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AP Sports Digest

Posted 10/8/26

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

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UPCOMING

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SOC UEFA MEETING

DESCRIPTION: UEFA holds a meeting of its 55 member national associations, with FIFA governance issues expected to be among the topics discussed.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 3:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--DODGERS-ADVANCE

DESCRIPTION: By clinching the NL Division Series with Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have extra time to reset their rotation and bullpen for the National League Championship Series opening game on Sunday against Milwaukee or San Diego. By Charles Odum. 600 words, photos

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--JAGUARS-JONES

DESCRIPTION: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones reluctantly relives Saquon Barkley’s backward hurdle two years later and a few days before Jacksonville and Philadelphia meet again.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-INDIANA-NEBRASKA PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: LINCOLN, Neb. — With a huge home game on deck next week against Ohio State, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti hasn’t had to get creative to find a way to keep his players locked in on the task at hand. Not with a visit to Nebraska up next Saturday. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 625 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 6:10 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--SEC-THIS WEEK

DESCRIPTION: This week in the Southeastern Conference, No. 2 Georgia heads to No. 6 Alabama in a highly-anticipated Saturday night matchup. Meanwhile, Oklahoma and No. 1 Texas meet in the Red River Rivalry.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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CAR F1 SINGAPORE GP

DESCRIPTION: Formula 1 drivers speak with the media ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. Stories on merits.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--T25-GEORGIA-ALABAMA

DESCRIPTION: No. 2 visits No. 6 Alabama for a Saturday night showdown between top Southeastern Conference contenders. By Maura Carey, 600 words.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 12:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-TEXAS-OKLAHOMA PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Steve Sarkisian and No. 1 Texas certainly know what it feels like to go into their Red River rivalry game the second Saturday of October already with two losses, like Oklahoma has now. That was the exact position the Longhorns were in just a year ago, when they beat previously undefeated Sooners. By Stephen Hawkins. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Manchester City’s first match since the club was found guilty of large-scale financial wrongdoing comes on Sunday against Liverpool in the Premier League. Anfield is set to be a seething cauldron or rage and hate for the occasion. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BKC--BIG TEN POWER STRUCTURE

DESCRIPTION: With a trio of national titles in football, women’s basketball and men’s basketball, the Big Ten’s financial advantage may be having a real competitive impact. Was Michigan’s title last season an outlier or a sign of things to come? By Luke DeCock. Text, photos by 4 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBN--49ERS-SEAHAWKS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Games between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are typically intense with the two rivals often competing for NFC West supremacy. The Seahawks came out on top last season, winning a Week 18 showdown for the division title and a blowout in the divisional round against the 49ers before winning the Super Bowl on San Francisco’s home field with a raucous celebration in their rival’s locker room. The teams are now set to meet for the first time in the 2026 season when San Francisco visits Seattle.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--FOOTBALL UNFILTERED WITH ROB MAADDI

DESCRIPTION: Kenneth Walker III had moments of uncertainty after the Super Bowl MVP helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Lombardi Trophy in February. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--BUCCANEERS-COWBOYS

DESCRIPTION: Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 8:15 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--ALDS-GUARDIANS-WHITE SOX

DESCRIPTION: Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox take on Steven Kwan and the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of their AL Division Series. Cleveland avoided a sweep with a 9-3 win on Wednesday. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen.

UPCOMING: By 10/08/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--ALDS-RAYS-YANKEES-FAN INTERFERENCE

Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer for Yankees against Rays in Game 3 of ALDS

SUMMARY: Anthony Volpe was denied a tying home run for the New York Yankees in Game 3 of their AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays when a replay review determined a fan interfered with his drive to deep left field. The Yankees wound up losing 4-3 by the very run that was taken off the board and had their season end in a three-game sweep. Players and managers on both sides mostly agreed the right decision was made. The play came nearly 30 years to the day after young Yankees fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium to turn Derek Jeter’s drive into a home run during the 1996 American League Championship Series against Baltimore.

WORDS: 769 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 1:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0d928d3d03e0977c110c58fab89bc149&mediaType=text

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BBO--PADRES-ELIMINATED

Tatis, Padres eliminated from postseason by top-seeded Brewers in 4 games

SUMMARY: Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s 429-foot home run to straightaway center field leading off the third inning got the sellout crowd of 47,712 at Petco Park revved up and waving their yellow rally towels. That was pretty much the extent of the excitement for the long-suffering fans as the Padres once again fell short of their dream of winning their first World Series. Tatis’ second homer of the postseason tied the game at 1, but the Milwaukee Brewers went on to win 3-1 on Wednesday night to take their NL Division Series in four games.

WORDS: 434 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 1:30 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f188af6ae60f8743b41e161adaa6ab0b&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-BREWERS-PADRES

Brewers eliminate Padres with 3-1 win in Game 4, advance to NLCS rematch with Dodgers

SUMMARY: The Milwaukee Brewers advanced to the National League Championship Series for the second straight season with a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres to win their best-of-five Division Series 3-1. Garrett Mitchell tripled and scored the tiebreaking run on Jackson Chourio’s single in the fifth inning. Mitchell drove in Sal Frelick with Milwaukee’s first run, and Frelick added a sacrifice fly in the sixth as the Brewers snapped their 12-game postseason road losing streak since 2018. After fending off the surging Padres in four tight games, the 103-win Brewers will get an NLCS rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

WORDS: 671 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 1:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:895a6f0109ca3a153c4c2986040c8b39&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-YANKEES SWEPT

Yankees swept out of the AL Division Series by the Rays, extending their title drought to 17 years

SUMMARY: Max Fried gave up two home runs, the New York Yankees had one taken off the board by fan interference and then their season ended with a whimper. After Anthony Volpe’s would-be tying homer in the bottom of the sixth inning turned into a double on video review, the Yankees did not get a runner past second base. When leadoff hitter Trent Grisham struck out to end the ninth, it capped a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the AL Division Series and a series sweep that extends the Yankees’ championship drought to 17 years.

WORDS: 776 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 1:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:62282ef11798d271ec8ffa99bc0a3295&mediaType=text

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BKL--LIBERTY-NO TIMEOUT

Breanna Stewart says Liberty were told they did not have a reset timeout in overtime

SUMMARY: The New York Liberty opted not to advance the ball for a better shot at a tying 3-pointer, then said after their loss Wednesday night that officials told them they didn’t have a reset timeout left. Angel Reese made two free throws to give the Atlanta Dream a three-point lead with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime. The broadcast of the game showed that the Liberty had their reset, which is a WNBA rule allowing a team to advance the ball to halfcourt without going back to its bench to huddle. But Breanna Stewart said after missing the potential tying shot that a referee told her the Liberty didn’t have a reset remaining.

WORDS: 557 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 1:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fc940079ac132ba81f475abe3a360dfa&mediaType=text

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BKL--ACES-VALKYRIES

Burton’s 3-pointer with 41 seconds left helps send Valkyries past Aces 83-81 for 2-0 semifinals lead

SUMMARY: Veronica Burton hit a deep 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead with 41 seconds left and converted two free throws in the closing seconds, Tiffany Hayes had 21 points, and the Valkyries held off the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series. In a wild finish, Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left to give Las Vegas one last chance and Chelsea Gray grabbed the rebound and droved under the basket for a layup attempt. Kiah Stokes blocked the shot and Burton corralled the ball. The Valkyries moved a win away from reaching the WNBA Finals in just their second season. Game 3 is Friday night in Las Vegas.

WORDS: 573 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 12:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:66c0f058cbb4c5f96d2f760b53bff0b5&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-GUARDIANS-WHITE SOX

Jo Adell and José Ramírez star as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-3 to avoid elimination

SUMMARY: Jo Adell and José Ramírez powered Cleveland with a pair of two-out triples, and the Guardians avoided an AL Division Series sweep by cooling off the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory in Game 3. Adell’s three-run triple gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead in the third inning. Ramírez’s three-bagger drove in Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey for a 7-3 advantage in the eighth. The Guardians hit two triples in a postseason game for the first time in franchise history. Game 4 is Thursday in Chicago, with the White Sox leading 2-1 in the best-of-five matchup. Once again, they’ll try to clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since the 1906 World Series.

WORDS: 806 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 12:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:70785b1be4c6d65913e2848c6200bc86&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-RAYS-YANKEES

Rays beat Yankees 4-3 for 3-game Division Series sweep behind Mesa homer, fan interference call

SUMMARY: Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-3 with the help of a fan interference call for a three-game sweep of their AL Division Series. Ryan Vilade also homered for the Rays, who reached the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2020 and host the Chicago White Sox or Cleveland Guardians in the opener on Monday. After Mesa’s homer gave the Rays a 4-2 lead, Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a two-run shot against Griffin Jax with two outs in the bottom half as a fan reached over the left-field wall and caught the ball. A video review left Volpe with an RBI double.

WORDS: 838 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 12:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e71d5fd859e9dee033f56d9c924d23e4&mediaType=text

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US--ELECTION 2026-TRUMP-FOOTBALL

The midterm elections won’t keep Trump from college football on Saturday. A hurricane might

SUMMARY: A hurricane is menacing the Gulf Coast, but President Donald Trump remains eager to attend a big college football game in Alabama on Saturday night. Trump hopes to visit Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Top 10 Alabama-Georgia matchup. Officials are still discussing how the storm might affect the game. Trump said on Wednesday that he doesn’t want to do anything to strain resources. His love of sports and large crowds are often key factors in his travel plans, even close to the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The White House sees the games as a way to energize Republicans, but others say mixing sports and politics can be risky.

WORDS: 1034 - MOVED: 10/08/2026 12:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d2d225c96500c42d412dd5d279872470&mediaType=text

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HKN--CAPITALS-CELEBRATING OVECHKIN

Ovechkin’s sons introduce him before Washington’s home opener, and the Capitals top Pittsburgh 5-3

SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin’s sons Sergei and Ilya handled the task of announcing their father onto the ice before his final home opener. The Russian star then received a standing ovation before the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3. The 41-year-old Ovechkin announced earlier this week this would be his final season. The NHL’s career leader in goals did not add to his total of 929 on Wednesday. This was the 101st meeting between Ovechkin and Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, including playoffs. Neither managed a point. It was only the 11th time that’s happened, according to Sportradar.

WORDS: 415 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 11:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9bf26bc67e1e6e93dad1e6de89e27b9&mediaType=text

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BKL--LIBERTY-DREAM

Reese scores 23, Hillmon makes go-ahead basket in OT as Dream beat Liberty 101-98 for a 2-0 lead

SUMMARY: Angel Reese scored 23 points, Naz Hillmon made the go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals. Reese scored six of her team’s 13 points in overtime. She made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left after Sabrina Ionescu overthrew a pass as Atlanta moved within one win of its first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013. Breanna Stewart scored 35 points for the Liberty. New York hosts Game 3 on Friday.

WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 11:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:441f1719338160dd42a8308a7dc34b74&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-DODGERS-BRAVES

Pages delivers go-ahead single in 7th as Dodgers beat Braves 4-1 to clinch NL Division Series

SUMMARY: Andy Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 to clinch their NL Division Series. The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the best-of-five matchup 3-1 and advance to the National League Championship Series as they seek to become the first NL team to win three straight World Series. The Dodgers will face Milwaukee or San Diego in the NLCS beginning Sunday. Pages lined a 3-2 pitch from Robert Suarez up the middle to drive in Teoscar Hernández and pinch-runner Tommy Edman.

WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 11:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e6f70cc747da347610157ec4b359979f&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-PADRES-MILLER

Mason Miller returns to Padres’ bullpen for Game 4 of NL Division Series after his son’s birth

SUMMARY: All-Star closer Mason Miller has returned to the San Diego Padres’ bullpen for Game 4 of the NL Division Series after missing one playoff game to be with his wife for the birth of their son. Miller says his wife, Jordan, gave birth to their son Tuesday night during the Padres’ Game 3 victory over Milwaukee. The Padres are hopeful that top setup man Adrian Morejon will be available after he was ruled out of Game 3 with shoulder discomfort. Manager Craig Stammen also said Michael King is available to pitch in Game 4 after throwing 14 innings over the Padres’ first five playoff games.

WORDS: 827 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 10:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:587265f445197616f40cbf4e70fe5480&mediaType=text

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BBO--BRAVES ELIMINATED

Ronald Acuña Jr. fights back tears after the Braves’ Division Series elimination by the Dodgers

SUMMARY: Ronald Acuña Jr. fought back tears and cut his postgame interview session short after the Atlanta Braves were eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Acuña struggled throughout the NL Division Series and went 0 for 3 in Wednesday night’s 4-1 loss in Game 4. He said through an interpreter that he feels like he did nothing to help the team. Acuña wasn’t the only Braves hitter who struggled against the Dodgers’ star-studded rotation. He combined with Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin to go 5 for 45 in the series with no homers and one RBI.

WORDS: 623 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 10:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c9f1ceabb149d1f85229ae83b8a234ca&mediaType=text

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BBO--GUARDIANS-RAMÍREZ DELIVERS

José Ramírez’s all-around performance helps the Guardians avoid elimination in ALDS Game 3

SUMMARY: Pretty typical game for José Ramírez, and that was a big deal for the Cleveland Guardians. Ramírez broke out of his batting slump, helping Cleveland avoid a sweep in its AL Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. The seven-time All-Star had two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice during the Guardians’ 9-3 victory in Game 3. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt called Ramírez one of the best players in the majors. The 34-year-old Ramírez also made a diving stop at third on Miguel Vargas’ bases-loaded smash in the sixth inning, preserving Cleveland’s 5-3 advantage.

WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 9:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4d0d2aefa5146f9be1f7e59bd4c3560a&mediaType=text

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FBN--49ERS-JUSZCZYK

49ers’ Juszczyk wins appeal on fine over ‘Juice’ chugging, NFL says drinking celebration allowed

SUMMARY: Kyle Juszczyk won his appeal over the fines issued by the NFL for his “Juice” celebration and the league later ruled that all drinking celebrations will be allowed going forward. Juszczyk was initially fined nearly $30,000 for two infractions of the league’s sportsmanship rules after celebrating two catches in a recent game by doing what he’s done for years: imitating drinking a beverage while the fans at Levi’s Stadium cheered “Juice!” for his nickname. The NFL and players’ union said such drinking celebrations will no longer result in fines.

WORDS: 534 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 5:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6499125eb7e20259af94b48a42fa9d4b&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-DODGERS-BRAVES-LINEUPS

Dodgers hold out Miguel Rojas due to sore back. Ronald Acuña Jr. is starting in RF for Braves

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Dodgers will not have second baseman Miguel Rojas available for Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Dave Roberts says Rojas is “not great” and would not be available off the bench, leaving his status uncertain if the Dodgers advance to the National League Championship Series. Rojas appeared to hurt his back on a swing in the eighth-inning in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over the Braves. Ronald Acuña Jr. is starting in right field for Atlanta after being moved to designated hitter due to right knee soreness on Tuesday night.

WORDS: 369 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 4:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fe987efc2c7154a31365a1ad347dfb0a&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV-RAHM

Jon Rahm says he won’t be part of the next version of LIV Golf

SUMMARY: Jon Rahm wants out of LIV Golf. An attorney for the Spanish star said in a bankruptcy court hearing in New Jersey that Rahm has looked at the proposal for LIV 2.0 and doesn’t want to take part. Still to come is a formal separation to get out of the remaining years of his LIV contract. And then it’s up to the PGA Tour to see if it wants back the two-time major champion and former world No. 1. The decision wasn’t a big surprise, but the hearing brought confirmation. LIV is trying to emerge from bankruptcy without Saudi Arabia funding.

WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 3:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:55d761bde37b26b86e819ea02b3d0c0d&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-BREWERS-GASSER

Brewers starting Robert Gasser to match up with Padres’ Walker Buehler in Game 4 of NLDS

SUMMARY: Left-hander Robert Gasser will start for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NL Division Series with the San Diego Padres. The Brewers announced Gasser as their starter on Wednesday. San Diego already had announced right-hander Walker Buehler as its starting pitcher. The Padres won 4-3 on Tuesday night to avoid elimination and trim Milwaukee’s lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1. Gasser was 5-5 with a 3.87 ERA during the regular season. He posted a 1.67 ERA in September.

WORDS: 291 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 3:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b882e2e248d457be732c4d281bf1dd9a&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The NFL has a record-tying 5 teams with an 0-4 record so far this season

SUMMARY: There’s a race to the bottom of the NFL standings four games into the season, including two surprisingly winless teams. A record-tying five teams are 0-4 one month in, marking just the seventh time that has happened in NFL history and the first since 2019. Some of the winless teams aren’t too surprising, with Miami there as part of a rebuild and Tennessee winless after back-to-back three-win seasons. The other winless teams are a bit more of a surprise, with Tampa Bay, Houston and the Los Angeles Chargers all entering the season as contenders.

WORDS: 930 - MOVED: 10/07/2026 2:55 p.m. EDT

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