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Deadspin | More than 100 WNBA free agents hit the market Monday  Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) keeps the ball away from Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner (11) during the third quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images   WNBA free agency begins Monday, just one week before the 2026 WNBA Draft.  It will be a frantic week as more than 100 players are on the market, their contracts having been tied to the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement in 2025.  Now, players will benefit from a new CBA, which allows for a .5 million increase in team salary caps. Both veterans and rookies will see huge jumps in pay.  Under the new CBA, the No. 1 pick in the draft will earn 0,000 annually. When the Indiana Fever took Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall in 2024, she earned just over ,000 per year.   And standout players, such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, will see increases from the 0,000 range to more than  million.  Monday and Tuesday are the designation period, during which qualifying offers can be made and core players designated. Players and their representatives can negotiate from Wednesday to Friday, and contracts can be executed beginning Saturday.  Already, Wilson has said she plans to re-sign with the Aces, while New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu said they are staying put.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #WNBA #free #agents #hit #market #Monday

Deadspin | More than 100 WNBA free agents hit the market Monday
Deadspin | More than 100 WNBA free agents hit the market Monday  Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) keeps the ball away from Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner (11) during the third quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images   WNBA free agency begins Monday, just one week before the 2026 WNBA Draft.  It will be a frantic week as more than 100 players are on the market, their contracts having been tied to the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement in 2025.  Now, players will benefit from a new CBA, which allows for a .5 million increase in team salary caps. Both veterans and rookies will see huge jumps in pay.  Under the new CBA, the No. 1 pick in the draft will earn 0,000 annually. When the Indiana Fever took Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall in 2024, she earned just over ,000 per year.   And standout players, such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, will see increases from the 0,000 range to more than  million.  Monday and Tuesday are the designation period, during which qualifying offers can be made and core players designated. Players and their representatives can negotiate from Wednesday to Friday, and contracts can be executed beginning Saturday.  Already, Wilson has said she plans to re-sign with the Aces, while New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu said they are staying put.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #WNBA #free #agents #hit #market #MondaySep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) keeps the ball away from Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner (11) during the third quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

WNBA free agency begins Monday, just one week before the 2026 WNBA Draft.

It will be a frantic week as more than 100 players are on the market, their contracts having been tied to the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement in 2025.

Now, players will benefit from a new CBA, which allows for a $5.5 million increase in team salary caps. Both veterans and rookies will see huge jumps in pay.


Under the new CBA, the No. 1 pick in the draft will earn $500,000 annually. When the Indiana Fever took Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall in 2024, she earned just over $76,000 per year.

And standout players, such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, will see increases from the $200,000 range to more than $1 million.

Monday and Tuesday are the designation period, during which qualifying offers can be made and core players designated. Players and their representatives can negotiate from Wednesday to Friday, and contracts can be executed beginning Saturday.

Already, Wilson has said she plans to re-sign with the Aces, while New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu said they are staying put.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #WNBA #free #agents #hit #market #Monday

Sep 30, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) keeps the ball away from Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner (11) during the third quarter of game five of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

WNBA free agency begins Monday, just one week before the 2026 WNBA Draft.

It will be a frantic week as more than 100 players are on the market, their contracts having been tied to the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement in 2025.

Now, players will benefit from a new CBA, which allows for a $5.5 million increase in team salary caps. Both veterans and rookies will see huge jumps in pay.

Under the new CBA, the No. 1 pick in the draft will earn $500,000 annually. When the Indiana Fever took Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall in 2024, she earned just over $76,000 per year.

And standout players, such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, will see increases from the $200,000 range to more than $1 million.

Monday and Tuesday are the designation period, during which qualifying offers can be made and core players designated. Players and their representatives can negotiate from Wednesday to Friday, and contracts can be executed beginning Saturday.

Already, Wilson has said she plans to re-sign with the Aces, while New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu said they are staying put.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #WNBA #free #agents #hit #market #Monday

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Let’s re-draft the 2021 NFL Draft after 5 years <figure> <img alt="" data-caption="JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs out prior to the AFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2255720136.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs out prior to the AFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-text-align-none">Five years is plenty of time to evaluate a draft class, and hoo boy is there a lot of room to correct what happened in 2021. It was a year of desperate quarterback reaches, mammoth busts at a variety of positions, and a plethora of teams that simply screwed up the process — but also gave us some of the best talent in all of the NFL.</p> <p class="has-text-align-none">Now’s our chance to right the wrongs of the past and re-draft the first round from 2021. </p> <figure class="wp-block-vox-media-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Pick</th><th>Team</th><th>Original Pick</th><th>Position</th><th>New Pick</th><th>Position</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Jacksonville Jaguars</td><td>Trevor Lawrence</td><td>QB</td><td>Trevor Lawrence</td><td>QB</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>New York Jets</td><td>Zach Wilson</td><td>QB</td><td>Micah Parsons</td><td>EDGE</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>San Francisco 49ers</td><td>Trey Lance</td><td>QB</td><td>Patrick Surtain II</td><td>CB</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Atlanta Falcons</td><td>Kyle Pitts</td><td>TE</td><td>Ja’Marr Chase</td><td>WR</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Cincinnati Bengals</td><td>Ja’Marr Chase</td><td>WR</td><td>Penei Sewell</td><td>OT</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Miami Dolphins</td><td>Jaylen Waddle</td><td>WR</td><td>Amon-Ra St. Brown</td><td>WR</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Detroit Lions</td><td>Penei Sewell</td><td>OT</td><td>Jaylen Waddle</td><td>WR</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Carolina Panthers</td><td>Jaycee Horn</td><td>CB</td><td>Landon Dickerson</td><td>OT</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Denver Broncos</td><td>Patrick Surtain II</td><td>CB</td><td>Jaelan Phillips</td><td>EDGE</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Philadelphia Eagles</td><td>DeVonta Smith</td><td>WR</td><td>Trey Smith</td><td>OL</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Chicago Bears</td><td>Justin Fields</td><td>QB</td><td>Rashawn Slater</td><td>OT</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Dallas Cowboys</td><td>Micah Parsons</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Travis Etienne</td><td>RB</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Los Angeles Chargers</td><td>Rashawn Slater</td><td>OT</td><td>Creed Humphrey</td><td>OL</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>New York Jets</td><td>Alijah Vera-Tucker</td><td>OL</td><td>Spencer Brown</td><td>OL</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>New England Patriots</td><td>Mac Jones</td><td>QB</td><td>Gregory Rousseau</td><td>EDGE</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Arizona Cardinals</td><td>Zaven Collins</td><td>LB</td><td>Kwity Paye</td><td>EDGE</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Las Vegas Raiders</td><td>Alex Leatherwood</td><td>OT</td><td>Nico Collins</td><td>WR</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Miami Dolphins</td><td>Jaelan Phillips</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Jonathon Cooper</td><td>EDGE</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Washington Commanders</td><td>Jamin Davis</td><td>LB</td><td>Nick Bolton</td><td>LB</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>New York Giants</td><td>Kadarius Toney</td><td>WR</td><td>Kyle Pitts</td><td>TE</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Indianapolis Colts</td><td>Kwity Paye</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Azeez Ojulari</td><td>LB</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Tennessee Titans</td><td>Caleb Farley</td><td>CB</td><td>Jaycee Horn</td><td>CB</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Minnesota Vikings</td><td>Christian Darrisaw</td><td>OT</td><td>Christian Darrisaw</td><td>OT</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Pittsburgh Steelers</td><td>Najee Harris</td><td>RB</td><td>Najee Harris</td><td>RB</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Jacksonville Jaguars</td><td>Trevor Etienne</td><td>RB</td><td>Chuba Hubbard</td><td>RB</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Cleveland Browns</td><td>Greg Newsome II</td><td>CB</td><td>Pete Werner</td><td>LB</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Baltimore Ravens</td><td>Rashod Bateman</td><td>WR</td><td>Quinn Meinerz</td><td>CB</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>New Orleans Saints</td><td>Payton Turner</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Dan Moore</td><td>OL</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>Green Bay Packers</td><td>Eric Stokes</td><td>CB</td><td>Rhamondre Stevenson</td><td>RB</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Buffalo Bills</td><td>Gregory Rousseau</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Talanoa Hufanga</td><td>S</td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>Balitmore Ravens</td><td>Odafe Oweh</td><td>EDGE</td><td>Christian Barmore</td><td>DT</td></tr><tr><td>32</td><td>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</td><td>Joe Tryon-Shoyinka</td><td>LB</td><td>Odafe Oweh </td><td>EDGE</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>We went from four first round quarterbacks to one. Regardless of how great the other players in this class were, I still think the Jaguars go with Lawrence here to find their franchise QB.</li> <li>In total we had 15 players fall out of the first round who were originally first round picks. </li> <li>The biggest riser in the 2021 class was OL Trey Smith, who moves from pick No. 226 to No. 10. </li> <li>The biggest conceivable fall in the redraft would be OL Alex Leatherwood, who was the No. 17 pick, but out of the NFL in two years. He would fall to UDFA. </li> </ul> #Lets #redraft #NFL #Draft #years

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IFL 2025-26: Visiting Chanmari stuns Real Kashmir 2-1 <div id="content-body-70831613" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Goals from Marlon Rangel and Lalruatsanga in either half ensured Chanmari FC edged past Real Kashmir 2-1 in an Indian Football League 2025-26 match at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Monday.</p><p>Marius Bedzigui scored for the home side to halve the deficit but Chanmari FC held on to the lead to move to seventh place in the table with eight points. Real Kashmir remained at the bottom of the table with two points from seven matches. Marlon Rangel was adjudged Player of the Match.</p><p>The home side dominated large spells of the first half, making good use of the windy conditions that made it difficult for midfielders to play precise forward passes. Real Kashmir’s overseas signings impressed alongside captain Mohammad Inam, as they looked the more likely side to score. At the other end, Chanmari relied on their pace to threaten on the counter.</p><p>The <i>Snow Leopards</i> struck the woodwork twice in the first half. Inam hit the near post after being set up by Junior Traore. Later in the half, Bedzigui himself saw his effort from the edge of the box crash against the crossbar following a well-worked corner.</p><p>Chanmari took the lead against the run of play just before half-time from a set-piece. P. Christopher Kamei floated a chipped delivery into the box, and Real Kashmir goalkeeper Sayad Bin misjudged its flight, completely missing the ball and leaving the goal exposed. Marlon Angel had the simplest of tasks, guiding it into the net to give the visitors the lead which they took into the break.</p><p>The visitors doubled their advantage just after the hour mark, capitalising on poor defending from Real Kashmir. Christopher Kamei was once again the provider, as his corner was expertly side-footed into the net by Lalruatsanga, who got ahead of his marker.</p><p>The <i>Snow Leopards</i> pulled one back just two minutes later. Shedrack Charles was brought down on the edge of the box, earning a free-kick in a dangerous position. Marius stepped up and curled a superb effort over the five-man wall and into the net, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.</p><p>Charles squandered a glorious chance to level the scores as Real Kashmir continued to push for an equaliser. Marius, who was the standout performer for the home side, delivered a low cross from the right that the defender failed to clear, allowing the ball to fall kindly for Shedrack. However, from just six yards out, the striker blasted his effort over the crossbar.</p><p>Chanmari looked in control for the rest of the match even though the home side were pushing for an equaliser but could not create any clear-cut chances and trouble the defence. In the end, the away side held on to its one goal advantage and secured three crucial points.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 06, 2026</p></div> #IFL #Visiting #Chanmari #stuns #Real #Kashmir

The inaugural edition of the Boulders Classic will get underway at the Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The DP World PGTI event, played in Stroke Play Format, will see 132 professional golfers, from India and abroad, compete for the Rs. 1 crore prize money.

The field is headlined by Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu. The former, a two-time DP World Tour winner, stated that he was looking forward to competing in the City of Pearls, where he honed his craft as a teenager.

“This is where I grew up on the PGTI Tour. I came to Hyderabad 10 years ago for a tournament, all my friends are still here. When you’re playing abroad, it’s an individual sport, you don’t meet your friends as much. Also, coming back helps you reinvent yourself and find the game that you love so much,” he said.

Yuvraj, the 2025 DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion and the country’s leading male golfer, stated that he was looking forward to getting his season started on home soil.

“It’s fun to be back in India and play the same event as Shubhankar. It’s becoming a habit to be out there on the tour, but at the same time, to come back and play PGTI definitely feels like home. I’m really excited to play at a new venue on the calendar, especially at this time of the year where we’re starting our season. We’re going to go full throttle for the next six months.”

The local challenge will be led by Mohd. Azhar, the city’s top-ranked golfer.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#Shubhankar #Sharma #Yuvraj #Sandhu #headline #field #Boulders #Classic #Hyderabad">Shubhankar Sharma, Yuvraj Sandhu headline field at Boulders Classic in Hyderabad  The inaugural edition of the Boulders Classic will get underway at the Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The DP World PGTI event, played in Stroke Play Format, will see 132 professional golfers, from India and abroad, compete for the Rs. 1 crore prize money.The field is headlined by Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu. The former, a two-time DP World Tour winner, stated that he was looking forward to competing in the City of Pearls, where he honed his craft as a teenager.“This is where I grew up on the PGTI Tour. I came to Hyderabad 10 years ago for a tournament, all my friends are still here. When you’re playing abroad, it’s an individual sport, you don’t meet your friends as much. Also, coming back helps you reinvent yourself and find the game that you love so much,” he said.Yuvraj, the 2025 DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion and the country’s leading male golfer, stated that he was looking forward to getting his season started on home soil.“It’s fun to be back in India and play the same event as Shubhankar. It’s becoming a habit to be out there on the tour, but at the same time, to come back and play PGTI definitely feels like home. I’m really excited to play at a new venue on the calendar, especially at this time of the year where we’re starting our season. We’re going to go full throttle for the next six months.”The local challenge will be led by Mohd. Azhar, the city’s top-ranked golfer.Published on Apr 12, 2026  #Shubhankar #Sharma #Yuvraj #Sandhu #headline #field #Boulders #Classic #Hyderabad

Deadspin | Angels turn to sizzling Jose Soriano in rubber game at Reds  Apr 6, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA;  Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   The Los Angeles Angels are sending the right man to the mound against the host Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, when they’ll rely on new-found ace Jose Soriano to try to win the finale and the three-game series.  The Angels’ bats cooled off after Friday’s 10-2 blowout win as they dropped Saturday’s game 7-3, setting up the Sunday showdown.  Enter Soriano, who’s been one of the surprises of MLB so far in 2026 after allowing just one run over his first three starts. The right-hander is 3-0 and ranks second in the majors with a 0.45 ERA going into Sunday’s games.  Angels manager Kurt Suzuki praised Soriano for his composure after his last outing, yielding one run and three hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts in eight innings against the visiting Atlanta Braves on April 6.  “When you see him lose a couple arm-side or up or down or whatever, he gets right back in it and refocuses and starts pounding the zone,” Suzuki said.  “I think his adjustments are quick, and that’s what you like to see.”  Soriano is an unlucky 0-1 all-time against the Reds in three appearances with a 0.00 ERA, as he took the loss without giving up an earned run in his lone start at Cincinnati on April 21, 2024.  It will be a battle between one of the league’s hottest pitchers and a Cincinnati offense still looking for answers despite finding success in its last game. The Reds enter Sunday with the second-fewest runs scored in the league (48).   They got a spark on Saturday from Nathaniel Lowe, who had a bases-clearing double in the first inning of the win.  Lowe won an American League Silver Slugger as a first baseman for Texas in 2022, but he hadn’t showcased much of that hitting prowess since signing with the Reds on a minor league deal in the offseason. Before the big hit on Saturday, Lowe had recorded just one extra-base hit and two RBIs.  In a postgame interview on the Reds’ broadcast, Lowe credited the hitters further up the order for setting up his bases-clearing double, saying, “I thought we got great at-bats in front of me and, thankfully, I got a pitch to handle.”  “It’s real early,” he continued. “This offense still needs to find its rhythm and figure out how we’re going to be the best version of us, but I thought today was a pretty good showing.”  One offensive standout for Cincinnati has been rookie infielder Sal Stewart, who has four home runs, 17 hits, four doubles and 13 walks — all team highs. Manager Terry Francona is finding ways to make sure Stewart stays in the lineup, playing him at second base for the first time in his short MLB career on Saturday. He also has played first and third as well as been in the lineup as the designated hitter.  Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.18) will be the starting pitcher for the Reds on Sunday. He was the team’s Opening Day starter this year and earned a spot on the National League All-Star roster in 2025. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in one previous start against the Angels in August 2023.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Angels #turn #sizzling #Jose #Soriano #rubber #game #RedsApr 6, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels are sending the right man to the mound against the host Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, when they’ll rely on new-found ace Jose Soriano to try to win the finale and the three-game series.

The Angels’ bats cooled off after Friday’s 10-2 blowout win as they dropped Saturday’s game 7-3, setting up the Sunday showdown.

Enter Soriano, who’s been one of the surprises of MLB so far in 2026 after allowing just one run over his first three starts. The right-hander is 3-0 and ranks second in the majors with a 0.45 ERA going into Sunday’s games.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki praised Soriano for his composure after his last outing, yielding one run and three hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts in eight innings against the visiting Atlanta Braves on April 6.

“When you see him lose a couple arm-side or up or down or whatever, he gets right back in it and refocuses and starts pounding the zone,” Suzuki said.

“I think his adjustments are quick, and that’s what you like to see.”

Soriano is an unlucky 0-1 all-time against the Reds in three appearances with a 0.00 ERA, as he took the loss without giving up an earned run in his lone start at Cincinnati on April 21, 2024.


It will be a battle between one of the league’s hottest pitchers and a Cincinnati offense still looking for answers despite finding success in its last game. The Reds enter Sunday with the second-fewest runs scored in the league (48).

They got a spark on Saturday from Nathaniel Lowe, who had a bases-clearing double in the first inning of the win.

Lowe won an American League Silver Slugger as a first baseman for Texas in 2022, but he hadn’t showcased much of that hitting prowess since signing with the Reds on a minor league deal in the offseason. Before the big hit on Saturday, Lowe had recorded just one extra-base hit and two RBIs.

In a postgame interview on the Reds’ broadcast, Lowe credited the hitters further up the order for setting up his bases-clearing double, saying, “I thought we got great at-bats in front of me and, thankfully, I got a pitch to handle.”

“It’s real early,” he continued. “This offense still needs to find its rhythm and figure out how we’re going to be the best version of us, but I thought today was a pretty good showing.”

One offensive standout for Cincinnati has been rookie infielder Sal Stewart, who has four home runs, 17 hits, four doubles and 13 walks — all team highs. Manager Terry Francona is finding ways to make sure Stewart stays in the lineup, playing him at second base for the first time in his short MLB career on Saturday. He also has played first and third as well as been in the lineup as the designated hitter.

Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.18) will be the starting pitcher for the Reds on Sunday. He was the team’s Opening Day starter this year and earned a spot on the National League All-Star roster in 2025. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in one previous start against the Angels in August 2023.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Angels #turn #sizzling #Jose #Soriano #rubber #game #Reds">Deadspin | Angels turn to sizzling Jose Soriano in rubber game at Reds  Apr 6, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA;  Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   The Los Angeles Angels are sending the right man to the mound against the host Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, when they’ll rely on new-found ace Jose Soriano to try to win the finale and the three-game series.  The Angels’ bats cooled off after Friday’s 10-2 blowout win as they dropped Saturday’s game 7-3, setting up the Sunday showdown.  Enter Soriano, who’s been one of the surprises of MLB so far in 2026 after allowing just one run over his first three starts. The right-hander is 3-0 and ranks second in the majors with a 0.45 ERA going into Sunday’s games.  Angels manager Kurt Suzuki praised Soriano for his composure after his last outing, yielding one run and three hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts in eight innings against the visiting Atlanta Braves on April 6.  “When you see him lose a couple arm-side or up or down or whatever, he gets right back in it and refocuses and starts pounding the zone,” Suzuki said.  “I think his adjustments are quick, and that’s what you like to see.”  Soriano is an unlucky 0-1 all-time against the Reds in three appearances with a 0.00 ERA, as he took the loss without giving up an earned run in his lone start at Cincinnati on April 21, 2024.  It will be a battle between one of the league’s hottest pitchers and a Cincinnati offense still looking for answers despite finding success in its last game. The Reds enter Sunday with the second-fewest runs scored in the league (48).   They got a spark on Saturday from Nathaniel Lowe, who had a bases-clearing double in the first inning of the win.  Lowe won an American League Silver Slugger as a first baseman for Texas in 2022, but he hadn’t showcased much of that hitting prowess since signing with the Reds on a minor league deal in the offseason. Before the big hit on Saturday, Lowe had recorded just one extra-base hit and two RBIs.  In a postgame interview on the Reds’ broadcast, Lowe credited the hitters further up the order for setting up his bases-clearing double, saying, “I thought we got great at-bats in front of me and, thankfully, I got a pitch to handle.”  “It’s real early,” he continued. “This offense still needs to find its rhythm and figure out how we’re going to be the best version of us, but I thought today was a pretty good showing.”  One offensive standout for Cincinnati has been rookie infielder Sal Stewart, who has four home runs, 17 hits, four doubles and 13 walks — all team highs. Manager Terry Francona is finding ways to make sure Stewart stays in the lineup, playing him at second base for the first time in his short MLB career on Saturday. He also has played first and third as well as been in the lineup as the designated hitter.  Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.18) will be the starting pitcher for the Reds on Sunday. He was the team’s Opening Day starter this year and earned a spot on the National League All-Star roster in 2025. The left-hander is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in one previous start against the Angels in August 2023.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Angels #turn #sizzling #Jose #Soriano #rubber #game #Reds

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