This is the greatest Sho

The GIST: The WNBA made last night a regular-season finale to remember, with multiple nailbiters and even more broken records capping off an already historic 2024 campaign. Here are the top takeaways before we enter playoff mode on Sunday.

Atlanta Dream clinch eighth and final playoff spot: The Dream had one job ahead of last night’s finale: upset the No. 1 NY Liberty. And they did just that, firing on all cylinders from the jump and topping NY’s starting lineup 78–67. What’s more, Tina Charles notched 10 points and 10 rebounds, making her the league’s new all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles. Iconic.

• Atlanta’s dub eliminated the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics, but the ’Stics made history in defeat, overpowering Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever 92–91 in front of the largest crowd in WNBA history.

Connecticut Sun claim the No. 3 seed: Marina Mabrey led the charge against her former team, scoring 12 points to help the Sun top the aforementioned Sky 87–54 and secure the No. 3 seed, a spot they were in danger of losing to the Las Vegas Aces. Up next: a first-round playoff series against the No. 6 Fever, who are making their first postseason appearance since 2016.

The postseason fun begins on Sunday: Count ’em — there are four games scheduled for Sunday’s playoff tip-off, so keep an eye on your inbox for a full Sunday Scroll preview. Just getting started.

The GIST: Believe it or not, the penultimate MLB regular-season weekend has arrived, with history being made and squads clinching playoff spots before the postseason swings into action on October 1st. Batter up!

LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani records first-ever 50/50 season: Entering the day with 49 stolen bases and 48 home runs, Ohtani stole two bases and blasted not one, not two, but three towering dingers in yesterday’s incredible 20–4 win over the Miami Marlins, making him the first player in MLB’s long history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

• It’s rare a player has both the power and speed to achieve such lofty marks in both categories, nevermind the fact that Ohtani also pitches (and might even do it in the postseason as he continues his return to the mound following offseason elbow surgery).

• From breaking record after record on the field to inking the largest contract in North American pro sports history to being the best dog dad around, there’s truly only one Shohei Ohtani. How lucky are we to bear witness?

Four teams clinch playoff berths: That victory earned the Sho-Time Dodgers a spot in the 12-team postseason field, joining the Milwaukee Brewers, NY Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians, who all secured spots in the last 48 hours.

• The series to watch over the weekend? The Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles, with both squads squarely in the hunt for an American League Wild Card spot. October baseball, you’re on deck.

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⛳ LPGA: Kroger Queen City Championship — Ongoing through Sunday — Golf Channel

• World No. 56 South African Ashleigh Buhai leads the field after one round of play from the Buckeye State. But 23-year-old Canadian Savannah Grewal sits two strokes behind heading into today’s second round and can hopefully work her way to the top.

⚽ NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — Amazon Prime

• Star forwards Trinity Rodman (Washington) and Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City) lead the league in scoring and assists, so expect fireworks as they battle it out on the pitch. Goal-orious.

🎓🏈 NCAA football: No. 11 USC vs. No. 18 Michigan — Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET — Paramount+

• The Trojans and Wolverines meet in the regular season for the first time since 1958, and a lot has changed since. Now back in the same conference, defending champs Michigan face a tough test in protecting the Big House against the undefeated Trojans.