Cubs and Shota Imanaga keep finding ways to win, routing the Red Sox 7-1: ‘It’s a total group effort’

✍ Meghan Montemurro reporting from Fenway Park in Boston.

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Chris Flexen made the most of his return to the White Sox rotation, pitching 5-plus scoreless innings in a 9-4 win against the Rays on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Martin Maldonado hit a 3-run HR and Eloy Jiménez a 2-run shot for the Sox.

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Tracking the 2024 NFL draft: Bears select Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie — a Hinsdale Central graduate — with their third-round pick at No. 75.

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Caleb Williams breaks Caitlin Clark’s draft-night record for jersey sales after the Chicago Bears select him at No. 1 trib.al/hkCPmZL

Caleb Williams breaks Caitlin Clark’s draft-night record for jersey sales after the Bears select him at No. 1

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Final: White Sox 9, Rays 4.
The Sox (4-22) snap a 7-game losing streak, scoring a season-high 9 runs.
Chris Flexen allowed 2 hits in 5+ scoreless innings.
Martín Maldonado (3-run) and Eloy Jiménez (2-run) homered.

Mark Leiter Jr. and Yency Almonte stepping up to solidify Chicago Cubs bullpen amid injuries trib.al/XoAX1OH

Shota Imanaga is the 4th Cubs starting pitcher since 1901 with four wins in the first five starts of his career.

He joins John Buzhardt (1958), Bob Kelly (1951) and Fred Beebe (1906).

With their Round 3 pick (75th overall), the #Bears selected Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie

“I want to dominate.”

Angel Reese is one of the most famous basketball players in the world.

But she’s also a 21-year-old rookie trying to balance big goals — and hefty expectations — ahead of her first WNBA training camp.

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Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze fearlessly vow to raise expectations for the Chicago Bears: ‘What’s the reason to duck?’ trib.al/ubBGkwA

Caleb Williams has always been about setting lofty goals and then driving to pursue them. Now he’s asking the Bears to come along on that ride with zero fear of the pressure.

✍ Dan Wiederer
📸 Chris Sweda

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The White Sox on Friday called up outfielder Tommy Pham from Triple-A Charlotte and designated OF Kevin Pillar for assignment as part of five roster moves.

✍ LaMond Pope reporting from Guaranteed Rate Field.

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The NFL announced Friday that it will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season if they choose.

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Michael Penix Jr. hears from Kirk Cousins — and Michael Vick — after landing with Atlanta Falcons as NFL draft’s 1st-round surprise trib.al/ybjo9BJ

Of all the winners on Day 1 of the NFL draft, don't overlook Bears left tackle Braxton Jones, Brad Biggs writes.

By taking Rome Odunze at No. 9 instead of an O-lineman, the team showed its faith that Jones can hold down the blind side for Caleb Williams.

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Braxton Jones emerged as one of the winners from the #Bears Round 1 bonanza.

'I like (Rome) Odunze. He’s awesome. But I don’t know how you don’t take the left tackle with the problems they’ve had.'

Exploring the flip side of things with @Olin_Kreutz.

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Expect to see Craig Counsell lean on his left-handed hitters on this upcoming stretch.

Based on opposing rotations' construction, the Cubs know that they will face almost exclusively right-handed starters during this challenging 16-game stretch.

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Column: Left tackle Braxton Jones emerged as a winner from Chicago Bears’ Round 1 draft bonanza trib.al/wmIi1eO

Caleb Williams distinguished himself as the top dog in a highly regarded quarterback class, creating one of the least suspenseful and most anticipated moments in recent NFL draft memory.

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