Championships and gamesmanship is all fine and good, but here's no doubt one of the best perks of playing well in a major tournament is the big payout it produces. Even more so for major tournaments, including this weekend's 2019 PGA Championship . Last year, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott (who finished first through third in the 2018 PGA Championship, respectively) finished with a combined $3.134 million . Koepka took home more than half of that, at $1.98 million. If you want to see exactly what's at stake in these tournaments in terms of money paid, Sporting News has you covered below with an updated purse and payouts for the 2019 field. LIVE: Full PGA Championship leaderboard What is the PGA Championship purse for 2019? The purse for the 2019 PGA Championship is set at $11 million , the same total as it was in 2018 (but $500,000 more than in 2017 and $1 million more than the 2016 purse). How much prize money does the winner get? The winner of the 2019 PGA Championship will make a cool $1.98 million , the same amount defending champion Brooks Koepka won in 2018. What are the PGA Championship payouts? That depends on where a golfer falls and whether they're tied in their final position. Here's how much every golfer who made the cut will take home at the 2019 PGA Championship: 1st: $1.98 million 2nd: $1.188 million 3rd: $748,000 4th: $528,000 5th: $450,500 6th: $380,000 7th: $343,650 8th: $319,600 9th: $295,600 10th: $272,380 11th: $251,590 12th: $242,400 13th: $214,800 14th: $199,050 15th: $184,280 16th: $170,700 17th: $161,000 Ian Poulter T-12 $225,400 Place Golfer Payout 1 Brooks Koepka $2,160,000 2 Tommy Fleetwood $1,296,000 3 Dustin Johnson $812,927 4 Patrick Reed $569,884 5 Tony Finau $474,659 T6 Xander Schauffele $361,923 T6 Tyrrell Hatton $361,923 T6 Henrik Stenson $361,923 T6 Daniel Berger $361,923 T10 Webb Simpson $270,151 T10 Justin Rose $270,151 T12 Russell Knox $221,825 T12 Matthew Fitzpatrick $221,825 T12 Zach Johnson $221,825 15 Kiradech Aphibarnrat $190,328 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T16 Louis Oosthuizen $163,438 T16 Haotong Li $163,438 T16 Paul Casey $163,438 T20 Rickie Fowler $122,387 T20 Steve Stricker $122,387 T20 Charley Hoffman $122,387 T20 Dylan Meyer $122,387 T20 Brian Gay $122,387 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T12 Webb Simpson $154,500 18th: $152,000 19th: $143,000 20th: $134,000 21st: $125,000 22nd: $116,000 23rd: $107,000 24th: $100,000 25th: $93,000 26th: $87,000 27th: $82,000 28th: $77,000 29th: $74,000 30th: $71,000 31st: $68,000 32nd: $65,000 33rd: $62,000 34th: $59,000 35th: $56,000 36th: $53,000 37th: $50,000 38th: $48,000 39th: $46,000 40th: $44,000 41st: $42,000 42nd: $40,000 43rd: $38,000 44th: $36,000 45th: $34,000 46th: $32,000 47th: $30,250 48th: $28,500 49th: $27,500 50th: $26,500 51st: $25,500 52nd: $25,000 53rd: $24,500 54th: $24,000 55th: $23,500 56th: $23,000 57th: $22,500 58th: $22,200 59th: $21,900 60th: $21,600 61st: $21,400 62nd: $21,200 63rd: $21,000 64th: $20,800 65th: $20,600 66th: $20,400 67th: $20,200 68th: $20,000 69th: $19,800 70th: $19,600 What are the payouts for golf's four majors? Note: Except for the Masters, payout distribution is based off 2018 results. Masters Golfer Place Payout Tiger Woods 1 $2,070,000 Dustin Johnson T-2 $858,667 Xander Schauffele T-2 $858,667 Brooks Koepka T-2 $858,667 Webb Simpson T-5 $403,938 Jason Day T-5 $403,938 Tony Finau T-5 $403,938 Francesco Molinari T-5 $403,938 Jon Rahm T-9 $310,500 Patrick Cantlay T-9 $310,500 Rickie Fowler T-9 $310,500 Bubba Watson T-12 $225,400 Justin Thomas T-12 $225,400 Justin Harding T-12 $225,400 Matt Kuchar T-12 $225,400 17th: $161,000 Ian Poulter T-12 $225,400 Place Golfer Payout 1 Brooks Koepka $2,160,000 2 Tommy Fleetwood $1,296,000 3 Dustin Johnson $812,927 4 Patrick Reed $569,884 5 Tony Finau $474,659 T6 Xander Schauffele $361,923 T6 Tyrrell Hatton $361,923 T6 Henrik Stenson $361,923 T6 Daniel Berger $361,923 T10 Webb Simpson $270,151 T10 Justin Rose $270,151 T12 Russell Knox $221,825 T12 Matthew Fitzpatrick $221,825 T12 Zach Johnson $221,825 15 Kiradech Aphibarnrat $190,328 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T16 Louis Oosthuizen $163,438 T16 Haotong Li $163,438 T16 Paul Casey $163,438 T20 Rickie Fowler $122,387 T20 Steve Stricker $122,387 T20 Charley Hoffman $122,387 T20 Dylan Meyer $122,387 T20 Brian Gay $122,387 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T12 Webb Simpson $154,500 Aaron Wise 17 $184,000 Patton Kizzire T-18 $161,000 Phil Mickelson T-18 $161,000 Adam Scott T-18 $161,000 Si-Woo Kim T-21 $107,956 Matthew Fitzpatrick T-21 $107,956 Kyle Stanley T-21 $107,956 Kevin Kisner T-21 $107,956 Rory McIlroy T-21 $107,956 Jordan Spieth T-21 $107,956 Lucas Bjerregaard T-21 $107,956 Thorbjorn Olesen T-21 $107,956 Charley Hoffman T-29 $78,200 Bryson DeChambeau T-29 $78,200 Louis Oosthuizen T-29 $78,200 Viktor Hovland (a) T-32   Hideki Matsuyama T-32 $68,042 Gary Woodland T-32 $68,042 Charles Howell III T-32 $68,042 Kevin Tway T-36 $55,488 Henrik Stenson T-36 $55,488 Tommy Fleetwood T-36 $55,488 Jimmy Walker T-36 $55,488 Alvaro Ortiz (a) T-36   Patrick Reed T-36 $55,488 Rafa Cabrera Bello T-36 $55,488 Keegan Bradley T-43 $44,850 Keith Mitchell T-43 $44,850 Haotong Li T-43 $44,850 Corey Conners T-46 $37,950 Kevin Na T-46 $37,950 Andrew Landry T-46 $37,950 Kiradech Aphibarnrat T-49 $32,430 Marc Leishman T-49 $32,430 U.S. Open 17th: $161,000 Ian Poulter T-12 $225,400 Place Golfer Payout 1 Brooks Koepka $2,160,000 2 Tommy Fleetwood $1,296,000 3 Dustin Johnson $812,927 4 Patrick Reed $569,884 5 Tony Finau $474,659 T6 Xander Schauffele $361,923 T6 Tyrrell Hatton $361,923 T6 Henrik Stenson $361,923 T6 Daniel Berger $361,923 T10 Webb Simpson $270,151 T10 Justin Rose $270,151 T12 Russell Knox $221,825 T12 Matthew Fitzpatrick $221,825 T12 Zach Johnson $221,825 15 Kiradech Aphibarnrat $190,328 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T16 Louis Oosthuizen $163,438 T16 Haotong Li $163,438 T16 Paul Casey $163,438 T20 Rickie Fowler $122,387 T20 Steve Stricker $122,387 T20 Charley Hoffman $122,387 T20 Dylan Meyer $122,387 T20 Brian Gay $122,387 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T12 Webb Simpson $154,500 The Open Championship Place Golfer Payout 1 Francesco Molinari $1,890,000 T2 Justin Rose $694,250 T2 Rory McIlroy $694,250 T2 Xander Schauffele $694,250 T2 Kevin Kisner $694,250 T6 Eddie Pepperell $327,000 T6 Tiger Woods $327,000 T6 Kevin Chappell $327,000 T9 Tony Finau $219,000 T9 Matt Kuchar $219,000 T9 Jordan Spieth $219,000 T12 Patrick Cantlay $154,500 T12 Thorbjorn Olesen $154,500 T12 Ryan Moore $154,500 T12 Tommy Fleetwood $154,500 17th: $161,000 Ian Poulter T-12 $225,400 Place Golfer Payout 1 Brooks Koepka $2,160,000 2 Tommy Fleetwood $1,296,000 3 Dustin Johnson $812,927 4 Patrick Reed $569,884 5 Tony Finau $474,659 T6 Xander Schauffele $361,923 T6 Tyrrell Hatton $361,923 T6 Henrik Stenson $361,923 T6 Daniel Berger $361,923 T10 Webb Simpson $270,151 T10 Justin Rose $270,151 T12 Russell Knox $221,825 T12 Matthew Fitzpatrick $221,825 T12 Zach Johnson $221,825 15 Kiradech Aphibarnrat $190,328 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T16 Louis Oosthuizen $163,438 T16 Haotong Li $163,438 T16 Paul Casey $163,438 T20 Rickie Fowler $122,387 T20 Steve Stricker $122,387 T20 Charley Hoffman $122,387 T20 Dylan Meyer $122,387 T20 Brian Gay $122,387 T16 Hideki Matsuyama $163,438 T12 Webb Simpson $154,500 T17 Jason Day $109,714 T17 Pat Perez $109,714 T17 Charley Hoffman $109,714 T17 Adam Scott $109,714 T17 Erik Van Rooyen $109,714 T17 Zach Johnson $109,714 T17 Alex Noren $109,714


Owning just a single stock in your portfolio is a risk that most investors should never run. However, in putting together a diversified portfolio, focusing on the best stocks available in the market right now is a great way to find candidates that will stand the test of time and deliver the long-term results you need. With that in mind, below you'll find three stocks that our Motley Fool contributors have made the case for as the single best stock to own today: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Costco Wholesale (COST), and Wells Fargo (WFC). Click ahead to see why these stocks are the best: 1. Johnson & Johnson Sean Williams : With the stock market hiccuping on a near-regular basis, the best stock to own today, in my opinion, is healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson. Three things, in particular, make it a great stock to own. First, it's an extremely diverse company. It has a consumer healthcare segment that doesn't grow very fast, but does maintain very predictable cash flow. Similarly, its medical device franchise is growing slowly now, but provides long-tail accelerated growth opportunities as access to medical care globally improves and life expectancies lengthen. Finally, we have J&J's pharmaceutical segment, which offers the most risk from patent expirations, but also delivers superior margins and the quickest potential for growth. Second, J&J markets a lot of inelastic goods. If the economy is shrinking, people are still going to buy Band-Aids, toothpaste, Tylenol, and so on. Consumers also can't decide when they're going to get sick and for that matter, what illness they're going to deal with. A recession doesn't mean the latest cancer drug gets a price reduction or that a spinal implant is now 25% off. Because of the innovation that goes into the development of J&J's products, it's generally impervious to pricing pressures, and thus we see its share price only minimally affected by stock market downturns. Finally, we have J&J's rich history. It's delivered adjusted earnings-per-share growth in 31 consecutive years, and has a 53-year streak of boosting its annual dividend. Among the 7,000-plus publicly traded companies, it's one of only three to still bear a AAA-credit rating according to Standard & Poor's. This last point suggests the confidence S&P has in J&J to pay back its $20 billion in debt. With J&J, you get an above-market dividend yield of 3.1%, as well as steady growth on the top and bottom lines. I believe you'll struggle to find a more attractive stock worth owning today. 2. Costco Wholesale Andres Cardena l : In times of increasing market volatility and economic uncertainty, investors typically want to focus their attention on companies that are solid enough to produce consistent earnings and cash flows through good economic times and bad, and Costco truly excels when it comes to fundamental soundness. The retail industry is notoriously challenging and competitive. However, Costco is a unique player in the business, thanks to its differentiated business model, which protects the company from its rivals and generates consistently strong financial performance for investors. The company makes most of its profits from membership fees, not margins on sales prices. This allows Costco to sell its products at aggressively low prices, a major source of competitive advantage in the discount retail industry. Since profits don't depend on sales volume too much, this means that it produces consistent financial performance through the ups and downs of the business cycle. Customers are remarkably loyal to Costco: Its membership renewal rate was 88% on a worldwide basis last quarter, reaching 91% in big markets such as the U.S. and Canada. New membership signups increased 7% year over year, and the company ended the quarter with a big customer base of 45.4 million members. It's hard to tell how the stock market or the global economy will evolve this year, but Costco is certainly strong enough to continue delivering healthy performance in 2016 and beyond. 3. Wells Fargo Dan Caplinger : Rising interest rates courtesy of the Federal Reserve have contributed to the nervousness in the stock market lately, but the financial industry tends to benefit from a rising-rate environment. That puts Wells Fargo in a prime position to build on its long-term performance with gains in the years to come. Many big banks have been moving away from gathering assets, instead seeking to downsize in order to avoid greater regulatory scrutiny and to make their balance sheets look more attractive. But Wells Fargo has gone in the opposite direction , becoming the third-largest bank by assets as it continues to follow its business model of making prudent and conservative yet lucrative loans to consumers and commercial customers alike. Its track record of avoiding some of the excesses that its peers experienced during the financial crisis has only added to its reputation. Now, the prospect of higher interest rates could boost net interest margins and allow Wells Fargo to become even more profitable. Rising mortgage rates could offset some of those gains, but overall, Wells Fargo is in a great position to benefit from the current financial environment and sustain its excellence this year and far into the future. Special From The Motley Fool: The next billion-dollar iSecret There's a small company that's powering Apple's brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here . (Sponsored.) More on MSN Money: 6 Questions Investors Are Asking About the Stock Market How to Undo Claiming Social Security Early 4 Ways to Lose All Your Money in the Stock Market


Q: How do I buy penny stocks? A: The question isn't how to buy penny stocks. The question is why would you. A penny stock is a slang term to describe stocks with very low per-share prices. Some investors consider these to be stocks that literally trade for less than $1 a share, but others generally call stocks with tiny per-share prices penny stocks. Beginning investors are often attracted to penny stocks thinking the low per-share price means they're cheap. But this thinking is misguided. Keep in mind the per-share price by itself doesn't tell you much about a stock. It's the per-share price compared with the company's profit, revenue or cash flow that tells you if the stock is actually cheap or not. Some penny stocks could be the most overvalued stocks you can buy - if the company's profits are evaporating, the company loses money or has poor prospects. Penny stocks are also prime targets for scammers. Their low per-share prices make them easy targets to be manipulated. They are also at risk of being delisted from the exchanges. Most online brokers allow you to buy penny stocks, but most charge added surcharges. Only 15 stocks in the Russell 3000 trade for less than $1 a share. Avoid those. USA TODAY markets reporter Matt Krantz answers a different reader question every weekday. To submit a question, e-mail Matt at mkrantz@usatoday.com or on Twitter @mattkrantz.


FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - When Tiger Woods won the Masters last month, the sports world went into a collective hysteria that lasted for days. He skipped the typical media tour and the late-night talk show circuit afterward, but his face was everywhere. Pundits and fans alike were giddy at the prospect that his quest to break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships was back on. A month went by, and Tiger decided not to compete, but he showed up at Bethpage a few days before the start of the PGA Championship to do some recon work at the venue where, as a 26-year-old, he won the 2002 U.S. Open. The course hasn't changed much since then, but Woods, now 43, certainly has. Tiger got plenty of support from the New York crowd, as he does everywhere, but his game showed the effects of 33 days off. Brooks Koepka, playing beside Woods, beat him by 17 shots and the anchor on Woods' yacht, Privacy, was hoisted on Friday night as he missed the cut. "Unfortunately, I just didn't play well," Woods said after signing his card. "I didn't do all the little things I need to do correctly to post good scores and put myself in position to shoot good scores." So what, if anything, did his performance at Bethpage tell us about his chances of winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach next month and where does he go from here? One place he has decided to go is the Memorial, the annual PGA Tour event next week hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio. Woods won 14 major championships before slipping into a green jacket for the fifth time in April, and he was undoubtedly drained, mentally and emotionally, after winning this year. However, the competition today is too good for him to be able to take extended layoffs and expect to come back and immediately win. Teeing it up in the Memorial, an event he has won five times, most recently in 2012, should help to sharpen Tiger's game before he arrives at Pebble Beach. To use his lingo, Tiger needs reps. Another place Tiger needs to go is the practice green, preferably one with Poa annua greens. Yes, Tiger holed a 31-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole Thursday of the PGA, but followed it up by missing a 4-foot par putt on the very next hole. At Bethpage, Woods ranked 113th in strokes gained putting through his two rounds, losing 1.433 shots to the field, even though the Poa greens rolled beautifully and uniformly. At Pebble Beach, the greens are predominately composed of the same type of grass, but they are smaller and have more break. The USGA will undoubtedly prep them to get faster. Over the course of each round, that means they could get bumpier too. Tiger arrived at the PGA Championship ranked No. 1 on the PGA Tour in greens in regulation and was 14th in strokes gained approach the green. His iron game was fine, but wayward driving, especially on Friday, made it hard for him to showcase it. There's no need to panic about that aspect of his game, but Koepka did to the field at Bethpage what Tiger did at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He lapped the game's best players. For Tiger and everyone else, it's time to let the Masters party be over. If Woods and his fans to celebrate some more in 2019, there's a lot of work to be done. https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/did-tiger-woods-take-off-too-much-time-a MORE: 'Jeopardy' fans ripped James Holzhauer for how he said Dr. Dre's name but here's why he did it Former NFL great Mark Gastineau has a GoFundMe for the fight of his life Spurs' DeMar DeRozan 'possibly could be on the trade block' to Lakers How the Bulls can help the Lakers facilitate an Anthony Davis trade Packers DC Mike Pettine 'very encouraged' by OLB room Related slideshow: Tiger Woods, a life in pictures (Provided by photo services)


NEW YORK   New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier may not have had a lot to say about his heated exchange with Washington Nationals right fielder Adam Eaton following the third inning on Monday night. But Eaton sure did   and he was pretty darn funny about it, too. The two exchanged words and had to be separated after Eaton hit into a double play to end the third. The Mets beat the Nationals 5-3 at Citi Field. The ex-Chicago White Sox teammates have a history of animosity toward one another   although the origins of their mutual displeasure are unclear. "He's very childish," Eaton said, adding he's surprised the feud is still going on. "I'm walking with my head down, the play's over, I'm walking away, I hear him a couple of times. I'm a 30-year-old man with two kids, I got a mortgage and everything. He wants to loud talk as he's running off the field. At the end of the day I got to be a man about it. I tried to stay patient with the childishness. It is what it is. I got to stand up to it eventually." Frazier wasn't nearly as expansive. "It's nothing," Frazier said. "Nothing at all." Here's the exchange between Adam Eaton and Todd Frazier mentioned by @masnKolko , courtesy of the MASN broadcast: pic.twitter.com/0Orc8eKB8n   Tim Britton (@TimBritton) May 21, 2019


Chase Utley sprinted Friday night from the Phillies dugout, stepped sideways across the chalked first-base line, and found his place at second base. Utley, for one last time, took the field the same way he did for 13 years in Philadelphia. He wore his old No. 26 jersey and the Citizens Bank Park speakers blared "Kashmir," a song that might be more synonymous in Philadelphia with Utley than Jimmy Page or Robert Plant. Four years after being traded across the country, Utley returned to retire in South Philly. "I miss winning with a Phillies jersey on," Utley said. The Phillies honored Utley with a retirement ceremony before Friday night's series opener with Miami. The response was a sold-out crowd and a series of roaring reactions. The fans erupted when a highlight package flashed Utley's throw home in the 2008 World Series. They cheered even louder when Phanvision showed a bleeped-out version of Utley's speech after the World Series parade. They supplied an extended standing ovation as Utley stepped from the dugout in a black suit to deliver his retirement speech. And they rocked when "Kashmir" hit and Utley was standing near second. Utley waved to the crowd and saluted. A moment 10 years in the making... Chase Utley really threw his first pitch to @RMcElhenney ! pic.twitter.com/ajCOXqz5k5   NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 21, 2019 Utley, revered more for his play than his words, kept his retirement speech tight. He thanked the late David Montgomery for showing him how to treat people with respect no matter who they were. He thanked Charlie Manuel for instilling confidence in him. He thanked the Philadelphia fans for motivating him and being straight-forward. Chase Utley ended his speech with a heartfelt thank you to you, the fans. pic.twitter.com/0hT0ezqLcz   NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 21, 2019 Utley's podium on Friday night was just a few feet from where he stood on that October afternoon in 2008, two days after the Phillies brought the city its first championship in 25 years. The three words Utley opened his speech with that day have followed him ever since, helping boom his status as one of the most popular athletes in the Philadelphia history. The Phillies even modeled a bobblehead after Utley's "World Bleeping Champions" speech and handed it out to every fan on Friday night. "Yeah it has taken on a life of its own," Utley said of that 2008 speech. "I actually have not seen the bobblehead. I've seen pictures of it. But yeah that day, I think we all know how special that day was for not only myself but most of you in this room being part of that. So much excitement, so much adrenaline and just what we had all worked for had finally came true, to take that trip down Broad Street with millions of people supporting you, it's hard to describe it. But there was really no better feeling." Utley, whose playing career ended last October with the Dodgers, is living in Southern California and working both in a front-office role with the Dodgers and as a TV analyst for some of their broadcasts. Retirement, Utley said, has gone the way he anticipated it would. He misses the routine that baseball brought, but not enough to continue to it do. Utley is home with his wife, Jen, and two young sons, Ben and Max. Utley is playing golf and coaching youth baseball. Retirement has treated him well. "One thing I can't figure out yet - maybe somebody can help me out - they won't listen to me when I try to give them baseball advice," Utley said. "They listen to the other coaches. But for some reason they won't listen to me." Utley ended his speech by talking to his sons and reminding them of the highlight videos they watched of their dad on Phanavision. Perhaps that, Utley hoped, would make them willing to listen to his pointers. A few minutes later, his sons watched Utley run to second base. Once more, the crowd became unglued. Max and Ben Utley are too young to remember their dad playing in South Philadelphia. But perhaps the reaction they heard for him on Friday night will be enough to give him their ear at baseball practice.     ©2019 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


ST. LOUIS   Albert Almora Jr. stayed in his hotel room Thursday trying to process the events of the previous 24 hours. "I didn't move from the bed," he said Friday before the Cubs-Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. Almora's foul liner down the third-base line struck and injured a young girl in the stands Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park, causing him to break down in tears. She was taken to the hospital, the Astros said in a statement after the game. Almora had no update on the girl's condition Friday and said the family has asked for privacy. "Obviously we're going to respect that," he said. "When they're ready, if they're ready, I'll do whatever I can to put a smile on the girl's face and the family's face." In the aftermath of the incident, Almora has found himself in the spotlight. The emotional reaction by the 25-year-old outfielder was replayed on national news broadcasts, and Almora was trending on Twitter. That's why he spent most of Thursday in bed, talking with family and friends who offered support. "I was on the phone most of the day," he said. "Great support system. I woke up with endless amounts of text messages from family and friends. What I experienced with my teammates, the way they came around and were there. … Whenever I reiterate this is a family, that's what I mean. "That's what comes to mind. Everybody can be happy and all jolly when things are going well, but when the stuff hits the fan and the people that are around show up, that's when it counts." The incident has rekindled the debate about whether protective netting should be extended at major league ballparks. MLB in 2018 convinced teams to extend the netting in their parks to the ends of the dugouts after a rash of foul-ball incidents the last few years. But now some players are calling for the netting to be extended all the way down the line. Asked Friday if he's optimistic a change will result from the incident, Almora said he hopes MLB does the right thing. "I hope this never happens again, so whatever the league has to do to make that happen," he said. "I don't think any kid that goes to a baseball game with their parents or a loved one should worry about making it out unhealthy. "I don't think that should ever cross their mind." While everyone's thoughts are with the girl and her family, the Cubs also were concerned with Almora's mental state. Manager Joe Maddon said he was "ready to go either way" if Almora had decided to come out of the game Wednesday. "I thought it'd be great if he could get back out there, and he did," Maddon said. "So that was the harder part. "He's a wonderful young man, emotional, sensitive. What's wrong with that? He cares. And he's family man. He's got kids. All those things are factored in, and it really proves to people that may be watching, that's what our guys are all about and where their heart is at. "I'm very proud of how he reacted in the moment and even more proud he was able to gather himself and come back and play." Almora said Friday he felt fine, though he was still a little shaken over the incident. "I thought I was going to be a lot worse, honestly," he said. "But this isn't about me, man. I'm not in the hospital. It's tough to answer these questions when it's something that affects a little girl and her family. That's what really should be important. "When it comes to me, with the support I've gotten, it's tough not to be in a good place where all I've done is try to know how she's doing. … People are praying for me. But I'm healthy. My mind is OK. I'm OK, and it's thanks to my teammates and my family." It's difficult to be a professional athlete these days. Many are stereotyped as rich, pampered young men who care only about their images, stats and bank accounts. They live in a fishbowl, and any mistake can leave a permanent mark on their careers, making them a subject of derision for weeks, months or years. Maybe that's why Almora's reaction struck a chord with so many fans across the country. Breaking down in public after accidentally injuring a child showed he's only human. Almora always has been a well-liked player in his five years with the Cubs, but suddenly fans who never had heard his name before could empathize with him over an incident he had no control over. Almora said the reaction has been "nothing but positive" but he repeatedly reminded the media gathered by his locker: "It's not about me." "I've been blessed with the people around me," he said. "As tough as it's been it has made me a better person, I think, and it's opened my eyes to other things. I never want it to happen again. I wish it wouldn't have happened, but you take it in stride and move forward. "Hopefully all is well and she's going to make a full recovery, God willing. Something I'll never forget for the rest of my life. "I'm not going to say I'm going to try and turn this into a positive, but right now all I've seen, all I've experienced is love and care. And that means the world to me."     ©2019 Chicago Tribune Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


SAN FRANCISCO   Democratic presidential candidates are confronting the Democratic National Committee's tough standards to get on the debate stage, trying to distinguish themselves from their many rivals and plotting how to win the critical four early voting states. That leaves them barely enough time to think about what would come next. Next would be California, an electoral buzz saw that costs tens of millions of dollars to compete in and is the polar opposite of the early states that reward hustle, on-the-ground attention and local staff. Campaigns in California, which has about four times as many Democratic voters as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada combined, are won and lost through hugely expensive advertising and free media that reach the state's diverse, far-flung population. Fourteen presidential candidates flocked to the state last weekend to speak to the most fervent activists at the California Democratic Party's convention, making their pitches on why they're best poised to lead the party against President Donald Trump. But beyond the speeches and rallies, few of them seem to have figured out how to crack the political puzzle that is California, the nation's most populous, and famously liberal, state. "A lot of these campaigns are struggling with all the other hoops and Rubik's cubes the DNC is throwing their way and having a good showing in the early states," said Michael Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based strategist. "I think California is going to be pretty wide open." Home-state Sen. Kamala Harris may have an edge because she's been elected three times statewide and is racking up endorsements among state officials, but her advisers based in the state acknowledge there's no way to lock it up. "She's naturally positioned to do really well. She starts with a lot of advantages. She's got a great base of support. But she's also running against two people with significantly higher name ID than she has, I would argue, in Bernie (Sanders) and (Joe) Biden," said Brian Brokaw, a longtime Harris adviser who isn't working for her presidential campaign. "They've both been at the presidential level. Yes, she's a U.S. senator who's run statewide multiple times here, but she's still unknown to a portion of the electorate that is less focused on day-to-day politics," Brokaw said. Sanders' campaign hopes to make California a centerpiece of its strategy, talking about "the first five" states rather than the traditional early four. The Vermont independent senator also has the only campaign with multiple paid staffers focusing on the state   on Friday it announced a California staff of eight   and it's been telling local Democrats it will spend $25 million, if not considerably more, in the state alone. That's not an unusual sum for a California primary but a total that few of the nearly two-dozen presidential campaigns can match. "Everybody recognizes that California is an incredibly expensive state to compete in," Sanders' senior strategist Jeff Weaver said. "We will certainly commit the resources necessary to win." Meanwhile, other presidential rivals have made clear they want a piece of the California action. Former Vice President Joe Biden skipped the weekend's events to attend an LGBTQ rights dinner in Ohio, but he promised California Democratic officials he'd spend plenty of time in the state. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren drew thousands to a Friday night rally in Harris' hometown of Oakland and received an even more enthusiastic response from the convention crowd Saturday than its native daughter. Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke rolled out his climate change policy in Yosemite National Park and has campaigned in the vast agricultural swath of the state's Central Valley, where his fluent Spanish and upbringing on the Mexican border may resonate with a heavily Latino population. Still, individual candidate visits are like tiny ripples in the vast sea of a state that stretches as far as the distance between Maine and North Carolina. Jess Durfee, a Democratic National Committee member in San Diego, said he's heard next to nothing from other campaigns, even as activists he knows are eager to get involved. "People reach out to me to try to find out who to talk to for respective candidates and I don't know   I don't even have contact information," Durfee said. There are two more factors confounding campaigns in California. Early voting has become popular in the state, and ballots are scheduled to go out on the day of next year's Iowa caucuses. That means candidates looking to take California can't simply hope to do well in the first four states   they'll have to start spending in the state's notoriously pricey media markets even earlier. And California won't be voting alone on March 3. The day is known as Super Tuesday because voters in at least a dozen other states, including Texas, go to the polls. That presents another massive geographic puzzle and financial sinkhole. That leaves many California strategists expecting the campaigns to continue to make relatively modest investments in their state. "I just have a hard time seeing most campaigns investing money in trying to influence those early voters" in California "while you're trying to win the early states," said Rose Kapolczinski, a veteran California consultant. "If you're working to get California delegates and you end up coming in fifth or sixth in Iowa and New Hampshire, are you alive by the time you get to California?" On Sunday, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro summed up the sprawling field's approach to the state as he outlined his California strategy, which seemed to hinge on the early states and hope. "I can do well in Iowa, pick up momentum," Castro, one of numerous long-shot candidates in the race, told reporters in San Francisco. Californians, the 44-year-old added, are "particularly looking for bold leadership and a new generation of leadership."


Specialty Vehicle Engineering, the same New Jersey company behind that new Canyon-based GMC Syclone , is back with another great creation. This is the 1000-horsepower 2020 Yenko/SC Camaro, and it can be yours for as low as $69,000. Like the company's Yenko/SC Corvette revealed in 2018 , the Yenko/SC Camaro is a value proposition, offering 1000 horsepower for under $70,000. Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) takes the Camaro SS's 6.2-liter LT1 V-8, and increases displacement to 6.8 liters. The engine also gets a new crankshaft, new rods, forged pistons, CNC-ported cylinder heads, ARP head studs, stainless steel headers, high-flow catalytic converters, an upgraded fuel system, and naturally, a big supercharger. Other performance upgrades include 20-inch Torq-Thrust-style five-spoke wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, a carbon fiber hood, new springs, new bushings, and a two-mode exhaust. SVE uses the Camaro SS 1LE as a base, and as a result, you also get Magnetic Ride Control shocks, Recaro seats, and an electronic limited-slip differential standard. As for cosmetics, there are red-painted brake calipers, and available "Yenko/SC" graphics for the hood and sides. There's also a bunch of unique badges to ensure everyone who sees the car knows what it is. SVE says it's building just 50 examples of the Yenko/SC Camaro, so if you want one, you better act quickly. According to SVE, it can be ordered from any Chevy dealer in the US, which is extremely convenient. With this much power, this machine should definitely live up to the Yenko Camaro legend. Research the Chevrolet Camaro on MSN Autos | Find a Chevrolet Camaro near you


The Washington Redskins aren't viewed favorably in a new set of power rankings at ESPN. Those ESPN power rankings take a look at the three-year outlook for each team in the NFL, weighing in both the win-now outlook as well as the potential upside on the roster. Louis Riddick, Kevin Seifert and Field Yates rank the Redskins 27th, with the former having some interesting words for the outlook of Dwayne Haskins: Biggest worry: While I love the future potential of Haskins and believe he is a Pro Bowl-caliber QB talent, I have little to no faith that Washington management will do the right thing and get him the weapons he needs at receiver, or the guidance/tutelage he deserves so he can realize his vast potential in the meeting room, on the field and off the field. Having many people who want to weigh in with their opinion on his development is not necessarily a good thing, and I fear that that could be what is shaping up to happen to this young man in D.C. - Riddick Realistically, it is hard to fault in the stance about quarterbacks too much. Recent Redskins history isn't filled with superb quarterback development or an environment that produces longevity and wins. That said, the experts do point out the Redskins had a quality offseason and the defense should once again be a strong point. But given the unproven names under center, injuries to guys like Reuben Foster and the Trent Williams holdout, it's understandable - until they prove otherwise - if the Redskins check in low on the long-term outlook rankings. MORE: Big Baller Brand's demise looks imminent with sad clearance sale at a local gym ESPN's future power rankings love the Browns with one big exception Why Kerryon Johnson is more receiver than pass catcher LeBron James Boasts About '300 Mil Later' After Rich Paul Klutch Sale to UTA The top 100 players in the NFL today


A fugitive on the run since 2008 has been captured in Costa Rica 16 years after he drove drunk and killed a retired married couple on Easter in Miami . Henry de la Hoz, 46, was turned over to U.S marshals and was set to begin serving a 12-year prison sentence in Florida. In 2003, de la Hoz, then 30, had been drinking at a sports bar in Miami when he fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a car of churchgoers on their way to Easter mass, killing married couple Victor and Olga Lisabet and injuring others, the Miami Herald reported. TOURISTS, EASTER WORSHIPPERS LAMENT CLOSURE OF NOTRE DAME It was a relief to the family who had been waiting nearly two decades for justice. The Lisabets' son had planned to break the news of his first child the day of the crash, and the couple would never get to hear they were grandparents. "I didn't lose hope," Victor J. Lisabet, 63, the couple's son, told the Miami Herald. "I was going to spend the rest of my life looking for him." A slow legal process caused five years to go by before de la Hoz eventually pleaded guilty in 2008. The judge gave him a week to get his life in order before he served his term, which gave him the time to flee the United States before his sentencing. The children of Olga and Victor Lisabet and others waited for de la Hoz in the courthouse to talk about the lives of their deceased parents, but he never showed up. "We were waiting and waiting and waiting," the former Miami Dade president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Diane Holmes, told the Miami Herald. "It became very clear he was not going to show up. It was another crushing blow for the family." As years went by, the case stayed open because of prosecutor Suzanne Von Paulus, who kept in contact with detectives and federal marshals, as the Miami Herald reported. In March 2016, U.S Marshals discovered de la Hoz living in Costa Rica and teamed with Interpol to take him down. They found he had created a whole new life in his eight years on the run. DRUNKEN DRIVING SUSPECT SPRAYED BODY SPRAY IN MOUTH TO HIDE ALCOHOL SMELL, POLICE SAY De la Hoz had a wife and 10-month old son, worked in construction and was a tattoo artist. He even started a foundation that helped children learn about martial arts. He was arrested by Interpol in March, with U.S. Marshals picking him up after Costa Rica kicked him out of the country. He fought extradition but wasn't successful. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Henry would like to tell the family that he is sorry," said his defense attorney, Sabrina Puglisi. "He knows his leaving was the wrong thing to do. He is here to serve his sentence." De la Hoz was booked in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami Dade last Tuesday.


Colorado is a step closer to creating a program to lower health insurance premiums on the "Obamacare" individual market.


At least one other social media group with an apparent nexus to Customs and Border Protection has been discovered to contain vulgar and sexually explicit posts, according to screenshots shared with two sources familiar with the Facebook pages. The secret Facebook group, "The Real CBP Nation," which has around 1,000 members, is host to an image that mocks separating migrant families, multiple demeaning memes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, and other derisive images of Asians and African Americans. One meme posted following her Monday visit to a Texas border station depicts a manipulated image of her gesturing toward a water fountain with the caption "Is this a toilet?" Following her visit, Ocasio-Cortez charged that people were drinking water from a toilet at the station, an accusation that acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan has denied. CNN obtained the images after a report published earlier this week of another secret Facebook group, called "I'm 10-15," for current and former Border Patrol agents that reportedly featured jokes about migrant deaths, derogatory comments about Latina lawmakers and a lewd meme involving at least one of them. "Racism and sexism in the Border Patrol just doesn't belong," said the first source familiar with the images. The existence of the group "I'm 10-15" was exposed by the investigative reporting group ProPublica. That Facebook group changed its name to "America First," and then archived the page on Monday, preventing any additional posts or comments, according to a second source and a screenshot of the page. CNN has not been able to independently access and review either of the Facebook groups in question or verify how many group members in the private Facebook communities are or were affiliated with Customs and Border Protection. Some members of "The Real CBP Nation" Facebook group reacted to the shuttering of "I'm 10-15" in screenshots of posts and comments. "Disappointed on (sic) all of you who abandoned ship," said one commenter, along with two laughing emojis. On Tuesday, another group member wrote, "Lost 7,000 members in a day. Impressive." An additional comment said in part, "We're in this till the end #pleasedontjicmeorcalloig," which appears to be a reference to the Joint Intake Center and the Office of Inspector General. A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection did not comment on the substance of the online postings, but said the new information obtained by CNN was referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility. It was not clear if Customs and Border Protection's internal investigative office already knew about the second Facebook group or the content that was posted. It is also unclear whether a separate Customs and Border Protection investigation has been launched. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday that it had immediately informed the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General and initiated an investigation following a media report revealing the existence of the Facebook group "I'm 10-15." Responding to an inquiry about the "I'm 10-15" posts, Customs and Border Protection's assistant commissioner for the Office of Professional Responsibility, Matthew Klein, said in a statement Monday that those posts were "hosted on a private Facebook group that may include a number of CBP employees." Facebook did not provide comment when asked about the new group on Tuesday. The reports of possible social media misconduct this week prompted calls from agency leadership to hold anyone responsible for violating standards of conduct accountable. "We take all the posts that were put out today very seriously. These do not represent the thoughts of the men and women of the US Border Patrol. Each one of these allegations will be thoroughly investigated," said US Border Patrol Chief of Operations Brian Hastings in an interview on "Newsroom" with CNN's Brooke Baldwin on Monday. The issue is not new, however, for Customs and Border Protection. In 2018, a senior official warned all agency employees of potential discipline, after having been informed of a private Facebook group with inappropriate and offensive posts, according to a memo obtained by CNN. "Recently the Agency was made aware of a private Facebook group page that only a specific group of CBP employee could access, on which inappropriate and offensive posts were made," Klein wrote. The memo, dated February 2018 and titled "Social Media Posts," did not identify a specific Facebook group but reminded employees of Customs and Border Protection's standards of conduct and anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies for workplace and off-duty employees that prohibit certain conduct on the grounds of discrimination or harassment.


You can leave your umbrella at home through Saturday, but light rainfall is in the forecast for Minneapolis later in the week, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Monday's forecast shows the greatest possibility of rain at 79%, with rain generally expected starting Sunday. The next few days will also bring warm temperatures, expected to last through Thursday. The weather will bring a high temperature of 87 degrees on Saturday. Skies will be cloudy today and partly cloudy on Saturday. Winds will continue to be somewhat calm through the week, with the highest speeds on Tuesday at only 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


When it rained Thursday at Royal Portrush, it poured. And we're not just talking about the weather. Several wild approach shots and below-average putting gave way to an seven-over 78 on Tiger Woods' first day at the British Open. His poor first round consisted of six bogeys and one double bogey. MORE: Watch the British Open live with fuboTV (7-day free trial) Woods' round started off OK after parring four straight holes while battling off-and-on pouring rain. His day quickly took a turn for the worst at five and six when he picked up his first bogey followed by a double bogey, respectively. Only the 70 low scores and ties after Friday make the cut, and with Woods tied for 144th after his opening round, he'll need to put in some work in Round 2 if he wants to play this weekend. The cut line is currently hovering around +2. If there is any good news to glean from the Woods' soggy Thursday performance, it's that he finished ahead of tournament-favorite Rory McIlroy, who shot an eight on his first hole of the round en route to finishing eight over par. Woods tees off at 5:09 a.m. ET on Friday. Sporting News tracked live, hole-by-hole scoring updates and highlights from Woods' first round at the 2019 British Open. Below are the results. MORE: Full leaderboard for the 2019 British Open Tiger Woods' score: Round 1 updates, highlights from 2019 British Open Hole (Par) Round 1 score (Overall) Place 1 (4) Even (E) T-30 2 (5) Even (E) T-34 3 (3) Even (E) T-40 4 (4) Even (E) T-42 5 (4) 1-over (+1) T-72 6 (3) 3-over (+3) T-107 7 (5) 4-over (+4) T-120 8 (4) 4-over (+4) T-121 9 (4) 5-over (+5) T-133 10 (4) 6-over (+6) T-142 11 (4) 6-over (+6) T-141 12 (5) 6-over (+6) T-141 13 (3) 6-over (+6) T-141 14 (4) 7-over (+7) T-144 15 (4) 6-over (+6) T-141 16 (3) 6-over (+6) T-141 17 (4) 6-over (+6) T-141 18 (4) 7-over (+7) T-144 Hole 18, Par 4, 473 yards He's left off the tee and lands just in the rough. The approach shot was short and left but gets to within 18 feet on the next try. He misses the first putt and taps in for bogey. Not a great first day. Hole 17, Par 4, 405 yards Good tee shot put him on the fairway. Approach shot lands nicely on the green. Two-putts for par. Hole 16, Par 3, 236 yards He's a little long off the tee and lands passed the green. Gets the next on the green and an easy putt for par. Hole 15, Par 4, 418 yards The drive safely finds the fairway. The approach shot isn't all that spectacular as it positions Woods 30 feet from the hole, but despite the type of round he's having, he drops the long putt for his first birdie of the tournament. Hole 14, Par 4, 470 yards Back-to-back blown tee shots. The second shot after a decent drive finds a deep bunker quite a distance from the hole. Woods is able to put the third shot on the green, but far from the the pin. He cautiously puts the first putt short, before finishing off the bogey. Hole 13, Par 3, 190 yards Has a great opportunity for a birdie after putting this one 10 feet from the cup off the tee, but something just isn't clicking for Woods. He misses the fairly easy putt for his third straight par. Hole 12, Par 5, 530 yards Another good drive, but he puts the second shot in the rough. The approach shot is decent considering he had to hit out of thick grass, but once again misses a long putt for a chance at his first birdie of the day. Par. Hole 11, Par 4, 475 yards Probably his best shot off the tee of the day. Approach shot lands safely on the green, but he sends the putt way too hard passed the cup. Two-putt par. Hole 10, Par 4, 456 yards Tee shot rolls off the fairway just into the rough. The approach misses the green and lands on a mound in the rough. His chip lands about 10 feet from the hole, but the ensuing putt rolls left. It's Wood's fourth bogey of the day. Hole 9, Par 4, 431 yards Tee shot lands in the thick rough and needs a second shot to advance it to the normal rough. Despite an awkward stance for the third shot, Woods ends up on the green about 20 feet from the hole. The putt is short. Another bogey. Hole 8, Par 4, 430 yards Much better off the tee as the ball rolls up the right of the fairway. The approach shot lands to the right of the pin, setting up a birdie attempt that comes just inches short of the cup. After three straight bogeys, a par is warmly welcomed. Hole 7, Par 5, 590 yards Well this tee shot was not great...It was so bad, in fact, the ball was lost. Second shot finds the rough as well. He slips on his third shot as the ball doesn't advance very far. After another short fourth shot, Woods puts a beautiful approach shot two feet from the hole. Bogey. Hole 6, Par 3, 189 yards Misses the green long and left. Second shot hits the green but finds a slope and rolls off the opposite side. Pops up the third shot to within 10 feet of the hole, but misses the putt for bogey. Yikes. Double bogey. Hole 5, Par 4, 382 yards Finds the right side of the fairway off the tee. Uses a wedge to put the ball well past the hole onto the very back of the green. Leaves the first putt well short and then misses the short one for par. Bogey. Hole 4, Par 4, 479 yards After a long wait, Woods has his best tee shot of the day and finds the middle of the fairway. The approach shot lands left of the pin and rolls about 20 feet from the hole. Another two-putt keeps Woods even. Hole 3, Par 3, 174 yards Woods uses a pitching wedge and puts his tee shot 10 feet from the hole. Great start for a try at his first birdie, but the 10-footer clips the side of the hole. It's another two-putt, par. Hole 2, Par 5, 572 yards Tee shot finds a bunker. Hacks it out of the bunker before putting his third shot about 20 feet from the hole on the green for an opportunity at birdie. Woods two-putts for par. Hole 1, Par 4, 416 yards Tiger's first shot since the U.S. Open is an iron off the tee, and it goes left. He lets out a grimace. His approach shot rolls back into a bunker, but he recovers to put the ball about 12 feet from the hole. It's par to start the day as rain really starts to pour. Mid-grimace. pic.twitter.com/OPbZis6IWV   Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) July 18, 2019


Chris Hogan got to play a game of compare and contrast. The former New England Patriots and current Carolina Panther receiver has gotten a chance to look at his old quarterback, Tom Brady, and his new quarterback, Cam Newton. Hogan told ESPN that Newton and Brady are "totally different players." Brady was all business. Newton is more playful, running around the field with celebrations and energy. "That competitive nature, it's there," Hogan said. "When it comes time to strap on the pads and play football, their focus is on one goal and that's winning football games. "Cam wants to win. You can tell that right away from talking to him and being around him." Hogan spent the last three seasons in New England after the Patriots signed him in restricted free agency in 2016. He finished with 35 receptions for 532 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a sensational catch during the AFC Championship Game when he finished with five receptions for 45 yards. The one-handed grab came on third-and-8 in the fourth quarter when the Patriots were trailing the Chiefs . New England ultimately won the game, and became Super Bowl champions. Hogan joined the Panthers this offseason during free agency after his stint in New England grew stale. With Carolina, he may get a chance to be a starting wideout, with the team still developing its young corps that includes D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. MORE: LaVar Ball made a tasteless mid-interview remark to ESPN's Molly Qerim Roundup: US Sending 1,000 More Troops to Iran; Recalls; Dallas Gunman Shot Dead Adding context to audible issue between Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Josh McCown and the wasted promise of the 2006 Detroit Lions


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Midtown - Winn Park Capital Avenue? According to Walk Score, this Sacramento neighborhood is friendly for those on foot, is easy to get around on a bicycle and has a few nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Midtown - Winn Park Capital Avenue is currently hovering around $1,325. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $1,400 / month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1808 N St. First, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit situated at 1808 N St. It's listed for $1,350/month. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 2400 Q St. Here's a 608-square-foot studio apartment at 2400 Q St. that's going for $1,395/month. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate on-site laundry, garage parking and secured entry. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are permitted. (See the full listing here .) 1309 25th St. Finally, check out this 675-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit that's located at 1309 25th St. It's listed for $1,400/month. The building has on-site laundry and outdoor space. You can also expect hardwood flooring in the unit. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are permitted here. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The last plane sporting the Virgin America livery is being repainted in Alaska Airlines colors, marking the final disappearance of the airline's colors. Virgin America, founded in 2004, was bought by Alaska in 2016 and flew under its own brand until last year , but some of its aircraft had been left in their original colors. The last aircraft in Alaska Airlines' fleet painted in the Virgin America livery is currently at Victorville-Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV), where it will be painted in Alaska Air's livery. The final aircraft to feature the Virgin America livery is an Airbus A321neo bearing the registration N922VA. The aircraft was delivered in May 2017, originally operating transcontinental flights for Virgin America. The aircraft has since been incorporated into the Alaska Airlines fleet and no longer is used solely on transcontinental flights. Virgin America's livery was inspired by that of Virgin Atlantic. Founded by Virgin Group's Sir Richard Branson, the airline featured a color scheme and fuselage titles nearly identical to Virgin Atlantic's, but distinguished by elements like the American flag on the winglets at the end of its planes' wings . For the past three years, Alaska Airlines had been in the process of repainting all of Virgin America's aircraft in its own colors. Though Alaska Air has borrowed certain aspects of the Virgin America brand including fresher and healthier in-flight meals, brighter and more emphasized mood lighting, and newer lounges, most of the Virgin America brand has been retired. Following Virgin America's final flight, Alaska Airlines was quick to remove Virgin America signage and integrate aircraft and crew into Alaska Air. When the final aircraft to feature the red and white livery exits the hangar in Victorville, the only remaining signs of the defunct airline will be aboard former Virgin America aircraft that have not yet been retrofitted with Alaska Air's new cabin . Alaska Airlines plans on completing the process of retrofitting the cabins of those ex-Virgin Airbuses by early next year, giving Virgin America enthusiasts a little over six months to take in one last "breath of fresh airline," as a 2011 advertising campaign said.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Virginia Village? According to Walk Score, this Denver neighborhood is somewhat walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Virginia Village is currently hovering around $1,085. So, what might you expect to find if you don't want to spend more than $1,200/month on rent? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 4470 E. Jewell Ave. Listed at $1,199/month, this 575-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 4470 E. Jewell Ave. In the apartment, you can expect hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and a fireplace. The building features an elevator. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. Expect a $250 pet fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1251 S. Bellaire St. Next, there's this one bedroom apartment located at 1251 S. Bellaire St. It's listed for $1,184/month for its 513 square feet of space. The building has on-site laundry, garage parking, a fitness center and a business center. In the unit, there are hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and a balcony. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are permitted on this property. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee, but there is a $250 pet deposit. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 1520 S. Albion St. Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1520 S. Albion St. that's going for $1,135/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect on-site laundry and bike storage. The unit has a dishwasher and granite countertops. Cats and dogs are not welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the full listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


With the offseason in full bloom for virtually the entire NBA, several players were spotted hanging out together over the long Memorial Day weekend. LeBron James posted several videos to his story on Instagram Monday afternoon. Among the players seen at the party were James, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Tristan Thompson. The group of friends was heard listening to Nipsey Hussle while enjoying some cigars. Of course, Westbrook is friends with several players, including James and Paul. With James now playing for the Lakers, the group spent the holiday at his home in Los Angeles while a DJ spun some Hussle songs from his backyard. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Tristan Thompson enjoying the day with some Nipsey Hussle and some friends ( via @KingJames / @LakersOutsiders ) pic.twitter.com/ztk0sYe94L - Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 28, 2019 The party on Monday may not have been the first time Westbrook and James were seen hanging out this offseason. Last week, several users posted pictures on Twitter of the two together at Nobu in Malibu, along with Anthony Davis. Westbrook is under contract with the Thunder for the foreseeable future so there wasn't any recruiting happening. There is nothing to see here other some friends enjoying the long weekend together. Or so we're led to believe … MORE: According to a new report, the Lakers are an even bigger mess than we thought Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" Jimmy Butler would reportedly like playing with LeBron James Ahead of Finals, Stephen Curry defends Kevin Durant against critics NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


ISLAMABAD   Pakistan's military says it has successfully test-fired a long-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. A statement from the military says the surface-to-surface Shaheen-II missile, which has a range of 1,500 kilometers, or 932 miles, was launched on Thursday and ended in the Arabian Sea. The announcement comes after a six-week general election in neighboring India, Pakistan's chief regional rival. Both nations have nuclear arms and have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. They regularly test-fire missiles. Vote counting in India shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party have a commanding lead, making another five-year term for the Hindu nationalist leader very likely.


A cop in Seattle thought he was making a routine traffic stop over the weekend, but he had his hands full after realizing the passenger was moments away from giving birth. A cop in Seattle thought he was making a routine traffic stop over the weekend, but he had his hands full after realizing the passenger was moments away from giving birth. More automotive news on MSN Officer Anthony Reynolds pulled over a vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning after he noticed the driver speeding and running red lights. As soon as the car was stopped, the driver jumped out and told Reynolds that his wife was giving birth in the back seat. Reynolds radioed for an ambulance, but the baby wasn't interested in waiting. He helped deliver the impatient baby girl on the side of the road. Her first cries were recorded on the officer's dashboard camera. The couple thanked the police department in a note. "You have helped deliver a precious gift," the couple wrote, according to NBCNews. "We are so grateful." Police aren't always so helpful to soon-to-be parents. In 2011, a Canadian man received a $1,000-ticket and a 5-month suspension of his license because he was rushing his wife to the hospital. He made it just in time to save her and the baby's life after being stopped twice by traffic cops. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook


GREENSBORO, N.C.   Paul Casey is forging a unique path toward the FedExCup Playoffs. Casey is the only player in the field at this week's Wyndham Championship among the top 10 in the season-long points race, eager to improve his position in the Wyndham Rewards and potentially snag a seven-figure bonus with a second win of the season. But he's also notably absent from the field at next week's Northern Trust, the first of just three postseason events. That was a conscious choice by the Englishman, who was otherwise looking at a run of six starts in as many weeks from The Open to the Tour Championship. But it's also rooted in a bit of gamesmanship, as Casey believes the prudent play was to fight for the tangible bonus payout offered this week and then take his chances at East Lake, where the starting scores for the 30-man field will be staggered from even par to 10 under based on players' positions in the points race. "With our system, I think there's more volatility this year," Casey said. "I know the mathematicians say that's not the case, but I think they have no idea about what's going to happen at East Lake. It's exciting stuff, so I was willing to sacrifice maybe a position or two because I really feel I need as much energy going into that Tour Championship." Full-field scores from the Wyndham Championship Full coverage of the Wyndham Championship Among the players already qualified for the 125-man Northern Trust, only Casey, Henrik Stenson and Sam Burns failed to commit by Friday's deadline. Casey entered the week eighth in points, a position that come Sunday would translate into a $600,000 bonus in the Wyndham Rewards. He could drop to ninth depending on what Webb Simpson does, but Casey could also jump as high as fourth with a victory Sunday. He'll start the final round in a tie for fifth at 14 under, two shots behind Simpson and three behind leader Byeong-Hun An. "I fancy my chances, but there's a lot of great players near the top of that leaderboard," Casey said. "It's certainly going to be a fun Sunday. It's going to be a bit of a shootout."


Spending time in Tremont? Get to know this Cleveland neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from an upscale Asian eatery to a burger joint with views of the house that appeared in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story." Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Tremont, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Sokolowski's University Inn Topping the list is Polish and traditional American spot Sokolowski's University Inn . Located at 1201 University Road, it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 511 reviews on Yelp. Founded in 1923, Sokolowski's is Cleveland's oldest family owned and operated restaurant, according to its website . It clearly has staying power; a recent Cleveland.com story described the restaurant as "a gold mine that never fails to satisfy. It has extraordinary food, crowds of friendly people and world-class owners." 2. Ginko Restaurant Next up is sushi bar and Japanese spot Ginko Restaurant , at 2247 Professor Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 277 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Part of chef Dante Boccuzzi's Dante Group, Ginko Restaurant's menu includes an extensive set of sushi offerings, as well as such specialties as shabu shabu strip loin and ginko omakase, a five-course chef's tasting platter. 3. The Loop The Loop , a spot to score coffee and tea, vinyl records and DVDs, is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, at 2180 W. 11th St., 4.5 stars out of 164 reviews. As Yelper Jacquie K. put it, "With two stories of records for purchase and a number of tables to work or visit, it's an easy choice in the Tremont area." 4. Rowley Inn Rowley Inn , a pub and gastropub that offers beer, wine, spirits and more, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 131 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1104 Rowley Ave. to see for yourself. As numerous reviews note, the Rowley Inn has two claims to fame : its stacked burgers and its location across the street from the house that appeared in the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story." Here's a chance to soak up the atmosphere on the same street that Ralphie plotted to have Santa bring him a Red Ryder air rifle. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The presidents of the schools in the Big East have voted to extend an invitation to UConn to rejoin the conference for basketball and other sports. A person with firsthand knowledge confirmed that the schools' presidents voted by conference call on Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to release the information. UConn has a Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for Wednesday when it is expected to accept the invitation, and an announcement is expected from the Big East as early as Thursday morning. UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma cautioned fans Monday that the move from the American Athletic Conference doesn't mean a return to the glory days of the old Big East. The Hall of Fame coach, speaking to reporters at a charity golf event, noted the conference is not the same one that once included schools such as Notre Dame and Louisville. --- More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25


The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are grinding away at training, with their first true test on the horizon. They'll be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in Week 1 of the preseason, an opponent the Bucs fell to in Week 3 of the 2018 regular season. Tampa Bay came entered that game 2-0, having shocked both the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles with big upset wins thanks to the play of bearded wonder Ryan Fitzpatrick. But in Week 3, the Bucs fell apart in a 30-27 loss, going down 30-10 at halftime. Tampa Bay would go 1-6 from that point on, eventually finishing the year with a record of 5-11, costing head coach Dirk Koetter his job and ushering in the Bruce Arians era. That game also marked the last of Jameis Winston's three-game suspension, meaning in less than two weeks he'll finally get a crack at the Steelers and their defense when he takes the field for their preseason matchup. Preseason games don't usually carry much weight to them, but seeing how Winston and this Bucs team respond on the road against a tough opponent should be a good indicator of which direction they're headed in. MORE: Marcus Stroman explained what his clubhouse 'commotion' was about after Mets trade MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Latest on Noah Syndergaard, Trevor Bauer, and More Packers FB Danny 'The Muscle Man' Vitale could play key role in new offense Tom Brady disobeys Bill Belichick at practice, and suffers the consequences Ryan Pace says Chuck Pagano gives Bears advantage early in season


The remaining July schedule carries great significance for when and how the Braves will make moves. With the All-Star Game now over, the Atlanta Braves are enjoying a couple of days off before the second half of the 2019 season begins. At 54-37, the Braves currently hold a 6.0 game lead in the NL East. Per Fangraphs, Atlanta currently has the fifth-highest odds to make the playoffs and win the World Series at 96.4% and 7.1%, respectively. While the Braves' first half has been better than many expected, the remaining July schedule could quickly change Atlanta's outlook significantly. Overall, the Braves have 18 games remaining in July. The schedule breakdown is as follows: Three Games in San Diego Three Games in Milwaukee Four Games versus the Nationals in Atlanta Two Games versus the Royals in Atlanta Three Games in Philadelphia Three Games in Washington The significance of this stretch of games immediately jumps off the page. Of the 18 remaining games this month, 13 will come against current NL playoff contenders, nine of which are on the road. Furthermore, 10 of those 13 games are against the Nationals and Phillies , six of which will be on the road. The brutal schedule remaining in July puts emphasis on a few important factors. For one, the Braves must take care of business against the Padres and the Royals. Over the past few years, that philosophy has not worked so well when Atlanta visits San Diego. The Braves are 9-21 in San Diego this decade. While the roster has changed, the results have not. It is very important the Braves start off the second half with at least a series win. The series against the Royals carries significance because the games against Kansas City are clearly the most winnable games the Braves have left in July, and that two-game series is bookended with off days. Depending on how Atlanta fares against the Brewers and Nationals, this could be a chance to get a regular or two multiple days off before the big road trip to Washington and Philadelphia at the end of the month. The other main factor that must be addressed is the starting pitching. Max Fried dazzled in April, and Julio Teheran and Mike Soroka were amazing in May, but since then the Braves' starters have been a liability. Since June 1st, Atlanta is 23rd in ERA, 25th in K/9, and 27th in BABIP in terms of starting pitchers. Some factors impacting this certainly are bad luck and a defense that has regressed compared to last year. However, if more balls are being put in play, that increases the chance of negative outcomes. Overall, the Braves' rotation was 20th in fWAR and 25th in RA9-WAR in June. Beyond several members of the staff regressing in their performance over the past six weeks, other factors make it a necessity to address the starters sooner rather than later. Both Fried and Soroka will continue to push beyond their previous innings highs, so their usage will need to be managed. While Dallas Keuchel has certainly been a positive addition to the staff, another significant addition would be ideal. The combination of the remaining July schedule and the recent struggles of the starting staff make a trade sooner rather than later a logical idea. Many are focusing on potential moves the Braves need to make to have a chance against the Dodgers in the postseason. However, they first need to make moves that will help ensure they will actually make the postseason. Mark Bowman pointed out that while the Braves have struggled to get value out of their starters, the Nationals' starting staff has been the best in baseball. They have emerged as the primary threat to the Braves in the NL East, making the seven head-to-head games in July critical. It is likely Atlanta will make a move before July 31, as they should. However, I feel it would be unwise not to make the move over the next few days when the new players have the best chance to add direct value. The Braves will be involved in 10 games over the next three weeks that will result in a full game swing in the NL East standings. There is also a good chance they could face Max Scherzer , Stephen Strasburg , Patrick Corbin , and Aaron Nola over that stretch, including a few of the Nationals' pitchers multiple times. The debate as to which players the Braves should target and what packages they should give up will likely fill social media over the next weeks. My personal hope is that speculation will be replaced by satisfaction from the Braves making a proactive move that will help them grab a stronger hold on the NL East lead as well as making Atlanta a bigger threat in the playoffs.


The weather report for Cleveland has light rainfall ahead for the upcoming week, starting tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tomorrow's forecast shows the highest possibility of rain at 92 percent, while the most rainfall is expected on Monday at 0.50 inches. Also expect mild temperatures today and tomorrow. Temperatures will reach a high of 74 degrees tomorrow, then turn cooler on Thursday and Friday with a high of 69 degrees. Skies will be partly cloudy today and Saturday and cloudy on Thursday. Winds will remain somewhat calm through the week, with the highest speeds tomorrow at only 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen rejected the opportunity to comment further on his future while on international duty with Denmark after he previously made explosive remarks regarding potential interest from Real Madrid. The speculation surrounding Eriksen's future refuses to die down, but it now appears that the Danish midfielder is unwilling to make any further comments regarding a potential move to Real Madrid. Eriksen, who has just one year left on his deal in north London, previously seemed destined to make a big money move to Real Madrid, but recent developments appear to indicate he may not be at the top of Los Blancos' wish list after all.  Reports from around Europe have claimed Tanguy Ndombele is now being viewed as an alternative option for Real , which could mean a move for Eriksen is no longer on the cards. What's more, Danish publication Ekstra Bladet also report that Zinedine Zidane has now 'said no' to an approach for Eriksen. Speaking to Ekstra Bladet after Denmark's 5-1 win over Georgia in the week, the Spurs man found time to comment on his situation, claiming that he has already said what he needs to. He said: "The focus is on vacation, and I've said what needed to be said...No more bombs this time around." Ekstra Bladet speculatively claim that Eriksen's comments have come about because a decision has already been made about his future, but there is no indication over whether that claim has any real substance just yet. Eriksen's comments also drastically contrast with his recent claims - also published by Ekstra Bladet - in which he boldly stated that he is now ready for a new challenge, which almost acted as a plea to Real to come in with a big offer. He previously stated: "I feel that I am a place in my career where I might want to try something new. I have the wildest and deepest respect for everything that has happened in Tottenham, so I won't be negative. But I have also said that I would like to try something new."


A Colorado police dog turned out to be in the right place at exactly the right time last week, helping to locate a missing 12-year-old girl in Wyoming , according to officials. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook that Deputy K. Fosler and bloodhound Jessie were in Wyoming on an unrelated call when they were diverted for a request with the search of a missing girl. Brianna Weinart was reported missing around 10 p.m. on Monday, according to the Casper Star-Tribune. CONNECTICUT POLICE WRANGLE 6-FOOT SNAKE WRAPPED AROUND CAR ENGINE The deputy and Jessie joined in the search for their girl, but the nearly 90-degree heat required the dog to take a 20-minute break in spite of wearing a cooling vest. The cactus-dense area also made search efforts more difficult, according to the sheriff's office. "For nearly two hours, she searched the Wyoming area where the 12-year-old girl was last seen......and then she pulled her handler, Deputy Fosler, back toward the direction they started. Deputy Fosler thought she had lost the scent," police said . "Turns out, she knew exactly where she was going and as the pair got closer to a home, Jessie went around to the back and near a large bush, they spotted the girl, hiding." Weinart was hungry, dehydrated and sunburned after 20 hours, but was "otherwise uninjured," according to the sheriff's office. OHIO COUPLE, AGES 100 AND 102, WED AFTER FALLING IN LOVE AT SENIOR HOME Authorities told the Star-Tribune they don't suspect any criminal involvement in the girl's disappearance and said she does not have any medical issues. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP "This is one of those stories we're glad to share with the public because it goes to our core mission of Protect, Serve, Enforce," police said. "We're thankful this young girl is going to be OK, and we're thankful Deputy Fosler and K9 Jessie were in Wyoming and able to respond to help another agency and this family."


Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan has officially retired from the NFL after a nine-season career. Morgan was originally drafted at No. 16 overall by the Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent the entirety of his career with Tennessee before becoming a free agent. Both the team and its players are sad to see him go from the league. The Titans' official Twitter account tweeted out a "thank you" in light of the news. Thank you! - Tennessee Titans (@Titans) July 15, 2019 Other former teammates also congratulated Morgan on a great career and wished him the best in his future endeavors beyond the gridiron. Congrats bro! Excited to see what you do next. I know it will be great! https://t.co/lpZpWpSYYG - Ryan Succop (@ryansuccop) July 15, 2019 Congrats brother! Hell of a career Just starting on your legacy @dmorg91 https://t.co/fljXMwqAhc - Will Compton (@_willcompton) July 15, 2019 Congrats D-Morg! - Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) July 15, 2019 Over 106 starts in 118 games, Morgan posted 305 tackles, 44.5 sacks, 26 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. MORE: Michael Bisping's cageside reaction to Urijah Faber's stunning KO was too good Trysten Hill may be crowning point on Cowboys star-studded defense Roundup: Monica Lewinsky Fire Tweet, Richard Seymour in the Money at World Series of Poker, Robert Kraft New Girlfriend Complete look at Chiefs player ratings in 'Madden NFL 20' Report: Broncos ready to draft Devin Bush before trade with the Steelers


The Orioles will get to see an old friend and his .500 team in this series. The way the most recent baseball offseason shook out, two recent longtime Orioles signed out in the NL West. We already had our reunion with Manny Machado a month ago when the O's play the Padres . The series out in Arizona starting tonight represents another big reunion, with Adam Jones on the Diamondbacks . I still miss Jones . I know why he's not on the team this year and I think that they were good reasons. As things have played out, with the most recent O's game featuring an outfield with Dwight Smith Jr. in left field, Anthony Santander in center field, and Trey Mancini in right field, we haven't exactly seen the loads of young outfielders yet. But they'll be along eventually, we hope, and there just wasn't room for Jones on the roster, especially if he was looking for a deal beyond one year. A year and $3 million is what he had to settle for with the Diamondbacks. Jones began the year on a hot streak, with an .860 OPS at the end of April and 11 home runs by the end of May. Things haven't gone quite as well since, with Jones hitting only two homers in June and none so far in July. He entered Sunday's play batting .267/.317/.436 for the season. Maybe Orioles pitching will prove to be the thing to get him heated back up. As for the Diamondbacks themselves, they come into this series with a 50-50 record. Doesn't sound impressive, but it's a weak year in the National League for teams who aren't named the Dodgers and that record leeaves them just 2.5 games out of a wild card spot, with three teams to pass. Unfortunately for Arizona, they're in the division with the Dodgers, so it's wild card or bust. They're going to have a tough "buy or sell?" decision to make in the next week and a half. Zack Greinke and his sub-3.00 ERA and sub-1.000 WHIP just pitched on Saturday and will not be on turn to start in this series. Game 1 - Monday, 9:40pm Eastern Aaron Brooks (w/A's and O's): 17 G, 8 GS, 4.69 ERA, 5.60 FIP, 1.204 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 56 SO, 16 BB, 12 HR Robbie Ray : 21 GS, 3.92 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 1.299 WHIP, 117 IP, 152 SO, 57 BB, 19 HR As a team, the Diamondbacks entered Sunday with an .845 OPS against lefties and a .749 OPS against righties. That's good news for two of the O's starters, including Brooks . Ray , a lefty, will face an O's team that's modestly better against LHP compared to RHP (.712 OPS vs. .703 OPS) but really they're just bad against everyone. Brooks will probably not be in the game for too long. Before being acquired by the O's, he hadn't started a game since April, so he's not stretched back out to full starter game length yet. The O's bullpen with its 6.21 ERA for the season remains something for O's fans to fear and fans of other teams to anticipate with delight. For the Arizona starter, Ray , July has been his best month to date. It's only been three starts, but they've added up to three great starts with 23 strikeouts over 18.1 innings and a 2.95 ERA. Even in his good month, Ray's given up five homers in those three starts. He's only given up six runs total, so that's a lot of teams not scoring against him when they aren't homering. Game 2 - Tuesday, 9:40 Dylan Bundy : 18 GS, 5.28 ERA, 5.32 FIP, 1.370 WHIP, 92 IP, 97 SO, 32 BB, 21 HR Merrill Kelly : 20 GS, 3.77 ERA, 4.25 FIP, 1.222 WHIP, 117 IP, 92 SO, 31 BB, 16 HR Bundy is returning from the injured list to make this start, so the Orioles will have at least one roster decision to make between now and then. He was very bad in April, very good in May, and very bad again in June. The right knee tendinitis that put him on the injured list put a real damper on his following that up with an excellent July. Seven runs in one inning hurts the ERA. We can only hope he's better and that he pitches better as well. Unless you're a hardcore tanker who wants the Orioles to lose to get the #1 pick next year. I understand the impulse. They're only a half game "ahead" of the Tigers right now. There will have to be a lot of losing to guarantee another #1. I'm jealous of the Diamondbacks and their starting rotation with three pitchers who have over 100 IP thrown and four pitchers with ERAs under 4. Kelly , like Ray, is not significantly outpitching his FIP, so there's probably not a luck regression due to them. The 30-year-old Kelly pitched the last four seasons in South Korea and did enough there to get Arizona to offer him a contract with two years and $5.5 million guaranteed, with a couple of team options on the back end. This is his MLB rookie season. More power to him for sticking with baseball and earning his way to the show. Game 3 - Wednesday, 3:40 John Means : 20 G, 16 GS, 2.95 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 1.088 WHIP, 94.2 IP, 74 SO, 24 BB, 13 HR Taylor Clarke : 11 G, 10 GS, 6.50 ERA, 6.47 FIP, 1.642 WHIP, 45.2 IP, 32 SO, 19 BB, 11 HR There haven't been many games this season where the Orioles seem like they might, based on the starting pitching matchup, be favored to win the game. With their All-Star Means facing a jabroni, the Wednesday afternoon game might just be one of them. Means has a 3.15 ERA since the start of June, and that even includes a game where he gave up six runs in six innings. Though, don't forget what I said above about the Diamondbacks performing better against lefties. Clarke, a 26-year-old righty, is from Northern Virginia and played college baseball at Towson until Towson's short-lived decision not to have a baseball team prompted a transfer to the College of Charleston. He's worked his way up to MLB since being drafted in the third round in 2015. It's been a tough debut for Clarke, who wasn't particularly homer-prone in the minors. Those juiced baseballs are something. You have to go back to May to find a game where Clarke pitched at least six innings, and he's gone fewer than five innings in six of his last eight starts. At the moment, his career high for strikeouts in a game is six, and the Orioles being the Orioles, we should expect Clarke to set a new career high very soon. ** Baseball Reference gave Arizona a 51.1% chance to make the playoffs going into Sunday's games. A much more pessimistic Fangraphs projection put their chances at just 18.6%. A team that wants those numbers to go up needs to put some beatdowns on the worst team in MLB. Are the Diamondbacks capable of keeping pace in that chase? If they can't even win a three-game series against the Orioles at home, the answer is probably no. I'm not rooting for Arizona, because I don't root for any team other than the Orioles under any circumstance. But if Jones's team makes the playoffs and starts doing some magic, I wouldn't mind that too much. If they decide they're falling out of the race, hopefully Jones has value to a real contender. He deserves a shot to win a championship other than the World Baseball Classic .


Outside of the building in East Rutherford, New Jersey, expectations for the New York Giants are exceptionally low - and only getting lower - as they prepare to open training camp. The narrative surrounding the team has been established and nothing is going to change it until the time comes to actually lace up their cleats. Until then, experts and pundits believe the Giants shouldn't even bother to show up and embarrass themselves. Count Nate Davis of USA TODAY among those experts, having recently predicted the Giants will finish with a record of 5-11 and be playing for mere pride come Week 12. New York Giants (5-11) : They face the cross-town Jets and Darnold, who could have been a Giant had they not passed in last year's draft, in Week 10. Then comes the bye. Already worth wondering if that might be the point when Big Blue installs its chosen successor to Manning, first-rounder Daniel Jones, into the lineup given the likelihood this team may only be playing for pride by Week 12. What more can be said about these projections at this point? The Giants have generated no faith outside of their very own fan base - and even that's questionable. Rather, most seem to think the team is on a downward spiral despite ridding themselves of several cancers that yielded literally no success in recent years. To general manager Dave Gettleman's credit, the very definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. That's how the Giants had operated for the last several years, but he tossed that playbook out the window and tried to force change. Luckily for the Giants, predictions and projections don't define a season. Their fate rests solely in their hands and they sound like a team ready to prove the football world wrong. MORE: Francisco Lindor's one-handed HR should be evidence of MLB's juiced baseballs Lakers' Quinn Cook Q&A: 'It feels like this team has been together a while' Brooks Koepka Calls Out J.B. Holmes Following Disastrous Final Round at The Open 6 rookies who could surprise at Patriots training camp Odell Beckham rips Giants again: Fans came to see me, not them