Good morning! Our bylines are going to be a bit different this week, as most of the newsletter team will be together in New York. Happy Monday:
📆 There’s a lot happening today
😵💫 Are the Rams bad?
⏱️ Rays inch closer to WS
Light Equinoxes: What a day we have ahead
We don’t have to have the October conversation again, but today is one of those days where the schedule trumps all. Starting this afternoon, the following games will occur:
NFL’s “Monday Night Football”
WNBA Finals Game 2
MLB’s ALCS Game 6
NHL regular-season games
Premier League endcap
What a Monday, and this should qualify as a mini “sports equinox” until the NBA kicks in tomorrow. We’re just going to go through the day and add some context along the way, with special attention paid to all the football that happened yesterday. Because it’s that good.
All times ET:
3 p.m.: Hello, soccer
Across the Atlantic, a bleak game:Tottenham Hotspur, one of the richest teams on the planet, sits last in the Premier League table, though a win against 16th-place Coventry City could bump Spurs up to 15th or, well, 16th place. Watch the relegation battle on USA.
7:30 p.m.: How’s it going, rook?
The Sharks visit the Maple Leafs in what I’m picking as our featured NHL game of the evening (full slate here), mostly to see how No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna responds to being benched last week. Watch on ESPN+.
8 p.m.: The night gets busy
This is the playoff window, in which Game 2 of the WNBA Finals (Valkyries up 1-0) and Game 6 of the ALCS (Rays up 3-2) start simultaneously. Game 1 of the W Finals was, as Brian Hamilton wrote, defensive yet entertaining, and let’s hope the rest of the series stays that way. This one’s on CNBC, Peacock, USA and E!.
We’re also hosting a watch party for Game 2 on “The Athletic LIVE.” Watch here.
On the diamond, Guardians-Rays has been arguably the most entertaining series of the MLB postseason thus far. I’m more surprised these teams get zero days off for travel after playing in Cleveland yesterday. Tampa Bay can clinch a meeting with Milwaukee in the World Series tonight after a strong 3-1 win in Game 5. We love stakes. Watch on TBS.
8:15 p.m.: The Brandon Aiyuk Bowl
The title belies the seriousness of this game, as the 49ers (5-0) might be the NFL’s best team, while the Commanders (1-3-1) are at least interesting with Jayden Daniels back from injury. We just cannot ignore that Aiyuk, the mercurial wide receiver away from the league right now, is employed by the Niners but wants to play for the Commanders and won’t suit up for either team tonight. Catch it on ESPN and ABC, and Barry Svrluga says we should get our popcorn ready.
Elsewhere in football today, the season got really weird.
We could fill out an entire tier of teams that emanate “This is bad, right?” vibes. Start with the Rams, who inexplicably lost to the Cardinals yesterday; then tack on the Cowboys, who scored a whole 13 points in a crushing loss in Green Bay; and throw in the Colts after a loss to the lowly Titans before cleaning up with the Jalen Hurts-less Eagles, who fell to 2-4. And yes, the Chargers are 0-6 after playing the Chiefs.
Teams who might just be OK: The Bears, who looked fierce in Caleb Williams’ return; the Texans, whose big win across the pond might represent a course correction on their season; the — no joke — Browns, who lead the AFC North at 4-2 after a close win over the Ravens; and the Bills, who might win every game in a shootout.
People you should pray for: CBS’ Jim Nantz, who legitimately injured his hand while trying to punch a ball out of JJ Watt’s hands in the booth. It was funny.
See our full takeaways here, and then get a coffee. I know we will. Let’s get to some news:
News to Know
Military member dies after fall at UTSA game
A military service member died after falling during a botched rappel before UTSA’s game on Saturday, which celebrated the armed forces and veterans. Video spread on social media of the man falling toward the Alamodome turf. He died after being rushed to the hospital. Read our full report.
Simmons tears Achilles
Ben Simmons will miss the 2026-27 NBA season after tearing his right Achilles tendon in practice yesterday, a tough blow for 2016’s No. 1 pick, who had been out of basketball for a year before returning with the Kings. Simmons, 30, promised he’ll be back again.
Trump plans to close course
East Potomac Golf Course, the public track at the center of an ongoing court battle, will shutter for 15 months, per an announcement from President Trump, while the administration’s planned renovation gets underway. Trump disparaged the current condition of the course, saying once the changes are made, it could host majors someday. This comes after a judge ordered an emergency stay on renovations until at least next week. See the full story.
More news:
After a weekend of chaos in college football, Miami is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2002. See the full rankings.
Steph Curry is “fine,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, hours after the superstar sprained his ankle during an open practice. Read more.
The Thunder and Cason Wallace agreed to a five-year, $139 million extension that should signify a bigger role for him this season.
The Steelers-Saints game in Paris is still on for next weekend as the country is engulfed in protest. Details inside.
A boxing ref is under fire after ignoring a towel throw from a fighter’s corner during a blowout fight. More here.
Pulse Picks
Tyler Kepner covered the end of the Yankees’ dynasty in the early 2000s. He knows what’s coming next for the Dodgers.
I loved this: In 1982, Bill Zito was a bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers, the last time they appeared in a World Series. He’s now the general manager of the Florida Panthers.His time picking up bats led him to his current station.
The NBA season starts tomorrow, and we’ll have a full preview in your inbox to accompany it. First, here’s an early look at our first Power Rankings.
I thought this was an interesting explainer on the drama/misunderstanding surrounding Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his seeming protest of an anti-racism campaign. Read what really happened.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Martín Ojeda’s absurd goal, which might be the MLS goal of the year.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Our story on the updated AP Top 25 rankings.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
WNBA, The Pulse
2026 The Athletic Media Company