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Eleven days left in the regular season and the playoff picture is sharpening fast. ESPN's penultimate MLB power rankings are out, and the contenders are jostling hard for positioning. Some clubs have already punched their tickets, but for the teams still fighting, every single game carries postseason weight right now.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers got some relief on the Shohei Ohtani front. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters he expects Ohtani to return before the regular season ends, saying the superstar is, quote, progressing well, after landing on the fifteen-day injured list with right bicep inflammation. Los Angeles needs him healthy heading into October, and right now the signs are pointing in the right direction.
Shifting to the pitch, Juventus opened their Europa League campaign in emphatic fashion, rolling over NEC Nijmegen five goals to nothing at the Allianz Stadium. Nick Woltemade got on the scoresheet for the first time in Juventus colors, and the old lady looked sharp. Bournemouth also turned heads, stunning Real Sociedad on their European debut in what was a genuinely impressive result for the Cherries on the continental stage.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
