Make it make sense

The GIST: One best-of-seven Championship Series could be heading for a sweep, while the other features squads trading hard-fought Ws — you never know what you’re going to get with October baseball. Here’s where things stand one week out from Game 1 of the World Series.

🐦 Max Scherzer turns back the clock, Toronto Blue Jays bats stay hot: The 41-year-old hurler was giving shades of his three-time Cy Young–winning self last night, silencing the Seattle Mariners in his Jays playoff debut, a crucial 8–2 Game 4 win to even the series. Mad Max, indeed.

• Scherzer also benefited from some timely run support — Toronto’s now scored 21 runs across their last two wins, compared to a mere four in their Game 1 and 2 losses.

• This back-and-forth affair is heading for Game 5 tonight at 6:08 p.m. ET, and this one is shaping up to be a pitcher’s duel with Jays ace Kevin Gausman taking on Seattle’s sharp Bryce Miller. Say less.

💙 LA Dodgers (up 3-0) on the brink of fifth World Series appearance in nine seasons: Defense wins championships, and the Dodgers’ pitching staff has straight-up dominated the Milwaukee Brewers, with starter Tyler Glasnow striking out eight before the bullpen slammed the door in last night’s 3–1 Game 3 win.

• Now LA has a chance to sweep their way back to the Fall Classic with who else but two-way star Shohei Ohtani on the mound for Game 4 tonight at 8:38 p.m. ET. The Brewers are known for their resilience, but it’ll take some magic to overcome the juggernaut Dodgers.

The GIST: In news that’s equal parts infuriating and predictable, Carter Hart — one of five former NHL players at the center of the infamous Hockey Canada sexual assault case — is on the cusp of returning to the league, signing a professional tryout agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights yesterday.

The context: Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton were acquitted of sexual assault charges in July, a devastating outcome after a years-long, highly publicized saga that also exposed Hockey Canada’s shocking slush fund. For many hockey fans, it felt like a gut punch.

• In the wake of the verdict, the NHL suspended all five players until December 1st, releasing a statement calling the trial’s events “deeply troubling and unacceptable.” But that same press release reinstated them, stating they’d be eligible to sign with teams beginning this past Wednesday.

The latest: Hart hasn’t signed an official deal with Vegas, only the opportunity to try out after nearly two years off the ice…not that that’s any better. Notably, the Knights have often operated with a win-at-all-costs mentality, and it’s made them one of the league’s most-hated franchises.

• Now, they’ve released a statement touting “core values” while signing a player who was on trial for sexual assault. Make it make sense.

The bottom line: Turning a blind eye to allegations of sexual misconduct is all too familiar in men’s sports. The NHL said the players’ conduct didn’t meet its standards, but in yet another watershed moment for the league — an organization that has repeatedly been called out for its toxicity and lack of inclusivity — they made their priorities crystal clear.

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⚽ NWSL: Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit — Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m ET — CBS

• Spirit forward Trinity Rodman injured her leg in Wednesday’s Concacaf W Champions Cup group stage game, a brutal blow for Washington as they look ahead to the postseason and prepare for this match between the NWSL’s No. 2 and No. 3 teams.

🎓🏈 NCAA football: No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs — Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET — ABC

• If you can only watch one of the SEC’s three Week 8 top-25 matchups, make it this one. The undefeated Rebels’ breakout star quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, is a sleeper pick for the Heisman Trophy (college football’s MVP), but you can never underestimate powerhouse Georgia at home.

• With only six weeks left in the regular season, any outcome will have hefty postseason implications.

🏈 NFL: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings — Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — FOX

• The reigning Super Bowl champ Eagles need to right the ship after two consecutive losses, but it won’t be easy against a stout Vikings defense that’s surrendering the sixth-fewest yards per game.

🏎️ Formula 1: United States Grand Prix — Sunday at 3 p.m. ET — ESPN

• From the rumors swirling around Ferrari to the very warm temps expected in Austin this weekend, things are heating up with six races remaining. But if there’s one team that can keep their cool, it’s dominant McLaren and their go-the-distance tires.