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Max Scherzer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) KANSAS CITY — The best start in Nationals’ history has been powered, first and foremost, by the starting rotation. The Nationals have a 17-7 record thanks to a rotation that boasts a 2.18 ERA, tops in the baseball. The Cubs are close behind (2.27 ERA) and the Mets are third (2.96 ERA). The most recent pass through the Nationals rotation produced dominating results: a 1.08 ERA…

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what’s going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Topspin For Mayor Rahm Emanuel, it pays to have friends in high — or at least wealthy — places. Once again last year, the mayor accepted free sports tickets, a stay as a houseguest and transportation (likely complimentary rides on private jets) from some of Chicago’s…

It’s almost certainly the end of The Sports Authority’s road. In March, the debt-laden retailer filed for Chapter 11 protection in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware, saying that it would close about 140 of its 463 stores. But last week, The Sports Authority gave up hope it could re-organize under bankruptcy protection, opting instead to auction itself off for whatever it can get. The company “will not be able to…

Media playback is not supported on this device Should Lewis Hamilton be worried by Nico Rosberg’s form? Nico Rosberg insists he still faces a tough fight from Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton for the title despite winning the season’s first four races. Rosberg leads the British world champion by 43 points after Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix. “I am well aware Lewis is going to bounce back when he has a clean…

ESPN admits it selectively edited out a key portion of a sports documentary to alter the content, claiming it made the changes due to broadcast time constraints not because of animosity toward ex-Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling. ESPN2, before the Red Sox and Yankees played Sunday evening on ESPN’s main channel, aired a truncated version of the network’s 30 For 30 documentary on Boston’s 2004 epic comeback against the Bronx…

The shape of the ball alone was enough to divert the attention of passers-by who came to Forsyth Park on Saturday to scour some fresh local produce at the Forsyth Farmer’s Market. Next to the rows of produce stands along Forsyth’s main pathway, on the field closest to Whitaker Street, a new sport took root. “What sport is this?” a stranger asked a woman lying barefoot on a blanket, isolated…

Karishma Kapoor, 20, is a business student, and a fan of soccer — or football, as the game is known outside the U.S. She’s also a betting woman. One day last August, she was at her grandmother’s house. “We just all sat ’round just talking, and then football came up. And we thought, ‘Why not?’” Kapoor recalls. “It’s only a pound, so we put 2 pounds on, at 5,000-to-one odds.”…

Frightening crashes that include multiple cars getting airborne. Hold-your-breath racing featuring a pack of cars just inches apart running 200 mph that makes you appreciate the fortitude of those behind the wheel. A garage with parts and pieces strewn throughout because of the inevitable and unavoidable accidents that occur. In every facet Sunday personified a NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway. And that’s a problem. At what point…

Photo credit: Getty Images Remember the end of last year, when NASCAR’s headlines were all dominated with the beef between Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano? It’s baaaaaaaack! This time, Kenseth blamed Logano for contact during today’s Talladega race and gave him a bit of a warning as they were both outside the infield care center. http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/nascars-kenset… NASCAR’s Kenseth Suspended For Two Races For Punting Logano Into Wall NASCAR’s Kenseth Suspended…

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Karishma Kapoor, 20, is a business student, a soccer fan — and a betting woman. One day last August, she was at her grandmother’s house. “We just all sat around talking, and then football came up. And we just thought, ‘Why not?’ Kapoor recalls. “It’s only a pound, so we put 2 pounds on (about $3), at 5,000-to-one odds.” She placed a bet online — against the 5000-to-one odds —…

Cars collide and pile up during one of the many crashes in Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.(Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports) TALLADEGA, Ala. — Trevor Bayne, drenched in sweat with beads of perspiration clinging to his forehead, wandered off pit road after Sunday’s Talladega Superspeedway race and smiled. His No. 6 car was untouched, but it was one of only a handful that survived a demolition derby of…

Photo credit: Getty Images Remember the end of last year, when NASCAR’s headlines were all dominated with the beef between Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano? It’s baaaaaaaack! This time, Kenseth blamed Logano for contact during today’s Talladega race and gave him a bit of a warning as they were both outside the infield care center. http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/nascars-kenset… NASCAR’s Kenseth Suspended For Two Races For Punting Logano Into Wall NASCAR’s Kenseth Suspended…

The Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League takes on the St. Louis FC.(Photo: United Soccer League) — Two professional soccer leagues are considering Nashville for a future expansion franchise as Metro officials said potential team investors are exploring the city’s appetite for higher-level pro soccer. Representatives from the rapidly growing United Soccer League and the North American Soccer League both confirmed interest in making Nashville a future expansion…

RELATED: Results | Standings post-Talladega | Relive the day in photos TALLADEGA, Ala. — Austin Dillon, driving a Chevrolet with NASCAR’s most famous number — 3 — on its side panels, nearly matched one of Dale Earnhardt’s most extraordinary feats at the exact location it happened, mere days after what would’ve been the 65th birthday of the late, great “Intimidator.”   Instead, he still came home with a career-best finish in…

A baseball jersey is given to Mesa’s family members during the vigil Sunday evening.  (Photo: KHOU 11 News) STAFFORD, Texas – A vigil was held at Stafford High School Sunday evening to honor Michael Mesa, the 25-year-old baseball coach who suddenly died on Friday. The ceremony packed the stands and the baseball field, with an entire community paying tribute.  Mesa’s fiance, Laura Nguyen, was at the vigil and sat on the…

By: Andrew Joseph | May 1, 2016 9:21 pm Follow @andyj0seph

The Phillies, by all appearances, are in rebuilding mode. They’ve traded off a number of veterans in recent months and presently have the youngest pitching staff and fifth-youngest roster of position players in the National League. They’re also coming off a 99-loss season in 2015. True to form, the Phillies began 2016 with a 0-4 mark, which included a sweep at the similarly miserable hands of the Reds. Since then,…

DENVER —  It’s the end of the road for Sports Authority. Instead of cutting back or restructuring, the Englewood-based company will now close down all stores across the country, including the 3 in Denver. The sporting goods giant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. On Sunday, signs were posted at the Broadway Sports Authority advertising big markdowns on every item. Forbes reports that Sports Authority is more than one…

Get all of Michael Beller’s columns as soon as they’re published. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers. The news of Dee Gordon’s suspension struck like a thunderbolt at the start of the weekend. There’s no easy way to replace a guy who was not just an early-round pick, but who also has a unique skill set. There simply aren’t…