Here’s what’s trending in sports:
- Nevada Athletics yesterday announced that former Wolf Pack standout Jarod Lucas is returning to the program as an assistant coach. Lucas was a key figure on the Pack’s 2023 and 24 NCAA tournament teams, leading the team in scoring both years. While Lucas re-joins his alma mater, assistant coach Kyle Guy is reportedly leaving to pursue a professional opportunity.
- The 49ers are taking the field for Thursday Night Football. San Francisco will visit the Los Angeles Rams tonight in an NFC West clash in Inglewood. Quarterback Brock Purdy, defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr., and wide receivers Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jordan Watkins have all been ruled out for the game. Defensive lineman CJ West is listed as questionable. The Niners are atop the NFC West at 3-and-1.
- The Giants are not considering four-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy for the team’s vacant managerial role. San Francisco president of baseball operations Buster Posey spoke with Bochy this week and believes there may be a spot for him in the organization, just not in the dugout. The 70-year-old led the Giants to three World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014 when Posey was the team’s catcher. The Giants fired Bob Melvin on Monday after two seasons leading the team.
- Only one team has completed a two-game sweep of their opponent in the Wild Card Series round. The Los Angeles Dodgers are advancing to the NLDS after taking down the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 in Game Two. Mookie Betts had four hits and three RBIs to help LA advance to take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a series that begins Saturday. In the National League’s other Wild Card Series, Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres shut out the Chicago Cubs 3-0 to force a decisive Game Three in the Windy City. In the American League, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees kept their season alive with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the Bronx. Elsewhere, Bo Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians toppled the AL Central rival Detroit Tigers 6-1 to force a win-or-go-home contest on Thursday.
- The Sharks were knocked off in preseason play on home ice. San Jose lost to the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 at the SAP Center. William Eklund and Jeff Skinner found the back of the net in the losing effort. The Sharks are now 1-3-and-0 in exhibition play. They visit the Vegas Golden Knights tomorrow night.
