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The San Diego Padres have swept the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card series, holding Chicago to just one run across two games. The Padres now face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS as they seek to maintain their hot streak and push toward a first World Series since 1998.
MLB has ended its consideration of Grand Teton National Park as a potential site for a game after local opposition became clear. Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that the league will not evaluate the park further, and previous reporting highlighted the lack of community support and environmental concerns. The development follows earlier exploration of other non-traditional venues and signals a shift back to traditional ballparks.
The government has extended the autopay-driven interest reduction through June 2028, expanding relief for borrowers on the Save plan and others returning to repayment. Auto pay enrolment by Dec. 31 is required for the 1% reduction; for those already enrolled, the discount remains in place. Default and forbearance-related risks persist as millions face repayment.
The NFL is urging the Supreme Court to allow states to regulate sports-prediction markets, arguing these contracts are gambling rather than financial swaps. The league cites $1.8 billion in first-weekend activity and calls for safeguards including a 21-year age minimum for bettors, while defending the CFTC’s federal oversight and highlighting integrity concerns.
The Houston Astros have not renewed Joe Espada’s contract and will not bring back five coaches for 2027, while bench coach Omar Lopez is offered a new internal role. The organization is also searching for a new manager and GM after a season that saw seven straight ALCS appearances end in 2026 with a sub-.500 finish.
Teruaki Sato has expressed his intent to pursue a move to Major League Baseball via posting, after winning the Central League Triple Crown with a .306 average, 39 homers and 106 RBIs. Matsui has replaced Hashigami as Tigers’ manager after the interim spell.
TikTok is launching a standalone commerce app in Southeast Asia featuring live streams, short-form video shopping, in-app checkout and exclusive offers. The move aligns TikTok Shop with a broader push toward a super-app model, competing with Amazon, Temu, Yelp and Google Maps while expanding beyond the main platform.
Two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have faced federal charges in Brooklyn for allegedly tipping off bettors about pitches in a scheme that prosecutors say earned hundreds of thousands in illegal wagers. Jury selection has begun and opening statements are underway.
A federal trial has heard testimonies linking players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz to bets on pitches dating back to 2023, amid a broader gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s camp. A witness described information channels and payments connected to the scheme, as the defense maintains it is big talk, small bets.