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Cubs outlast Padres in nail-biter, advance to NLDS vs. Brewers

Sport 4 Mins Read

The Chicago Cubs will face the National League Central rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS after dispatching the San Diego Padres in the wild card series’ winner-take-all Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Chicago notched a 3-1 win in the decider, chasing San Diego starter Yu Darvish in the second inning. The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out in the frame, but only managed to scratch across two runs – on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s RBI single and Dansby Swanson’s RBI walk. 

The two teams then traded zeroes until the seventh, when Cubs first baseman Michael Busch hit a solo homer off All-Star reliever Robert Suarez to provide a crucial insurance run.

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon threw four shutout innings and Chicago relievers kept the Padres scoreless until Jackson Merrill led off the ninth inning with a solo home run. Brad Keller, who gave up the homer, got one more out and hit two batters, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate for the Padres. But Andrew Kittredge came in to slam the door and secure the Cubs’ first postseason series win since 2017.

The NLDS meeting between the Cubs and Brewers will be the latest chapter in the saga of Chicago manager Craig Counsell, who managed Milwaukee for nine years before skipping town after the 2023 season.

Game 1 in the best-of-five NLDS is set for Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Brewers’ American Family Field.

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

Thursday’s game is airing on ESPN and can be streamed with Fubo.

Watch Cubs vs Padres on Fubo

Jackson Merrill home run to lead off ninth inning

Trailing 3-0 and down to three outs, Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill hit a solo home run off Cubs reliever Brad Keller to get San Diego on the board and cut the lead in the final frame. Keller, who had a 2.07 ERA in 68 games this season, had pitched a clean eighth inning.

Cubs escape jam in fifth

With a 2-0 lead, lefty Caleb Thielbar relieved Cubs starter Jameson Taillon to start the fifth inning. Taillon gave up two hits and struck out four without a walk in four scoreless innings but won’t be in line for the win.

Daniel Palencia came in to relieve Thielbar with two outs and a man on first, prompty giving up a double to Padres catcher Freddy Fermin. But with two outs and runners on second and third, Palencia got Fernando Tatis Jr. to fly out to right and escape the jam.

Dansby Swanson walk forces in another run, Cubs up 2-0

Jeremiah Estrada relieved Yu Darvish with nobody out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second and forced in a run by walking Dansby Swanson. But the right-hander recovered to strike out Matt Shaw and get Michael Busch to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Quite an escape from Estrada and the Cubs will regret only getting two runs in the frame.

Pete Crow-Armstrong puts Cubs in front in the second

The Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out against Yu Darvish in the bottom of the second on a Kyle Tucker single, Seiya Suzuki double and Carson Kelly was hit by a pitch. Pete Crow-Armstrong singled to center to drive in one bring in the Cubs’ first run, chasing Darvish. Jeremiah Estrada came on to replace San Diego’s starter.

Cubs vs Padres Game 3 underway at Wrigley Field

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon set the Padres down 1-2-3 in the top of the first and the winner-take-all Game 3 has officially begun in Chicago. Taillon struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. struck out to lead off, got Luis Arraez to fly out and then center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made a sliding catch to rob Manny Machado of a hit and end the frame.

Cubs lineup today

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

Padres lineup today

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
  2. Luis Arraez (L) 1B
  3. Manny Machado (R) 3B
  4. Jackson Merrill (L) CF
  5. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
  6. Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
  7. Gavin Sheets (L) LF
  8. Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
  9. Freddy Fermin (R) C

Cubs vs Padres predictions

USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts are split on the outcome of Game 3:

  • Bob Nightengale: Cubs 5, Padres 3
  • Gabe Lacques: Padres 7, Cubs 4
  • Jesse Yomtov: Padres 6, Cubs 3

Cubs vs Padres betting odds

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Investing

Syntheia Closes Call Center Guys Acquisition

Investing 5 Mins Read

Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) (‘Syntheia’ or the ‘Company’) (Syntheia.ai), is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of September 25, 2025, it has completed the previously announced acquisition (the ‘Transaction’) of certain assets of Call Centre Guys Inc. (‘CCG’). As consideration for the Transaction, the Company paid $750,000 cash and issued an aggregate of 10,000,000 common shares of the Company (each a ‘Common Share’) to Imran Butt, the principal of CCG. The Common Shares are subject to a statutory four-month and one day resale restriction and are subject to an 18-month voluntary escrow on a 25% release schedule with the first escrow release on closing of the Transaction and the following three releases every 6 months thereafter. Further, the Company issued a 10% secured promissory note as previously disclosed in the press release of the Company dated September 25, 2025.

‘With the acquisition of the CCG call center assets combined with our conversational AI platform, we expect savings and efficiencies which will significantly increase the customer experience,’ commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Syntheia. ‘We are excited to continue our industry wide roll out across North America deploying our conversational AI platform in call center acquisitions. We look to enhance revenue growth, realize savings, and increase customer satisfaction, while creating consistent accretive shareholder value,’ said Tony Di Benedetto, Chief Executive Officer.

In connection with the Transaction, Imran Butt, the principal of CCG, has joined the board of directors of the Company and has been appointed as President of the Company replacing Richard Buzbuzian as President. Mr. Buzbuzian will continue to serve as a director of the Company and Capital Markets advisor for the Company.

Imran is a senior business executive in the customer experience industry whose career spans over two decades of building, scaling, and transforming contact centers. He launched Matrix 5 Inc. in 2002, and within months became a leading industry partner which later evolved into Voysus Group Inc., serving major communications and media companies among other industries. After successfully exiting Voysus in 2012, Imran founded CCG in 2017, blending people-first values with advanced technology to deliver solutions supporting international organizations including major telecommunications companies, cosmetic brands, tech services firms, IT service providers and a Big Four accounting firm.

‘With over 20+ years in the call center space, I look forward to bringing my operational experience and industry contacts to my new role as President of Syntheia Corp. We have a significant opportunity in the call center market enhance the customer experience with AI, which Syntheia has now developed. It is a very exciting time at Syntheia!’ commented Imran Butt, President Syntheia Corp.

About Syntheia

Syntheia is an artificial intelligence technology company which is developing and commercializing proprietary algorithms to deliver human-like conversations and deploying our technology to enhance customer satisfaction while dramatically reducing turnover and traditional staffing issues.

For further information, please contact:

Tony Di Benedetto
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (844) 796-8434

Cautionary Statement

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘project’, ‘intend’, ‘believe’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘potential’, ‘proposed’ and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions ‘may’ or ‘will’ occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes, but are not limited to, the synergies derived from the acquisition of the assets in the Transaction. Readers are cautioned that forward‐looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company’s management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company’s future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward‐looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Please refer to the Company’s listing statement available on SEDAR+ for a list of risks and key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward‐looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward‐looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268810

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Gold’s Meteoric Rise: Can the Price Break US$4,000 in 2025?

Investing 4 Mins Read

Gold’s momentum has price predictions heading upwards of US$4,000 per ounce by the year’s end.

Rising by more than 44 percent since the start of the year, in 2025 the price of gold has hit highs once unthinkable. Aggressive central bank buying, US Federal Reserve rate decisions, ongoing geopolitical conflicts and US trade policy uncertainty have weakened the US dollar and escalated federal debt concerns. The resulting increase in demand for safe-haven assets is pushing investors toward gold, from physical bars to gold exchange-traded funds.

This week, the US government shutdown drove the price of gold even higher, approaching the US$3,900 level as it reached US$3,896.30 early in the morning of Wednesday (October 1) before pulling back.

Let’s take a look at what’s driving the gold price in the final stretch of 2025.

US monetary policy and dollar weakness

Gold traditionally has had an inverse relationship to the dollar, and has benefited greatly this year as the dollar has weakened. Many agree that this trend is set to continue feeding the gold price in the months ahead.

While China has been the focal point of gold buying this year, the World Gold Council’s Joe Cavatoni said western investors looking for risk diversification are helping to drive the latest surge in the gold price.

In his view, the Fed has how begun signaling to investors that economic deterioration — and a possible move into a stagflationary environment — is imminent.

Global conflict stoking central bank buying

Strong central bank buying is another key catalyst for gold’s record price streak.

Although the rate at which the world’s central banks are scooping up the precious metal has slowed somewhat in 2025 compared to the last few years, governments are still set to be net buyers this year.

For a fourth year in a row, Cavatoni sees central banks continuing to buy gold despite higher prices, although he noted that they may make price-sensitive adjustments to buy more strategically. According to the World Gold Council’s latest annual central bank survey, conducted in June, 95 percent of the 73 respondents expect to increase their gold holdings over the next 12 months. At the same time, 73 percent expect to lighten their US dollar reserves.

Countries are building up their strategic reserves of gold as security. Just look at the top two buyers of gold recently: China and Poland. Both are at the center of rapidly escalating geopolitical conflicts.

China has responded to escalating US trade tensions by taking a defensive stance economically, and that has included significantly boosting its gold reserves by 36 metric tons over nine months as of this past July.

Poland is the largest net purchaser of gold this year at 67 metric tons. No doubt, the European nation views the metal as a critical safeguard against escalating hostilities with neighboring Russia.

“Everybody has to build up their gold reserves, because the road that all these countries are on is the road of increasing global stress,” explained Chambers, adding that global leaders understand that “paper is no good when you’re fighting a war.’ This is driving the gold price higher as demand comes up against supply.

“There’s only 3,200 tonnes of it mined every year,” he said, “and the price is only going to go one way.”

Is gold heading to US$4,000 in 2025?

However, both Gareth Soloway of VerifiedInvesting.com, and Steve Barton of In It To Win It said gold is likely to trade sideways and even pull back to as low as US$3,500 before making another go at the US$4,000 target.

So will it get there this year?

Nothing is for certain, but there are a few signals gold investors should watch. The World Gold Council’s Cavatoni said he’s keeping a close eye on what the money markets are doing as interest rates start to move, as well as investor sentiment in western markets, the US in particular.

“Pay attention to how people are responding to that risk and uncertainty that we talked to, and economic conditions that are getting clearer, and I think you’ll find that this case for gold is well supporting the price predictions you’re hearing from analysts in the markets,’ he suggested.

Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Sport

ESPN MLB analyst puts down NHL promo: ‘Zero chance I’ll be watching’

Sport 2 Mins Read

The MLB playoffs are underway, and the NHL regular season starts next week.

So ESPN tried to get in a little cross-promotion for its Oct. 7 NHL tripleheader that will include the Florida Panthers raising a Stanley Cup banner for the second year in a row.

Only it didn’t go so well.

Asked by ESPN announcer Kevin Brown during ABC’s Oct. 1 broadcast of the San Diego Padres-Chicago Cubs game whether the Panthers could three-peat, analyst Ben McDonald answered, ‘If you say so, I mean good luck to them. Are you asking if I’m going to be watching?’

Brown responded that, of course, McDonald would be watching because he’s an EPSN employee.

McDonald responded, ‘There is zero chance I’ll be watching. I’m just going to be honest with you.’

He added: ‘I will be somewhere, but there’s zero chance I’ll be watching.’

‘OK, thanks man,’ Brown said. ‘We’ll be watching. Thanks for the ratings boost,’ as laughter erupted in the booth.

ESPN hockey announcer John Buccigross was quick to respond on social media to McDonald, a former No. 1 overall pick who pitched nine seasons in the majors.

‘Zero is also how many postseason innings Ben McDonald pitched in his MLB career,’ Buccigross posted on X.

The same promo was read later Wednesday during the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game.

There was silence afterward this time.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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Sport

Yankees star crushed someone in video games to get over bitter loss

Sport 3 Mins Read
  • Jazz Chisholm returned to the Yankees’ lineup after his controversial benching in Game 1.
  • Chisholm made a key defensive play and used his speed to create a run.

NEW YORK – After the New York Yankees’ Game 1 loss against the Boston Red Sox, second baseman Jazz Chisholm moped, sighed, and didn’t bother to turn around to face the media.

The All-Star was frustrated after not starting the game to face Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone filled his lineup with right-handed hitters to combat the lefty who led the major leagues in strikeouts with 255.

Chisholm, who hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases this season, was back in the lineup for Game 2, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone knew before the crucial elimination game that his sometimes-enigmatic star would come through.

“I don’t need him to put a happy face on it right now,” Boone said before Game 2. “I need him to go play his tail off, which I know he’s going to do. Hopefully can help us, do his thing and impact us winning a game.”

It was Chisholm’s tail that was ultimately the difference in the game.

Chisholm worked a walk against Boston reliever Garrett Whitlock, who was tagged with the loss, with two outs in the eighth inning. With Austin Wells up to bat, Chisholm took off from first when the count was full, and Wells laced a hit down the right-field line, ricocheting off the stands. Chisholm slid head-first into home plate, just beating the tag from Carlos Narváez on right fielder Nate Eaton’s throw.

“Any ball that an outfielder moves to his left or right, I have to score, in my head,” Chisholm said. “That’s all I was thinking.”

After the thrilling 4-3 victory on Wednesday, Chisholm admitted that he was surprised not to see his name in the lineup a day earlier. To get over that frustration, the two-time All-Star played the video game ‘MLB The Show’ and “mercy-ruled” his opponent.

‘That’s how I get my stress off,’ he said.

‘There was never a problem between me and Aaron Boone. He’s been my manager all year and I’ve stood behind him all year,” Chisholm said. “We always have disagreements – I mean, I played third base this year and we had a little bit of a disagreement in that – but at the end of the day, I always stand with Boonie because he understands where I come from. He knows I’m a passionate player and he knows I wear my feelings on my sleeve. He knows that I’m here to compete.’

Chisholm’s defense was also a key to the win, making a diving stop on an infield single from pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida, saving a run when the score was tied at three in the seventh. In the third, he started a key double play to get out of the frame.

The defense, which has been shaky at times this season for New York, was solid all around; the Yankees committed one error in Game 2 but turned three double plays.

“The double play they turned on (Alex) Bregman with his left to (Anthony) Volpe was special,” Boone said. “Obviously, to save a run with the infield hit by Yoshida was excellent, and a really good, patient at-bat. … You know, obviously moving on the pitch gave him a little bit of head-start there. And, you know, his speed comes into play big time there.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Sport

Padres reliever throws fastest pitch ever recorded in MLB playoffs

Sport 2 Mins Read

San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller was dealing once again Wednesday, Oct. 1, striking out five batters over the seventh and eighth innings in the Padres’ 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.

The 27-year-old flamethrower acquired by the Padres from the Athletics on trade deadline day really brought the heat on his second strikeout of the day. He sat down the Cubs’ Carson Kelly with a 104.5 mph fastball, which, per MLB, is the fastest pitch ever recorded in the playoffs since pitch tracking began in 2008.

It was also the fastest pitch Miller has thrown in his career, per the Padres.

Aroldis Chapman had held the record for fastest pitch in the postseason (104.2 mph) since 2010, per MLB.com.

Miller, in his first postseason, struck out five consecutive batters Wednesday before he hit Michael Busch with a pitch. That ended Miller’s run of consecutive strikeouts at eight, after he also struck out the side in the seventh inning in Tuesday’s Game 1.

Wednesday’s victory kept the Padres’ season alive and forces a decisive Game 3 on Thursday.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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Sport

Predicting MLB’s winner-take-all wild card games

Sport 1 Min Read

Baseball enjoyers have a big day on tap Thursday, Oct. 2 with a tripleheader of winner-take-all games set to decide Major League Baseball’s wild card series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ swept the Cincinnati Reds, but all the other best-of-three series were pushed to the limit on Wednesday. Things get underway at 3 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Guardians hosting the Detroit Tigers. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres face off at Wrigley Field at 6 p.m. ET and then the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox clash in the nightcap.

The winners advance to the best-of-five Division Series, which begin on Saturday.

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ MLB experts see the winner-take-all games playing out:

Guardians vs Tigers prediction

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

Cubs vs Padres prediction

  • Bob Nightengale: Cubs 5, Padres 3
  • Gabe Lacques: Padres 7, Cubs 4
  • Jesse Yomtov: Padres 6, Cubs 3

Yankees vs Red Sox prediction

  • Bob Nightengale: Yankees 5, Red Sox 4
  • Gabe Lacques: Red Sox 5, Yankees 3
  • Jesse Yomtov: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2

MLB playoff bracket

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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