Chiefs atop NFL Power Rankings; USMNT finally makes Mauricio Pochettino hire official

Kansas City is still on top, but there's a new No. 2

By Zachary Pereles Sep 11, 2024 at 8:54 am ET• 8 min read

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⚾ Good morning to all, but especially to ...

KYLE SCHWARBER AND MANNY MACHADO

Welcome to the history books,Kyle Schwarber! ThePhilliesstar cranked his 14th leadoff home run of the season, breaking the record he had been sharing withAlfonso Soriano(2003).

• Schwarber now has four seasons with 35+ home runs. OnlyAaron Judge, Mike Trout, Giancarlo StantonandNolan Arenado(all with five) have more among active players.
• The Phillies (87-58) beat theRays, 9-4, thanks to a five-run eighth inning that also included the benches clearing after Rays reliever Edwin Ucetahit Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos.
• The Phillies lead the Dodgersby one game for the best record in baseball.

On the other side of the country,Manny Machadobecame thePadres' all-time home run leader with his 164th career long ball for the Friars. It was a big one in the context of this game and season, too: a two-run shot in the sixth inning to extend San Diego's lead over theMarinersto 5-2. The Padres went on to win and currently occupy the top NL Wild Card spot.

Machado broke a tie with Nate Colbert. 

😃 Honorable mentions

• TheSteelerswill stick withJustin Fieldsat quarterback against theBroncos.
• It took a while, but theYankeesfinally have their roster in tip-top shape, Mike Axisa writes.
• Here's how Shohei Ohtani became a premier base stealer.
• Yoshinobu Yamamto looked strong in his return.
• The NBA made a major (and very good) change to its replay system
• Geno Smithsays his cousin Jeremiah Smith will be the best wide receiver ever.
• Jacob deGromwill make his first start since April 2023 on Friday.
• Check out thisCaitlin Clark-inspired corn maze.
• The national championSouth Carolina women's basketballteam visited the White House.
• Paul Skenesbroke thePiratesrookie strikeout record.
• Keider Monterotossed theTigers' first shutout since 2021.
• TheCardinalspromotedThomas Saggese.

🏈 And not such a good morning for ...

THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

We've tiptoed around the subject, but let's hit it head-on: Michigandoesn't look good. At all. After years of quarterback struggles, the Wolverines struck gold inJ.J. McCarthyfor two years, but they're back in quarterback purgatory. Former walk-onDavis Warrensurprisingly won the job overAlex Orjientering the season, but after an underwhelming win overFresno Stateand a blowout loss toTexas, things are ... not great.