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)

Padres believe they ‘can beat anyone’ - even the Dodgers - and why not?  —  LOS ANGELES — There was no spraying of champagne Wednesday night, nor dousing of beers, with only a few cold ones quietly passed around for consumption.  —  There was no blaring music.  No dancing.  No screaming.

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.

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.

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)

Heisman straw poll: Dorian Thompson-Robinson joins the debate; Hooker gains on Stroud  —  Dorian Thompson-Robinson has entered the chat.  —  You remember DTR, don't you?  He was a former top-50 signee who had committed to UCLA under the Jim Mora regime 5 1/2 years ago.

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 …

Carlos Correa opting out of Twins deal to become free agent  —  Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent, he told El Nuevo Día newspaper Wednesday.  —  Correa, who hit .291 with 22 home runs, 64 RBIs and 70 runs scored in 136 games this season …

Red Sox make more roster moves, claiming Jake Reed from Orioles, DFA'ing Eduard Bazardo  —  The Red Sox made two more roster moves Thursday.  They claimed right-handed reliever Jake Reed off waivers from the Orioles and designated right-handed reliever Eduard Bazardo for assignment.

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.