- Big pitching mismatch: Reds' ace Chase Burns (14-2, 2.52 ERA) faces struggling Giants starter Carson Whisenhunt (3-4, 7.03), so the game could be decided early.
- Watch Elly De La Cruz — hot and electric (21 HR, 58 RBI, 22 SB); his combination of speed and power can change a game in an instant.
- Rafael Devers (26 HR, 70 RBI) is San Francisco’s go-to run producer as the Giants try to score more without Bryce Eldridge.
The news, distilled into what matters.
- Steelers coach Mike McCarthy says he wants to work with CB Joey Porter Jr., but Porter is on the PUP list amid a back issue and a contract impasse, leaving his availability before the opener uncertain.
- Porter, coming off his best pro season, is pushing for a big extension as the cornerback market heats up (think Devon Witherspoon/Christian Gonzalez), which likely contributed to him limiting practice.
- Veteran DB Jalen Ramsey and rookie OT Max Iheanachor have returned to practice — and Ramsey even urged the team publicly to “pay Joey Porter.”
- Worcester police officer Kurt Solomon was found dead at home and his wife, Karen Solomon, later was found dead near a rehabilitation hospital in what authorities say appears to be a tragic murder‑suicide.
- Karen Solomon was a longtime advocate for police mental health—co‑founder of First H.E.L.P. and author on first‑responder mental and physical wellness.
- A multi‑agency search using drones, boats and tracking dogs led to the discovery; a handgun was recovered at the scene (not a Worcester police service weapon).
- Texans acquired WR Kayshon Boutte from the Patriots (for S Jaylen Reed and a 2028 7th-rounder) to replace Jayden Higgins, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in joint practice.
- Boutte had a breakout 2024 season (33 catches, 551 yards, 6 TDs) and now joins a Houston receiving group that includes Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson.
- New England cleared room by adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, so they get Reed to bolster the secondary plus future draft compensation.
- SEC moves to a nine‑game conference slate for 2026, with a run of marquee matchups “from Athens to Dallas to Tuscaloosa” kicking off in early September and wrapping with the SEC Championship on Dec. 5.
- Games will be on ABC, ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU and the SEC Network (select nonconference games on FOX); you can stream many matchups on the ESPN app/SEC Network Plus (and use an antenna for free ABC broadcasts).
- Offseason storylines to watch: Keelon Russell reportedly won Alabama’s QB job, Nebraska tabbed transfer Anthony Colandrea as its Week 1 starter, and TE Dae’Quan Wright cleared a path to LSU — plenty of chatter for game day talk.
- Big Ten enters 2026 loaded with marquee matchups and rivalries — the conference has won the last three College Football Playoff titles, so expectations are high.
- Season opens with USC hosting San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC — a handy early talking point.
- Games are spread across FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ABC and BTN (plus FS1/Peacock/streaming services); many FOX games — including the Big Ten title — can be watched free over the air.
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