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Commanders preview: A new era of Washington football kicks off with high anticipation

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

It was an offseason 24 years in the making — an offseason of change. The Washington Commanders kick off a new era of football on Sunday with a new ownership group, a new starting quarterback and a new offensive coordinator.“There’s been a buzz all offseason for this team,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said.Head coach Ron Rivera enters his fourth season at the helm of this franchise, and even without new ownership, it would be a pivotal one for him.Rivera has posted a 22-27-1 record in his three years, but this could be his best roster yet. That being said, there’s something he has yet to do during his tenure — getting off to a fast start. Players and coaches have repeatedly said that it’s one of the main focuses heading into the season, now it’s time to do it. The Burgundy and Gold have started 2-6, 2-6 and 1-4 in Rivera’s three years.With Josh Harris and the new ownership group evaluating everything this year, a slow start is something that...

Sue Bird is returning to international basketball as ambassador for 2026 World Cup

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Sue Bird loves telling this story. She’s on a plane, flying home from the Athens Olympics, and a flight attendant approached to ask if the pilot could see her gold medal. The next thing Bird knew, the medal was being passed up and down the aisles so everyone could touch it.She was an ambassador of the game on that flight. And now the title is official.FIBA formally introduced Bird, the now-retired U.S. great, on Friday as the global ambassador for the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup that will be played in Berlin. Bird takes the role from Pau Gasol, who served as ambassador for the 2022 women’s tournament in Sydney.“What’s really symbolic about that moment is when you’re representing your country, it’s not just you,” Bird said in Manila, where the men’s World Cup is wrapping up this weekend. “It’s not just a team or a city. It is the entire thing and it really hit me in that moment. And I was very fortunate to be in five World Cups to also that feel...

El primer experimento del rover Perseverance de la NASA para producir oxígeno en Marte llegó a su fin

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

(CNN) — El primer experimento para producir oxígeno en otro planeta llegó a su fin en Marte tras superar los objetivos iniciales de la NASA y demostrar capacidades que podrían ayudar a los futuros astronautas a explorar el planeta rojo.El dispositivo del tamaño de un microondas llamado MOXIE, o Experimento de utilización de recursos in situ de oxígeno en Marte, se encuentra en el rover Perseverance de la NASA.El experimento comenzó hace más de dos años, unos meses después de que el rover aterrizara en Marte. Desde entonces, MOXIE ha generado 122 gramos de oxígeno, equivalente a lo que respira un perro pequeño en 10 horas, según la NASA. El instrumento funciona convirtiendo parte del abundante dióxido de carbono de Marte en oxígeno.Durante el pico de su eficiencia, MOXIE produjo 12 gramos de oxígeno por hora con una pureza del 98% o mejor, que es el doble de los objetivos de la NASA para el instrumento. El 7 de agosto, MOXIE operó por decimosexta y última vez, habiendo cumplido...

Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns to Virginia’s Gateway Park

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the Rosslyn Jazz Fest (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); Are you sad that the D.C. Jazz Festival is over? Don’t worry, more jazz its coming to Virginia.The 31st annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns to Gateway Park this Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m.“It really has been amazing to see how much it’s grown into a signature event, not only here in Arlington, but it&#...

Marlins take road win streak into matchup with the Phillies

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

Miami Marlins (72-68, third in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (77-62, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Eury Perez (5-4, 2.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 95 strikeouts); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (2-3, 3.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 69 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -144, Marlins +122; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins will try to keep a four-game road win streak alive when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies.Philadelphia is 77-62 overall and 41-26 at home. Phillies hitters have a collective .441 slugging percentage to rank fifth in the majors.Miami has a 32-36 record in road games and a 72-68 record overall. Marlins pitchers have a collective 4.21 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.The teams meet Friday for the 11th time this season. The season series is tied 5-5.TOP PERFORMERS: Alec Bohm has 28 doubles, 16 home runs and 86 RBI for the Phillies. Trea Turner is 17-for-43 with three doubles, a triple and sev...

Diamondbacks play the Cubs leading series 1-0

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (73-68, second in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (76-65, second in the NL Central)Chicago; Friday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (14-7, 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 186 strikeouts); Cubs: Jameson Taillon (7-9, 5.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 113 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -117, Cubs -102; over/under is 7 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks meet the Chicago Cubs with a 1-0 series lead.Chicago is 76-65 overall and 40-32 at home. The Cubs have gone 52-15 in games when they scored five or more runs.Arizona has a 35-33 record in road games and a 73-68 record overall. The Diamondbacks have the fifth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .420.Friday’s game is the second time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 24 doubles, a triple and 24 home runs for the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki is 14-for-39 with five doubles, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games.Corbin Carroll has a .283 bat...

Braves start 3-game series with the Pirates

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (65-75, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Atlanta Braves (91-48, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Friday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Mitch Keller (11-8, 3.93 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 187 strikeouts); Braves: Bryce Elder (11-4, 3.42 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 111 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -207, Pirates +172; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves host the Pittsburgh Pirates to start a three-game series.Atlanta has a 91-48 record overall and a 45-24 record at home. The Braves have the highest team on-base percentage in the majors at .345.Pittsburgh has a 65-75 record overall and a 31-38 record in road games. The Pirates have a 41-10 record in games when they scored five or more runs.The matchup Friday is the fifth time these teams meet this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. has 32 doubles, three triples and 34 home runs while hitting .331 for the Braves. Marcell Ozuna is 14-for-38 with four doubles and f...

Giants look to break slide in matchup with the Rockies

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

Colorado Rockies (51-88, fifth in the NL West) vs. San Francisco Giants (70-70, third in the NL West)San Francisco; Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Ty Blach (2-1, 4.33 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Giants: Kyle Harrison (1-1, 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 21 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -204, Rockies +170; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants aim to break their six-game losing streak when they take on the Colorado Rockies.San Francisco is 70-70 overall and 38-31 at home. The Giants have a 37-11 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Colorado has a 22-50 record in road games and a 51-88 record overall. The Rockies are 23-11 in games when they did not allow a home run.The matchup Friday is the seventh time these teams match up this season. The Giants hold a 5-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Wilmer Flores has 21 home runs, 33 walks and 51 RBI while hitting .284 for the Giants. Thairo Estrada is 11-for-4...

Reds play the Cardinals in first of 3-game series

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (61-79, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (73-69, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Drew Rom (0-2, 7.24 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 11 strikeouts); Reds: Andrew Abbott (8-4, 3.22 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 104 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -128, Cardinals +109; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday to open a three-game series.Cincinnati has a 35-37 record in home games and a 73-69 record overall. The Reds have gone 26-12 in games when they hit at least two home runs.St. Louis has gone 30-39 in road games and 61-79 overall. The Cardinals have the fourth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .429.Friday’s game is the eighth time these teams square off this season. The Reds are ahead 4-3 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer leads the Reds with 53 extra base hits (31 doubles, two triples and 20 home runs). Christian Encarnacio...

Dodgers visit the Nationals to begin 3-game series

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:32:03 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (85-54, first in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (63-77, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 5.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 36 strikeouts); Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (7-10, 4.28 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 147 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -167, Nationals +141; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals open a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.Washington has a 63-77 record overall and a 30-41 record at home. The Nationals are 46-15 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Los Angeles has a 38-30 record on the road and an 85-54 record overall. The Dodgers have gone 68-18 in games when they scored five or more runs.The teams meet Friday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Abrams has 22 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 52 RBI for the Nationals. Lane Thomas is 10-for-37 with a double, a triple and three home r...