SAN DIEGO — Three days ago, as debris littered Dodger Stadium’s right field during a lengthy delay, Yu Darvish lowered himself into a deep squat at the back of the mound. Then, he stayed that way for several minutes, seemingly impassive amid a cauldron of emotion.It might have been good practice. Soon, on that same mound, the right-hander will attempt to serve as a backstop against a season’s conclusion.The San Diego Padres, after Wednesday’s 8-0 drubbing by the Los Angeles Dodgers, will turn to Darvish on Friday in a winner-take-all Game 5. The result of this National League Division Series could very well hinge on San Diego’s most veteran pitcher, as he returns to the...

Gold rallies to new record high early Monday, extending the rally that began after last week’s Federal Reserve interest rate cut. The yellow metal topped $2,600 an ounce last week on the rate cut, expectations for more reductions to come and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Interest rate cuts are typically considered bullish for gold, which become more attractive alternate investments when rates go down. The precious metal is also a traditional hedge against uncertainty, both geopolitical and economic.  Investors will be awaiting additional direction from the Fed’s favorite inflation indicator, which is due out Friday, as well as a number of comments this week from Fed officials including Chairman Jerome Powell. Front-month gold futures rose 1.4%...