Sports
Matthew Stafford dealing with a finger sprain as Rams prepare for Bears
Matthew Stafford suffered a sprained right index finger in the Rams’ wild-card victory over the Carolina Panthers, but he will be ready for Sunday’s divisional-round game against the Bears in Chicago, coach Sean McVay said Monday.
“He’s as tough as it gets and will be good to go,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters.
Stafford injured his finger Saturday when his hand hit the helmet of a Panthers player during the Rams’ 34-31 victory in Charlotte, N.C. He played through the issue and passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winner to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left.
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Gary Klein breaks down what went right for the Rams in their 34-31 wild-card playoff victory over the Carolina Panthers.
In his postgame news conference, Stafford said he did not know what happened until he saw video that showed his finger bent backward.
“It wasn’t pleasant. It wasn’t great. We’ll see what it is,” said Stafford, who was not wearing a brace or splint. “Once the ball’s snapped, the adrenaline’s pretty good so we’ll hopefully just keep going.”
Stafford and the Rams are traveling to a cold-weather region, but Stafford has plenty of experience in those conditions, having played 12 seasons in the NFC North.
Temperatures in Chicago could be in the teens or lower when the Rams play the Bears, who defeated the Green Bay Packers, 31-27, Saturday at Soldier Field.
“Seems like it’s going to be pretty damn cold,” McVay said.
McVay said he was optimistic that offensive lineman Kevin Dotson, who has been sidelined for three games because of an ankle injury, would play against the Bears.
“We’re going to really push that thing and see how he feels with the optimism that there’s a good chance he makes it,” McVay said.
Tight end Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) and defensive back Josh Wallace (ankle) also could return after sitting out the last two games, McVay said. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon reinjured his shoulder against the Panthers and will be placed on injured reserve.
While the Rams are preparing for Sunday’s game, defensive coordinator Chris Shula, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase will interview virtually with NFL teams hiring head coaches.
According to reports, Shula will interview for the Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders head coaching jobs.
LaFleur will interview with the Cardinals and Raiders.
Scheelhaase will interview with the Cleveland Browns, Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.
“I’m not at all concerned about it being a distraction,” McVay said.
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Baseball is humming.
Here are the odds for the 2026 World Series at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 25.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
2026 World Series odds
Dodgers: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
Yankees: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Braves: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Mariners: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Rays: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Cubs: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Brewers: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Phillies: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Blue Jays: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Rangers: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Guardians: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Padres: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Red Sox: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Astros: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Athletics: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Tigers: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Mets: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Pirates: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Diamondbacks: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Orioles: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Twins: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Royals: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Reds: +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
White Sox: +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
Cardinals: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Giants: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Marlins: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Angels: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Rockies: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Nationals: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:
The Defending Champs: At the end of last season, the Dodgers became the first back-to-back World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000. In addition, L.A. won its third championship in the past six years. As for this season? L.A. has picked up right where it left off. As of May 25, the Dodgers are atop the NL West and have the third-best record in baseball (33-20). They have the highest run differential per game in MLB (2), and sit in the top five in batting average, home runs, RBIs, hits, pitching wins, team ERA and quality starts.
Making Waves: The Rays were not seen as a threat entering the season. In fact, they had the longest odds to win their own division. However, as of May 25, they have the best record in baseball (34-16), behind a pitching staff that is having a dominant year. Tampa Bay is second in wins (34), fifth in team ERA (3.51) and first in saves (23). In terms of World Series odds, the Rays were at +6000 back on April 27.
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Ex-MLB star Wander Franco granted judicial pardon despite being found guilty of sexual assault
Wander Franco is guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in 2023, a judge in the Dominican Republic made clear Monday.
Yet in his next breath, the same judge ruled that the former Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop will not be sentenced to prison because he was a victim of blackmail and extortion by the girl’s mother.
Celebrity justice in the D.R. can be perplexing, and Judge José Antonio Núñez admitted as much. But he also contended that the judicial pardon he granted Franco was the result of “logical and legal reasoning.”
“It seems contradictory to declare criminal responsibility and, at the same time, exempt him from punishment,” Núñez said. “The court has granted Wander Franco a judicial pardon due to the particular circumstances that made him a material victim, but not a legal one.”
The court found that the girl’s mother extorted thousands of dollars from Franco. The woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a minor and money laundering.
The odds are long that Franco will return to Major League Baseball any time soon. The fact that the court found him guilty of repeatedly having sex with a minor puts him squarely in violation of MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
The league is in the midst of an investigation into Franco’s conduct.
“We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court,” the Rays said in a statement. “This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case.
“The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Franco’s situation serves as a cautionary tale for MLB teams that hand out long-term contracts years before players become free agents. The Rays signed a 20-year-old Franco to an 11-year, $182 million deal in November 2021 after he batted .288 with 30 extra-base hits in 70 games as a rookie.
Franco appeared on his way to stardom during a stellar 2023 season, but according to court filings he carried on a relationship with the 14-year-old victim for several months.
An investigation was launched in August 2023. Franco was arrested Jan. 1, 2024, after failing to appear before Dominican authorities who sought to interview him.
Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list early in the 2024 season, voiding his contract.
Franco was found guilty in a June 2025 trial. Although prosecutors sought a five-year prison sentence, he was given only a two-year suspended sentence by Justice Jakayra Veras.
“Look at us, Wander,” Veras said in open court. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”
An appeals court in December ordered a new trial, which took place Monday and resulted in his pardon.
“Thank God for everything,” Franco said as he embraced his mother, Nancy Aybar, after Judge Nuñez announced the pardon.
As he departed the courthouse, Franco was asked by a reporter how he felt.
“I feel calm,” he said.
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The Houston Astros capped their fourth straight win with a no-hit shutout on Monday. Tatsuya Imai started and pitched six innings before relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa took over to keep the Texas Rangers hitless.
The 9-0 victory marked the MLB’s first no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 2024.
The last complete-game no-hitter came in August 2024, when Blake Snell held the Cincinnati Reds hitless.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai throws to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Imai went six innings in the 17th regular-season no-hitter in Astros history and fourth that was a combined effort. Houston also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 World Series when four pitchers combined against Philadelphia.
Okert worked the seventh after Imai got 16 outs over the last 16 batters he faced. He walked three of his first four batters but benefited from a double play in the first inning before finding a rhythm.
2026 MLB ODDS: WHO WILL LEAD MLB IN HOME RUNS? SCHWARBER FAVORED
Santa made his big-league debut in the eighth and retired all six batters he faced. His 24th pitch was a called third strike against Brandon Nimmo that ended it after an ABS challenge by the batter was confirmed a strike.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa is doused with water after pitching in his major league debut and closing a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP)
The Rangers were held without a hit for the sixth time, the first since Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter against them for the New York Yankees in May 2021.
A general view of Globe Life Field during the game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Imai is in his first big-league season after coming over from Japan.
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The 28-year-old right-hander joined the Astros in January after agreeing to a $54 million, three-year contract. He was a three-time All-Star during eight seasons in Japan, and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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