Chris Towers assesses rest-of-season Fantasy outlooks for several young pitchers

SportsLine's model simulated Colorado Rockies vs. Milwaukee Brewers 10,000 times and revealed its MLB picks for Friday's matchup

After 10,000 simulations, SportsLine's model reveals its top MLB picks today

Duke and Michigan will no longer meet during the 2026-27 regular season.According tomultiple reports, the Dec. 21 game between the two powerhouses wont go ahead. The game was set to be one of the most high-profile matchups of the mens college basketball season. But numerous complications and a venue change put the game in doubt.The game was first scheduled for Madison Square Garden in New York City and was the central tenet of a rights dispute between Duke and the Big Ten. As Yahoo Sports Ross Dellenger wrote in May, the conference said it owned the broadcast rights to the game. However, Duke had collaborated with the ACC and ESPN in a deal that put three games including the potential matchup with Michigan on Amazon.From Dellengers article earlier this year:In a deal the two networks previously struck, the Big Ten and ACC rights holders agreed to alternate the broadcast rights of neutral-site games between their members played in "shared territory," such as New York City. In a message sent to ACC leaders and ESPN on Thursday, Big Ten officials made clear that the Duke-Michigan game is its property after the ACC's partner, ESPN, received the rights to this past season's Duke-Michigan game in Washington, D.C. another shared territory between the two conferences.The Duke-Michigan game in Washington was a return for Duke-Illinois on Fox the season before.The game was then moved to LoanDepot Park in Miami. But the location change didnt ultimately make it come to fruition. Per ESPN, Duke will play Texas Tech back at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 21 instead.A lot changed for Michigan since the matchup was first announced. The defending national champions lost coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks as May went to the NBA just before the 2026 NBA Draft. Not long after hiring May, the Mavericks then drafted Morez Johnson, a key part of Michigans title team and one of three Michigan players picked in the lottery.Former Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton was named Mays replacement and Michigan has done its best to keep its roster intact after Mays departure. The Wolverines had one of the best combined classes of transfer portal additions and incoming recruits and L.J. Cason was the teams only high-profile departure following Mays move. Cason is headed to Miami, but is set to miss the 2026-27 season anyway after he tore his ACL in February.

BLOOMINGTON Indiana footballdefensive end Tyrone Burrus Jr. was arrested by the Bloomington Police Department on Thursday.According to an officer at the Monroe County jail, Burrus was booked on preliminary charges of strangulation and domestic battery. The strangulation charge is a Level 6 felony, while the domestic battery charge is a Class A misdemeanor. In Indiana, a Level 6 felony conviction carries a penalty of six months to two-and-a-half years in prison with fines up to $10,000.Burrus remained in custody at the jail as of Friday morning, per a jail officer. According to a clerk at the Monroe Circuit Court, Burrus' initial court appearance hasn't been scheduled, but the earliest it could happen is on Monday.IU Athletics is aware of the situation, an IU spokesperson told The Herald-Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal process, and take further action as the evolving situation warrants.Buy 2026 IU football tickets!Burrus, a Warren Central grad out of Indianapolis, played in two games last season while redshirting. He made his college debut in IUs 56-3 win over Purdue and made his first career tackle. He had a more prominent role in the Peach Bowl against Oregon with injuries piling up for the Hoosiers at defensive end.Going into 2026, Burrus was part of a large group of young defensive lineman looking to crack into Indianas rotation. He came through with a sack in IUs spring game.Last month: 'Different feeling' for Indiana football player returning home to Sunny Heights ElementaryBurrus originally committed to Louisville, but ended up signing with the Hoosiers in 2025 as the No. 9-ranked player in the state.This story will be updatedWant moreHoosierscoverage?Sign up for IndyStar's Hoosiers newsletter.Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football player, Warren Central grad arrested on strangulation, domestic battery charges

Salvador Perez makes heartfelt plea after fan arrested retrieving historic home run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.A Royals fan jumped into the Kauffman Stadium fountains to recover Salvador Perezs record-tying home run ball, leading to an arrest and a personal request from the Kansas City captain.Salvador Perez understood why one Kansas City Royals fan was willing to risk a trip to jail for a piece of franchise history.Perez blasted the 317th home run of his career Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, tying Hall of Famer George Brett for the most in Royals history. The 437-foot drive landed in the famous fountains beyond the right-center-field wall at Kauffman Stadium.One fan decided that history was worth getting wet for. The fan jumped into the fountain in an attempt to retrieve Perezs home run ball. Security quickly intervened, escorting the fan out of the stadium before police placed him in handcuffs and took him into custody.When Perez learned what happened, the longtime Royals catcher made a public plea for authorities to show the fan some mercy.Please, police, just take him out of the jail, please, Perez said, according to a video shared by Jomboy Media.Perez acknowledged that he might have made the same decision if he had been in the fans position.If I was him, Id maybe jump too and try to get that ball, Perez said. So please, and thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.The fan was later released, according to FOX4 Kansas City.Why was the Royals fan arrested?Kauffman Stadium is known for the fountains that stretch across the outfield, but fans are strictly prohibited from entering the water. The Royals guest rules state that anyone entering a fountain will be immediately arrested, taken to a downtown police station and charged. That policy did not stop the fan from pursuing one of the most significant home run balls in franchise history."Please police just take him out of the jail please." -Salvador Perez after a fan was arrested for jumping in the fountain to retrieve his home run ball that tied the Royals franchise record pic.twitter.com/dPxpUVhyb4 Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 23, 2026The unusual scene added another memorable chapter to an already unforgettable afternoon for Perez and the Royals. Kansas City trailed San Francisco when Perez stepped to the plate in the seventh inning. His two-run homer cut the Giants lead and sparked a four-run rally. Lane Thomas later delivered a go-ahead two-run single, lifting the Royals to a 5-4 victory.Perez finished the day tied with Brett at the top of the franchise leaderboard. Mike Sweeney ranks a distant third with 197 home runs, followed by Amos Otis at 193 and Alex Gordon at 190.MORE:Red Sox winning streak ends at 15, but historic run changes everything in BostonSalvador Perez joins George Brett in Royals historyPerez has spent his entire 15-year MLB career with Kansas City, developing into one of the most decorated and beloved players in club history. The 36-year-old is a nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger. He was also named World Series MVP after helping the Royals defeat the New York Mets in 2015.Royals manager Matt Quatraro became emotional while discussing what Perez has meant to the organization.I love that guy, Quatraro said. What he does, the way he goes about it, the passion he plays the game with, its unrivaled. The guys a Hall of Famer, and youre getting to witness it.Perez was grateful that his record-tying homer came in front of the home crowd.That was a super exciting moment, Perez said. Especially doing it here in Kansas City. I love the fans here. Kansas City is my second home.One fan apparently loved the moment enough to take an unexpected swim and spend part of the celebration in police custody. Fortunately for him, he had the Royals captain firmly on his side.More MLB news:Red Sox winning streak ends at 15, but historic run changes everything in BostonPirates-Yankees benches clear after heated exchange in eighth inningHow Aaron Judge is the real focus of the Yankees' trade deadline plansCC Sabathia's son gets drafted by one of his former teams

Las Teresitas beach panorama view from the Mirador Playa De Las Teresitas viewing point, near Santa Cruz in Tenerife volcano island, Canary islands in Spain. Las Teresitas is a beach near San Andres village, one of the most popular beaches of Canary Islands for locals and tourists with white sand. It is an artificial beach with sand from Western Sahara Desert, there are two piers and a long breakwater to prevent the waves of the shore, the beach has three parts, the Los Moros, Tras la Arena and ravine of Las Teresas. The ocean sea water is transarent, crystal clear with palm trees, beach bars, water sports and many facilities making it ideal for tourism and holidays. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHeres your open thread for Friday!MMA ADJACENTSchool em.My sumo bout of the day is Asanoyama vs. Oshoma.TOTALLY OFF TOPICWhere would you go if money was no object? Id love to do the thing where you go to a part of Japan where there are no tourists. Just chill vibes and people who are glad youre there and interested in showing you things.GAME TIMESix letters now.IN CASE YOU MISSED ITPecGate: Usman was injured against DDP FULL STORYPiffle: PFL event goes pear-shaped FULL STORYHes still here?: Darren Elkins gets booked FULL STORYEnjoy!

I feel back home Enzo Maresca hails Man City organisational stability in first press conference as managerMaresca says he feels back home and describes his return to the Etihad Stadium as a privilegeThe new Man City boss says he considers Guardiola the best coach in the world in the last 20, 25 yearsMaresca highlights that Man City have had just three managers in 17 years as a source of confidenceEnzo Maresca has spoken publicly for the first time as Manchester City head coach, describing his return to the Etihad Stadium as feeling like coming home and outlining the responsibility he feels in succeeding Pep Guardiola.The 46-year-old addressed the media in his first press conference as City manager, touching on the privilege of the role, the challenge of following one of footballs greatest ever coaches, and the stability that has defined Manchester Citys managerial structure across the past decade and a half.Maresca was formally confirmed as manager following the resolution of a compensation dispute with Chelsea, and returns to the Etihad Stadium having previously managed the clubs Elite Development Squad and played a key role in the treble-winning campaign of the 2022-23 campaign.Maresca: Its a privilege to succeed Pep, I consider him the best coach in the worldSpeaking at his first press conference as Manchester City head coach, Maresca spoke about a full circle return to the Etihad Stadium as head coach.I feel back home. I feel very good. The feeling since day one has been brilliant. So Im happy, the 46-year-old began.On the subject of replacing Guardiola one of the most consequential managerial successions in English football history, the Italian added: First of all, Id like to say its a privilege the reason why, the club decided to go for me, that means for me its a privilege.I consider Pep the best coach in the world in the last 20, 25 years. Its a challenge, its nice, a privilege. Also, the history of managers with many years in the same club, after always you struggle a little Sir Alex (Ferguson), Arsene (Wenger). But also its a challenge to try and do the right things immediately for this organisation, the fans, everyone.Maresca: Three managers in 17 years this is not normalMaresca also spoke at length on the broader organisational stability that he believes gives Manchester City a structural advantage over their rivals, drawing on the clubs exceptional recent history to make the case for why he feels confident about the challenge ahead.This club, this organisation, has had three managers in 17 years, added Maresca. This is not normal. It doesnt happen often.This probably is one of the things that Im confident we can do a great job, continue to do the job that has been done in the last 14 or 15 years, since Roberto Mancini, Manuel, and for 10 years with Pep.What does Marescas tone tell us about his Man City approach?Marescas framing of the three-manager stability as a source of confidence rather than an intimidating standard to meet reflects the mindset that director of football Hugo Viana and Citys hierarchy identified when making him their choice to succeed Guardiola a manager who understands the organisation, knows its culture and believes he can add to it.The back home framing is not incidental. Maresca has a genuine emotional connection to a club that shaped his development as a coach, and that connection will be visible in every training session, press conference and tactical decision he makes in the months ahead.Whether that connection can be translated into the trophies, performances and consistency that Elliot Anderson and the clubs newly assembled squad deliver on the pitch will define everything but Marescas first words as City manager suggest a man who arrived knowing exactly where he is and exactly what he intends to do.