TOKYO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit a towering solo homer in his return to Japan, taking Chicago Cubs pitcher Nate Pearson deep with a ball that barely cleared the fence in right-center field and helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 to sweep the two-game series in Tokyo.

Ohtani’s every step, swing and smile were intensely followed this week during his homecoming at the Tokyo Dome, an event that would make most mortals wilt under the pressure. After admitting to some nerves during Tuesday’s season opener, the slugger was more relaxed a day later.

It led to another baseball moment that will live in MLB lore for quite a while.

USING AI TO WIN YOUR BRACKET

DENVER (AP) — Perhaps the surest sign that artificial intelligence really is taking over the world will come the day it wins your favorite March Madness bracket pool.

The day could be coming soon. A successful CEO-turned-disruptor is running a $1 million March Madness bracket challenge that pits his AI programmers’ picks against those belonging to one of the world’s best-known sports gamblers.

4C Predictions CEO Alan Levy says he’s willing to wager the million because he’s convinced the data crunching his AI programmers can do is better than what gambler Sean Perry can produce.

Levy’s AI program picks Houston to win it all. Perry is going with Duke.

VIKINGS COMMIT TO McCARTHY

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Vikings were not commenting publicly on their plans.

Rodgers was released last week by the New York Jets.

The departure of Sam Darnold left the Vikings ready to turn their offense over to McCarthy. He was the 10th pick in the 2024 draft whose rookie year was spent rehabilitating from knee surgery.

SCHEFFLER SERVING SIMILAR DINNER

By The Associated Press

Scottie Scheffler has added a few wrinkles to the menu for the Masters Club dinner he will host as the defending champion.

Yes, there will be ravioli.

Scheffler revealed the menu during a conference call ahead of the Masters. He says meatballs and ravioli was his father’s specialty when he was a kid and he thought it would be fun to have it on the menu.

Ravioli was responsible for Scheffler having minor surgery to his right hand. He was using a wine glass to cut ravioli when it punctured his hand. Scheffler says that has caused a minor setback.