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The Atlanta Dream continue their playoff push Friday night as they host the Dallas Wings in College Park, Ga. The Dream (24-14) are jockeying for seeding near the top of the standings, while the Wings (9-30) are eliminated but still building toward the future with their rookie stars. Oddsmakers have Atlanta listed as a double-digit favorite with the total at 166. With the Dream hungry to lock in their postseason spot, this matchup carries much more weight for the home team. They rediscover their offensive rhythm from the perimeter. Against Las Vegas, the Dream shot just 16.7 percent from three and fell 81-75 despite 19 points each from Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones. Atlanta thrives in transition, and Smesko noted

As the calendar flips toward September, the Tampa Bay Rays know the margin for error is gone. They enter their three-game series against the Washington Nationals with urgency hanging over every pitch. Tampa Bay is still within striking distance of the final American League wild card, but they remain behind the Mariners, Guardians, and another competitor in the standings. That means every winnable series becomes a must-win opportunity. The good news for Tampa Bay is that the schedule has handed them a chance to regain momentum. A trip to face the Nationals, one of baseball’s struggling squads, is followed by seven home games against Seattle and Cleveland — both direct competitors in the playoff race. For manager Kevin Cash, this

The Detroit Tigers have been in control of the American League Central for much of the season, carrying a division lead that has at times looked insurmountable. Yet baseball has a way of testing even the steadiest teams, and Detroit has hit turbulence at the wrong moment. Entering their weekend set against the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers are coming off a four-game skid that included a sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics. For manager A.J. Hinch, the message to his club after the disaster in Oakland was straightforward: the Tigers need to “be better.” The club’s trip to northern California exposed weaknesses in all phases of the game. Detroit went just 3-for-26 with runners in scoring position,

The San Diego Padres enter their weekend series against the Minnesota Twins with plenty on the line in the National League playoff picture, but one storyline overshadows the standings. Luis Arraez, a three-time batting champion and one of the game’s most reliable hitters, is struggling to find his swing. After sitting out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, manager Mike Shildt is expected to slot him back into his traditional No. 2 spot on Friday as San Diego looks to bounce back from a tough series loss to Seattle. Arraez, who still ranks among the league leaders in total hits and multi-hit games, is enduring his most prolonged slump in years. Over his last four starts, he has managed just