The MLB playoff races are in a full-on sprint with six weeks left. The Padres and Mariners have both erased multi-game deficits to take the lead in their respective divisions. The Brewers continue their dominant run with the best record in baseball, while other key stories include Zach Neto's triple play and the Colorado Rockies' historically bad season.

Key headlines from around the NFL: The Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback for the preseason opener is undecided due to a string of injuries, with rookie Shedeur Sanders day-to-day. The Atlanta Falcons are set to sign former top-10 pick C.J. Henderson, giving him a fresh start. Elsewhere, the Ravens and Commanders have canceled their joint practice, and the Lions are managing an injury to star tight end Sam LaPorta.

Lionel Taylor, the Denver Broncos great and first player in professional football history to record 100 catches in a season, has died at 89. Taylor was a trailblazer both on and off the field, winning two Super Bowl rings as an assistant with the Steelers and becoming the NFL's first Black offensive coordinator with the Rams. He leaves behind a legacy that spanned a decade as a player and nearly 30 years as a coach.

The San Diego Padres have completed a remarkable comeback, erasing a nine-game deficit to move into a share of first place in the National League West. A dominant 11-1 victory over the Giants was the culmination of a stellar 23-12 run over the past six weeks. The team's resurgence is fueled by a series of aggressive deals at the Trade Deadline, which have positioned them for a highly anticipated showdown with the Dodgers this weekend.

An all-Brazilian classic is set for the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 as Flamengo and Internacional prepare to clash in the first leg. Flamengo, the current Brasileirao leaders, enter as favorites with a formidable attack, while Internacional looks to use its tournament experience and tactical discipline to secure an upset. The high-stakes showdown kicks off today, Wednesday, August 13, at 8:30 PM ET, and can be watched live in the USA on Fubo.

The UFC has announced a new seven-year media rights deal with Paramount, which will see all numbered events move to Paramount+, ending the pay-per-view model. UFC CEO Dana White has a bold vision for the partnership, including hosting "four big events" annually and a potential fight at the White House. The deal is seen as a major win for fans, offering access to all UFC content for a monthly subscription fee.

The latest MLS matchday had it all, with key stories emerging across the league. Orlando City is making a compelling case as an MLS Cup threat, while Son Heung-min made his much-anticipated debut for LAFC. The Supporters' Shield race is now wide open, and expansion side San Diego FC is on track for a historic season. With two months left, the stage is set for a thrilling sprint to the finish.

The first week of the NFL preseason was packed with action and major headlines. Rookie quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward impressed in their debuts, while Jaguars kicker Cam Little made history with an unofficial 70-yard field goal. Other top stories include the winners and losers of Week 1, a serious injury that ended a game early, and a look at the Colts' ongoing quarterback battle.

The MLB pennant race is heating up with five key series this week. The matchups, including Pirates at Brewers and a star-studded Padres at Dodgers showdown, have major postseason implications. This week's games are must-watch for fans as teams battle for playoff spots.

Titans rookie QB Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, bounced back from a slow start in his preseason debut to lead a touchdown drive. He showed promising chemistry with receiver Calvin Ridley and earned praise from coach Brian Callahan, who said the young quarterback "looked good and started to feel comfortable" in his first outing.

In baseball, a renewed focus on hitting the ball hard is paying major dividends for players across the league. This season, hitters who make hard contact are batting .480, a stark contrast to the .218 average on other contact.

Jen Pawol has made history as the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game. After spending over a decade in the Minor Leagues, she joins the Marlins-Braves series crew, with her debut on Saturday and a historic turn behind home plate scheduled for Sunday. Pawol's achievement serves as a beacon of hope and progress for women in professional sports.

UFC Vegas 109 is a unique card with some of the most lopsided betting lines in recent memory. The article breaks down how to find value in this landscape, including a main parlay that combines a few heavy favorites. It also analyzes other key matchups, highlighting the betting angles for underdogs and favorites, to help bettors navigate a card filled with intriguing fights.

Two legends of the mound, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer, will face off in what could be their final duel. The matchup is a historically rare event between two pitchers who are both in the 3,000-strikeout club. Their careers have been defined by parallel greatness, with both holding three Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings. Friday's game is a chance to witness a final chapter in their intertwined legacies as they take the field as direct competitors one last time.

In his first game back after a devastating knee injury, Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell showed his explosive burst once again. He raced for 68 yards on just nine carries, including a 22-yard touchdown run, in Thursday's preseason victory. After a grueling rehab, Mitchell expressed confidence in his knee, with coach John Harbaugh praising his versatility. His return provides a dynamic spark to the Baltimore backfield.

A middleweight title contender will be decided at UFC Vegas 109 when Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez clash. Both fighters are riding impressive win streaks, with Dolidze known for his power and Hernandez for his relentless pace. The winner is set to make a major move toward a title shot in the middleweight division.

The MLS Secondary Transfer Window has brought in top-tier talent that is poised to dramatically impact the playoff race. The headline-grabbing moves include South Korean legend Son Heung-min joining LAFC and World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul heading to Inter Miami. These and other key transfers are set to define the final push of the season, creating an even more exciting and unpredictable battle for the MLS Cup.

Paul Skenes is having a historically great start to his career, posting a 1.99 ERA over his first 46 starts—the best mark in the Live Ball Era. Despite his 6-8 record, his performance in losses is also a record-setter, as the OPS he allows in those games is the lowest of any pitcher with at least 10 losses in the last 100 years. His sustained greatness, even without the wins, is truly unprecedented.

Travis Kelce has a clear message for anyone dwelling on the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX loss: "I've thrown that thing in the trash." The 35-year-old tight end, who arrived at camp noticeably slimmer, is fully focused on the new season. His commitment to the "grind" of training camp, along with his physical transformation, signals that he's all in for what could be his final quest for a fourth Super Bowl ring.

The latest NFL news roundup is in, with key storylines from across the league. Rookie QB Cam Ward will play in all preseason games for the Titans, while the Bills are dealing with a contract holdout from star running back James Cook. Additionally, the Rams are monitoring a back injury to QB Matthew Stafford, and the Commanders have WR Terry McLaurin sidelined with an ankle issue.