Important outing for the Jets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The New York Jets will be trying to keep playoff hopes alive tonight when they take the field in Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans.
The 6-7 Jets can climb within a game of the AFC’s sixth and final playoff seed. They finish against three teams with losing records starting with Tennessee.
The 4-9 Titans already are eliminated and trying to keep jobs.
New York has won two straight and three of four to remain in the hunt.
Best in the West clash
UNDATED (AP) — There is an early season NBA showdown tonight in Oklahoma City, where the league-leading Thunder await the second-place San Antonio Spurs. The home team has won 10 straight and sports a 19-6 record. That’s good for a six-game lead over Minnesota in the Northwest Division race. The visitors from the Lone Star State sit 19-6 and are two games ahead of second place Memphis in the Southwest Division race.
Also tonight, the New York Knicks will be trying to improve their Eastern Conference-leading 18-5 record when they host Houston, the L.A. Clippers take a nine-game winning streak onto the court at Detroit, Memphis will host Chicago and Sacramento plays at Phoenix.
Duke moves to No. 1 in AP poll after Indiana loss
Duke is back in a familiar place — No. 1
The Blue Devils advanced one spot to replace Indiana at the top of The Associated Press’ Top 25 on Monday, drawing closer to UCLA’s record for most No. 1 rankings.
Indiana (9-1) held the top spot from the preseason poll through the first five weeks of the season. Butler beat the Hoosiers 88-86 in overtime Saturday. The Blue Devils (9-0), who were off last week, received 62 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel.
This is the 123rd week Duke has been No. 1, 11 weeks behind UCLA.
Michigan (11-0), which received the other No. 1 votes, and Syracuse moved up one place each to second and third. They were followed in the top 10 by Arizona, Louisville, Indiana, Ohio State, Florida, Kansas and Illinois.
Tigers announce 5-year deal with Anibal Sanchez
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a five-year contract with right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez.
Sanchez will be at a news conference Monday afternoon. The team didn’t disclose financial terms, but a person familiar with it told The Associated Press last week on condition of anonymity that the deal is worth $80 million.
Sanchez helped Detroit reach the World Series this year. He had a 1.77 ERA in 20 1-3 innings over three postseason starts, but was 1-2 because the Tigers were shut out in each of his losses.
Detroit acquired the 28-year-old Venezuelan in July from Miami along with second baseman Omar Infante for right-hander Jacob Turner and two minor leaguers. He is 48-51 with a 3.75 ERA since making his major league debut with the Marlins in 2006.