Dolphins, in a shocker, are starting rookie Skylar Thompson over veteran Teddy Bridgewater  —  Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says rookie third string quarterback Skylar Thompson will start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.  (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Business |  Kroger seeks merger with Albertsons, creating a US grocery giant  —  The potential deal would be among the largest US retail transactions in years.  —  Kroger Co. is in talks about a tie-up with rival Albertsons Cos. in a deal that would create a US grocery giant, people familiar with the matter said.

Agents, execs estimate the monstrous contract awaiting Aaron Judge  —  MORE FROM:  —  Yankees superstar Aaron Judge won the bet on himself, and won big.  The consensus seems to be that the baseline deal Judge will get this winter is $300 million — or $86.5 million more than the Yankees offered in spring.

Yankees-Guardians ALDS Game 2 moved to Friday afternoon; Nestor Cortes waits another day  —  The Yankees and Guardians will have to wait yet another day.  Game 2 of the American League Division Series was postponed until Friday at 1 p.m., because of the rain and possible severe weather that was expected in the Bronx on Thursday night.

Astros starters rock hair extensions for postseason 'dos  —  Astros starters Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia look like naturals on the mound, even in the hairiest of situations.  A lot of work to make it seem that easy — at the ballpark and, as it turns out, at the barber shop.

Ravens film study: LT Ronnie Stanley impresses in return; defense bottles up Bengals QB Joe Burrow  —  “As a competitor, I really want to be out there with the team, and I'm very happy that we got out there and we pulled out the win,” said Ronnie Stanley.  (Baltimore Sun)

Ravens OLBs Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo return to practice for first time since tearing Achilles tendons  —  Ravens outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and rookie David Ojabo practiced Wednesday for the first time this season, a sign that one of the team's most decimated units is nearing full health.

Rockies keep manager Bud Black; hitting coach Dave Magadan out  —  Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black and most of his coaching staff, minus hitting coach Dave Magadan and third-base and infield coach Stu Cole, will return for the 2023 season, it was announced Thursday.

Hosting Temple, UCF football aims for 4th straight win  —  When UCF takes the field inside FBC Mortgage Stadium on Thursday night, it'll mark the 100th game at the Bounce House since the stadium opened ahead of the 2007 season.  —  The Knights have won 76% of their games in the on-campus venue and are 33-3 at home since 2017.

Gabby Giffords named Rose Parade grand marshal  —  Gabby Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman turned fierce gun control advocate after she suffered severe injuries in a mass shooting outside a grocery store in her home state, is the grand marshal for the 2023 Rose Parade …

NLDS Game 2: Dodgers vs. Padres, starting pitchers, TV info  —  The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw will take the mound against the Padres' Yu Darvish on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium  —  PADRES AT DODGERS  —  DODGERS LHP CLAYTON KERSHAW (12-3, 2.28 ERA)  —  Vs. Padres: 23-9, 2.03 ERA (45 games, 292 innings, 310 Ks)