LAS VEGAS ― The WNBA has been in the headlines for reasons other than its first best-of-seven Finals this week after Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier torched commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

But when the WNBA Finals teams showed up in Las Vegas on Thursday, the temperature at team practices and at press conferences was much cooler as the hometown Aces and Phoenix Mercury answered questions around the biggest series of the year.

As Aces stars Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson sat down at the podium without smiling, a request was made by a nearby staffer to keep the questions focused on the Finals. Gray and Wilson jumped right into basketball as USA TODAY asked the first question about teammate Jackie Young.

‘She’s been great, man. Best two-way guard in the league,’ Gray said. ‘A lot of times she has the assignment of guarding one of their best perimeter players and then going down and getting buckets in the offensive end.’

Wilson, who’s usually chipper and never short on words, silently nodded in agreement as she looked down while Gray described just how important Young has been to the Aces. The quiet but strikingly loud gestures signaled that anything that happened in the playoffs no longer mattered. This was the WNBA Finals, and it was ‘a brand new season’ and ‘totally different’ than the regular season, as Gray told the media Thursday.

Wilson did crack a few smiles minutes later when answering questions, but her energy never got too high. She gave measured responses to every question and the room patiently waited for her thoughts on things like battling against Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas.

‘It’s always fun competing against [Alyssa Thomas],’ Wilson said. ‘She can facilitate the game. She can pick the game apart, and I don’t get to guard that every single day … I try my best to make things very difficult. The way that she sees the game, her vision, the way that she gets her teammates open ― it’s something that she adds and brings to this game and to that position.

‘I don’t see [that] every single night. It helps me elevate … to another level every single game.’

Wilson was adamant the Aces would play their best basketball on the WNBA’s biggest stage and give fans ‘a good Finals matchup.’ When Thomas and Mercury guard Kahleah Copper arrived later in the hour for Phoenix’s press conference, they brought the same laser-focused energy with the singular mission to win a championship.

Thomas revealed she told her team in training camp they were going to the Finals. She said she never wavered on that declaration. Copper said she texted head coach Nate Tibbetts multiple times throughout the season with a simple three-word message: ‘I like us.’

The Phoenix veteran explained despite having several players who hadn’t played in the WNBA before this season or not getting as many minutes as they previously were, the team was able to fight through early injuries and adversity all the way to the playoffs. It’s that kind of resolve that Copper says led the Mercury to fully lean into an underdog narrative.

‘Everyone on our roster has been underrated or not talked about or whatever. At this point, I’m a psycho, looking for something,’ Copper jokingly admitted. ‘We know it comes with the game, but we really don’t care. Give us an edge. Like I said, don’t pick us. It’s cool … but I’m just wired a little different, you know?’

Copper, Thomas, Wilson and Gray are some of the fiercest competitors in the league and will always bring their best when the pressure is the highest. Still, it’s hard to know who will walk away with a ring in a best-of-seven series. One thing is very clear: the 2025 WNBA Finals will be the highest form of competitive basketball if the Mercury and Aces have anything to say about it.

NFC West rivals Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers needed extra time to decide who would win ‘Thursday Night Football’ from SoFi Stadium.

In a night defined by prolific offense, it was the 49ers’ defense and its rookies that made the difference.

Rookie safety Marques Sigle stonewalled Rams running back Kyren Williams on fourth-and-1 in overtime to seal a 26-23 win for San Francisco. Williams ended up short of the line to gain and that ended the Rams’ hopes for a game-winning finish to their lone overtime possession.

San Francisco took the upper hand early thanks to a prolific night from backup quarterback Mac Jones. With Brock Purdy still nursing a toe injury, Jones made his third start of the year and started hot. He completed his first eight passes in a row and ended the first half 11-of-13 passing with two touchdowns as the 49ers led 17-7.

San Francisco kicker Eddy Pineiro gave the 49ers a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter before the Rams’ offense woke up and scored 13 points over two drives. Matthew Stafford’s second half powered one of his best nights of the year. The Rams’ quarterback ended the night completing 30 of 47 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns.

Pineiro put the 49ers up 23-20 with a 59-yard field goal. On the ensuing Rams drive, another 49ers rookie made a play: defensive tackle Alfred Collins. He forced a Williams fumble before the Rams’ running back crossed the goal line on a long drive and, in doing so, gave the 49ers a chance to ice the game.

But Stafford and the Rams’ offense got the ball back quickly and drove 20 yards in 40 seconds at the end of the fourth quarter to set up Josh Karty for a game-tying field goal. He made it and the game went to overtime tied 23-23.

San Francisco’s offense had its best drive since the first half in overtime and went 37 yards in eight plays to set up a go-ahead field goal by Pineiro. His 41-yard kick caught a slice of the left upright but still went through to give San Francisco a 26-23 lead.

The Rams’ offense went 56 yards in five plays to set up 3rd and 6 from the 49ers’ 16-yard line. After those two timeouts, Sigle made the play to give the depleted 49ers another division win.

San Francisco moves to 4-1 on the season and into first place in the division. The 49ers are on the road again and will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

Los Angeles moves to 3-2 and head on the road as well in Week 6 and will face the Baltimore Ravens.

Rams vs. 49ers instant takeaways

Return of the Mac? Mac Jones had a career day for the 49ers, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns against a young, hungry and talented Rams defense. Jones filled in for an injured Brock Purdy, and did it admirably. There’s no controversy here, but the 49ers and their fans have seen enough from the 2021 first-round pick to feel comfortable with his stopgap performance moving forward.
COTY Kyle? Kyle Shanahan picking up the win against the Rams with a depleted team is another feather in the cap for the coach. If this team can get, and stay, healthy, then they may find their way to another NFC championship game.
Los Angeles rammed: The Rams have losses to the 49ers and the Eagles this season, presumably two teams who they’ll have to battle for en route to the playoffs or in the playoffs. While they were competitive, if Sean McVay wants to put a second ring on his fingers, then they’ll have to take care of business against the Ravens, Buccaneers, Seahawks and Lions the rest of the way.

Rams vs. 49ers highlights

Mac Jones stats vs. Rams

Mac Jones had a career day vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

Competions/Attempts: 33/49
Passing yards: 342
Touchdowns: 2
Passer rating: 100.9
Interceptions: 0
Sacks: 1

Rams go for it on fourth-and-1, stopped by 49ers

After a timeout to think it over, the Rams opted to run on fourth-and-1, rather than kick the game-tying field goal. That turned out to be the wrong decision, with the 49ers D stopping him short of the first down, securing the win.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Eddy Pineiro puts Niners ahead

The 49ers struck first in overtime, with Eddy Pineiro putting San Francisco three points ahead on the Rams courtesy of a field goal. The Rams have a chance to tie or take the win on this ensuing possession.

49ers 26, Rams 23

Rams vs. 49ers score: Josh Karty hits 48-yarder to

After the Rams stopped the 49ers and forced them to punt, Matthew Stafford put the offense in position to kick a game-tying field goal with seconds left in the game. Karty came through, sending the game to OT.

49ers 23, Rams 23

Kyren Williams fumbles one one-yard line, 49ers recover

The Rams were threatening just yards from pay dirt, but a Kyren Williams fumble on the one-yard line led to a San Francisco recovery with 1:03 left in the game. The Rams have all three timeouts remaining.

49ers vs. Rams score: Eddy Pineiro puts San Francisco ahead

A 59-yard boot from the San Francisco kicker puts the Niners ahead with 2:52 left in the game.

49ers 23, Rams 20

Kendrick Bourne stats

The 49ers wide receiver, reunited with Kyle Shanahan and Mac Jones, has 10 receptions for 142 yards vs. the Rams. That’s a career high for the wideout.

Stafford nearly intercepted, Rams punt for first time in second half

Matthew Stafford fired a pass Davante Adams’ way on third-and-1 from the Rams’ 39-yard line and the pass was nearly picked off by 49ers linebacker Dee Winters. The Rams settled for their first punt since the first quarter and pinned the 49ers’ offense at their own 2-yard line.

San Francisco takes over with 8:04 to go in the game.

49ers go three-and-out, punt back to Rams once again

Los Angeles held San Francisco to just two yards on three plays as Mac Jones’ third-down pass falls incomplete intended for former Ram Demarcus Robinson. Thomas Morstead’s punt puts the Rams back on offense at their own 30-yard line with 9:11 to go in the game.

49ers vs. Rams score: Rams tie game on Kyren Williams TD

Los Angeles got a crucial third-down conversion near midfield and then went 50 yards in two plays to get deep into the red zone. Matthew Stafford connected with Kyren Williams from eight yards out on second-and-goal to tie the game.

Rams kicker Josh Karty missed the extra point after it was blocked by Jordan Elliott and the game is tied with 10:39 left in the fourth quarter.

Rams tackle McCaffrey for loss to force punt

Christian McCaffrey was stopped three yards behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-1 by Rams linebacker Nate Landman. San Francisco punted for just the second time tonight and the Rams will take over on their own 12-yard line with 14:03 to go in the game.

49ers vs. Rams score: San Francisco holds lead entering fourth quarter

The 49ers offense made a crucial fourth-down conversion at their own 36-yard line to extend their sixth drive of the night. San Francisco will face 3rd and 1 to open the fourth quarter from their own 47-yard line.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Puka Nacua dives across goal line for TD

Los Angeles moved the ball quickly down the field following the Pineiro field goal to respond with points of their own. The Rams went 69 yards in seven plays and less than three minutes of game time to score on a one-yard strike from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua.

Josh Karty’s extra point is good and the Rams have cut it to a one-score game once again with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

49ers 20, Rams 14

Rams vs. 49ers score: Pineiro FG extends 49ers’ lead

San Francisco went 55 yards in 12 plays to score their first points of the second half. Quarterback Mac Jones was slow to get up after third-and-goal from the Rams’ 2-yard line. Eddy Pineiro made his second field goal of the night to make it a 13-point game with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

49ers 20, Rams 7

49ers QB depth chart

With Mac Jones hobbled, here’s a quick look at the QBs suited up for ‘Thursday Night Football’:

Mac Jones
Adrian Martinez

Mac Jones hurts knee on third-and-goal

The 49ers’ starting quarterback tonight went down hard after releasing a throw toward Jake Tonges on third-and-goal. He was grabbing at his knee after Jared Verse landed on him but eventually jogged off the field.

Mac Jones injury

The former first-round pick started two games earlier this season for the 49ers before missing Week 4 against Jacksonville with a knee injury. He aggravated a PCL injury he suffered during the offseason and had to miss a week, leaving starter Brock Purdy as the best option in the 49ers’ loss to the Jaguars.

Josh Karty misses 53-yard FG

Los Angeles took the opening kick of the second half and went 28 yards in six plays, culminating in a dropped pass by running back Kyren Williams. Josh Karty missed wide right from 53 yards out and the San Francisco offense will get the ball back with 12:46 to go in the third quarter.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Eddy Pineiro gives San Francisco two-score lead at half

San Francisco’s offense marched 48 yards in 11 plays over two minutes to move the 49ers into scoring range. With two seconds left in the first half, kicker Eddy Pineiro knocked through a 37-yard field goal to give San Francisco a 10-point lead.

Los Angeles will receive the second-half kickoff.

49ers 17, Rams 7

49ers defensive coordinator

The 49ers defensive coordinator is Robert Saleh. Saleh rejoined the 49ers this offseason after his unsuccessful tenure with the Jets between 2021 and 2024. He was fired by the Jets in 2024 and spent time on the Packers sidelines the same season.

Saleh previously coached the 49ers defense between 2017 and 2020.

49ers vs. Rams score: Kyren Williams gets LA on the board

Los Angeles converted a key third-and-4 from their own 32 on a Matthew Stafford pass to rookie Terrance Ferguson. Stafford’s next three passes went for 47 yards as the Rams scored from 14 yards out on a pass to Williams.

Josh Karty’s extra point is good and the Rams have made it a one-score game with 2:09 to go in the first half.

49ers 14, Rams 7

49ers coaching staff

Head coach: Kyle Shanahan
Defensive coordinator: Robert Saleh
Offensive coordinator: Klay Kubiak

Rams defense forces 49ers’ first punt of the game

San Francisco couldn’t capitalize on the fumble recovery as Mac Jones didn’t connect with Kendrick Bourne on 3rd and 5 from the Rams’ 48. Thomas Morstead’s punt gives Los Angeles the ball back on their own 15-yard line with 6:11 to go in the first half.

Blake Corum fumbles, 49ers take over

Rams running back Blake Corum couldn’t hold on to Matthew Stafford’s pitch on first-and-10 and the San Francisco defense capitalizes. Defensive end Trevis Gipson fell on it to end the Rams’ latest drive and give the ball back to San Francisco’s offense.

Mac Jones and company will take over with 8:51 to go in the first half on their own 30-yard line.

Mac Jones stats

The San Francisco 49ers’ backup is dealing to start ‘Thursday Night Football’ tonight. Jones completed his first eight passes in a row and now sits at 11 of 13 passing (84.6%) for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Rams vs. 49ers score: Christian McCaffrey finds end zone

San Francisco’s star running back scored a touchdown for the third time in four weeks to cap off the 49ers’ second drive of the game. Quarterback Mac Jones found him from one yard out on 2nd and goal to give the 49ers a two-touchdown lead. Eddy Pineiro’s extra point is good to seal the 14-point lead.

Los Angeles takes over on its own 30-yard line with 13:36 to go in the first half.

49ers 14, Rams 0

Rams-49ers score: San Francisco up and threatening and end of 1

San Francisco’s closing in on the red zone for the second time tonight as the first quarter comes to a close. The 49ers’ offense has gone 67 yards in 14 plays – including two crucial fourth-down conversions on short runs by Mac Jones and Brian Robinson Jr.

The 49ers offense is facing 3rd and 9 from the Rams’ 25 when the second quarter begins.

49ers 7, Rams 0

What happened to Nick Bosa?

The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has been the 49ers’ top pass rusher for the last four years but won’t be back on the field in 2025. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals and will be out for the remainder of the season.

Bryce Huff sacks Matthew Stafford, Rams punt

With San Francisco down edge rusher Nick Bosa for the rest of the season, the 49ers’ defense is counting on other players to step up in the pass rush. Bryce Huff made a statement early with a sack on Matthew Stafford that pushed the Rams back 11 yards on 2nd and 10.

Los Angeles couldn’t get the yardage back and settled for a punt. San Francisco’s offense will take over again at their own 9-yard line with 6:59 to go in the first quarter.

Rams-49ers score: Mac Jones finds Jake Tonges for first TD

San Francisco used a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey to power the 49ers’ opening drive; he accounted for 40 yards on five touches (two catches, three carries). But quarterback Mac Jones instead found tight end Jake Tonges wide open in the middle for a six-yard touchdown pass.

Eddy Pineiro’s extra point attempt is good and the 49ers take a 7-0 lead with 10:09 to go in the first quarter.

Mac Jones starts hot

The 49ers quarterback, filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, has started the game 4-for-4 passing for 71 yards.

Rams vs. 49ers kicks off with ‘dirty ball’

Los Angeles won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. Rams kicker Josh Karty’s boomed a knuckleball-style kick to start the game and 49ers returner Skyy Moore fumbled it. After it bounced high in the air, Moore corralled it and the 49ers offense started its drive on their own 28 yard line.

49ers vs. Rams kickoff time

Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Rams will host the 49ers for a clash at SoFi Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 2. The game will begin at 5:15 p.m. local time and will mark the second consecutive week NFC West teams have faced off on ‘Thursday Night Football.’

What channel are the 49ers on?

San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

49ers vs. Rams where to watch

NFL fans watching the game nationally will need to have an Amazon Prime subscription to access Thursday’s game. However, the NFL has an arrangement for the viewers in the local markets of each team – Los Angeles and San Francisco – to watch a simulcast of the game on local TV stations.

Below is a look at the local channels that will air the contest:

Los Angeles: KTTV (Fox 11)
San Francisco: KTVU (Fox 2)

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Jared Verse stats

The Rams pass rusher is following up a stellar rookie season with an equally impressive start to 2025. Through four games, Verse has 18 pressures, per PFF: Two sacks, five QB hits and 11 hurries. He grades out at a 91.8 overall, and his 91.5 pass-rush grade ranks No. 5 overall in the NFL (minimum 20% of 157 pass-rush snaps).

Colby Parkinson stats

Colby Parkinson’s in his second season as a tight end for the Rams and had his best game of 2025 so far in Los Angeles’ Week 4 win over Indianapolis. The former Seahawk caught both of his targets for 17 yards.

49ers record 2025

The 49ers are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first in the NFC West.

Rams inactives vs. 49ers

No surprises for the Rams as they enter their divisional matchup with the 49ers.

QB Stetson Bennett IV 
TE Tyler Higbee 
OL Rob Havenstein 
OL Beaux Limmer 
DE Desjuan Johnson

49ers inactives vs. Rams

The 49ers will be without quarterback Brock Purdy, as he continues to work his way back from a turf toe injury. Here are the rest of the inactives for the game tonight:

QB Brock Purdy
RB Jordan James
WR Jordan Watkins
WR Ricky Pearsall
WR Jauan Jennings
DL Robert Beal
LB Nick Martin

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers predictions, picks

All six members of USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks panel believe the Rams will beat the 49ers on ‘TNF.’ Below are their projected scores for the contest:

Jarrett Bell: Rams 31, 49ers 24
Nick Brinkerhoff: Rams 27, 49ers 23
Chris Bumbaca: Rams 27, 49ers 18
Nate Davis: Rams 31, 49ers 23
Tyler Dragon: Rams 24, 49ers 20
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Rams 31, 49ers 17

2025 Los Angeles Rams schedule

Los Angeles Rams record 2025

The Rams are 3-1 on the season and are tied for first place in the NFC West.

2025 San Francisco 49ers schedule

The Chicago Cubs will face the National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS after dispatching the San Diego Padres in the wild card series’ winner-take-all Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Chicago notched a 3-1 win in the decider, chasing San Diego starter Yu Darvish in the second inning. The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out in the frame, but only managed to scratch across two runs – on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single and Dansby Swanson’s RBI walk. 

The two teams then traded zeroes until the seventh, when Cubs first baseman Michael Busch hit a solo homer off All-Star reliever Robert Suarez to provide a crucial insurance run.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon threw four shutout innings and Chicago relievers kept the Padres scoreless until Jackson Merrill led off the ninth inning with a solo home run. Brad Keller, who gave up the homer, got one more out and hit two batters, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate for the Padres. But Andrew Kittredge came in to slam the door and secure the Cubs’ first postseason series win since 2017.

The NLDS meeting between the Cubs and Brewers will be the latest chapter in the saga of Chicago manager Craig Counsell, who managed Milwaukee for nine years before skipping town after the 2023 season.

Game 1 in the best-of-five NLDS is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Brewers’ American Family Field.

Where to watch Cubs vs Padres: TV channel, live stream

Thursday’s game is airing on ESPN and can be streamed with Fubo.

Watch Cubs vs Padres on Fubo

Jackson Merrill home run to lead off ninth inning

Trailing 3-0 and down to three outs, Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill hit a solo home run off Cubs reliever Brad Keller to get San Diego on the board and cut the lead in the final frame. Keller, who had a 2.07 ERA in 68 games this season, had pitched a clean eighth inning.

Cubs escape jam in fifth

With a 2-0 lead, lefty Caleb Thielbar relieved Cubs starter Jameson Taillon to start the fifth inning. Taillon gave up two hits and struck out four without a walk in four scoreless innings but won’t be in line for the win.

Daniel Palencia came in to relieve Thielbar with two outs and a man on first, prompty giving up a double to Padres catcher Freddy Fermin. But with two outs and runners on second and third, Palencia got Fernando Tatis Jr. to fly out to right and escape the jam.

Dansby Swanson walk forces in another run, Cubs up 2-0

Jeremiah Estrada relieved Yu Darvish with nobody out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second and forced in a run by walking Dansby Swanson. But the right-hander recovered to strike out Matt Shaw and get Michael Busch to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Quite an escape from Estrada and the Cubs will regret only getting two runs in the frame.

Pete Crow-Armstrong puts Cubs in front in the second

The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out against Yu Darvish in the bottom of the second on a Kyle Tucker single, Seiya Suzuki double and Carson Kelly was hit by a pitch. Pete Crow-Armstrong singled to center to drive in one bring in the Cubs’ first run, chasing Darvish. Jeremiah Estrada came on to replace San Diego’s starter.

Cubs vs Padres Game 3 underway at Wrigley Field

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon set the Padres down 1-2-3 in the top of the first and the winner-take-all Game 3 has officially begun in Chicago. Taillon struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out to lead off, got Luis Arraez to fly out and then center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a sliding catch to rob Manny Machado of a hit and end the frame.

Cubs lineup today

Michael Busch (L) 1B
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Ian Happ (S) LF
Kyle Tucker (L) DH
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Carson Kelly (R) C
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Matt Shaw (R) 3B

Padres lineup today

Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
Luis Arraez (L) 1B
Manny Machado (R) 3B
Jackson Merrill (L) CF
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
Gavin Sheets (L) LF
Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
Freddy Fermin (R) C

Cubs vs Padres predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts are split on the outcome of Game 3:

Bob Nightengale: Cubs 5, Padres 3
Gabe Lacques: Padres 7, Cubs 4
Jesse Yomtov: Padres 6, Cubs 3

Cubs vs Padres betting odds

The Chicago Cubs defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1 in the winner-take-all Game 3 of their wild card series on Thursday.

Things got dicey in the ninth inning for the home team, however – and the Cubs might have had to sweat even more if they hadn’t benefitted from what appeared to be a bad strike call by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn.

After the Padres’ Jackson Merrill homered to kick off the top of the ninth at Wrigley Field, shortstop Xander Bogaerts struck out on a 3-2 count when he didn’t swing at a ball that appeared to be below the strike zone. Bogaerts protested immediately, as did manager Mike Shildt, who ran out to speak with Reyburn.

Making the call even more brutal: Cubs pitcher Brad Keller hit the next two batters he faced. The Padres could have theoretically had the bases loaded with no outs.

The Cubs then called on Andrew Kittredge and he was able to get out of the jam.

The Padres’ season is over. The Cubs are moving on to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.

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NEW YORK – A fourth-inning blitz and a 6-foot-6 beast of a rookie were all the New York Yankees needed to finally conquer their heated rivals in an elimination game.

Cam Schlittler, touching 98 to 100 mph on 64 of his 107 pitches, blasted through a largely overmatched Boston Red Sox lineup to strike out 12 and toss eight shutout innings, and a four-run rally started by a well-placed bloop double gave him more than enough support as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox 4-0 in the decisive Game 3 of their American League wild-card series Oct. 2.

The Yankees advance to the AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, beginning Oct. 4 at Rogers Centre as they aim to vanquish two division rivals on their path to defending their pennant.

ASK US ANYTHING: Get your burning MLB questions answered

They won 94 games this season, five more than Boston and as many as Toronto, yet had to take the long, difficult and ultimately historic path to advancing out of this best-of-three series.

In the four-year history of this format, the 14 teams that won Game 1 went on to win the series, with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs taking care of business in their Game 3s by the time the first pitch was thrown at Yankee Stadium.

But the Yankees fell 3-1 in Game 1 and battled back for a 4-3 victory in Game 2, setting up this clash of rookies in the finale.

And it was taut, and tension-filled – for the first three innings.

Schlittler, who set a Yankees rookie record for strikeouts in a playoff start, and Red Sox lefty Connelly Early were equally on point, each striking out five through three innings, a relief to their managers after a pair of late-night bullpen wars in the first two games. But when Cody Bellinger skied a fly between a trio of Red Sox fielders in shallow right center field, Yankee Stadium thrummed with energy to start the bottom of the fourth.

Early’s most crucial mistake came next – a walk to Giancarlo Stanton, which preceded consecutive singles by Amed Rosario, Jazz Chisholm and Anthony Volpe to give New York a 2-0 lead.

The game was all but iced a batter later, when Austin Wells yanked a hard-hit ball right at Boston first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. He could not make the short-hop pick, and the ball ricocheted into right field. Two more runs, and a 4-0 advantage that Schlittler never put in jeopardy.

When he came back out for the top of the eighth inning, the crowd roared in approval – and got even louder when he struck out Romy Gonzalez to start the inning. It reached a crescendo when he induced a groundout of Trevor Story to end the eighth – retreating to a series of high fives from his dugout.

A scoreless ninth from David Bednar ended it and halted the Red Sox’s three-game streak of elimination game triumphs over New York, beginning with the gutting 2004 ALCS Game 7 loss, continuing with the 2018 ALDS and the 2021 wild-card game.

This time, there’d be no Boston magic – just third baseman Ryan McMahon going head-over-heels to snare a foul pop from Jarren Duran and secure the second out in the eighth.

As he flipped over, his No. 19 was exposed for all the world to see – the same number Aaron Boone wore in 2003 ALCS Game 7, when his home run sent Boston home for the winter.

Now, the demons of their past three meetings have been exorcised – and the Yankees, once again, will play on.

– Gabe Lacques

Cam Schlittler tosses eight scoreless innings

With a 4-0 lead, Aaron Boone made a surprise decision to bring Cam Schlittler back out for the eighth and the rookie rewarded his manager, getting through the inning on just seven pitches. He added his 12th strikeout of the night and third baseman Ryan McMahon made an unbelievable grab falling into the Red Sox dugout to catch a foul ball.

Cam Schlitter becoming Yankees legend?

The Yankees are six outs from advancing to the ALDS as Cam Schlittler has allowed five hits and no runs, while striking out 11 and no walks on 100 pitches through six innings.

The last time the Yankees blew a four-run lead in the postseason was Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a game they lost 7-6, which handed the Dodgers the championship.

Schlittler’s 11 strikeouts are the most by a Yankees rookie pitcher in a postseason game.

Yankees break open game in fourth inning

Two Boston outfielders and the second baseman failed to catch a high pop-up to center by Cody Bellinger, allowing him to end up with a leadoff double. Amed Rosario plated the game’s first run with a single to left, and Anthony Volpe’s bases-loaded single to right scored another run.

Austin Wells then chopped a ball to first that was mishandled by Nathaniel Lowe, scoring two more for a 4-0 New York lead, ending the night of Red Sox starter Connelly Early. The rookie went 3 ⅔ innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 78 pitches. Early was replaced by reliever Justin Slaten, who hit Aaron Judge with a pitch to load the bases but got Cody Bellinger to fly out and end the inning after 10 Yankees came to the plate.

Yankees waste Giancarlo Stanton’s leadoff double

Giancarlo Stanton got the bottom of the second started with a leadoff double to deep left, but the Yankees couldn’t capitalize, as Ben Rice struck out swinging on a filthy sweeper, Amed Rosario popped out to center and Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out looking.

Connelly Early makes quick work of Yankees in first

Connelly Early, the 23-year-old starter for the Red Sox, started by quickly striking out Trent Grisham on five pitches. Aaron Judge then flew out to center, and Cody Bellinger grounded out to shortstop on consecutive pitches. Very efficient start for Early.

Nothing doing for Red Sox in first inning

Yankees starter Cam Schlittler took the hill on a 60-degree night and didn’t look like a rookie in the first inning, getting leadoff hitter Jarren Duran to line out to second, before Trevor Story popped out and Alex Bregman ended the inning by striking out looking.

Bucky Dent throws first pitch at Yankee Stadium

Red Sox lineup today

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B

Yankees lineup today

Trent Grisham (L) CF
Aaron Judge (R) RF
Cody Bellinger (L) LF
Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
Ben Rice (L) 1B
Amed Rosario (R) 3B
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
Anthony Volpe (R) SS
Austin Wells (L) C

Connelly Early is Red Sox starting pitcher

NEW YORK — Who is Connelly Early, you ask?

He’s less than a month removed from his major league debut, which came Sept. 9, which was just a little more than a year since he was toiling for the Class A Greenville (S.C.) Drive in the South Atlantic League.

And now? A win-or-go-home game, before nearly 50,000 in Yankee Stadium, barely two years removed from the University of Virginia.

Nervous, kid?

‘Let’s go. Let’s do it,’ Early said after the Red Sox suffered a 4-3 loss in Game 2, and roughly a couple minutes after pitching coach Andrew Bailey told him it was his ball for Game 3.

– Gabe Lacques

Jarren Duran

Jarren Duran tries to get over Game 2 misplay

NEW YORK — Technically, Jarren Duran was not charged with an error on Aaron Judge’s fifth-inning fly to left that he came in on, dove for and then, simply, dropped. Catching it would’ve ended the inning, kept the score tied 2-2, and Trevor Story’s homer the next inning would’ve given Boston the lead, rather than tie it.

The final four innings had enough drama that Duran’s semi-muff got largely forgotten. Duran will have a lot more trouble turning the page.

“This one’s going to sting a little bit. I know this game is 100% on me,” Duran said. “Trevor hits the homer, we take the lead. I messed it up, gave them momentum. But that one’s on me. I’m going to have to wear that one.

“I’m excited to play tomorrow and redeem myself.”

– Gabe Lacques

NEW YORK — The play of the night belonged to Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon, who tracked Jarren Duran’s foul pop-up with one out in the top of the eighth inning to the Red Sox dugout … and caught the ball while his whole body flipped over the railing.

McMahon was not hurt on the play and received a standing ovation from the sellout Yankee Stadium crowd.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called it a ‘great play by a great defender.’

‘It went up, and then I felt like I saw, kind of my periphery, I feel like he’s got a bead on it, but I know where he is headed, and he’s on the dead run, so it just flashed back to Gio Urshela a couple years ago when he went flying into the dugout against Tampa late in the season. I came sprinting out of the dugout because I knew it could be dangerous over there,’ Boone said.

Said starting pitcher Cam Schlittler: ‘Yeah, that was amazing. I was just hoping he wasn’t hurt. Everybody running over there to check on him. Again, obviously the momentum was on our side, and he just kind of kept it going.’

New York won 4-0 in the winner-take-all Game 3 against the Boston Red Sox and will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Division Series starting Saturday, Oct. 2.

The Yankees acquired McMahon from the Colorado Rockies ahead of the trade deadline and he posted four home runs and 18 RBIs in 54 games after joining New York.

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Longtime MLB scout Dick Groch died Wednesday, according to his family. He was 84 years old.

A cause of death was not disclosed.

Groch worked in the scouting department throughout his MLB career with the New York Yankees, Montreal Expos and Milwaukee Brewers.

The Yankees held a moment of silence for Groch before Game 3 of their American League Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

For the Yankees, Groch was tasked with scouting Derek Jeter in 1992 and determining whether he was considering playing at the University of Michigan.

Groch thought highly of Jeter. He believed Jeter had the potential to be a Hall of Fame player. 

The scout said, per the Yankees, ‘He’s not going to the University of Michigan; the only place Derek Jeter is going is Cooperstown.”

After 20 years with the Yankees, the shortstop was selected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2020.

‘RIP Dick Groch. My Yankees scout who believed in me and signed me,’ Jeter wrote on social media. ‘Thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.’

Groch left the Yankees in 2002, following Doug Melvin to the Milwaukee Brewers.