review Page 702 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Royals look to steady ship for postseason; Braves not there yet
The Kansas City Royals are heading to the postseason for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series.,That said, the Royals (85-75) aren't playing their best ball heading toward the playoffs. ,A loser of eight of its last 11 games, Kansas City will look to get back on track Saturday night wh...

Astros' Justin Verlander aims to end struggles in clash with Guardians
With the Guardians and Houston Astros currently holding the second and third seeds in the American League playoffs, respectively, their three-game weekend set in Cleveland might serve as a dress rehearsal for postseason roster construction.,Game 2 in the series will be Saturday evening.,Houston clai...

Giants' Tristan Beck, not Blake Snell, starts vs. Cards
Blake Snell's abbreviated season with the San Francisco Giants apparently is coming to a premature end.,Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, was due to start Saturday in the next-to-last contest of the year against the visiting Cardinals. However, after St. Louis won the opener...

Rays turn to Shane Baz in rematch vs. Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays will aim for a season-ending series win on the road Saturday afternoon when they play the second of three games against the Boston Red Sox.,After Taj Bradley began the series with six shutout innings in a 2-1 Friday win, Tampa Bay (79-81) will turn to another stellar young pitcher...

Phillies need win over Nationals to remain alive for top seed
The Philadelphia Phillies need two wins and some help to secure the No. 1 seed in the National League playoffs.,On Saturday afternoon, the Phillies hope to rebound from a lackluster performance when they continue their three-game road set with the Washington Nationals.,After dropping Friday's series...

Pirates' Paul Skenes ready to face Yankees' sluggers
Paul Skenes is optimistic of better things to come for the Pittsburgh Pirates next season. In the meantime, he is hoping to finish off a strong rookie season on a positive note while facing Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.,Skenes makes his final start of the season Saturday afternoon when the Pirates visi...

After abrupt managerial change, Marlins continue series vs. Jays
The visiting Miami Marlins will be without manager Skip Schumaker when they continue their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon.,Schumaker will miss the final two games of the season because of a family health issue but then late Friday, multiple media outlets report...

With playoff hopes dashed, Twins take on Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are aiming for a deep playoff run in October.,The Minnesota Twins are wondering how it all went wrong in August and September.,Both teams might be distracted when they play each other Saturday in the second-to-last game of the regular season in Minneapolis. The Orioles (89-71) ...

Kyle Hendricks faces Reds in possible Cubs farewell
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks could be making his last appearance for the Cubs on Saturday after an 11-year run when Chicago continues its season-ending, three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.,Hendricks (4-12, 6.28 ERA) is scheduled to make his final start before hitting free agency t...

Tigers back in action vs. White Sox after clinching playoff berth
The Detroit Tigers have qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.,Following a raucous celebration, the Tigers must settle down and play another game on Saturday afternoon.,Detroit (86-74) snared an American League wild-card playoff berth with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox...

Whitecaps, Timbers battle for potential playoff-clinching win
With a national title in tow, the Vancouver Whitecaps return to MLS regular-season action when they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday.,Vancouver (13-9-7, 46 points) is in seventh place in the Western Conference, just ahead of eighth-place Portland (12-10-8, 44 points). Both teams can clinch a pl...

Dynamo, Sounders square off with playoff berth in sight
With four matches remaining in the regular season, the Houston Dynamo visit the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, with both teams on the verge of securing a playoff spot.,Houston (13-8-9, 48 points) heads to the Pacific Northwest on a tear.,After dropping its first match after the Leagues Cup break, the...

Rapids aim to continue turnaround season vs. Minnesota
With their first playoff berth in three seasons wrapped up, the Colorado Rapids will try to build on one of the best turnaround stories in Major League Soccer when they travel to Saint Paul, Minn., to face Minnesota United on Saturday night., ,Colorado (15-10-5, 50 points) clinched a postseason bert...

St. Louis City must beat Sporting KC, remaining foes for chance at playoffs
St. Louis City SC can keep their remote playoff hopes alive on Saturday by defeating a visiting Sporting Kansas City side that is already eliminated from contention.,St. Louis (6-11-13, 31 points) begin the weekend 11 points beneath the playoff line with four games to play, meaning they need to win ...

Orlando City can secure playoff spot, while Dallas desperate for win
Orlando City SC can clinch a playoff spot with a win against host FC Dallas on Saturday night in Frisco, Texas.,Orlando City (12-11-7, 43 points) are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and 8-3-1 in their last 12 matches. They had won three straight matches -- all shutouts -- before a 4-3 loss ...

Aiming to bolster playoff hopes, Austin FC host Real Salt Lake
Austin FC looks to keep its waning hopes of making the playoffs on track when it hosts dynamic Real Salt Lake in a late-season Western Conference match on Saturday.,The Verde (9-13-8, 35 points) are in desperate straits to make the postseason. With four matches remaining, Austin is in 11th place, tw...

Toronto seek victory over lowly Fire to improve playoff chances
Toronto FC aren't making things easy down the stretch in a quest for the playoffs.,The Chicago Fire, meanwhile, are seemingly limping to the finish of another disappointing season.,Each side looks to avoid a third straight defeat when they meet Saturday night in Bridgeview, Ill.,Entering this matchd...

Will Levis, winless Titans draw Dolphins in possible 'Snoop' spot start
Quarterback Will Levis' most memorable moment of his brief NFL career occurred last season during a Monday night road game against the Miami Dolphins.,Levis will be seeking a repeat performance in the same setting on the same night of the week when the winless Tennessee Titans battle the Dolphins in...

Rivals Red Bulls, NYCFC targeting playoff berths
The New York Red Bulls and New York City FC find themselves amid a crowded Eastern Conference race and hoping to create some separation from their competitors.,Each team is in position to secure a playoff spot on Saturday night when the Red Bulls host NYCFC on Saturday night in the "Hudson River Der...

Alouettes can wrap up division with win over Argonauts
The Montreal Alouettes will try to clinch their first East Division title since 2012 on Saturday night when they visit the Toronto Argonauts.,The Alouettes (11-2-1) would secure a first-round bye in the playoffs and earn home-field advantage for the Nov. 9 division final with a win.,The defending Gr...