Today's Sports Headlines

Including: Gregor Chisholm: MLB could cancel season if coronavirus outbreaks continue, and players might have themselves to blame [Star Logo] Sports Headlines [Gregor Chisholm: MLB could cancel season if coronavirus outbreaks continue, and players might have themselves to blame]( [Twenty per cent of teams had games cancelled Friday as COVID-19 continued its spread.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [‘It’s about being us:’ Raptors will rely on confidence, experience as they resume their chase of another title]( [Their familiarity with each other, their comfort with each other, their trust in each other might be their biggest strengths.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Maple Leafs have a new playoff opponent in Blue Jackets, and hopefully a new playoff result]( [It’s the Leafs’ offence against John Tortorella’s defence in the NHL qualifying round.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [We predict one of the host cities won’t make it to the NHL’s round of 16. It’s OK, Toronto, you can relax]( [Kevin McGran breaks down the eight play-in series for the NHL playoffs.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Mailbag: NHL promises more on social justice, Black Lives Matter]( [We deal with questions about watching hockey in an empty arena, watching hockey on TV and who might the Leafs lose to the Kraken?]( [Read More [arrow]]( [A few things that it's okay to think about now that the NBA is back]( [It'a a conundrum but a balance can be found; and a really good Fred VanVleet quote]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins optimistic about return of closer Ken Giles]( [Giles has been sidelined since suffering a forearm injury Sunday. But in a video conference Friday with reporters, Atkins appeared encouraged about the pitcher’s status and recovery.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Eight NBA games that will fill the Raptors’ playoff wait]( [A difficult closing schedule opens with one of the toughest opponents: LeBron James.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [No Black driver has won a NASCAR race since 1963. Rajah Caruth plans to change that]( [The Drive for Diversity program has developed few drivers for the elite Cup Series over nearly two decades, but a renewed push at scouting younger drivers and promoting them has NASCAR optimistic that more recent classes will reverse the trend.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Canadian fans ready to embrace return of NHL in season restart amid summer heat]( [The question is whether fans, finally able to enjoy the outdoors in this year of isolation, masks, and misery, will tune in to watch computer enhanced hockey beamed in from empty hub-bubbled arenas during the COVID-19 pandemic.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [WATCH: How will the Leafs fare against the Blue Jackets? Star sports writers discuss the return of hockey and more]( [And, of course, Leafs young star and big storyline Nick Robertson came up in our conversation. Watch the latest episode of “Indoor Recess” here.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Stray souvenirs: Without fans, MLB foul balls left lonely]( [From Target Field to PNC Park and Busch Stadium, there are baseballs scattered everywhere with no fans inside to chase them down during this coronavirus-shortened 60-game season.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [A momentous first night for the NBA]( [A moving social justice protest before the Jazz and Pelicans game, in an arena with no fans but teeming with unity and purpose, made it a momentous occasion for the whole league.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [Food trucks, cannons and card tricks: A guide for a most unusual NHL post-season]( [The Stanley Cup playoffs start Saturday with 24 teams, two Canadian hubs and a long list of health and safety protocols. Here’s what you need to know.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [U.S. Tennis Association says it’s still preparing for U.S. Open]( [The U.S. Open — usually the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, but the second of 2020 because of the pandemic — is scheduled to run Aug. 31 to Sept. 13.]( [Read More [arrow]]( [The Star]( If you’re not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you’d prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Manage Your Email Preferences]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](