The highlights of Friday's AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, https://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, https://newsroom.ap.org. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports

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AUDIO HEADLINES

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat was on display in Major League Baseball Thursday night, a two time world champion is returning to the dugout, it was a passing display on the NFL’s Thursday night game, and Caitlin Clark gathers more laurels.

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark a near-unanimous choice as WNBA’s Rookie of the Year

The American League Divisional Series are all set

All times EDT

TOP STORIES

BBO--BYE WEEK BLUES

Shohei Ohtani has mashed 100 mph fastballs for homers, stolen bases against some of the game's best catchers and recently wrapped up one of the best regular seasons in Major League Baseball history. Now the Japanese superstar and his Los Angeles Dodgers have to face arguably their most difficult test: a five-day break. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. SENT: 700 words, photos.

With:

—BBA--ALDS-TIGERS-GUARDIANS-PREVIEW. By Tom Withers. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m.

—BBN--NLDS-METS-PHILLIES-PREVIEW. By Dan Gelston. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 8 p.m.

—BBA--ALDS-ROYALS-YANKEES PREVIEW. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 8 p.m.

—BBN--NLDS-PADRES-DODGERS PREVIEW. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 9 p.m.

BKL--LIBERTY-ACES

LAS VEGAS — The New York Liberty go for the sweep when they meet the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals. By Mark Anderson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 9:30 p.m.

Also:

— BKL--LYNX-SUN. Series tied 1-1. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.

BKN--LAKERS-LEBRON & BRONNY

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The Lakers haven't confirmed whether LeBron James and Bronny James will both play when Los Angeles opens its preseason schedule against the Timberwolves in the Coachella Valley. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 10:30 p.m.

Also:

— BKN--CELTICS-NUGGETS. Game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, started at noon. UPCOMING: 200 words, photos.

HKN--DEVILS-SABRES

PRAGUE — The New Jersey Devils play the Buffalo Sabres as the NHL opens its regular season with the first of two weekend games in Prague. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game started at 1 p.m.

US--HURRICANE HELENE-SPORTS

A year ago, Pisgah High School in the western North Carolina community of Canton reopened its football stadium after it was ravaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. Now it has to be rebuilt again after being virtually destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Amid the lives lost and the catastrophic damage, high schools in dozens of communities are shut down and with that the prep sports that binds so many towns together. By John Raby. SENT: 900 words, photos.

With:

—US--HURRICANE HELENE-SPORTS-DONATIONS — Amid Hurricane Helene’s destruction, sports organizations launch relief efforts to aid storm victims. By Aaron Beard. SENT: 760 words, photos.

—US--HURRICANE HELENE-SPORTS-COLLEGES — College sports “fraternity” jumping in to help athletes from schools impacted by Hurricane Helene. By Steve Reed. SENT: 990 words, photos.

ANALYSIS

FBN--ON FOOTBALL-HOT SEAT

In a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, past success doesn't matter. NFL coaches have to win now to keep their jobs. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.

NOTABLE

FBN--JETS-LONDON

WARE, England — Aaron Rodgers talked some football but mostly relationships — those with coach Robert Saleh and former teammate Davante Adams, in particular — after the New York Jets landed in London. By Ken Maguire. SENT: 830 words, photos.

FBN--VIKINGS-JEFFERSON-MR INTERNATIONAL

LONDON — He played soccer with Vinicius Junior in Brazil and walked the runway with pal Joe Burrow in Paris. Now, he’s bringing the Griddy back to London. In other words, Justin Jefferson is right at home. The Minnesota Vikings receiver is embracing the international spotlight and becoming a global star at the right time as the NFL adds more games in foreign cities. By Ken Maguire. SENT: 650 words, photos.

FBC--T25-MICHIGAN STATE-OREGON

EUGENE, Ore. — Michigan State visits No. 6 Oregon. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts at 9 p.m.

FBC--T25-SYRACUSE-UNLV

LAS VEGAS — Syracuse plays No. 25 UNLV. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game starts at 9 p.m.

CAR--NASCAR-BUSCH'S STREAK

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Time is running out for Kyle Busch, who has just six races remaining this season to extending his winning streak to 20 consecutive years with a victory. His near-miss last week at Kansas left him feeling "numb" and now heads to Talladega Superspeedway desperate for a trip to victory lane. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. UPCOMING: 800 words by 7 p.m.

SOC--MLS-BUBBLE STRUGGLE

As the MLS postseason looms, D.C. United is one of a just a handful of teams on the bubble for a playoff spot with two games remaining in the regular season. At the same time D.C. United is clamoring for a berth, striker Christian Benteke has nearly secured the Golden Boot for most goals this season. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 6 p.m.

SOC--FIFA-TRANSFERS-DIARRA

The European Union’s top court said Friday that some FIFA rules on player transfers are contrary to European Union legislation relating to competition and freedom of movement, in a ruling that will likely lead to a shake-up of the soccer market’s regulations and change the sport’s economy. By Samuel Petrequin. SENT: 900 words, photos.

GLF--SANDERSON FARMS

JACKSON, Miss. — David Skinns tries to back up his course-record 60, taking a three-shot lead into the second round of the Sanderson Farms Championship. UPCOMING: 600 words by 8 p.m. With GLF--Dunhill Links Championship (sent).

SAI--AMERICA'S CUP

BARCELONA, Spain — A British yacht is back in the America’s Cup finals for the first time since 1964 after INEOS Britannia finished off Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli on Friday. By Joseph Wilson. SENT: 720 words, photos.

MOVING TOMORROW

Coverage of Game 1 of MLB's four Division Series: Tigers-Guardians starts at 1:08 p.m.; Mets-Phillies starts at 4:08 p.m.; Royals-Yankees starts at 6:38 p.m.; Padres-Dodgers starts at 8:38 p.m.

FBC--T25-MISSOURI-TEXAS A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — No. 9 Missouri looks to improve to 5-0 when the Tigers hit the road for the first time this season to meet No. 25 Texas A&M, winners of three straight. Game starts at noon.

___

Friday’s EDT Time Schedule

NHL

New Jersey vs. Buffalo at Prague, 1 p.m.

NBA PRESEASON

Boston vs. Denver at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, noon

New Zealand Breakers at Utah, 9 p.m.

Minnesota at LA Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No. 6 Oregon vs. Michigan State, 9 p.m.

No. 25 UNLV vs. Syracuse, 9 p.m.

WNBA PLAYOFFS, SEMIFINALS

Minnesota at Connecticut, Game 3, 7:30 p.m.

New York at Las Vegas, Game 3, 9:30 p.m.

NWSL

Chicago at Houston, 8 p.m.

Angel City at Seattle, 10 p.m.