Shorts Series

Luis Arraez will not be on the Philadelphia Phillies' roster for the MLB wild card round because of an ankle injury, according to an ESPN report being shared among baseball fans. His absence removes a contact hitter from the lineup as Philadelphia begins its postseason run, and fans are weighing how the Phillies will compensate in a short series.

YouTube is rolling out Shorts Series, a new format that arranges short-form videos into episodic, TV-style seasons. The feature lets creators package individual Shorts into ordered episodes, encouraging binge-style viewing on mobile. The move positions YouTube's short video product closer to traditional television, competing with TikTok and streaming services for audiences and serialized creator content.

The Chicago Cubs have named Matthew Boyd as their first pitcher of Game 1 of their postseason series against the San Diego Padres. MLB.com used the term 'out-getter', suggesting the veteran left-hander may be deployed for a short opening stint rather than a traditional start. The choice signals a strategic approach by Cubs manager Craig Counsell as the playoffs get underway.

Garrett Crochet has a chance to make the Boston Red Sox roster for the Wild Card Series, but as a reliever rather than a starter, according to MLB.com. The move would give Boston the option of using their ace out of the bullpen in a short postseason series, a notable tactical decision as the club prepares for playoff baseball.

During the World Series, readers are highlighting the fact that Major League Baseball still has no openly gay active player. A short, pointed piece on the subject is being shared and praised as timely and poignant, with commenters tying it to broader LGBT rights conversations as the playoffs draw some of the largest audiences in American sport.

The YouTube comedy channel SML has released a new episode titled "Marvin's Cereal Box!" The short film continues the channel's puppet-based comedy series following the character Marvin, a staple of its long-running sketch format. Fans of the channel are watching and reacting to the latest instalment, which has already drawn millions of engagements within a short time of its release.

The Chicago Cubs have chosen left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to start Game 1 of their playoff series against the San Diego Padres. The decision sets up a key pitching matchup as the Cubs open the postseason, with fans and analysts weighing whether Boyd gives Chicago the best chance in a short series.

Garrett Crochet has a chance to make the Boston Red Sox's roster for the American League Wild Card Series, potentially serving as a reliever rather than a starter. MLB reports the move would echo the tone he set at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of last year's AL Wild Card round. Fans are weighing how Boston might deploy its ace in a short postseason series.

Apple has released iOS 27.0.1, a minor software update aimed at fixing bugs affecting the iPhone 18 Pro series. The patch arrives shortly after the devices' launch, following Apple's usual pattern of early point releases to address issues reported by new owners. Apple has not widely publicised the specific fixes, and details on what has changed remain limited so far.

The Houston Astros have finalized their Wild Card Series roster, with pitcher Imai included for the postseason series. Pitchers Pecko and Okert were left off the roster and will not participate. Roster decisions like this draw attention as teams set their pitching plans for a short playoff series, and fans debate which arms give the club its best chance to advance.

Five Major League Baseball franchises have never won the World Series. The San Diego Padres are among them, with the club falling short in its two appearances, in 1984 and 1998. The Texas Rangers ended their long wait in 2023, but the remaining titleless teams, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners, continue to pursue their first championship.

Japanese golf lesson content shows professional golfer Serizawa demonstrating how to hit an approach shot with plenty of backspin. The instruction is tagged with golf lesson topics alongside fellow female pro golfer Miko Koga, indicating it is part of a series of celebrity-led golf tips. It is aimed at amateur players looking to improve their short game around the greens.