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Defending champion Houston will face two talented former teammates when the Astros meet Minnesota in one of four Major League Baseball second-round playoff series openers on Saturday.
US superstar Simone Biles continued her spectacular return from a two-year break by claiming a 21st world title with gold in the women's all-around at the world gymnastics championships on Friday.
A delighted George Russell qualified in second place for Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix following a late and confusing deletion of the best laps by rival McLaren drivers.
Runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen dominated an intriguing floodlit qualifying session on Friday to claim pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, which he could start as a triple world champion.
London Marathon winner Kelvin Kiptum, with the second-fastest time in marathon history, could challenge the world record in Sunday's Chicago Marathon while Ruth Chepngetich seeks a record third consecutive women's title.
Juventus striker Moise Kean was on Friday recalled to the Italy squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England, as coach Luciano Spalletti reshuffled his attack.
Saud Shakeel was nowhere near World Cup selection three months ago but a thrilling half-century in Friday's win over the Netherlands underlined his remarkable and rapid rise up the cricketing ladder.
English manager Adrian Heath has been fired as head coach of Major League Soccer's Minnesota United, ending his seven year spell, the club said on Friday.
Matthew Fitzpatrick seized a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland on Friday, just five days after winning the Ryder Cup with Europe in Rome.
Bayern Munich will not bring back former defender Jerome Boateng, the club announced on Friday.
Scotland may have lost their last eight Tests against Ireland but "history doesn't scare" them, second row forward Grant Gilchrist said on the eve of their Rugby World Cup Pool B match.
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu said on Friday the waiting period for a player to feature for two different countries is "ridiculous".
Pakistan opened their World Cup campaign with a comfortable 81-run win against the Netherlands on Friday, overcoming an impressive performance from Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede.
Japan were booed but kept their cool in an "interesting" atmosphere to beat North Korea 4-1 and retain their Asian Games women's football crown on Friday.
Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was Friday backed by coach Chris Silverwood to be the "X Factor" at the World Cup.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph said three years of preparation had gone into his team's World Cup Pool D decider against Argentina in Nantes on Sunday.
Australian rugby needs a high performance director, according to head coach Eddie Jones, but the 63-year-old on Friday ruled himself out as a potential solution to the problem.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has called for the VAR system to be simplified, saying he "trusts the car but the driver is the problem" following the costly Liverpool goal blunder.
Runaway series leader Max Verstappen topped the times for Red Bull in Friday's opening and sole practice session at this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, endorsing the probability that he will clinch his third consecutive title.
Mikel Arteta said title-chasing Arsenal can take confidence from their Community Shield win over Manchester City as the Gunners face the Premier League champions on Sunday.
Shanghai Masters third seed Holger Rune crashed out of the tournament in straight sets on Friday, the highest-profile of several top-20 players to be knocked out that day.
Poland and the Netherlands traded barbs and accusations Friday after Dutch police arrested two footballers from Polish club Legia Warsaw amid violent scenes during their Europa Conference League clash against AZ Alkmaar.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou agreed Liverpool were denied a "legitimate goal" by the farcical VAR blunder that sparked calls from the Anfield club for the game to be replayed.
Reigning Giro d'Italia champion Primoz Roglic confirmed on Friday he will ride for German team Bora-Hansgrohe next season.
The Philippines won their first Asian Games basketball gold since 1962 while Japan defied the Hangzhou crowd to thrash North Korea 4-1 and retain their women's football crown on Friday.
New Zealand are still "hurting" over their home Test series loss to world number one Ireland last year and are itching for revenge, All Blacks fullback Beauden Barrett said on Friday.
Erik ten Hag has no doubt that Marcus Rashford will "catch fire" soon after the Manchester United forward's disappointing start to the season.
The Philippines won their first men's Asian Games basketball gold since 1962 on Friday in a 70-60 victory over Jordan with American-born Justin Brownlee pouring in 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Defending champions Japan beat North Korea 4-1 to win Asian Games women's football gold on Friday with the Chinese crowd in Hangzhou cheering loudly in support of their opponents.
Ireland's record run of 16 Test victories has not made them feel "invincible" and they do not believe win number 17 is a foregone conclusion against Scotland in the crucial World Cup pool match on Saturday, said livewire wing James Lowe.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka slumped out of the China Open in the women's quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat to Elena Rybakina on Friday in Beijing.
Pep Guardiola says Arsenal "are back" as long-term Premier League title rivals ahead of Manchester City's heavyweight clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.