(Madison, WI) — The Badgers have been using their bye week to shuffle some members of the offensive line around. Several linemen who have been sidelined by injuries are returning, and all should be back by the Michigan game. Bucky’s 5th Quarter reports that a major move is switching David Heinzen to center after his play at left tackle sent him to the bench. The normally strong Wisconsin running game has produced just 471 yards and four touchdowns during the 2-and-2 start to the season, averaging just above three yards per carry.
CHICAGO (AP) — Seiya Suzuki watched the playoffs on TV after each of his first three years in the majors. He gets to play this time around, and he is determined to make the most of the opportunity. Suzuki hit a crucial home run to help the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series. The usually reserved Suzuki pumped his right arm and yelled in celebration as he made his way to first base after his big swing. Chicago had just one hit before the Japanese slugger opened the fifth with a 424-foot shot into the bleachers in left-center on a 94.5 mph fastball from Nick Pivetta.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. Ohtani’s first homer was a leadoff shot in the first inning. His second, a two-run drive in the sixth, extended the lead to 8-0. Ohtani hit a career-high 55 homers during the regular season, breaking his own franchise record. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said the two-way superstar would probably start on the mound if the series goes to a decisive third game. Ohtani has yet to pitch in the postseason.
Dodgers beat the Reds 10-5
NEW YORK (AP) — Garrett Crochet led the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees in their AL Wild Card Series opener. He threw 117 pitches, the most in a postseason game in six years, striking out 11 batters and walking none over 7 2/3 innings. Crochet retired 17 consecutive batters after Anthony Volpe’s homer in the second. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in December, Crochet has become Boston’s ace, earning a $170 million contract starting next year. He went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA this season, leading the major leagues with 255 strikeouts and topping the AL with 205 1/3 innings.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland. Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 win Tuesday. Despite a challenging September, Skubal’s determination helped Detroit gain early momentum in the best-of-three series. He allowed just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings. Skubal’s fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and he effectively used his slider. His performance was crucial for Detroit, which had struggled against Cleveland in recent matchups.
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Brewers’ top minor league hitter and pitcher have been named. Jesus Made and Tyson Hardin are winners of the Robin Yount Performance Award. Made’s talent is being compared to Jackson Chourio, even though he was only 17 years old when the 2025 season started. Brew Crew Ball reports that he’s Milwaukee’s top prospect and number-three overall in Major League Baseball. Hardin was switched from reliever to starter and finished the season with a 6-and-5 record and an ERA of 2-point-72. He’s ranked 7th among the team’s minor league prospects.
(Green Bay, WI) — The Packers have made some roster moves to create openings for players returning from injuries. The release of offensive lineman Brant Banks on Monday creates two openings. Wide receiver Christian Watson is expected to return to practice this week. Others who could be activated soon include running back MarShawn Lloyd, offensive lineman John Williams, and defensive end Collin Oliver. Acme Packing Company reports all of those players could suit up for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of a 10-day road trip to Europe that’s the first time an NFL team will have played consecutive international games in different countries. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin last Sunday. They face the Cleveland Browns in London this week. The organization welcomed the assignment from the league for the opportunity to move two road games from difficult-to-play-in stadiums to neutral sites. The football side of the operation also embraced the challenge with full confidence in the support staff around them to ensure everything from nutrition to equipment could be transported.
A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are looking to accomplish something only done once before by winning a third WNBA championship in four seasons. Standing in the way are the Phoenix Mercury, who are making their first championship appearance since 2021. The WNBA Finals will begin Friday in Las Vegas between the second-seed Aces and No. 4 seed Mercury. This year for the first time the two teams will play in a best-of-seven format as the league expanded its championship round from a five-game series.
(Madison, WI) — The Wisconsin men’s basketball program has made a significant change to its coaching staff. Assistant head coach Kirk Penney has returned to his home in New Zealand after playing a role in creating one of the best Badger offensive efforts in history. Badger Blitz reports that the nearly 81 points a game scored last season was the top effort in more than 50 years. Penney will be replaced by former guard Brad Davison, who has been playing in Europe. Coach Greg Gard says his return is “an absolute win” for the program.
The Minnesota Wild have signed Kirill Kaprizov to the richest contract in NHL history at $136 million over eight years. The record-setting deal was done on Tuesday. Kaprizov will count $17 million against the Wild’s salary cap beginning next season. That’s the highest annual average salary since the league’s cap era began in 2005. Kaprizov’s contract surpassed Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million annual average with Edmonton. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value. Only Ovechkin and Auston Matthews among current NHL players had more goals through 300 career games than Kaprizov.