Niners Hold Off Cardinals To Remain Unbeaten

At Glendale, Arizona:

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns on Thursday night as the San Francisco 49ers (8-0 for the first time since 1990) held off the Arizona Cardinals (3-5-1) 28-25 on the road.

The AFL

Is it about to go the way of the recently-deceased AAF (and WFL, USFL, original XFL, NFL Europa)?

BRYCE WHO?: NATS COME FROM BEHIND, UPEND ASTROS FOR FIRST-EVER WORLD SERIES TITLE; STEPHEN STRASBURG NAMED SERIES MVP

At Houston:

Anthony Rendon (solo) and Howie Kendrick (two-run) each smacked a seventh-inning home run on Wednesday as the Washington Nationals came back from two runs down to overpower the Houston Astros 6-2 on the road in game seven to win the first World Series championship in their 51-year history----and the first world championship for a Washington-based club since 1924.

This marked the first time in Fall Classic history that the road team won every game.

Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who won both of his decisions---including Tuesday's critical game-six victory----was named series Most Valuable Player.

Here's Washington Juan Soto, holding the Commissioners Trophy following his team's historic victory.

USA Today Sports photo by Thomas B. Shea

MLS Cup Playoffs: Reds Knock Off Five Stripes In Atlanta, Get Another Shot At Sounders In MLS Cup Final

At Atlanta:

Nicolas Benezet (14') and Nick DeLeon (78') each scored a goal on Wednesday as Toronto FC knocked off Atlanta United 2-1 in Wednesday's MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final.

This will mark the third time in four years that the Reds will square off against the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup Final (at Seattle, Sunday November 10, 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time, ABC); the Sounders won in 2016, TFC in 2017.

Could It Be Finis......

For the AFL?

Magic Madge!

Here's a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer promotional photo of 1930s screen actress Madge Evans.

MLS Cup Playoffs: Sounders Knock Off LAFC To Reach 3rd Final In Four Years

At Los Angeles:

Raul Ruidiaz scored twice (22', 64') as the Seattle Sounders knocked off the Los Angeles Football Club 3-1 in Tuesday's Major League Soccer Western Conference Final on the road.

The Sounders will be playing in their third MLS Cup Final in the last four years on November 10 against the winner of Wednesday Eastern Conference Final between Atlanta United and visiting Toronto FC.

World Series: Nats Down Astros In Houston To Force Game Seven

At Houston:



Stephen Strasburg (that's him here) pitched 8 and 1/3 innings of solid, seven strikeout baseball while Anthony Rendon hit a home run and batted in five runs on Tuesday night as the Washington Nationals squared the World Series at three games apiece following their 7-2 road victory over the Houston Astros.

The Fall Classic, which has seen the visitors win all six games, will be decided on Wednesday night in Houston (5:07 PM Pacific Time, FOX).

USA Today Sports photo by Mike Ehrmann

World Series: Astros Bomb Nats Again For 3-2 Series Lead

At Washington:

Garrit Cole pitched seven solid innings of nine-strikeout baseball while George Springer, Yordan Alvarez, and Carlos Correa each belted a home run on Sunday as the Houston Astros again routed the Washington Nationals on the road, this time by seven runs to one to take a three-games-to-one World Series lead after sweeping the three games contested in the Nation's Capital.

The Astros can wrap up their second world championship in three years with a game-six victory at home back in Houston on Tuesday night (5:07 PM Pacific Time, FOX).

Here, we see dejected Nats pitcher Joe Ross, who surrendered four runs on two homers in Sunday's defeat.

USA Today Sports photo by Brad Mills.

Niners Skin Panthers At Home To Stay Unbeaten

At Santa Clara, California:

Running back Tevin Coleman ran for 105 yards and three of his four touchdowns on Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers (7-0)  demolished the visiting Carolina Panthers (4-3) 51-13 to stay unbeaten.

The Niners intercepted Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen three times.

Defensive lineman Nick Bosa grabbed one of the three interceptions while registering three sacks.

This is the first time that San Francisco has opened the season with seven wins since 1990, the third time in their history (the other time was in 1948, when they were playing in the old All-America Football Conference).

Ducks Reach #7 In AP Poll, #8 In Coaches' Rankings

Following their exciting Saturday home win that excised their Washington State demons of recent years, the Oregon Ducks climbed up four spots to #7 in the Associated Press college football poll released on Sunday.

The Ducks climbed up three spots to #8 in the USA Today/Amway Coaches poll that was also released on Sunday.

Riders Knock Off Eskimos In Edmonton

At Edmonton, Alberta:

Brett Luther kicked a 43-yard field goal in the final seconds on Saturday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-5) knocked off the Edmonton Eskimos (8-9) 27-24 as they tightened their hold on the top spot in the Canadian Football League's Western Division standings.

Ducks Pull Out Comeback Win Over Cougs At The Gun

At Eugene, Oregon:

Camden Lewis kicked the game-winning field goal from 26 yards out on Saturday night as the Oregon Ducks (#11 AP, Coaches; 7-1 overall, 5-0 in Pac-12 play) came from behind to upend the visiting Washington State Cougars (4-4, 1-4) 37-35 for their seventh straight victory while ending a four-game losing skid against the Cougs.

Ducks running back C.J. Verdall ran for a career-high 257 yards and three touchdowns.

World Series: Astros Blast Nats To Square Fall Classic In DC

At Washington:



Alex Bregman belted a grand-slam home run in the seventh inning to more or less ice the game (he had five runs batted in) on Saturday night as the Houston Astros squared the World Series at two games apiece following their 8-1 game-four road beat-down of the Washington Nationals.

That's Alex, celebrating with teammates here following his four-run round-tripper.

USA Today Sports photo by Brad Mills

Ducks Rank 14th In Coaches Preseason Hoops Poll

The Oregon Ducks were ranked #14 in the USA  Today/Amway Coaches men's College basketball Preseason Poll that was released this past Thursday.

As was with the Associated Press rankings, no support was given in this poll to Oregon State, Portland, or Portland State.

World Series: Astros Knock Off Nats In DC, Cut Washington's Series Lead To 2-1

At Washington:

Jose Altuve doubled twice (and scoring a run each time afterward) on Friday as the Houston Astros knocked off the Washington Nationals 4-1 in game three of the World Series, spoiling the first Fall Classic contest to take place in the Nation's Capital since 1933, snapping the Nats' MLB record-tying postseason game-winning streak at eight.

After Robinson Chirinos hit a solo home run which added to the Astros' coffers, he is greeted in celebration by the aforementioned Mr. Altuve.

EPA-EFE photo by Erik S. Lesser

MLS Cup Playoffs: Five Stripes, LAFC Advance To Conference Finals: LAFC Victory Over Galaxy Sends Sounders Into CCL

The second round of the MLS Cup Playoffs concluded on Thursday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Atlanta:

Julian Gressel (10') and Josef Martinez (80') each scored once as Atlanta United blanked the visiting Philadelphia Union 2-0.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Carlos Vela (16', 40') and Adama Diomande (68', 80') each scored twice as the Los Angeles Football Club finally excised their Los Angeles Galaxy demons by knocking off their visiting cross-town rivals 5-3 for their first-ever playoff victory.

LAFC's victory locked up America's last remaining CONCACAF Champions League berth for the Seattle Sounders.



Here are the matchups for the conference finals:

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders, Wednesday @ 7:00 PM Pacific Time (ESPN)



EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Atlanta:

Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC, Thursday @ 5:00 PM Pacific Time (Fox Sports One)



The winners will advance to the MLS Cup Final, set to be contested on Sunday, November 10 at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time (ABC).

Magic Madge!

Here's a glamour photo of 1930s screen actress Madge Evans.

Claire!

Here's a glamour photo of 1930s and early 1940s screen actress Claire Dodd.

Kay!

Here's a glamour photo of 1930s and 1940s screen actress Kay Francis.

MLS Cup Playoffs: Reds, Sounders Advance To Semifinals

Two games were contested Wednesday as the second round of the MLS Cup Playoffs commenced.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At New York (Citi Field):

Alejandro Pozuelo scored twice (47', PK-90') as Toronto FC knocked off New York City 2-1 on the road. 



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Seattle:

Gustav Svensson (64') and Nicolas Lodeiro (81') each tallied once as the Seattle Sounders blanked Real Salt Lake 2-0.

World Series: Nats Pummel Astros, Take 2-0 Series Lead Back To DC

At Houston:

Kurt Suzuki hat a go-ahead home run inning in what proved to be a six-run seventh inning as the Washington Nationals annihilated the Houston Astros 12-3 on the road in game two of the World Series, which the Nats now lead two games to none.

After a shaky start, Stephen Stasburg pitched six good innings of two-run, seven strikeout baseball to earn the victory.

The Nationals' Adam Eaton, after belting a two-run eighth-inning home, celebrates with Victor Robles.

Associated Press photo by Matt Slocum

World Series: Nats Hold Off Astros To Take Series Opener On Road

At Houston:

Juan Soto hit a home run (shown here) and a two-run double on Tuesday as the Washington Nationals knocked off the Houston Astros 5-4 on the road in the opening game of the World Series.

USA Today Sports photo by Troy Taormina

Ducks Reach #15 In AP Pre-Season College Roundball Poll

In the preseason Associated Press men's college basketball poll released on Monday, the Oregon Ducks were ranked #15.

None of the Beaver State's three other men's Division I teams-------Oregon State, Portland, Portland State-----received any support in this poll.

MLS Cup Playoffs: Philly, Galaxy Advance To Conference Semifinals

The opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs closed out with two games on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Alejandro Bedoya (30'), Jack Elliot (58'), Fafa Picault (78') each scored once in regulation, then Marco Fabian scored the game winner in overtime (105'+1) as the Philadelphia Union overcame a 3-1 halftime deficit to upend the visiting New York Red Bulls 4-3 at home for their first-ever playoff victory.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At St. Paul, Minnesota:

Sebastian Lletget (71') and Jonathan dos Santos (75') each scored a goal in the final half-hour four minutes apart as the Los Angeles Galaxy spoiled Minnesota United's playoff debut 2-1 as they were the only club to win on the road in the opening round.



MATCHUPS FOR THE CONFERENCE SEMIFNALS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Wednesday:

At New York:

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC 4:00 PM Pacific Time (FS1)

Thursday:

At Atlanta:

Atlanta United FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 5:00 PM Pacific Time (ESPN 2)



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Wednesday:

At Seattle:

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:00 PM Pacific Time (FS1)

Thursday:

At Los Angeles:

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 7:30 PM Pacific Time (ESPN)

Ducks Climb Up Another Spot In Both Polls

Following their comeback road win over Washington, the Oregon Ducks climbed up a spot to #12 in both the latest Associated Press and USA Today/Amway Coaches college football polls that were released on Sunday.

Niners Blank Redskins In Rainy Encounter In Suburban Maryland For First 6-0 Start Since 1990

At Landover, Maryland:

Robbie Gould made three field goals (from 28, 22, and 29 yards out) for the only points in the San Francisco 49ers' 9-0 road victory over the Washington Redskins on a rainy and windy Sunday on the outskirts of the Nation's Capital.

The Niners are off to their first 6-0 start since 1990.

Madeleine!

Here's an autographed glamour photo of English-born 1930s and 1940s screen actress Madeleine Carroll.

MLS Cup Playoffs: Five Stripes, Reds, Sounders, RSL (Who Knock Out Timbers) Advance

Major League Soccer's MLS Cup Playoffs opened on Saturday with four games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Atlanta:

Franco Escobar scored the winning goal in the 70th minute as Atlanta United defeated the visiting New England Revolution 1-0.

At Toronto:

Jonathan Osorio scored twice in overtime (95', 103') as Toronto FC, who scored an MLS Playoff-record four goals in the opening overtime period to knock out visiting DC United 5-1 in Wayne Rooney's swan song with the visitors.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Seattle:

Jordan Morris produced only the fifth hat trick in MLS Cup Playoff history (22', 74', 113') as the Seattle Sounders upended visiting FC Dallas 4-3 in overtime.

At Sandy, Utah:

Jefferson Savarino scored the winning goal in the 87th minute as Real Salt Lake held off the visiting Portland Timbers 2-1.

Damir Kreilach also scored for RSL in the 28th minute.

Dairon Asprilla scored for the Timbers in the 47th minute.

JOSE ALTUVE COMES THROUGH AS ASTROS FINISH OFF YANKEES FOR AMERICAN LEAGUE PENNANT AND WORLD SERIES BERTH

At Houston:

Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning on Saturday night as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 6-4 to win game six of the American League Championship Series and their second league pennant in three years four games to two.

The Astros will open the World Series at home on Tuesday night (5:08 PM Pacific Time on FOX) against the Washington Nationals.

Ducks Overcome 14-Point Deficit, Overcome Huskies In Seattle

At Seattle:

Quarterback Justin Herman completed 24 of 38 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday as the Oregon Ducks (#12 AP and Coaches; 6-1 overall, 4-0 in Pac-12 play) wiped out a 14-point second-half deficit to knock off the Washington Huskies (#25 AP, #23 Coaches; 5-3, 2-3) 35-31 on the road for their sixth straight victory, which clinched bowl eligibility as well as put a hammerlock on top spot in the Pac-12 Conference's Northern Division.

Beavers Upend Cal Bears In Berkeley

At Berkeley, California:

Quarterback Jake Luton threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns as the Oregon State Beavers (3-4 overall, 2-2 in Pac-12 play) registered nine quarterback sacks en route to a 21-17 road victory over the California Golden Bears (4-3, 1-3).

The three wins overall and two in conference play has already topped both victory totals from all last season for the Beavers.

Riders Get Back On Winning Track In Vancouver To Climb Back To Top Of CFL West Standings

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 21 of 26 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown on Friday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (11-5) reclaimed----for the time being, anyway----sole possession of first place in the Canadian Football League's Western Division following their 27-19 road win over the British Columbia Lions (5-12).

T2 Drop Season Finale On Road Against RGVFC

At Edinburg, Texas:

Carlos Small scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute on Friday as the Rio Grande Valley Toros defeated visiting Portland Timbers 2 by a 2-1 count in the USL Championship season finale for both clubs, who failed to qualify for this year's USL Cup playoffs.

MLB Playoffs: Yankees Ambush Astros To Stay In ALCS

At New York:

D.J. LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks each hit a home run on Friday as the New York Yankees scored all their runs in the opening inning to hold off the Houston Astors 4-1 in game five of the American League Championship Series.

The Astros, who still lead the series three games to two, can still wrap up the American League pennant and the Junior Circuit's World Series berth with a game six home victory in Houston on Saturday.

Connie!

Here's a glamour photo of screen legend Constance Bennett.

T2 Eliminated From Playoff Contention After Road Defeat To Locomotive

At El Paso, Texas:

Josue Gomez scored twice (68', 79') to help lift the El Paso Locomotive to a 4-1 USL Championship Tuesday home victory over Portland Timbers 2, eliminating the guests from playoff contention.

T2 will close out their season on the road on Friday against Rio Grande Valley at 5:30 PM Pacific Time (ESPN+).

MLB Playoffs: Astros Put Yanks Backs To The Wall, Can Lock Up American League Pennant With One More Victory

At New York:

George Springer and Carlos Correa each smacked a three-run homer on Thursday as the Houston Astros downed the New York Yankees 8-3 in game four of the American League Championship Series.

The Astros, who now hold a three-games-to-one advantage, can lock up their second American League pennant in three years by finishing off the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium on Friday with a game-five victory.

NATS HOLD OFF CARDS TO COMPLETE SWEEP FOR FIRST NL PENNANT AND WORLD SERIES APPEARANCE

At Washington:

With Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto delivering runs batted in and pitcher Patrick Corbin striking out 12 batters, the Washington Nationals, who scored seven runs in the first inning on Tuesday, held off the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4 at home in game four of the National League Championship Series as the Nats swept the Redbirds in four straight games for their first league pennant in their 51-year history (the former Montreal Expos franchise moved to DC prior to the 2005 season).

The Nationals will make their first-ever World Series appearance, the first Fall Classic appearance for a Washington-based club since the American League's original Senators (now the Minnesota Twins) fell to the then-New York Giants in five games in 1933.

Those same Senators produced the city's lone World Series championship in 1924 when they defeated the Giants four games to three.

The Seattle Mariners are now the only active Major League Baseball club to have never reached the World Series.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Handcuff Yankee Bats To Gain 2-1 ALCS Lead

At New York:

Garrit Cole pitched seven innings of shutout baseball while Jose Altuve hit a home run on Tuesday as the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 4-1 on the road in game three of the American League Championship Series, which the Astros now lead two games to one.

More Lilli!

Here's another glamour photo of Lilli Palmer.

Lilli!

Here's a glamour photo of German-born British (and later Hollywood) screen actress Lilli Palmer.

MLB Playoffs: Nats Blast Cardinals To Take 3-0 NLCS Lead; Washington One Victory Away From First World Series Trip

At Washington:

Stephen Strasburg struck out 12 batters in the course of a strong seven-inning start while Howie Kendrick doubled three times and batted in three more runs on Monday as the Washington Nationals roasted the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 8-1 in game three of the National League Championship Series.

The Nationals, who lead the series three games to none, can wrap up their first-ever pennant and World Series appearances by finishing off the Cardinals in the Nation's Capital on Tuesday.

It would mark the first Fall Classic appearance by a Major League Baseball club from Washington since the old American League Senators lost the 1933 World Series.  The former Montreal Expos moved to Washington prior to the 2005 season.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Level ALCS Against Yanks

At Houston:

Carlos Correa hit the game-winning home run on Sunday night as the Houston Astros knocked off the visiting New York Yankees 3-2 on the road in game two to square the American League Championship Series at one game apiece.

Niners Stay Unbeaten Against Rams In LA (Off To First 5-0 Start Since 1990)

At Los Angeles:

Running back Tevin Coleman and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo each ran for a touchdown on Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers are off to their first 5-0 start since 1990 (their third such start since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger---the other taking place in 1984) after their 20-7 handcuffing of the Los Angeles Rams (3-3) on the road.

Ducks Climb Up A Spot In AP And Coaches Polls

In the wake of their Friday home domination of Colorado, the Oregon Ducks climbed up a spot to #12 in both the Associated Press  and USA Today/Amway Coaches college football polls that were released on Sunday.

Utes Ambush Beavers In Corvalls

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Zack Moss ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday as the Utah Runnin' Utes (#15 in both the AP and Coaches' polls; 5-1 overall, 2-1 in Pac-12 play) destroyed the Oregon State Beavers (2-4, 1-2) 52-7 on the road.

The Beavers' home defeat was their worst since a 58-6 frontier style fist beating at the hands of Washington.

MLB: Yankees Spank Astros To Open ALCS In Houston

At Houston:

In Saturday's opening game of the American League Championship Series, Gabriel Torres hit a home and batted in five runs as the New York Yankees delivered a 7-0 beatdown on the homestanding Houston Astros.

Starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka pitched six solid innings of shutout baseball and relievers Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton, and Jonathan Loasiga did the rest as Yankee pitching kept the Astros off the scoreboard.

MLB Playoffs: Nats Handcuff Cards Again To Take 2-0 NLCS Lead

At St. Louis:

Max Scherzer pitched a no-hitter into the seventh inning as he struck out eleven batters while Adam Eaton (double) and Michael Taylor (homer) each batted in a run as the Washington Nationals stretched their National League Championship Series lead to two games to none on Saturday following their 3-1 game-two road win over the Cardinals.

The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright also struck out eleven batters but turned out to be the hard-luck loser.

Stamps Overtake Riders To Move To Top Of CFL West

At Calgary, Alberta:

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns on Friday as the Calgary Stampeders (10-5) moved into the top spot of the Canadian Football League's Western Division with three regular-season games left after their 30-28 home victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-5).

San Antonio Delivers Crushing Blow To T2's Playoff Chances

At Portland, Oregon:

Ever Guzman produced a hat trick (6', 12', 67') as San Antonio FC held off home-standing Portland Timbers 2 on Friday by a 4-3 score in a USL Championship contest that all but finished T2's playoff chances.

The match was T2's home finale of the regular season; Timbers 2 will visit the El Paso Locomotive this coming Tuesday at Tuesday at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (ESPN+).

Ducks Buffalo Colorado At Home

At Eugene, Oregon:

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Friday night as the Oregon Ducks (#13 in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls; 5-1 overall, 3-0 in Pac-12 play) demolished the visiting Colorado Buffaloes (3-3, 1-2) 45-3 for their fifth straight victory.

MLB Playoffs: Anibal Sanchez Carries No-No Into Eighth Innings, Nats Open NLCS By Blanking Cards In St. Louis

At St. Louis:

Anibal Sanchez carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning while Howie Kendrick and Yan Gomes each delivered a run-scoring double on Friday as the Washington Nationals blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on the road in the opening game of the National League Championship Series.

Relief man Sean Doolittle retired the last four batters as he and the aforementioned Mr. Sanchez combined on a one-hit shutout.

MLB Playoffs: Astros Prove Too Much For Rays As Houston Finishes Off Tampa Bay To Get Shot At Yankees

At Houston:

In the final game of Major League Baseball's postseason divisional playoff round, Garrit Cole pitched eight innings of two-hit, ten-strikeout baseball while Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve each smacked a homer on Thursday as the Houston Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 at home in the fifth and deciding game of their American League divisional playoff series and won their series three games to two.

The Astros will open the American League Championship Series at home on Saturday against the New York Yankees.

MLB Playoffs: Cardinals (With First-Inning Barrage), Nats (Who Won In Extra Innings) Advance To NL Championship Series

Both National League divisional playoff series were decided on Wednesday.

At Atlanta:

The St. Louis Cardinals scored ten runs in the first inning, tied for most runs in a single postseason inning, as they nuked the Atlanta Braves 10-1 in the fifth and deciding game of their divisional playoff series.

Jack Flaherty pitched six solid innings in which he surrendered one earned run, walked one batter, and struck out eight Braves batters as the Redbirds advanced to their first National League Championship Series since 2014.

At Los Angeles:

Howie Kendrick belted a tenth-inning grand-slam homer as the Washington Nationals erased what was once a two-run deficit to stun the Los Angeles 7-3 in the deciding game of their divisional playoff series.

The Nats will play in their first National League Championship Series since 1981 (when they were the Montreal Expos) when they face the Cardinals when the series opens in St. Louis on Friday.

The Nationals and the Seattle Mariners are the only active Major League Baseball clubs that have never advanced to the World Series.

Magic Madge!

Here's a glamour photo of 1930s screen actress Madge Evans.

MLB Playoffs: Rays Top Astros Again, Force Game Five Of Divisional Playoff Series

At St. Petersburg, Florida:

Willy Adames hit a home run on Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Rays leveled their American League divisional playoff series with the Houston Astros at two games apiece following their 4-1 game-four home victory.

The series will be decided in Houston on Thursday with the winner to face the New York Yankees for the American League pennant and the Junior Circuit's World Series berth.

I Guess There'll Be No Gruden Bowl

Jay got the ax from the Redskins on Monday.

Ex-Raiders (and Nebraska) head coach Bill Callahan (who ironically replaced Jay's brother Jon as Oakland head coach in 2002 after Jon departed for Tampa Bay----who throttled the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII), currently Washington's offensive line coach,  will take over on an interim basis.

Niners Maul Brownies, Off To First 4-0 Start Since 1990

At Santa Clara, California:

In the Monday Night Football contest, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20 of 29 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns (one each to George Kittle and running back Mark Breida---who ran for another score from 83 yards out while rushing for 114 yards overall on 11 carries) as the San Francisco 49ers (4-0, their first such start since 1990) buried the Cleveland Browns (2-3) 31-3 at home.

MLB Playoffs: Cardinals, Nats Square Respective Series At 2-2

Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Monday.

At St. Louis: 

Yadier Molina, after knocking a game-tying single in the eighth inning, delivered the game-winning run in the tenth inning on a sacrifice fly as the St. Louis Cardinals squared their divisional playoff series with the Atlanta Braves at two games apiece with their 5-4 game-four home victory.

The series will be decided back in Atlanta on Wednesday.

At Washington:

Max Scherzer pitched seven strong innings of one-run ball while fellow 35-year-old Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning as the Washington Nationals leveled their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at two games each after their 6-1 home victory in game four.

This divisional playoff series will conclude on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

MLB: Rays Avoid Sweep By Thumping Astros; Yankees Complete Sweep Of Twins

Both American League divisional playoff series resumed on Monday.

At St. Petersburg, Florida:

Charlie Morton pitched five innings of one-run baseball and struck out nine batters while Kevin Kiermaier belted a three-run go-ahead homer off Zack Greinke as the Tampa Bay Rays belted four round-trippers altogether en route to a 10-3 thumping of the visiting Houston Astros in game three of their divisional playoff series, cutting the guests' lead to two games to one.

The Astros can still wrap up the series with a game-four road victory on Tuesday.

At Minneapolis:

Gleyber Torres hit a second-inning home run and scored after each of his two doubles as the New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins 5-1 in game three of their divisional playoff series and locked up a berth in the American League Championship Series.

The Twins have now lost a Major League Baseball record 16 straight postseason games and became the first team to win 100 or more regular-season games to be swept in a divisional playoff series and have now tied the 1975-79 Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL for the longest such losing streak in the four major American sports leagues.

MLB Playoffs: Braves, Dodgers Take 2-1 NL Divisional Series Leads After Sunday Road Wins

Both National League divisional playoff series continued on Sunday.

At St. Louis:

Dansby Swanson hit a game-tying double with two outs in the ninth inning, then Adam Duvall delivered a two-run single as the Atlanta Braves came from behind to upend the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on the road in game three of their divisional playoff series.

The Braves, who now lead two games to one, can close out the Cardinals with a game-four victory in the Gateway City on Monday.

At Washington:

Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Russell Martin each smacked a home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers downed the Washington Nationals 10-4 on the road in the third game of their divisional playoff series, which they now lead two games to one and can wrap it up with a game-four victory in the Nation's Capital on Monday.

Ducks Stay At #13 In Both Polls

After their Saturday over California, the Oregon Ducks remained at #13 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/Amway Coaches college football polls released on Sunday.

Timbers Top Quakes Go Secure Playoff Berth; Will Visit RSL In Opening Round Match

At Portland, Oregon:

Larrys Mabiala (29') Dairon Asprilla (59'), and Sebastian Blanco (75') each scored once on Sunday as the Portland Timbers downed the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 in their Major League Soccer regular-season finale, snapping a five-match winless streak and securing a berth in the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs.

Chris Wondolowski scored the Quakes' lone goal in the 39th minute as the guests will miss the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven season.

The Timbers will visit Real Salt Lake in an opening-round Western Conference playoff contest on Saturday, October 19 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (ESPNews).

Riders Top Bombers To Move To Top Spot In CFL West

At Regina, Saskatchewan:

Shaq Evans caught a 61-yard touchdown pass on Saturday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-4) took over sole possession of first place in the Canadian Football League's Western Division following their 21-6 home victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-6).

Phoenix Rising Cripple T2's Playoff Chances

At Portland, Oregon:

In Saturday USL Championship play, Ben Spencer scored what proved to be the game winner in the 70th minute as Phoenix Rising held off Portland Timbers 2 on the road 5-3.

T2, now facing a bleak situation as far as qualifying for the playoffs is concerned, will host San Antonio FC this coming Friday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time (ESPN+).

Beavers Start Fast, Coast To Road Win Over Bruins

At Pasadena, California:

Quarterback Jake Luton threw for five touchdowns on Saturday night as the Oregon State Beavers (2-3 overall, 1-1 in Pac-12 play) raced to a 21-0 lead, then coasted to a 48-31 road win over the UCLA Bruins (1-5, 1-2), snapping a six-game Pac-12 losing streak.

The Beavers equaled both their victory totals (two overall and one in conference play) from all last season.

Ducks Overcome Bears For Fourth Straight Win

At Eugene, Oregon:

Running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio ran a yard for a touchdown late in the third quarter Justin Herbert threw a TD pass in the fourth quarter to Jaylon Redd as the Oregon Ducks (#13 both AP and Coaches; 4-1 overall, 2-0 in Pac-12 play) overcame a 7-0 halftime deficit to overcome the visiting California Golden Bears (4-2, 1-2) 17-7 on Saturday.

MLB Playoffs: Yankees, Astros One Win Apiece From Playing For AL Pennant

Both American League divisional playoff series continued on Saturday.

At New York:

Didi Gregorius hit a grand-slam homer as the New York Yankees again ran roughshod over the Minnesota Twins, 8-2 in game two of their divisional playoff series.

The Yankees, who now two games to none, can finish off the Twins (who have now lost a Major League Baseball-record 15 straight postseason games) in Minneapolis with a game-three road win on Monday. 

At Houston:

Gerrit Cole registered 15 strikeouts as the Houston Astros handcuffed the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in the second contest of their divisional playoff series.

The Astros, who now enjoy a two-games-to-none lead, can close out the Rays in St. Petersburg on Monday with a game-three victory.

MLB Playoffs: Braves, Nats Square Respective NL Series At 1-1

Both National League divisional playoffs series continued on Friday.

At Atlanta:

Mike Foltynewicz pitched seven innings of shutout baseball while Adam Duvall delivered a pinch-hit home as the Atlanta Braves blanked the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in game two to level their divisional playoff series at one game apiece.

At Los Angeles:

Stephen Strasburg pitched six strong innings and struck out ten batters while Max Scherzer struck out the side in the eighth inning as the Washington Nationals doubled up the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in game two of their divisional playoff series, now squared at a game apiece.