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.

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UPCOMING

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SOC--GERMAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Harry Kane looks to continue his electric scoring form as Bayern Munich hosts Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga ahead of a Champions League visit to Pafos next week.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 4:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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SOC--FRENCH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Marseille visits Strasbourg in the French league looking to build on its surprise win over Paris Saint-Germain.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 4:45 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--ARIZONA-BRENNAN’S RIDE

DESCRIPTION: AVONDALE, Ariz. — Brent Brennan recently took a ride in a NASCAR as part of a collaboration between Phoenix Raceway and Arizona athletics. The Arizona football coach got a feel for pushing the limits in the car, just like he’s done with the football team so far this season. By John Marshall. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Espanyol aims to build on a strong start to the Spanish league season with a win over struggling Girona.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--METS-MARLINS

DESCRIPTION: New York plays Miami at loanDepot park. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 7:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--RANGERS-GUARDIANS

DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Guardians, who are tied for the lead in the AL Central, host the Texas Rangers. The Guardians have a magic number of 2 to clinch a postseason spot. By Joe Reedy. 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 7:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--ACES-FEVER

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLLIS -- The Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces meet in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals in Indianapolis. Indiana surprised the second-seeded Aces with a road win in Game 1. Las Vegas has won two of the last three league titles. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 400 words, with photos. Game time is 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC-NWSL ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: The Portland Thorns visit Gotham FC, the Chicago Stars visit the Kansas City Current and the San Diego Wave host the Orlando Pride. By Theo Lloyd-Hughes.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--ORIOLES-YANKEES

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — With the Yankees and Toronto tied for the AL East lead going into the final weekend, Will Warren (8-8) starts a series opener for New York against the Baltimore Orioles and Trevor Rogers (9-2). 300 words, photos, starts 7:05 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 10:05 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--TIGERS-RED SOX

DESCRIPTION: BOSTON -- The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox play for playoff berths in the final series of the regular season. By Jimmy Golen. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-FLORIDA STATE-VIRGINIA

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Eighth-ranked Florida State visits Virginia on Friday night. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--REDS-BREWERS

DESCRIPTION: MILWAUKEE - The Cincinnati Reds continue their pursuit of the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot as they open a three-game series with the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers. The scheduled starting pitchers are Cincinnati’s Zack Littell and Milwaukee’s Quinn Priester. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 300 words, with photos. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. EDT..

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 11:10 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-TCU-ARIZONA STATE

DESCRIPTION: TEMPE, Ariz. — No. 24 TCU faces a tough Big 12 opener at Arizona State. By John Marshall. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Starts at 9 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--LYNX-MERCURY

DESCRIPTION: PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury look to build on the momentum of their come-from-behind win in Game 2 when they host the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Game 3 of the WNBA playoff semifinals on Friday night. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos from 6:30 p.m. PT tipoff.

UPCOMING: By 09/26/2025 11:59 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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GLF--RYDER CUP

Bryson DeChambeau put a charge into the Ryder Cup crowd. Europe has snuffed it out

SUMMARY: Bryson DeChambeau delivered a rousing start to the Ryder Cup. Turns out that’s all it was during an opening session bathed in European blue. Jon Rahm won his fifth straight foursomes match and Europe had a 3-1 lead after the opening session. The notorious Bethpage Black crowd has been mostly silent because the scoreboard has been filled with European blue points. The Europeans won the first three matches with ease. None reached the 16th hole. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele saved the Americans from another opening session shutout when they won the anchor match just as President Donald Trump was arriving.

WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 1:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0b0c77a9ea1a443f901d11a665a93ad3&mediaType=text

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GLF--RYDER CUP-MAIN EVENT

Rahm and Hatton take down US power pair as Ryder Cup’s main event turns into a big Euro win

SUMMARY: A match that was supposed to be a tone-setter for the Americans at the Ryder Cup turned out to be just that. In a bad way. Bryson DeChambeau nearly drove the green and won the first hole in the kickoff match of foursomes. It turned out to be the only hole he and Justin Thomas would win all day. Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton took control of the match by winning two straight holes in on the front nine, then closed out a 4-and-3 win to help Europe take a 3-0 lead.

WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 1:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:48946fb576d5a82368cc8fe4c6637a87&mediaType=text

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GLF--RYDER CUP-RELIABLE EUROPE PAIRINGS

‘Fleetwood Mac,’ Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton deliver familiar Ryder Cup success for Europe

SUMMARY: While Europe did not run it back with the exact lineup that won in Rome two years ago, the two most reliable pairings got this Ryder Cup off to a dominant start against the U.S. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton shook off a troublesome few holes early to rally and beat Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4-and-3. And the “Fleetwood Mac” pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy rolled over Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5-and-4. Their victories, along with one by Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick, put Europe up 3-1.

WORDS: 501 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 12:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1e9941cdf56c9fdef05bad331ba1ed70&mediaType=text

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HKN--PANTHERS-BARKOV

Florida’s Aleksander Barkov has surgery, could miss entire season with knee injury

SUMMARY: Florida captain Aleksander Barkov could miss the entire regular season due to a knee injury, impacting the Panthers’ quest for a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Barkov got hurt Thursday during his first official practice of training camp and underwent surgery Friday. He is expected to miss several months, jeopardizing his season and his chance to represent Finland in the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. Barkov led the Panthers in assists last season and was second in points. This is the first time he faces an injury that could keep him out for an entire season.

WORDS: 381 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 11:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15c5b5669cbe136d39d8e800a16c6a39&mediaType=text

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FBN--IRELAND-STEELERS

In Ireland, Aaron Rodgers talks Guinness and NFL international growth

SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers was dressed in black, appropriately, to field questions about Guinness. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback spoke to the international media at a resort hotel where the team is staying ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Can’t avoid the Guinness questions in Ireland, it seems. He says “I don’t really drink beer, but if I do, I drink Guinness.” It would certainly taste better with a victory at Croke Park on Sunday, when Ireland joins the NFL’s growing list of host countries. The league is staging seven international games this season.

WORDS: 764 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 11:23 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:43d89871f45b6ff3fdf5cb8c159c8f50&mediaType=text

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FBC--TRADITION GLIMPSE-ANIMAL MASCOTS

From Ralphie to Uga, live animal mascots inspire fans and create deep connections with their teams

SUMMARY: Ralphie VII, the new live mascot for the Colorado Buffaloes, has made her debut, thrilling fans at Folsom Field. The year-old bison, weighing 700 pounds, ran across the field last weekend, marking the return of one of college football’s beloved live animal mascots. Ralphie VII had missed the first two home games as she got up to speed. Live mascots like Ralphie inspire fans and foster deep connections with their teams. Other famous live mascots include Georgia’s Uga, Texas’ Bevo, and LSU’s Mike the Tiger, each with their own unique traditions and fan followings.

WORDS: 1019 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 10:14 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8174d6f32f7e0d27610b272c75c68d5&mediaType=text

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BBO--AL EAST RACE

AL East race between Yankees and Blue Jays comes down to final weekend of season

SUMMARY: The race for first place in the AL East is even with three games to go. That means the division title will be determined this weekend by how the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees handle a pair of also-rans. After both teams won at home Thursday night, the Yankees and Blue Jays remain tied for the top spot — and the best record in the American League — at 91-68. New York hosts last-place Baltimore for three games beginning Friday night, while Toronto welcomes fourth-place Tampa Bay north of the border. The Yankees and Blue Jays are both headed to the playoffs regardless of their results over the next three days, but the division winner gets a first-round bye.

WORDS: 803 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 6:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2baf4257d878c37e0c7fb6e751ebeded&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-MUST-WINS

Already a must-win week for several NFL teams that entered the season with high expectations

SUMMARY: Four 2024 playoff teams are already facing a must-win in Week 4. The two-time defending AFC South champion Houston Texans are in the most desperate position. They can’t afford another loss. Only the 1992 Chargers made the playoffs after an 0-4 start. The Texans host the winless Tennessee Titans on Sunday. If they don’t figure things out against a rebuilding team, Houston has a problem. The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos also are in danger of falling further back with another loss.

WORDS: 866 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed6436a1a16cd237443b327bc7490b77&mediaType=text

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BBO--AL MVP RACE

Cal Raleigh makes history, but will the catcher’s 60 homers be enough to beat Aaron Judge for MVP?

SUMMARY: Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh has hit 60 home runs this season, joining an elite group in baseball history. He and Aaron Judge are the frontrunners for the American League MVP award. As of Thursday night, Raleigh was a slight favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Judge, however, leads in advanced stats like wins above replacement. No catcher — and no switch-hitter — has ever hit as many homers as Raleigh in a season. In that sense, he’s had a more historic year than Judge. Now it’s up to the voters to decide if it was more valuable.

WORDS: 785 - MOVED: 09/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a1bc82c35a32299e771f991a6b03bc0&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-BYU-RUSHING

DESCRIPTION: PROVO, Utah — BYU built its football reputation on high-flying passing offenses. Now the Cougars are finding success with a potent running attack. By John Coon. SENT: 600 words, photos.

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MOVING TOMORROW

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—Ryder Cup

—MLB games

—College football games

—Women’s Rugby World Cup final