Hola, Benito
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Leveling The Playing Field
Happy National Coffee Day!
We’re going to need lots of it as a frenzied sports weekend gives way to a packed week ahead. One of the events on the docket? The MLB playoffs, where the 12-team field came down to yesterday’s regular-season finale.
- Have no fear, our pro baseball bracket challenge is ready to play, and our special edition preview will slide into your inbox tomorrow. Until then, let’s brew up the latest.
— Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, sharing footage of himself on the court just four months after Achilles surgery, an injury that typically takes about a year to recover from. We’ll have what he’s having.
WNBA Playoffs
🏀 Consistently inconsistent
The GIST: Even with one WNBA semifinal done and dusted and the other heading for a winner-take-all Game 5, officiating continues to dominate headlines. From the buckets to the blown calls, let’s get into it.
🪐 Phoenix Mercury punch finals ticket: But Phoenix star Alyssa Thomas’ double-double in last night’s 86–81 series-clinching win wasn’t the story. The game was already embroiled in drama before tip-off as Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve served a suspension for a tirade about the Game 3 officiating, particularly a heated late-game incident that sidelined superstar Napheesa Collier for yesterday’s elimination tilt.
🥵 Indiana Fever force series-deciding Game 5 tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. ET: Down 2-1 with their backs against the wall, the Fever tandem of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston did what they do best, putting up a combined 49 points in a 90–83 win yesterday. The game was not without ref-induced controversy, though: The Fever shot 34 foul shots compared to the Aces’ 11.
☝️ Officiating continues to mar on-court W product: The WNBA officiating problem isn’t exactly new. Yes, refs have an incredibly challenging (and thankless) job, but the overall lack of consistency makes it difficult for players and teams to appropriately adapt in-game.
- Potentially to blame? The high turnover of WNBA officials. The league’s best are often promoted to more lucrative NBA contracts, leaving gaps that are then filled by inexperienced refs, who are also trying to climb the ladder. A frustrating cycle.
NFL
🏈 It’s true, swear, scout’s honor
The GIST: If there’s one thing we know about the NFL, it’s to expect the unexpected — like Bad Bunny performing at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show and the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers ending in a tie.
- Any given Sunday, right? Now let's get into the caliente chaos from the gridiron.
💜 Are the Baltimore Ravens okay?: It sure doesn’t seem like it after yesterday’s demoralizing 37–20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Touted as one of the best rosters in football this season, the Ravens are sporting a pedestrian 1-3 record, and quarterback (QB) Lamar Jackson’s reported hamstring injury — one of five Baltimore injuries on the day — is anything but confidence-inspiring.
- Speaking of an unkindness, let’s dissect the Ravens’ schedule so far: All three losses came against juggernaut offenses. In fact, Baltimore set a league record for points scored by a losing team through three weeks. As the gauntlet eases, perhaps they’ll be just fine after all.
🔵 Rookie QB Jaxson Dart authors NY Giants’ first win of the season: The 2025 first-round draft pick posted one passing and one rushing touchdown in his debut, leading NY to a stunning 21–18 victory over the previously undefeated LA Chargers. The Big Blue celebration was short-lived though: Breakout star wide receiver Malik Nabers is believed to have torn his ACL. Say it ain’t so.
👀 Only two undefeated teams remain: The aforementioned Chargers weren’t the only team to suffer their first loss of the season in Week 4. The San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were knocked down a peg by the Jacksonville Jaguars, LA Rams, and still-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.
- Joining the Birds as the only other squad without an L is the Buffalo Bills, who escaped an early onslaught from birthday boy QB Spencer Rattler and the winless New Orleans Saints, pulling out a 31–19 dub. And exhale.
The GIST's Bracket Challenge
⚾ Ready to play ball? Sweater season and baseball’s postseason go hand in hand, just like you and The GIST's second annual, free-to-enter Pro Baseball Bracket Challenge. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just here for the hot dogs, this challenge is for everyone — no expertise required.
🤔 Why you should play: Join in to cheer for your favorites, compete against friends, family, and other GISTers, and maybe even snag some bragging rights (and prizes) along the way.
- Trust us, it’s even more fun to watch the postseason action when you have some skin in the game…and when you’re watching with thousands of fellow GISTers. You have until Wednesday, October 1st at 12 p.m. ET — may the odds be ever in your favor.
⛳ Team Europe fends off Team USA comeback, hoists Ryder Cup on American soil
The Europeans dominated the Americans through the first two days of play, giving them a seven-point lead heading into yesterday’s final day of competition. That’s when the red, white, and blue fought back in singles play — but their comeback was thwarted by world No. 24 Shane Lowry’s cool, calm, and collected clinching putt, as Team Europe ultimately held on to win 15–13.
- The highly anticipated, biennial Ryder Cup is always spicy, but this year, fan abuse directed at Team Europe (and No. 2 Rory McIlroy in particular) crossed a line.
- The environment at NY’s Bethpage Black was politically charged and unwelcoming to global visitors, a disturbing scene with the U.S. set to host the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup and the LA Olympics over the next three years.
🏉 World No. 1 England defeat No. 2 Canada, win Women’s Rugby World Cup in front of record-breaking crowd
The Red Roses claimed their first title since 2014 by beating Canada 33–13 on Saturday, doing it at home in front of 81,885 fans, a single-game women’s rugby attendance record. But the resilient and inspiring Canadian squad didn’t walk away empty-handed as red and white captain Sophie de Goede won World Rugby Player of the Year honors. Well-deserved.
🎓🏈 No. 2 Oregon wins double-overtime thriller at No. 7 Penn State’s White Out Game
A low-scoring first half gave way to fireworks as then–No. 6 Oregon upset the then–No. 3 Nittany Lions 30–24 on Saturday, a stunner in the weekend’s biggest matchup. But it wasn’t college football’s only major upset: Former No. 4 LSU, No. 5 Georgia, and No. 8 Florida State all suffered dramatic, narrow losses to underdog opponents. Going to be an awkward Thanksgiving in the Kiffin household.
⚽ Washington Spirit become second NWSL team to clinch a playoff spot
The Spirit have joined the already-clinched Kansas City Current and are heading to the eight-team NWSL playoffs following yesterday’s 4–0 win over the Houston Dash, a victory that included the fastest hat trick in NWSL history: Washington forward Gift Monday’s three goals in 36 minutes. Sheesh.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
🏈 Who to know
Tom Cillo. At age 58, the retired powerlifter is giving his lifelong dream of playing college football one more try, making him the oldest active player in the sport. It's never too late.
📖 What to read
Deuce: The Champion of Friendship. NBA player Miles “Deuce” McBride authored the children's book celebrating empathy, inclusion, and teamwork. The story is perfect for young athletes and any child who has ever felt like an outsider.
🛍️ What to shop
NikeSKIMS. Nike’s activewear line with Kim Kardashian’s Skims just launched with three core collections. The collaboration features a brand campaign celebrating the power and form of female athletes like Serena Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Chloe Kim.
Question of the Day
If you thought September was dramatic, buckle up for a loaded and thrilling October sports calendar. Which event are you most excited for?
On Friday, we asked who the American League MVP should be. 64% voted for Seattle Mariner Cal Raleigh and 36% voted for NY Yankee Aaron Judge.Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Rachel Fuenzalida, Grace DePaull, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking by Marga Sison and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.