That’s opened up a bit — the Reds and Pirates both struggled in their opening series of the second half — but not enough to change the “everyone has a chance” narrative. All five teams have gone through ups and downs this year. MORE: Watch ‘ChangeUp,’ a new MLB live whiparound show on DAZN “Throughout a season you’re going to hit some lulls, whether the offense is not producing or the pitching not doing well,” Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff said....

Matt Duchene left the Predators’ 4-0 win over the Minnesota Wild with a lower body injury, but the circumstances of his exit are a mystery. The 28-year-old played his final shift of Thursday’s game with 3:27 remaining in the second period and didn’t return to the bench for the third period. The Predators tweeted midway through the final frame that Duchene’s night was over. Duchene is in his first season with Nashville after signing a seven-year, $56 million deal with the club over the summer....

Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Rep. Gaetz of Florida called the investigation a “scandal” and railed against several media outlets for their initial coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop story ahead of Election Day. The GOP lawmaker also argued that the Biden family were “quite familiar” with selling American influence as he hit out at President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team for their response to the investigation. Appearing on Fox & Friends this morning, Gaetz said: “Notice that the Biden transition tried to frame this scandal as a dispute about taxes, maybe something an accountant got wrong....

Although Zelensky received a standing ovation while describing U.S. aid to Ukraine as an “investment in global security and democracy” that is handled “in the most responsible way,” Boebert and Gaetz remained seated. Gaetz has responded to comments by Republican colleague Representative Adam Kinzinger, also appearing to mock Kinzinger’s decision not to seek re-election. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert joined Gaetz in refusing to applaud or stand for Zelensky and both have been the subject of criticism on social media for their actions....

Kenseth drew the ire of NASCAR after he intentionally wrecked Joey Logano in retaliation for a previous incident at Kansas when Logano spun Kenseth while racing for the lead. MORE: Best photos from Martinsville | Why did Kenseth take out Logano? Kenseth, who was nine laps down at the time after suffering heavy damage in a previous wreck that involved Logano’s teammate Brad Keselowski, collided with the No. 22 car’s left rear and drove the car into the wall, causing extensive damage....

Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater set a new NFL record Sunday, making a 64-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. MORE: Week 14 in photos | Live scoreboard | Peterson injury | Gronk injury | Incognito & Martin fans sit together The previous record was 63 yards, which was held by Tom Dempsey, Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers and Denver-great Jason Elam. The Janikowski and Elam field goals both were attempted in Denver, meaning three of the five longest field goals in NFL history were made in Mile High Stadium....

Trevor Davis, Geronimo Allison, Don Jackson, Jeff Janis and Aaron Ripkowski were all key contributors for the Packers, but it wasn’t enough in a 33-32 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. While Green Bay’s group of unknowns turned in a valiant effort, it was an unheralded Atlanta receiver who made the game’s biggest play. MORE: Stats, highlights, info from Falcons’ W over Packers Mohamed Sanu’s 11-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining capped a nine-catch, 84-yard day and lifted the Falcons to the one-point victory....

In his first year as a manager, Williams led a talented team that had underachieved in 2013 to the best record in the NL. The Nationals dominated the NL East a year after falling short of the playoffs under Davey Johnson. The Nats went 96-66 and finished 17 games ahead of the Braves and Mets, the biggest margin in any division. SN AWARDS: Player of the Year | AL rookie | NL rookie | Managers | AL All-Stars | NL All-Stars...

The actor revealed he was weighing up running for the job in his home state, where Republican Greg Abbott is up for re-election next year. Speaking on Crime Stoppers of Houston’s The Balanced Voice podcast on Wednesday, McConaughey discussed his political ambitions. When host Rania Mankarious mentioned running for governor in Texas, the actor replied: “It’s a true consideration.” He explained: “I’m looking into now again, what is my leadership role?...

When the veterans are getting a break, the pass-rushing outside linebacker can often be found taking a breather next to A.J. Hawk, the durable inside linebacker. After some doubt, they'll be together again this weekend to face the Detroit Lions. The Packers' bye week did wonders for Matthews and his sore hamstring. "Well I mean we obviously had the bye week, which helped out as far as" getting healthy, Matthews said Thursday....

Heath, the public address announcer for the Dallas Mavericks, unleashed a Cuban-esque Twitter rant after Dallas' 122-120 overtime loss Tuesday to the Golden State Warriors. In Heath's mind, Stephen Curry's go-ahead jumper should not have been a game-winner because ... Here's the video of the sequence in question; you decide. OK. But then Heath ... went ... there ... and played the conspiracy card: We await commissioner Adam Silver's response....

The figure appears to be seated on a throne and is wearing a jade beaded skirt along with a serpent mask headdress, according to Juan Yadeun Angulo, the archaeologist in charge of the investigation and conservation of the site. The limestone disk was discovered after a crypt was found on the north side of the Temple of the Sun, a stone complex located in the pre-Hispanic archaeological site of Tonina in the Mexican state of Chiapas....

Money for Everyone: I’m not going to get on my high horse about companies that should—or shouldn’t have—received loans from the Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program. (Including my employer, by the way.) A lot of jobs were saved. And, you know, who am I to question why big, private equity-owned restaurant chains like P.F. Chang’s and TGI Fridays got taxpayer money? Maybe I’ve been locked up too long, but the SBA list of companies getting loans intended for “small” businesses does make entertaining reading....

For years, “Madden” passers have moved like they’re stuck in mud when scrambling behind the line of scrimmage while still surveying the field for aerial options. Once they pass the line, they accelerate at an unrealistic rate as if the scrimmage marker was a power booster. Plus, quarterback fumbling seems to happen almost every time a user doesn’t slide. Jackson has been somewhat of an exception to the above complaints this past year; his in-game traits boosted him to be elusive everywhere on the field....

McGregor is set to move up the ladder after Wednesday’s announcement that he will face Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be one of the biggest moments in the history of combat sports and figures to be one of the greatest spectacles of all time. McGregor is set to pull down tens of millions of dollars for the bout....

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are in pursuit of the 18-year-old, with the latter reportedly closing in on a deal. Monaco 7/5 to beat Marseille -1 handicap Mbappe started Monaco’s first Ligue 1 game of the season against Toulouse, but was left on the bench the following week, which Jardim claimed was a “club decision”. The striker was then dropped from the squad altogether for the clash with Metz, and L’Equipe reported he was excluded from training last week after an altercation with a team-mate....

McBroom and AnEsonGib will look to use their popularity to promote an upcoming boxing fight between the two. On Sept. 10 inside Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, their bout will main event a Social Gloves-produced event. The two were supposed to fight one another earlier this year, but AnEsonGib was not medically cleared to compete. AnEsonGib has been a YouTuber since 2012. A majority of his content has been related to FIFA....

Martin O’Neill’s side went two goals down before Stephen Ward netted a consolation goal, but despite an improved second-half showing, McClean was not happy after the defeat. “Positives, there weren’t many from us,” McClean told Setanta Sports. “A few lads got a game and helped their fitness before France. That’s the only positive.” The West Bromwich Albion winger is already looking ahead to Ireland’s opening match at Euro 2016 against Sweden, but believes it will be difficult for the players who miss out on the Boys in Green squad....

House Democrats have been pushing for the next round of emergency funding with an emphasis on providing money for coronavirus testing on both a state and local level. However, McConnell said today that while a new stimulus plan could happen, there were no concrete plans for one from Republicans. “I think I can speak for our conference by saying we’re not ruling that out but we think we ought to take a pause here, do a good job of evaluating what we’ve already done,” McConnell said Tuesday....

In March, TikTok user Mikah Neufeld, who goes by @mykah.mykah on the app and appears to be a McDonald’s employee in Canada based on the cup design, uploaded a video captioned “they do be lying to us doe.” The clip appears to show him pouring the same amount of Coca-Cola into three different-sized cups. The video has since amassed more than 1.6 million likes and 12,000 comments, as well as the millions of views....