Tag Futebol

It's been eight years, but the Houston Astros can't rid themselves from their sign-stealing scandal that swept across baseball.

The Astros mashed the Los Angeles Dodgers 18–1 on Friday at Dodger Stadium, tagging starter Ben Casparius for six runs on nine hits in three innings—and blowing up reliever Noah Davis's ERA with 10 runs in 1 1/3 innings of work.

In the third inning of that offensive masterclass, Astros rookie Cam Smith hammered a double off the wall in center field. At the time, the Astros led 4–1 and had been raking against Casparius all afternoon. SportsNet LA analyst Orel Hershiser couldn't help himself but mention the trash-banging scandal of 2017.

"I don't want to open an old wound," Hershiser said. "But in some ways, they're swinging at these breaking balls like they know what is coming."

Hershiser, of course, is referencing the Astros' scandal during their championship season in 2017 when the team was found to have illegally used video cameras to steal signs from opponents during games. Houston used a camera in center field to view the sign from the opposing catcher, and a player or team staffer would give an audio cue—like banging a trash can—to tell the batter which pitch was coming next.

Only two players remain on the Astros from that '17 squad—Jose Altuve and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.

Since the news story broke in 2019 about Houston's cheating scandal, MLB has cracked down on video usage in dugouts. But the scars from that incident remain, especially among the Dodgers faithful, who watched their team lose the 2017 World Series to the Astros in seven games.

Manchester United have now identified VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller as a target, as director of football Jason Wilcox has followed him for years.

Signing a new midfielder appears to be a top priority for Man United ahead of the January transfer window, having identified a range of targets in the middle of the park.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Morten Hjulmand

Sporting CP

£50m

Jobe Bellingham

Borussia Dortmund

£42m

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

£120m

Conor Gallagher

Atletico Madrid

£52m

Andrey Santos

Chelsea

£60m+

The desire to bring in a new option comes amid doubts surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s future, with it being revealed earlier this month that the Englishman was at one stage close to sealing an exit, although there has seemingly been no progress since then.

Mainoo is not the only midfielder attracting attention either, with Manuel Ugarte catching the eye of Galatasaray, having been unable to dislodge Casemiro in the starting XI.

Two midfielders moving on would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new option considerably, and United have now identified a Bundesliga star as a target…

Man Utd now targeting Angelo Stiller

According to Fabrizio Romano, in a report for GiveMeSport, Stuttgart midfielder Stiller is one of the names on Man United’s list of targets, given that Wilcox has watched him for years, indicating the director of football is personally an admirer.

The 24-year-old is one of many targets in the middle of the park, with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba also named as an option, with Amorim making it clear that bringing in a new midfielder is a priority in 2026.

However, a move for the Stuttgart star may have to wait until next summer, rather than January, with a deal expected to amount to around £44m – £53m.

Lauded as “special” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, the German maestro has put in some top performances for Stuttgart over the past year, regularly showcasing his ability to create chances for his teammates.

Having averaged 0.30 assists per 90, the Munich-born midfielder ranks in the 98th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he also places in the same percentile for progressive passes, averaging 9.39 per 90 over the same time period.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder’s performances at club level have also earned him a call-up to his national side, having now picked up five caps for Germany, and his displays over the past year suggest he could be capable of collecting many more.

Man United have a plethora of options on the shortlist, with the likes of Gallagher and Anderson already proving themselves in the Premier League, which could give them the edge, but Stiller remains an exciting target nonetheless.

Man Utd hold key advantage in the race for Morten Hjulmand

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians está escalado para o jogo de ida semifinal da Copa do Brasil. Nesta quarta-feira (10), às 21h30 (de Brasília), o Timão entra em campo para encarar o Cruzeiro, no Mineirão. Dorival Júnior fez mudanças na equipe e promoveu a força máxima que tem à disposição.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansTorcedores do Corinthians sofrem com voos cancelados e atrasos rumo a Belo HorizonteCorinthians10/12/2025Futebol NacionalGil vê equilíbrio entre Cruzeiro e Corinthians e admite coração dividido: ‘Amigos dos dois lados’Futebol Nacional10/12/2025

Raniele, com um edema no joelho esquerdo, não participou dos dois últimos treinamentos e sequer foi relacionado. Para o seu lugar, Dorival Júnior escalou José Martínez. O venezuelano marcou na última partida do Corinthians, o empate por 1 a 1 com o Juventude.

Será o reencontro do volante com o Cruzeiro. No dia 23 de novembro, o Corinthians foi derrotado por 3 a 0 pelo adversário, no Mineirão, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. José Martínez foi expulso por agressão em Matheus Pereira, e chegou a ser punido financeiramente pela direção do Timão.

continua após a publicidade

Na defesa, Dorival Júnior opta pela experiência e escalou uma dupla com Gustavo Henrique e André Ramalho. O treinador deixou João Pedro, que vinha sendo o titular nas últimas rodadas do Brasileirão, no banco de reservas.

Garro também começa a decisão como suplente. O argentino se recupera de uma lesão na panturrilha direita, avançou no tratamento, participou dos treinamentos que antecederam o duelo, mas não está apto para os 90 minutos. Breno Bidon terá a missão de armar a equipe.

continua após a publicidade

Memphis e Yuri Alberto voltam a formar dupla de ataque após cinco jogos. A última vez foi na derrota por 1 a 0 para o Ceará, no dia 20 de novembro, na Neo Química Arena. O holandês está recuperado de um edema ósseo no joelho esquerdo, enquanto o centroavante volta após ser baixa por um edema na sínfise púbica, na região da virilha.

O Corinthians inicia o jogo com: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, André Ramalho, Gustavo Henrique e Matheus Bidu; José Martínez, Maycon, Carrillo e Breno Bidon; Memphis e Yuri Alberto.

Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

Atenção

O Timão inicia a partida com dois jogadores pendurados: o lateral-direito Matheuzinho e o meia Rodrigo Garro. O jogo de volta será no próximo domingo (14), às 18h (de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena. O vencer da semifinal encara Vasco ou Fluminense na decisão.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansFutebol Nacional

SLC said that the decision was taken “after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance” for next year’s T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2025The 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will not take place this year as was originally planned, SLC has announced. In a press release, SLC said that the decision was taken “after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance” for next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.The 2025 LPL was originally slated to be held between November 27 and December 23 across three venues – Colombo, Kandy and Dambulla. SLC, however, has now decided to move the tournament to another window, in order to allow “full focus on ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup.”As per ICC guidelines, all venues for the upcoming 20-team World Cup are meant to be in perfect condition to meet the demands of hosting a major international tournament. Accordingly, SLC said they needed the time to upgrade and enhance the infrastructure in and around the grounds.The R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo, which is one of three venues in Sri Lanka, had temporarily paused its renovation work to host 11 matches in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. SLC confirmed that the ground will resume development work immediately upon the completion of its scheduled games.The last two seasons of the LPL took place during July and August, however this year, with the 2026 T20 World Cup set to begin in February, SLC had initially felt the later window better suited their needs.ESPNcricinfo had also learnt that talks are underway to incorporate a sixth team into the LPL. The first five editions saw five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna compete. Earlier this year, Jaffna Kings – formerly the longest-standing franchise, having joined in the tournament’s second edition – and Colombo Strikers were terminated by SLC for “failure to uphold contractual obligations.” As a result, the LPL currently has no franchise owners with a history stretching back beyond 2024. New owners for both the Jaffna and Colombo teams are yet to be announced.

Siddique and Simranjeet picked up seven wickets between them for UAE

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2025
UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique picked up 4 for 18 while left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 146 for 9 in a must-win game for both teams in the Asia Cup.That Pakistan reached 146 for 9 was down to Shaheen Afridi’s late burst: he thrashed an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls, including two fours and six in the last over.Related

• PCB clears Pakistan to play UAE; says Pycroft apologised

The start of the match was delayed by an hour. PCB cleared the Pakistan team to play after the board claimed that match referee Pycroft had apologised to their players for his actions during the India-Pakistan game on Sunday.Siddique vindicated UAE’s decision to bowl first on a grassy surface by sending Saim Ayub back for a third consecutive duck. Sahibzada Farhan survived an lbw appeal, which was overturned on DRS but fell soon after top-edging a pull to long leg as Pakistan slipped to 9 for 2 in three overs.Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha had the most profitable stand for Pakistan, adding 61 off 50 balls for the third wicket. Fakhar was the aggressor in the partnership as he smashed offspinner Dhruv Parashar for back-to-back sixes, reaching his half-century off 35 balls.Pakistan, however, lost wickets regularly. Agha, looking to go inside-out over covers, sliced Parashar to deep cover before Simranjeet picked up two wickets in an over. Fakhar fell soon after his half-century, caught off a leading edge at short extra cover, while Hasan Nawaz was trapped lbw. Siddique picked up his third wicket when he dismissed Mohammad Nawaz and then removed Haris with a legcutter.

The Tigers are stumbling into the end of the regular season as they cling to a one-game lead over the Guardians in the race for the American League Central crown. Tight division races are common this time of year, but usually not when the leading team held a 14-game lead in the division and was up 15 1/2 games on the team in second place in July.

Detroit was swept by the Braves on Sunday for its sixth loss in a row and ninth over its last 10 games. Luckily for the Tigers, Cleveland lost to the Twins on Sunday, which snapped an incredible 10-game winning streak during which the Guardians won 15 of 16. A 10 1/2 game lead on the Guardians at the start of September suddenly evaporated to one with six games left.

The good news for Detroit is that it still controls its own destiny with a three-game series against the Guardians in Cleveland beginning Tuesday. With Tigers fans searching for something, anything to cheer for lately, manager A.J. Hinch seems to like where his team sits and is keeping the faith.

"I don't see our guys quitting, I don't see our guys down, I don't see our guys pouting, I don't see our guys conceding," Hinch said after the loss to Atlanta Sunday via FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. "And we shouldn't. I want to remind everybody that we're a first-place team, and right now it's hard for everybody to look at us that way because the last week went the way it did.

"We're going to wake up tomorrow in first place with our destiny controlled by us against the team that's been as hot as you can get in baseball, and we get to play them in a three-game series. Like, sign me up."

He's right, but it's certainly a uniquely optimistic outlook when you consider the troubling recent stretch for his team. You can't change the past, though, and Hinch's Tigers can either leave Cleveland with the division clinched or with their once large lead officially gone.

Their ace and AL Cy Young Award frontrunner, Tarik Skubal, is slated to get the ball in the series opener against the Guardians. We'll see if Detroit's luck can finally turn around against the hottest team in baseball.