UNDATED (AP) — The two American League Division Series begin on Thursday. The top teams in the AL East are squaring off in the Division Series. The Red Sox led the division by 4 ½ games on July 7, only to finish eight games behind the Rays. Tampa Bay won the season series, 11-8 despite losing their first four meetings with Boston. The White Sox and Astros were separated by just two wins as they captured their respective division titles. The Astros are making their fifth consecutive postseason appearance. The White Sox are in consecutive playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — There are changes in the San Diego Padres front office today. Jayce Tingle has been fired after presiding over the biggest collapse in franchise history just a season after finishing second in voting for NL Manager of the Year. General manager A.J. Preller announced the move three days after the Padres finished 79-83 and in third place in the NL West, 28 games behind San Francisco.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have a new starting quarterback. After resisting the move, coach Matt Nagy has made Justin Fields his first-string quarterback going forward, moving veteran Andy Dalton into the backup role. The former Ohio State quarterback and a first-round draft pick had played against Detroit and Cleveland as the starter but only because of veteran Dalton’s knee injury. Dalton is recovered from a bone bruise and has resumed practicing this week.

DENVER (AP) — Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio says quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a chance to practice Thursday. Bridgewater left Sunday’s game against Baltimore with a concussion. Fangio says Bridgewater is improving and was cleared to lift weights with the team and attend meetings.

MADRID (AP) — Jon Rahm has made a superb start in his first tournament in his Spanish homeland in two years. He shot an 8-under 63 in the first round of the Spanish Open. Rahm started on the 10th hole and was two shots behind clubhouse leader Ross McGowan. The Englishman had eight birdies and an eagle in a 10 under round of 61. Rahm was a shot back of second-place countryman Sebastian Garcia, who had only one bogey in his 9 under 62 at Campo de Campo Villa de Madrid.

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