Creek Central at Gull Lake, 6:30 p.m.
Kalamazoo Central at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Golf
Wolverine Conference at Three Rivers (Pine View GC), 9:00 a.m.
Boys Tennis
Wolverine Conference Tournament at Sturgis, 8:30 a.m.
MHSAA – High School Football AP Rankings
DIVISION 1
1. Detroit Cass Tech (4) 5-0) 49 1
2. Detroit Catholic Central (1) (5-0) 46 2
3. Saline (5-0) 40 3
4. Davison (5-0) 34 4
5. Hudsonville (5-0) 21 7
6. Macomb Dakota (5-0) 19 5
6. Rockford (4-1) 19 9
8. West Bloomfield (5-0) 18 5
9. Grand Blanc (5-0) 12 10
10. Clarkston (4-1) 11 NR
Others receiving votes: 11. East Kentwood 3; 12. Howell 2; 13. Brighton 1.
DIVISION 2
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (4) (3-1) 48 1
2. Portage Central (1) (5-0) 44 2
3. Gibraltar Carlson (5-0) 41 3
4. Dexter (4-1) 37 4
5. Grosse Pointe South (5-0) 30 6
6. Muskegon (3-2) 21 9
7 .Midland Dow (4-1) 17 NR
8. Portage Northern (4-1) 11 NR
9. Muskegon Mona Shores (3-2) 10 6
10. South Lyon (5-0) 6 NR
10. Grand Rapids Northview (4-1) 6 9
Others receiving votes: 12. Walled Lake Western 4.
DIVISION 3
1. DeWitt (3) (5-0) 47 1
2. Detroit King (2) (3-2) 44 3
3. Mount Pleasant (5-0) 44 2
4. Niles (5-0) 35 5
5. Gaylord (5-0) 26 10
6. Zeeland West (4-1) 25 8
7. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (4-1) 13 6
8. Lowell (4-1) 11 4
9. Cedar Springs (4-1) 8 NR
10. Warren Fitzgerald (4-1) 4 NR
Others receiving votes: 11. Hastings 8; 12. Owosso 4; 12. Adrian 4; 12. Ypsilanti Lincoln 4.
DIVISION 4
1. Harper Woods (4) (5-0) 48 1
2. Goodrich (5-0) 42 2
3. Hudsonville Unity Christian (1) (5-0) 34 3
3. Dearborn Divine Child (5-0) 34 3
5. Williamston (5-0) 29 7
6. Chelsea (4-1) 21 5
7. Portland (5-0) 20 6
8. Escanaba (5-0) 12 NR
8. Macomb Lutheran North (5-0) 12 8
10. Freeland (4-1) 9
Others receiving votes: 11. Big Rapids 6; 12. Ludington 5; 13. Battle Creek Harper Creek 1; 13. Haslett 1.
DIVISION 5
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (4) (5-0) 49 1
2. Frankenmuth (1) (5-0) 40 2
3. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (5-0) 38 3
4. Grand Rapids West Catholic (4-1) 28 4
5. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (3-2) 27 5
6. Richmond (5-0) 24 9
7. Saginaw Swan Valley (4-1) 17 7
8. Armada (4-1) 14 8
9. Michigan Center (5-0) 11 6
10. West Branch Ogemaw Heights (4-1) NR
Others receiving votes: 11. Monroe Jefferson 9; Whitehall 5; Romulus Summit Academy 5.
DIVISION 6
1. Traverse City St. Francis (3) (5-0) 48 1
2. Almont (2) (5-0) 46 2
3. Montrose (5-0) 34 4
4. Jackson Lumen Christi (2-3) 32 3
5. Marine City (4-1) 29 7
6. Ecorse (5-0) 28 5
7. Warren Michigan Collegiate (4-1) 24 8
8. Kent City (5-0) 11 9
9. Kingsley (3-2) 10 6
10. Ida (4-1) 7 NR
Others receiving votes: 11. Detroit Edison 3; 11. Kalkaska 3; 11. Olivet 3; 13. Boyne City 2.
DIVISION 7
1. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (5) (5-0) 50 1
2. Ithaca (5-0) 43 2
3. Pewamo-Westphalia (5-0) 41 3
4. Menominee (5-0) 34 4
5. Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port Laker (5-0) 25 6
6. Millington (4-1) 17 7
7. Charlevoix (5-0) 14 7
8. Leslie (4-1) 10 5
9. Ottawa Lake-Whiteford (4-1) 9 9
10. North Muskegon (4-1) 8 NR
Others receiving votes: 11. Cass City 7; 11. Schoolcraft 7; 13. Saginaw Valley Lutheran 5; 13. Clinton 5.
DIVISION 8
1. Hudson (3) (5-0) 46 1
(tie) Harbor Beach (1) (5-0) 46 2
3. Beal City (1) (5-0) 43 3
4. White Pigeon (5-0) 32 4
5. Fowler (4-1) 26 5
6. Springport (5-0) 21 6
7. Allen Park Cabrini (5-0) 20 9
8. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (4-1) 16 7
9. New Lothrop (4-1) 13 10
10. Maple City Glen Lake (3-1) 6 11
Others receiving votes: 11. Ubly 3; 11. Iron Mountain 3.
8-PLAYER, DIVISION 1
1. Indian River Inland Lakes (3) (5-0) 48 2
2. Norway (1) (5-0) 44 4
3. Martin (1) (5-0) 43 3
4. Kingston (5-0) 29 5
4. Pickford (4-1) 29 1
6. Blanchard Montabella (5-0) 26 5
7. Bessemer (5-0) 22 7
8. Merrill (4-1) 13 NR
9. Climax-Scotts (4-1) 8 NR
10. Bay City All Saints (3-2) 6 8
Others receiving votes: 11. Newberry 5; 12. Gobles 2.
8-PLAYER, DIVISION 2
1. Deckerville (3) (5-0) 47 1
2. Mendon (1) (5-0) 45 2
3. Onekama (1) (5-0) 40 3
4. Felch North Dickinson (5-0) 36 4
5. Portland St. Patrick (5-0) 29 5
6. Gaylord St. Mary (5-0) 21 6
7. Britton Deerfield (4-1) 20 7
8. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart (5-0) 19 8
9. Morrice (4-1) 7 10
10. Lake Linden-Hubbell (4-1) 5 NR
Others receiving votes: 11. Hillman 3; 12. Powers North Central 2; 13. Mio 1.