Northwest Sports Update MLB Wild Card round continues, Kraken suffer pair of key injuries, drama in the WNBA as the Finals approach and more

The Seattle Mariners will find out their playoff opponent tomorrow following the Cleveland Guardians' 6-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians forced a decisive Game 3, with the Mariners set to host the winner on Saturday for Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series. If the Red Sox defeat the Yankees, the game will kick off at 1 pm; otherwise, it will start around 5:30 pm. In the NHL, the Kraken face significant setbacks as defenseman Ryker Evans will miss six to eight weeks with an upper-body injury, while forward Kaapo Kakko is sidelined for about six weeks due to a broken hand. Kakko had just signed a three-year contract with the Kraken during the offseason.

In the WNBA, the Finals will feature the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury after the Aces edged the Indiana Fever 107-98 in overtime. Tensions rise in the league as star player Napheesa Collier criticized commissioner Cathy Engelbert for negligence in addressing officiating and player salaries. WNBA players are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement that could lead to a holdout in 2026.