HOT | NOT

HOT: Wilson Ramos

Nats backstop keys playoff push with two-week tear: six homers, 21 RBIs and a 1.019 OPS. Classic Washington: dither for months then scramble to make something happen before November.

HOT: U.S. Soccer

They're in but have 10-month wait for World Cup finals. Nothing compared with 40 years the sport has been on the verge of becoming next big thing.

HOT: Jim Furyk

Sixth man to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour; first to do so with almost as many logos on his person.

NOT: The Rays

They've gone 7--14 in last 21, falling from AL East lead to verge of missing postseason. This is what the wild card is all about.

NOT: The Bucs

Another week, another last-second collapse—and now QB Josh Freeman wants a trade. At least Tampa fans have the Rays.

PHOTO

PATRICK MCDERMOTT/GETTY IMAGES (RAMOS)

PHOTO

RICH GRAESSLE/ICON SMI (FREEMAN)