PHOENIX — After leading the Las Vegas Aces to their third title in four seasons, forward A’ja Wilson was named WNBA Finals MVP on Friday at Mortgage Market Center.

She finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as the Aces swept the Mercury by winning Game 4, 97-86, at Mortgage Market Arena in the first best-of-seven series.

‘God is good, he’s been working on this team from the jump,’ Wilson said as she accepted her Finals MVP Award. ‘For us to be able to celebrate this, it’s truly special. We worked our butts off to get to this point and now it’s time to have some fun.

‘I wish I could take the credit, but this is God working.’

Wilson averaged 26.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.5 blocks per game in the postseason going into Game 4. It’s been a special season for Wilson, who was also named regular season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-WNBA and All-Defensive team.

‘I said this when she got her fourth MVP. Who do you have on your (WNBA) Mount Rushmore? She’s sitting alone on Everest,’ Aces coach Becky Hammon said. ‘There’s no one around.’ 

In eight seasons, Wilson arguably has a résumé that defies logic. She now has three championships, two Finals MVP selections, four regular-season MVP awards, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, two scoring titles and a Rookie of the Year nod.

Albert Pujols, the future first ballot Hall of Famer, interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial vacancy on Thursday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team didn’t plan to announce interviews.

The meeting went well between Pujols and Angels general manager Perry Minasian, with Pujols reiterating his desire for the job, but no offer was formally made, according to a person with direct knowledge of the talks.

“For me, I’ve always been serious about everything that I do in this game,’ Pujols told USA TODAY Sports in March, “and now I’m serious about managing. This game has done so much for me, and now, I want to give back.

“I’m ready.’

The Angels’ managerial job became vacant when the Angels did not pick up Ron Washington’s 2026 option.

If he becomes a manager, Pujols, an 11-time All-Star, three-time MVP and two-time World Series champion who hit 703 homers, would become the first 700-homer hitter to ever manage in the major leagues. Pujols, 45, retired after the 2022 season. He became a special assistant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, worked as an analyst for the MLB Network, and has been a guest instructor each spring with the Angels, honoring his 10-year, $10 million personal services contract.

Pujols, who recently married Nicole Fernandez, the daughter of former Dominican president Leonel Fernandez, managed Leones del Escogido to the Caribbean Series championship this past winter. He is scheduled to manage the Dominican Republic next spring in the World Baseball Classic, but would abandon the post if he lands the Angels job.

“He’s ready,’ said Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who managed Pujols 11 years in St. Louis. “And he’s going to be great.

“You talk about integrity. You talk about his IQ. You talk about his discipline. I call him ‘APP: Albert Perfect Pujols.’ When a guy has that much to offer and has so much love for the game, the game benefits when he wants to stay active and share.’

Certainly, there are plenty of star players who have become Hall of Fame-caliber managers. Joe Torre was a nine-time All-Star and batting champion, leading the Yankees to four World Series. Dusty Baker was a two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove winner, leading five different teams to the postseason with three pennants and a World Series title. Lou Piniella was an All-Star and two-time World Series champion, and led three different teams to the playoffs and won a World Series championship.

“The key is not whether you’re a great player or not, but whether you have that love for the game,’ La Russa said. “Torre, Dusty, they love the game. And Albert loves the game. He always had the mental side commitment, and was inquisitive, always talking about the game. … So, if you have somebody with the kind of greatness like Albert, and is still motivated to stay close to the game, it’s a win-win for all of us.’’

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, who has known Pujols since 2005 during their time together in St. Louis, said: “I truly believe he’s doing to be a tremendous asset to any organization. A lot about managing is caring about people, and Albert does that. He has such attention to detail. He’s very clear in his messaging, a very principled guy with a great reputation. Really, he’s almost out of central casting for a manager.’

Now, he could be the greatest player to ever be a major-league manager, with Minasian predicting this spring that Pujols would be successful no matter where he manages.

“I always felt his baseball acumen is second-to-none,’ Minasian said. “His desire to win is second-to-none. And his ability to connect with all different kind of players, and make players believe in themselves is a hell of an attribute.

“Just the person, take the baseball part of it out, is impressive. The honesty. The belief. Everything. I think he can do whatever he wants in this game.’’

In the words of Angels great Mike Trout: “I think he’s going to be a great, great manager.’

Pujols, who’s looking forward to pursuing opportunity, believes in his heart he’ll be successful, too.

“I’d love the opportunity to give back to the game of baseball,’’ Pujols said. “I know I don’t have the experience as a manager, but 23 years in this game, you go through a lot. I’m talking about experience from baseball, being on the field and in the locker room. It’s not going from a university to try to be a manager and not having any baseball experience. Old-school mentality can help young mentality.

“I’ve learned from some of the best managers in the game. I believe with my experience, and the way I can communicate with players, I can have success. …

“If they give me the opportunity, I can promise you that I’m going to do my best to prepare the team to win a World Series. Is that a guarantee? No. But I can guarantee that I will prepare the guys to play the game just like I did with that mentality and toughness.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This story has been updated with new information.

The Seattle Mariners got the best of the Detroit Tigers 3-2 after 15 innings in the winner-take-all Game 5 on Friday, Oct. 10.

With the victory, the Mariners will move on to the American League Championship Series and play the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Mariners haven’t advanced to the ALCS since 2001. The Tigers will have to continue to search for their first ALCS berth since 2013.

Tarik Skubal of the Tigers and George Kirby of the Mariners produced a memorable pitcher’s duel before the game was set to be decided between the respective bullpens.

Leo Rivas hit a single to left field in the seventh inning to bring in Jorge Polanco, who served as the tying run. The game remained tied at 2 until Polanco walked it off with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 15th.

Highlights: Mariners beat Tigers

Final: Mariners 3, Tigers 2

The Tigers and Mariners continue to battle. Luis Castillo and the Mariners get the Tigers’ first three batters out for a scoreless inning. Pitcher Tommy Kahnle starts the bottom of the 15th for the Tigers.

J.P. Crawford singled to right field before Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch. Seattle has runners on first and second and Cal Raleigh at the plate.

Raleigh lined out to center field. Arozarena is safe at second on a throwing error. Crawford moves to third. Julio Rodríguez is intentionally walked and the bases are loaded with one out.

Jorge Polanco singled and Crawford scored to end the game.

Tigers, Mariners not done after 14 innings

Tigers pitcher Jake Flaherty caught Robles stealing to record the third out in the bottom of the 14th. Flaherty initially walked Robles after striking out Leo Rivas.

Bazardo is replaced, Mariners get out of inning

Eduard Bazardo faced three batters and recorded two outs in the top of the 14th inning before he was replaced. Luis Castillo came in to face Javier Báez, who popped out to first, ending the inning.

Mariners, Tigers set another postseason milestone

With the game in the 14th inning, it is now the longest winner-take-all matchup in postseason history.

Jack Flaherty, Tigers send game to 14th

Starting pitcher Jack Flaherty starts the bottom of the 13th inning for Detroit. He faces Mariners star Cal Raleigh.

Raleigh is walked by Flaherty. The Tigers have the winning run on base.

Flaherty also walks Julio Rodriguez. Raleigh moves to second base.

The Tigers’ defense steps up and produces a double play to record the final two outs. The game is headed to the 14th inning.

Tigers reach another postseason mark

Eduard Bazardo struck out all three batters in order in the top of the 13th inning.

The Tigers’ game against the Mariners is headed to the bottom of the 13th inning, tied at 2. This is the Tigers’ longest game by innings in the franchise’s postseason history.

Montero, Tigers escape 12th unscathed

Leo Rivas is walked by Tigers pitcher Keider Montero, putting the winning run on base for the Mariners.

Rivas to second on pickoff error by pitcher K. Montero.

Rivas moves to second on a pickoff error by Montero at first base. Montero appears rattled, hitting Victor Robles in the hand. The play is being reviewed. It was deteremind that Robles was hit by the pitch. Mariners have runners on first and second with no outs in bottom of the 12th.

Randy Arozarena grounded into a double play and the inning is over. The game is moving on to the 13th inning.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Tigers-Mariners marathon continues

Logan Gilbert returned to the mound for his third inning of relief.

Zach McKinstry reached base on an infield single and represented the go ahead run for the Tigers in the top of the 12th inning.

McKinstry moved to second base after Dingler singled to left field.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson calls for Eduard Bazardo out of the bullpen to replace Gilbert.

The Tigers had the bases loaded with two outs after the Mariners intentionally walked Kerry Carpenter.

Bazardo and Seattle managed to overcome the bases loaded jam, after Gleyber Torres flied out to right.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Keider Montero, Tigers send game to 12th

Pitcher Keider Montero did not allow a hit, keeping the game tied through 11 innings of play.

Mariners, Tigers continues

Pitcher Logan Gilbert struck out Colt Keith to send the game to the bottom of the 11th, leaving two of the Tigers’ runners on base.

Gilbert is pitching out of the bullpen for the first time since college. He started 25 games for the Mariners this season.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Mariners lead runners stranded

Victor Robles hit a double to right field off a pitch by Troy Melton, putting the potenital game-winning run on base for Seattle.

The Tigers decided to intentionally walk Cal Raleigh. Mariners had runners on first and second base with two outs before Julio Rodriguez grounded out.

The game will move on to the 11th inning.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Tigers unsuccessful in 10th

Gibert and Julio Rodriguez help send the game to the bottom of the 10th inning. Rodriguez caught fly outs from Dillon Dingler and Javier Báez to record two of the outs in the inning. Gilbert struck out Parker Meadows.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Tigers, Mariners headed to extra innings

Josh Naylor singled to right field on a pitch from Will Vest to get on base and represent the winning run for the Mariners with two outs.

Leo Rivas brought in the tying run earlier in the game but was unable to produce a similar result late in the ninth. Vest strikes him out and sends the game to the 10th inning.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Andrés Muñoz throws hitless inning

Pitcher Andrés Muñoz managed to hold his own for the Mariners at the top of the ninth. He did not allow a hit and managed to get Torkelson and McKinstry to strike out swinging.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Mariners-Tigers remained tied

Pitcher Will Vest managed to get the Tigers through the eighth inning, sending the game to the ninth inning still tied. He struck out both Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez to record the final two outs.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Mariners score tying run

Tigers pitcher Kyle Finnegan starts the seventh inning, replacing Tarik Skubal on the mound. The bullpen will be tasked with putting away the host Mariners to reach the ALCS.

Finnegan walked Jorge Polanco to put the tying run on base for the Mariners.

Naylor would single to right field and move Polanco to second base.

The Mariners and the Tigers made corresponding moves to shake things up as Dominic Canzone appeared set to hit for Mitch Garver and face Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton, but Mariners manager Dan Wilson decided to go with Leo Rivas to pinch-hit in place of Canzone.

Rivas managed to single to left field, bringing in Polanco to score the tying run. Naylor moved to second. Robles grounded into a fielder’s choice to the shortstop and Rivas was out at second to end the inning.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 2

Tarik Skubal gets Tigers through six

Tarik Skubal remains dominant for the Tigers, getting Detroit through the six innings. He allowed just two hits while striking out 13. Skubal set the record for the most strikeouts in a winner-take-all elimination game.

Skubal used a 100 MPH four-seam fastball to put away Cal Raleigh for the final out of the inning.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 1

George Kirby out, Tigers take lead

Mariners manager Dan Wilson meets George Kirby at the mound to take the ball. The pitcher’s night is done.

Kirby allowed three hits while striking out six in five innings of work. The home crowd showed their appreciation for the pitcher as he headed back to the dugout. He threw 66 pitches.

Gabe Speier takes over for Kirby with Kerry Carpenter at the plate and Javier Báez on second, after he doubled to center.

Carpenter hit a 411-foot home run to center field, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the top of the 6th.

Score: Tigers 2, Mariners 1

Tarik Skubal throws seven straight strikeouts

Pitcher Tarik Skubal continues to show he’s in control on the mound for the Tigers as he retires the side for a second straight inning. He finished out the fourth inning, throwing back-to-back 100 MPH four-seam fastballs.

Skubal has 10 strikeouts tonight, with the last seven coming in a row. His seven consecutive strikeouts set a new MLB postseason record.

Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0

Cal Raleigh prevents steal at second, ends innning

Mariners pitcher George Kirby has thrown four scoreless innings so far.

Kirby did hit Tigers designated hitter Colt Keith with a pitch on the top of the foot, putting him on base. Keith doesn’t appear to have an issue with his foot as he attempted to steal second base.

Kirby followed threw on his pitch, before catcher Cal Raleigh got the ball over to the second baseman Jorge Polanco fast enough to end the inning.

Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0

Tarik Skubal strikes out Cal Raleigh to end third

Skubal made quick work of the Mariners in the bottom of the third, striking out J.P. Crawford, Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh in order.

Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0

Mariners take early lead against Tigers

Josh Naylor hit a double in the second inning, sending the ball to left field off a pitch thrown by starter Tarik Skubal. Naylor would steal third before Mitch Garver followed up with a sac fly to bring him in. The Mariners take the early lead against the Tigers.

Score: Mariners 1, Tigers 0

Ken Griffey Jr. arrives at T-Mobile Park

Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. was driven out of the tunnel and onto the field at T-Mobile Park ahead of Game 5 on Friday.

Tarik Skubal allows one hit in first

Cal Raleigh produced the only hit for the Mariners against Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal in the bottom of the first inning.

Skubal struck out the final two batters he faced to get the Tigers out of the inning.

Score: Tigers 0, Mariners 0

George Kirby strikes out two early

Mariners pitcher George Kirby has a solid outing in the top of the first inning, allowing a hit and striking out two of the three batters he faced. The Tigers left Riley Green on base.

Score: Tigers 0, Mariners 0

What time is Tigers vs Mariners Game 5 today?

First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

Where to watch Mariners vs Tigers: TV channel, live stream

Friday’s Game 5 will air on Fox and can be streamed with Fubo.

Watch Tigers-Mariners ALDS on Fubo

Tigers vs Mariners predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers are split on the Tigers-Mariners Game 5:

• Bob Nightengale: Mariners 5, Tigers 1
• Gabe Lacques: Mariners 4, Tigers 3
• Jesse Yomtov: Tigers 5, Mariners 2

Mariners vs Tigers odds

Seattle Mariners starting lineup vs. Tigers

Randy Arozarena, LF

Cal Raleigh, C

Julio Rodríguez, CF

Jorge Polanco, 2B

Eugenio Suárez, 3B

Josh Naylor, 1B

Mitch Garver, DH

Victor Robles, RF

J.P. Crawford, SS

George Kirby, P

Detroit Tigers starting lineup vs. Mariners

Kerry Carpenter, RF

Gleyber Torres, 2B

Riley Greene, LF

Spencer Torkelson, 1B

Colt Keith, DH

Zach McKinstry, 3B

Dillon Dingler, C

Parker Meadows, CF

Javier Báez, SS

Tarik Skubal, P

Mariners expect fan base to make a difference

Mariners manager Dan Wilson expects the team’s fanbase to play a key role in Game 5 against the Tigers at T-Mobile Park on Friday night.

‘T-Mobile is legendary for the feeling that it invokes in players and coaches and those who are out there,’ Wilson told reporters before the game. ‘This is an electric place and this is an electric fan base and they’re going to be out in full force tonight.

The Detroit Tigers ace was absolutely dealing in the winner-take-all Game 5 of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. In six brilliant innings, the reigning Cy Young winner (who will likely soon pick up another trophy) struck out 13 Mariners batters while allowing just two hits over 99 pitches.

Skubal’s 13 strikeouts — the last of which was achieved via a 101 mph offering against 60-homer man Cal Raleigh to end the sixth inning — are the most ever by a pitcher in a winner-take-all playoff game, per MLB.

The prior mark in a winner-take-all game was 12 strikeouts, set just recently by Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler in the decisive Game 3 of their wild card series against the Red Sox.

For good measure, Skubal didn’t issue a single walk on the night.

He was lifted after six innings with the Tigers leading 2-1. Unfortunately for Skubal and Detroit, the bullpen surrendered the tying run in the bottom of the seventh and the team lost, 3-2, in 15 innings, ending its season.

Tarik Skubal stats vs. Mariners

Innings: 6

Hits: 2

Runs: 1

Walks: 0

Strikeouts: 13

Pitches: 99

This story has been updated with new information.

The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at Wrigley Field in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 9 to force a winner-take-all showdown in Milwaukee.

The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Ian Happ’s three-run homer and the score stayed that way until Chicago added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth to put the game out of reach.

The Brewers won the first two games of the series at home and looked to be heading towards a romp against their NL Central rival, but the Cubs recovered to win Game 3 on Wednesday and delay Milwaukee’s celebrations at least another day.

Now, the series heads back up the Lake Michigan coastline with Game 5 is set for Saturday at American Family Field.

‘We had to earn two hard-fought wins. We did that,’ Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. ‘Now we get the opportunity and the fun of getting to go close out a series.’

Since the wild card era began in 1995, only seven teams have come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a division series, most recently the New York Yankees in 2017.

Here’s how Thursday’s game unfolded:

Carson Kelly home run overturned

Chicago’s catcher hit a bomb down the left field line that was initially ruled a fair ball inside the foul poll and two-run homer. The play was reviewed and replays showed it was foul, missing the pole by a few inches.

Kelly was called back out to finish the at-bat and grounded out on a play that the Cubs challenged.

Kyle Tucker home run makes it 5-0 Cubs

Kyle Tucker greeted new Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser with an opposite-field solo home, extending Chicago’s lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the seventh.

Tucker, acquired last winter, is a free agent at the end of the season and is expected to fetch one of the biggest contracts in MLB history.

Matt Shaw adds insurance run for Cubs

Carson Kelly reached on an error and Aaron Ashby walked Dansby Swanson before Matt Shaw hit an RBI single to center to make it 4-0. But the Brewers avoided further damage with Ashby getting Michael Busch before Chad Patrick came on to retire Nico Hoerner and strand runners on second and third.

Cubs squander chance to blow it open

Aaron Ashby came on to replace Trevor Megill, who had put runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth. The Brewers’ lefty walked Kyle Tucker to load the bases but struck out Seiya Suzuki and got Ian Happ to fly out to center to strand all three runners

Matthew Boyd, Cubs escape jam in fifth

After an uneventful fourth inning for both clubs, Chicago starter Matthew Boyd ran into some trouble to start the fifth. Sal Frelick doubled and Blake Perkins walked before No. 9 hitter Joey Ortiz moved them over with a sacrifice bunt.

Boyd was able to punch out Christian Yelich, though, and then was lifted from the game. Boyd went 4.2 innings, finishing with six strikeouts and three walks.

Daniel Palencia came on in relief and got Jackson Chourio to pop out, ending the threat.

The Cubs still lead 3-0.

Score after 3 innings: Cubs 3, Brewers 0

Freddy Peralta finally had a quiet inning in the third, retiring the side in order.

Counterpart Matthew Boyd has had little trouble so far, allowing just one hit and two walks.

Still 3-0 Cubs after 2 innings

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta got himself into another jam in the second, with an infield single followed by a walk with two outs, but this time he managed to get out of it.

Ian Happ homer gives Cubs early lead

The Cubs’ bid to force a decisive Game 5 is off to a good start.

Ian Happ hammered a ball into the right field seats at Wrigley Field to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta got in trouble as Nico Hoerner reached base with a single and then Kyle Tucker walked to put men on first and second with one out. Peralta got Seiya Suzuki to strike out but Happ pounced on his 1-1 offering down the middle.

Peralta struck out Carson Kelly to end the inning, but significant damage had already been done.

What time is Cubs vs Brewers game tonight?

First pitch in Game 4 is scheduled for 9:08 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.

Where to watch Brewers vs Cubs: TV channel, live stream

Thursday’s Game 4 will air on TBS and HBO Max and can be streamed with Sling TV. With the Phillies-Dodgers game going to extra innings, Game 4 between the Brewers and Cubs is beginning on TNT.

Watch Cubs vs Phillies on Sling TV

Get your MLB postseason questions answered!

USA TODAY Sports MLB reporter Gabe Lacques is taking questions live at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 10.

Submit questions now and stop by for the full Q&A on USATODAY.com.

Brewers lineup tonight

1. Christian Yelich (L) DH
2. Jackson Chourio (R) LF
3. William Contreras (R) C
4. Brice Turang (L) 2B
5. Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B
6. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
7. Sal Frelick (L) RF
8. Blake Perkins (S) CF

Cubs lineup tonight

1. Michael Busch (L) 1B
2. Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
3. Kyle Tucker (L) DH
4. Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
5. Ian Happ (S) LF
6. Carson Kelly (R) C
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
8. Dansby Swanson (R) SS
9. Matt Shaw (R) 3B

Cubs vs Brewers prediction, odds