April 18, 2026 5:08 am
The United States heads into the World Cup hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002. While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16. The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D.
April 18, 2026 5:04 am
[AP] Fernando Mendoza, who will reportedly not be in Pittsburgh next week when Roger Godell announces his name during the NFL Draft, will get a chance to learn from Kirk Cousins before the Las Vegas Raiders give him an opportunity to start. The only question surrounding the Heisman Trophy winner is when he’ll make his debut. Mendoza, who led Indiana to its first national championship, is an overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1-overall pick. The intrigue starts with the second pick. Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese was widely considered the choice for the New York Jets but Texas Tech edge David Bailey has gained momentum.
April 17, 2026 4:23 am
The eight first-round series in the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs are set. The matchups include the bitter cross-Pennsylvania rivalry between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Elsewhere in the East, top-seeded Carolina plays Ottawa, while Atlantic Division-champion Buffalo takes on Boston and Tampa Bay goes up against Montreal. In the Western Conference, it’s Colorado vs. Los Angeles, Dallas vs. Minnesota, Vegas vs. Utah and Edmonton vs. Anaheim.
April 17, 2026 2:43 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Wood singled to score automatic runner Jorbit Vivas in the 10th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7. Reliever Clayton Beeter got his first career win despite giving up the ninth-inning run that sent the game to an extra inning. Brandon Lowe hit an infield single to score Jake Mangum, who Beeter walked. Dennis Santana pitched the top of the 10th for the Pirates. Orlando Ribalta earned his first career save. The Nationals scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Pirates responded in the bottom of the inning with four runs of their own.
April 17, 2026 4:26 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The Dodgers shattered Major League Baseball’s spending record with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax last year en route to their second straight World Series title, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner’s office, and Los Angeles is projected for the highest total again in 2026. Los Angeles’ 2025 spending included records for payroll at $345.3 million and tax of $169.4 million. Despite having several contracts discounted to reflect deferred payments, the Dodgers’ total was seven times the $68.7 million payroll of the Miami Marlins, the lowest-spending team, and more than the payrolls of the bottom six clubs combined.
April 17, 2026 4:29 am
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods’ attorney plans to fight prosecutors’ attempts to subpoena the golfer’s prescription drug records. The attorney argues that Woods has a constitutional right to privacy regarding his medications. He asked a judge in Florida this week to hold a hearing to determine if the records are necessary for the investigation. Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. Authorities say he showed signs of impairment after an accident last month. Prosecutors are seeking his prescription records from a pharmacy in Palm Beach. Prosecutors also demanded the names and locations of any witnesses Woods plans to present in his defense.
April 17, 2026 4:28 am
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Ludvig Aberg has the lead at the RBC Heritage with a bogey-free 63 at Harbour Town. The Swede is coming off a disappointing week at the Masters by his standards. He tied for 21st after two previous years in the top 10. Aberg says he wasn’t worried because his swing felt good. He just made some silly mistakes. That wasn’t the case on a warm day along the Calibogue Sound. He was one shot ahead of Harris English and Viktor Hovland. Scottie Scheffler hit his first tee shot out-of-bounds and recovered in plenty of time for a 68.
April 16, 2026 1:34 pm
The NHL has announced the game one schedule for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Included in the schedule is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at PPG Paints Arena. The last time the two teams met in the postseason was during the 2017-18 season.
April 15, 2026 4:27 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carmen Mlodzinski allowed two hits over a career-high six innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Washington Nationals 2-0. Mlodzinski took over in the second for opener Mason Montgomery and struck out five against two walks to lower his ERA to 1.77. Dennis Santana worked the ninth for his second save. Ryan O’Hearn has three hits for the Pirates, who have won 10 of 14. Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales hit first-inning RBI singles against Washington’s Jake Irvin, and it proves enough as four pitchers combined for Pittsburgh’s second shutout in less than a week.
April 16, 2026 4:30 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Major League Baseball is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day with every player, coach and umpire wearing his No. 42 to mark the 79th anniversary of the infielder breaking the sport’s color barrier. Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He went on to win Rookie of the Year honors, become a six-time All-Star and the 1949 National League MVP. He played in six World Series, and won his only championship in 1955 with the Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets gathered at Robinson’s statue in centerfield to reflect on his legacy at Dodger Stadium.
