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Drew Rasmussen Allows Two Homers in Otherwise Strong Start
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen allowed two earned runs on eight hits (two home runs) while walking none and striking out seven in six innings pitched in a no-decision on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians in a 7-3 loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Rasmussen was not quite as good as he was in his start in the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees, when he tossed eight shutout innings with just one hit and 10 strikeouts, but he did enough to put the Rays in position to take the first game of the best-of-seven series. Rasmussen allowed solo shots to outfielder Chase DeLauter in the sixth inning and to catcher Patrick Bailey in the seventh inning. He has been great for Tampa in his two starts so far this postseason, posting a 1.29 ERA with 17 strikeouts and only two walks in 14 innings. Rasmussen has only made five playoff appearances in his career, but he has allowed only five earned runs with two walks and 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Fasusi Close to Returning
Oklahoma offensive lineman Michael Fasusi (shoulder) is "just about ready" to play, according to head coach Brent Venables. The coach still said Fasusi had to clear a couple more hurdles, but also said he was excited to get him back soon. Oklahoma is trending up after upsetting Texas last week, and now possibly getting a top o-lineman back, the Sooners could keep surging in the second half of the season. The Sooners' offense could use more help, as they are averaging just 304.6 yards and 23 points per game so far. Fasusi played 11 games for the Sooners as a freshman, but has been limited to one contest so far this year.
Source: Colton Sulley - The Oklahoman
Source: Colton Sulley - The Oklahoman
Rams Moving on From Harrison Mevis After Overtime Miss
The Los Angeles Rams are moving on from kicker Harrison Mevis, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Mevis missed both of his field goal attempts in Monday night's overtime loss to the Bills, including a potential game-winner that was blocked by Greg Rousseau. Mevis has now missed four of nine field goal attempts, and with the Rams falling to 2-3, the team is signing fourth-year veteran Blake Grupe off the New York Jets' practice squad. Splitting time between the Saints and Colts in 2025, Grupe was perfect on nine field goal attempts and 25 extra points.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Danny Scudero May Not Return in Week 7
Colorado wide receiver Danny Scudero (lower body) might not be on the field for the team's Week 7 matchup against Utah, according to head coach Deion Sanders. Scudero has appeared in two games so far, catching five passes for 24 yards and rushing twice for 14 yards. He starred at San Jose State in 2025, catching 88 passes for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, so he was expected to be a big part of the Colorado offense. Without Scudero around, just three Colorado pass catchers are over 10 receptions. Wideout Joseph Williams leads the team with 454 yards and five scores across 32 receptions. Wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. has 18 grabs for 242 yards and a touchdown, while wideout Quannell Farrakhan Jr. has 12 catches for 148 yards. Utah will be a tough matchup for whoever plays for Colorado - the Utes' defense have allowed 13 points and 285 yards per game to this point of the season.
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has Forgettable Game 2 Start in Milwaukee
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not have the kind of start that the Dodgers needed from him in the Game 2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in the National League Championship Series. Yamamoto surrendered three earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out only one in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a no-decision. It was one of the Japanese hurler's worst showings in his postseason career, especially after he threw a seven-inning gem with one walk, one run allowed, and 10 strikeouts in the Game 3 win over the Atlanta Braves in the NL Division Series on Oct. 6. Yamamoto did not have his swing-and-miss stuff working in this one, which was the shortest playoff outing of his career. He could certainly bounce back if the Dodgers extend the series, but they will certainly have to win Game 3 of the NLCS back in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Yamamoto now has a 2.47 career ERA in the playoffs with 59 strikeouts and 15 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched in 12 outings (11 starts) for the Dodgers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Keaton Mitchell Remains a Long-term Stash Despite a Quiet Week
Despite modest results in a Week 5 loss to the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell remains heavily involved in what has been arguably the league's most disappointing offense, pointing to potentially brighter days ahead. For the second week in a row, the Chargers leaned on a three-way backfield split, with Mitchell, Omarion Hampton, and Kimani Vidal all seeing the field for at least 20 snaps, and each seeing at least nine opportunities. Vidal, while still the least utilized, has been the team's most efficient runner, but Mitchell remains the designated passing back, with his 14 targets through five weeks more than doubling the combined total of the other two. While the current split makes none of the Chargers' backs a reliable weekly start, Mitchell's big-play ability, coupled with multiple paths to an expanded workload, makes him a must-roster player and a waiver stash to target wherever he's still available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac Wilson Starting over Julian Lewis in Week 7
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders announced that Isaac Wilson will start over Julian Lewis at quarterback in Week 7 against Utah. Wilson is a transfer from Utah, and has appeared in three games so far. He's completed 56.3% of his passes for 443 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 31 yards across 22 attempts. Lewis has played in four games, completing 64.2% of his passes for 733 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions - he's rushed for a touchdown, but not much else on the ground. Wilson's matchup against his old team is a very tough one, as the Utes have allowed just 13 points and 285 yards per game to this point of the season.
Source: Brian Howell - On3
Source: Brian Howell - On3
William Contreras Ignites Brewers Offense in Game 2 Win
Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras continued to be a star offensively for the Brew Crew in the team's Game 2 win over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series on Monday. Contreras went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, three RBI, and a walk to help Milwaukee take a commanding 2-0 series lead, with the teams heading to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Venezuelan backstop continues to be one of the best all-around catchers in the game, and he is showing the world this postseason. The three-time All-Star hit .270/.341/.417 with a .758 OPS, 18 home runs, a career-high 94 RBI, 82 runs scored, and a stolen base in 147 games and 640 plate appearances during the regular season. Contreras has been even better in the playoffs, going 9-for-23 (.391) with three home runs, five RBI, four runs scored, and four walks in six games against the Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He will look to keep it up in Game 3 in L.A. on Wednesday as the Brewers look to put a stranglehold on the Dodgers in the series.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillip Daniels Expected to Return for Big Week 7 Clash
Ohio State right tackle Phillip Daniels (lower body) is expected back in the lineup for the team's showdown with Indiana on Saturday. He suffered the injury against Texas, so Ohio State has been without a big piece of their o-line for the past four games. Daniels is in his third collegiate season after spending 2024 with Minnesota before coming over to Ohio State. He's logged 27 games so far and will be a welcomed addition for a stiff test against Indiana. The Hoosiers have allowed just 263.5 yards and 11.8 points per game defensively, but the Buckeyes' offense has plenty of talent, and should be even better with Daniels back out there.
Source: Spencer Holbrook - On3
Source: Spencer Holbrook - On3
Dodgers Consider Benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of NLCS
The Los Angeles Dodgers will contemplate benching two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, even with the team down two games to none, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal. "He doesn't feel great. I think for me, it's having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what's best for him, what's best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it," manager Dave Roberts said. The four-time MVP has dealt with knee and biceps issues since the start of the second half of the regular season and has not looked like himself at the plate for a while now. If the Dodgers sit Ohtani on Wednesday, rookie outfielder Josue De Paula would be the top candidate to take his spot as the designated hitter. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the Game 2 loss to Milwaukee on Monday, lowering his playoff average to .150 and his postseason OPS to .411. He has not homered since Aug. 18 and has driven in just one run since Aug. 19, going 14-for-90 in that stretch. Ohtani has clearly not been himself and is still likely not 100% physically, but it is still unfathomable to think the Dodgers might actually bench the superstar for Game 3 in L.A. on Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal
Kaelon Black Potentially in Line for an Expanded Role
As injuries continue to mount for the San Francisco 49ers, rookie running back Kaelon Black could soon be tasked with handling a heavier workload, adding modest flex appeal to his potentially week-winning insurance value. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), who has carried the ball nine times on the year, is the latest Niners player to succumb to injury, now expected to miss a handful of games with a hamstring injury. Through five weeks, Black has handled a 36.2% running back rush share, but with San Francisco's receiver room stretched so thin by injury, there is added potential for Black and Christian McCaffrey to share the field more frequently, with the latter split out wide. With four NFL teams on bye in Week 6, Black becomes a desperation flex option in deeper leagues and needs to be rostered in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Freddy Peralta to Start Game 2 of ALCS Against Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Freddy Peralta will start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night, with "the rest of the guys on call" out of the bullpen, according to Rays reporter Ryan Bass. Peralta will try to keep the Rays from falling into a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler allowed an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the division-rival New York Yankees in Game 2 of the AL Division Series, and he has a 4.03 ERA (4.76 FIP) and a 44:14 K:BB in 38 career postseason innings. Peralta went 10-11 overall in 2026 with the Rays and New York Mets, posting a 4.42 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 156 strikeouts in 169 innings across 32 starts. He was a little better in Tampa, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:15 K:BB in his 10 regular-season starts. Peralta did not face Cleveland at all during the regular season.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Kyle Efford Medically Retires from Football
Georgia Tech linebacker Kyle Efford has medically retired from college football. He announced his decision on Tuesday, citing an accumulation of injuries over his career. Efford got in three games this season and posted 27 combined tackles, including a sack and two tackles for losses. Over his five years in college football, Efford tallied 250 combined tackles, with 10.5 going for losses. He also has 6.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble over his career. Even with only playing three games so far, he sits fifth on the team in tackles. Defensive lineman Tawfig Thomas and defensive back Tae Harris have 32 combined tackles each to lead the team, while defensive end Taje McCoy has 30 and linebacker E.J. Lightsey has 28.
Source: Kelly Quinlan - On3
Source: Kelly Quinlan - On3
Chig Okonkwo a Waiver Target at TE Now That He's Healthy
Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo was injured in his debut with the team in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles and missed the next two weeks, but now that he is back and healthy, the 27-year-old is in play as a waiver-wire pickup at the TE position as bye weeks begin to thin out fantasy managers' options. Okonkwo had his best game in the Week 5 overtime tie versus the division-rival New York Giants on Sunday, catching four of his six targets for 60 yards. He is even more appealing as a streamer at the position going into a Week 6 contest on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers with receiver Stefon Diggs (hamstring) banged up. The matchup against the undefeated 49ers on the road is not ideal, but Okonkwo will have sleeper appeal going into that game if Diggs misses a second straight contest. Before Okonkwo's early-season injury, he was considered a potential breakout at the TE position heading into his first year in D.C. The 49ers' defense has allowed only 6.0 half-PPR points to the position through five weeks, which is tied for the fourth-fewest in the league.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chargers Not Considering Trading Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers have never discussed the idea of potentially trading quarterback Justin Herbert, a team source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Schefter admitted that the idea of the Chargers trading Herbert for three first-round picks would be intriguing and would allow the 0-5 team to rebuild for the future, but it sounds as though the Bolts have no interest in trading away their franchise signal-caller despite the bad start and injuries piling up around him on offense. Things could change if the Chargers continue to lose -- they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 -- but as of now, it is a non-starter for the organization, and it does not even sound like they are willing to listen to trade offers for Herbert. The 28-year-old has struggled in new coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme through five weeks, but L.A.'s grinder of a schedule has not made it any easier. Herbert is completing 59.4% of his passes for 937 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and is already working with a patchwork offensive line in front of him. He has quickly fallen down to low-end QB2 status, and it is going to be difficult for him to bounce back this weekend against KC given all the injuries to the Chargers' WR corps.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
