Major League Baseball's postseason has been especially good on-field product this fall and has proven to be a ratings success at this point. ESPN enjoyed the highest numbers ever for the Wild Card round, averaging 2.823 million viewers, a 25% increase from last year.

That momentum continued through the Division Series portion of programming as baseball posted the best figures since 2017, an 18% bump from 2023.

The presence of two New York teams and one from Los Angeles certainly helps explain the additional eyeballs and the Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Guardians series went a full five games.

Those major market squads surviving into the ALCS and NLCS had Fox and TNT Sports salivating at even more juicy numbers and it certainly looks like they'll be getting those.

Fox reports that Game 1 of the NLCS between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers was the most-watched Game 1 LCS on any network since 2009. Which is even more impressive considering the fact baseball was going up against .

Every single possible permutation of a potential World Series matchup is attractive so the sky feels like the limit when it comes to baseball doing big business on television this October. This, of course, will do little to stem the pieces about how the sport needs to be saved and can't market itself but that feels like a lost fight anyway.

Baseball is having a much-deserved moment and a lot of people are catching it in real time.

Manchester City are now rivalling Real Madrid and Arsenal for the signature of a “pacy” £52m star, who is regarded as perfect for Pep Guardiola.

Man City looking to sign new defender amid "scruffy" performances

Man City are just three points off Premier League leaders Arsenal, after taking ten points from their last four matches, signing off before the international break with a 1-0 victory away at Brentford.

However, Gary Neville has been left unconvinced by the way in which City have started the season, describing them as “scruffy” and “unpredictable”, while also suggesting it is much easier to cause their defence problems than it used to be.

Having gone seven games undefeated in all competitions, however, Guardiola will be hoping his side have turned a corner, and the manager is likely to be happy with the performances of Nico O’Reilly, who grabbed an assist in the 2-2 draw against AS Monaco.

However, according to a report from BILD (via Caught Offside), Man City have now set their sights on signing a new left-back, namely Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown, who is also being targeted by Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Brown is regarded as perfect for Pep, given that the City boss deploys full-backs as auxiliary midfielders, or as touchline runners, and the Frankfurt defender is capable of slotting into those roles.

Pep is looking to bring in a new full-back able to come into midfield when required, but a deal for the one-time Germany international is likely to be on the expensive side, with the Bundesliga club only willing to cash-in for at least €60m (£52m).

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1 ByDominic Lund Oct 14, 2025 "Pacy" Brown impressing in the Bundesliga

Much like O’Reilly, the 22-year-old is capable of making a real impact on the front foot, having chipped in with three goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last season, while he is also solid from a defensive point of view.

Indeed, the Frankfurt star is a very impressive tackler of the ball, showcasing his ability to win back possession on a regular basis over the course of the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Non-penalty goals

0.13 (89th percentile)

Assists

0.26 (96th percentile)

Tackles

3.37 (99th percentile)

Brown’s ability to slot in as an auxiliary midfielder is an added bonus for Pep, and Man City should undoubtedly try to get a deal done.

Sunderland couldn’t keep the Premier League wins rolling, as a superb solo strike from Iliman Ndiaye clinched Everton an away point on Monday night.

The Black Cats are now up to an incredible fourth position in the early league standings, though, even if they didn’t make it three wins from their last three games in the challenging division.

On another night, however, Regis Le Bris’ surprise package could well have leapt up the table even further to a jaw-dropping second spot by claiming a win.

Unfortunately for the hosts, however, the relentless Wilson Isidor failed to add to his Premier League goal tally, despite registering three efforts on goal.

Thankfully, the ever-reliable Granit Xhaka stepped up as Sunderland’s new leader once more with his first strike since joining the club, as the Swiss enforcer stood out again as a calm, yet fierce figurehead.

Xhaka's best night for Sunderland yet

A fortuitous deflection guided Xhaka’s early second-half effort past Jordan Pickford, but the ex-Arsenal midfielder wouldn’t care one bit as he wheeled away in celebration.

Xhaka’s last strike in the division came all the way back in May 2023, and while the number 34 has returned to England as a more seasoned 33-year-old, he continues to perform like a “fine wine” for Le Bris’ men, as Sky Sports’ Don Goodman put it.

Indeed, away from hammering home that crucial equaliser, Xhaka also managed to roll up his sleeves and win 100% of his tackles, as well as winning six duels.

Moreover, with a huge five key passes next to his name at the full-time whistle, Xhaka will feel disappointed that his lively performance from the middle of the park didn’t spur his high-flying team to another excellent victory.

However, at the end of the day, Everton are no pushovers with the aforementioned Ndiaye running rings around Sunderland early on.

Still, despite Ndiaye impressing, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher labelled Xhaka as being “head and shoulders” above everyone else on the pitch, in his glowing post-match rundown.

Yet, there was one under-the-radar star who was as impressive as Xhaka was for Le Bris’ men by putting in another rock-solid display on Wearside.

Sunderland star was as impressive as Xhaka vs Everton

Le Bris named six new summer recruits in his starting XI for the test of David Moyes’ side on Monday night, as the fresh blood that walked through the door in the hectic transfer window continues to largely impress.

Letshurel Geertruida is certainly in this bracket, as the season-long loanee from RB Leipzig lived up to his prior “monumental” billing by scout Antonio Mango yet again, by putting in another dominant defensive display in the Premier League up against the Toffees.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

85

Accurate passes

71/74 (96%)

Possession lost

4x

Successful dribbles

1/1

Tackles won

2/2

Interceptions

1

Clearances

3

Blocked shots

1

Recoveries

7

Total duels won

3/5

Looking at the table above, the Dutchman did all of his basics perfectly without any errors creeping in, with 100% of his tackles being won, on top of the 25-year-old also displaying plenty of energy in winning seven ball recoveries.

But, in a similar fashion to Xhaka, Geertruida also showed himself to be an assured operator with the ball at his feet, with only three of his 74 passes going astray, culminating in him walking off at the end with an unerring 96% pass accuracy.

Xhaka, despite putting in a man-of-the-match calibre showing himself, came up short with a slightly lesser 88% pass accuracy on his end, with Geertruida also matching his standout teammate in terms of tackles and duels won.

Often this season, the likes of Robin Roefs and Nordi Mukiele have stolen the limelight for their commanding showings at the back. But, against Everton, Geertruida would rightfully receive his flowers, as Roker Report journalist Andy Tomlinson dished out a high 8/10 post-match rating to the near flawless number six.

Sunderland just continue to take the Premier League by storm under Le Bris, with both Geertruida and Xhaka sticking out as key parts of the very successful Wearside jigsaw against Moyes and Co on Monday night.

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An exciting Manchester United transfer claim has emerged, with the Red Devils thought to have held talks over the signing of a gem who could follow in the footsteps of Leny Yoro.

United looking to continue their good form on Saturday afternoon, making the trip to struggling Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Speaking to MUFC ahead of the game, Ruben Amorim discussed what has been a taxing period for him, but why he has learned from it positively.

“During my career as a manager, most of the time I was winning. When you are winning, you can say that you have convictions and you are loyal to your ideas, but you learn when you lose, when you are under pressure and I learned that when I’m under pressure, I’m stronger on my ideas and I keep with my ideas.

“Of course, it’s really important to feel the support of everyone in the club, especially the fans that help you, to give you that confidence to continue on your path, but that was the biggest learning point: when I’m under pressure, I can stick with my plan.”

Related Carragher said Man Utd star was "terrible", now he's Amorim's key player

Manchester United now have a talent who has managed to transform his career at Old Trafford.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025 Man Utd hold talks over "world-class" Bouaddi signing

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United and INEOS have held internal talks over signing Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, having scouted him “extensively” in recent times. He could join from the same club as Yoro did, hopefully coming in as a similarly prodigious talent.

Arsenal are also thought to be interested in signing the 18-year-old midfielder, among others, but it is United who have the “strongest” level of willingness to snap him up.

Bouaddi is a special talent who could have a huge future in the game, so the idea of the Red Devils adding him to their midfield is a mouthwatering prospect.

The teenager has already made 67 appearances for Lille, which is highly impressive, and he is also a seven-cap France Under-21 international, despite still only being 18.

Meanwhile, scout Jacek Kulig has lauded him as a “world-class” player even at this early point in his career, further highlighting his vast potential.

United’s midfield needs to be a key area of focus when it comes to new signings, not least because Casemiro could depart at the end of this season, and Bouaddi may well be an ideal figure to come in and be a long-term acquisition at Old Trafford.

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s international stats

Caps

Goals

France Under-21s

7

1

France Under-20s

1

0

France Under-18s

3

0

France Under-17s

5

0

France Under-16s

8

3

The Lille star is able to thrive as both a defensive midfielder and a slightly more attack-minded midfielder, and United should do all they can to sign him.

Man Utd also targeting a shock move for Vinicius Jr with price tag revealed

It’s been a confusing month or so for Chelsea fans.

One week, the Blues are beating Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, and then the next, they’re losing to Sunderland or dropping points against Qarabağ.

However, while Enzo Maresca’s side are far from consistent at the moment, it is full of sensational talent.

In fact, there is at least one player who feels destined to become one of the best in the world, alongside Cole Palmer.

Chelsea's world-class stars

While it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, Chelsea are blessed with several players who could become some of the very best in the world in their position, if they aren’t already there.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, while Moises Caicedo had a slow start to life in West London, he is now one of, if not the best six, in the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian is a monster when it comes to winning the ball back, has an underrated range of passing and can score his fair share of bangers.

Another star who is arguably the best in his position in the league is Reece James.

The Cobham gem is no longer suffering from injury after injury and, as a result, has been able to show the full extent of his exceptional ability on a consistent basis.

For example, in addition to being rock solid at the back, he is a genuine attacking threat due to both his impressive passing range and ball-striking ability.

Finally, while he’s out injured at the moment, Palmer is without doubt on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world.

He is the one who makes the Blues’ attack click, and in just 101 appearances for the club has already racked up a tally of 45 goals and 29 assists.

With all that said, there is another young Chelsea star who looks like he could be following in Palmer’s footsteps.

The Chelsea star on track to be one of the best in the world

While there are several exciting youngsters at Chelsea, like Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, and even Alejandro Garnacho, the one who seems destined for the very top is, of course, Estevao.

The highly promising Brazilian gem was signed by Chelsea last year, but due to regulations surrounding players under 18, he was unable to join the club until this season.

However, it looks like that extra year in his homeland has done him the world of good, as so far this season, he has looked every bit the “future Ballon d’Or winner” respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as.

Appearances

83

Minutes

5610′

Goals

27

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

133.57′

For example, he was arguably the Blues’ most exciting player in pre-season and injected some real life into the side when he came on in the season opener against Crystal Palace.

Then, when Palmer picked up an injury ahead of the West Ham game, Maresaca handed the youngster his first competitive start, and he looked incredible.

The Franca-born gem was running rings around the East Londoners and even picked up his first assist after a mazy run.

Amazingly, his first goal for the club came in that incredible 2-1 win over Liverpool last month.

He then quickly followed that up with a goal against Ajax in the Champions League and another against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup.

As if he hadn’t already made his mark on the team, he then scored his second UCL goal against Qarabağ.

In doing so, he became the first South American 18 or under to score in consecutive Champions League matches.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it certainly feels like Estevao is on the same trajectory as Palmer and will soon join him as one of the best players in the world.

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Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also in the West Zone squad

Edited PTI copy01-Aug-2025

India and Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur has been named the West Zone captain for the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, starting on August 28.The 15-member squad includes India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, and middle-order batters Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer. A total of seven Mumbai players have been named in the team.Ruturaj Gaikwad is among the 15, while Saurashtra’s Harvik Desai and Maharashtra’s Saurabh Nawale are the wicketkeepers.There was no place for Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane in the West Zone squad.Earlier in the week, South Zone had also named their squad with Tilak Verma as captain. East Zone have also named their squad, to be led by Ishan Kishan, with Mohammed Shami in the mix.The six-team Duleep Trophy is returning to the zonal format, with squads picked by the zonal selectors, and the tournament will start the 2025-26 domestic season. Last season, the tournament had four teams – India A, B, C and D – that were picked by the national selectors.South Zone were the winners when the Duleep Trophy was held in the zonal format in 2023-24.West Zone squadShardul Thakur (capt, Mumbai), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai), Aarya Desai (Gujarat), Harvik Desai (wk, Saurashtra), Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai), Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra), Jaymeet Patel (Gujarat), Manan Hingrajia (Gujarat), Saurabh Nawale (wk, Gujarat), Shams Mulani (Mumbai), Tanush Kotian (Mumbai), Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (Saurashtra), Tushar Deshpande (Mumbai), Arzan Nagwaswala (Gujarat)

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo avançou nas últimas horas e conseguiu o “sim” de Léo Ortiz para seguir nas negociações para adquirir o zagueiro do Red Bull Bragantino. Entretanto, os dois clubes esbarram em valores. A informação é do “UOL”.

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O Rubro-Negro está disposto a pagar 5 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 27 milhões) pela compra de Léo Ortiz. O Massa Bruta, no entanto, fez uma contraoferta e subiu o pedido para 7 milhões de euros (cerca de R$ 37 milhões).

➡️ Flamengo aprova orçamento bilionário e terá quase R$ 200 milhões para contratações em 2024

Mesmo com a negativa, a diretoria do Flamengo está confiante, já que o zagueiro priorizou o clube carioca e colocou de lado uma sondagem do Galatasaray, da Turquia.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo

➡️ Estádio do Flamengo e SAF: as lacunas entre o discurso e o projeto

O zagueiro Léo Ortiz tem 27 anos, está no Red Bull Bragantino há cinco temporadas e foi um dos destaques do Brasileirão de 2023. O atleta tem contrato válido até dezembro de 2026.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Southern Brave started life after Charlotte Edwards with a convincing win over Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford.The damage was all done with the ball, as Lauren Bell took 3 for 28 and Mady Villiers 2 for 19 to limit the hosts to just 95 for 8 from their 100 balls.Seren Smale fought a lone hand for Originals on a wicket that none of her team-mates ever looked at home on, making 40 from 34 balls to give her side the faintest hope at the halfway mark but no side has ever defended fewer than 109 in the Hundred women’s competition and their total never looked like enough.And while Brave were rarely fluent, they were always comfortable – easing to a six-wicket win with 11 balls to spare. Former Originals batter Laura Wolvaardt, a direct signing for Southern Brave this season, showed her old team what they were missing with an assured and unbeaten 42.She was supported by Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who made 32, as Brave’s batting line-up eased over the line in first gear. Having endured a surprising eighth-placed finish last summer, with just one win, Brave – and their new head coach Luke Williams in particular – will have been pleased to start the campaign with a victory.For Originals it was a disappointing start to the season and, Smale’s innings aside, a day of few positives – they’ll hope to demonstrate it was mere blip next time out at the Kia Oval on Saturday.Meerkat Match Hero Bell said: “It’s great to get our first win on the board. In tournament cricket it’s really important to get a good start, and it was a good team performance.”The girls stuck in. The wicket was a bit tricky but we’ve got a great line-up and the batters did the job. We’ve had a lot of really good chats about being really confident, backing our strengths, and having fun out there.”

Hasaranga missed out as he’s recovering from a hamstring injury, but SL picked plenty of other spin-bowling options

Madushka Balasuriya21-Aug-2025Uncapped batter Pavan Rathnayake is in line to make his debut for Sri Lanka after being named in their 16-member squad for the limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe.Sri Lanka also recalled Nuwanidu Fernando, who has been knocking on the national team’s door for a while. The 25-year-old made his ODI debut in January 2023, but has played only five ODIs and a solitary T20I so far.Nuwanidu’s recent performances, though, have made him hard to ignore. He struck 122 runs, including a match-winning 82, across two List A games against Australia A in Darwin last month, to go with a first-class century on the same tour. In the recent SLC T20 League, a three-team invitational tournament designed to help selectors finalise squads ahead of the Asia Cup and this Zimbabwe tour, Nuwanidu hit two half-centuries in four innings.Meanwhile, Pavan, who will turn 23 in three days, is another batter who has made waves domestically. He, too, struck a hundred in the second first-class fixture against Australia A, and continued that form back home. Playing for Colombo Cricket Club in the Major Clubs Limited Overs Tournament, Rathnayake scored 63 in the semi-final, and a career-best 158* in the final.Both Pavan and Nuwanidu are also comfortable clearing the boundary, and could inject some power into Sri Lanka’s middle order. With the ODI World Cup still two years away, both will be looking to stake a permanent claim in the side. Sadeera Samarawickrama was also brought back into the fold having last played ODIs in November 2024 and T20Is in June 2024.Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe begins with two ODIs on August 29 and 31, before the three-match T20I series starts on September 3. All matches will be played in Harare. Those who missed out on getting selected were Avishka Fernando, Eshan Malinga and the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.Hasaranga is still recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered during Sri Lanka’s last series, which was against Bangladesh last month. Jeffrey Vandersay and Maheesh Theekshana provide the frontline spin-bowling options in his absence. Allrounders Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka round off the spin contingent.The seam-bowling group includes Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and allrounder Milan Rathnayake.Sri Lanka’s ODI squadCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera

Rayan Cherki, who made a move from Olympique de Lyonnais to Manchester City this summer, has spoken about his objectives with the Cityzens. The winger-cum-attacking-midfielder has also revealed his style and mentality, which can have an immense impact on City's season under Guardiola as they aim to reclaim the Premier League title at the end of the campaign.

Cherki an 'old school' guy

Cherki was one of the high-voltage signings Guardiola's recruitment team accomplished heading into the 2025-26 season. A whopping £34 million was spent by the Etihad-based club to convince French outfit Lyon to let go of their star player, who scored 29 times and assisted on 45 occasions in 185 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. Overwhelmed to join City, Cherki had already shown signs of his 'old school' mentality since his arrival. Although he took some time to settle into the side alongside an injury that sidelined him for a period, he is slowly integrating himself into Guardiola's system and finding the groove under the Spanish maestro. In 13 appearances, he has already secured eight goal contributions, which include four goals and four assists. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat are Cherki's objectives?

Speaking in an interaction with TF1, Cherki expressed that he simply wanted to enjoy himself under Guardiola's leadership. Moreover, he is not someone who has statistical objectives for a season but wants to be close to his stats from the last season, where he scored 12 goals and assisted 20 times in 44 matches. 

He revealed: "I’m not a stats guy. I think that you can see that in the way that I play football. I’m an old-school footballer, and the ‘old-school’ didn’t look at stats. I know that nowadays, that element is very important."

He had revealed his old-school mentality in his initial City days, where he expressed anger against Manchester United, who defeated Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals to book a place in the last four. He had commented: "I (didn't) like (it) when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I'm a Lyonnais. Now I am waiting for the game (to) kill them. I'm here to win all the games." He had also mentioned, "I'm not Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend. I'm here to help the team and to write my own story. I hope to win all the time with the team. When I spoke with Pep, he wanted me – he was very, very clear. Pep told me, 'when you have the ball, you are free', which is very good for me because it's my first quality to help the team."

Cherki's former coach ideates what he needs to shine

Laurent Blanc, who nurtured Cherki at Lyon, has spoken up on what the star, who has accumulated just four starts this season, needs to establish a place in City's starting lineup. 

He said to L'Equipe, via the Mirror: "I don't know where it comes from, whether it's street talent or innate talent, but he's brimming with it. I can assure you that there aren't many players like him. He's a rare gem. In the media world, you call him a rising star. He has no technical limitations. His limitations will be more tactical and physical. Physically, I had the pleasure of seeing him again recently; he's changed, and for the better. He's among the best, the very best.

"If he adapts tactically, he'll have a huge advantage. His talent and genius make him a rare player. He just needs to find a coach who trusts him. And I think he has. Because of his talent and his natural ability, he doesn't put pressure on himself. His love of the game keeps him free from any kind of pressure. But for him, things are about to get serious. We're going to be more and more demanding. He has enough talent to rise to the challenge. I understand it's difficult for coaches to play him, given the pressure to get results. But yes, he has to be played. And yes, he has to be given freedom. Because I'm convinced that with Rayan, you'll always have a better chance of winning than losing."

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Getty Images SportWill Cherki start against Newcastle?

Cherki earned 53 minutes of playing time against Liverpool in City's last league game before the November international break. When City return to the pitch on November 22 against Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, Cherki will be aiming to get more minutes against a struggling Magpies. With Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland alongside him, he could be more lethal and help Haaland extend his magnificent form from the World Cup qualifiers. Moreover, Cherki's scoring knack could also be handy for Guardiola against a Newcastle team, which will be vying to return to winning ways after suffering a hefty 3-1 loss to Brentford in their previous outing.