FRIDAY · SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 · SPORTS, IN SMALL SIPS
Hey Sippers,
Auburn and Alabama rarely see eye to eye, so Thursday at the Presidents Cup felt special. Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old from Auburn, teamed up with Alabama's Justin Thomas for his first match. At first, it seemed like a bad idea when Koivun hit his tee shot out of bounds on the fourth hole. Thomas saved the day with a birdie, Koivun settled in, and together they won their match 4&3. Sometimes, even rivals can work together when they have a shared opponent.
Milwaukee broke the tie. On Wednesday, the Cubs, Padres, and Phillies all had 87-70 records. Two days later, the Phillies lost twice to the Brewers, Milwaukee reached its 100th win, and San Diego, which loses the tiebreaker to both, was leading the wild card anyway. If you picked the Brewers in Wednesday's Call It, you got it right.
Atlanta went to Lambeau Field on Thursday night and won 35-14, a week after losing 34-3 to Carolina at home. Bijan Robinson ran for three touchdowns, and Michael Penix Jr. threw for another.
The White Sox lost 121 games two years ago, but on Thursday they clinched a playoff spot. They celebrated quietly, almost as if it was just another game in July.
It seemed like the plan was to act normal. After their 9-1 win in Kansas City, the White Sox didn’t rush the field. Instead, they lined up for handshakes, just like after any regular midsummer game, and headed to the clubhouse where the plastic was already up and the champagne was ready.
For some perspective, this team lost a modern-record 121 games in 2024 and 102 more last year. Most of the players from those seasons are gone. Miguel Vargas, one of just two position players left from the 2024 roster, summed it up: "This means a lot for us."
There’s another twist. The White Sox are just one game behind Cleveland with three games left, and they have the tiebreaker. Cleveland will play Kansas City, while Chicago faces the Colorado Rockies, a team that has lost 102 games this year and knows what it’s like to struggle.
— Landen Hull
The NFL’s first game in Rio will take place in the city’s famous soccer stadium, even though the field’s regular teams have been complaining about the grass.
The Maracanã was built for the 1950 World Cup. It has hosted two World Cup finals, an Olympic opening ceremony, and countless Flamengo and Fluminense matches. The stadium is named after a small river behind it. This Sunday, it will host the Ravens and the Cowboys, one of nine NFL games played outside the U.S. this season.
As for the grass, Flamengo midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta said this month that the field "keeps getting worse." Players also complained about the surface after both NFL games in São Paulo. Still, the league is hoping its 36 million Brazilian fans won’t mind a few rough patches.
Whiffed: On the day the White Sox clinched, infielder Colson Montgomery tied a single-season strikeout record that had lasted 17 years.
Doubled: The Cubs also clinched on Thursday. This is only the fourth time both Chicago teams have made the postseason in the same year.
Who’s your pick for the first NFL game in Rio—Ravens or Cowboys? The game is Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
4:25 PM ET
SUN, SEP 27 · MARACANÃ, RIO DE JANEIRO
RAVENS
1-1
COWBOYS
1-1
Free in N1. Takes an account. Locks at kickoff.
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With which sport is Steffi Graf associated?
In 1988, she won all four majors and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, something no one else has done.
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ANSWER
Tennis
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Eight questions a day in N1. Takes an account.
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1998
That year marks the International team’s only Presidents Cup win. After Thursday’s opening session, the U.S. leads 3-2.
SUN | Presidents Cup singles | NBC |
SUN | Ravens vs. Cowboys, in Rio | 4:25 ET · CBS |
SUN | Rams at Broncos, Aaron Donald’s first road game back | 8:20 ET · NBC |
Bottoms up. See you on Monday.