Rays At Pirates, 7:05 Thursday, Pittsburgh

Every Saturday, Colorado Rapids goalkeepers coach Chris Sharpe wakes up early, heads down to his living room and turns on the Premier League. When Tim Howard appears on the TV screen to analyze matches, Sharpe’s 3-year-old son, Jaxon, joins him. “Uncle Timmy!” Jaxon says, pointing his fingers at the screen with his eyes wide. Some days, Jaxon will stay put and watch whatever match is on display.

It is easier to dethrone the King than step on the Ant. This represents a delightful development for the NBA as the playoffs move into the second round. The Nuggets vanquished LeBron James, setting up a matchup with the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and superstar Anthony Edwards. The NBA remains as popular as its stars.

As the Denver Nuggets enter the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, a breakdown of their series matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves: Who has the edge? Guards: If Jamal Murray is healthy and hot, he can keep pace with any scoring guard in the NBA. But he might not be either of those things right now.

Following the Black & Gold spring game on Saturday at Folsom Field, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders gave a glowing assessment of the offensive line. “Protection, commitment,” he said of the group. “We’re able to run the ball, throw the ball, but, you know, that’s against our own players. No one loses in the spring.

Just how low can the Rockies go? There’s no telling, not after getting swept in Miami by another bad baseball team. The Marlins finished their three-game broom job with a 5-4 walk-off win in the 10th inning Thursday afternoon at loanDepot park.  The Marlins’ Jesus Sanchez lined a single to left off lefty reliever Jalen Beeks to drive in ghost runner Luis Arraez. After the game, the Rockies closed the clubhouse to the media to hold a team meeting, presumably to figure out how to stop the bleeding. The Rockies, who have lost five straight games, slid to 7-24 overall and 2-17 on the road.

Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season and periodically during the offseason. Click here to submit a question. Is it safe to Buy a Bo Nix jersey? Fans wanna know because of the revolving QB door we seem to have. — Maria England, Phoenix Thanks for getting us going this week, Maria.