Going down to the wire
UNDATED (AP) — There are just three days remaining on baseball’s regular-season schedule and there are still races to be decided.
The Yankees and Orioles begin tonight’s play tied for the AL East lead. New York hosts rival Boston and Baltimore puts a four-game winning streak on the line at Tampa Bay. The loser of the division race will get a wild card.
Detroit has a magic number of one to clinch the AL Central heading into its outing at Kansas City. Second-place Chicago plays at Cleveland.
Playoff-bound Texas holds a two-game lead over Oakland atop the AL West and is getting set to host a three-game series with the Athletics. The Rangers are one game ahead of the Yanks and O’s for best record in the league. The A’s can clinch a playoff spot with one more win.
Also in the AL tonight, the L.A. Angels cling to playoff hopes at Seattle and Minnesota plays at Toronto.
Washington begins tonight’s game against visiting Philadelphia tied with Cincinnati for best record in the National League and with a magic number of one for clinching the East title. Second-place Atlanta plays at Pittsburgh.
The Central champion Reds will have Dusty Baker back on the bench tonight at St. Louis. Their skipper has been away for almost two weeks after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. The Cardinals lead the Dodgers by two games for the second wild card and both have three games left on their schedule. Los Angeles hosts the West champion San Francisco Giants.
Elsewhere under the lights, Chicago is home to Houston, New York is at Miami, Milwaukee hosts San Diego and Colorado plays at Arizona.
Pagano diagnosed with leukemia
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has been diagnosed with leukemia and could miss at least Sunday’s game against Green Bay.
The 51-year-old Pagano is in his first season as a head coach. He was hired in January after serving as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Symptoms can include weakness, weight loss and easy bruising or bleeding. According to the National Cancer Institute, treatments can include chemotherapy, drugs and radiation therapy.
Pagano earned his first win Sept. 16 against the Vikings. The 1-2 Colts had a bye last weekend.
Points expected to be at a premium tonight in Big D
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Two defensive minded teams will be sharing the field tonight for the NFL’s Week 4 finale. The Cowboys will host the Bears for a matchup of 2-1 teams.
The Cowboys defense is ranked No. 1 overall and the Bears are sixth.
Both teams have been sputtering on offense, with Dallas ranked 20th and Chicago 27th.
The Cowboys are coming off a 16-10 win over Tampa Bay. The Bears beat St. Louis 23-6 last time out.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston at N-Y Yankees 6:05 p.m.
Chi White Sox at Cleveland 6:05 p.m.
Minnesota at Toronto 6:07 p.m.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay 6:10 p.m.
Detroit at Kansas City 7:10 p.m.
Texas at Oakland 9:05 p.m.
L.A. Angels at Seattle 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Atlanta at Pittsburgh 6:05 p.m.
Philadelphia at Washington 6:05 p.m.
N-Y Mets at Miami 6:10 p.m.
Houston at Chi Cubs 7:05 p.m.
San Diego at Milwaukee 7:10 p.m.
Cincinnati at St. Louis 7:15 p.m.
Colorado at Arizona 8:40 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers 9:10 p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Chicago at Dallas 7:30 p.m.