Expanded playoffs make it hard to predict whether Skubal, Chapman, Gray get dealt
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Expanded playoffs in baseball make trade predictions tricky, especially for players like Detroit’s Tarik Skubal. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff spot as the season’s second half begins Thursday. Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is a major trade possibility. The 29-year-old left-hander returned to the mound in June after elbow surgery. The Tigers, who have improved since June, are close to a wild-card spot. Their performance in upcoming games will decide their trade strategy. Other pitchers like Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta might be dealt.
How an Italian sculptor created the World Cup trophy that became an icon
MILAN (AP) — The World Cup trophy familiar to generations of soccer fans was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga. FIFA sought a new design when Brazil permanently claimed the original trophy in 1970. Gazzaniga’s design features figures swirling toward an orb representing Earth and is meant to capture the emotions of struggle, jubilation and victory. The trophy, cast in 18-carat gold, remains with FIFA, while winners receive a gold-plate replica. This is the 14th World Cup using Gazzaniga’s design, and it will continue through at least 2038.
Brewers bolster rotation by getting Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon in a deal with the Astros
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder. Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of McCullers’ remaining salary, leaving his cost to the Brewers at $2.5 million. Milwaukee cleared space on the 40-man roster by sending left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.
A’ja Wilson is drafted No. 1 as Cooper and Weatherspoon pick WNBA All-Star teams
Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson was selected first in the WNBA All-Star draft for the exhibition game that will be played on July 25 in Chicago. Acting as honorary general managers, WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon each drafted All-Star teams from players that previously were either voted as starters by fans, media and fellow players, or chosen as reserves by the league’s coaches. Paige Bueckers headlines Cooper’s team and Caitlin Clark is atop Weatherspoon’s squad. Joining Bueckers in the starting lineup playing for coach Becky Hammon are Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Gabby Williams. Weatherspoon picked Wilson, Olivia Miles, Aliyah Boston and Jessica Shepard, who will play for coach Cheryl Reeve.
England’s Tuchel: ‘Easy to say that it was wrong’ to play defensively with lead vs. Argentina
ATLANTA (AP) — England desperately wanted to protect its lead as time was winding down in the World Cup semifinals. Coach Thomas Tuchel made lineup and strategy changes to build a wall in front of goal. Argentina and Lionel Messi simply kicked it down. England led 1-0 late in the second half before Messi assisted on goals by Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez in the second minute of injury time to give Argentina a wild 2-1 victory and a spot in the World Cup final against Spain. Tuchel’s tactical choices will likely be scrutinized and criticized for years.
NYC’s Rikers Island jail hosts World Cup watch party for inmates
NEW YORK (AP) — More than 100 inmates at the sprawling Rikers Island correctional facility gathered in a gymnasium at the complex’s main intake center to watch Wednesday’s semifinal match between England and Argentina. Arriving inmates dressed in tan uniforms took seats at tables facing a projection screen showing the game. Colorful balloon towers topped by soccer ball balloons framed the screen. The special event is for inmates who have shown good behavior, including being incident free for at least 30 days. The jail has been hosting watch parties since the tournament kicked off last month.
ACC revamps tiebreakers for conference title game after 5-loss Duke team got in over No. 10 Miami
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is revamping the tiebreaker format for its football championship game following a controversial finish last season that allowed a five-loss Duke team to reach the title game over then No. 10-ranked Miami. That put the Hurricanes at risk of not making the College Football Playoff. When head-to-head competition cannot separate tied teams, the team with the strongest overall body of work will earn the opportunity to compete for the ACC championship and the conference’s automatic qualifier to the College Football Playoff. ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips says that will be based on a SportSource Analytics metric used by the CFP.