Regular readers know that I've followed one of the great Cy Young horse races in recent memory, with Cam Schlittler going great start-for-great start with the Blue Jays' Dylan Cease. We got a little bit of separation this week, as the Athletics touched up Cease for four runs in five innings on Monday, and then Schlittler allowed just a solo shot in seven frames against the Rockies on Tuesday. Cam has crept just ahead by fWAR, enjoys a considerable lead in bWAR, and right now I think would end up at the top of most voters' ballots.
But something struck me in the aftermath of Cam's night against Colorado, the same night that Aaron Judge returned to the lineup. Cam Schlittler isn't just the Cy Young favorite, but he's built himself an MVP case. No pitcher has won the award since Clayton Kershaw for the 2014 Dodgers, and the last AL winner was 2011 Justin Verlander. Yordan Alvarez is in the hunt for the first Triple Crown since Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Witt Jr. is probably the best overall player in the league, and if Junior Caminero tops the AL in home runs and plays on the Junior Circuit's best team, he probably gets his share of votes too.
And yet here's the thing: Cam stacks up fairly against all three of them!
Let's take Yordan, who I think has the inside track on the award right now. Schlittler's 0.1 fWAR back, a difference that is literally negligible, and more than three-quarters of a win better by bWAR. Alvarez's candidacy is based around the Triple Crown, probably being the best hitter in baseball, and dragging what we thought was a finally-deflated Houston Astros team to a division ****** le. ****** py AL West or not, that is exactly the blueprint for an MVP, if one for a slightly older voter.
Should Alvarez not win the Triple Crown, he loses a bit of his case, though he's likely still the best hitter in the game on a division winner, one who will have played in the neighborhood of 155 games. That's the big thing both undercutting Witt's MVP claim while bolstering his position as best all-around player — the Kansas City shortstop has only played 128 games at time of writing, yet leads the league in fWAR and bWAR among position players. With a solid-but-not-spectacular 18 homers and 124 wRC+, the parts of his game beyond hitting are doing the heavy lifting there as well. All that and the fact that the Royals are so bad work against him when it comes to end of season awards though, and Bobby seems cursed to be the Dave Stieb of shortstops.

#schlittler #young #cease

Fans will get to see two of the better defenses in the NFL face off in Jacksonville as the Browns fly in to face the Jags in week one. It also happens to be the first game back since October of 2024 for Deshaun Watson, a player who has found immense success over the course of his career vs. the Jaguars.
First though, let's discuss this vaunted Cleveland defense. If not for their putrid offense, this might have been the best unit in the NFL last season. The Browns led the NFL by allowing just 22.6 yards per drive, ranked fourth in yards per play (4.8), and fifth in pressure rate (38.1%).
They also happened to lead the league with 117 tackles for loss on the season.
It's no secret that much of that success can be attributed to one Myles Garrett, but don't overlook who Cleveland got in return for this generation's best pass-rusher. Jared Verse knows how to rush the passer. Since 2024, Verse ranks only behind the previously mentioned Myles Garrett and the Jaguars' very own Josh Hines-Allen in pressures with 157 to his name.
In the secondary, the Browns have a familiar face at cornerback in Tyson Campbell. Following the trade, Campbell actually put together a solid season, allowing a 51% completion rate and eight PBUs. His teammate Denzel Ward also allowed a completion rate under 60%. This is a tough team to find success through the air against, allowing just 167 passing yards per game.

#season #rate

The opening round at the Irish Open delivered a brutal test of patience and precision. Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, saw play slowed significantly across the field as strong winds dominated the conditions. Defending champion Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the hunt, carding a 1-under 69 despite a costly double bogey on the 13th hole. While he sits four shots behind the leader, his position remains viable heading into the second day. The defending champion knows the margin for error is slim when the elements turn hostile. He remains tied for 17th place, a spot that offers hope but demands immediate improvement to challenge for the **** le.
According to GolfMagic, Joaquin Niemann seized the early lead with a spectacular 5-under 65. The LIV Golf standout made his move with four consecutive birdies from the 14th to the 17th holes. His drive on the 14th landed a mere three feet from the cup, creating a simple birdie opportunity that propelled his charge. Niemann's sole mistake was a bogey on the 12th following a three-putt. When asked about the experience, he noted, "It was a lot of fun out there."It's a really tricky course and a really fun golf course to play, especially with the Irish weather, he also praised the layout, stating. Despite the pressure of chasing the leader, Niemann capitalized on the scoring opportunities while others struggled.
Rory McIlroy's round told a different story of resilience. His tee shot at the 13th rolled into a bunker, hit the lip, and came back into the sand. His second shot then hit below the lip, skipped out of the sand, and landed on the fairway, yet the damage was done with a double bogey. Playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who shot a 75 after a triple bogey start, McIlroy faced a difficult back nine. Koepka's struggles on the opening hole highlighted how the high grass and wind punished errant shots. Despite his own errors, McIlroy managed to finish under par. "I hung in there, shot under par, and at least don't feel like I'm out of the tournament," he admitted. He added, "A good day tomorrow gets me right back in it."
Shane Lowry provided a local perspective on the day's difficulty. According to ESPN, Lowry finished at 67 and remained bogey-free on the back nine. He was tied with Shaun Norris. Lowry faced the same darkness issues as others, noting, "I honestly didn't think we were going to get finished." That's probably the longest round of golf I ever played, in a three-ball, anyway. I'm happy with my score."I felt like I did a solid job of making pars and trying to get to the clubhouse as quick as I could," he explained his strategy, saying. Meanwhile, Adrian Meronk was at 3 under but unable to finish before darkness fell. Patrick Reed shot 68 in the challenging conditions.
The gap between McIlroy and Niemann is significant but not insurmountable. Four shots is a manageable deficit in a four-round event, provided the weather cooperates. McIlroy's ability to recover from the bunker disaster

Jose Alvarado's appearance last night probably solidified what Don Mattingly is thinking in the playoffs. He and Alex McFarlane are going to be the bridges to Jhoan Duran. Jonathan Bowlan looks like he is struggling to handle to pressure as it continues to mount with each appearance that gets closer to September, so maybe those are the two that get leaned on.
On to the links.
Phillies news:
The Phillies have had a really good offensive approach since the All-Star break. Can they keep it up during the playoffs against better pitching ($)?
Bryson Stott is still considered the young guy on the infield, but he's pretty much a (good) finished product.

#appearance #playoffs #mattingly #alex

On Saturday, Lazio will be aiming to preserve their perfect Serie A record when they host fellow undefeated AC Milan.
This will be Gennaro Gattuso's biggest test to date as Biancocelesti manager, as he prepares to host the club he called home for 14 years. The Calabrian will be engaged in a thrilling tactical battle against his opposite number Ruben Amorim, who is enjoying a positive start to his maiden year in Italian football. Nevertheless, the outcome will be determined by the 22 men on the pitch.
Hence, it's time to take a closer look at some of the most interesting duels that are expected to take place all over the pitch when Lazio and Milan lock horns at the Stadio Olimpico.
Among Lazio's seven summer signings, Danilho Doekhi was probably the least exciting arrival, as the fanbase was quick to label him as a depth player rather than a protagonist. Perhaps this will be the case once Josip Sutalo is up and running, but in the meantime, the Dutchman has been solid at the back, forming a good understanding with Oliver Provstgaard.
Danilho Doekhi (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

#lazio #take

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha tips his teammate and compatriot Andrey Santos to turn heads this season.
The defensive midfielder was the club's first summer signing, completing a transfer from Chelsea for £48 million.
The Brazilian was later followed by another two midfielders in the shape Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, as the Red Devils completely revamped the department.
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Thanks to his relatively early arrival, Santos was a mainstay in Michael Carrick's starting lineup in pre-season, forming a solid partnership with Mason Mount prior to the latter's injury.

#matheus

Wow. It took an extra inning for it to be decided but the A's came out on top thanks to some late-game heroics from an unexpected hero. The Athletics took the first game of the series against the Mariners, walking them off en route to a 6-5 victory. Seattle's playoff hopes are on life support.
Springs solid again
The A's had veteran southpaw Jeffrey Springs on the ***** p tonight. It's no secret he's in the final month donning the Green & Gold but there's no reason his tenure has to end on a low note.
Springs had literally just seen these guys, pitching against them within the past week. That start was in Seattle though and he's been much better on the road. How would he do against them in the hitters ballpark that is the Athletics' current home?
Seattle struck first tonight, going small-ball to bring in a run in the first against Springs to give the M's a quick lead. They'd go small-ball again in the second for their second run, pushing across that baserunner off a groundout. That was all the damage Seattle could muster tonight against the lefty though as he would toss three more innings without allowing another run.

#athletics #small #ball

EDITOR'S NOTE: Coaches are reminded to send in game results each weeknight, from 6-10 p.m., by emailing them to pjsportsprovidencejournal.com.
Sara Nencka scored two goals and teammate Julia Fox added the game winner with eight minutes remaining in the contest to push the Huskies past the Avengers. Mt. Hope also got a solid performance from netminder Moira Ware who collected 12 saves.
Also factoring in the win were Aubrey **** s and Olivia Overy with an **** ist apiece.
For East Greenwich in the loss, Vivian Gelzhiser and Maeve Soden scored a goal each, Elizabeth Low and Maeve Monaghan each had an **** ist and netminder Scarlett Ruff had 4 saves.
Bella Pfeiler led the Patriots with two goals and Allison Patten had a goal and two **** ists to hand St. Raphael its first loss of the season.

#maeve #netminder

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee), who is listed as questionable for the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, is not expected to have a big role if he does play.
SOURCE: Nick Underhill - NewOrleans.Football
Why it Matters: Although Kamara still has a chance to suit up in the season opener, it sounds like the Saints will play it safe with their veteran running back. Kamara should be a solid flex option this season, especially in PPR formats, but even he does play, he should probably be left on the bench in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alvin Kamara likely limited

#play #Alvin #lions #source

Kyle Tucker hit a crucial seventh-inning grand slam to power the Dodgers (90-57) to a 6-2 win over the Marlins (72-76) Friday night in Miami.
It was an exciting night in Miami with pregame buzz surrounding the MLB debut of Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula. De Paula went 0-for-3 on the night. He flied out to right fielder Esteury Ruiz in his first major-league at-bat. In his second at-bat, with one out in the fourth, the 21-year old drew a walk. In his third at-bat, De Paula grounded out to first baseman Kyle Stowers.
Blake Snell put together another solid night on the mound, only allowing 1 run on 4 hits to the Fish. Otto Lopez singled against Snell in the first, but Smith gunned down Lopez at second on a steal attempt to end the inning. The Marlins got more base runners on in the second against Snell, but he was once again able to pitch around the traffic to get out of the inning unscathed.
Tucker has been getting hot at just the right time for the Dodgers after an abysmal year at the plate.
The Dodgers manufactured a run in the top of the third. Tommy Edman drew the leadoff walk, and Max Muncy singled. Kyle Tucker's sac fly gave Snell a 1-0 lead.

#Dodgers #paula #tucker

The Colorado Rockies entered Detroit hoping to snap a seven-game losing streak on the road. Despite a solid start from their rookie pitcher and an offense that out-hit the Tigers, the Rockies bullpen collapsed in the middle innings, leading to a 6-2 defeat. They are now just eight games away from losing 100 games for the fourth season in a row.
Making his fourth big-league start, Mason Adams continued to impress in a Rockies uniform with a fairly quick and efficient outing.
The night started promisingly as Adams struck out the side in the bottom of the first inning. In the second, he allowed a leadoff single to Riley Greene and a one-out walk to Max Clark but managed to escape with a ground ball double play. He then worked a quick 1-2-3 third inning followed by a quick fourth inning where he faced the minimum.
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Through the first four innings, Adams had thrown just 52 pitches with four groundouts and looked primed to go the deepest into the game than he had previously. Unfortunately, he had to labor in the fifth inning with 25 pitches.

#game

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA), through its First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company subsidiary, completed the acquisition of 138 BMO Bank N.A. branches on September 4. The locations span 11 states across the Midwest, Great Plains and West.
The completion announcement did not disclose final transferred balances. At the announcement, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) expected to ****** ume approximately $5.7 billion of deposits and acquire $1.1 billion of loans. Its July 2026 update lowered those estimates to $5.3 billion and $700 million, respectively. Both estimates imply roughly $4.6 billion of net liquidity. That difference represents funding capacity, not transaction income, and remains subject to final balances and acquisition accounting.
The deposit franchise could be the transaction's most valuable ****** et. At announcement, the acquired deposits carried a weighted average rate of 1.43%, with 21% in noninterest-bearing demand accounts. First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) reported a 2.07% average total deposit cost in the second quarter of 2026. Retaining the acquired accounts near their original pricing could lower the consolidated funding cost.
The 138 branches also establish or deepen a presence across 11 states. The original transaction presentation identified approximately $1.0 billion of wealth ****** ets under management, creating opportunities to cross-sell commercial lending, treasury services, and wealth products. Retaining branch personnel could help preserve local relationships.
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCA) can deploy the surplus funding in several ways. As of June 30, 2026, the company held $151.03 billion of loans and $32.19 billion of borrowings, including a $28.42 billion purchase money note owed to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The acquired liquidity could support loan growth, replace more expensive funding, or be invested in securities. The original presentation projected immediate earnings-per-share accretion and an approximately 27-basis-point reduction in the Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio.

#billion #first #citizens

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., the regulated utility subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), joined New York regulatory staff and other parties in filing a proposed three-year steam-rate plan covering November 2026 through October 2029. Approval from the New York State Public Service Commission remains required.
The proposal includes headline base-rate changes of $13 million, $42 million and $39 million over the three rate years. A bill-shaping mechanism would instead implement corresponding base-rate increases of $26.6 million, $27.5 million and $28.5 million, producing an approximately 3.5% total customer-bill effect each year. Any revenue shortfall caused by delayed billing after the proposed November 1 effective date would be collected through a surcharge.
For Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), the attraction is a visible investment and recovery framework. The trade-off is a 9.5% authorized return on common equity and limited room before earnings sharing begins.
The settlement supports $396 million of steam capital spending over three years, comprising $143 million, $127 million, and $126 million annually. The average rate base is projected to increase from $2.118 billion in the first rate year to $2.234 billion in the second and $2.311 billion in the third. That represents approximately 9.1% ***** ulative growth from the first year to the third, providing a larger base on which Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) can earn its authorized return.
The multiyear structure also improves planning. Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) would know the principal revenue, capital, and financing ***** umptions through October 2029 rather than returning immediately to a full rate proceeding. The proposed after-tax weighted average cost of capital rises from 7.07% to 7.19% across the plan, reflecting higher ***** umed long-term debt costs.

#million #consolidated #year #three

Breakout loading. At least that's what the Dallas Cowboys hope after they inked tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and receiver Ryan Flournoy to a pair of extensions this week. In a break from the norm, the Cowboys went out on a limb and played the speculation market. Channeling his inner oilman, owner Jerry Jones has put his money where his mouth is and bet big on breakouts.
In previous years, it was the Cowboys waiting until after a breakout was achieved before extensions were offered. Terence Steele was signed to a five-year, $82,500,000 deal after his breakout season in 2022. Jaylon Smith was regrettably signed to a five-year, $63,750,000 extension after his breakout season in 2018. And even Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland got signed after already establishing themselves high among the NFL hierarchy.
It doesn't take Wallstreet stockbroker to know investing after something has already blown up has its drawbacks. Sure, seeing success insulates from risk, but it also means investors are buying high. Good deals are made through speculation. They come with risk since they're predictive rather than proven, but they also come at a much lower price and with a much higher upside.
After displaying significant growth in 2025, Flournoy has been a media and fan favorite to breakout in a big way this season. Signing a one-year, $6M extension, Flournoy retains his Cowboydom through the 2027 season. This is important because if George Pickens leaves after the current season, Flournoy ensures a level of continuity amongst the top receiver ranks.
Sources: The #cowboys and WR Ryan Flournoy have agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth up to $6M.

Flournoy is coming off a career year with 40 catches for 475 and 4 TDs. He’s expected to have an even bigger role in the offense this season as the solidified WR3 and now gets… pic.twitter.com/p04Q0S80A9

#extension

The Tennessee ******* ans and New York Jets are set to begin the 2026 season with a Week 1 matchup at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
A matchup featuring two teams looking to turn their franchises around, there isn't much of an expectation that this game is going to feature much offense to be excited about. With that said, there are a handful of names that fantasy football managers are wondering about for Sunday.
Both the ******* ans and the Jets have some major question marks on the offensive side of the ball, but value can be found anywhere throughout the league.
Here's a look at who to start and sit for fantasy football in this Week 1 matchup:
Wilson's fourth season was cut short to only seven games, but he should be a solid start in Week 1. The ******* ans allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (29.7) to the wide receiver position. Wilson has been plagued by poor quarterback play and while Geno Smith isn't a major upgrade, he's better than what they've had. Wilson should be in for some high-end WR2 numbers.

#Titans #Jets #much

Saints manager Craig Harrison was sent off as his side consolidated their place at the top of the Cymru Premier table.
The visitors were already two goals ahead - through first-half efforts from Daniel Williams and Rory Holden - by the time Harrison earned the wrath of the match officials early in the second period. Saints stay top while Airbus held on to eighth spot.
The tale of the table did not lie as Caernarfon eased to a thumping victory in south west Wales to move third.
Phillip Mooney and Sion Bradley putting them 2-0 up by the break before Ammanford's Lucas Davies saw red.
Bradley added their third from the penalty spot before Mooney also grabbed a second and Harri Wyn completed their scoring as they left winless Ammanford to lick their wounds and down in 15th place.

#mooney #table #Third #craig

The European Central Bank is likely to deliver a 25 basis-point rate hike at its meeting concluding today. But while the direction of travel may be clear for now, the path beyond September is anything but.
The ECB is likely to keep its powder dry beyond today, with the path thereafter determined by how the economy and, above all, inflation respond to the renewed energy shock. The key message from the Governing Council is therefore likely to be hawkish: further hike(s) may be warranted if inflation risks intensify, but policymakers will want to retain flexibility rather than pre-commit to any specific policy path.
There is only modest evidence so far that inflation expectations are becoming less firmly anchored, although there may be growing concern that second-round effects may eventually turn a temporary energy shock into a more persistent inflation problem. The challenge for the ECB is that the economy has so far proven more resilient than expected, making an upside revision to its growth projections probable. Output rose more than anticipated during the second quarter, and business surveys are suggesting solid momentum ahead.
That resilience matters. A weaker economy would give policymakers more room to look through an energy-driven inflation spike. A more robust economy, by contrast, makes it harder to ***** ume that higher energy prices may simply wash through absent affecting wages, services prices and broader inflation behaviour.
Euro area headline inflation rose to 3.3% year on year last month (Figure 1), although the easing in core inflation to 2.4% does offer some reassurance. Underlying inflation measures have stayed comparatively moderate, wage pressures are still contained and there is, as yet, only sparse evidence that the energy shock is generating widespread second-round effects.

#economy #path #shock #today

Scotiabank believes CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWD) is emerging as a "vendor of choice" for agentic AI security needs. After conversing with more than 15 customers at the Fal.Con 2026 event and meeting with the company management, the Wall Street firm came away confident in the company's sustained momentum.
On September 4, Scotiabank ***** yst Patrick Colville raised the price target on the stock to $265 from $250 while maintaining a Sector Outperform rating. Firm checks showed how customers are experiencing an "accelerating" desire to consolidate security stacks onto CrowdStrike's platform.
The key question now is whether CrowdStrike can sustain this interest and translate it into meaningful growth, all while defending its position as a key AI cyber security platform.
An engineer typing on a computer, developing the latest cybersecurity application.
On September 1, CrowdStrike introduced SafeMind, a suite of cyber security threat detection models within its Falcon platform. The launch was made at the Fal.Con 2026 event, aimed to run as one system designed to deliver AI safety.

#platform #september #customers #holdings

NEW YORK — On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the matchup between the Mets and Yankees will take Major League Baseball's center stage.
Expect some powerful moments pregame between New York's two baseball teams square off at 7:10 p.m. on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.
The meaning of Friday's game will go beyond the standings, at least for the Mets. They enter the game at 68-78 and winners of four straight games and looking to play spoiler for their crosstown rivals' division ****** le hopes.
The Yankees enter the Subway Series playing solid baseball, as well. The Yankees (84-62) are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies to move within three games of the Rays in the race for the AL East.
The Mets are coming off a three-game sweep of the Marlins after securing the series finale against the Giants last weekend.

#series

The theme of our final regular-season free-agency update? Status quo.
Frankly, not much has happened since the trade deadline. The good players have continued to play well. A few characters have tumbled from underperformance or skyrocketed up from anonymity, but for the most part, August solidified what we already thought we knew.
As a reminder: This is a weak class. It's increasingly unlikely that a single position player will surpass the $100 million threshold, something that hasn't happened in more than a decade. The uncertainty of the lockout will have an impact as the sport prepares to go on a transactional hiatus starting Dec. 1.
We'll be back with free-agency coverage before then, with our comprehensive top 50 free agents list dropping in October.
Notes: Whenever you see a number, a slash and another number, that's a reference to contract years and total earnings. For instance, the shorthand for Bryce Harper's 11-year, $330 million deal would be "11/330." Ages listed below are for the 2027 season.

#agency

Throughout almost the entirety of his professional tennis career, Frances Tiafoe has had the support of his girlfriend, Ayan Broomfield, whom he has been dating since 2015. On September 11, he'll play in the Semifinals of the US Open for the third time as he seeks his first Grand Slam tournament win.
Broomfield has been in the stands cheering Tiafoe on throughout the tournament. He previously gushed over her support in an interview with ATP earlier this year, telling the outlet, "She's been critical not only for my career, but for my life. She's so solid. She's been there for me for so many years, and happy to have her, very important."
Below, we rounded up everything to know about Broomfield and her relationship with the tennis star.
Broomfield is a content creator and fashion influencer. In 2024, she created the Ayan Broomfield Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides tennis athleticwear and equipment to underprivileged youth.
In 2014 and 2015, Broomfield played professional tennis. She competed in singles, as well as doubles with her partner, Maria Patrascu. The women peaked at No. 467 in world doubles rankings.

#ayan #professional #Career

Major indexes climbed Friday afternoon, holding to early momentum as investors took in stride inflation data showing consumers continued to pay higher prices for goods and services in August. Among movers rounding off the holiday-shortened week, shipping and logistics provider Matson (MATX) broke out.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.1%, or about 590 points, as the S&P 500 moved up 1.1%. Ten of the index's 11 sectors moved higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite tacked on 1.2%, and the Russell 2000 small-cap index picked up 0.7%.
Stocks found some relief from a nearly 3% slide in West Texas Intermediate crude futures to just below $100 a barrel. The 10-year Treasury yield was steady at a 52-week high of 4.95%. Bitcoin rose to roughly $77,700.
Matson (MATX) broke out of a consolidation at a 230.74 pivot. The Hawaii-based company's fleet of vessels includes containerships and barges. Matson is on the IBD Ready List – a list of stocks that are or may become actionable soon.
Meanwhile, Best Buy (BBY) neared a buy point of 91.27 in a consolidation base. The stock was the biggest gainer on the list on Friday.

#matx #higher

As we head into Gameweek 4 of the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season, making the right armband choice is critical for solidifying early-season rank gains.
With prime fixtures on the horizon – including heavy hitters facing vulnerable defenses and high-flying budget **** ets continuing to shock the league – selecting the right captain can make or break your weekend.
Here is a breakdown of the top GW4 FPL captaincy pick options to help you make the ultimate decision.
Despite playing away at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby, Erling Haaland remains the undisputed premier option among game week 4 FPL captain picks.
Manchester United's backline has looked shaky to start the campaign, surrendering six goals in their opening three league matches.

#league #captain

Sept 10 (Reuters) - The Israeli military destroyed Hezbollah underground infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister ‌Israel Katz said on Thursday, adding that the operation completed the consolidation ‌of a security zone in the area.
Israeli forces would remain in the area to prevent the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militant group from re-establishing its presence and rebuilding its capabilities, the two officials said in a joint statement.
The Ali al-Taher ridge, about 15 km (10 miles) from the Israeli border, has become one of the most contested areas of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah ‌is believed to have built ⁠an underground command centre and weapons stores there, according to Lebanese security sources who spoke to Reuters in July.
Lebanon's state news agency ⁠NNA said the Israeli military carried out a powerful blast at the ridge, with tremors and the sound of the explosion felt across Nabatieh and surrounding areas.
The Israeli military said its forces had established "operational control" over the ridge, both above and below ground, before dismantling the ‌infrastructure. The network extended for more than 2 km (1.24 miles) and contained dozens of rockets, missiles and drones, as well as anti-tank missiles, mines and explosive devices, it said.

#israeli #hezbollah #minister #infrastructure

On September 8, ServiceTitan, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTAN) reported its fiscal second-quarter financial results, which showed impressive growth. The company's revenue increased 21% year-over-year to $292.8 million and non-GAAP free cash flow reached a record $50.5 million. The company's non-GAAP operating margin also improved to 15.2%.
A key highlight of the quarter was the growing adoption of ServiceTitan, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:TTAN) AI-powered Max package. The company exceeded its target as the number of Max locations more than doubled during the quarter. It now expects to reach more than 700 Max locations by the end of the fiscal year.
The company also said that it is currently focusing on Max and AI, as these represent the highest return on investment. However, this also means that the company is deferring expansion into new commercial trades.
GTV Growth Slows Despite Strong Results
While overall results were solid, ServiceTitan, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTAN) saw some moderation in gross transaction volume (GTV) growth. GTV increased 17% year-over-year in the fiscal second quarter, down from the 23% growth seen in the first quarter. The company attributed the slower growth mainly to lower lead volumes among customers, particularly in the HVAC market.

#NASDAQ

On September 8, 2026, GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) agreed to buy Consolidated Precision Products (CPP) for $11.75 billion. The acquisition marks the company's largest bet yet on precision engine castings, a constraint that has been capping GE's growth. Trading already at roughly 40x earnings, the company has now attacked one of its genuine bottlenecks through the deal. But has it paid too much to do it?
Castings, including the superalloy and ******* anium hot-section parts inside the jet engines, have constrained GE's engine production, including programs such as LEAP and GEnx, as well as its high-margin aftermarket. Without these castings, the company can neither build nor service its engines. If the acquisition closes, the company will gain access to CPP's 20-plus plants and about 6,600 workers, which are essential for making those components. The deal would therefore enable GE to control the constraint as well as defend its margins. CEO Larry Culp characterized the move as securing manufacturing capacity to meet simultaneous demand across commercial engines, aftermarket services, and defense contracts.
The valuation is where bulls should slow down. GE is paying roughly 18x 2027 EBITDA including synergies (26x without synergies). The sellers are private equity firms Warburg Pincus and Berkshire Partners. They have basically offloaded a cyclical business near the peak of the aerospace cycle. This is smart money selling to GE instead of the other way around. The real tell is that GE felt compelled to buy its way past this capacity bottleneck instead of scaling organically, which reveals how tight its prized aftermarket really was. Also, CPP also supplies other major aerospace and defense companies such as Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin, and through the vertical tie-up, the company invites antitrust scrutiny before it closes in late 2027.
GE's 40x multiple rests on its high-margin razor-and-blade business model that services a huge installed base. And the casting supply shortages quietly constrain this aftermarket. Hence, more than merely fixing a supply chain issue, the CPP acquisition defends the company's high margin and multiple. Financially, the transaction is accretive to adjusted EPS and free cash flow in the first year, funded through $7 billion in cash alongside newly issued debt. Insider Monkey data shows 113 hedge funds held GE in Q2 2026, down modestly from 119 in Q1, reflecting firm institutional positioning. Short interest is just 1.3% of float, below peers like Honeywell International (1.6%). Almost no one bets against it.

#aftermarket #acquisition #including

Two cybersecurity heavyweights, Rubrik, Inc. (NYSE:RBRK) and CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD), both released Q2 FY2027 earnings in late August/early September while deepening their strategic alliance. On September 1, the companies announced a joint agentic identity resilience workflow orchestrated by CrowdStrike's Charlotte Agentic SOAR. By uniting CrowdStrike's Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security with Rubrik's Identity Resilience, joint customers can now detect, investigate, and recover from compromised identity environments in hours instead of days.
Den Rise/Shutterstock.com
CrowdStrike continues to operate at a massive scale with strong cash generation and expanding margins. For Q2 FY2027, CrowdStrike reported total revenue of $1.47 billion, up 26% year-over-year, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) reaching $5.84 billion (up 25%) after adding a record $333 million in net new ARR. GAAP net income turned positive at $5.3 million ($0.01 per diluted share), while non-GAAP net income reached $322.9 million ($0.31 per diluted share). Operating cash flow hit a Q2 record of $530.3 million, with free cash flow reaching $377.4 million. Expanding its momentum, CrowdStrike announced a partnership with OpenAI on September 2 to secure Codex agents and integrate GPT-5.6 Cyber into Falcon, prompting Raymond James to raise its price target to $250 from $240 on September 3, citing an "AI double whammy."
Rubrik, meanwhile, represents the hyper-growth challenger outperforming Wall Street's top-line expectations. For Q2 FY2027, Rubrik's total revenue surged 38% year-over-year to $427.3 million (up 43% when normalized for material rights), while Subscription ARR grew 33% to $1.66 billion. While GAAP net loss per share narrowed to $(0.30), Rubrik achieved non-GAAP net income per share of $0.20 ($0.47–$0.53 guidance for full FY27). Operating cash flow reached $76.8 million, generating $65.7 million in free cash flow. While CrowdStrike holds the stronger overall financial profile given its $5.84 billion ARR scale and $377.4 million free cash flow generation, Rubrik leads in top-line growth velocity.
CrowdStrike's bull case rests on its leadership in endpoint and identity security, proven GAAP and non-GAAP profitability, and deep AI integrations with platforms such as OpenAI and Charlotte AI, which could drive further platform consolidation and high-margin ARR growth. However, slower percentage growth compared with younger peers, elevated valuation multiples, and lingering customer scrutiny following past software update disruptions remain key risks.

#flow

On August 27, AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) and Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) scored a shared clinical victory. Positive high-level results from the Phase III CROSSING trial showed that their co-developed severe asthma drug, TEZSPIRE, achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements across both co-primary endpoints, histologic remission and the frequency/severity of dysphagia, and all key secondary endpoints at week 24 in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. These benefits were sustained through week 52 across both tested doses, accompanied by a safety profile consistent with its approved indications. While CROSSING highlights their joint R&D success, a closer look at their standalone financial performance reveals distinct growth trajectories.
Both pharmaceutical giants delivered solid Q2 2026 results, but AstraZeneca is showing stronger overall financial momentum. AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN)'s Q2 revenue increased 6% year over year to $15.38 billion, supported by its Oncology franchise, which grew 18% in H1 to $14.12 billion, and its Rare Disease portfolio, which increased 13%. Core EPS rose 21% to $2.63, beating expectations, while management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook for mid-to-high single-digit revenue growth and low double-digit Core EPS growth.
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported Q2 revenue of $10.1 billion, up 10% year over year, while non-GAAP EPS increased 4% to $6.29. Although its key growth products advanced 26%, mature products faced significant biosimilar pressure, with Prolia revenue declining 32% and XGEVA falling 34%. Amgen nevertheless raised its 2026 revenue guidance midpoint to $39.4 billion.
Overall, AZN holds the financial edge due to stronger EPS growth, broader portfolio momentum, and less exposure to the biosimilar erosion affecting AMGN's mature products.
Amgen's bull case is supported by robust growth in key products, which increased 26%, and $3.5 billion in Q2 free cash flow, providing substantial capital flexibility. Wells Fargo raised its Amgen price target to $435 from $400 on September 4, citing potential upside from HORIZON and pipeline ****** ets such as olpasiran. New Phase III VESALIUS-CV data also showed Repatha reduced the risk of death by 20% in high-risk adults without a prior heart attack or stroke, with heart attack risk reductions emerging as early as six months. However, accelerating biosimilar competition affecting legacy franchises such as Prolia and XGEVA remains a key risk to sustained margin expansion.

#revenue #astrazeneca #increased #products

On September 2, Shell Offshore, a subsidiary of Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL), announced the acquisition of a 30% working interest in Conifer, an exploration prospect operated by BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Located offshore within Keathley Canyon near BP's Kaskida host development, Conifer represents a significant deep-water play. BP retains operatorship, with the initial exploration well expected to spud in 2027. While the deal reflects shared risk and capital efficiency in high-cost offshore basins, comparing the two giants' Q2 2026 earnings shows that Shell is currently executing from a position of superior financial strength.
Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) delivered an exceptionally clean Q2 2026 report. Adjusted earnings reached $9.8 billion, driven by record upstream production in Brazil and record refinery utilization, which offset Middle East operational outages. Cash flow from operations (CFFO) came in at $21.4 billion, supported by higher realized prices and a $3.4 billion working capital inflow. Shell maintained strict capital discipline, reiterating its full-year capex outlook of $24 billion–$26 billion while completing $5.8 billion in structural cost reductions since 2022. Balance sheet health remains robust, with gearing at 19% and net debt at $42 billion ($12 billion excluding leases).
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) also turned in a solid Q2 recovery, but its headline metrics lag behind Shell's scale. BP reported underlying replacement cost profit (its proxy for net income) of $5.7 billion, a 78% quarter-over-quarter rebound fueled by strong refining margins and oil trading. Operating cash flow reached $10.9 billion after absorbing a $1.0 billion working capital build. BP used strong cash generation to trim net debt down to $22.25 billion, while guiding full-year capex to $13.5 billion–$14.0 billion.
Although BP raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to 8.66 cents, Shell's cash engine allowed it to announce its 19th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion in share buybacks, distributing 44% of CFFO over the trailing 12 months.
Shell's bull case centers on superior capital allocation, aggressive portfolio high-grading, including the ARC Resources acquisition targeting a 4% production CAGR through 2030, and consistent share buybacks. The bear case focuses on execution risks in integrated gas and LNG amid volatile market conditions, as well as the challenges of integrating large-scale acquisitions.

#cost

Braze, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRZE) reported strong Q2 results on September 8, but investors appeared more focused on the company's outlook. Despite the solid performance, the company's shares had fallen sharply following the earnings report, declining nearly 20% in the September 9 session.
In its second quarter of fiscal 2027, the company generated $227.2 million in revenue, up 26.2% year-over-year. Braze, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRZE) said growth was mainly driven by new customers, along with upsells and renewals from existing customers. Subscription revenue increased 21% to reach $207.7 million.
Non-GAAP net income also improved 26% to more than $21.23 million, or $0.19 per share. Revenue and adjusted earnings were ahead of Wall Street expectations. **** ysts were expecting Braze, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRZE) to report revenue of slightly more than $220 million and adjusted earnings of $0.15 per share.
The company also showed improvement in its cash generation as it reported record second-quarter cash flow from operations of $24 million and free cash flow of $22 million.
Guidance Becomes the Main Concern

#september