🏀 Yankees' home run almost tied it, but one hand ruined it all: Rays sweep into ALCS

Opening

The Rays clinched a controversial call to extend their lead, swept the Yankees in three straight, and advanced to their third ALCS in franchise history. The Guardians, meanwhile, won back-to-back games at the White Sox's home park to force a decisive Game 5, with their bullpen setting a new MLB postseason record of 19 strikeouts in a single game. LeBron James suited up in a 76ers jersey for the first time, delivering a highlight-reel assist in his preseason debut that we'll break down in a moment, along with this week's big headlines from the NFL and NHL.

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This Week's Top Sports Stories

1. Rays Sweep Yankees, Controversial Call Helps Clinch ALCS Berth

What happened: The Rays beat the Yankees 4-3 at home in Game 3 to complete a 3-0 sweep, marking the first time in franchise history they've advanced to the ALCS via a sweep. The decisive blow came from rookie Victor Mesa Jr., who hit a two-run homer off Max Fried in the sixth inning. Anthony Volpe's apparent game-tying two-run homer for the Yankees was overturned after replay review showed a fan reaching over the wall, which was ruled fan interference. The call was downgraded to a double, effectively erasing the Yankees' chance to tie the game.
Why it matters: This is only the third ALCS appearance in Rays history, and the first time they've gotten there by sweeping a series. On top of that, a controversial replay call flipped the entire game, making it one of the more dramatic finishes of the postseason.
Source: MLB.com

2. Guardians' Wild Survival Act: Record 19 Strikeouts, Then a Comeback to Force Game 5

What happened: Facing elimination in Game 3, the Guardians' pitching staff combined for 19 strikeouts, setting a new MLB postseason record for a nine-inning game, striking out every batter in the White Sox lineup at least once. Reliever Foster Griffin alone racked up 7 strikeouts, setting a franchise record for a reliever in a single postseason game. In Game 4, Cleveland trailed 4-3 after five innings, then exploded for 6 runs in the sixth to complete a come-from-behind win, finishing 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5. José Ramírez had also delivered a key two-run homer earlier in the series.
Why it matters: Down 0-2 in the series and facing elimination, the Guardians pulled off a historic pitching performance and a massive one-inning offensive outburst to stay alive, pushing the series to a winner-take-all finale.
Source: MLB.com, CBS Sports

3. LeBron Dons 76ers Jersey, Sets Up Rookie Dunk in Preseason Debut

What happened: LeBron James made his preseason debut in a 76ers jersey at the Nets' home arena, putting up 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in 18 minutes, going 1-for-1 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. All five of his assists came in the first quarter, including a one-handed dish that set up rookie VJ Edgecombe for a dunk. This game marked the first time the Sixers' starting five, Maxey, Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron, and Embiid, took the court together. Jaylen Brown led the team with 18 points as Philadelphia fell 108-114.
Why it matters: This was LeBron's first real test of chemistry with his new team, and he immediately showed off his veteran vision and passing touch. The on-court chemistry of this new starting five has quickly become one of the most talked-about storylines heading into the season.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia

4. Undrafted Rookie QB Leads Buccaneers to Upset Win Over Cowboys on Thursday Night

What happened: The Buccaneers beat the Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday Night Football for their first win of the season, improving to 1-4, while Dallas dropped to 2-3. Filling in for Baker Mayfield was undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who went 19-for-25 for 189 yards and a touchdown with zero turnovers. Running back Bucky Irving set a career high with 165 rushing yards, including a 72-yard run, and scored two touchdowns as Tampa Bay blew the game open with a 17-0 third quarter.
Why it matters: An undrafted rookie quarterback stepped into a high-pressure start and delivered a turnover-free performance, becoming just the second undrafted rookie QB in history to beat the Cowboys in his starting debut. It's one of the most inspiring upset stories of the week.
Source: NFL.com

5. Capitals Edge Penguins in Ovechkin's Final Home Opener

What happened: The Capitals beat the Penguins 5-3 in what's set to be Ovechkin's final home opener of his career. Tom Wilson led all scorers with a goal and two assists. Just 23 seconds into the game, Anthony Beauvillier beat his former teammate Kris Letang with a backhand shot for the opening goal, also marking the 300th point of his career. Ovechkin had announced just days earlier that this would be his final season, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation during the pregame introductions, with his two sons, Sergei and Ilya, watching from the sidelines.
Why it matters: A legendary player winning on his home ice during what's being billed as his farewell season, with his family there to witness it, gives this win an extra layer of significance beyond the final score.
Source: NHL.com

6. Just Three Days After Winning Beijing, Djokovic Suffers Shock Second-Round Exit in Shanghai

What happened: Just three days after winning the China Open in Beijing, a tournament where he's never lost a match in his career, Djokovic was stunned in the second round of the Shanghai Masters, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Hubert Hurkacz, the 2023 Shanghai champion. It was Hurkacz's first win over Djokovic in nine career meetings. According to Sky Sports, Djokovic admitted afterward that he simply couldn't find his rhythm on court, noting that the court speed in Shanghai was completely different from Beijing, and that a single service break was enough to cost him the match.
Why it matters: Going from a near-untouchable title run in Beijing to a completely different result just days later in a neighboring city captures exactly how unpredictable professional tennis can be.
Source: Sky Sports

Closing

The most memorable moment of the week has to be that overturned home run call against the Yankees, a single instant that handed the Rays their ticket to the next round. Up ahead, the Dodgers face the Brewers, fresh off setting a franchise RBI record, in the NLCS, while the ALCS awaits the winner of this Game 5 showdown. There's plenty more drama to come, so join us again in the next episode as we keep following the action.