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NHL News: Panthers GM: Matthew Tkachuk out until ‘December-ish’

CWEB

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September 18, 2025

NHL News: Panthers GM: Matthew Tkachuk out until ‘December-ish’

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk is expected to be sidelined until sometime in December as he recovers from surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia, general manager Bill Zito said Wednesday.

Tkachuk underwent surgery in August.

Zito said December is a best guess.

“Don’t hold me to that,” Zito said. “That’s my internet medical degree.”

Zito also told reporters that forward Tomas Nosek will be “out for a while” while nursing an undisclosed injury sustained during the offseason.

Tkachuk, 27, sustained a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury while playing for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. He played in four shifts during the Americans’ 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the championship game of that tournament.

He was placed on long-term injured reserve on March 2 and did not return to the ice until the playoffs, when he notched 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 23 games on the way to the Panthers’ second straight Stanley Cup championship.

“There are measuring posts along the way and then how your reaction is at a certain point would then dictate when the next one is,” Zito said about Tkachuk’s plan to return to the ice. “It’s not necessarily equally laid-out timelines. … And so, we anticipate him being out until December-ish.”

Tkachuk had 22 goals and 35 assists (57 points) in 52 games last season before the injuries finished his regular season. He has totaled 636 points (240 goals, 396 assists) in 642 career regular season games with the Calgary Flames (2016-22) and Panthers.

Nosek, 33, had nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 59 games last season with Florida.

He has totaled 116 points (45 goals, 71 assists) in 493 career games with the Detroit Red Wings (2015-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-21), Boston Bruins (2021-23), New Jersey Devils (2023-24) and Panthers.

–Field Level Media

LPGA News: Former World No. 1 Stacy Lewis announces retirement

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September 18, 2025

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LPGA News: Former World No. 1 Stacy Lewis announces retirement

Former World No. 1 Stacy Lewis announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour on Wednesday after 17 years and 13 wins on the circuit, including two majors.

Lewis, 40, was the tour’s Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014 and reached No. 1 for four weeks in 2013 and another 21 weeks in 2014. She won the Chevron Championship in 2011 and the Women’s British Open in 2013.

The two-time U.S. Solheim Cup captain, who starred collegiately at Arkansas, announced her impending retirement at a pro-am event at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

“Never in a million years, would I have thought this journey playing golf would still be going in 2025, but the time has come to put the clubs away,” she wrote in a piece published at LPGA.com. “I will finish out the 2025 season, but this will be my last on the LPGA. I’m not exactly sure what is next but I’m so grateful for all the Arkansas fans and people that have supported me along way!”

Lewis said she was looking forward to spending more time with her husband and their daughter.

“I’m going to miss the LPGA Tour family and this part of my life, but my body has told me it’s time,” she wrote. “My husband became a part of the team too fitting in seamlessly providing great balance and stability to my life. I’m looking forward to our calendars being more in sync and having more time as a family.”

Lewis thanked her coaches, sponsors and her longtime caddy, Travis Wilson, for their support.

“I’ve cared for the LPGA Tour like it was my own child and I’m so proud of the progress we have made, but to my fellow players, we aren’t done!” she wrote. “I hope you all continue to push the tour forward and do all that you can to help on and off the course!”

Lewis, who suffered from scoliosis as a child, overcame back surgery in college to win the 2007 NCAA individual national championship. She won her first professional tournament in Arkansas later that year. Her most recent title was at the 2020 Scottish Open.

–Field Level Media

NAS News: Stubbs: Resetting NASCAR playoffs entering Round of 12

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September 18, 2025

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NAS News: Stubbs: Resetting NASCAR playoffs entering Round of 12

Following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, only 12 drivers remain alive in the NASCAR Cup Series championship hunt.

The second round of the Cup Series playoffs consists of three unique racetracks: the one-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway and the 2.32-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.

The postseason intensity will only ratchet up in the second round, where four more drivers will be eliminated from playoff contention at Charlotte on Oct. 5.

As teams prepare to take on the ‘Magic Mile’ of New Hampshire on Sunday, here’s the current playoff outlook for every Round of 12 driver.

FEELING GOOD

It’s hard to say that there could be any ‘near locks’ for the Round of 8, given the variety of tracks in the Round of 12 and the way the points standings have narrowed. However, there are still a few drivers that stand out above the rest and should have an easier time advancing to the penultimate round of the playoffs.

-Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
As his 45th birthday nears, Hamlin is putting together some of the best races of his career. It’d be shocking if the five-time 2025 winner didn’t advance to the Round of 8, especially considering that he’ll be among the favorites to win at both New Hampshire and Kansas.

The Roval could bring him some trouble if he finds himself close to the cut line, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Hamlin isn’t at least comfortable on points going into Charlotte.

-Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
Larson’s Round of 12 outlook is similar to Hamlin’s. There are two tracks — Kansas and the Charlotte Roval — where the 2021 champion will be among the favorites to win. That’s especially true given that Larson is the defending Charlotte Roval winner and dominated the May 11 race at Kansas Speedway.

Unlike Hamlin, however, the remaining race — in this case, New Hampshire — isn’t as big a weak spot for Larson as the Roval is for Hamlin. Larson has finished top-five in the last two New Hampshire races, and a similar result on Sunday would leave Larson sitting pretty ahead of Kansas.

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN

These drivers won’t waltz through the Round of 12 effortlessly, but it’d be surprising to see them eliminated.

-William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
Byron’s inclusion in this category comes with a caveat — the No. 24 team must wake up and find the speed that took them to the Championship 4 in 2023 and 2024. Byron didn’t finish inside the top 10 once in the Round of 16. The two-time Daytona 500 winner is certainly capable of winning a Round of 12 race or easily advancing on points, and most HMS fans would argue that doing so is the bare minimum expectation.

Byron has earned a reputation as a championship-caliber driver over the past three seasons, but he can’t afford to rest on his laurels over the next three weeks.

-Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
Bell’s insertion into this list is mainly due to the fact that New Hampshire Motor Speedway opens the Round of 12. Bell has made NHMS his playground in recent years, winning two of the last three Cup Series races at the track. Even if he can’t win on Sunday, he has enough of a points gap (plus-20) to the cut line that top-10 runs at Kansas and the Roval would likely be enough to get Bell to the Round of 8.

-Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford, Team Penske
Blaney is looking to get to the Championship 4 for the third consecutive year. He enters the Round of 12 with a 19-point advantage over the cut line and on the heels of consecutive top-five finishes.

Blaney has only one win at tracks in the Round of 12, and it was a chaotic victory at the Roval in 2018, which was the result of a last-lap tangle between Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson. However, it’d still be shocking if Blaney isn’t able to point his way into the Round of 8 in search of his second title in three years.

DANGER ZONE

These drivers are currently close to the cut line and will have to scratch and claw in order to make the Round of 8.

-Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
Briscoe has been red-hot over the last three months of the season, but he’s only 10 points above the cut line going into New Hampshire. Should the No. 19 team encounter a crash, mechanical failure or any other significant misfortune during even one Round of 12 race, they could be on the wrong side of the cut line in a hurry.

The good news for Briscoe? He’s looked like a championship-caliber driver over the second half of the season. He’ll need to keep driving like one to advance.

-Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
The days of Elliott making the Championship 4 three years in a row (2020-22) now seem like decades away. If Elliott can’t find a win at the Charlotte Roval, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him within 10 points of either side of the cut line when the checkered flag flies in the Queen City.

Elliott can still be an elite driver, but the No. 9 team as a whole is not at the same level it was just three short years ago.

-Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota, 23XI Racing
Wallace is in a similar position to Briscoe: a small gap (plus-1) to the cut line with a lot of momentum on his side. Kansas is Wallace’s shot to win his way into the Round of 8, but a history of middling results at both New Hampshire and the Roval suggests that Wallace’s likely Round of 12 outcome will be a dogfight to advance.

-Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford, Team Penske
Cindric will have to shine at the Roval and secure at least top-15 finishes at both New Hampshire and Kansas to give himself a chance to advance. Reaching the Round of 12 is an accomplishment, but it’s time for the 2022 Daytona 500 champion to have a breakout playoff run and prove his worth to Roger Penske — something that could be accomplished by getting to the Round of 8 for the first time in his career.

-Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford, Team Penske
The defending champion isn’t in an optimal situation going into the Round of 12, but everyone in the garage knows that he can’t be counted out. Logano is a past winner at both Kansas and New Hampshire, and it might take another victory for Logano to keep his hopes of defending his championship alive.

-Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing
Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team are still struggling to unload with speed on Saturday for practice and qualifying. If that trend continues in the Round of 12, it will be incredibly tough for Chastain to advance.

There is some hope for Chastain, however: he’s the defending winner at Kansas, and if presented with another opportunity to win at the 1.5-mile venue, he’ll do all he can to get back to victory lane.

-Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota, 23XI Racing
Reddick is yet to win this season, and his subsequent lack of playoff points is beginning to seriously hurt him. Like with his 23XI teammate Wallace, Kansas is Reddick’s best chance to win his way to the Round of 8. Without that win, Reddick will be entrenched in a brutal fight for a transfer spot.

–Samuel Stubbs, Field Level Media

Boxing News: Jake Paul fight with Gervonta Davis moved from Atlanta to Miami

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September 18, 2025

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Boxing News: Jake Paul fight with Gervonta Davis moved from Atlanta to Miami

The Nov. 14 bout between Jake Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis, a match questioned because of the wide discrepancy in their fighting weights, has moved from Atlanta to Miami, Paul’s promoter Most Valuable Promotions announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Paul, who co-founded MVP, said the event will be hosted at Kaseya Center and streamed live on Netflix.

“New city, same mission, seek and destroy the tank,” Paul, 28, said in a news release. “Kaseya Center. Friday, November 14. I’m bringing the heat, and Miami will see me take down this angry elf while the world watches live on Netflix.”

Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) last fought at 199 pounds on June 28 against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and won a unanimous decision, leading to the WBA ranking him No. 14 at cruiserweight.

Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) has not competed in a weight class heavier than 140 pounds, with the last six at the 135-pound limit. Davis weighed in at 133 pounds when he last fought in March to a majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. and retained his WBA lightweight belt.

“Jake Paul has been cherry picking in the sport of boxing for a while now, but he picked the wrong opponent this time,” Davis, 30, said in the release. “He better start losing some weight, chasing some chickens, and pray that helps him some on fight night! Thank you to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to whoop this clown!”

No contracted weight or number of rounds have been announced for the bout, which had been scheduled for Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. Promoter MVP had withdrawn its request for event permits and rule waivers required by the state, Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, told USA Today on Tuesday.

“I believe it’s in the public’s interest to know that because they’ve been promoting something they should not have been,” Thompson told USA Today.

MVP needed three of five GAEC commissioners at Thursday’s scheduled vote to approve its request for permits. USA Today reported that Thompson, one of the five commissioners, opposed waiving the rule on modifying restrictions on weight disparities between fighters.

“They probably evaluated a situation, knew that their weight differences were too much,” Thompson told USA Today.

The press conference to promote the event scheduled for Thursday at State Farm Arena was rescheduled for Monday in New York City. A second press conference is slated for Tuesday at Kaseya Center.

“We’re grateful to State Farm Arena and the GAEC for their support in this process,” Nikisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, said in the release.

–Field Level Media

CSGO News: Liquid, Astralis, paiN reach FISSURE Playground 2 playoffs

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September 18, 2025

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CSGO News: Liquid, Astralis, paiN reach FISSURE Playground 2 playoffs

Team Liquid, Astralis and paiN Gaming secured the final three playoff spots on Wednesday at the $500,000 Global Offensive FISSURE Playground No. 2 event in Belgrade, Serbia.

Liquid swept FaZe Clan, Astralis did the same to GamerLegion and paiN defeated Virtus.pro 2-1 in Round 5 action to close out the Swiss Stage at the Counter-Strike 2 tournament.

Sixteen teams started the event on Sept. 12, with the top eight reaching the single-elimination playoffs that begin on Friday. All remaining matches are best-of-three except for Sunday’s best-of-five grand final, where the winning side will take home $200,000.

On Wednesday, Liquid won 13-6 on Ancient and 13-7 on Dust II to eliminate FaZe Clan. Astralis prevailed 13-9 on Overpass and 13-10 on Nuke to knock out GamerLegion. paiN sandwiched a 13-5 win on Dust II and a 13-9 victory on Inferno around VP’s 13-11 win on Mirage.

Friday’s quarterfinal matches:
–Team Liquid vs. Aurora Gaming
–The MongolZ vs. G2 Esports
–Astralis vs. FURIA
–paiN Gaming vs. Team Falcons

FISSURE Playground No. 2 prize pool:
1. $200,000
2. $100,000
3-4. $40,000
5-8. $17,500
9-11. $10,000 — FaZe Clan, GamerLegion, Virtus.pro
12-14. $5,000 — TYLOO, Legacy, 3DMAX
15-16. $2,500 — HEROIC, Lynn Vision Gaming

–Field Level Media

ATP News: ATP roundup: Juncheng Shang earns first win since surgery

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September 18, 2025

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ATP News: ATP roundup: Juncheng Shang earns first win since surgery

Juncheng Shang began his title defense at China’s Chengdu Open on Wednesday with his first win since undergoing foot surgery in March.

A year after becoming the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title on home soil, Shang saved six of seven break points and held off Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. Shang will face No. 4 seed Brandon Nakashima next.

In other first-round action at the ATP 250 event, China’s Yi Zhou rallied for a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (2) upset of No. 5 seed Cameron Norrie of Great Britain. Australia’s Christopher O’Connell outlasted France’s Quentin Halys 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 and Marcos Giron defeated fellow American Ethan Quinn 7-5, 6-4.

Hangzhou Open

Seventh-seeded Learner Tien saved nine of 13 break points and overcame a 3-1 deficit in the deciding set for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win against Argentina’s Mariano Navone in China.

The 19-year-old American’s victory in two hours and 23 minutes set up a second-round meeting with either Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri or China’s Fajing Sun.

China’s Wu Yibing upended sixth-seeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in two hours, 51 minutes in the day’s only other main-draw match.

–Field Level Media

Fitch Downgrades France’s Sovereign Credit Rating: CWEB Business Analyzes the Implications for the Eurozone’s Second-Largest Economy

Business

CWEB

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September 18, 2025

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CWEB Business News Analysis

In a significant move with broad implications for European financial markets, the United States-based rating agency Fitch has downgraded France’s sovereign credit rating from ‘AA’ to ‘A+’. As reported by CWEB Business News, this recalibration places the French economy in a cohort with nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, Malta, and Estonia, while creating a more pronounced divergence within the Eurozone. France now finds itself distanced from its top-rated ‘AAA’ neighbors, including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, and Luxembourg.

The rationale behind Fitch’s decision centers on France’s escalating public debt burden. The agency cited “rising public indebtedness” as a critical constraint, significantly limiting the government’s fiscal flexibility to navigate potential future economic shocks without precipitating a further deterioration of its financial position.

This downgrade arrives at a politically and economically delicate juncture. France maintains one of the European Union’s highest public deficits, which stood at approximately 5.8% of GDP in 2024. While the structural deficit is estimated at a more stable 2.8%, the political capacity to implement corrective measures is severely constrained. A deeply fragmented National Assembly, featuring a robust opposition from both the left and right flanks, presents a formidable challenge to building consensus on the forthcoming budget, thereby shrinking the government’s room for fiscal manoeuvring.

Despite these headwinds, the French economy demonstrates areas of resilience. As noted by the national statistics office, GDP growth is projected at 0.8% for the year. Furthermore, inflation remains among the lowest in the Eurozone, and the unemployment rate has held stable at 7.5%. Fitch also indicated that France’s moderate exposure to trade with the United States may insulate it from the immediate brunt of potential U.S. tariff policies.

The timing of the downgrade intensifies political pressure on the nascent administration of newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastian Lecomu. The agency’s announcement came shortly after the departure of former Prime Minister François Bayrou, whose proposed austerity measures—including sharp spending cuts and the elimination of two public holidays—were rejected, leading to a loss of confidence.

As CWEB Business News concludes, Prime Minister Lecomu now faces a profoundly complex challenge. His immediate priority is to broker negotiations for a viable 2025 budget, which must be presented by mid-October, amidst a highly polarized political landscape. The government must navigate a precarious path between fiscal responsibility and social stability, with unions already threatening strikes against spending reductions and employers vowing to protest any tax increases. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal for France’s economic trajectory and its standing in the global financial community.

#France #CWEB #CreditRating #Fitch #Downgrade #Economy #EU #Deficit #PublicDebt #Macroeconomics #Investing @CWEB

CWEB Special Report: President Trump and First Lady Melania Granted Lavish Royal Reception by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales

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CWEB

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September 17, 2025

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President Trump and First Lady Melania Granted Lavish Royal Reception by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Courtesy The Royal Family

In an epoch marked by the confluence of history and modern statecraft, President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have embarked upon a momentous sojourn to the United Kingdom. This second official visit, a singular honor afforded to no other American president, underscores a profound and mutual respect between these venerable allies, culminating in an unprecedented reception of magnificent splendor at the ancient Windsor Castle.

Upon the graceful descent of Marine One upon the hallowed grounds, the President and the First Lady were greeted with impeccable courtesy by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales. The convivial exchange of pleasantries on the emerald lawn spoke volumes of a warm and established rapport. The distinguished couple was then escorted to the historic precincts of the castle for an audience with His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

The pageantry that ensued was nothing short of historic. President Trump, alongside the King, reviewed the most substantial Guard of Honour ever assembled for such an occasion, a profound testament to the gravity of this diplomatic engagement. The stirring strains of The Star-Spangled Banner, performed with great solemnity by a military band, resonated against the ancient stones, symbolizing the enduring chord of transatlantic amity.

@cwebnews

♬ original sound – CWEB

Following the ceremony, the parties embarked upon a stately procession in an ornate carriage, a tableau of timeless elegance. President Trump accompanied His Majesty, while First Lady Melania, a vision of refined poise, was accompanied by Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales. The ladies, adorned in impeccably tailored ensembles and understated yet stunning jewels—including a remarkable sapphire brooch—epitomized grace.

President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, King Charles III and Queen Camilla view a Beating Retreat military ceremony and flyover by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (Red Arrows) at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

In a poignant interlude reflecting deep personal reverence, the President and First Lady paid a private tribute at the final resting place of the late Queen Elizabeth II within St. George’s Chapel. This solemn act, a laying of a wreath, honored a monarch for whom President Trump has consistently expressed the highest admiration—a sentiment nurtured from his youth, influenced by his mother’s own Scottish heritage and devotion to the Crown.

The spectacle culminated in a breathtaking fly-past by the legendary Red Arrows, painting the skies above Windsor in red, white, and blue, witnessed by the President and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Beyond the grandeur of soft diplomacy, the visit heralded a new chapter of economic partnership. Monumental investments were unveiled, including a formidable £22 billion commitment from Microsoft and a further £5 billion from Google’s parent, Alphabet, dedicated to pioneering artificial intelligence research within the UK, promising a future of shared innovation and prosperity.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Katherine, at the landing zone at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Yet, for all the significant discourse on trade and global affairs, President Donald J. Trump affirmed that the principal purpose of his and Melania’s journey was to reaffirm a cherished personal friendship with His Majesty, King Charles III—a sentiment that truly defined this historic and majestic occasion.

#TrumpUKVisit #RoyalDiplomacy #POTUS #KingCharlesIII #QueenCamilla #PrincessOfWales #FirstLadyMelania #WindsorCastle #TransatlanticAlliance #CWEB @realDonaldTrump @MELANIATRUMP @RoyalFamily @KensingtonRoyal @CWEB

MLB News: Bullpen woes plaguing Dodgers ahead of finale vs. Phillies

CWEB

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September 17, 2025

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MLB News: Bullpen woes plaguing Dodgers ahead of finale vs. Phillies

With bullpen woes ongoing, the Los Angeles Dodgers will take any relief they can get as they try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

The Phillies (91-61) have taken advantage of the Dodgers’ bullpen in each of the first two games of the series, scoring five of their six runs off Los Angeles relievers Monday and all nine of their runs against the group Tuesday.

The Dodgers received five no-hit innings on the mound Tuesday from Shohei Ohtani, who remains on a limited workload as a starter. He also hit his 50th home run of the season at the plate in a 9-6 setback.

Left-hander Blake Snell (4-4, 2.79 ERA) will start for Los Angeles on Wednesday. He is 0-3 with a 4.28 ERA in six career starts against the Phillies

The star of last year’s postseason, the Dodgers’ bullpen has a 4.30 ERA this season, which is 20th in the major leagues.

“Sometimes you look back and try to understand what’s going on and you try to pinch yourself when things aren’t going well,” said Dodgers right-hander Blake Treinen, who was the losing pitcher in each of the past two games.

“Sometimes there are no words to describe it. I know it’s frustrating to the fans. I can promise you from the bottom of our hearts, we’re trying our darndest every single night. … It’s not an effort thing. It’s not a preparation thing.”

Ohtani became the sixth player in major league history with consecutive 50-homer seasons, along with Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire and Babe Ruth (twice).

The Dodgers (84-67) still have a two-game lead over the second-place San Diego Padres in the NL West but failed to pad the advantage in either of the previous two games.

Even after clinching their second consecutive NL East title Monday, the Phillies returned with a lineup of regulars and rallied from a four-run deficit with a six-run sixth inning. Rafael Marchan hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the ninth.

Philadelphia is 1 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the chase for the best record in the NL.

Left-hander Jesus Luzardo (14-6, 4.03) will start for the Phillies on Wednesday. He is coming off his longest start of the season when he struck out 10 in eight innings in a 6-4 win over the New York Mets on Thursday.

In five career appearances against the Dodgers (four starts), Luzardo is 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA. In an April 4 start against the Dodgers at home, he earned the win by allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings.

Not only did Marchan hit a key home run Wednesday, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler each went deep in the six-run sixth. Marchan had two hits out of the No. 9 spot Tuesday after Monday’s No. 9 hitter, Weston Wilson, belted a two-run home run.

Marchan’s opportunity came as J.T. Realmuto was out with an illness.

“It gave Marchan a chance and he came through, he delivered so that’s great. He had a heck of a night,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters. “He caught a good game, had some really good at-bats and was a big part of it.”

–Field Level Media

MLB News: With Jordan Alvarez on the shelf again, Astros forced to regroup against Rangers

CWEB

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September 17, 2025

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MLB News: With Jordan Alvarez on the shelf again, Astros forced to regroup against Rangers

The Houston Astros spent 116 days in first place in the American League West this season, with Yordan Alvarez out much of that span as he missed 100 games due to a broken hand.

And if they are going to reclaim that spot — or even earn a wild-card berth — they will need to do it again without Alvarez. Now with a sprained left ankle, he will miss their home game Wednesday against the Texas Rangers and the three-game weekend set with the Seattle Mariners, who have taken a half-game lead in the division.

“We need him in there, but those are the things that we can’t control,” manager Joe Espada said. “But we do have guys here that understand the situation that we’re in. We’ve got talent, we’ve got guys that want it, we’ve got guys that can fight and get us through this stretch, and I expect those guys to do just that.”

The Astros (83-69) won the first two games of the series against the Rangers (79-73), who now sit 3 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card spot with 10 games to play.

Houston has grown accustomed to playing without Alvarez this season, but his presence was a boon to their postseason hopes. In the 19 games after he returned Aug. 26 from the hand injury, he hit .369 with three home runs, nine RBIs and 12 walks.

He suffered his latest injury in the game Monday.

Right-hander Cristian Javier (1-3, 4.78 ERA) is the scheduled starter on Wednesday as Houston pursues the sweep. After throwing six hitless innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 29, Javier dropped back-to-back decisions against the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays and allowed eight runs on 12 hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts across 10 1/3 innings.

His lone victory in six starts came in his season debut — his return from Tommy John surgery — against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 11.

Javier is 6-1 with a 3.71 ERA across 15 career appearances (11 starts) against the Rangers.

Right-hander Jacob deGrom (12-7, 2.82 ERA) has the starting assignment for Texas.

He was the winning pitcher in the opener of Texas’ six-game road trip on Friday, defeating the New York Mets after allowing three runs on four hits with two strikeouts over seven innings in an 8-3 victory. deGrom has 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings over his past five starts.

deGrom is 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA in three career starts against the Astros, with each coming this season. Most recently, he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in an 11-0 home loss to the Astros on Sept. 6.

With several frontline starters on the injured list, including All-Star middle infielders Marcus Semien (foot) and Corey Seager (appendectomy), Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has juggled his roster to utilize the hot bats as Texas continues its playoff push.

For Bochy, that challenge has thrust some younger players into the spotlight, leaving the Rangers to strike a balance between player comfort and stretch-run success.

“We are going with the hot hand,” Bochy said. “But you want to keep guys where they’re comfortable and where they’re having success. If you change that up, maybe they’re going to change, so you have to be aware of that too and not put them in a spot that they really haven’t been in.”

–Field Level Media

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CWEB NEWS

NHL News: Panthers GM: Matthew Tkachuk out until ‘December-ish’

LPGA News: Former World No. 1 Stacy Lewis announces retirement

NAS News: Stubbs: Resetting NASCAR playoffs entering Round of 12

Boxing News: Jake Paul fight with Gervonta Davis moved from Atlanta to Miami

CSGO News: Liquid, Astralis, paiN reach FISSURE Playground 2 playoffs

ATP News: ATP roundup: Juncheng Shang earns first win since surgery

Fitch Downgrades France’s Sovereign Credit Rating: CWEB Business Analyzes the Implications for the Eurozone’s Second-Largest Economy

CWEB Special Report: President Trump and First Lady Melania Granted Lavish Royal Reception by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales

MLB News: Bullpen woes plaguing Dodgers ahead of finale vs. Phillies

MLB News: With Jordan Alvarez on the shelf again, Astros forced to regroup against Rangers

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