Boston has tagged the Astros for huge run totals in back-to-back ALCS wins, first beating Houston 9-5 in Game 2 at Minute Maid Park to tie the series at a game apiece and then running out to a 12-3 win in Game 3 on Monday at Fenway Park. There have been a lot of shocking numbers, specifically early-inning totals, that have Boston looking like an all-time offensive powerhouse. MORE: Red Sox laundry cart ride, explained...

Site: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. When: Jan. 2, 10:15 p.m. ET TV: ESPN. Series: Tied 1-1. Last game: Oklahoma State won, 31-17 on Sept. 7, 1985. Coaches: Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State); Chris Petersen (Washington) Players to watch: Oklahoma State will be without their Bedlam hero running back Tyreek Hill, who was dismissed from the team following domestic violence charges, so the Cowboys’ offensive will run through freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph, who will be making just his third start and will face a stiff Washington defense....

The American comedian and political talk show host spoke to Newsweek from the studio where his new podcast, Club Random, is taped. During a wide-ranging discussion about that venture, he also spoke at length about the monarchy in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death. Maher recently discussed the topic on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. He opened last Friday’s show by joking about the queen’s passing, suggesting the cause of her death was “Meghan Markle’s podcast....

The player in question, Akim Aliu, played for Peters with the Rockford IceHogs — the Chicago Blackhawks’ minor league affiliate — during the 2009-10 season. Aliu wrote in a series of tweets Monday that recent criticism of former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock did not surprise him and that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” when it came to Peters, who he labeled as Babcock’s “protege....

Maybe it was just one of those wild Wall Street rumors. Skeptics were quick to impugn the source: the tabloid New York Post. Others noted legal and practical hurdles. Federal regulators might bar Microsoft from taking a stake in a broadcast network. And Microsoft is already tied to CBS rival NBC through their joint cable venture, MSNBC. The head of NBC’s cable group, Tom Rogers, calls the report ““balderdash,’’ adding that their agreement would prevent the software company from linking with a competitor....

The stunt was organized by Rural America 2020, a non-profit organization that advocates for policies benefiting agriculture and rural America, and which is opposed to Trump. In a tweet, the group said: “We’re doing our part to warn Iowans that @realdonaldtrump is in town tomorrow. “This billboard is directly outside the Des Moines Airport where he will hold his hangar rally.” A photo of the billboard was also captioned “Covidiots....

Araiza, via his agency, said after the DA’s announcement, “I am grateful that the District Attorney and the San Diego Police Department have discovered all the facts and found no criminal wrongdoing. I am excited to continue my NFL career.” Days after winning the starting punter job for the Bills, rookie Matt Araiza has been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit by an 18-year-old woman who claims Araiza and two other San Diego State football players raped her last October....

Buffalo takes on the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS). The game is a pick ‘em across most of Vegas with a few shops dealing -1 in favor of the home team. Visit The Linemakers on Sporting News’ odds page for updated NFL lines. In case you just started following the NFL this week, Eagles coach Chip Kelly traded away LeSean McCoy after last season. McCoy did not take lightly to it, hurling racial accusations among other unpleasantries Kelly’s way....

The run-stuffing linebacker recorded 54 tackles and a sack in 2014 with the Bills. MORE: The top 25 pass rushers in NFL history Spikes was suspended four games last season for violating the league’s conduct policy. But the NFL also confirmed that Spikes served his four-game suspension as a free agent, so that won’t be a factor in 2016. Bills coach Rex Ryan recently said he was “very concerned” about rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland’s injured knee....

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the fight started Friday night when a visiting equipment representative asked Valencia about a pair of off-brand cleats that were in his locker. In the past, Valencia was told not to wear those shoes in games and told the rep he only uses the non-issue spikes for pregame activities. Butler, who has an equipment endorsement with a different company, butted into the conversation and told the representative that Valencia was lying and commonly uses the non-issue spikes, the report said....

That combination leads to moments like Tuesday night, when in the third inning he scored from second base on a routine fly ball to center field, never slowing as he rounded third en route to a game-tying run. Hamilton has averaged 53 stolen bases per season in his career despite playing in an era that has de-emphasized that part of the game. According to Statcast, he has been one of the 10 fastest baserunners in each of the past five seasons....

Wardlow fatally shot 82-year-old Carl Cole during a robbery at the man’s home in Cason, Texas, in June 1993. On Wednesday night, the 45-year-old was executed after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant a stay despite pleas from Wardlow’s friends and loved ones, as well as two of the jurors who had condemned him to death almost three decades ago. The Associated Press reported that Wardlow didn’t make a last statement while strapped to the gurney in the death chamber at the state state penitentiary in Huntsville....

Learning the alphabet is a cornerstone of education, and taught in kindergartens all over the country. If you have kids, or can cast your mind back to your youth, you’ll know words or items are commonly associated with letters, such as A for apple. But a mat with the 26 letters and their corresponding images is causing a stir online because of the letter U, which is usually represented by an umbrella....

Chyna—real name Angela Renée White—is suing the famous family for $100 million amid allegations that they defamed her and interfered with her contracts, eventually leading to her reality TV show being canceled. The family has denied all wrongdoing and has counterclaimed that Chyna was violent towards Rob Kardashian, with whom she shares five-year-old daughter, Dream. And while Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Khloé Kardashian have been seen in the courtroom with their mother, Kris Jenner, their attorney expressed concerns about the presence of mother Tokyo Toni, real name Shalana Hunter....

Check out Newsweek’s coverage of all Black Friday deals here. Marc Jacobs Customers can get 50 percent off all selected Marc Jacobs handbags and additional 40 percent off on all markdown prices. The selection on offer includes crossbody and tote bags in blue, grey, black and red, priced from $150 (reduced from $300) to $292.50 (reduced from $505), as well as sweatshirts and hoodies at $85 (reduced from $95-$110)....

In some states, the day after Thanksgiving can be an official holiday, so some food and drink chains may be closed or on reduced hours on Black Friday in these states. Several shops have also implemented new safety measures amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Contact your local branch for details on the specific guidelines in place before visiting. Here we look at the hours of operation and deals at some food and drink chains on Black Friday this year....

The amount of guns being purchased nationally has hit record levels in 2020, with the upcoming election, the coronavirus outbreak, and Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the death of Minneapolis Man George Floyd in late May all reported factors in the rise. According to Bridge Michigan, scores of African Americans are purchasing guns for the first time, fueled by fears for their safety and the rise of far-right groups such as the Proud Boys, who President Donald Trump told to “stand back and stand by” during the presidential debates....

A majority of people in South Carolina, which reopened many of its businesses nearly three weeks ago on May 1, said they are dissatisfied with the coronavirus pandemic responses from both federal and local government officials. A new Clemson University “Palmetto Poll” found massive partisan political divides in regards to all things related to the pandemic, with 71 percent of Democrats expressing worry about becoming sick with COVID-19 compared to just 37 percent of the state’s Republicans....

Black walnuts are common in the United States, though not as common as English walnuts. Both may be found in grocery stores and in the bulk bins at natural-food stores. What Is Black Walnut Used For? Some believe black walnut is useful as a natural remedy for the following health problems: DiabetesHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolColon and prostate cancerIntestinal worms In addition, some say that black walnut can protect against heart disease, cancer, and infections caused by ​an overgrowth of yeast (such as yeast infections, candida, and thrush)....

Two years ago, at roughly six weeks old, he wound up inside the Stanley Cup. It was a thing . MORE: Must-see photos from the series | Get Blackhawks championship gear | Fans descend upon Wrigleyville A few hours ago, at roughly two years and six weeks old, he lifted the Stanley Cup … with a little help from his pops. Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks’ android of a defenseman, had just scored the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the NHL playoffs....