PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Spencer Strider (3-7, 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 63 strikeouts); Athletics: JP Sears (7-7, 4.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 73 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The Athletics and Atlanta Braves meet on Thursday with the three-game series tied 1-1.

Caster Semenya has been awarded €80,000 (£69,000) after human rights judges ruled that she had been denied a fair hearing in Switzerland when challenging her ban from athletics.

Once again, the stage is set for a late start in Sacramento. The Athletics have a series in their sights, and the Atlanta Braves have something to prove. Crazy how the tables turn when one would think the opposite of both teams with just the names alone.

Lawrence Butler gave the Athletics their first leadoff inside-the-park since 1943 in a dominant win over the Braves.

The University of Illinois is integrating its athletics department with Learfield, an influential media and technology company

Here’s what it looks like from here: Red Raider athletes will make a reported $55 million in name, image and likeness deals this school year, apparently an NCAA record. And that doesn’t count the $5.1 million Tech just guaranteed a Mansfield Lake Ridge offensive tackle over three years. Once he actually graduates from high school, that is.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court on Thursday upheld a 2023 ruling that double 800 metres Olympic champion Caster Semenya’s appeal to a Swiss Federal Tribunal against regulations that barred her from competing had not been properly heard.