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.

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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.

Sophie Cunningham hasn’t been at a press conference in a minute. The guard, who played 30 games before tearing the MCL in her right knee in August, had plenty to share at her Indiana Fever exit interview on Thursday.

Cunningham took aim at WNBA officials and leadership in her 12 minutes at the dais.

‘Our leadership needs to be held accountable,’ Cunningham said. ‘I think that there are a lot of people in position of power. They might be really great business people, but they don’t know s— about basketball.’

The Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Indiana Fever from the postseason in overtime in Game 5 of the semifinals Tuesday. Cunningham alluded to player safety as it relates to officiating and said the WNBA’s powerbrokers may not have a handle on what needs to change.

“It’s bad when fans and players, especially players, when we’re competing at the highest level, and it’s like a battlefield out there,’ Cunningham said. ‘(Opposing players are) agreeing on the court because of how awful the officials are. That’s saying something. Listen to us.

“There is room for improvement to change the criteria (for flagrant fouls) when the whole league is asking for it,’ she added.

Cunningham said she was proud of how the Fever fought to stay alive in the playoffs despite losing five players, including Caitlin Clark, to season-ending injuries. They finished 24-20 and advanced to the postseason for the second straight year, upsetting the Atlanta Dream in the first round before falling to the Aces.

‘The way fans embraced us from all over the world, reaching out to us, it was truly awesome, inspiring,’ she said ‘But it was also the season from hell and hopefully this never happens again.’

Cunningham, who was on a one-year deal after playing six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, said she will listen to all offers this offseason but did not rule out returning to the Fever.

‘I love being here and I don’t think that’s news to anybody.’ the Missouri grad said. ‘Just being back in the Midwest, being around girls who you truly do love.

‘I had a great time here and I’d like to continue that.’

The Vikings and new-look Browns kick off Sunday in London.
‘Sunday Night Football’ features an AFC East clash between the Bills and Patriots.
Week 5 ends Monday with surging Chiefs trying to ruin the Jags’ return to the prime-time stage.

The 2025 NFL season has somehow already reached October. That means loads of international games, the onset of bye weeks and even quarterback switches.

Week 5 will usher in byes for some of the league’s most prominent players and teams, the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers all taking their break. The schedule will kick off for the second straight Thursday night with a battle of NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams hosting the battered San Francisco 49ers.

Sunday morning brings the season’s first game of the year in London, where the Minnesota Vikings will encounter the Cleveland Browns and their new QB1, Dillon Gabriel. The rest of the day isn’t exactly packed with marquee matchups, though Broncos-Eagles, Buccaneers-Seahawks and Commanders-Chargers all have high-end potential. The Buffalo Bills host the New England Patriots on Sunday night.

Week 5 wraps Monday evening when the Jacksonville Jaguars, hosting their first Monday night game in two years, face the surging Kansas City Chiefs in what the Jags hope is rookie WR/CB Travis Hunter’s NFL coming-out party.

Who wins? Who doesn’t? Our panel of USA TODAY Sports NFL experts weighs in.

(Odds provided by BetMGM)

NFL Week 5 picks, predictions and odds

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns
Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets
Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

LAS VEGAS — Alyssa Thomas’ competitiveness stretches far beyond the basketball court. 

Just ask Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, who lost a not-so-friendly game of UNO during the team’s journey to Las Vegas ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday against the Las Vegas Aces. Thomas and Copper may be teammates when they suit up in purple and orange, butthe pair are each other’s biggest competitors off the court.

‘I’m the best (UNO player) on the team,’ Thomas triumphantly bragged on Thursday, offering a lighthearted glimpse into how the Mercury are staying loose on an otherwise serious business trip. Thomas turned to Copper, ‘Do you want to tell people the truth?’

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The truth is Copper publicly challenged her teammates to the card game, writing on her X account on Wednesday, ‘Brb, on this plane bout to put BTA in UNO.. (so glad AT not on these socials).’

Well, Thomas is at least monitoring social media because she fired off her first post on X since July to set the record straight, telling Copper, ‘That’s not how I remember it.’ Apparently Thomas, the triple-double machine, powered up plenty of Draw 4s.

‘I would like to say I am the best UNO player, however, I did take a couple L’s recently,’ Copper said with an eye roll.

Thomas promptly interjected, stating Copper is the second-best UNO player on the team. ‘I’m the best on the team. When they can’t beat her, I come out and then I beat her and then I go back and do what I need to do.’

Thomas said she’s ‘super competitive’ in everything she does, which started in her childhood.

‘I grew up in a super competitive family. Anything, board games to punch buggies we’re super competitive in,’ she said, previously adding, ‘It started with my parents. As a kid. Any win that we had, whether it was Trouble or Candyland, we had to earn our win. So for me, when I would get a win against them, it was exciting.’

The Mercury’s collective competitiveness can be seen in their never-say-die attitude. Phoenix overcame a 20-point deficit to win Game 2 of the WNBA semifinal series in overtime against the Minnesota Lynx and came back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit in Game 4 to clinch the series and advance to the WNBA Finals.

‘This is what it’s all about. We played the whole season for playoffs and moments like this,’ Thomas said after the Game 2 overtime win on Sept. 23. ‘It is definitely a moment that we will never forget. And for me, I want to win. I’ve been chasing the championship for a long time and yeah, I think this is our time.’

Both Copper and Thomas are gearing up for their hardest battle yet against the Las Vegas Aces.

‘It’s going to be a hard fought battle and tough series,’ Thomas said. ‘You don’t know what each game is going to bring, but the biggest thing is about us staying composed and sticking together.’

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All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell was asked about her future with the Indiana Fever at the team’s exit interviews on Thursday, Oct. 2 in Indianapolis. Her answer was a dire warning.

‘I hope we got a league,’ Mitchell said. ‘I hope that when it’s all said and done … we can have a season, period. For all the girls, every person, that has aspirations to be in the league … that’s the start.

‘Having a league is kind of big for us.’

The collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on Oct. 31, and the WNBA and its players are not close to a deal. The players union opted out of the CBA, which was set to expire in 2027, last year. Indiana’s Caitlin Clark was succinct when stating how big October will be for the WNBA. The All-Star guard, who brought many fans to the league after her record-setting career at Iowa, emphasized working together to find a solution.

‘We are in the biggest moment in WNBA history. … Everybody that’s in a place of power has a true responsibility,’ the All-Star guard said. ‘We have a responsibility to make sure that this game is in a great place going forward with the CBA, caring for our players and building this league to make sure it’s in a great spot for many years to come.

‘We’re in a moment in time where the WNBA has never been hotter, there’s never been more fans.’

Revenue sharing is the biggest obstacle for both sides in getting to a new agreement. The maximum salary in the league under the current CBA is $215,000 and the average is $130,000. Revenues are climbing with a new $200 million-a-year media deal set to start next season, sold-out arenas and fans buying merchandise. Players want a share of that growth.

Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said the players will get a ‘much needed’ update on CBA talks on a call Thursday afternoon. They are also looking to lock in charter flights, which were never codified in the CBA, and talk about safety, given the number of injuries and concern about officiating.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has a news conference scheduled with reporters Friday night in Las Vegas ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces.

‘I promise you: We’re not going to play until they give us what we deserve,’ Cunningham said. ‘And that (a lockout) is where it’s headed, unfortunately, which would be the dumbest basketball decision business-wise ever considering all the momentum the W has now.”

The first of three win-or-go-home Game 3s in MLB’s wild-card round pitted two American League Central division foes against each other one last time in 2025.

Thursday’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field was the ninth time the rivals faced off in 17 days. The Guardians had won five of the last six regular-season matchups to boost them to their second consecutive division title.

The Tigers took Game 1 of this AL Wild Card Series behind a dominant performance from starter Tarik Skubal, and the Guardians got even in Game 2 behind a tiebreaking five-run eighth inning that included home runs by Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor.

Game 3 was a pitching showdown for the first half of the game. It wasn’t until a sixth-inning homer from Dillon Dingler that the Tigers started to get the bats out. Dingler’s dinger gave Detroit the momentum they needed for a four-run seventh inning that really broke the game wide open.

Although Cleveland would pick up two runs in the eighth, the five-run deficit was far too much for them to overcome. The Detroit Tigers have advanced to the ALDS for the second consecutive year. They’ll face the Seattle Mariners, with Game 1 of that series set for Saturday, October 4.

Here are the highlights from Game 3.

Watch Tigers at Guardians on Fubo (free trial)

FINAL: Tigers 6, Guardians 3

Although the Guardians went down in order in the ninth, it was not an easy inning for Detroit. Each play was a tough ground ball that required excellent plays from Javier Baez, Will Vest, and Spencer Torkelson.

Regardless, the Guardians didn’t do much to threaten victory. Detroit wins, 6-3. They’ll face the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4.

Guardians make a push in the eighth

After a one-out single from Bryan Rocchio, Steven Kwan would find the right field corner for Cleveland’s second extra base hit of the game, putting runners on second and third with just one out.

George Valera, who had scored Cleveland’s only run of the game to this point, came to bat against Will Vest, who was brought in to replace Tommy Kahnle. Valera struck out on five pitches.

Jose Ramirez was next. He’d hit a lazy ground ball to first base, but while trying to cover the base, Vest bobbled the throw, allowing two runs to score and nearly pushing Ramirez to second base. He was thrown out.

It’s 6-3, Detroit. Perhaps Cleveland has a little bit of magic left in them after all.

Guardians cannot answer back

Facing a daunting five-run deficit, the Guardians needed a big inning to give themselves a fighting chance. They got one hit, a two-out single.

The Tigers are just six outs away from moving on. They lead 6-1.

Torkelson RBI, Greene RBI 6-1 Tigers

As if the two-RBI single wasn’t enough, Spencer Torkelson drilled a single to left field, driving in Carpenter.

Riley Greene pulled the very next pitch into right field for a single of his own. Detroit’s lead has exploded this inning, from one run to five.

Matt Festa has come in for the Guardians.

Javier Baez, Parker Meadows score, 4-1 Detroit

Javier Baez has been red hot this series. He now has a hit in all three games. This was his biggest one yet, leading off the top of the seventh with a double.

That was followed up with a sac bunt by Parker Meadows. However, as fate would have it, no sacrifice was necessary. Meadows beat the throw, putting runners at the corners with no outs and the top of the Tigers’ lineup is due up next.

That was all Cleveland manager had to see. He brought in Hunter Gaddis, who pitched in Games 1 and 2 as well.

Gaddis would prevent the run initially, fielding a comebacker and freezing Baez at third. But that allowed Meadows to advance to second, prompting the Guardians to intentionally walk Kerry Carpenter to bring up Wenceel Perez, who had already hit into a double play in this game.

Perez would not make the same mistake, launching the second pitch he saw into right field, driving in both Baez and Meadows and moving Carpenter to third. It’s now 4-1 Tigers.

Finnegan works 1-2-3 6th

After coming in in the fifth to get the final out, Finnegan picked up right where he left off, setting the top of the Cleveland lineup down in order in the sixth.

While Jose Ramirez gave Finnegan a ride, flying out to deep left field, the ball fell just short of the warning track and into Riley Greene’s glove.

It stays 2-1 heading into the seventh.

Dillon Dingler dinger

With very few hits and even fewer runs on the day, Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler came up big in the top of the sixth, hitting a home run off Joey Cantillo to right center field, making it a 2-1 game.

The homer was Dingler’s first hit of the series.

Cantillo gets out of fifth with double play

Just like the end of the fourth inning, a one-out walk in the top of the fifth was followed up with a high chopper straight to second base from Wenceel Perez. Cleveland shortstop Bryan Rocchio only needed to step on the base and toss to first to end the inning.

It is still tied 1-1.

Flaherty avoids any more damage

After Ramirez’s RBI single, Flaherty’s job was made much easier when catcher Dillon Dingler threw Ramirez out as he tried to swipe second base. Although Flaherty would walk Kyle Manzardo next, Chase DeLauter would bounce a high ground ball straight to second base, allowing the Tigers to pull off an easy double play.

We head to the fifth. Game is tied, 1-1.

Ramirez ties game with single

Who else but Jose Ramirez?

After a double from George Valera to leadoff the bottom of the fourth inning, Jose Ramirez came up clutch for the Guardians as he’s done so many times before, smashing a single back up the middle and driving Valera home.

The game is tied and Ramirez stands on first base with no one out. The Tigers bullpen is up and moving.

Cantillo escapes jam in fourth

After a strikeout to lead off the inning, Guardians’ pitcher Joey Cantillo found some trouble allowing both Dillon Dingler and Zach McKinstry to reach base.

Cantillo would bounce back though, sending Javier Baez down on strikes to face Parker Meadows with two outs. Meadows would fly out to Kwan in left.

The score remains 1-0 Detroit.

Flaherty rolls through the third

Playing with a lead now, Flaherty felt no pressure in the third inning, setting down the Guardians in order.

We go to the fourth inning. Detroit leads, 1-0.

Herrin escapes jam

With two men in scoring position and only one out, Herrin forced Wenceel Perez to pop out back to the mound. He then battled back from a 2-0 count against Spencer Torkelson to strike him out. The Tigers leave two men on base, but lead 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third.

Cecconi out, Tigers take a 1-0 lead

After two solid innings, Slade Cecconi hit a road bump surrendering back-to-back hits to Parker Meadows and Gleyber Torres, putting runners on the corners with only one out.

Though the Tigers were only 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position this series, Vogt opted to go to the bullpen, bringing in the southpaw Tim Herrin to face Kerry Carpenter, who is notoriously weak against lefties.

Shockingly though, Carpenter would get a hit on a sharp ground ball to C.J. Kayfus at first. The ball would ricochet off Kayfus into foul ground allowing both Carpenter and Torres to reach scoring position.

DeLauter singles, Guardians fail to score

The Guardians picked up the first hit of the game with Chase DeLauter smacking a one-out single to right field. He’d stop there, however, as Jack Flaherty made quick work of the rest of Cleveland’s lineup. Only Bo Naylor gave Flaherty trouble, forcing an eight-pitch at-bat that ended up with him popping out to second base.

Heading to the third, this game remains scoreless.

Cecconi gets through second with just eight pitches

Any Cleveland fans worried about Cecconi’s pitch count after the first can breathe a little easier. The third-year pro got through the 5-6-7 hitters in the Tigers’ lineup in just eight pitches, putting him at 34 for the game. We remain scoreless heading into the bottom of the second.

Flaherty answers back with quick first

If Cecconi’s first inning went as well as it could have, Jack Flaherty matched his Cleveland counterpart, going three-up, three-down and ending the inning by punching out Jose Ramirez. We head to the second inning, still tied at 0.

Cecconi gets two strikeouts

The first inning went about as well as it could have for Slade Cecconi. He struck out two Tigers including an inning ending punchout to Tigers’ cleanup man Spencer Torkelson.

While Cecconi did walk one batter, he looked composed, which is reportedly why Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt wanted him for this do-or-die Game 3.

The only other downside was that Cecconi needed 26 pitches to get through the inning. At this rate, he may not last even four innings.

What time is Tigers vs. Guardians Game 3?

Date: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025
Start time: 3:08 p.m. ET

Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series between the Tigers and Guardians will start at 3:08 p.m. ET from Progressive Field in Cleveland.

What channel is Tigers vs. Guardians Game 3?

TV channel: ABC
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo

MLB postseason bracket

American League

No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the AL Division Series.
No. 2 Seattle Mariners: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in AL Division Series.
No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees

National League

No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, including World Series. Will host winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5 wild-card series in the NL Division Series.
No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies: Will host winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6 wild-card series in NL Division Series.
No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers — Dodgers win series 2-0
No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs

Tigers vs Guardians predictions

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports MLB writers and editors see Game 3 of the Tigers-Guardians wild-card series shaking out:

Bob Nightengale: Guardians 4, Tigers 2
Gabe Lacques: Tigers 4, Guardians 2
Jesse Yomtov: Guardians 5, Tigers 3

Tigers pitcher today

Right-hander Jack Flaherty is no stranger to pitching with the spotlight the brightest. Flaherty appeared in five games during the Dodgers’ World Series run last year, including two starts in the World Series against the Yankees. Flaherty had a disappointing 2025 regular season, going 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA. He did finish strong, posting a 3.86 ERA in four starts during September, which was his best month aside from April. Flaherty faced the Guardians three times during the season and went 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 16 innings. His final two regular-season starts came against Cleveland, which scored one earned run in five innings on Sept. 17 and tagged him for three earned runs in 4.1 innings on Sept. 24.

Guardians pitcher today

Acquired for Josh Naylor during the offseason, right-hander Slade Cecconi was a bit of a stabilizing force for Cleveland this year. Cecconi gave the Guardians 23 starts and was 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA during the season. Cecconi was clutch for the Guardians down the stretch, allowing two or fewer runs in four of his final five starts, compiling a 2.19 ERA during that stretch.

Tigers lineup for Game 3

Gleyber Torres, 2B
Kerry Carpenter, DH
Wenceel Perez, RF
Spencer Torkelson, 1B
Riley Greene, LF
Dillon Dingler, C
Zach McKinstry, 3B
Javier Baez, SS
Parker Meadows, CF

Guardians lineup for Game 2

Steven Kwan, LF
George Valera, RF
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Kyle Manzardo, DH
Chase DeLauter, CF
Gabriel Arias, SS
Bo Naylor, C
C.J. Kayfus, 1B
Brayan Rocchio, 2B

MLB playoff schedule

Wild card series

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (Detroit leads 1-0)
Cubs 3, Padres 1 (Chicago leads 1-0)
Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 (Boston leads 1-0)
Dodgers 10, Reds 5 (Los Angeles leads 1-0)

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Guardians 6, Tigers 1 (Series tied 1-1)
Padres 3, Cubs 0 (Series tied 1-1)
Yankees 4, Red Sox 3 (Series tied 1-1)
Dodgers 8, Reds 4 (Los Angeles wins 2-0)

Thursday, Oct. 2

Tigers at Guardians, Game 3: 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
Padres at Cubs, Game 3: 5:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
Red Sox at Yankees, Game 3: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

Division series

Saturday, Oct. 4

Yankees/Red Sox at Blue Jays, Game 1, TBD
Tigers/Guardians at Mariners, Game 1, TBD
Cubs/Padres at Brewers, Game 1, TBS/truTV/HBO Max
Dodgers at Phillies, Game 1: TBS/truTV/HBO Max

Tigers record in 2025

Detroit finished 87-75 to each the No. 6 wild card in the American League. The Tigers held a 14-game lead in the division on July 8 but went 28-41 after that and lost the AL Central lead during the final week of the season.

Guardians record in 2025

Cleveland was 88-74, rallying from a 15.5-game deficit in early July to win its second consecutive division title. The Guardians went 48-26 after losing to the Tigers on July 6, that included winning 18 of their final 22 games and taking five of six from the Tigers in the final two weeks.

Rankings – and the debates those create – fuel the NBA, more so than any of the major domestic sports leagues.

Player rankings in particular span generations and eras, showcasing the league’s elite starpower. We enlisted 12 NBA experts across the USA TODAY Network and asked them to rank a field of 40 players, taking the weighted average to generate the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 NBA player rankings for the 2025-26 season.

For the purposes of this year’s rankings, we have omitted star players who are likely to miss at least the majority of the season due to injury – players like Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving.

Who topped our rankings? Check out our countdown from 25 to 1 below. And if you disagree, tell us why by dropping a note to Lorenzo Reyes at lgreyes@usatoday.com.

USA TODAY Sports’ Top 25 NBA players rankings

25. Ja Morant, guard, Memphis Grizzlies

2024-25 stats: 23.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 7.3 apg

Injuries have taken their toll on Ja Morant over the last two years, but fans haven’t forgotten just how impactful he can be when he’s on the court. Never much of a three-point shooter, Morant is someone who can slash and dominate inside, which is tough to do for someone his size (6-foot-2). He’s a strong, athletic player who can take over games. In his last fully-healthy season (2022-23), Morant finished 12th in MVP voting and averaged more than 26.2 points per game.

Last season’s ranking: 26th

24. Pascal Siakam, forward, Indiana Pacers

2024-25 stats: 20.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.4 apg

Siakam played a key role in the Pacers’ success last season. He was named an All-Star for the third time in his career and won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP after leading the Pacers past the New York Knicks in a six-game series.

Last season’s ranking: not ranked

23. James Harden, guard, Los Angeles Clippers

2024-25 stats: 22.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 8.7 apg

It was a resurgent 2024-25 season for Harden, who earned all-NBA honors for the first time since 2020 when he was still with the Houston Rockets. Though Harden’s shooting numbers dipped while playing mostly point guard for the Clippers, his scoring average was the highest it had been in five years. His free throw, rebound and assist rate also improved, and he appeared in more games (78) than he had in almost a decade. 

Last season’s ranking: not ranked

22. Jimmy Butler, forward, Golden State Warriors

2024-25 stats: 17.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.4 apg

Butler isn’t ranked here for his regular-season play; it’s “Playoff Jimmy” where the now 36-year-old has proven himself over the years. But, as he gets older, the question is whether he has enough left in the tank to help push the Warriors to another championship run in the competitive Western Conference.

Last season’s ranking: 25th

21. Evan Mobley, forward, Cleveland Cavaliers

2024-25 stats: 18.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.2 apg

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley is much more than a lengthy stopper. Coach Kenny Atkinson has empowered Mobley to be a stretch forward who can knock down shots from the corner just as easily as he can go to work in the low block. He only just turned 24 in June and finished 10th in MVP voting last season. A further leap could be incoming.

Last season’s ranking: not ranked

20. Jaylen Brown, guard, Boston Celtics

2024-25 stats: 22.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.5 apg

The best players in the world are those who can rise to the occasion when their teammates struggle. Brown is that guy. When Jayson Tatum struggled in the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown earned Finals MVP. In fact, the only game the Celtics lost to Dallas in that series was one in which Brown struggled to score (3 of 12 from the field in Game 4). Regardless, Brown is dependable and might be the best No. 2 in the league. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the year, we’ll see if Brown can once again elevate himself to the level the Celtics need from him.

Last season’s ranking: 15th

19. Joel Embiid, center, Philadelphia 76ers

2024-25 stats: 23.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.5 apg

Embiid played just 19 games due to a knee injury, in what was a disastrous season for the 76ers. When healthy, Embiid shot 44.4% from the field. He could help lead Philly back to the postseason, but he needs to be on the floor. Embiid was the most polarizing player on the list; he was ranked as high as 5th and as low as 38th.

Last season’s ranking: 5th

18. Karl-Anthony Towns, forward-center, New York Knicks

2024-25 stats: 24.4 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 3.1 apg

Towns jumps in the rankings after a successful first season with the Knicks in which he earned all-NBA honors for the third time in his 10-year career and fit in well alongside fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson. One of the best 3-point shooting big men in history could see a boost in his numbers playing at a faster tempo under new Knicks coach Mike Brown. 

Last season’s ranking: 30th

17. Jalen Williams, forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

2024-25 stats: 21.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.1 apg

An elite two-way player – he made both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams – Williams’ meteoric rise (he is entering just his fourth NBA season) will help the Thunder and their young core stay in the championship conversation. He signed a new five-year, maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million.

Last season’s ranking: not ranked

16. Paolo Banchero, forward, Orlando Magic

2024-25 stats: 25.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.8 apg

Banchero was sidelined in the first half of the season with a torn oblique, but he returned to post career highs in points and rebounds in 46 games. He’ll turn just 23 in mid-November and has diversified his offensive portfolio to include a silky mid-range, straight-line drives to the basket and occasional hits from three-point range.

Last season’s ranking: 28th

15. Devin Booker, guard, Phoenix Suns

2024-25 stats: 25.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 7.1 apg

One of the best pure scorers in the NBA, Booker has the potential to absolutely take over any game. You might blink, and then, all of a sudden, he’ll have 50. In fact, he’s the only player younger than 30 with eight or more 50-point games. Though Booker was not an All-Star last season, his scoring prowess makes him an easy fit on almost any team in the NBA. He has tallied at least 25 points per game in seven consecutive seasons. This season in Phoenix, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gone, the show is his to run.

Last season’s ranking: 13th

14. Kawhi Leonard, forward, Los Angeles Clippers

2024-25 stats: 21.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.1 apg

Leonard played just 37 regular-season games, missing the start of the campaign with knee inflammation, but he was healthy for the Clippers in the playoffs. And while he was ineligible for postseason awards, he was tabbed as the NBA Player of the Week for Week 24 of the season (March 31-April 6). He’ll be facing the NBA-backed investigation on salary cap circumvention, but now at 34, health also remains a concern.

Last season’s ranking: 14th

13. Anthony Davis, forward-center, Dallas Mavericks

2024-25 stats: 24.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 3.5 apg

Davis is a feared defensive anchor and powerful interior offensive option – when healthy – and the centerpiece of the Mavericks’ bold decision to trade away Luka Dončić. Davis played just nine regular-season games for the Mavericks last season due to injury, but Dallas should remain a Western Conference threat so long as he’s on the court. Davis made second team all-NBA when he appeared in 76 games for the Lakers in 2023-24. 

Last season’s ranking: 11th

12. Cade Cunningham, guard, Detroit Pistons

2024-25 stats: 26.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 9.1 apg

Cunningham, who posted career-bests in points and assists, has blossomed into one of the league’s top playmakers, scoring at will and passing to teammates who can finally make baskets. This is evident from the team’s 30-win improvement from 2023-24 (which included a record 28-game losing streak) and a playoff appearance that ended a five-year drought.

Last season’s ranking: not ranked

11. Jalen Brunson, guard, New York Knicks

2024-25 stats: 26.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 7.3 rpg

Equipped with a range of crafty moves to work his way into the paint and blessed with a reliable left-handed shot, Brunson has been the engine in New York’s revival as a contender in the East. Brunson, winner of the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year award, has thrived with the ball in his hands. But with new coach Mike Brown on the sideline, the Knicks may opt to diversify the offense a bit more, using Brunson in off-ball actions.

Last season’s ranking: 12th

10. Donovan Mitchell, guard, Cleveland Cavaliers

2024-25 stats: 24.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.0 apg

Mitchell is exactly what the Cavaliers needed when they acquired him ahead of the 2022-23 season. He has been an All-Star in six consecutive seasons and just led the Cavs to the best record in the Eastern Conference. He is an elite scorer with underrated MVP upside. When paired with the young defensive studs the Cavaliers have, it makes Mitchell’s job that much easier.

Last season’s ranking: 18th

9. Kevin Durant, forward, Houston Rockets

2024-25 stats: 26.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.2 apg

Durant finished sixth in the NBA in scoring (26.6) and minutes (36.5) per game while he was a member of the Phoenix Suns, but he missed 20 games last season. He was also named an All-Star for the 15th time in his professional career. Now with the Rockets, he joins a team that should highlight his silky mid-range jumper with a coach in Ime Udoka who knows how to maximize Durant’s unicorn skill set.

Last season’s ranking: 9th

8. LeBron James, forward, Los Angeles Lakers

2024-25 stats: 24.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 8.2 apg

James remains one of the NBA’s top all-around offensive threats, particularly in transition, as he begins his record-breaking 23rd season. The 40-year-old was second-team All-NBA last year and will be playing for the Lakers on an expiring contract in 2025-26. His court vision and play-making has not waned, and he’ll look to add to his remarkable all-time career scoring total of 42,184 points.

Last season’s ranking: 8th

7.  Victor Wembanyama, forward-center, San Antonio Spurs

2024-25 stats: 24.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 6.4 apg

When healthy, Wembanyama is the league’s top defender and is starting to become a unique threat on offense as well. His shooting ability and range, at his size, is unlike anything the NBA has ever seen. If the Spurs can achieve anything this year – in this case, even sniff a playoff berth – this could mark the beginning of Wembanyama being in the MVP conversation for years to come.

Last season’s ranking: 16th

6.  Stephen Curry, guard, Golden State Warriors

2024-25 stats: 24.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 6.0 apg

The greatest shooter of all-time, Curry is a relentless hard-worker who is just as effective off the ball – sprinting all over the floor to work off screens and create separation – as he is with the rock in his hands. There’s no shot he cannot make, but there are signs that Curry, 37, is slowing down. Removing the COVID-altered 2019-20 season, when he played only five games because of a broken left hand, Curry notched his fewest minutes per game (32.2) since 2011-12.

Last season’s ranking: 7th

5. Anthony Edwards, guard, Minnesota Timberwolves

2024-25 stats: 27.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.5 apg

If the word “dawg” were to ever be truly accepted into the English vernacular, its definition would come alongside a picture of Edwards. The former No. 1 overall pick has finished seventh in MVP voting for the past two years, and he had a case for a higher placement after he increased his 3-point efficiency to a stellar 39.5% clip last season. He has been named an All-Star in three consecutive seasons and a member of the All-NBA second team two years in a row.

Last season’s ranking: 10th

4. Luka Dončić, guard, Los Angeles Lakers

2024-25 stats: 28.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.7 apg

In a move that shocked the NBA, Dončić was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in February. Dončić and the Lakers reached the first round of the playoffs but will be in search of accomplishing more this year. He has spent time during the offseason getting in shape and playing EuroLeague as part of his preparation for the upcoming season. Though he tends to be a ball-dominant player, Dončić is methodical in getting to his spots and scoring from all over the floor. But he’s also an artist in the passing game, so his teammates need to be ready at all times for shot opportunities.

Last season’s ranking: 3rd

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, forward, Milwaukee Bucks

2024-25 stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 6.5 apg

Antetokounmpo remains perhaps the league’s best two-way weapon entering his 13th season and earned first-team All-NBA honors for the seventh year in a row in 2024-25. The two-time MVP set a career high for assists in 2024-25 and shot better than 60% from the field for the second consecutive season (he’s the only player in NBA history to do that while averaging more than 30 points per game).

Last season’s ranking: 2nd

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard, Oklahoma City Thunder

2024-25 stats: 32.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.4 apg

It’s a rarity that the league’s leading scorer and reigning MVP is not at the top of this list, but Gilgeous-Alexander more than earned his worth after leading the Thunder to their first NBA championship; and he was rewarded with a four-year, $285 million supermax extension. He seemingly glides across the floor, is never hurried and is one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA.

Last season’s ranking: 4th

1. Nikola Jokić, center, Denver Nuggets

2024-25 stats: 29.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 10.2 apg

Three players – Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo – received at least one first-place vote, but it was Jokić who ran away with the top spot on this list, drawing 10 first-place selections from the panel. Jokić, 30, has finished first or second in MVP voting in each of the last five seasons, with three awards. He became just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a single season, joining Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Jokić ‘s teammate from last year, Russell Westbrook (four times). He is the best passing big in the world and draws so much defensive attention, which creates scoring chances for his teammates. He shines in the clutch, has unparalleled footwork in the post and has an unconventional shot that has become wildly efficient. Jokić set career highs last season in 3-point attempts (4.7) and conversions (2.0) per game and 3-point shooting percentage (41.7%).

Last season’s ranking: 1st