Chelsea are less than three weeks away from officially kicking off the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues continue their preseason preparations with a friendly against Juventus on Wednesday.
MORE — Preseason fixtures & results | Transfers completed
Alonso's side were beaten by 10-man Tottenham Hotspur as they completed the Australian leg of their tour before wrapping up against Juve and AC Milan in Hong Kong and Jakarta. Once back in London, Chelsea will host Real Sociedad at the Bridge on Saturday, August 15, before kicking off the 2026-27 Premier League season away to Fulham on Monday, August 24.
Mykhailo Mudryk could make his return to football after 20 months suspended after returning an "adverse finding" for a banned substance in 2024. Alonso says the 25-year-old winger, who joined Chelsea for $115 million in January 2023, is available for selection. "Yes, he could play. Maybe 90 minutes it's too early, but he can be selected. He's selected, so he can play. He trained yesterday, came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players."
Kick off time: 7:30 am ET Saturday, August 5
Venue: Kai Tak Stadium — Hong Kong
How to watch: Fubo

#Chelsea #august #saturday #away

Someone is collecting signatures that might kill a racetrack by telling people it will save it. That is not a typo. Paid canvassers in Nashville were caught on hidden camera telling residents that signing their petition would protect the Fairgrounds Speedway from being torn down by corporate developers. The petition actually does the exact opposite. It strips racing's legal protections from the city charter and tries to open the land to housing construction. Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat down with Marcus Smith, Jeff Burton, and Matt Weaver to talk about it.
"My question is, if it's true, which there's video evidence of these folks seeking these signatures, stating false information or just incorrect information, how can that not be taken to de-legitimize the 50,000, 60,000 signatures they need?" said Dale Jr. on Wednesday's episode of The Dale Jr. Download.
"They are using actual government letterhead to give this to the residents. That's the moment it becomes a legal matter."
Residents who figured out they were misled are now trying to pull their names off the petition. But the Metro Clerk's office earlier told them they cannot before suggesting that anyone who would like to remove their name can contact Restore Our Fairgrounds. That said, former council members have already filed formal complaints demanding a full investigation.
The petition campaign has been backed by John Ingram, per reports, owner of Nashville SC.

#down #Legal

I'm a winner, see my prize: The Tigers
You're a loser who sits and cries: The Mariners

#tigers #Mariners #prize #sits

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ: $MSTR) sold 1,638 Bitcoin and more than 3 million common shares last week, extending a capital overhaul that is directing fresh liquidity toward reserves, dividends and preferred-stock support.
The Bitcoin sale raised $104.73 million at an average price of $63,957 per token between July 27 and August 2. Strategy used $52.4 million to fund preferred-stock dividends and another $52.3 million to repurchase shares of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock, or STRC (NASDAQ: $STRC).
The company ended the period with 842,138 Bitcoin acquired for $63.51 billion, placing its average purchase price at $75,419. Its latest sale therefore came below the aggregate cost attached to the remaining reserve, though the company still controls roughly 4% of Bitcoin's fixed supply.
More From Cryptoprowl:
Ramp Network Brings Multichain Wallet and Rewards to EU

#strategy #NASDAQ #shares #sale

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts as he returns to the bench for a pinch runner after his single during a 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: Eloy Jiménez #74 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blue Jays defeated the Diamondbacks 10-4. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Getty
The Toronto Blue Jays made several trades across MLB before the Monday deadline. The big ones included sending Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs and trading Daulton Varsho to the Houston Astros, and then the Jays' big acquisition was landing Jose Soriano from the Angels, and Toronto also acquired Spencer Arrighetti in the Varsho trade.
Due to the influx of new players into the organization, the Blue Jays have announced some roster casualties, which include four players in the minor leagues who have been released from the organization.
More MLB on Heavy: Toronto Blue Jays Released 7-Year MLB Player During Astros Series

#anaheim #eloy

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 22: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts as he returns to the bench for a pinch runner after his single during a 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: Eloy Jiménez #74 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Blue Jays defeated the Diamondbacks 10-4. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Getty
The Toronto Blue Jays made several trades across MLB before the Monday deadline. The big ones included sending Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs and trading Daulton Varsho to the Houston Astros, and then the Jays' big acquisition was landing Jose Soriano from the Angels, and Toronto also acquired Spencer Arrighetti in the Varsho trade.
Due to the influx of new players into the organization, the Blue Jays have announced some roster casualties, which include four players in the minor leagues who have been released from the organization.
More MLB on Heavy: Toronto Blue Jays Released 7-Year MLB Player During Astros Series

#jays #toronto #getty #arizona

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ezequiel Duran drove in four runs, the last on a game-ending double, and the Texas Rangers beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Tuesday night to snap a season-worst six-game losing streak that knocked them out of the AL West lead.
Duran won it with a hit that bounced into the right-field seats, an inning after he lined a one-hopper off that wall for a two-run double that put the Rangers up 4-2. He also had an RBI single in the first inning, a night after going 4 for 4 in the series opener.
Jake Burger, who entered in the top of the ninth as a defensive replacement, led off the bottom of the inning with a double off Dylan Smith (0-4), the sixth Giants pitcher.
San Francisco got even in the ninth when pinch-hitter Bryce Eldridge hit a two-run single off All-Star closer Jacob Latz (3-1). It was Latz's third blown save in 24 chances this season. He allowed two hits, a walk and a wild pitch.
Corey Seager and Brandon Nimmo both had three hits for Texas. Seager, the two-time World Series MVP who has missed 54 games this year because of three stays on the injured list, is hitting .201 — the first time he's been over .200 since May 8.

#francisco

The San Francisco 49ers have a wide range of outcomes for the 2026 season based on how they finished the 2025 season, injuries and other roster issues.
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr is the most recent **** yst to make a prediction, writing that the 49ers finish third in the NFC West at 10-7 in his annual 272-game season projection, behind both the Rams (13-4) and Seahawks (11-6). Orr still has San Francisco reaching the postseason as the NFC's No. 7 seed.
In this prediction, the 49ers are in a three-way logjam with the Packers and Bears, all projected at 10-7. Green Bay comes out ahead in the tiebreaker order via strength of victory, but San Francisco edges out Chicago the same way, claiming the final NFC wild-card spot while the Bears.
Orr flagged concerns with the roster's age and health. He notes the 49ers are leaning on a 30-year-old running back, wide receivers turning 30 and 33, and a 38-year-old left tackle, with newly signed Deebo Samuel replacing an injured Ricky Pearsall.
But the bigger factor in Orr's optimism is organizational depth. He pointed to San Francisco's performance last season even without star linebacker Fred Warner and quarterback Brock Purdy for stretches, along with the strength of Kyle Shanahan's staff. Orr specifically praised Raheem Morris and Matt Eberflus, both of whom have NFL head-coaching experience, and longtime **** istant Chris Foerster as reasons the operation can withstand instability.

#francisco #season #bears #west

One of southern New Mexico's best players intends to be a Lobo.
Las Cruces linebacker Denton Walter has committed to UNM, the Journal learned Tuesday.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound incoming senior is widely viewed as one of the most productive players in the state after tallying 360 total tackles (34 for a loss) and 12 sacks over the last two seasons. Offered by UNM on July 21, he chose the Lobos over Western New Mexico.
Walter's commitment was first reported by Couch Potato Sports. He would be the first Las Cruces player to join UNM since former Lobo safety Matthew Lashley did so in 2023.
Walter was named to the New Mexico High School Coaches' ***** ociation's All-State team after making 197 total tackles (20 for a loss) and seven sacks in 13 games last season with Las Cruces. As a sophomore, he made 163 total tackles (14 for a loss) and five sacks over 12 games.

#players

Don't believe the media. Don't believe the front office.
If anyone in Cincinnati Reds Nation was wondering about manager Terry Francona's standing within the organization during a fraught season that still had the Reds in last place the day after the MLB trade deadline, look no further than the postgame interview room after the Reds' win over the A's in this week's series opener.
Reds owner Bob Castellini walked through the room on his way out of the clubhouse, along with two especially burly members of his posse, apparently unaware Francona was in the middle of a live media session, specifically extolling the leadership virtues of Brady Singer.
Castellini gave a thumbs up as he surveyed the room, then stopped.
"There is a leader," he said without missing a beat, gesturing in Francona's direction. "And a winner.

#nation #francona

Callum Turner is revealing a piece of wisdom George Clooney shared with him as he started to become a Hollywood leading man.
"Every time I get to be in a movie and then being able to celebrate a film with everyone here, I always watch the premiere," he told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of the Aug. 3 premiere of his new movie "One Night Only" in New York City.
The "Eternity" actor, 36, explained that after he worked with Clooney, 65, on the 2023 film "The Boys in the Boat," they attended multiple premieres together. By the third, Turner decided he would go home after the red carpet before the "Ocean's Eleven" star convinced him to stay.
"He went, 'Why are you leaving?' And I said, 'Well, because I've seen it already, and twice,' and he said, Yeah, but you'll never get this opportunity again,'" Turner explained. "This is the moment to celebrate, and celebrate the work, and the work of everyone on the crew and beyond. I love these moments. They're always pinch-me moments."
Clooney directed the biographical sports drama portraying the true story of the University of Washington rowing team competing for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin at the height of the Great Depression. Turner played Joe Rantz, a strong rower who was abandoned by his father.

#turner

CarlosPrates will accept call-outs from other welterweights in theUltimate Fighting Championship only after he fights for the170-pound ***** le.

Prates (24-7) recently addressed call-outs from fellow contendersSeanBrady and Uros Medic."The Nightmare" ***** ured fans that he will take them on once he hasfought for the belt in his next bout.
Prates is also confident that he will win the welterweight ***** le inhis next outing. He tagged Brady and Medic in a recent Instagrampost, vowing to take them on once he becomes champion.

"A lot of you guys [Sean Brady], [Uros Medic], and the otherwelterweights have been mentioning my name," Prates wrote onInstagram. "Calm down, brothers. In my next fight, I'm taking thatbelt. After that, I'll deal with all of you and take you straightto the Kingdom of Pain. Be ready. Nothing personal, justbusiness."

Prates has finished all seven of his UFC wins and has only droppeda decision to Ian Garry,who fights for the ***** le next at UFC330. The Brazilian established himself as a leading contenderfor the championship with a stoppage win over JackDella Maddalena in May, while the undefeated MichaelMorales is also in the ***** le mix.

Furthermore, reigning welterweight champion IslamMakhachev has also welcomed a fight against Prates.

#uros #championship

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert appreciates a dry sense of humor, so it didn't take long for him to take a liking to Brian Fleury.
Saubert played for San Francisco in 2024, when Fleury was the 49ers' tight ends coach. The two were reunited in February, when the Seahawks hired Fleury as their offensive coordinator.
"I love dry humor, sarcasm. I love that stuff," Saubert said this week at Seahawks training camp. "But, overall, he's a pro in what he does. And I think he's very innovative in his approach. Overall, I just love working with him."
Described by players and coaches as even-keeled and stoic, Fleury has shown an ability to command a room early in his first stint as an NFL coordinator.
"He's obviously very studied, and you would ****** ume that an offensive coordinator would know everyone's roles," Saubert said. "But to be able to articulate it in the moment like he does, like, I'm telling you: I've been on a lot of teams, and not everyone does that, which is pretty cool. Excited for him."

#fleury #coordinator #offensive

The Aggies begin preseason practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, but before that, Mike Elko and a handful of A&M players met with the media as the 2026 season officially gets underway. Let's hear what they had to say.

#aggies #wednesday #handful

Chicago extended offensive lineman Darnell Wright's NFL contract on Tuesday. The former Vol received a four-year extension through 2031.
"As we continue to build our team and develop our culture, we are excited that Darnell will remain a cornerstone of our franchise as we work toward creating sustained success," Chicago general manager Ryan Poles said. "Darnell has consistently elevated his play and the performance of his teammates since joining our team, and we look forward to his continued growth and leadership for years to come."
Wright played at Tennessee from 2019-22. He appeared in 47 games, including 42 starts, totaling 2,746 offensive snaps.
The 6-foot-5, 335-pound offensive lineman was selected by the Bears in the first round (No. 10 overall) of the NFL draft in 2023.
"Our team is rooted in being driven by belief and built by hard work, and Darnell epitomizes our culture in every way," Chicago head coach Ben Johnson said. "We are excited that Darnell will remain an integral member of our team as we work toward championship-level execution in all that we do."

#darnell #team #offensive #excited

We can't go a day without a roster move.
José Soriano has arrived and it on the active roster.
Lazaro Estrada is on his way back to Buffalo. He was just added yesterday.
And the Jays are going with a six man rotation with Soriano and Taillon added to the rotation.
Our starters for the next few days:

#roster #buffalo #jays #can 't

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is coming off the best season of his career after being thrust into the position of being the primary for a Nets team in need of scoring. Even though Brooklyn got Porter more help in the form of former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, the former Denver Nuggets sharpshooter is making sure to put the work in this summer.
The National Basketball Player's ****** ociation (NBPA) recently unveiled a 24/7 performance center in Los Angeles, California that NBA players can use during the regular season and offseason, according to James H. Williams of USA Today. Williams revealed that Porter is one of the approximately 200 players that spend part of their offseason in the City of Angels so the NBPA wanted to make sure that those players had somewhere to go to work on their game.
"Michael Porter Jr. and Mo Bamba also were seen in the facility going through their offseason process," Williams wrote in his piece. The facility, known as the PLYRS UNTD Performance Center, will be added to the group of facilities that the NBPA has "like the one located at its New York headquarters and The Sanctuary, which serves as an offseason performance retreat for NBA players in Spain."
Porter, 28, is coming off a 2025-26 season in which he did not make the first All-Star team of his career as many expected for him to do so, but that doesn't mean that his numbers weren't spectacular. Porter played 52 games for the Nets last season, posting averages of 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 ****** ists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from behind the three-point line.
Williams noted in his article that the NBPA will attempt to organize open runs during the offseason so that players can get used to playing with each other, which might be the case for Porter and Randle. Either way, the NBA players now have a new facility to visit during their travels and someone like Porter can now work on his game while visiting Los Angeles at an NBPA-ran facility.

#players #facility

Gianni Infantino has called a "crisis meeting" with the organization's top officials for this Wednesday (5) in Morocco, according to The Times.
The FIFA president's goal is to contain the growing pressure he has been facing since the initiative - later abandoned - to market the World Cup's rights.
The decision comes after more episodes that have reinforced his isolation.
Mattias Grafström, FIFA's secretary-general, has become the latest ally to criticize Infantino's plan.
In an internal email sent to the organization's staff, Grafström described the project as "a sad and deplorable sequence of events."

#wednesday #times #fifa #mattias

The Hundred men's competition, Headingley
Sunrisers Leeds 241-2 (100 ***** ): Rickelton 94* (42), Marsh 76 (37), Brook 55 (18)
London Spirit 204-6 (100 ***** ): Willey 83* (46); Topley 2-30
Sunrisers Leeds won by 37 runs
Scorecard. Table

#headingley

Clark Lea would be open to adding a player to the Vanderbilt football roster after a recent court ruling, but there are complications.
A Colorado court ruling granted a fifth year to all players who were part of the high school class of 2022 who were 23 or younger, completed four seasons without using a redshirt and did not sign a professional contract. However, that ruling, for now, did not allow an extra transfer window for those players and said that the players would still count against the roster limits. This means these players can only transfer if they previously went in the portal during the January window, otherwise they can only return to their previous school.
The only fourth-year senior who was on Vanderbilt's 2025 roster who did not redshirt was Langston Patterson, but Patterson was not made eligible by this ruling because he signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys and is currently in their training camp.
"I had conversations with our coordinators about where our needs are, what we'd be looking for," Lea said Aug. 4. "There's still some things that need to be settled, who's covered in the ruling. ... There's a lot of restrictions involved in that so we just have to let that sort, but in the meantime, we can prepare for different approaches depending on what's available to us."
Vanderbilt already has 115 players on its roster, which is over the roster limit of 105. However, the Designated Student Athlete rule allows teams to be over the roster limit with certain players who would have otherwise been cut once the roster limits were implemented. DSAs are players who were on a roster during the 2024-25 season or who were committed as part of the class of 2025 who were cut or would have been cut from a roster due to the roster limits being implemented.

#ruling #only #year

One of Carolina's key offensive players had an injury scare during Tuesday's practice, but should be OK sooner than later.
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters in his press conference that receiver Xavier Legette appeared to have suffered a stinger on a rough landing after making a catch during the session.
"Made a really nice play, high pointed it … came down really hard," Canales said. "Went in, evaluated him, cleared him of a concussion. But it looks like a stinger, so we're going to evaluate him more over the next day or so and make sure he's in the right spot.
"He wouldn't be playing in this game, but we have a nice little window to get him turned around and just see where he's at."
The Panthers are playing the Hall of Fame Game against the Cardinals on Thursday night, with their following practice slated for Sunday.

#canales #stinger #nice #xavier

Patrick Warburton recently talked about his experiences with older costars during an appearance on Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia
Warburton recalled doing a skit with the legendary Carol Burnett in which she played twins who were both romantically interested in him
The actor, now 61, shared how the moment felt as a 27-year-old actor
Patrick Warburton has had some unique opportunities to work with iconic actresses.
During his appearance on the Aug. 2 episode of Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia, the Seinfeld actor, 61, looked back at a comedy skit that paired him with the legendary Carol Burnett.

#warburton #tonight #appearance

The Detroit Lions announced a pair of roster moves on Tuesday morning.
The Lions announced that it has re-signed Zach Horton, who signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in May of 2025. Horton was waived last year in roster cuts, but the Lions signed him to its 2025 practice squad and then to a Reserve/Future contract this past January.
The Lions waived Horton last Friday and signed tight end Anthony Firkser in a corresponding move.
Firkser exited Monday's training camp practice early to be evaluated for injury. Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced on Tuesday morning that Firkser had suffered a fractured fibula. The Lions placed Firkser on injured reserve on Tuesday morning.
Firkser joins rookie receiver Kendrick Law as Lions in injured reserve. Law suffered a season-ending ACL tear during OTAs.

#reserve #announced

The offensive line is the most unique position on the football field. Not only does it require talent, but it requires a mix of technique and chemistry that's hard to find. Five players have to be in lockstep, and one weak link can sink the entire group.
2025 was a down year for offensive line play in the SEC. Six teams averaged less than four yards per carry. Teams that were expected to be strong up front, like Texas and Florida, averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry.
Today, we'll be looking at one key leverage point for every offensive line in the SEC. These are players that, if they put it together, can elevate their respective offensive lines. For some OLs, that means going from good to elite. For others, it means going from bad to average.
Some of the leverage points were included because they were the weak link last year. Others are on here because they were already good, but have a chance to carry the group if another step is taken. Let's jump in.
Juan Gaston enters his sophomore campaign after signing with Georgia as a four-star in 2025. Coming out of high school, Gaston was the No. 62-ranked recruit in the country and No. 4 at his position. Gaston is massive, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing well over 300 pounds, which allowed him to step right in and play right away, earning a start in the season opener last Fall.

#gaston #line #teams #players

Every time I open the internet, Charlize Theron is serving another standout look on the Asian leg of The Odyssey press tour, and I have absolutely no complaints. Her latest appearance came at the Seoul premiere held at Yeongdeungpo Times Square on Tuesday.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
About 99.9% of you weren't on board with her previous Tom Ford look. The comments on my Facebook group ranged from "Female Dexter" and "Serial Killer Chic by Aileen Wuornos" to one reader who described her recent run of looks as "the curtain, the table and now the raincoat." I'm ***** uming that was a reference to the Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Tom Ford looks.
Here it was called "a dumb, dumb look," while another said, "The gloves and skirt turn this into a fancy butcher trying to avoid getting blood on her clothes."
Charlize Theron Instagram

#charlize #theron #ODYSSEY #seoul

In the modern NFL, high-powered offenses often steal highlight reels, but games are still won in the trenches. Speaking to reporters before training camp practice following the team's first padded session, Pittsburgh Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy laid out his philosophy on building a dominant offensive line. He stressed that health, continuity, and roster depth are the true backbones of a championship season.
Before Wednesday's practice in Latrobe, in a video shared on X by reporter Chris Adamski, McCarthy highlighted a timeless league truth: cohesive offensive line play directly correlates with winning games.
"A lot of value there, a lot of talent," said McCarthy when asked about the pedigree of his offensive line. "I've always adhered to the statistics of how many consecutive starts that you have with your offensive line, it equates to winning and has for decades in our league. So, trying to establish the starting five is something you're always going through in training camp.
"Most importantly is the depth. I know recently we've played a lot of offensive linemen, that's why you hear me talk about position flexibility so much. It's critical, particularly in a 17-game season. I really like the group, but I think yesterday being the first day in pads is a real starting point of who we are and who we want to be."
Building a starting unit is only half the battle in a grueling schedule. As McCarthy noted, injuries are an inevitable reality of professional football. Success hinges on having reserves who can step in without disrupting the offensive flow.

#offensive #starting #camp #first

Barcelona have signed Brazilian international Kerolin from Women's Super League champions Manchester City on a contract running through to 2030.
The 26-year-old helped Andree Jeglertz's side win a first WSL ***** le in a decade last season, adding the Women's FA Cup to a hugely successful campaign.
She scored nine goals and ***** isted five in 15 WSL appearances, including a memorable hat-trick against rivals Chelsea in February.
Reports suggest City have received around £1.3m from Barcelona for the transfer - the largest fee paid for a female Brazilian player.
Kerolin joined City from North Carolina Courage in January 2025 and had a contract with the club until 2028.

#contract #andree #Chelsea

Middlesbrough's new striker Will Lankshear said he has learned more in a week under head coach Kim ***** berg than he has in his entire football career previously.
The 21-year-old signed from Tottenham two weeks ago after spending last season on loan at Oxford United, where he scored 11 goals and provided four ***** ists in 44 Championship games.
Lankshear played his first game for what he described as an "amazing, brilliant and massive" club in a 3-3 pre-season friendly draw with Espanyol on Saturday.
Hellberg praised Lankshear after the match and said: "Will as a nine is absolutely brilliant, he's mobile, he can do almost anything."
And Lankshear has now returned the compliment to ***** berg.

#TOTTENHAM

Former Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the Turkish Football Federation's new director of elite refereeing following his retirement from officiating.
The 47-year-old, who ended his 20-year refereeing career last month, will oversee the development and management of elite match officials in Turkey.
Taylor expressed his enthusiasm after taking up the position.
"I am delighted to be joining the Turkish Football Federation and look forward to the opportunity ahead," he said.
Anthony Taylor appointed Turkish refereeing chief

#turkish #refereeing #appointed

The St. Louis Cardinals (56-57) and New York Yankees (63-50) continue their three-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.
Its been a challenge offensively for these teams for much of the season, but last night the bats were alive as the teams combined for 20 runs and 23 hits as the Cards rallied in the eighth inning to win 13-7. Alec Burleson put on a show all by himself with three home runs and six runs batted in but he was not the only player who went yard. Jimmy Crooks and Nathan Church also homered for St. Louis and the Yankees went deep five times. Recently acquired Luis Garcia Jr., Ryan McMahon, Trent Grisham, Jose Caballero, and Austin Wells circled the bases for the hometown Pinstripes. Buried behind all the offensive fireworks was a poor outing from Cam Schlittler who walked five and gave up four hits and four runs over just three innings.
With the loss New York dropped to 3.5 games behind the Rays in the AL East while the Cardinals kept pace in the NL Wild Card chase with the win.
St. Louis is expected to turn to right-hander Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.74 ERA). The 26-year-old has been inconsistent this season. Last Monday he allowed seven hits and four runs over 5.1 innings against the Cubs. The previous Wednesday, though, Dobbins threw six shutout innings against the Angels. The Yankees counter with Ryan Weathers (4-7, 3.99 ERA). The southpaw has been sharp his last two starts allowing just nine hits and one earned run over 12.2 innings.
After Monday's offensive explosion, the biggest question entering Game 2 is whether the sudden offense stays around or if either side's pitching regains control.

#cardinals