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Baseball could be in the midst of a Dodgers dynasty

TORONTO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of being considered a modern-day baseball dynasty. Winning a third World Series title in six years would solidify their status. The Dodgers have already won 12 of the last 13 NL West titles. However, the definition of a dynasty is debated. Some believe sustained success, rather than consecutive titles, qualifies a team for this status. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says winning another title would place them among the top sports organizations. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts says each championship boosts his goal of reaching the Hall of Fame.

Giants name Tennessee’s Vitello manager, gambling on a college coach with no professional experience

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Giants are hiring University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello as their manager for his first professional coaching job. It’s a bold gamble by San Francisco executive Buster Posey on a coach with no previous experience in the pros. The 47-year-old Vitello is making the jump after spending his entire career at the college level. He guided the Vols to their first NCAA title last year. The Giants went 81-81 this season under Bob Melvin. Posey calls Vitello “one of the brightest, most innovative and most respected coaches in college baseball today.”

Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez’s trial date set in case over fight with truck driver

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indianapolis judge has confirmed a Dec. 11 trial date for Fox Sports analyst and former NFL player Mark Sanchez. He’s charged with attacking a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel over a parking dispute. The pretrial conference on Wednesday was brief, and Sanchez, who’s recovering from his injuries, was not present. The incident happened Oct. 4, and Sanchez has been off the air since. Prosecutors charged him with felony battery and three misdemeanors. Sanchez was stabbed during the altercation. The truck driver, claiming self-defense, is suing Sanchez and Fox Sports. Sanchez remains free on bond and has not commented on the allegations.

Freeman returns to his Canadian roots as Dodgers face Blue Jays in Toronto to open World Series

Freddie Freeman is returning to his family roots as the Los Angeles Dodgers open their World Series defense against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday. Freeman’s parents are from Ontario, with his father from Windsor and his late mother from Peterborough. Freeman was born in California after his family moved for his father’s work. He holds dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship and chose to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Freeman often finds envelopes with family photos in his locker when in Toronto. He wears long sleeves during games as a tribute to his mother, who died of melanoma in 2000.

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels out with injury and Marcus Mariota to start vs. Chiefs, AP source says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the Washington Commanders’ game at the Kansas City Chiefs because of an injured right hamstring and Marcus Mariota will start in his place. That’s according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team had not officially ruled him out for the Monday night game. Washington has lost two games in a row heading into the contest at Kansas City. Daniels had an MRI exam a day after leaving in the third quarter of Washington’s 44-22 loss at the NFC East-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson back on practice field for Ravens after missing 2 games with hamstring injury

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson has returned to the practice field for the Baltimore Ravens after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Jackson initially did not take the field with Baltimore’s other two quarterbacks, but with practice still open to reporters, he came out with his helmet on and did some throwing on Wednesday. The Ravens have been holding out hope that Jackson’s return can help save their season after four straight losses. Now all eyes will be on the two-time MVP to see what progress he makes this week. The Chicago Bears are in town Sunday.

Liverpool rebounds with 5-1 win at Frankfurt in Champions League; Chelsea and Bayern also win big

MILAN (AP) — Liverpool has bounced back from a losing streak with a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. The team had been struggling, including a recent defeat to Manchester United. On Wednesday, Liverpool equalized through Hugo Ekitike, who scored against his former team. Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté then headed in corners to secure a comfortable halftime lead. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai added goals in the second half. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Bayern Munich also secured comfortable wins, and Real Madrid maintained its perfect start with a 1-0 victory over Juventus.

NCAA allows college athletes to bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1

The NCAA approved a rule change on Wednesday that will allow athletes and athletic department staff members to bet on professional sports. Two weeks after the Division I cabinet approved the change, Division II and III management councils signed off on it, allowing the new rule to go into effect Nov. 1. This doesn’t change the NCAA rule which forbids athletes from betting on college sports. The NCAA also prohibits sharing information about college competitions with bettors. The institution also doesn’t accept advertising or sponsorships of NCAA championships by betting sites.

Has parity arrived in college football? Transfer portal, NIL money credited for tighter games

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The transfer portal and NIL money have helped level the playing field across college football. The result is the type of parity that makes the NFL must-see TV with the competition tighter than ever, especially in the Power Four conferences. In the Southeastern Conference, the average margin of victory is just 10.0 points per game. That is on pace to be the lowest for any power conference since at least 2000. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea says he feels like he’s coaching in the NFL now.