>>Watson, Texans Cruise Past Dolphins
(Houston, TX) — Deshaun Watson threw five touchdown passes as the Texans cruised past the Dolphins 42-23 in Houston. DeAndre Hopkins and Jordan Thomas each caught a pair of scores, and Will Fuller had a 73-yard TD reception in the win. Houston has won five straight since an 0-and-3 start. Miami has lost four-of-five since starting 3-and-0.
>>NFL Fires Down Judge Cruz
(New York, NY) — The NFL is firing down judge Hugo Cruz for performance reasons. It’s the first time during the Super Bowl era the league has taken such action in mid-season. Cruz last worked in Week Six, missing an obvious false start by the Chargers on a score against the Browns. He did not work Week Seven. Cruz joined the NFL in 2015.
>>Dodgers Host Red Sox In World Series G3 Tonight
(Los Angeles, CA) — The World Series now switches coasts as the Dodgers host the Red Sox in Game Three tonight in Los Angeles. Boston won the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home. Rick Porcello [[ por-SELL-oh ]] will pitch tonight for the Sox, while the Dodgers counter with Walker Buehler. LA also hosts Game Four tomorrow.
>>Blue Jackets Top Blues
(St. Louis, MO) — Boone Jenner and Anthony Duclair each scored twice for the Blue Jackets in a 7-4 win over the Blues at the Enterprise Center. St. Louis led 2-0 in the first on goals by Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Columbus then scored four unanswered goals. Alexander Steen and Zach Sanford also lit the lamp for the Blues, who dropped to 2-4-and-3. St. Louis hosts Chicago tomorrow.
>>Blackhawks Top Rangers
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks closed out their three-game homestand with a 4-1 win against the Rangers at the United Center. Jonathan Toews opened the scoring for Chicago with a breakaway goal in the first period and Alexandre Fortin [[ for-TEEN ]] lit the lamp in the second. Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat had goals in the third as the Hawks improved to 6-2-and-2. They skate in St. Louis tomorrow.
>>Illinois Faces Maryland Tomorrow
(College Park, MD) — Illinois football is ready to face Maryland tomorrow in College Park. The Illini are 3-and-4 overall and 1-and-3 in the Big Ten. The Terrapins are 4-and-3 overall, with a 2-and-2 mark in league play. This will be the first-ever meeting between Illinois and Maryland, which joined the Big Ten in 2014.
>>Twins Make Baldelli Majors’ Youngest Manager
(Minneapolis, MN) — Rocco Baldelli [[ ball-DELL-ee ]] is the new manager of the Twins. The 37-year-old becomes the youngest skipper in the majors. Baldelli replaces Paul Molitor, who was fired after four seasons. Minnesota went 305-and-343 under “Molly,” with one playoff appearance. Baldelli spent the last four years as a coach with Tampa Bay.
>>Rockets Offer Four First-Rounders For Butler
(Houston, TX) — The Rockets are making another push to acquire All-Star Jimmy Butler from the Timberwolves. ESPN reports Houston has offered Minnesota four future first-round draft picks for the disgruntled guard. Butler has made no secret he wants out of Minnesota. Houston is looking to add another star to partner with James Harden and Chris Paul.