WEDNESDAY · SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 · SPORTS, IN SMALL SIPS

Hey Sippers,

The best golfers in the world tee off Thursday at the Presidents Cup, outside Chicago, for exactly $0. Each player's share goes to a charity he picks. They're playing for a trophy, and around a 3-foot wooden fence that runs the full length of the first three holes.

THE RUNDOWN

Second time's the charm… for the Rays, who lost the first game of a doubleheader in the Bronx, then won the second to clinch the AL East.

Six-pack… of straight wins has put the Guardians one game ahead of the White Sox with five to play.

THE SIT-DOWN

Aaron Donald came out of retirement to play next to Myles Garrett (Garrett just went on injured reserve)

Un-retirement plan… paid off Monday. In his first game in 982 days, Aaron Donald helped the Rams beat the Giants 28-6, and stuffed a third-down run at his own 3-yard line to force a field goal.

Timing, though… is off. Donald said the Rams' June trade for Myles Garrett "for sure got me thinking" about a comeback. Garrett had knee surgery last week and will miss at least four games.

Snap judgment… so far: at 35, Donald's first step was the third-quickest by a defensive tackle in any game this season, per Next Gen Stats. If it holds until Garrett is back, the Rams get the duo they traded for.

— Landen Hull

Three NL teams are tied at 87-70, and only one gets home field (the Padres need it most)

Three's a crowd… at the top of the National League wild card: the Cubs, Padres and Phillies all have five games left, and all three are four games clear of anyone else.

Home cooking… is the prize, because the top wild card hosts its whole best-of-three series. San Diego is 49-29 at home, 38-41 on the road, and loses every tiebreaker.

Wrong address… for the Padres, who open their last five with two at Dodger Stadium. The Phillies play all five at home, starting tonight.

CHASERS

Bounced: The Mets spent $357.63 million on payroll and are officially out.

Hundred'd: The Rockies have lost 100 games for the fourth straight season.

Passed: Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns Monday and moved to sixth on the NFL's all-time list.

CALL IT

Best in show… visits Philadelphia tonight: the Brewers have baseball's best record, and the Phillies are in a three-way wild-card tie.