San Diego, CA
How To Watch NL Wild Card Series: Milwaukee, San Diego The Favorites
Francisco Lindor two-run, ninth-inning homer against Atlanta on Monday propelled the New York Mets … [+]
The New York Mets and Atlanta traded celebrations on the same Truist Field on Monday, when the wild National League wild card race was finally decided.
The NL needed an extra day and two postponed games to settle things, but when Atlanta beat the Mets 3-0 to salvage a split in a doubleheader pushed back because of Hurricane Helene, Arizona was left out.
All three finished the regular season at 89-73, but the Diamondbacks lost a tiebreaker after losing season series to Atlanta (5-2) and the Mets (4-3).
“We’re in, and anything can happen,” manager Brian Snitker said after Atlanta secured a playoff berth for the seventh straight season.
Marcell Ozuna had 39 homers to help Atlanta to its seventh straight postseason appearance. (AP … [+]
The Diamondbacks can lament the final eight days of the season — they lost an 8-0 lead in a 10-9 loss at Milwaukee on Sept. 22 and lost home series to San Francisco and San Diego in the last week.
The Mets won 19 of their final 28 games, the best record in the majors, to reach the playoffs for the second time since 2016. Atlanta was 16-12 in that stretch and the Diamondbacks were 13-15. The Mets were 11 games under .500 open June 2.
Milwaukee and San Diego not only will have the home field field advantage, they will have the freshness edge after the Mets and Atlanta played 18 innings Monday.
No. 6 seed New York Mets (89-73) vs No. 3 seed Milwaukee (93-69)
Tuesday: New York Mets (Luis Severino, 11-7, 3.91 ERA) at Milwaukee (Freddy Peralta, 11-9, 3.68), ESPN, 4:30 pm ET
Wednesday: New York Mets at Milwaukee, ESPN, 6:30 pm ET
Thursday: New York Mets at Milwaukee ESPN2, 7:30 pm ET (if necessary)
Francisco Lindor will finish in the top three in NL MVP voting after his 33-homer, 29-stolen base … [+]
Season series: Milwaukee, 5-1. The Brewers opened the season with a three-game sweep in New York and closed the season by winning two of three. The Mets’ victory Sunday opened their window a little wider.
Players to watch/things to know
New York Mets: SS Francisco Lindor gave Shohei Ohtani a run for the NL MVP award with 33 homers, 91 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. He pushed the Mets into the playoffs with a two-run homer in the ninth inning of the 7-6 victory in the first game at Atlanta on Monday.
1B Pete Alonso had 34 homers and 88 RBIs in his walk year, and RF Brandon Nimmo had 90 RBIs and 23 homers, including big ones in the final week stretch against Philadelphia and Atlanta.
The Mets had four double-digit winners, led by lefty Sean Manaea, who tied his career high with 12 wins and had a carer-best 3.47 ERA after signing a two-year, $28 million deal last winter that includes a player option.
Willy Adames had a career year while helping Milwaukee to the NL Central title. (Photo by John … [+]
Milwaukee: SS Willy Adames set career highs in almost every offensive category — 32 homers, 112 RBIs, 33 doubles, 21 stolen bases — as he prepares to hit the free agent market this winter. 1B Rhys Hoskins has 26 homers and 82 RBIs in his first (and maybe only season) here.
Rookie Jackson Chourio made a late run at the Rookie of the Year award, finishing with 21 homers, 22 stolen bases and 79 RBIs. Chourio, who signed an eight-year, $82 million deal at the winter meetings, is the only player in major league history with a 20/20/20 three peat — 20 homers and stolen bases at age 20.
Jackson Chourio is the first player in major league history with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases at … [+]
The Brewers made the playoffs for sixth time in seven seasons under first-year manager Pat Murphy. He used 17 starting pitches, only three of whom make more than 14 starts. They have 64 defensive runs “saved,” according to Fangraphs, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most in the league, and have 217 stolen bases.
No. 5 seed Atlanta (89-73) vs No. 4 seed San Diego (93-69)
Tuesday: Atlanta (TBA) at San Diego (Michael King, 13-9, 2.95), ESPN, 7:30 pm ET
Wednesday: Atlanta at San Diego ESPN2, 7:30 pm ET
Thursday: Atlanta at San Diego, ESPN, 6 pm ET (if necessary)
Season series: San Diego won, 4-3. The Padres won three of four in Atlanta but lost two of three at home before the All-Star break. Chris Sale won both his starts agains the Padres, giving up one run in 12 innings.
Players to watch/things to know
Atlanta: Sale is the overwhelming favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award after going 18-3 with a league-leading 2.38 ERA in his first season in Atlanta, but his health is a major issue entering the playoffs.
Sale was scratched from his scheduled start in the second game of the Monday doubleheader against the Mets because of back spasms, and manager Snitker said he is unlikely to pitch against the Padres, a huge blow even for a team whose starters led the NL with a 3.56 ERA.
Matt Olson was a constant for injury-depleted Atlanta, hitting 29 homers while playing all 162 … [+]
DH Marcell Ozuna (39 homers, 104 RBIs) and 1B Matt Olson (29/98) were two of the only three players with least 450 at-bats for the injury-ravaged Braves. RF Ronald Acuna, the 2023 NL MVP, has been out with a knee injury since May and 3B Austin Riley (19 homers) will miss the postseason with a broken hand suffered Aug. 18.
San Diego: 3B Manny Machado (29 homers), LF Jurickson Profar (24), CF Jackson Merrill (24) and RF Fernando Tatis Jr. (21) lead a balanced offense that got a bump when DH/IF Luis Arraez (.318) was acquired from Miami to fill the leadoff hole May 4. Arraez won his third batting title in three seasons.
Manny Machado helped San Diego take two of three from Arizona in the final series of the regular … [+]
Offseason acquisitions RHPs Dylan Cease and King anchor a solid rotation, and RHP Roberto Suarez had a career-high 36 saves in his first season as a closer. Merrill is a top candidate for NL Rookie of the Year, adding 90 RBIs.
The Padres are 43-19 since July 19, the best record in the majors over that span by three games. The Dodgers held them off in the division by going 41-23 in that same stretch. San Diego does a lot well. They lead the NL in batting average (263), are fifth in ERA (3.86), tied for first in shutouts (16) and fourth in fielding percentage.
Remarkably, the San Diego State Aztecs can still win a share of the Mountain West title despite losing four of their last five games.
SDSU (19-10, 13-6) needs to beat UNLV (16-14, 11-8) on Friday night in its home finale and then have New Mexico win at Utah State on Saturday for a three-way tie.
The Aztecs had their destiny in their hands less than a week ago, but then lost at New Mexico (13-6) on Saturday and then again at Boise State on Tuesday night, pretty much snuffing out their NCAA Tournament at-large bid chances and apparently ending their hopes at the MW title in their final season in the conference.
But then Utah State (14-5) was routed at UNLV and New Mexico lost at home to Nevada, setting up the possibility of a three-way tie. It’ll be moot, however, if the Aggies beat the Lobos, which will give them the title outright and the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.
That’s life in the MW, which the Aztecs and Aggies are leaving after this season to join the new-look Pac-12, along with Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State.
The big picture
The Aztecs were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the regular-season title, based on a loaded roster under coach Brian Dutcher, including the return of Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath after pulling out of the NBA Draft, and Reese Dixon-Waters after missing last year with a foot injury.
But it’s been a rough go from almost the start, when a rough showing in the non-conference schedule put them on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
They started to find themselves early in league play by running off a seven-game losing streak, but then lost consecutive games at Grand Canyon and Utah State. Their current skid includes a surprising home loss to Grand Canyon and then a startling road loss to Colorado State.
They routed Utah State at home last week before losing at New Mexico on Saturday and then being routed at Boise State on Tuesday night, when they were outrebounded 37-15.
The last three games were all Quad 1 opportunities in the NCAA NET Rankings, but going 1-2 in those games further hurt their already weak chances at an at-large tourney berth. Those rankings are used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee as the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for March Madness.
Now they’ll almost certainly have to win three games in three days at the MW tournament to claim the automatic bid to reach March Madness for the sixth straight year.
Key facts
The Aztecs will be facing UNLV for the final time in the regular season, as the Runnin’ Rebels will be remaining behind in the MW.
The teams will meet for the 86th time overall, with the Aztecs leading the series 45-40. SDSU is 21-14 against the Runnin’ Rebels in San Diego and 18-8 on Steve Fisher Court.
Below is a look at how to watch UNLV at San Diego State
How to watch UNLV at San Diego State
Date: Friday, March 6
Game time: 7 p.m. PT
Where: Viejas Arena | San Diego
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
How to listen: San Diego Sports 760 (local)
On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.
The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”
The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.
The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Wyoming’s per capita personal income reaches fourth in the nation
Bitcoin dives again after disappointing jobs report, ending midweek rally | Fortune
Arsenal Braced for Shock Sale to Combat Looming Financial Issues—Report
Air Force revises physical fitness program, score charts to boost airmen health
‘Hoppers’ movie review: Big ideas and smart emotional beats fuel a great adventure
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Appeals court declares DC ban on certain gun magazines unconstitutional
‘No deal with Iran except unconditional surrender,’ Trump says
A dead woman’s key fob and two grisly crime scenes: How the Utah triple-murder suspect was tracked across state lines | CNN
DOJ continues Biden autopen probe despite former president unlikely to face charges
Fact check: Did French border guards mock influencers returning from Dubai amid Iran war?
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin5 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling