Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz has not delivered on the mound for the team, and his blown save against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday was rock bottom. He hung a slider in the upper right quadrant of the plate against Ryan Waldschmidt, resulting in a walk-off home run. The Dodgers lost in devastating fashion. Edwin Diaz walks a hitter and then hangs a slider for the walk-off home run. They looked ready to break their six-game win streak. Instead, it is now a seven-game losing streak. pic.twitter.com/OHjBFR7nP8 Nelson Espinal (@nelson__espinal) August 8, 2026Before Waldschmidts blast, Diaz walked a hitter, leading to a two-run shot, and the closer gave up a 3-2 lead in a 4-3 loss. After the game, Diaz faced the media, explaining what led to his blown save. Aug 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts after giving up a two run walk off home run by Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesI think the slider. I think the fastball was great today; you know, I missed the slider right in the middle, and it paid off, Diaz said. So I got to find a way to throw better, execute better pitches, and if I do that, it will be better. I think Im just trying to be perfect with that pitch, and Im just missing right in the middle. Ive got to be better at that.Im a big league pitcher, so Ive got to make pitches, so next time when I come to the game, Ive got to do better.Where do the Dodgers go from here?When he started the season rocky, things ended up being explained away by his injury, with all indications that the Dodgers were hoping to get the best from Diaz down the stretch after he recovered for a few months. Aug 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts after giving up a two run walk off home run by Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesIn the minor leagues during his rehabilitation assignment, things looked good for the most part, showing new life in his fastball, good movement, and overall looking like he would step right into the closer role. However, since coming back, things have looked really bad. Since returning from injury, Diaz has pitched in four games, allowing five runs in 3.0 innings. Also: six hits, two walks, and two home runs.Not what the Dodgers nor Edwin Diaz expect from their closer. LA needs him firing for the postseason. pic.twitter.com/Ce6h05dyD8 Nelson Espinal (@nelson__espinal) August 8, 2026He has now allowed five runs in three innings, alongside six hits, two walks, and two home runs. His hard contact is coming from bad pitches, which are caused by a lack of command. The problem for the Dodgers is that no member of the bullpen looks particularly sharp right now. Given Diazs status and contract, it will be hard for LA to relinquish the closer role after four appearances, but come postseason time, if things dont get better, he will be out of a job.

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Aug 1, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Belinda Bencic (SUI) reacts after losing a point against Karolina Muchova (CZE) in third round play at IGA Stadium. David Kirouac-Imagn ImagesBelinda Bencic found herself locked in a closely contested battle with Taylor Townsend in the third round of the Canadian Open, narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of the American.Bencics emotions came to the fore during the tense contest as she voiced her frustrations toward her coaching team in her players box, which included her husband and fitness coach, Martin Hromkovi.Belinda Bencic Survives a Scare Against Taylor Townsend in TorontoNo. 12 seed Bencic made a strong start to her campaign at the WTA 1000 event in Toronto by securing a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Sloane Stephens in her opening match, following a first-round bye.The 29-year-old faced a much tougher test in her third-round showdown with Taylor Townsend. Although Bencic fended off three set points in the opening set, Townsend edged her out in the tiebreak. Nevertheless, the Swiss fought back to clinch the second-set tiebreak and force a decider.Despite winning the set, Bencic appeared unimpressed with her coaching teams demeanor in her players box, lashing out in an animated outburst during the changeover.Can you man up and be loud? You! Yes, she said. Shut up.However, Bencic regained her composure when she took the court for the third set and eventually sealed a 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-4 victory after a grueling three-hour, 26-minute marathon.On a personal level, Bencic not only has her husband by her side in Toronto but also their two-year-old daughter, Bella. During a press conference after her second-round win, the 29-year-old credited the Canadian Open for making their stay more convenient while traveling with a toddler.Shes here with us, and the tournament is very nice. They said that they would provide an extra room paid for the moms that are traveling with the kids, so you have a bit more space for your team and all your luggage and everything. Its really nice from the tournament, Bencic said.I, in general, think the tournaments are getting so much better at helping with this and that. Sometimes they have like a kids corner or like some toys or some area to play, she added.MORE:Aryna Sabalenka Defends Her Bold US Open Outfit Amid Criticism You Cannot Impress EveryoneUp next, Belinda Bencic will square off against No. 25 seed Alexandra Eala in the fourth round of the Canadian Open. The winner of their highly anticipated encounter is set to face either No. 4 seed Coco Gauff or qualifier Alina Korneeva in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event.This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

Kyle Schwarber has hit 33 home runs this year, putting him in a four-way tie for second.Getty ImagesThe dog days of the summer have almost entirely eaten away at the profits for the MLB best home run bets this season. Sadly, Yordan Alvarez and Jac Caglianone didnt homer on Wednesday, running the cold streak to 12 straight picks. The seasons record for home run bets now sits at 18-71, with three no-bets.Long-shot bets are a blast when cashing them, but theyre also prone to extended droughts, and the MLB best home run bets are mired in a nasty one. Anyone who has bet $100 on each of the suggested home run props at the listed odds has profited only $61, an unsatisfying number but still better than being in the red. Two left-handed slugging teammates in their homer-friendly ballpark today have a drool-inducing matchup. Both players have an excellent opportunity to reach the seats, making their home run bets the best on Saturdays MLB slate.MLB Best Home Run BetsKyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies - OF)Over 0.5 Home Runs (+230) at FanDuel SportsbookKyle Schwarber is in the hunt for the 2026 MLB home run crown, sitting in a four-way tie in second place with 33 homers. The 33-year-old masher has hit 21 homers against right-handed pitching, 20 at home and 16 at home against right-handed pitching. The veteran slugger has high-quality batted-ball data. Among 250 qualified hitters in 2026, he is tied for 38th in barrels per plate appearance rate (8.4%), seventh in barrels per batted-ball event rate (17.1%), 15th in hard-hit rate (52.1%), tied for ninth in fly-ball and line-drive exit velocity (97.5 mph), tied for 48th in maximum exit velocity (113.2 mph), 22nd in launch-angle sweet-spot rate (40.0%) and ninth in steepest launch angle (21.5 degrees).Schwarber has the best matchup against a starting pitcher on todays MLB slate to hit a home run. Max Scherzers 2.64 home runs allowed per nine innings (HR/9) in 2026 are the most among todays probable starting pitchers. Torontos bullpen isnt bulletproof, either, allowing 1.00 HR/9 this season.The park factors are also ideal for Schwarber. Citizens Bank Parks 126 park factor for homers for left-handed batters since 2025 ranks second. Schwarber has a chalky +230 line to hit a home run, but its not as chalky as it should be, making it a compelling home run prop to end the dry spell. Bryce Harper can take advantage of a drool-inducing matchup and hit a home run today.Getty ImagesBryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies - OF)Over 0.5 Home Runs (+300) at FanDuel SportsbookBryce Harper has smashed 24 home runs this year, belting 20 against right-handed pitching, 12 at home and 10 at home against right-handed pitching. Like his aforementioned teammate, he has a dreamy matchup and excellent park factors to hit a home run today. I sandbagged some numbers on Scherzer. The 42-year-old righty has allowed nine homers in eight starts this season, permitting at least one in five turns and coughing up multiple home runs in three. In addition, Scherzer has allowed six of his nine home runs to left-handed batters this year. Harper has the power and the caliber of batted-ball data needed to take advantage of his matchup and park factors today. Among 250 qualified batters this year, Harper is tied for 58th in barrels per plate appearance rate (7.4%), tied for 63rd in barrels per batted-ball event rate (11.5%), 72nd in hard-hit rate (44.9%), tied for 66th in fly-ball and line-drive exit velocity (94.7 mph), 43rd in maximum exit velocity (113.5 mph), tied for 48th in launch-angle sweet-spot rate (37.5%) and has a 12.7-degree launch angle.Scherzer is homer-prone enough to cough up home runs to both Schwarber and Harper. Thus, Harpers +300 odds to hit a home run are also appealing. Finally, the weather forecast is warm in Philadelphia, with the wind slightly blowing out to right field, further enhancing the chances of Schwarber and Harper hitting home runs.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty ImagesThe WNBA may feature two former NBA first-round picks in the league next season.The WNBA is currently at the center of a major debate around the potential inclusion of transgender athletes in the W. As expected, the majority is against that notion.However, some players and coaches have openly supported the idea of trans athletes in the league. Keeping that in mind, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom recently declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft.While fans were still taking in the Kanter news, another former NBA player has announced his interest in the 2027 WNBA Draft.Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty ImagesRoyce White declares for 2027 WNBA DraftWhite made an exclusive appearance on Fox News to express his interest and desire to become a WNBA player.Im transgender. Im a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so Ill be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well, White said.I think Id be unstoppable. But Im a team-first guy. Im a pass-first kind of player. I do the little things. I led my team in all five major stat categories at Iowa State University, so I do a little bit of everything.Ill do whatever the coach needs me to do. Ill do whatever the girls need me to do I think its only fair, White continued.Although White featured in just three NBA games during his career, lets not forget that he is 68, 270lbs and was a top-15 pick during the 2012 draft.Royce White threatens legal action unless WNBA makes a statementWhite then directly challenged the WNBA and urged them to release a statement against his declaration.I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Womens Association, White added.But what if the WNBA ignores his declaration without a definitive statement? The 35-year-old is ready to pursue a legal route.Oh, no, Im declaring. And I dont want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. Im a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete, he said.White concluded, stating, I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, thats, thats ridiculous, he said. Were gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I cant play.With White and Kanters recent declarations, this puts the ball in the WNBAs court, as the league needs to put out a clear set of rules before the situation gets out of hand.Read more:Why USA had no choice but to make Caitlin Clark U-turn decision after controversial call in 2024Clay Travis wildly says French trans athlete is GOAT over LeBron James, Michael Jordan amid WNBA rumorsDave Portnoy praises his beauty during reaction to Caitlin Clarks costly mistake vs. Aces

Mexico's men's soccer team will return to the Olympics in 2028, booking a place in the Los Angeles Games with a 2-1 victory over Canada in the semifinal of the Concacaf U-20 Championship on Friday, Aug. 7 in Mexico City.Since the 2028 host nation, the United States, arrived in the final of the U-20 tournament earlier Friday with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica, the Mexico-Canada semifinal put a direct berth to the Olympics on the line.Canada, managed by senior national team coach Jesse Marsch, started sensationally with CF Montreal prospect Owen Graham-Roache setting himself up for a volleyed shot from outside the box to give Canada the lead in the sixth minute.GRAHAM-ROACHE WITH A STRIKE TO REMEMBER pic.twitter.com/htfhkJUSVw Concacaf (@Concacaf) August 8, 2026But the hosts responded with a tremendous goal of their own just after the start of the second half, with defender Cristobal Alfaro sizing up a shot from the top of the area and sending home the equalizer just three minutes after coming on.Cristbal Alfaro vuelve a encender la ilusin mexicana! pic.twitter.com/7doppqAV63 Concacaf (@Concacaf) August 8, 2026The game turned in the 67th minute, when Canada midfielder Liam Mackenzie saw his second yellow card of the match while trying to pull off a turn.The referee ruled he put his hand to the face of the defender before making the move, but the player was shocked by the decision and drew the VAR signal multiple times. There was no intervention, and Canada went down a man.View this post on InstagramMexico was able to make its advantage count in the 78th minute, with Chivas winger Hugo Camberos stepping up and converting a penalty to give Mexico a lead it wouldn't relenquish.Men's soccer at the Olympic Games is an Under-23 tournament, with countries allowed to name three overage players to suit up for their country.It is a tournament in which Mexico has enjoyed considerable success, winning the gold medal in 2012 and taking bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Games, their last participation.Women's soccer does not have the same age restrictions, meaning full senior teams participate. Three Concacaf teams will qualify for that tournament in addition to the host U.S., with the Concacaf W Championship taking place in November and December of this year serving as the qualification tournament.Mexico's women's team made its only appearance at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.Mexico and the U.S. close out the U-20 tournament with the championship game on Sunday, Aug. 9.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico men's soccer secures 2028 Olympics berth with win over Canada in U-20 Championship

Bangladesh have said former star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan had no prospect of returning to play after he joined a media event with ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a convicted fugitive.Shakib joined the event by telephone in New Delhi on Wednesday, where Hasina addressed journalists, two years after she was forced from power following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests.Bangladesh Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said the government had previously taken a more open approach towards Shakib, who was a politician for Hasinas former ruling Awami League party.Shakib, who is currently in Sri Lanka, was among dozens facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters that toppled Hasinas government.We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore, Haque said in a statement.Someone who has taken the stage with the autocrat no longer has any opportunity to return.Shakib, 39, is Bangladeshs most successful cricketer and one of the countrys best-known sporting figures. He has played more than 400 international matches and represented Bangladesh at five World Cups.Rights groups have long accused Hasinas former administration of abuses including the murder of rivals, suppression of opposition parties, rigged courts and one-sided elections.A court in Dhaka found Hasina guilty in absentia in November 2025 of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to be hanged. She remains in hiding in India.All-rounder Shakib announced his retirement plans in September 2024 after his teams second Test in India but later said he would play a full series before calling it quits.The Bangladesh Cricket Board said in January he could play again, but his involvement in the event in India on Wednesday caused anger, with Shakib saying his house had been petrol-bombed as a result.On Thursday, Shakib said he was prepared to return to Bangladesh from his exile in Sri Lanka to face trial on charges including murder. He also said he hoped to play for his country again at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, having led the team at the last edition in 2023.