BC-AP Sports Preview Digest

Oct 7, 2015 - 4:41 PM Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Wednesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:

- PITTSBURGH - The Chicago Cubs and Cy Young favorite Jake Arrieta face the Pittsburgh Pirates and emerging ace Gerrit Cole in the NL wild-card game. The winner gets a shot at St. Louis. Game starts 8:07 p.m.

- Previews on Thursday's two AL Division Series openers: Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals; Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays.

- CHICAGO - On the first night of the NHL season, Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks raise the Stanley Cup banner and then take on Rick Nash and the New York Rangers. Game starts 7 p.m.

- Wayne Gretzky was ''The Great One'' and Mario Lemieux was ''The Magnificent One.'' Hockey is always looking for a new superstar. Now it's Connor McDavid's turn to carry the burden that goes with the hype.

- NEW YORK - NFL owners approve more international games through 2025, including ones in places other than England. Mexico and Germany are among those interested in regular-season games.

- FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Falcons are 4-0 under Dan Quinn. New coaches often have an immediate influence on teams. The bigger challenge is maintaining it.

- DAVIE, Fla. - The Miami Dolphins practice under new interim coach Dan Campbell for the first time, and he shows them what he means in wanting a more aggressive team.

- MINNEAPOLIS - Kevin Durant, out with foot pain much of last season, plays for the first time since February when Oklahoma City faces the Minnesota Timberwolves in an exhibition game. Game starts 8 p.m.

- INCHEON, South Korea - The similarities between the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup go only so far. After all, the Americans haven't lost in these matches since 1998.

- COLUMBIA, S.C. - The game between No. 7 LSU and South Carolina on Saturday is being moved to Baton Rouge because of the flooding around Columbia.

- Picking a favorite to win the SEC is no easy thing. It's not just the upsets, but the wide margins of victory in them that have cast so much uncertainty over how the rest of the schedule plays out.

- ATLANTA - Georgia Tech has been one of the biggest disappointments in the first month of the college football season. The Yellow Jackets are not alone. A look at flops in the Power Five conferences.

- LOS ANGELES - Steve Sarkisian spent five years trying to build Washington into the kind of power he inherited at USC last season. He leads the Trojans against the Huskies on Thursday night at the Coliseum.

- MONTREAL - Leaders of the World Anti-Doping Agency discuss a troubling year in sports - headlined by a doping scandal in Russia and other allegations in track and field.

- LONDON - FIFA presidential contender Chung Mong-joon calls Sepp Blatter a ''hypocrite and a liar'' and plans to sue the outgoing president for at least $100 million.